The Arrival of Sin

Next day, inside a vast chamber adorned with ancient tomes and advanced technological apparatuses, Lucifer's fingers flew across the keyboard, lines of code flashing on screens that predated the Reboot era. His brow furrowed in frustration, a look of disorientation etched on his face. The room was tense with the unresolved challenge before him. Suddenly, the heavy doors swung open, admitting Percy, followed closely by Jason and James.

"How's the progress?" Percy inquired, his tone betraying a hint of concern.

"It's proving quite challenging. Despite being a prototype, the device should still manage a single qubit entanglement to establish a secure communication channel. But every attempt I make is bouncing back. The area seems to be shielded on a quantum level," Lucifer explained, his attention divided between the screen and the incoming group.

"Explain it in layman's terms," Jason interjected, noticing the perplexed expression on Percy's face, which he was trying hard to conceal.

Lucifer paused, acknowledging the need to simplify his explanation. "Basically, any signal we send is rebounded back to us, much like a rubber wall. The shielding employs a fixed pattern, akin to similar magnetic poles repelling each other."

Percy contemplated the situation. "So, what are our options now?"

"In my estimation, penetrating this solid shielding seems impossible. However, if we can decipher its pattern and reverse-engineer it, we might sneak in a single message before their system resets," Lucifer proposed.

"How long until you can achieve that?" Percy inquired, turning his attention to Aria, the entity known for its astral nature and unparalleled efficiency.

[Six hours] 

Aria's voice echoed, its genderless tone emanating from the astral being.

"Very well. Lucifer, prepare the necessary equipment and ready the transport," Percy ordered decisively.

Lucifer paused, a grin spreading across his face. Adjusting his glasses, he nodded in agreement, invigorated by the challenge ahead.

After six hours, Percy stood alongside Jason and Lucifer on the expansive docking station, which doubled as a shipyard situated on the eastern side of the secondary base. Before them loomed a formidable sight: a battleship clamped firmly by massive robotic arms. The vessel, born from the framework of a Montana-class battleship from the pre-Reboot era, bore little resemblance to its origins. Coated in a sleek black finish to blend seamlessly into the void of space, it stretched an impressive three hundred meters in length with a draft of fifteen meters and a beam of forty meters.

Cap. Brad approached with James guiding him, both visibly awestruck by the sight of the immense construct. Brad's jaw dropped as he took in the vessel's streamlined design and formidable armaments. Positioned prominently were four miniaturized railguns on the upper and lower decks at the ship's bow, complemented by sixteen mini-cannons—four each situated amidships and aft, both top and bottom. The propulsion system and thrusters hinted at the ship's significant power, although Brad couldn't fathom the scale of its energy reactor or the type of payload it carried. He knew well enough that these railguns, despite their miniature size, packed immense firepower—a capability even the I-CA's main battleships reserved for their largest vessels due to their substantial power demands and recoil considerations.

"Isn't she a beauty?" Lucifer remarked, his gaze fixed reverently on the battleship.

Brad could only nod in agreement, fully aware that compared to this behemoth, his own battleship seemed insignificant.

"This battleship represents my latest creation, blending ancient technologies with advanced quantum science. It stands as our pinnacle, unmatched in its capabilities. Would you care to learn more?" Lucifer asked eagerly, his eyes gleaming with pride and anticipation.

"Lucifer, let's get going," Percy interrupted before Cap. Brad could inquire further about the battleship's ancient technology.

"Che! Captain, you always disturb me," Lucifer grumbled, clearly annoyed, and led the way towards the battleship with the rest of the group.

"Poor fellow. Lucifer found a new target," Jason remarked sympathetically to Cap. Brad, whose gaze remained fixed on the impressive vessel.

With a swishing sound, an elevator descended from the battleship's center as they approached. Boarding it, they were swiftly transported inside the immense vessel. The engineering deck greeted them with its imposing array of large energy conduits.

"This is the engineering deck. These tubes carry energy, fuel, and power throughout the ship from the reactor located at the rear. The engine room and reactor are through that heavily sealed door," Lucifer explained, gesturing toward a door fortified with robust defensive layers.

"Over here are the cabin quarters and armory, and further ahead is the command deck," Lucifer continued, leading them towards the living quarters.

The ship's automatic doors slid open as they approached. Divided into two sections, the living area featured a kitchen complete with a cooking counter, storage, and dining table. Adjacent were the dormitories, each accommodating two people with amenities including a washroom, shower, and wardrobe.

