Chapter -18 Vigil on Barren Moon
Outer Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
The hours crawled by with agonizing slowness. Valerius remained largely sequestered in the secondary analysis room, the System feeding him a constant stream of data from the outpost sensors, the drones monitoring Grid 11, and, most critically, the slow progress of Drone Prime-3 towards its observation point near Moon 7C.
He used the time productively, running System simulations for Wargod-level combat scenarios, practicing the subtle extension of his Spatial Sense, and refining his control over minor environmental manipulations within the confines of the room. Each small increment of mastery felt vital, a sharpening of the blade before an inevitable clash. His Wargod energy settled further, the initial turbulence of the breakthrough replaced by a deep, steady reservoir of power.
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Progress was slow without the high-energy infusion from below, but it was steady. He resisted the urge to risk another descent while the tactical situation remained so volatile and Kaelen's suspicion lingered.
Commander Vorlag checked in periodically via comms, his voice tight with restrained impatience. "Any change, Lieutenant?"
"Negative, Commander," Valerius reported each time. "Scorpion main fleet remains static in Grid 11. 'Crimson Fury' group maintaining course and speed for Moon 7C. Drone Prime-3 is approaching optimal scan range."
Around the estimated time Drone Prime-3 should have reached its designated position, Valerius focused intently on its feed. The drone, operating under maximum stealth protocols, began its passive, long-range scan of the distant moon.
Initial telemetry was frustratingly sparse. Moon 7C appeared exactly as databases described: a lifeless, cratered sphere bathed in the dim light of the distant star. Passive sensors struggled to pick up details at this range, especially if the Scorpions were employing any form of sensor baffling or operating on the far side.
'System, enhance sensor feed from Prime-3. Focus on detecting artificial energy signatures, localized atmospheric disturbances, or thermal anomalies inconsistent with natural geology.'
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Minutes stretched into an hour. The 'Crimson Fury' and its escorts arrived within Moon 7C's gravity well, their icons merging with the moon's on the tactical display as they presumably entered orbit or began landing procedures. Still, Prime-3 detected nothing definitive. No obvious energy flares, no communication bursts, no large structures.
Valerius felt a prickle of frustration. Were they operating on the far side? Or were their countermeasures simply too effective for a passive scan at this distance?
Then, a flicker.
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They had landed. Multiple vessels, likely the cruiser and its escorts, touching down in a large crater basin. And they had immediately clamped down on energy emissions, trying to remain hidden even on this desolate rock.
'System, can Prime-3 reposition for a closer look without compromising stealth?'
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Valerius relayed the findings to Commander Vorlag immediately. "Commander, Drone Prime-3 confirms multiple vessel landings on Moon 7C, Crater EC-117. They suppressed energy signatures immediately upon touchdown. Activity confirmed, specifics unclear."
"Confirmed landings," Vorlag echoed, his voice grim over the comms. "So they're doing something down there. Keep watching, Lieutenant. Anything – thermal blooms, seismic activity, atmospheric traces – anything."
Valerius acknowledged, his gaze fixed on the drone feed, now focused intently on Crater EC-117. The System highlighted faint, residual thermal traces consistent with recent landings, fading rapidly into the moon's cold background temperature. Nothing more.
He leaned back, considering the implications. The Scorpions were clearly executing a planned operation with discipline and sophisticated countermeasures. This wasn't a simple resource drop or prisoner exchange. The level of energy discipline suggested they didn't want anyone observing their activities, perhaps not even their own main fleet initially. What was Project Chimera? What 'manifest' required such secrecy on a barren moon?
He tasked the System with running continuous analysis on EC-117, searching for any deviation, any pattern, however minute. The vigil had begun. The Scorpions were on the moon, the Sector Command fleet was still far away, and Delta-7, under his watchful analysis, could only wait and observe the unfolding mystery from afar. The fate of the system might well be decided not in the minefields of Grid 11, but in the dusty silence of Crater EC-117.