Unknown Vectors

Mowe Outer District - Esitio System - UEN Outer Colony - Present Day

"Oh I can't wait until harvest" I mumbled sarcastically

This sucks, I was supposed to meet up with other kids from school, we had lots of nothing planned out, but unfortunately, the power of adults is currently saying no, like I'd settle for that.

"But dad, it's the pre-harvest holiday, it's supposed to be used relaxing before you know, the harvest" I argued back

"Look son, we need you here, and last time you ran off and didn't come back until the second day of the harvest season"

My cheeks went red from shame, they still remember last year, we all went camping in the mountains and lost track of the days, by the time we got back, well we weren't considered to be the town favourite that's for sure, "I know I sent a bad example last year, but that was a mistake, I already said that we'd lost track of time"

My dad sighed "How you lose track of an entire 2 days is beyond me, okay I understand that you need to relax so I will compromise with you, you can go out during the day but you will be home every night, unless you are contactable" he leaned closer to me "as in you are either here or at a friends place we trust, no camping, understood?"

Kind of a victory, "yes dad, thanks dad" I said as I ran from the room grabbing my bag I headed to the door

"Stay safe" mum yelled after me "and call us if you need anything"

"Don't worry mum I will be fine"

Onboard UEN Cruiser Dying Twilight - Approaching Unknown Object - Esitio System - UEN Outer Colony

"Jump complete Captain," the navigation officer reported, "drive is in cool down"

"Very good, can we get a visual of the object"

"Putting it onscreen captain," the science officer interjected, "I am picking up radiation on the K band, as well as low-level heat output"

"I want an analysis, is it a ship?"

"Hard to say for sure, it's registry and design style doesn't match anything on file"

"Understood, Nav bring us closer to the object, I want high res scans on that thing and get a data link back to Esitio AI and prepare a message for UEN high command, tag the science team as well"

"Yes Captain" the navigation, science and communications officers replied at once

after a few seconds

"Got it Data-Link is now live Captian," the Comms officer stated, "Dock-master AI is online and requesting an update on the object - since when did AI's get bossy"

"Good job, share our findings and copy them into the message for UEN high command"

several small objects broke off from the main object and sped towards the Dying Twilight

"High resolution scans coming in now Capt... what is that?"  the science officer broke off

"Incoming fire!" the weapons officer shouted, "Brace for impact"

BOOM BOOM,

two of the objects slammed into the front of the ship exploding on contact

BOOM BOOM BOOM

three more slammed into the middle

"We've taken hits, extream damage, we're venting atmosphere, another inbound, BRACE"

BOOM BABOOOOOM,

the last object slammed into the engine cowling causing secondary explosions rippling through the ship

"Direct Hit, Main engines are inoperative, we have manouvering thrusters only"

"Weapons officer, start shooting" the captain demanded

"trying to, systems scrambled, compensating"

Thud Thud Thud

torpeedoes launched from the belly of the ship and streaked across space towards the main object

"Point defence is online captain, rail cannons have been depolerised, we can't use them"

the object slowed and turned to 'face' the Dying twilight and started glowing a sikly green at is center

"ma'am" the sciend officer said shakely, "high energy buildup in the object"

"NAV GET US THE HELL OUTTA HERE" the captain shouted,

"I'm trying, but with no main engines we are effectivley dead in the water"

the ship started to pitch 'up' and away from the object building up speed slowly

the green light pushed out of the object and reached for the Dying Twilight contacting the underside with it's deadly embrace

"direct hit to engineering" the engineering officer exclaimed "reactors redlining, emergancy procedures are ineffective, it's going critical"

"were all gonna..." squealed the science officer interupted only by the ships reactor exploding tearing the ship in half as the green beam finnaly dissapated

Mowe Outer District - Esitio System - UEN Outer Colony

Finally get some time to relax I though as I hefted my bag on my shoulder, I can see my friends waiting in the distance, I eargerly hurry towards them while I hold up a hand waving enthusiasticly. but before i could take one for step

wwwhhHHHIIIIIRRRRRRR!!!!

the air raid sirens blasted through the morning air impossible to ignore

"EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! ALL PERSONELL TO SHELTERS IMMEDIATLY! THIS IS NOT A DRILL"

WWWWHHHHIIIIIRRRRRR

the only words I can use to discribe the scene before me was, mass panic.

everyone was scrambling this way and that I ran into Tommy from my class

"whats happening" I asked franticaly.

"I don't know, but i know someone who works in the orbital elevator and apparently," Tommy stoped and whispered into my ear, what he said next made my blood run cold.

"A UEN Cruiser was blown up by an unknow object in the outer edge of the system"

"we have to go, right now"

Tommy nodded and we ran to the shelters.