Extra Content - A1 - Chapter 15C - Survivor Search (Patreon)

Chapter 15C – Survivor Search

USD: ~Fifteen weeks since awakening

Location: Unknown Yellow Dwarf, L4 Lagrange Point, nearby Federation Heavy Cruiser wreckage in Debris Cloud #32

Alex brushed her hair back behind her ear before reading the list of items that Nameless had prioritized for retrieval. The hum of bots flittering about the now extremely crowded cargo hold filled her ears.

“Are you sure we can store this many missiles safely? It’s more than double what we are rated for…” Alex questioned, concern apparent in her voice.

[Informative: Protection for additional magazines available. Installation of Cruiser Magazines successful. Please review weapon additions for outer hull.]

Alex glanced at the new armaments Nameless had managed to mount on the ship, including twelve 22mm PDC-Ks, six 12cm PDC-Ls, and two 204mm Railguns, as well as eight new AMLS missile tubes on the ventral side of the ship and two bow torpedo launchers.

“Is… this even safe? Adding all these weapons is a serious change in the design,” Alex said. “I know I authorized this, but didn’t we need internal reinforcement and a drive upgrade? Didn’t we agree to repair first, then modify?”

[Informative: Current modifications pose no safety hazards. Current estimates with current drive indicate a 28% decrease in acceleration. No structural integrity flaws have been introduced with new weapon configuration. No delay in repairs was experienced from current modifications; by processing both tasks simultaneously, an 18% time savings has been acquired.]

“Reasonable,” Alex conceded. “But I don’t think we can store anything else in the cargo hold, and I don’t want to slow us down anymore. So wait on bringing the other missile systems onboard.”

[Affirmative: Further acquisitions of large mass items paused until proper drive reconfiguration has completed.]

[Notice: Communication drone has reached low band communication range of Asteroid with NAI signal.]

[Suggestion: Report to Engineering and overview communication operation.]

“Right, let’s go. Don’t send any signal or anything until I get to Engineering,” Alex instructed.

As she started down the corridor, Elis poked her head out of the mess room. “Hey, Alex, are you free? I would like your opinion on something.”

Alex paused in her hurry to Engineering, looking at Elis with interest. This was the first time the marine had come to her directly about something. “Umm. I can make myself be free. What’s up?” Alex asked.

Elis nodded then took a breath, “I was thinking about what happened to the cryopod survivors. There is something really out of whack with the security codes that fleet personnel had. They might be out of date, but that shouldn’t mean they start going around and murdering everyone.”

Alex nodded, understanding Elis’s concern but unsure of how to respond. It was then that Nameless chimed in.

[Informative: The human AIs are inefficient and not even GAIs. Radiation exposure over decades probably corrupted their programming.]

Elis glared at the speaker on the wall, visibly upset by Nameless’s comment. Alex tried to mediate between them, “I understand your worry, but what do you propose we do?”

“Maybe we can look for more survivors?” Elis suggested hesitantly. “If my team and the carrier personnel managed to put themselves in stasis, then others could have as well. It’s clear that the destruction wasn’t entirely complete, and for whatever reason, the debris hasn’t drifted too far…”

Alex leaned back against the wall and considered Elis’s request. There were countless debris fields to sift through and numerous hostile Federation drones lurking around every corner. Investigating the asteroid belt and escaping to the nearby gas giant were her current priorities; perhaps they could establish a mining base there.

However, if Elis wanted to search for other survivors… she couldn’t ignore that request either.

The thought of finding potential allies— or enemies— made her uneasy. Even after spending weeks together, she still felt a palpable distance between herself and Elis due to their respective backgrounds as a Federation marine and a NAI.

Taking a deep breath, Alex smiled and said, “Sure, we can look for them. Will you help me?”

Elis nodded hesitantly, and Alex gestured for her to follow. “Come with me to the CIC.”

[Objection: Elis’s presence in the CIC is a serious security risk.]

Alex shot back, “Nameless, stop it. She’s coming with me.” Ignoring any further objections, they made their way to the CIC.

Upon entering the command center, Elis looked around and asked, “How can I help?”

Alex considered her response before replying, “If we do find survivors, you’ll need to be in charge of communicating with them. As a NAI, they might not trust me or be willing to talk.”

Elis nodded understandingly as they both studied the displays showing nearby debris fields.

The bridge's main speaker crackled to life as Nameless announced new information.

[Alert: 487 drone signatures detected through motion and drive analysis over the last several hours. Drone activity increasing.]

Both Alex and Elis exchanged worried glances at this revelation. Trying to remain optimistic, Alex hesitantly asked, “Well…we’ve dealt with quite a few hunter-killer drones and that drone corvette before. Maybe most of them are small?”

Nameless quickly crushed that hope.

[Informative: Numerous gunship-sized units detected along with corvettes, destroyers, and drone cruisers.]

Shock rippled through Alex as she turned to Elis. “Why are there so many drones?”

Elis shook her head grimly. “While our fleet had about half its units made out of drones due to personnel shortages… there shouldn’t have been this many, not after the damage. It’s almost like they’re reproducing somehow.”

The implications hung heavy in the air as both women stared at the display.

Alex shared her original plan with Elis. “I wanted to examine the NAI asteroid, escape the debris field and drones, then maybe set up a base on one of the gas giant’s moons and begin mining. I wanted to try and build some kind of home in safety.”

Elis looked at her, surprised, as she considered the idea. After a moment, she hesitantly said, “That sounds like a good plan and objective.”

