Burning Hard (Chapter 1)

Human space, Expansion Zone, CE 2970

CC Adrian was old, but graceful. She had been equipped and fitted for its role as a frequent flyer between Earth’s major planets, well beyond the dust and steel around the edges of human space. She was currently carrying seven hundred passengers, many of them eager to rest from whatever endeavors had taken them far from Earth. With the crews attention firmly on the destination, no-one noticed the fleet emerging far behind them.

A man picked himself heavily from the floor. With the benefit of youth and a persistent habit of heavy-gravity training, he recovered quickly. The noise was terrible and his head was still spinning from the belt he had taken when the ship had attempted to evade its destruction, but he could see that now the ship was breaking apart. Whoever the fuck was attacking, they had shot the hell out of it. He wasn't a pilot, just a passenger. The walls or hull or whatever was damaged beyond repair. His head was still aching from the blow that had left him flat in his compartment, but he knew where the lifeboats were. He ran. Blind luck had put them very close to him, and he didn’t stop to question it. Sheer habit made him grab his bag on the way out.

Behind him everything was burning. Ships on fire, flares rising from mankind's fourth colony as it began to burn. He could still see the small dark shapes dipping in and out of the atmosphere. Nothing was leaving, no-one else was getting out.

The Commercial Cruiser Adrian had already left the gravity well, normally taking everyone safely home. He always travelled with them, he had priority booking for a start. Then the dark ships sent missiles slamming into the hull; he had felt it as the bridge disintegrated, as the crew died quickly. But this was a human ship. She desperately filled the databanks of the lifeboats with anything she could think of, and sent them into the dark.

Doors slammed down, anti-missile defenses spat out a response. Shields went to overdrive along with the engine. As old and obsolete defenses did their best, as the ship ran desperately into blind space, but the damage was too much.The ship was crippled beyond saving, the crew dead. The AI activated plan Z, all hope of survival lost. She picked the closest enemy, a careless cruiser that had moved in for the kill and detonated her engines. Both ships died in a silent maelstrom of fire and radiation.

Only one lifeboat made it out before the end. Concussion had finally overtaken Calum as he had thrown himself into the boat. He knew nothing as the small craft flew alone in the dark, a single lifeboat in an ocean of sharks. He awoke to complete silence. Now the sole inhabitant was scared and tired. Then scared again. He was an engineer, providing limited edition nano-tech to the outer worlds. He was good at numbers though. Running through the supplies at this rate meant he was already dead, unless he was intercepted. Assuming someone had just started a war, that seemed unlikely. His body would be delivered home. He would like to be still in it. He set up the beacon and prepared for the longest or most final sleep of his life.

“Repeat. This is Human Technology Envoy Calum Healy, passenger from the CC Adrian, destroyed. I am reporting a hostile first contact. We have lost the Aristotle Colony. I am inbound to Sol. Unknown attackers. I am going to stasis, this life raft will not last the trip. Please intercept.”

“Repeat. This is Human Technology Envoy Calum Healy, passenger from the CC Adrian, destroyed. I am reporting a hostile first contact. We have lost the Aristotle Colony. I am inbound to Sol. Unknown attackers. I am going to stasis, this lifeboat will not last the trip. Please intercept.”

One of the sharks got there first. The lifeboat was a small target, moving quickly but still they found him. His lifeboat was disabled by a glancing shot, an afterthought of the enemy. It slowed his speed down to ten percent of projected output and changed its course into the unknown.

He was rudely awakened by the on-board AI. “Insufficient Resources. We are approaching an unknown planet, designated Target. Landing now. Unknown Earth Like/Terraformed World. Ninety four percent habitability. Please remain in your seat.” Still groggy from the stasis, Calum missed the details as the ship descended. He simply stared at the thinning cloud as the planet filled the screen. He didn’t even register how unusual it was to land anywhere without, at least, a gentle ping from someone.

The landing was not spectacular. The ship moved gently through the atmosphere, before coming into land on a flat plain. A gentle bump informed Calum that he was now on a planet with no name, but it was definitely in a place he never wanted to be.