Past the living quarters lay the armory, which they quickly passed through before entering the command deck. Unlike I-CA Naval battleships with multiple consoles, the command deck of this vessel featured only two seats—one for the pilot and the other for the co-pilot. Behind them, horizontally arranged, were five additional seats at a certain distance.

"Aria, it's time," Lucifer declared as they entered the command deck.

[Affirmative.]

Aria's response echoed through the ship as the engines in the rear section began to hum and the reactor surged with energy. Despite the distance, the vibrations from the powerful engines and reactor were palpable throughout the vessel.

"System check," Lucifer commanded as he settled into one of the command seats.

[Performing diagnostics. Reactor output increasing steadily. Defensive and weapons systems online. Redirecting power to communication and detection systems. Communication and detection systems online. Reactor power stable. System check complete. Await confirmation to engage terrain propulsion systems.]

"Where to, Captain?" Lucifer turned to Percy, awaiting orders.

Percy scrutinized the display screens depicting the surrounding environment. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke with unwavering determination.

"I-CA High Command, Moon," he announced firmly.

"Roger. Plotting course to I-CA High Command," Lucifer responded briskly, fingers flying over the console to input coordinates and parameters.

Soon, a surge of power was felt as energy flowed from the reactor to the propulsion systems. The thrusters beneath the ship emitted a thunderous roar, releasing streams of purple flames. Simultaneously, the clamps and robotic arms releasing the battleship disengaged smoothly.

"Aria, status report on the lower decks?" Lucifer queried.

[Output stable.]

"Roger that. Then let's take this beauty for a spin," Lucifer declared, adjusting his glasses and swiping upwards on the console with confident ease.

The battleship ascended vertically, its secondary thrusters propelling it at an angle until it reached a designated elevation where they shut down. Then, with a thunderous roar, the primary thrusters ignited, pushing the massive vessel away from the planet's gravitational pull.

"Shall we get ready to greet the guests now?" James said eagerly, his excitement palpable.

Percy nodded and turned to Lucifer. "What's the progress?"

"Aria should be done in a few minutes. We might need to make a brief stop near the EDS to monitor the process," Lucifer replied, focused on his tasks.

"Alright, we'll prepare by then," Percy acknowledged.

Lucifer nodded, and the group moved toward the armory once again. Cap. Brad remained on the command deck, observing as Lucifer managed the ship's operations. When Lucifer was occupied once more, Cap. Brad followed the rest to the armory.

There, he found himself engulfed in nostalgia once more. Seven combat suits stood before him, each encased in transparent containers.

Percy, Jason, and James donned skinsuits made of carbon fiber, adorned with intricate circuit-like patterns. They unlocked containers containing weapons and selected their gear before moving to the combat suits. Assembling the armored pieces onto their skinsuits, the components snapped into place with magnetic precision.

Fully equipped, they resembled mechanized soldiers. The combat suits, made of an unfamiliar lightweight material, hinted at formidable capabilities beneath their sleek appearance. After securing their gear, they proceeded to a secluded corner where seven suitcases were arranged in a circle.

Locating their respective cases, they unlocked them and revealed a variety of cold weapons. Jason's case held a sleek, one-foot combat blade with a matte black finish. James selected a small rectangular shield of the same length. Percy's choice was a two-foot saber with an intricately designed hilt extending nearly half a foot. They attached these weapons to their combat suits, ensuring they were securely locked.

Lastly, they retrieved helmets similar to those worn by I-CA Special Forces, though Cap. Brad suspected they offered more than met the eye.

Cap. Brad stood on the command deck, reflecting on the advanced technology and weaponry he had witnessed aboard the battleship. It dawned on him that the I-CA's advancements in battleships, technology, and weaponry likely stemmed from or were at least inspired by the innovations of the legendary seven-person team before him.

"[Captain, approaching EDS.]" Lucifer's voice echoed through the speaker system, prompting the group to leave the armory and make their way back to the command deck.

Once assembled, Percy commanded, "Display it on the screen."

The monitors illuminated, revealing the view of space outside. The battleship had ascended beyond the planet's atmosphere and now hovered in low-earth orbit near the Extraterrestrial Defensive System, or EDS as it was commonly referred to by the I-CA Naval Command.

Cap. Brad fixed his gaze on the screen, observing the imposing structure of the EDS. It was a colossal entity, widely acknowledged as a pivotal element in the I-CA's defensive strategy. The mere presence of the EDS was enough to instill fear among the ranks of the I-CA, underscoring the formidable reputation of the legendary team.