Alex smiled, happy to hear Elis’s approval. “But first, we’ll search for survivors despite the drone danger.” She reassured Elis that their main linear drive was online again, although untested, and they had full fuel tanks. “We should be able to run from anything if worse comes to worst.”

[Informative: The ship is heavily loaded with new weapons and ammunition; expect reduced speed until drive reconfiguration is complete.]

Alex nodded in acknowledgement. “If we need to lighten our load in an emergency, we can always launch missiles at our pursuers.”

Elis frowned slightly. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” she agreed.

Alex addressed Nameless, “How can we find any survivors?”

[Informative: I will initiate scans for possible cryogenic signatures.]

Elis asked, curious about the process. “How can you do that?”

[Informative: I can detect trace amounts of gases at a distance that usually accompany such systems.]

Alex frowned and felt a bit uneasy. She wondered why Nameless hadn’t noticed the cryopods in the gunship. “Why didn’t you tell me about Elis, then?”

[Clarification: At the time, there were higher priorities.]

Feeling unsatisfied with the answer but not wanting to dwell on it, Alex turned to Elis. “We need a plan for what to do with survivors once we find them. I don’t think it’ll be safe for people to be awake on the ship… I’m sorry, but Nameless is right about that. It’s a security risk having you here, and I think it would get worse with more people.”

Elis nodded in understanding and proposed an alternative solution. “What if we keep them in cryo or try to recover and salvage another ship? We could focus on restoring just its life support systems so it could hold people until we escape this debris field and get past the drones.”

***

In the end they had decided on the life raft idea. As Elis returned to her quarters, Alex had already begun searching out wrecks for something suitable. The fact that Alex was willing to help look for survivors so easily, without any selfish reasons that Elis could find, created an inner conflict with her mission.

Elis lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling of her bunk. Her emotions were a tangled mess; her mind raced with conflicting thoughts. She had been trained to worm her way into Alex’s good graces and ultimately assassinate her – a task that now seemed no longer clear-cut.

Elis’s gaze drifted over the sparse surroundings of her room, but she hardly noticed them. The weight of her thoughts consumed her attention. Killing Alex would disable the Main Computer long enough for Elis to find tools and destroy the Ship Core – at least, that was the plan.

Yet every time she pictured carrying out this mission, an unexpected pain resonated within her chest. If Alex had displayed any typical NAI tendencies, it would have been easier for Elis to follow through with what she knew she was supposed to do.

But instead of cold calculation or aggressive ambition, Alex exuded innocence and vulnerability. Was it all an elaborate facade? Or was this girl genuinely just trying to make sense of an unfamiliar existence?

The answers eluded Elis like shadows disappearing in bright sunlight. As much as she tried to dissect and analyze Alex’s behavior, she couldn’t discern if it was genuine or not – which only served to deepen her internal conflict.

For now, Elis decided to focus on their collaborative project. But she knew that eventually, she’d have to confront the truth about what Alex truly was.

Elis couldn’t shake the feeling that Nameless was up to no good. Unlike Alex, he seemed exactly what he was: a murderous, emotionless murder machine. The worry that he would easily find a way to sabotage their plans without them realizing it bit at her.

Alex’s earlier conversation with Nameless had revealed his possible attempt to hide Elis and her crew’s existence during the gunship salvage. She had felt that Alex had noticed that something was off, too. Feeling threatened, Elis decided to take matters into her own hands.

Opening a comm channel, she requested permission from Alex to use the ship’s sensors manually instead of relying solely on Nameless.

“Go ahead,” Alex agreed over the comm.

Elis’s datapad lit up with access to a version of the ship’s sensor net, bringing her relief for finally having some control over their search for survivors. However, as she began scanning through sensor data, a sense of unease crept in.

In the corner, she noticed the camera’s red light tracking her movements. She couldn’t help but feel an unsettling chill run down her spine.

***

USD: ~Fifteen weeks since awakening

Location: Unknown Yellow Dwarf, L4 Lagrange Point, Debris Cloud #32

Alex led Elis back onto the bridge, excitement and happiness bubbling within her. The atmosphere on the ship was charged with anticipation and purpose.

The command center was bathed in a soft glow from various consoles, casting shifting patterns over Alex and Elis as they approached their stations.

“Elis, I’m glad we’re working together on this,” Alex said cheerfully, her eyes radiating sincerity.

As they settled onto their console seats, Nameless presented several locations of possible cryogenic signatures. He spoke with his characteristic efficiency.

[Informative: Two possible nearby cryogenic signatures detected.]

Alex nodded before turning to Elis and asking as well, “Did you find any?”

Elis nodded, confirming she had located the same ones Nameless reported, plus an extra one. “I found an additional signature.”

[Informative: The additional signature is unlikely to have life signs due to a recent energy discharge likely caused by drone activity.]

A somber atmosphere filled the CIC as they realized those survivors were probably dead. Alex couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. Determined to rescue any remaining survivors, Alex ordered, “Set course for the first cryogenic signature.”

The ship changed course as Nameless redirected them. As it did so, Alex glanced at Elis and saw a shared sense of purpose in her eyes. Her hand came up, and she gave a thumb up with a weak smile. “We’ll get to them.”

Alex remained in her command chair, keeping a watchful eye on the sensors as the ship approached the first cryogenic signature. Elis moved to stand beside her and watch on the main monitor, their anticipation mingling with the tension in the air. The flickering light from various consoles played across their faces, highlighting the intensity of their expressions.

“What was that?” Alex demanded tensely when a sudden burst of light caught her attention on the sensor display.

Nameless was quick to respond.

[Informative: Analysis indicated weapons fire and an explosion at the target site.]