Finally his brain cleared long enough to ask the obvious, unwelcome question,

“Ship, Just how long was I under sedation?”

The Ship engaged ‘Compassionate Tone: For use in event of Human loss’, and activated the medical bay drone in the event that the passenger became violent.

“ Estimated relative time passed as one hundred eighty-seven years, nine months, twelve days, three hours and forty five seconds. Insufficient information beyond that point.”

The mind is a strange thing, prone to looking for odd details as it seeks to heal. Calum’s first thought appeared odd to him, afterwards at least. “ You could have woken me up for my hundredth birthday. I would have liked a cake,” he remarked sadly. The Ship assumed this was a catering question, returned the drone to standby and resumed its checklist.

“Cake is unavailable. This craft is adapting to Habitation mode. Please move a minimum of forty meters away.”

Unknown World, Coordinates unknown, CE 3157. Habitation activating.

Calum went for a walk. He’d listened to the AI drone on and on about this every time he got in a commercial craft. “ In the event of an emergency, please observe the openings...yadda, yadda” At least this time he could watch in real life.

The ship melted into the ground. Nano-tech searched for water and carbon resources. Others reached for the sun, building solar systems for power. A one hundred and eighty square meter hab module rose from the dirt. In other circumstances it would have been fascinating, the quiet demonstration of his own technology at work. He knew that this tech had been donated freely to any and all societies that wanted them. In many cases, it was simply the ‘black box’ installed by the humans and best left untouched by others. It should, in theory, provide life-support for twenty people. Pity that he was on his own. Nothing to be done, the ship was hard-wired to these specs. Nothing short of absolute destruction would prevent a lifeboat following its orders.

All around him was empty countryside. Something like birdsong rang through the air. A few trees nearby, a forest in the distance. Vast grasslands spread out between a lake and a forest. The Ship had chosen well. The temperature was moderate, the cloud cover insignificant. He hated the place already. Those weren’t trees. This wasn’t grass. Close but not just right, adapted to another damn world. The Hab had a light on the door. He vaguely remembered to wait until it turned green. “ This is Emergency Habitation on Unknown. Please enter the Medical section.” Calum looked around. Lights on the floor were indicating a path, “I’m fine. I do not require medical attention. I’m hungry though.”

“Please enter the medical center. Food will be provided after a medical report allows it. Nutrition may interfere with any surgery required.”

The Medical section was a toilet that carried knives. He sat and followed the demands of the AI. Unpleasant and not to be recommended. Perhaps he should go first-class the next time, maybe they had smaller needles.The ER injected a mix of antihistamines, antibiotics and antipsychotics. Standard Emergency Room protocol. For Calum, the fog descended again.

The ship, well now the Hab, insisted on bedrest. As the night closed in around him, the sense of loss grew. The distance in time and space, opening like a gulf in his spirit, “Hab, do you do music?”

“Confirmed. I have a large selection of musical data. Please specify.”

“Light jazz. Late twenty eighth century. Aristotle Orleans Quarter.”

He lay in a bed and listened. It was hard not to cry, so he did. Finally he slept.

Human space, Expansion Zone

CE 2970

The Human Defense Force didn’t really do much. No-one really wanted to fuck with them. Not really out of fear, not really out of respect. Humanity had never used force in space, aside from the odd galactic intervention. They were known to their neighbours for peaceful exploration, a general goodwill to all life, sentient or not and the huge, clumsy curiosity that filled its people. Humans served on more multi-species ships than any other race, simply for fun. Simply because, for them, that was the whole point of being in space. Only Human Space had some obvious teeth, but they had never been seen to use them. It was regarded as a quirk, some lesson from history playing out and keeping the humans reassured that their home worlds were safe.

They were on a standard patrol, on a spin around human space, just to keep everyone up to scratch. Seven ships, sleek and cruel. Unit commander Rancher watched the worlds pass around them. So much for an exciting life in the navy. Then his Comms was suddenly alert, a rare sight, “ Sir, I have an emergency signal. A lifeboat from the ‘Adrian’, it’s registered as a Commercial Cruiser. Reporting Aristotle Colony lost. Unknown attackers. First contact.”