As the battleship approached its rendezvous with the EDS, anticipation and tension filled the command deck, each member prepared for the critical mission ahead.

In the command deck of the battleship, the crew stood vigilant as they approached the formidable Extraterrestrial Defensive System (EDS), a technological marvel feared throughout the human domain. The EDS was not merely a structure; it was a sentinel armed with an advanced weapon system fueled by the very ions in the atmosphere. This system could unleash devastating particle beams capable of vaporizing targets with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

The EDS's true terror lay not only in its destructive capabilities but also in its strategic coverage. Positioned strategically in low-earth orbit, its reach extended across the entire human territory. The radiation field emanating from its core reactor could penetrate the hulls of I-CA Naval Command vessels, disrupting electronic systems and thwarting any attempts at intrusion.

Attempts by the I-CA Central Command to neutralize the EDS were futile; its modular design, dispersed across orbit, made it impervious to single-point attacks. Even the vast expanse of space, controlled by the I-CA High Command, posed minimal threat due to the logistical challenges of mounting an effective assault from orbit.

On the battleship's command deck, Aria, the astral entity integrated into their systems, announced.

[Decryption completed] 

Lucifer, focused and determined, relayed commands swiftly. "Alright. Let's proceed. Captain, once we establish the channel, our time will be limited. Make your transmission swift."

On the viewscreen, the EDS emanated a powerful wave of energy, focusing its intensity towards a central antenna-like structure. The energy pulsed rhythmically, each wave sending subtle vibrations through the fabric of space.

Lucifer, focused on his task at the console, instructed, "Once the energy waves start pulsating, that's your signal, Captain."

The waves began to throb like a heartbeat, causing minute disruptions in the space around them. Lucifer glanced back at Percy, signaling readiness.

Percy's demeanor turned cold and commanding, causing a sudden drop in temperature on the command deck, testing the limits of the environmental control systems. Cap. Brad felt a surge of apprehension, his hand instinctively gripping his chest as if to steady his racing heart.

Then, as abruptly as it began, Percy's voice cut through the tension, commanding authority, "Diane and Sophie, this is Percy. Stay where you are. We're coming to you. Whatever the situation, we'll face it together. This is an order. Do not take action. Focus all energy on defense. That's an order—"

Before he could finish, the pulsations ceased, and the EDS returned to its usual state.

"That's it, Captain. Connection lost," Lucifer reported.

"Did the message get through?" Percy asked, his gaze unwavering.

"They should have received it," Lucifer affirmed.

"Good. Proceed to our destination," Percy commanded with finality.

Meanwhile, on the northern hemisphere of Earth, within the I-CA Central Command's sprawling Command Center, a transmission crackled through from the space-station adjacent to the Extraterrestrial Defensive System (EDS). The personnel in the command center swiftly relayed the message up the chain of command.

In a room situated atop the highest floor of the Central Command, an elderly man sat behind a desk. The walls around him were composed of advanced, transparent ballistic material, affording him an unobstructed view over the entire expanse of the I-CA Central Command from a lofty height. This man held the highest authority within the I-CA, surpassed by none.

The figure was Admiral Khuraymah, leader of one of the influential factions that formed the I-CA Senate.

A soft beep emanated from the intercom, prompting Admiral Khuraymah to reach for it.

[Reporting, sir. An unidentified battleship has entered EDS range. The vessel is not registered with the I-CA. Await your instructions, sir.]

"Understood. Maintain surveillance and alert me to any developments," Admiral Khuraymah ordered calmly.

[Acknowledged, sir.]

He swiveled his chair, casting a contemplative gaze over the Central Command and the skies beyond.

'They have returned at last,' he reflected.

Minutes later, the intercom buzzed once more. This time, a different voice spoke through, equally authoritative as Admiral Khuraymah's own.

[Did you hear the report?]

"Yes, I received it," Admiral Khuraymah affirmed.

[Do you think it's them?]

"I believe so," he responded.

[What's our next move?]

"We wait and observe. Hastiness will not serve us well this time," Admiral Khuraymah decided.

[Understood.]

With that, the communication ended.

'This time, there is no room for error. The planet will have a singular ruler, and it shall be us. The I-CA will soon be under our control, and vengeance shall be mine,' Admiral Khuraymah mused, his fingers tracing the contours of an old scar across his chest, a reminder of past conflicts that had yet to heal.