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Chapter Four

Location: Onboard the S.T.A.T. Fleet Command Vessel Purification

Captain Andrew Markducus sat in the hovering Captains chair, the room around him circular with several stations occupied by the bridge officers. A steady stream of data scrolled across the viewscreen in front of him with the two prongs of the Purification going forward to the aft section of the ship. Several dozen small flak turrets came to life and began to swivel on their joints. The circular room itself had the NAV station and Operations Station with the Captains Chair with it's smaller monitor on the right arm of the chair behind them. Behind the Captains chair, up a few steps, was an Engineering and Tactical Station. Captain Markducus, an old sly Fox with red fur and a white stripe going up and down of his torso, wearing his Captains Uniform. It was Gray and Blue with the UGSM Insignia on the right shoulder patch, and the ships patch with the letters OW behind the starship itself. On his collar was a Valkyrie Symbol with two stars to the side. Markducus continued to read the data that strolled across the viewscreen when an alarm sounded, yellow lights flashed throughout the room as shielding came over the hull.

"Report." Markducus ordered.

A Human Female Tactical Officer sat at her station behind him and tapped several commands into the touch screen console in front of her. "Five ships are approaching at high warp Captain." She reported.

"Identification Lieutenant Alvia?" Markducus asked.

The Tactical Officer shook her head, "Negative sir. We should have visual of the ships in the next three minutes."

Markducus nodded, "Very well, alert the fleet, bring us up to Condition Red, Level Four." He ordered. Alvia acknowledged the order and began to relay the info to other ships. Markducus tapped the side of the screen on the arm rest of the chair and a channel opened. "Commander Taylor, report to the bridge immediately." He ordered.

"Aye sir." Replied a gruff Male voice.

"Helm, bring us to face the incoming vessels." Markducus ordered. Helm acknowledged the order and the vessel slowly turned to face the supposed trajectory of the incoming ships. "Lieutenant Alvia, status?" He asked.

"Vessels should be exiting warp in a few seconds." Alvia replied.

As she finished, the doors to the back right corner of the bridge opened and a tall, muscular Male Human with dark skin and green eyes stepped onto the bridge donning the same Uniform at Markducus. "Reporting Captain." He said.

"Take your station, all hands prepare for engagement." Markducus said as he stroked his chin, the grey fur around his eyes shining in the new light.

"Contacts have arrived!" Alvia reported. On the viewscreen five starships, each of varying length, appeared. Their hulls rippling blue energy off of them. Four of them appeared slick, looking more like needles with wings on the side of the hull that tucked inwards. The fifth ship appeared bulky, with a triangle front with a square body behind it followed by four large circular engines, bristling with weapons.

"Identification?" Markducus asked.

Alvia tapped on her console, making swiping motions then tilted her head. "No ID's sir, but ships match up with new Human warships."

Markducus huffed in annoyance. "Have they powered weapons?" He asked.

"Negative sir." Alvia replied.

"Captain," Said Commander Taylor, "We are receiving communications from the lead ship."

Markducus motioned to put the communications on screen. "Unidentified vessel, this is the UGSM Purification, part of the sub division known as Special Tactics and Assault Teams underneath Overwatch Section Two. My name is Captain Markducus, please state your business."

Several seconds passed by then a pale skinned Male Human appeared on screen, his blue eyes studying the Captain with his blond hair slicked back. "Captain Markducus, this is the Admiral Whitcomb of the UGSM. May I ask what brings you here?" Said the man, his voice rather harsh.

Markducus took a second to examine the face, then looked down at the insignia on the black uniform and silently sighed as he saw an eagle with four stars above it. "Admiral Whitcomb, we were ordered here by Overwatch Section Three to investigate a possible breach of containment on the third moon. I apologize for any inconvenience we may give you here, but we are currently quarantining the planet Elaria's third moon. Please be advised I have been given special instructions by the High Command of the UGSM to use whatever force I see necessary to hold up the Quarantine of the moon, even allowed to use force against an Admiral." Markducus explained.

Admiral Whitcomb's face darkened, a sneer on his lips and his eyes glaring at Markducus. "Is that so?" He asked. "Well, I guess I'll have to contact High Command then. My fleet is here to drop off a group of refugees on Elaria, as well as a few scientists that are transferring to the Research Lab on the third moon. They are top priority." He said to the old Fox.

Markducus shook his head, "I'm sorry Admiral, the refugees are allowed to go to Elaria, however any ships that attempt to go to the third moon I will use force to either redirect the vessels or stop them. Please understand that we have additional ships in bound that can take those scientists off your hands and allow you to return to the front line sir." Markducus said. Admiral Whitcomb shook his head in disgust and cut the communications. "Order the Elizabeth and Purgatory to keep an eye on the Admirals fleet. Any ships attempt to reach the third moon, open fire and redirect them if possible. I'll need to contact Osman in regards to what will be done here. Commander Taylor you have the bridge." He said as he stood up from his chair, gave a small stretch, straightened out his uniform, and headed to the door in the back left of the bridge and it opened up to reveal a relatively small Captain's ready room with metal blue black hull platings and black floor. The few lights that hung in the corners of the room illuminated a dark red wood desk with a black leather chair behind it and a moderately sized monitor on the desk. He moved to sit in the chair and tapped on the monitor, and it came to life. He made swiping motions to clear the screen then tapped on communications then scrolled down to Osman's contact info. He went through three different verification steps before it connected him to her.

Osman appeared on the screen, sipping a cup of tea that she held in her left paw, her black and brown fur nicely combed and her green eyes staring at the Captain. "What is Markducus?" She asked.

"Miss Osman, I need to report that Admiral Whitcomb has arrived. I have issued him a warning telling him to keep away from the third moon. He states he has scientists that were transfering to the moon as well as refugees to take to Elaria." Markducus explained.

Osman sighed and shook her head, "Damn that man." She said. "Good job, I will block all of his attempts to get him past your blockade to that moon in the council the best I can. You have your orders, don't let him intimidate you."

Markducus nodded, "Yes ma'am. Also, we are discovering some new intel on the parasite. We can confirm that mutations occur in species outside of Pelzigans. Jack's team ran into a mutated Rionux. A species that is native to the planet Aegis. We have also had limited contact with infected personnel and it worries Jack." He explained.

Osman sipped her tea and took a deep breath, "I will have reinforcements sent to your location immediately. Let Jack know that if things become unstable down there, if the situation goes into an even worse scenario, to pull out and then I want you and the fleet to purge the moon. We can't allow the parasite to escape the moon." She said.

Markducus nodded, "Yes ma'am." He said.

Osman smiled and put her tea down, "And let the good Admiral know I'll be there shortly Captain Markducus, if he has any issues he can take them up with me from here on out." She said.

Markducus stared at her, a bit shocked at that. "Y-yes ma'am!" He said as he saluted.

She chuckled, "Captain, no need for that. Just do the job." She said as the screen went black.

Markducus sank into his chair, knowing full well that things were probably going to get chaotic soon enough with Admiral Whitcomb arriving.