Rancher skimmed through his updates. Nothing.“ Contact Aristotle. Trace the signal. Sounds like shit to me. Aristotle has full defenses. We would have heard if someone was that pissed off. Pick up the lifeboat. Some stupid bastard probably got drunk and can’t find an entire planet.” Comms shook his head,“ No, Commander, Aristotle has gone dark. No signals are incoming. I have run diagnostics, we are picking up everyone else. They just aren't there.” The Comms Officer spoke in a firm, practised and professional voice, but his face betrayed the lie. Aristotle was home to many on board.

Rancher suddenly missed the normal peace and quiet. “ Go to General quarters and contact command. We don’t have time to go fishing, forget about the lifeboat. Head to Aristotle. Call them and tell them we are burning hard.”

Aristotle burned. A proud planet, senior in the formation of Earth space. When the alarms rang and people ran to safety, it was already too late. But this was a human world. You could scrap it clean in a moment, but you had better reach bedrock fast. Old machines spooled up. Old engines built on older ideas were called to war. Algorithms trained by Stalingrad, Berlin, Belfast and Siam went to work. The men who built this world knew that someday it might all go wrong. The ships above continued their genocidal attack, blast after blast hitting the surface. Soon even the very air was alight. Deep in the earth, sealed deep away from prying eyes, military nanoparticles went to work.

Apex Sri Genn, CE 2970

Fleet Command Higher, Incursion Fleet, Repellant Inferiors Campaign

He didn’t understand the logic, as he had never seen the Humans as anything more than fellow travelers in the Galaxy. They had no military ambition, no disputes that he was aware of. They didn’t even share a common planet type. Still, his orders were absolute. They had offended the Queen and must perish.

“ Inform our allies that we have achieved all mission objectives. The apes are dead or dying. Begin the occupation. I want this planet sealed up. We will wait for the response. Let them fight us across the corpses of their kin. We fight for the Queen."

HDF Patrol, Commander Rancher, "Contact Headquarters. Get the live feed up. Approaching Aristotle space. Secure for battle or rescue."

His crew were tense, the mood growing darker as every sensor confirmed that Aristotle was gone. Nothing down there could have survived an inferno like that. Men and women who were watching the death cries of their own families refused to leave their stations, preferring to remain on duty. Grief could wait. Must wait. The lifeboat was long forgotten.

"Sir, headquarters report that the first fleet is inbound. Intel required. Deploying our stealth satellites now. Orders are to stand off until we know what's happening."

Burning Hot, Aristotle remembered (Chapter 2)

Unknown planet, CE 3157

Calum recovered slowly from the drug induced calm enforced by the med section. The treatments had continued for a week. Maybe longer. Finally the risks of addiction and other adverse effects had run into the AI ethical directives.

The pain of losing everything in his past was still there. He had been without family anyway, but knowing that everyone he had ever met was dead was a weight he couldn't shift. Strange to grieve a past now so long forgotten. As he walked in the gentle evening light came, again and again, the question. Where was everyone?

The Hab continued to search for contact, with no success. Calum ran the numbers in his head. He could only be a couple of thousand light years away from Aristotle. Why couldn't the AI identify the planet? Even given the time in sleep he should be in or around Human Space. It should not be this quiet. The planet had been terraformed for people. Where were they? His connection to the AI lit up. What now?

"Rescue Hab, Unknown planet, requires new input. The sole inhabitant is required to assume leadership. Hab has failed to connect to designated rescue services. All rescue directives exhausted. State your agreement. Please note you will be held liable for all actions of this Habitat on acceptance of these terms and conditions." So now he could take charge. Of nothing. In the middle of nowhere. Sounds good. "What is the scope of my leadership? Where are the guidelines here?

"This Habitat moves to Castaway protocol. You have complete control. A Human ethics panel will examine your actions on recovery."

A control panel lit up. A menu. His eye was caught by the first option.

Not like he had to win an election. Now he could end the "Unknown planet" bullshit.

