Space Odyssey: Spectre

Surprisingly the next week and a half passed without issue. The titans were as lazy as they suspected while the scanning equipment was not producing any results. Some did show a large slithering creature that moved through underground tunnels but otherwise it was useless. A dozen outposts were made and had occupants already, the Sand Snakes who already had their full staff were divided among the outposts. With the Desert Dogs running supply runs between them.

Honestly it would be an impressive plan, if the Kitnol population were not almost already completely wiped out. It appeared their abandoning an already overrun base and bombing it to hell had worked out a little too well. Their entire continent was almost completely devoid of life. The soldiers were already nicknaming it the Accidental Extermination.

At the moment Steel was working on the last scanner with Corporal Tani with some of the Sand Snakes standing guard. It was easier to move supplies if they did not also have to worry about guarding the people repairing the drop pods.

"Done." Steel spoke confidently and Tani nodded.

"Then we just need to do this and this is the last one." She responded and then whistled, "I suppose it is always the last one. Check this out Cadet Steel, what does that look like to you?"

She showed him the data pad and he frowned, "like elements and minerals we have never seen before or do you mean the Caravel-Class craft that was clearly here long before most of this continent was formed."

The Sand Snakes sucked in their breath while Tani chuckled, "yes I mean that. Lock it up so we can go and report this. It looks like there are no tunnels to it and it is buried under a layer of bedrock. Meaning we can not get to it with the resources we have."

She then led them away after Steel sealed up the scanning device. There was not much to do anymore. When they arrived back at the base it was to see the Sergeant finishing a conversation with the Captain.

Cornwall nodded before the call cut off he looked over to them, "we have no other pressing issues. Just patrols and supply runs for the next few days. Go ahead and get loosened up and familiar with the others."

Cadet Steel nodded and went to join the others to see what he could help with. While

 He was doing that the Captain of the Border of Downfall was sending a communication. Actually more than one of them was sending comuniques

—----------------

"Captain Mendez, this is Admiral Willow of Vexical Fleet Command. We have the written accounts and reports. What did you have to report with such an emergency that you would contact me directly?" The Admiral asked as the secure communication channel shuddered as it became more secure.

"We have found possible evidence of an advanced space faring species that landed on this planet. We are still looking over initial scans but we believe we would need mining equipment to get access to the ancient vessel." The Captain sent the scans as he spoke. "I am keeping as much of a lid on this as I can but chances are someone will leak it to someone else and we still do not know why a Victorium scout was in the area."

"Human nations have only reported ship skirmishes while on the edge of their territories. There is probably not much to it but keep your crew ready in case you are attacked. Especially if others realize the existence of an advanced race is in our backyard and their technology is up for grabs." The Admiral pointed out before he began typing on his device. "I will have both the Victorium scout ship and the ship underground classified to Alpha level. Keep in mind that the emperor's plan will commence soon."

"Understood, I will restrict crew communication and block lines of information." He declared as he prepared to send orders out.

—------------------

"How much are you willing to pay for a vulnerability in the Vexical Empire? I have info on a discovery that was just made within the empire. They found a spacecraft buried under the ground." The man's greedy voice was followed by a cackle.

"Hmm… two million credits, but I will need the intel on confirmation of payment. If it is better than I think I will send extra credits to your account, hold for confirmation." There was a few minutes until the voice came back.

"Payment retrieved," the greedy man remarked. "On planet Waterswan-2 they found a ship buried under the planet's surface. I am sending you the intel now."

"Haa… I already know a few different people that might want this information. A pleasure doing business with you as always." Then the line cut off and an additional two million credits arrived in his account.

The greedy man chuckled as he got a message to report to the ship captain.

—----------------

"High Priestess." A figure cloaked in shadow spoke to a hologram of a throne. "The human nation known as the Vexical Empire sits on the planet where an ancient craft is. But I do not believe they know it is there."

"Good, prepare an assault. We need to acquire another piece of Xenar technology to advance our people." The High Priestess remarked.

"I will. But your highness, I was discovered by one of the humans. He even managed to chase me down, I only escaped because my ship was nearby. I believe there is more to them than we initially believed." The scout answered with a hint of worry.

"Hmm… then it is war. The best test of a species strength and abilities is to see them under pressure. It is time the Victorium waged war on more than just the bugs. You have my permission to lead a fleet to that planet and seize the ship. I will summon my war council." She spoke with such confidence that caused the scout's body to tremble in excitement. Finally, after knowing about the humans for a few years they were going to fight them.

—------------------

Salem was walking from the gym when she got a message requesting a private communique. She did not recognize the ID number. But she might as well answer it, it was not like she was doing anything better. Her squad was still waiting on the ship for a shift change with the soldiers on the planet.

So she was just training her body and getting along with her squad. It was not much work. The postings for year-long Cadet training was where they got them used to combat situations. Especially under enemy attack and being protected by trained individuals.

No one said it out loud but it was to weed out people that would be useless to train further for the military. Cowards and those with weaker wills were strongly disliked, so the empire used this method to cut them off and prevent them from climbing the ranks.

But even with it, some still got through when they barely saw any action. Which is also why it was basically required to have good evaluations to encourage promotions during the first year. Unfortunately it seems this plan was starting to lose its ability, the plan to use the Kitinol was fading out. Apparently they had done too well of a job starving out the bugs.

They had not told her anything specifically but her ability allowed her to hear the thoughts of others. So she knew that their plan had worked a little too well. The Kitinol were starved out from the offensive line, soon enough they would be habitable again.

But the officers were starting to catch on and were not focusing on sensitive topics while she was around. She honestly didn't mind that. It was actually probably a good thing if word got around.

As she arrived at her quarters she glanced around. The only one in here was another cadet, but she was sleeping. So she put in an earpiece and accepted the message.

"Miss Wintry, this is Commander Holiday of the Imperial Guard. I have been granted permission to offer you an invitation. Please establish communication at your earliest convenience if you wish to get revenge for your murdered family members." The voice was raspy from a lifetime of smoke inhalation, and it was olderman maybe in his late fifties.

But it was the foot in the door she was waiting for and hoped would never come. This was clearly an offer from a rebel group, a recruitment offer. She would have to take it, because those were her orders. It was worrying however that the offer came from a member of the Imperial Guard.

After a few moments though she checked the time on the capital planet and then launched a communication. The official story she was 'told' was that her family died in an accident. So she would have to operate with that thought in mind, trying to find out why the captain had said they were 'murdered'.

It was time she started lying constantly. To everyone.