Planet 9A2-C-8. Imperial Security Corps Site 12. Meeting Room.
Corporal Kendrick stood in the middle of the room. There were a dozen figures sitting in an arc around him, all of them the product of the expensive hologram projectors built into the room. Some of these people were wearing the military uniforms of the Imperial Army or the Imperial Navy. Some were also in uniforms, but not that of the Army or the Navy. A handful of them was wearing suits or white lab coats.
These people were some of the most powerful men and women in this star system. They represented agencies and organizations that could decide the fate of billions, and they were all here for an important meeting.
The corporal wasn’t the only one physically standing in the room. Right beside him was a middle-aged woman with short blonde hair. She was Major Petrov, the ISC commander tasked with overseeing all ISC forces on the entire planet of Planet 9A2-C-8.
As two more figures were projected into the room, one of the attendants nodded at Major Petrov. He was a man in his mid-fifties, and the uniform he was wearing was similar to that of the corporal. He was Colonel Davos, head of all Imperial Security Corps forces in the 9A2-C star system and the direct superior of Major Petrov.
“You may begin, major.” He ordered quietly as all the attendants were present.
“Yes sir.” Major Petrov nodded before she started introducing the reason for this meeting. “Eight days ago, there was a kidnapping attempt made on a Class B researcher of the Imperial Research Academy, Doctor Jemma Payton, when she was on a research mission to a remote planet designated as Morgo IV.” She glanced at one of the attendants, a young woman in a white lab coat. Doctor Payton was here in the meeting as well.
“The details of the incident are in the briefings sent to your offices before this meeting, but the conclusion reached by our investigation is that this attempt was made by the terrorist group that calls themselves the Venya Revolutionary Guard. I am sure everyone here is familiar, to various degrees, with their organization and self-proclaimed purpose.”
The attendants remained silent as the major continued. They more or less knew about this beforehand, having reviewed the documents already sent to them.
“The terrorists were able to infiltrate a company of the Imperial Army sent to escort the doctor. They also had aid from the Republic. However, the terrorists are not why we have called this meeting. What is of note during this incident is the presence of a type of xenomorph never seen before in the galaxy.”
Many of the attendants visibly frowned. Xenomorphs? They more or less knew there was more to this incident than just a terrorist operation. The Guard was indeed a threat, but a kidnapping attempt wasn’t worth the attention of individuals at their level. But…xenomorphs? What xenomorphs?
“Corporal.” Major Petrov nodded at Corporal Kendrick, who took a step forward and started explaining.
“After the rebels showed their true colors and gunned down those in the company loyal to the Imperium, at one point, an unspecified number of xenomorphs appeared inside the research outpost and started attacking rebels and loyalists alike. They are around one meter tall and extremely fast and agile. They seem to have no means of ranged attack, but once they get in melee range, their claws can easily cut through the Guardian-class power armors of Imperial Army troopers. At the same time, they are extremely fragile. One shot from an Executioner-class assault pistol can kill a xenomorph.” Corporal Kendrick explained.
So…dangerous local wildlife? That alone was hardly unprecedented, but once again, the attendants remained silent, knowing there was more to the story.
“After escaping back to this planet with Doctor Payton, I immediately informed my superiors of what had happened. After a few hours, Major Petrov authorized me to return to Morgo IV with ships of the Planetary Defense Fleet. We were later reinforced by elements of the System Defense Fleet and infantry units of the 37th Imperial Army Group. We returned to the Research Outpost Delta and found a number of xenomorph corpses scattered throughout the base. These corpses have been given to researchers from the Academy for studying, but the discoveries made so far have mainly been inconclusive. I believe the Academy is preparing a report on the biological aspect of the xenomorphs. What I would like to focus on are certain odd discoveries made in the outpost.”
“Upon our return, we discovered that the security center was completely destroyed by a mixture of explosions and xenomorph attacks.” Corporal Kendrick continued. “Our technicians weren’t able to recover any useful data from the local server due to extensive damage. However, upon closer examination, we did confirm that none of the perimeter defenses were offline or damaged. There wasn't any evidence of a breach.”
“None of the perimeter defenses were damaged? Then how did the xenomorphs get into the building?” A member of the System Military Command asked, confused.
