Chapter 38: A New Threat to Humanity

While Race was testing the limits of his new skill, A grave threat was making its way towards the Terran controlled space. It was still far away from Humanities cosmic border, but an unlucky explorer fleet came across them.

Alexander was going through the navigation data. He was a proud explorer who was fascinated by the infinite void of space. To him this vacuum was his home. He has spent more than half of his life in space. Even though he was famed Master Mechanic, he did not want remain holed up in the comforts of the society but desired the thrill of the unknown.

" Sir with this we have found about 20 new star system with habitable planets. more than 100 star system with valuable ores. We actually made a killing this time around. I think we should cash in on the navigational data before someone else dose it". His deputy asked him.

" After we reach the next destination we will go back home, alright", Alex replied

" The crew will be delighted to hear that, they were really getting a bit restless." deputy Rupert answered.

" We will come out off hyper space in about 30 mins so tell them to be ready." Alexander reminded his deputy.

After canceling the holographic call Alexander brought up the huge map he made. This data will lead to further expansion of humanity. After going through it once more Alex saw that it was about time for the fleet to exit from hyperspace. Once again he felt excited as he was about to witness the discovery of new worlds.

So he pressed a button on his desk that brought him to the command center, There he and the rest of the crew waited with bated breath, as they were about to witness never before seen worlds. No one can make it in this line of work if they were not able to enjoy this feeling.

" Leaving Hyper Space in 3...2...1"

But what awaited them was not the sight they were expecting. They were petrified by the sight before them. The destination that they had set was star system with 5 planets that were near to the star. Long-range scans indicated they were all had metallic cores. From their experience they knew that star systems with only metallic core planets tend to have large deposits of precious heavy metals.

But what lay before them was just the shells of these planets with their cores stolen, even their crusts were riddled with holes. The crew looked at the devastated planets. Surprised and scared as they thought about who or what could have done that.

" Send out remote scouters to find out what has happened. How long before we can get back into hyper space. Whatever or whoever did this is not a force that we can face right now we need to find a way to get out of this place as fast as we can."

" Sir, it would take about 15 minutes for all the fleet to be ready for hyperspace."

" Do whatever it takes, don't even bother about damaging the engines, we have to leave."

" Sir, if we avoid all but the most necessary protocols we can leave in about five minutes."

" Then do it", The Panic in the voice of the esteemed Master mechanic was clearly heard. But no one cared about as they were preparing to hold out for 5 minutes. Even that was herculean task if they had to fight the force which can eat up a planet like this.

And their fears became a reality when a group of the unmanned scouts that were sent suddenly lost contact with respective ships. The few surviving scout drones sent a videos and data about there attacker.

" Sir, we have visuals on the enemy. The initial scan report will be available in a few seconds." A officer reported to Alexander.

" Show it.", Alexander ordered.

" Two holographic panels suddenly came into to being, one displaying how the drones were attacked while the other giving real time data.

" What is this...", every one including Alexander was horrified by what they saw. Large number of metallic globules of varies sizes was floating around a much much huger planet sized metallic ball. It was on the other side of the sun so they were not able to find it in their scans when they landed,

They watched on as they saw tiny various small globules of separated from city sized balls that was orbiting around the large one. they rushed towards the recon drones that came too close to them and attached them self to it. they slowly absorbed all the metallic parts of the recon drone leaving behind nonmetal composites.

The small metallic globules that absorbed the recon drones grew in size and divided forming new globules. The recon drones had a small laser turret and they did fire at the globules. But it only served to energize the globules. The globules grew faster and more violent in their approach as they rushed at the scout drones.

It was then a huge energy signal was released from the Planet of metal. It interfered with the instruments of the ships from Alexander's fleet . But the ships almost immediately corrected themselves.

" What was that?", a scared officer couldn't help but ask out loud. Alexander hurriedly skimmed through the data about the energy signal.

" It was a scan. Troops to battle stations. We must prepare for battle. They know we are here."