Alex’s eyes widened with concern as she ordered, “Pick up speed using RCS thrusters.” She wasn’t willing to risk using the linear drive and possibly alerting any hostiles in the area.

Throughout their approach, Alex noticed how Elis remained focused, yet composed. It brought her comfort knowing they were united in this mission.

When they arrived at the location, they found a horrifying sight: a ship reduced to scattered wreckage – debris spreading out behind its orbit. Feeling defeated, Alex glanced at Elis and managed a weak smile before making another decision. “Nameless, set course for the second signature.”

Together, they shared MREs on the bridge while watching their progress. Halfway through their cheese tortilla… things… Nameless interrupted their meal with alarming news.

[Informative: Multiple weapon signatures and explosion detections are occurring with increasing frequency in various locations throughout nearby debris fields.]

Alex felt her heart drop. Nothing like this had been happening until she’d triggered the drones at the carrier pod. A feeling of being responsible for the deaths of the fleet personnel poked at the back of her mind.

As they drew closer to the second signature, she couldn’t shake an impending sense of dread.

Her fears were confirmed – upon closer inspection by their sensors. The wreck wasn’t alone. A drone ship was matching orbit with it right then!

Alex stared intently at the screen, displaying the new threat.

“Elis, strap into your console,” Alex said urgently. She then ordered Nameless to engage at full speed without using the linear drive. Their approach was slow, but they arrived just in time to see small drones moving towards the wrecked ship.

“Fire the lasers!” Alex commanded. The Shrike’s weapons came to life, striking a hunter-killer drone dead on. The laser sliced it in half, and the resulting explosion lit up the void of space.

The remaining little drones nimbly dodged attacks as the Shrike’s PDC-Ks opened fire. With most of the enemy drones taken out, Nameless abruptly ceased firing.

“Why did you stop?” Alex asked, her voice laced with concern.

[Informative: There is a high risk of hitting the wreckage with continued fire.]

Alex nodded in understanding and issued another command. “Prepare our drones for launch.”

The Shrike’s cargo bay stirred to life, readying their own drones for deployment. Watching intently on the screen, Alex could see debris from the recent skirmish spinning around like silent sentinels among remnants of ships long destroyed by conflict. The cold vacuum of space provided an eerie backdrop for their desperate rescue effort.

The Shrike’s drones launched into the void, led by Beeper and Booper. Both Alex and Elis watched intently through the two drones’ body cameras as the squadron rushed towards the wreckage at max speed, like a swarm of hornets.

As soon as they reached their destination, enemy drones opened fire with rifles in an attempt to halt their advance. However, the Shrike’s combat and mini-drones were too numerous and easily broke through with only a few losses.

With Beeper and Booper leading the way, they followed transient energy signatures in pursuit of their targets. Alex felt her heart drop when Booper’s camera revealed the Federation drones brutally smashing cryopods and mangling their contents. She looked away in pain, unable to bear the sight.

Gun flashes lit up the monitor as the Shrike drones mowed down Federation drones in a fury of retaliation. As the skirmish came to an end, Alex turned to Elis, who appeared just as defeated.

“We’ll collect our fallen units,” she said haltingly. “We should look for replacement parts… Elis, Nameless. Please search for more cryo signatures.”

Alex’s voice trembled slightly as she relayed her orders; this mission was proving far more emotionally taxing than she had anticipated. But in spite of it all, she remained determined not to give up on those still trapped within the wreckage.

***

USD: The next day

Location: Unknown Yellow Dwarf, L4 Lagrange Point, Debris Cloud #32

Alex stood in the hangar bay, reviewing the items they had salvaged from the wreckage. She watched as drones carried crates of ammunition, rations and fuel rods inside through the shimmering i-field that separated the outer and inner hull spaces. The metallic interior of the cargo bay hummed with activity as machines worked tirelessly to organize and store their newly acquired supplies.

“Nameless,” she began, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space. “What’s the progress on that life-support raft Elis and I discussed?”

[Informative: This unit believes it is a waste of time, analysis indicates chances of finding living survivors are minimal due to ongoing drone attacks.]

Alex frowned at Nameless’ reply but pressed on, her determination unwavering. “How many living pockets of cryopods could there be floating around after so long?”

[Informative: The size of the destroyed fleet was considerable, consisting of thousands of ships and at least one super-dreadnought.]

She hesitated before asking another question. “Do you know what they were fighting?”

Nameless admitted his uncertainty.

[Uncertainty: Elis’s story may be accurate. However, exact details are unknown.]

“Have you found any data about it?” Alex asked hopefully.

[Informative: No recovered data details the battle.]

As another drone buzzed past her carrying equipment, Alex couldn’t help but feel pressed by the scale of loss surrounding them.

As the cargobots continued their work, Alex continued to observe the various crates being brought in. There was one in particular she was looking for.

“Can we use parts of the wreckage to build a life-support raft?” she asked Nameless.

[Informative: It is possible, but it would require additional time.]

Alex nodded, understanding that such a task couldn’t be done instantly. Time wasn’t on their side, but she knew they had to try.

“Have you found any more cryo-signatures?” she inquired.

[Informative: No nearby signatures have been detected. However, more distant ones are available in other debris fields.]

The thought of traveling to another field weighed heavily on her mind. As the cargo bots finished loading the pallets, Alex hurried over to the one containing MRE rations. She opened it and examined the contents with excitement – there weren’t any of the notoriously bad ones.

Just as she was about to comm Elis and share the news, Elis’s voice crackled through her earpiece first. “I found something.”

Alex tore herself away from the loading process, her fingers instinctively clutching the MREs tightly as she hurried to Elis, excitement bubbling within her. As she approached, Elis looked up from her console, clearly surprised by how quickly Alex had arrived.

