A dark ocean spanned the horizon, looking like a plate of rippled obsidian glass. Acidic waves crashed against the pitted rocks, throwing up a toxic vaporous cloud that diffused the light of the morning sun and cleaned the wings of the Avatrox perched there. The hot winds pulled at the creature's wings, but could never move such rigid structures. It held its wings slightly aloft, to allow the harsh airborne agents to fully coat its body. This was a morning ritual, in preparation for the hunt of the day.
Dark shapes slunk along the crevices behind the stone gargoyle. Shadows moved through light and darkness freely, carrying with them something the Avatrox knew nothing of. A bit of sand shifted below, startling the creature. It twisted its head about, checking its surroundings. There was nothing here to threaten it. No predators could climb these slopes or bear the touch of the sea's waters. The beast settled down again to bask.
As ink reversing its spill onto paper, the shadows sunk into the rock, seeping away, until nothing but untouched cliff face remained. The sound of grinding glass echoed briefly at this passing, causing the Avatrox to spin about suddenly and strike at the cave wall where the shadows had been. Its throat spike shattered the stone and the vile acid within tore at the stone surface. Yet there was nothing. The Avatrox was alone and perturbed.
Deciding this perch was altogether too much trouble, it moved to the edge and took off, casting its dire shadow across the deep waters.
The commander of the Andonian military fleet hovered in place before the observation console. He surveyed the hundreds of ships arrayed around them. A great troop of armed, research, transport, and cargo vessels. There seemed no rhyme or reason as to the composition of the fleet nor why so much was needed for their mission.
They had rendezvoused with numerous ships by this point from many different nations and worlds. Some convoys were quite alarming, particularly the Inir and Oudoun fleet. Those two nations had been at war for millennia and could never fly together as they were short of lasting peace or disabled sensors. Yet somehow they were aware of each other, still at war, but following higher level orders. As they all seemed to be. No fleet commander could say who had issued the orders, but the sheer coordination across so many vessels suggested a System Coordinator.
Their destination lay ahead, a planetary system in the far reaches of space, in the void between galaxies. One of the planets appeared to have a peculiar formation on its surface, accounting for more than a fifth the mass of the orb. Deep space satellites had scanned it briefly as they passed the area hundreds of years ago, but none had taken notice of it, until now.
An underling scuttled across the bridge to deliver a message, "Fleet Commander Visch, another group of vessels seeks to join us. They claim to be carrying the entire race of the Major Jellyfish."
Visch's interest perked up at that. There had been a lot of surprises during this trip, but that was definitely a new one. "Entire race? How many ships?"
"Seven hundred and thirty, sir," replied the underling. "Gargantuan class transport ships. A captain Aderin is leading them."
Gargantuan class. Then it was true. The entire race. Those types of transports were used to move things of such titanic mass that internal gravity started to become a factor. To use those to move such a small being as a Major Jellyfish, and to use so many, they must be carrying much of the planet's water as well.
"Position behind the Capar ships," replied Visch, turning to the layout of the vessels and their remaining distance.
The planet was coming upon them. They had already begun braking manoeuvres. Flipping to the observation screen, the snake took his first close look at their target. A thin ring encircled the planet, no moons. Gases and detritus seemed to be pouring out of the planet's core. It was ripped from the inside out, hollow, with the core floating at the centre free of the outer crust. Then something rotated into view; the anomaly. It was rectangular, and at this distance appeared to be perfectly smooth. There were no complexities or any signs of artificial construction, yet it was clearly not natively part of the main body.
Seven of the faster attack vessels broke away from the main fleet. Visch checked the mission itinerary, noting this addition. They were here to destroy this thing it appeared. There was certainly enough firepower to do it.
The small formation disappeared into the distance, becoming tiny specs of light against the dark sheer cliffs of the massive planetary scale structure. Then beams of light igniting, linking those ships to the thing. They were concentrating their fire. Visch monitored the damage.
One by one, the assaults stopped; each vessel's weapons systems were overtaxed. The point of contact with the construct appeared unchanged. Energy weapons appeared to be useless. Movement caught Visch's eye as the Inir and Oudoun vessels broke off, heading for the thing. Their systems were far more archaic, based largely on kinetic attacks.
"This is why we are all here," muttered Visch. Every set of ships had come from different parts of the connected sectors. Each bringing their technology and knowledge. Watching the bombardment from the Inir commence, followed shortly by a coordinated strike by the Oudoun, Visch realised how very serious this must be.
"No damage, sir," report the underling. "Also no response from it."
"It doesn't know we're attacking," snarled Visch.
"What do you expect me to do?" asked Stickman pointedly.
Grinning evilly, the tentacled monstrosity leaned closer, glinting a single golden eye. "I expect you to die, Mister Stickman!" With that, he slapped a console and the machine rattled to life.
Tied to the table, Stickman watched as the grasping metal claws rose above him. The destructive robot's crushing grip lowered down on him, pressure capable of turning coal into diamond. The villain stood above on a balcony, overlooking the imminent destruction of the little line fellow.
"You'll never succeed, One Good Eye!" yelled Stickman defiantly.
