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Aftermath Chapter 5-Enter the Shadows
After a long pause, I gestured "Species 0471??"
"Shut everything down..." Sinclar stammered out.
Within moments, the kalo systems began shutting down their non-essential controls. Before I could even understand what was going on, our computers cut all but the essential systems. The core staff, including Sinclar and another Kalon crew member quickly went to the main briefing room. I was quick to follow them.
"So, what the hell is going on??" I exclaimend.
"Commander, " Sinclair started, showing images of the vessels. "Allow me to introduce you to species 0471. Many of the other species we encountered before the collective was destroyed knows them as Shadows."
We spent the next few hours talking about the unkown species. All we knew about them were the ship design, and that they have been known to arrive in large groups and destroy all live in the areas that they become interested in. It appeared that our best defense was to pretend to not exist, which now explains why we shut everything down. What causes them to be interested in new areas is technology being in areas that it shouldn't be in yet.
I spent a few hours watching the ships. A total of 5 Shadow vessels. They seemed to circle the station and examine the planet. I was glad the order went out to our ground support crew to power down. The vessles circled for some time and it was rather odd.
I decided I should head down to engineering. Something about that blue wolf caught my attention. Could I be attracted to him already? He seemed so shy and sweet, I wanted to get to know the kid a little better. I left the briefing room and headed to the lift. The lift opened and I walked in.
"Deck 10" I declared and the lift began moving.
When the lift stopped and the doors opened, I stepped off onto Deck 10 and walked the short distance to Engineering. When I walked in, Sinclair looked up at me. He had worked with the Federation so long, he was used to the laid back style of command that I have not only enjoyed, but partook in. He did not formally announce my arrival, but he let me wander in. I came up to Sinclair.
"Hey, have you seen that blue wolf recently?" I asked him.
"You mean Mix??" He responded.
"Yeah."
"That kids a genius. He noticed a na'cell issue on sector 714 and I sent him to correct it."
"714?? Thats the plexis core sector."
"Yea. He'll be alright."
Just as he said that, Mix walked into the room and noticed me. Instantly his tail went between his legs. Apparently, I made him nervous.
"Sir," he started at Sinclair. "I fixed it, we should be fine once we get everything back up."
We both smiled and I walked up to Mix, following him to his post. I watched him work for a bit, purring softly as I took in his scent. I finally brought up the courage to speak softly to him.
"So, what do you think about the station?" I asked him
"Oh, its alright, though I'm not sure we'll have everything running on opening day." He blurted out softly.
"That's alright. Say would you like to get a night on the station tonight?"
"Umm...s..sir. I would like to be able to see new parts, y..yes. So I can..."
"Don't make this part of your work, hun" I interrupted. "I'm thinking maybe we can go out on a date or something."
I blushed deeply, not sure how he would take it. I wasn't even sure if he was gay, straight, or what.
"I... I'll have to think about it, s...sir." he stammered out softly.
"If you decide to, meet me in the mess hall at 1700." I whispered to him
Just then the com interrupted. "~Attention all personell, alert status ended. The ships left.~"
I glanced over to him and he nodded.
"I'll think about your offer, sir." he said.
I then headed back to the bridge.
When I got back to the bridge, Stephen was waiting for me. He showed me the sensor reports of the ships leaving. This gave us a big clue, and a warning signal. They were using a slipstream drive that took them into hyperspace. We could track it as a rift in space/time. Even though we started powering up all the systems, my mind was still thinking about that wolf.
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