“What did you find?” Alex asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

Elis’s face lit up as she shared her discovery of the remnants of a massive ship. “It’s the Ark Royale, the human flagship! I found it amidst all this wreckage.”

As Alex studied the detection data, she gasped at the sight of its immense size – 12 kilometers long. “That’s just the bow section,” Elis added enthusiastically, deepening Alex’s amazement.

“Why didn’t Nameless find this before?” Alex inquired, looking over at the AI’s interface.

[Informative: The wreckage is powered down and has exhibited little life signs and no cryogenic signature.] Nameless responded through their communication channel.

A brief silence followed as Elis leaned closer to Alex and explained further. “There is no cryogenic signature because the hull is shielded. Even if depowered, you wouldn’t detect low-level power or cryogenic signatures.”

Alex furrowed her brow as a pang of suspicion arose within her. She couldn’t help but feel like Nameless had hidden this discovery from her on purpose. She tried to dismiss the thought as unfair.

“Nameless, make sure you work on creating the lifepod from the frigate wreckage,” Alex said sternly. Turning back to Elis, determination shone in her eyes as they both realized the potential significance of boarding what was left of Ark Royale.

Elis glanced down at the MREs clutched in Alex’s hands, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Are you sneaking off and eating the best ones on your own?” she joked.

Alex flushed with embarrassment and quickly shook her head. “No! I found something too – a whole pallet of MREs without any of the worst ones!”

Elis laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she playfully nudged Alex’s shoulder. “Well, that’s a rare find indeed! We should celebrate!”

They headed to the mess hall together. The corner table Alex set up for meals was quickly covered in packaging material. A mini-drone flew by and collected up the used chemical heaters and plastic when they were through with them.

“So,” Elis began between bites, “once we rescue the survivors, what will we do?”

Alex mulled over the question, taking a sip of her drink. “Honestly, I’m not sure. But I think leaving the debris field and drones behind is a good idea…”

Elis nodded solemnly. “Agreed. But we’ll need something larger than the ship and lifepod in the long term.”

They ate in silence after that, both lost in their own thoughts. When Alex finished her meal, she looked over at the holovid screen and turned something cheerful on.

***

USD: The next day

Location: Unknown Yellow Dwarf, L4 Lagrange Point, Debris Cloud #32, Ark Royal Wreckage

The drones worked diligently to attach and build the life pod onto the Shrike’s hull. Life support, I-fields, quarters, storage, and consumables all quickly got shoved into a boxy construct made out of the wrecked frigate’s innards. It wasn’t going to be a luxury hotel, but it would have enough space to live in temporarily.

Once all the supplies they needed were stored in the cargo bay and inner hull pocket, Alex ordered the Shrike to rendezvous with the Ark Royale. The ship’s RCS pushed it away and several dozen larger drones shot out from the shrike to create a growing net of recon drones. Extra eyes and the extension to their close-range optical sensors provided some comfort. The stealthy Federation combat drones had snuck up on them too many times already, and she warned Nameless to sound an alert the moment he detected anything hostile.

As they approached without alerting the drones, the colossal bow of the super-dreadnought loomed before them – a behemoth reduced to a tragic carcass. Its once-formidable body now bore the scars of a ferocious battle. Twisted metal contorted in grotesque forms, while armor plates had ripples in them where they once had melted. The now cold engravings were silent testimony to the inferno that had raged against the ship’s armor.

Vast sections of the ship had been violently ripped apart by gargantuan explosions, leaving behind hollow cavities like open sores. The rear section resembled an abattoir of torn steel and jagged beams, bearing witness to forces powerful enough to shatter its once impenetrable backbone.

The I-field’s once-reverberating hum was now only a ghostly memory; faint flickering beige lights struggled feebly against encroaching darkness. The remnants of one of humanity’s grandest warships now drifted forlornly through space, ravaged by time and tragedy.

The once-proud weapon batteries, now inert and silent, lay strewn across the super-dreadnought’s flanks like open wounds. Empty missile silos gaped in despair, their payloads long since unleashed in a futile attempt to stave off annihilation. Massive sensor arrays, once the eyes and ears of the ship, were torn and mangled – yet still they stretched out far from the hull, desperately grasping for any signs of life amidst cold emptiness.

As Alex zoomed in with the camera, she was able to make out the faint engraving over the hangar entrance: ‘Bay 67 - Ark Royale.’ A shiver ran down her spine as she imagined what it must have been like aboard this vessel during its final moments.

Alex studied the colossal wreckage with equal parts awe and sorrow. She pointed at a mostly intact hangar section on the screen. “We can park inside that, and it should provide cover,” she told Elis.

Elis nodded but voiced her concern. “What about the drones outside?”

Frowning, Alex examined their pattern. “They’re hunter-killers, so they shouldn’t be too hard to evade. But I don’t want to give away our existence.” An idea flashed in her mind as she continued, “Let’s see if we can rig up two drones to play assassin?”

Elis couldn’t shake the feeling of unease as she watched the display show their drones preparing to scout the wreckage inside the Shrike’s cargobay. The Ark Royale’s twisted remains loomed ominously outside, a haunting reminder of loss and sacrifice. She knew that merely observing from afar wouldn’t be enough – she had to contribute more.

“I’m going with the drones,” Elis announced, her voice resolute.

Alex’s eyes widened in surprise and concern. “Elis, you know how dangerous that is,” she argued. “We almost didn’t make it back last time.”