“That’s one of the things that made this incident so strange, General.” Major Petrov replied. “We weren’t able to find any way the xenomorphs could’ve breached the perimeter. All evidence suggests that the xenomorphs just appeared in the middle of the base and started killing. I would also like to point out that while it is possible all the xenomorphs died in the base, there is also the chance that some survived. We are unsure which is the case given the lack of information on the total number of xenomorphs present. If some did survive, then by the time our forces returned to the base, they had disappeared again. Once again, if that’s the case, we don’t know how they left or where they have gone.”
“Some kind of…teleportation technology?” Another man in a white lab coat frowned. Doctor Rex, head of the Imperial Research Academy branch in the system. “That is impossible! No power in the galaxy has been able to perform teleportations in such a safe and accurate manner! To think some beasts can achieve that…it’s absurd!”
“Major, are you suggesting that the xenomorphs actively destroyed the security center? To cover their trails?” A general from the 37th Imperial Army Group was more focused on something else.
“That is correct, general.”
“Do you know what you are saying, major? This implies that the xenomorphs may not only have sapience but also understand exactly how our technologies work!” The general’s face turned pale. Beasts with raw physical strength weren’t difficult to kill, but when the beasts started thinking, that was when they became dangerous.
“That is just another reason why this matter deserves the full attention of everyone in this room.” Colonel Davos of the ISC said quietly. He had received reports from Major Petrov before this meeting, making him much more prepared than the others. “We can discuss our response to this matter after we have been given all the information. There is more about the base that doesn’t add up. Corporal, you may continue.”
“Yes sir.” Corporal Kendrick continued. “When we reached the armory, we noticed something interesting. It seemed like a group of rebels, including Captain Hanson, their leader, tried to make a last stand against the xenomorphs inside the armory. They deployed a number of heavy weapons, including Eradicator-class heavy machine guns and Judicator-class flamethrowers. We found a large number of xenomorph bodies in the hallway leading to the armory, suggesting the rebels were able to survive a major attack from the xenomorphs, not that they lived for long.”
“By the time we arrived, all of the rebels in the armory had been killed. Our forensics experts say that they were killed by an explosion of shrapnel. We were even able to find many shrapnels from inside the armory and the bodies of the rebels.” He paused. “However, the shrapnels didn't come from any Imperial weapon taken to the base as a part of the infantry company's arsenal. It was later confirmed that it didn't come from any known weapon used in the galaxy by any major power. We have searched the entire facility multiple times, but we couldn't find any weapon that could have been responsible for the deaths.”
"Is it possible that the weapons were extracted from the base?" Admiral Kido questioned the corporal. "I have been going over the timeline of the events that Major Petrov sent to my office. There is a period of time between when your shuttle jumped away and when Imperial reinforcements arrived. A Republic light cruiser was in the planet's orbit during that period. Could it have taken the weapons from the base?"
"It is unlikely, sir." Major Petrov was the one who answered. "The Republic cruiser didn't have enough time for that. If our records are accurate, then there was only a few minutes at most between the shuttle's departure and the arrival of our reinforcements. Even if the Republic light cruiser sent out a dropship the moment it arrived and somehow avoided the shuttle's detection, there wouldn't be enough time for a retrieval. Our ships would have noticed the dropship returning, but we have confirmed with the captain and the crew of the ships that there was no such sighting. However the weapons were moved, they didn't do so via the Republic light cruiser."
Corporal Kendrick looked at all the generals and admirals and saw that they had the same reaction he did when he first stepped back into the research outpost. Confusion. A lot of confusion. Nothing about this incident added up. Xenomorphs that teleported in and killed everyone for seemingly no reason at all. Weapons that just showed up out of nowhere, blew up an armory of rebels, and then once again disappeared without a trace. What could all these things mean? What force in the galaxy could have done this?
A few unidentified explosives weren’t that odd by themselves. The galaxy was a big place and no power could hope to monitor every class of weapon developed and used. The weapon itself could come from any single one of the numerous armed groups in the galaxy. Maybe they were used by pirates. Or mercenaries. Or maybe they were developed by a corporation and used by corporate security forces. It was the fact this weapon somehow found its way inside a relatively heavily defended Imperial base, was used, and then disappeared again that drew so much attention.
Add that to the mysterious xenomorphs, and all the generals and admirals and directors in the meeting were starting to feel threatened.
