Scanning... Priority 1 Distress Signal detected... Logged and emailed to Captain Soban...

Nikkad'arital Soban sat in his office in the Ter'ran Imperial Fleet Command, the Forward Unto Dawn was being refitted with the latest Railguns turrets and Photon Torpedo tubes. He had been patrolling the outer systems of the Empire for so long that he had forgotten to stop at a starbase for a weapon's inspection. Though it was irresponsible and Soban knew it, he was protected by Empress herself. She was giving him special treatment for being her godfather, and being such was an honor that could outshine any dishonor, he still felt guilty for many things Kida had just brushed aside. He started to stare out the window, into the main city of Arcia'nesch with its 140 million inhabitance. Blue-white skyscrapers rose into the sky, each was not without a crest of the Ter'ran Empire. In the middle of the city, surrounded by parks, lawns and magnificent architecture and landscaping, was the Imperial Palace of Kida'gadesch. It was the oldest building left in Arcia'nesch, but it had been taken care of by the Imperial Historics Agency and was updated with the latest in comforts, security and, because of Kida's constant rants, Holonet Television. Soban smirked, "She's an emperor, but still a child at heart." He looked back at his computer and saw a new message icon. He clicked it and a video began to play, "This is Sergeant Micheal Jones of the Vein 230th Regiment! *Static* Billions killed! We've been holding out for days now, they just keep- *Static* Incoming! Hold the line! Get to the Plasma Turrets!" Soban saw a strange red creature come bounding into the lines and tear one of the soldiers apart, Jones raised his assault rifle and shot it, the creature seemed to catch on fire and then disappear, Jones got back into the camera's view and looked at it pleadingly, "If anyone receives this signal! If anyone is out there, remember us! And send these vile demons back to the hell the came from!" Jones then ran away from the camera as a Colonel yelled for a counter attack, the Men jumped out of the trenches and disappeared, the camera now looked at a bleak trench, bodies here and there and crossfire flashing over the trenches. The message ended.

Soban wasted no time, this information, confirmed to be from a planet about 560 light-years from the boarder of Ter'ran space, was sent directly to Supreme Commander Voss'aran. Who reviewed the message with the same reaction as Soban, "This could be our warning for an impending catastrophe, it is good that you got this to me as soon as you could, Soban." Soban nodded, "It is my duty... What would you say about the situation?" Voss'aran sighed and rubbed his forehead, "Humans are weak, little beings. The Ter'ran Empire has about 10 billion humans in its population. As an underlying minority, we are not obligated to defend island populations of them. But the choice of how we treat this threat is up to the Empress herself. Bring it to her, and please... Tell her to consider all the outcomes." Soban nodded, taking the data disk and walked out of the office.

Soban soon found himself on the streets of Arcia'nesch, heading for the Palace's rear gate. It was about 5:30 and heavy traffic crawled along in the civilian lanes. The elevated Government lanes were clear and allowed Soban's car to travel effortlessly across the city. He stopped in the Palace Parking lot and sighed, thinking about the battle going on the message. It had been so long since a real war had faced the Empire and people had gotten used to the peace, they were even thinking about demolishing defense ion cannons to make room for schools, houses and office buildings. Now a possible war sat in the palm of Soban's hand, stories and myths of the violent Ter'ran past, "Back then..." He thought aloud, "It would be just another war..." He unbuckled and got out, speedwalking to the gate.

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