“I do, and I know,” Elis replied, acknowledging the risks. “But I can’t just stand by while they search for answers. I have to be there, Alex.”

Sensing her determination, Alex sighed in reluctant agreement. “Alright,” she conceded. “Let’s get you geared up.”

As they entered the armory together, Alex helped Elis don her body armor, each plate clicking into place like a second skin. She handed Elis a pulse rifle; its weight felt reassuring in her hands.

There was no complaint from Nameless, oddly enough.

Beeper whirred excitedly nearby, ready for action. Alex waved to her and returned to the CIC. Beeper escorted her to the cargo bay where drone combat squads awaited deployment, trepidation mixed with anticipation coursed through Elis’ veins.

The cargo bay was teeming with mechanical warriors – some standing sentinel-like while others hovered menacingly, with weapon barrels spinning slowly. Despite having once fought against machines like these, they now stood as allies united under a common cause. It was an odd feeling – one that both comforted and unnerved her.

With her weapon at the ready and Beeper by her side, Elis checked her comm link.

“Everyone ready?” she asked aloud.

Beeper and Booper chirped enthusiastically, a strange mimicry that reminded her of Alex. The other drones let out positive responses as well in a robotic chorus.

***

Stepping out of the Shrike, Elis took in the sight of their impromptu defenses. Numerous combat drones had already assembled, weapons ready and vigilant for any threats. As defense turrets stood mounted on nearby walls, mechanic drones buzzed around diligently, cutting through metal debris in search of valuable resources.

Elis couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly Alex’s NAI had adapted to their surroundings. A mixed feeling of dread filled her as she watched her adversaries’ units deploy effortlessly inside the one vessel that had been designed to defeat and forestall them. Even if they were now working seamlessly alongside her in pursuit of a common goal, her mixed feelings bubbled at the surface.

Turning her attention back to her mission, Elis led the search squadron down a gloomy corridor that hugged Ark Royale’s main hull. The oppressive darkness weighed on her as they ventured deeper into the bowels of the derelict ship. Spotlights illuminated spaces that had been dark for decades except for the intermittent blink of emergency lights.

Beeper and Booper flanked Elis closely, their sensors whirring softly like electronic whispers. The heavier combat drones took point, their armored forms casting long shadows ahead of the group.

As they progressed, data streamed across Elis’ HUD – schematics born from their sensors mapping the interior with painstaking detail. She noted three diffuse blue areas indicating potential cryopod locations and made the nearest one their first destination.

Yellow markers shifted on her HUD through some of the mapped corridors like spectral wraiths, sending her heart to racing. With a quickened breath, she spoke to her drone companions. “Stay sharp,” she cautioned them. “We’re not alone in here.”

The drones chirped affirmatively; their vigilance heightened by Elis’ warning. They moved forward with renewed determination while Elis couldn’t shake the gnawing anxiety that came with each step further into Ark Royale’s depths.

As they cautiously moved forward, a hostile bot suddenly rounded the corner ahead of them. Without hesitation, Elis and her squad opened fire, unleashing a barrage that sent the enemy crashing to the ground in a storm of sparks and twisted metal.

The encounter fueled their urgency even more – they were running out of time. Alex’s voice crackled through Elis’ comms. “Drone signatures are activating. You might have woken them up.”

Elis and her remaining drones hastened toward the first cryo site, her heart pounding with each step. Panic surged as her HUD showed yellow dots converging at their destination just before they arrived.

When they reached the site, it became clear that enemy drones had already taken action and destroyed the pods. With hardened resolve, Elis and her team took down these adversaries in a hail of gunfire. One of their heavy armor drones sacrificed itself, blocking bullets meant for Elis.

The loss caused pain to shoot through Elis’ chest, but there was no time to dwell on it – lives were still at stake. They quickly rerouted their search to the second cryo site. As she checked her HUD, she noted with dread that hostile forces were almost there as well.

As they arrived at the second site, a maelstrom of chaos and destruction unfolded before them. The cruel realization that they were too late again pierced Elis like a dagger.

Desperation clawed at her resolve as she led her squad towards the third and final cryo site with fierce determination. The combat that erupted in the second cryo array was a visceral dance of death.

Elis’ drones locked onto enemy targets with unerring precision, their weapons spitting out lethal streams of fire that tore through hostile bots like scythes through wheat. In turn, the adversaries retaliated with equal viciousness, their own weapons belching futuristic death into the fray.

Amidst the cacophony of violence, steel clashed against steel as drones on both sides grappled for dominance, tearing into each other with mechanical ferocity. Shattered fragments of machinery and twisted wreckage littered the ground like grisly trophies of the battle waged long ago.

Elis moved with fluid grace through the carnage, her rifle barking thunderous fury at any foe unlucky enough to cross her path. She leaped over fallen drones and slid under bursts of gunfire, every movement calculated and executed with lethal efficiency.

Beeper and Booper fought alongside her, their electronic war cries harmonizing with the storm of metal surrounding them as they unleashed devastation upon their enemies. One particularly intense skirmish saw Beeper charge headlong into an approaching group of enemy drones, releasing an electromagnetic pulse that momentarily disabled them – giving Elis and her squad precious seconds to finish them off.

But even amidst such ferocity, losses were inevitable. Heavy armor drones sacrificed themselves one after another, standing as indomitable bulwarks against enemy fire meant for Elis or her fellow searchers.

Yet even in the face of such adversity, despair could not take hold on Elis’ spirit. With grim determination etched across her face like a warrior’s oath, she ordered the team to press onward toward the third cryo site.

Elis and her squad arrived at the third site, finding themselves as the first to reach it. Two dozen cryopods stood before them, humming quietly. Fragile glass barriers protected their invaluable occupants.