Planet 9A2-C-8. Imperial Security Corps Site 12. Meeting Room.
Corporal Kendrick stood in the middle of the room. There were a dozen figures sitting in an arc around him, all of them the product of the expensive hologram projectors built into the room. Some of these people were wearing the military uniforms of the Imperial Army or the Imperial Navy. Some were also in uniforms, but not that of the Army or the Navy. A handful of them was wearing suits or white lab coats.
These people were some of the most powerful men and women in this star system. They represented agencies and organizations that could decide the fate of billions, and they were all here for an important meeting.
The corporal wasn’t the only one physically standing in the room. Right beside him was a middle-aged woman with short blonde hair. She was Major Petrov, the ISC commander tasked with overseeing all ISC forces on the entire planet of Planet 9A2-C-8.
As two more figures were projected into the room, one of the attendants nodded at Major Petrov. He was a man in his mid-fifties, and the uniform he was wearing was similar to that of the corporal. He was Colonel Davos, head of all Imperial Security Corps forces in the 9A2-C star system and the direct superior of Major Petrov.
“You may begin, major.” He ordered quietly as all the attendants were present.
“Yes sir.” Major Petrov nodded before she started introducing the reason for this meeting. “Eight days ago, there was a kidnapping attempt made on a Class B researcher of the Imperial Research Academy, Doctor Jemma Payton, when she was on a research mission to a remote planet designated as Morgo IV.” She glanced at one of the attendants, a young woman in a white lab coat. Doctor Payton was here in the meeting as well.
“The details of the incident are in the briefings sent to your offices before this meeting, but the conclusion reached by our investigation is that this attempt was made by the terrorist group that calls themselves the Venya Revolutionary Guard. I am sure everyone here is familiar, to various degrees, with their organization and self-proclaimed purpose.”
The attendants remained silent as the major continued. They more or less knew about this beforehand, having reviewed the documents already sent to them.
“The terrorists were able to infiltrate a company of the Imperial Army sent to escort the doctor. They also had aid from the Republic. However, the terrorists are not why we have called this meeting. What is of note during this incident is the presence of a type of xenomorph never seen before in the galaxy.”
Many of the attendants visibly frowned. Xenomorphs? They more or less knew there was more to this incident than just a terrorist operation. The Guard was indeed a threat, but a kidnapping attempt wasn’t worth the attention of individuals at their level. But…xenomorphs? What xenomorphs?
“Corporal.” Major Petrov nodded at Corporal Kendrick, who took a step forward and started explaining.
“After the rebels showed their true colors and gunned down those in the company loyal to the Imperium, at one point, an unspecified number of xenomorphs appeared inside the research outpost and started attacking rebels and loyalists alike. They are around one meter tall and extremely fast and agile. They seem to have no means of ranged attack, but once they get in melee range, their claws can easily cut through the Guardian-class power armors of Imperial Army troopers. At the same time, they are extremely fragile. One shot from an Executioner-class assault pistol can kill a xenomorph.” Corporal Kendrick explained.
So…dangerous local wildlife? That alone was hardly unprecedented, but once again, the attendants remained silent, knowing there was more to the story.
“After escaping back to this planet with Doctor Payton, I immediately informed my superiors of what had happened. After a few hours, Major Petrov authorized me to return to Morgo IV with ships of the Planetary Defense Fleet. We were later reinforced by elements of the System Defense Fleet and infantry units of the 37th Imperial Army Group. We returned to the Research Outpost Delta and found a number of xenomorph corpses scattered throughout the base. These corpses have been given to researchers from the Academy for studying, but the discoveries made so far have mainly been inconclusive. I believe the Academy is preparing a report on the biological aspect of the xenomorphs. What I would like to focus on are certain odd discoveries made in the outpost.”
“Upon our return, we discovered that the security center was completely destroyed by a mixture of explosions and xenomorph attacks.” Corporal Kendrick continued. “Our technicians weren’t able to recover any useful data from the local server due to extensive damage. However, upon closer examination, we did confirm that none of the perimeter defenses were offline or damaged. There wasn't any evidence of a breach.”
“None of the perimeter defenses were damaged? Then how did the xenomorphs get into the building?” A member of the System Military Command asked, confused.