"Bwahaha! I don't see what options are left to you, my little dimensionally challenged friend. We have you right where we want you," said One Good Eye.
"So if I moved, I wouldn't be where you want me?" asked Stickman, just as the massive robot began slowly closing its mandibles of death.
"Why yes, but there's no chance of that. We have you bound in the strongest steel. Your thin frame could never hope to break it!" laughed One Good Eye, finally locating his pet cat.
Stickman pulled his arms out of the restraints and slipped off the table, dodging the gripping claws just as they snapped shut. One Good Eye screamed with anger.
"No! NOOOO! You've ruined everything!"
"My wrists don't have any width, so... sort of hard to restrain me with clamps. Not really sure what you might use," said Stickman, looking over the table. The robot released its grip on the air.
"Could you get back on the table, Mister Stickman?" asked One Good Eye, stroking his cat ominously. "We didn't program the robot to turn left or right. Lay on the X if you can."
Sighing, Stickman obliged and returned to the table, beneath the now open claw, crushing death imminent.
"Reset the claw!" yelled One Good Eye to someone in the back room. Then turning back to his victim, he sneered, "Now you will die!"
With a sharp snap, the claw shut on Stickman's torso. The sound of metal gears groaning echoed throughout the room as the pressure crushed even the robots own claws. Stickman waved up at One Good Eye.
"Still alive. Anything else today?"
"The laser! Fire the laser!" yelped One Good Eye, stroking the small cat with a fine brush.
Six weapons systems came to life and rotated above the robot's shoulders to come to bear on Stickman's head. Without delay, they lit up and fired, focussing their power directly on Stickman's face.
"Bwahahaha! I have killed the great Stickman!" howled One Good Eye. His cat mewed with concern.
"I assume this is bright. I don't have eyes you know. Do you see a face? No face. Or were you trying to burn me? I'm not feeling it. Are we about done now?" said Stickman, growing bored.
One Good Eye flipped a switch, cutting power to the robot. "Fine, Mister Stickman. We will try one more thing... Random Computer Strategy!" Smashing a very large red button, One Good Eye went on to explain. "You see, Mister Stickman, we have the greatest and most vast computer network in the galaxy, and with its united power, it can analyse your form and determine how to destroy you. It will do so in a random manner, unknown even to me! Ah... here it is!" One Good Eye read a scrolling print-out.
"Fruit Juice! Take Stickman to pod room 7. Then disconnect the pod at these coordinates," said One Good Eye, tossing some paper at an assistant standing by the wall.
"Yes, sir. Stickman, this way if you please," said the man.
Slipping gracefully out from between the crushing grip of the robot's claws, Stickman walked over to Fruit Juice and followed him down the corridor.
They quickly arrived in pod 7, a non-descript exit pod. The man turned around and left, sealing the door behind him. A voice came over the intercom.
"Now, Mister Stickman, prepare to meet your doom!" came One Good Eye's crackled voice.
With a shudder, Stickman felt the pod move. They were dimensionally travelling, or at least he was. With an abrupt jarring landing, the pod stopped. A horrible shearing sound came after that and Stickman saw that the pod had been jettisoned from the rest of the ship. He was stranded somewhere.
The ovoid door slid partially open. Taking a step outside, Stickman felt concern for the first time since he'd fallen into Octopousse hands. Or tentacles, actually.
This was the Severance Colony.
This was the first time the Gentleman had encountered such an amicable being. Though the loss of his cane would be unfortunate, but necessary. The spidery creature he had met agreed to his initial offer without the least of haggling or negotiation. Rather odd that, but perhaps this realm was of the naive sort.
His following request to be taken to Nastrus was met with seeming acceptance, as he was allowed to ride the beast's head. This was nervous work, given the gaping maws where eyes should be. Nevertheless, the thing honoured its agreement and raced off across the broken landscape.
With stomach dropping leaps, it bounded from precipice to precipice, skipping across the massive and seemingly infinite drops. On and on they went, passing strange sights, but never catching a bit of fair weather. Not a place he would be planning to return to without a good set of lamps.
Hours passed, though days they may have been. They were coming upon a light source in the distance, perhaps finally the port of Nastrus where Mushroom had said they would meet again. These lights shimmered oddly and twisted, not like normal lights ought to. He caught sight of movement. Some sort of party or gathering was at play. There were quite a lot of party goers dancing about, throwing things back and forth at each other. It was all quite odd and not to his tastes. He did hope his mount did not decide to partake of the cultural offerings.
"Fleet Captain, the System Coordinator wishes to speak with you, most urgently," came the message from the communications administrator. Captain Aderin was both concerned and relieved of that. This entire mission had been quite unprecedented and there had been negligible direct contact with the powers that were invoking it. However, it was extremely rare for the System Coordinator to get involved directly. Managing multiple sectors of star systems was usually full of enough urgencies to occupy the top level eternally. Which meant contact from said entity relegated this mission to the level of urgency that fell within its purview.
Dashing to the nearest private communications booth, Aderin tapped his passcode and awaited the connection. It was immediate.
"Captain Aderin Taxephorus, Regulus Onersis. You have executed the full evacuation of the Major Jellyfish homeworld," the System Coordinator started.