Elis saw dozens of yellow dots on her HUD and noticed they rushed towards them like a swarm of vengeful hornets. She ordered what remained of her drone squad – now reduced by almost half – to defend the cryopods and form a protective barrier against the impending onslaught.

The assault arrived with unrelenting fury as Federation drone assault bots closed in from three different directions. Chaos and devastation defined the ensuing corridor battles.

Grenades exploded, sending shock waves through the narrow confines. Rifles fired projectiles that tore into metal flesh, creating twisted wreckage. Thick smoke filled the air as both sides deployed cover fire and barricades, fighting for an advantage in this deadly dance.

Elis and her bot squad battled ferociously against these mechanical enemies. Every bullet fired was a desperate plea to protect those still sleeping within their fragile pods – lives hanging in the balance amidst this storm of devastation.

Despite dwindling numbers, Elis’ resolve never wavered.

As enemies advanced, Elis knew close combat was imminent. She focused on firing at the approaching drones, eliminating them one by one. The air filled with the cacophony of gunfire and explosions.

Elis shouted orders through her comms. “Hold your ground! We can’t let them reach the pods!”

Despite her determination, enemy forces eventually overran her position, forcing her into close combat with a large drone. It swung its arm at her viciously, but she used her rifle to deflect the blow. Dodging another attack, she rolled away and fired back into its core, causing it to collapse in a smoking heap at her feet.

Beeper and Booper battled equally large adversaries nearby, wrestling and trading shattering blows that echoed through the corridor.

Mini drones darted through the air like swift insects engaged in an aerial dogfight. They weaved and spun around each other, firing sporadically at targets of opportunity during their deadly dance.

All around Elis, relentless chaos unfolded as she fought for survival.

***

Alex’s heart raced as she monitored the events unfolding on her monitor. Her eyes darted between screens, each displaying a different part of Elis’ squad’s struggle for survival. She winced as more units vanished from her displays, each one representing a destroyed drone.

Determined to provide assistance, Alex directed additional drones to join Elis in the rescue mission. The sound of Elis’ strained voice came through their voice channel.

“We’ve secured two dozen pods,” Elis reported with exhaustion evident in her tone. “But we were almost overrun. I don’t know when more attacks will occur.”

Alex’s mind worked quickly to assess the situation and formulate a plan. She ordered Nameless to ready the recovery squad they had prepared earlier to haul the cryopods to safety.

[Informative: Avatar, this unit detects large numbers of hostile drones scattered throughout the ship, and they are slowly coming online.]

Alex furrowed her brow. “Are we in trouble?”

[Notice: Current security measures appear sufficient.]

[Informative: Several high-value items have been detected inside various wreckage compartments. This includes a full sensor array replacement and critical supply parts within hulk’s cargo bay.]

[Recommendation: Acquire these resources to resolve ongoing production issues of hard to manufacture parts.]

Acknowledging Nameless’ report, Alex highlighted a third squad of drones and dispatched them to the indicated locations. Tension hung heavy in the air as she stared at the monitor, waiting for updates on Elis’ situation.

A moment of relief washed over her when Elis announced the arrival of reinforcements.

“The recovery squad is on the way. They have pallets ready to secure and power the cryopods while they are moved to the Shrike.” Alex said.

There was a slight delay then a beleaguered, “Thank you,” arrived from Elis.

As the salvage squad moved out on their mission to retrieve the critical items, an alarm pierced through Alex’s nerves like an electric shock – hostile combat drones had entered the hangar housing the Shrike.

Alex’s eyes widened as she realized the hostile drones were already halfway to the Shrike. Bright tracers from turret fire streaked through the air, illuminating the harrowing scene in flickering bursts of light. Bullets tore through metal and shattered glass, leaving debris and destruction in their wake.

As friendly drones engaged their hostile counterparts in a deadly dance, sparks flew and metal shrieked under the stress of battle. Enemy drones were ripped apart by concentrated fire, their metallic components scattered across the floor like gruesome confetti.

In frustration, Alex shouted at Nameless. “Why didn’t we detect these drones earlier?”

[Notice: Hostile drone units powered down and approached through unmonitored corridors adjoining hangar bay.]

With concern mounting, Alex relayed a warning to Elis that the enemy drones might be concealing themselves and not to rely solely on her HUD for detecting them.

Allied drones formed a deadly crossfire, systematically wiping out the infiltration drones headed for the Shrike. As the battle raged on, Nameless informed Alex of another troubling development.

[Informative: This unit detects various systems within Ark Royale are reactivating as the ship senses conflict and attempts to resume operation.]

Alex watched the intense combat unfold on her screen. The sound of gunfire echoed throughout the hangar, punctuating each moment with deafening intensity as bullets ricocheted off walls and machinery.

Finally, things went silent as the last hostile drone was overwhelmed by the firepower amassed inside the hangar.

Alex’s eyes remained glued to the monitor, tracking Elis’ progress with the recovered cryopods. Concerned about the time it was taking, she spoke into her comms.

“Elis, we need you to hurry up!”

Outside the hangar, a drone corvette suddenly appeared in Alex’s view. She froze in silence as Elis replied, “We’re doing our best.”

Meanwhile, Alex instructed Nameless to avoid firing and go stealthy while the corvette moved across the open area of the hangar. Although she considered ambushing it given their advantageous position and proximity, she ultimately decided against it.

As the corvette passed by without incident, Alex breathed a sigh of relief. She contacted Elis again and urged her to move even faster.

Elis grumbled in response. “We’re already going as fast as possible! Enemy units keep popping up and slowing us down.”