“That’s one of the things that made this incident so strange, General.” Major Petrov replied. “We weren’t able to find any way the xenomorphs could’ve breached the perimeter. All evidence suggests that the xenomorphs just appeared in the middle of the base and started killing. I would also like to point out that while it is possible all the xenomorphs died in the base, there is also the chance that some survived. We are unsure which is the case given the lack of information on the total number of xenomorphs present. If some did survive, then by the time our forces returned to the base, they had disappeared again. Once again, if that’s the case, we don’t know how they left or where they have gone.”
“Some kind of…teleportation technology?” Another man in a white lab coat frowned. Doctor Rex, head of the Imperial Research Academy branch in the system. “That is impossible! No power in the galaxy has been able to perform teleportations in such a safe and accurate manner! To think some beasts can achieve that…it’s absurd!”
“Major, are you suggesting that the xenomorphs actively destroyed the security center? To cover their trails?” A general from the 37th Imperial Army Group was more focused on something else.
“That is correct, general.”
“Do you know what you are saying, major? This implies that the xenomorphs may not only have sapience but also understand exactly how our technologies work!” The general’s face turned pale. Beasts with raw physical strength weren’t difficult to kill, but when the beasts started thinking, that was when they became dangerous.
“That is just another reason why this matter deserves the full attention of everyone in this room.” Colonel Davos of the ISC said quietly. He had received reports from Major Petrov before this meeting, making him much more prepared than the others. “We can discuss our response to this matter after we have been given all the information. There is more about the base that doesn’t add up. Corporal, you may continue.”
“Yes sir.” Corporal Kendrick continued. “When we reached the armory, we noticed something interesting. It seemed like a group of rebels, including Captain Hanson, their leader, tried to make a last stand against the xenomorphs inside the armory. They deployed a number of heavy weapons, including Eradicator-class heavy machine guns and Judicator-class flamethrowers. We found a large number of xenomorph bodies in the hallway leading to the armory, suggesting the rebels were able to survive a major attack from the xenomorphs, not that they lived for long.”
“By the time we arrived, all of the rebels in the armory had been killed. Our forensics experts say that they were killed by an explosion of shrapnel. We were even able to find many shrapnels from inside the armory and the bodies of the rebels.” He paused. “However, the shrapnels didn't come from any Imperial weapon taken to the base as a part of the infantry company's arsenal. It was later confirmed that it didn't come from any known weapon used in the galaxy by any major power. We have searched the entire facility multiple times, but we couldn't find any weapon that could have been responsible for the deaths.”
"Is it possible that the weapons were extracted from the base?" Admiral Kido questioned the corporal. "I have been going over the timeline of the events that Major Petrov sent to my office. There is a period of time between when your shuttle jumped away and when Imperial reinforcements arrived. A Republic light cruiser was in the planet's orbit during that period. Could it have taken the weapons from the base?"
"It is unlikely, sir." Major Petrov was the one who answered. "The Republic cruiser didn't have enough time for that. If our records are accurate, then there was only a few minutes at most between the shuttle's departure and the arrival of our reinforcements. Even if the Republic light cruiser sent out a dropship the moment it arrived and somehow avoided the shuttle's detection, there wouldn't be enough time for a retrieval. Our ships would have noticed the dropship returning, but we have confirmed with the captain and the crew of the ships that there was no such sighting. However the weapons were moved, they didn't do so via the Republic light cruiser."
Corporal Kendrick looked at all the generals and admirals and saw that they had the same reaction he did when he first stepped back into the research outpost. Confusion. A lot of confusion. Nothing about this incident added up. Xenomorphs that teleported in and killed everyone for seemingly no reason at all. Weapons that just showed up out of nowhere, blew up an armory of rebels, and then once again disappeared without a trace. What could all these things mean? What force in the galaxy could have done this?
A few unidentified explosives weren’t that odd by themselves. The galaxy was a big place and no power could hope to monitor every class of weapon developed and used. The weapon itself could come from any single one of the numerous armed groups in the galaxy. Maybe they were used by pirates. Or mercenaries. Or maybe they were developed by a corporation and used by corporate security forces. It was the fact this weapon somehow found its way inside a relatively heavily defended Imperial base, was used, and then disappeared again that drew so much attention.
Add that to the mysterious xenomorphs, and all the generals and admirals and directors in the meeting were starting to feel threatened.
