Amarian 5th Escort Fleet's Story

Across the void gulf separating the stars, impossibly large in comparison to any normal being or construct, streamed the ships of Rim Fleet Activion, or rather, part of it, for the Rim Fleet was a massive organization of thousands of ships and millions if not billions of people, ever expanding, exploring, and contacting for decades, centuries. The story of Rim Fleet Activion was the story of C'ran itself, for without the impressive arrangement of ships arrayed for the task, the aforementioned nation would remain scattered within the confines of its local star systems, ignorant of the greater mysteries of the universe, its wonders and secrets. Forth to a planet of particular interest streamed these ships, one hundred all told, ranging from the darting drone ships that served in mapping star systems to one of the lumbering Bedern Fortress ships, over three kilometers in length and conveying masses of material for whatever purpose might be required, from forward-base establishment to fleet repairs.

On they streamed, or rather, fell, for the anti-space drive folded space, made it malleable so that one might work outside of normal constraints which would prevent a method of faster-than-light travel. With time and distance contracted in front of them and extended behind, the ship could cover the interstellar void much faster than light itself. Assisting was the creation of a wormhole-like structure, also actuated by the drive, that lent itself to shortening the space even further than before. Science built wonders greater than the universe itself.

A distortion passed through the target system, preceding the arrival of the ships by seconds. Any material caught in the field would be shunted aside, thrown at near-light speeds away from the impenetrable bubble of anti-space. Observers who looked at that very moment would see the stars disappear, their image gone until the wayfarers fell out of their faster-than-light state. Three million kilometers separated the fleet from their destination, an orb of iridescent blue and brown, warm in nature due to its proximity to the binary star which it orbited. Three mere minutes would see the ships touching down if no unforeseen circumstances arose.

Tooled by craftsmen who had spent decades at their trade following its production with the finest materials available to C'ran, the CVM Hammer of Wrath coasted in the center of the grouping, its heavily modified systems able to control flotillas many times this size, whose own defenses rivaled those of the Bederns', easily one of the most valuable ships within the entirety of the nation. Nothing else would befit the flagship of C'ran's expansionary fleet. Engines flared brighter.

Within the bowels of the venerable vessel sat not the Fleet Sovereign of Activion, for his duties called him elsewhere. Instead, it was one of the Collectives, assemblies of high-ranking government, civilian, and military officials, assembled and dispatched for only the most important of tasks. The potential of this planet being the location of their ancient home-world requisites such an honor. In communion they sat, minds as one during deliberations so that all might understand the implications and reasoning of their thought.

"So it is decided," stated the Elder One. "The world shall be kept secret from the politics of C'ran if the true nature of its being is discerned. Our decision shall not reach past the confines of this fleet, no message shall leave the system, no ship. We claim the Right of Supersedence in justification of our actions, and so may the Alhembrals note if we are found. This Conclave is complete. Begin the descent." One hundred ships entered far orbit, their hulks resonating with the sounds of marching feet.

Lord Xulganak watched with mild interest as the galaxy spun, and he observed the quantum dance between a nucleus and its electron consorts with a studious curiosity. His eyes and ears were spread across the cosmos, silently monitoring the happenings of the galaxy and the civilizations within from the darkness between the stars and the hidden places of the worlds.

A moon-sized space station cannibalized a barren planet in the uncharted galactic wilderness. What little life found there was collected, studied, cataloged, and then sanitized before the world itself was ripped apart and stripped of any valuable resource. The matter would fuel a new generation of droids and ships, which would further extend the Archiver’s reach across the universe. They would harvest, learn, adapt, and build. Xulganak was satisfied.

He turned his gaze outwards, beyond the galaxy. What other matters required his attention?