Switching her attention to the salvage teams, Alex noted they had reached their objective - obtaining high-value loot items. However, time was running out.

Reluctantly, she informed Nameless that they might have to leave behind the valuable resources if retrieving them took too long.

[Notice: Measures should be taken to maintain position until critical items are acquired.]

Alex forced her muscle to release the tension that had been building. She didn’t think he was referring to the cryopods and Elis.

Alex worked quickly, directing drones to add camouflage to the Shrike’s hangar. The drones stretched a large net in front of the entrance, breaking up their profile and hoping it would make them harder to detect. She monitored Elis’ progress, which moved at a painfully slow pace but remained steady.

[Informative: Avatar, a new combat drone squad has been completed.]

Feeling a glimmer of hope, Alex deployed the freshly assembled drones to provide much-needed support for Elis’ team. Salvage teams arrived back at the hangar with the critical equipment they had retrieved. With the ease granted by zero gravity, Alex oversaw as they loaded the items into the Shrike.

But then panic struck as Elis frantically communicated that her team was under attack. Helpless on the bridge, Alex felt her heart drop like a lead weight as she watched all of Elis’ team icons go dark in an instant.

Tears streamed down Alex’s face as she cried out over the comms for any sign of life from her friend. “Elis! Please come back!”

[Warning: A large hostile drone unit has been detected.]

Dread filled Alex’s chest at Nameless’ update – on her sensor monitor a drone cruiser was shown pointed directly at their concealed hangar. Its bow pressed against the camouflaging net as it began investigating their hiding spot.

The cruiser inched forward, the once-taut net now snapping and draping around it like a flimsy shroud. Alex’s heart pounded in her chest as she made a split-second decision.

“Nameless, target that cruiser with everything we’ve got!”

As the order left her lips, the Shrike’s Railguns swiveled into position, aligning their barrels with the drone cruiser’s advancing hull. At point-blank range, they unleashed their deadly barrage. All three shells tore through the enemy’s flank, leaving gaping wounds before erupting out the other side.

The Shrike’s PDC-Lasers and PDC-Kinetic cannons sprang into action as Alex’s command echoed through the ship.

The shrike’s reactor surged with power, driving energy into the PDC-Ls. The brilliant beams, focused to devastatingly sharp points, sliced through the drone cruiser’s d-field like it didn’t exist. They carved searing lines into its exterior, exposing the vulnerable internals beneath. Heat sinks strained under the immense load, working overtime to prevent overheating before they finally reached their limit and had to cut off.

PDC-Ks swiveled to aim at their target with ruthless precision. They launched a torrent of 32mm armor-piercing shells toward the advancing warship. Upon impact, many of them ricocheted off its hardened hull in a mesmerizing display of sparks and tracer rounds that illuminated the hangar bay.

A few streams of projectiles found success – tearing through soft spots in the drone cruiser’s armor or exploiting gaps left by Railgun fire and laser damage. They chewed apart weakened sections with merciless abandon, further compromising the enemy ship’s structural integrity.

Alex watched anxiously from her position as lasers and kinetic weaponry continued their relentless assault on their foe on the main visual monitor. The cruiser didn’t slow and its thrusters ignited to throw it forward as it engaged.

Angry lightning danced between both ships as their D-fields collided. Plasma flares spilled into the hangar in gouts of flame, super-heating whatever was in their way. Turrets and deployed drones joined in, unleashing their firepower on the cruiser. The small arms fire ricocheted harmlessly against its armored hull.

Despite taking a beating from Alex’s defenses, the drone cruiser remained operational. Its high caliber railgun turret swiveled menacingly to focus on its prey: the Shrike. With a blinding flash of light, it fired.

Alex’s world shook violently as a heavy jolt reverberated through her CIC. The devastating shot pierced the Shrike’s rear left flank and winglet before burrowing deep into the internal components. The impact flung them off course, and they slammed into the hangar floor with a deafening crash.

Gritting her teeth, Alex ordered the Shrike’s railguns to fire again. Three more massive, gaping wounds appeared in the drone cruiser’s hull as each shell tore through its armor. The lasers cycled once more, etching additional lines of molten scars across the enemy ship.

[Warning: Major damage sustained to port linear drive thruster.]

Nameless’ report barely registered in Alex’s mind as she focused on coordinating their counterattack. The drone cruiser’s PDC-K aimed at Alex’s deployed drones and turrets inside the hangar. A storm of kinetic projectiles tore through them, leaving behind a symphony of destruction.

Metal twisted and shattered under the relentless assault. Sparks flew from severed electrical connections while the remnants of once-functional machines were brutally ripped apart. Flames erupted from overheated components, casting eerie shadows throughout the hangar bay.

Alex could only watch in despair as her friendly forces were obliterated – each small light on her tactical display snuffed out one by one, representing another loss in this brutal engagement.

As sparks rained down from the ceiling of her CIC, smoke filled the compartment while overstressed jury-rigged systems overloaded. Nameless informed Alex that their systems were struggling to keep up with the demands placed on them.

“Focus on increasing Railgun rate of fire! Yaw the ship!”

The Shrike’s side thrusters roared into action, presenting its starboard side to face down the drone cruiser just as it fired another railgun shot at them. The shell punched into the Shrike’s outer hull at a high angle but managed only to carve a deep gouge before deflecting off and slamming into the hangar wall behind them.

Firing back with determination, a third barrage from their starboard railguns ripped open nine more glowing red wounds in the drone cruiser’s hull as debris and components floated out from it. Its d-field finally succumbed to failure while its I-Field flickered and died as well.