"Yes, System Coordinator, as per orders. I did verify them when I noted the scope of the operation. I have since been overseeing all seven hundred thirty transport ships. All were retrofitted to carry the denizens of this world safely. We are awaiting relocation coordinates," replied Aderin, keen to avoid appearing unknowledgeable.
"Your mission orders were never given, Captain Aderin."
The captain stood silent. No valid response came to mind, save the simplest question, "What?"
"No authority has designed, confirmed, or sent the orders to evacuate the Major Jellyfish homeworld. The orders only exist within the computer systems of those ships involved in the operation," continued the System Coordinator.
Frowning, suddenly tense and horrified, realising this could mean an imminent attack designed to wipe out the Jellyfish species as a whole. "System Coordinator, the orders were confirmed at every level. Everything checked out. I do not understand this, surely there's some mistake!"
"Your confirmation requests never transmitted from your vessel. They were confirmed by your own ship and falsified," came the cold reply.
Stunned, Captain Aedirn leaned back. "What... what are your orders, System Coordinator?"
"Return the evacuees to the planet and instruct all vessels to return..., " began the Coordinator, then a strange pause. "Wait," came the unsatisfactory reply.
Captain Aderin sat there, thoughts and fears racing through his mind. Even now the life on the planet below was still being loaded up and packed away into every transport available. Massive vessels designed to transport megafauna, now carrying tonnes upon tonnes of water and squirming tentacles creatures, a civilisation. Such a precious cargo.
The sound of the Coordinator returning startled him out of his thoughts. "Resume your operations, Captain Aderin. All intelligent life must be evacuated from the planet immediately. Relocation coordinates are being sent to your fleet now. Your orders are confirmed. Continue with the evacuation and clear the area. Setup beacons to warn off approaching vessels upon final departure."
"Yes, System Coordinator," Aderin acknowledged, cutting communications. An uncomfortable relief swept over him. He strode out to the viewing bay overlooking the planet, weary.
Oorloork was waiting for him, squatting on its three bent limbs, looking like a horrified sack of potatoes with horns. "Can you explain to me how we carry out the largest evacuation in known history without any proper authority issuing the request for it to be done?" asked Aderin to the bulging mass.
Misty gases drifting out of the jagged mouth and its horns twisted about in thought. It didn't provide a response, but it did provide the coordinates sent by the System Coordinator. Aderin looked them over, then checked them against star charts.
"Oorloork, what is this? This is what we received from the Coordinator?" asked Aderin incredulously.
The thing bowed slightly in positive assent.
"But there aren't any water bearing planets here. It's a lifeless system."
The rotund blob turned to the window, looking at the transport vessels swarming over the planet below. This felt very, very wrong indeed.
The cold dark sea, eternal flight.
Everlasting night.
Into the firmament formed a fleet,
Dancing light.
Beams of tension, rescue ships,
Surging fright.
Planet cleared, evacuation now,
Dire plight.
Walking down that hallway had become both a reward and a curse. So many times he had seen those walls passing by, knowing what lay ahead. The excited and eager looks of the others clashed grotesquely with his own state of mind. Behind their metallic glass was a grim party, everyone gathered to witness what had happened since the last visit. Would it move? Would it be dead? Would it be alive? Every particle and energy emission was being monitored. Thus, it seemed most bizarre that he himself would carry nothing, to bring only his own natural senses to observe it.
He had reached that ovoid door once again. Previously he had needed to wait quite some time to work up the nerve to request it be opened, but by now it had become a minor hesitation. Yet he noted the hesitation remained. Even now, having been inside and seen what he had seen, he held back. Time to see what awaited him.
Nodding, the operators opened the door, revealing a pitch black interior, illuminated only by one square window cut into the spherical wall, from which point the encounter could be observed directly. The difference in light hurt his eyes, and as usual, he could see nothing in that blackness. A knife could lash out at any moment and he would be unable to react in time. Tension mounted as the door behind him closed and locked.
Back in the den.
"How are you today?" inquired the feline, keeping his voice steady and forceful. There was rarely a response to this question. Sometimes movement, though whether that was coincidental was never clear. Today was no different.
"Can you come around to this side so I can see you? They would like to make sure you're healthy," he said, feeling like he was lying. He hoped nothing in his manner betrayed the emotions raging within him.
It lilted into view, beneath the viewing window. Light rolled over its head, and with alarm, the questioner noted some larger, more complex protrusions from its shoulders, if that's what they were. At the same time there seemed to be greater activity beyond the bright glare of light. The science team was surely delighted at witnessing the same thing.
The sound of scuffling limbs came as the thing steadied itself against the concave wall. Its eyes were squeezed shut, still unable to handle even the faintest of light. This was an improvement, since previously it had no eyes of any kind. Looking down along its body, he could see the long stabbing spikes that terminated each arm. They had not changed much.
Tapping the wall gently to signal the operators, he said to the thing crouched by the wall, "I'm going to visit you again tomorrow." The door slid open. He took a quick step back, into the hallway. With a quiet motion, the doors closed, wrapping the thing in darkness once again.