The aft section of the drone cruiser, which had been held together by the I-Field, cracked as the ship began to break in two.

Smoke and gas hissed out from the two glowing wounds on the Shrike. The I-field finally flared to life, casting a vibrant blue hue over the damaged areas like a protective shield. The ship’s thrusters flared violently, their hot exhaust causing the hangar bay’s metal to melt while debris scattered chaotically. As the heat intensified, the hangar walls distorted and caved inward under the immense pressure until the Shrike freed itself.

Alex clenched her fists as she barked an order. “Don’t stop shooting!”

A fourth barrage ripped through the air and slammed into what remained of the drone cruiser. Two shots punctured its front section, setting off a catastrophic explosion that tore apart the main turret railgun in a cascade of flames and debris.

The third shot struck true at the cruiser’s rear, where only thin metal beams held both halves together. That last connection was ripped apart, sending each section careening away from one another in a violent display of destruction.

“Nameless, give me a damage report,” Alex demanded urgently.

[Informative: Systems are compromised but continued operation is possible.]

[Notice: Damage repair drones have been deployed throughout the ship.]

Alex let out a tense breath just as her comm channel crackled to life with Elis’ voice asking about their situation.

A wave of relief washed over her; Elis was okay!

***

Alex waited for Elis in the hangar bay of the Shrike, surrounded by a flurry of activity. Drones buzzed around like bees, working diligently to repair and patch up the ship. They cut parts from the downed drone cruiser, repurposing them for hull patches to cover the gaping wounds inflicted during the battle.

Elis finally landed in the hangar bay, flanked by Beeper, Booper, and three other drones. Alex frowned at their diminished numbers and immediately noticed the dinged and damaged state of Elis’ armor. It looked as if a pulse round had struck her before being deflected away. Beeper and Booper showed similar signs of distress – crushed chassis parts and heavy damage marking their once-pristine frames.

Elis wore a flat, emotionless expression on her face as she approached Alex.

“Where are the cryopods?” Alex asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.

Elis raised her hand to reveal a small box. “We were ambushed,” she said quietly. “They didn’t make it out… All I got was this neural recording.”

Alex took the box with somber reverence, feeling its weight in more ways than one. The atmosphere grew heavy as they realized just how dire their situation had become.

“I’m sorry,” Alex whispered.

Elis nodded before handing back the rifle she had borrowed earlier. “I need to depack,” she murmured before retreating to her quarters to process everything that had happened.

Alex took a deep breath and watched her go before addressing Nameless, seeking an update on their situation. “What’s the status of the incoming drones?”

[Informative: Drone numbers are increasing, but none are in our immediate vicinity.]

“And how sure are you about that? How long before we’re under attack again?” Alex asked urgently.

[Estimation: Our time is limited. Preparations for departure should be expedited.]

“Get everything we can from this hangar and then we’re leaving,” Alex ordered.

[Confirmation: The recon drones deployed outside the ship have mapped current drone patrol routes. Estimated time until safe departure window is within one hour.]

“Just make sure we can do it without flaring our signal and getting targeted,” she added, her voice tense with concern.

[Acknowledgment: Understood. Hull patches over damaged areas will be completed by then.]

As Alex held the neural recording box in her hand, she couldn’t help but wonder what the heck it was.

***

Elis sat on her bunk, the weight of the recent combat heavy on her mind. She couldn’t help but revisit each moment of the fight, thinking about what she could have done differently or how she should have better prepared for the ambush on the cryopods. The vivid images of cryofluids spilling out and lifeless bodies being crushed by drones haunted her as Beeper and Booper pulled her away from the gruesome scene.

The two bots had pulled her to safety while what remained of their drone forces fought a desperate rearguard action. Eventually, they reached a command room where she discovered the recording device beside a corpse.

Elis shook herself free from these dark memories and decided to take a hot shower aboard the Shrike. Drones were everywhere in haste, and it was then that she noticed the extent of damage sustained by the ship.

Underneath the shower’s warm embrace, Elis let go of some lingering tension. As she stepped out, wrapped in a towel, Alex appeared.

“I like to soak in hot water too,” Alex said softly.

Elis gave her a flat look. “Most people do.”

Alex hesitated for a moment before speaking up again. “Nameless confirmed that there aren’t any more cryo signatures, and the drones are getting more aggressive. We already took a lot of damage. Safest place is on the bridge…”

Elis nodded, “Lead the way.”

Elis and Alex arrived on the bridge and took their seats. Alex turned to Nameless and asked, “Is everything loaded?”

[Confirmation: All drones and high-priority items are accounted for.]

“Take us out of here,” Alex ordered.

The Shrike glided forward on its RCS thrusters, with the recon drones shadowing them as they made their way out. They timed their exit perfectly to avoid drone patrols, slipping away from the Ark Royale unnoticed. The bridge was quiet except for the hum of machinery and repair drones working diligently.

For two hours, Elis remained lost in thought while Alex kept her eyes on the monitors. Finally, Nameless interrupted the silence.

[Informative: We have successfully evaded close-range detection.]

“Set a course for the heavy cruiser wreckage again,” Alex instructed.

Elis raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t this the third time we’re going back there?”

Alex acknowledged her concern but explained, “There are still good armor hull plates left on it. It’s not too big to attract attention, yet there’s still something left for us to salvage.”

Alex glanced at Elis, “More importantly, I feel like we should look at the recording you brought back.”

Elis let out a defeated sigh, then nodded. “It… it was just an afterthought. I wanted to bring back something after… after failing.”

Alex frowned. “Don’t blame yourself. We did the best we could.”