"Terms accepted. Planet designated as Alexander. List vehicle types you can build. I need a ride."

"Please name Habitat AI. Human interaction requires names."

"Ok I'll call you Hal. Habitat AI."

"That name is unavailable. Please choose again "

"Fine, I'll call you Home."

"Accepted."

Human Defense Force, Aristotle system

CE 2970

"Commander Rancher to all crew. We will provide Intel to the First Fleet. I need you to stealth this. We need to know who did this and why. Who we pissed off this badly and who's next. Don't die. I will be seriously annoyed if you die. All live feeds to headquarters." He needed his Captains focused on the future, on vengeance even. He didn’t need some hero giving up their position.

The enemy dug in. Among the burned buildings they set up for a glorious battle. Singing troops celebrated the victory. They controlled the surface, their ships held the sky. Dark arrows crossing the sky, primed for battle, searching out any hapless survivors. For the new Queen they would drink the blood of her enemies. As per orders, the corpses were left where they fell. But equipment was being infiltrated, newly-built fortifications were being compromised. A countdown had begun that the attackers knew nothing about.

Human Defense Force, Commander Rancher report on Aristotle:

Rancher’s voice sounded cold as he sent the update. His crews were following his example, frozen by events. Today was for Intel, but tomorrow they would follow the blood trail to destroy their enemies. God better not help anything that stood in their way, because right now they’d attack god himself if he tried to stop them.

"We detect no human life signs. Plenty of enemies detected but none of ours survived the attack. We estimate at least thirty thousand corvette class ships in orbit. No capital class, no patrols. They are waiting for us to counter attack. Surface reads about two million hostiles. No idea of capacity or type yet.”

Commander Rancher paused. None of this made any sense. Not politically, not financially, not militarily. Maybe because of some moral or religious reasons.

This was going to be some alien bullshit, like when the Scarv declared the colour blue sacred and tried to kill anyone else wearing it, including the human ambassador because she was wearing jeans. As he recalled, she had kicked their ass.

“We have identified the attackers as the Meshant species. We have encountered them once without issue. Swarm based, no commerce to speak of. No history of aggression.They have several worlds of their own, and they have plenty of room to expand. Aristotle is unsuitable for them due to the oceans.They don't do salt water. No idea why they are suddenly hostile. We estimate our casualties at over forty million. We had no military interest in anything related to these people, nor, as far as we knew, did they have one in us. This was simply murder. They are looking for a war, and I have no idea why.”

Human Defense Force Headquarters,

The gloom and rage in the HQ were welded into something else by training and tradition. Humanity had walked softly out in the Galaxy, always balancing the appearance of strength against the wish to enjoy and profit from its arrival in the stars. A careful compromise had resulted in a policy of ‘soft power’. It had sent most of its best out, to learn and to teach, to trade and explore. Someone called it ‘ A bag of spanners and an open mind.’ It had worked, or at least they thought it had.

However the Human Defense Forces were there, rarely leaving home, training quietly. Imagining that it could go wrong, because it always had. Someone, somewhere would be the monsters humanity had, forever, expected to live in the dark.

"In view of our latest information we are activating plan Oberon. Remain on stealth. First fleet will intercept any outgoing craft from the system. Let them die on the ground they stole. We will begin planning for retribution." The HDF broadcast a burst signal from a disposable satellite to the planet. It was impenetrable to the enemy. Oberon activated.

Human Defense Force Headquarters, private briefing paper, cc Earth Council, Red Cross ethics committee

Project Oberon (classified), CE 2960

“With the proliferation of nanoparticle tech we have developed an unusual weapon. In the event that a civilian population is attacked, we can activate all implants. It is utterly ridiculous and inefficient in military terms.

However, some of our talented entertainment creators were invited to examine the idea. They, in conjunction with our defence forces, believe they can shatter an attacking army. In testing over ninety percent of people genuinely believed the dead had arisen. It destroyed morale, unit cohesion and communications.

Neither the denial or the conformation of the attacks worked. It didn't matter. Most military personnel are uncomfortable attacking civilians, many see it as justified retribution from the dead.

We estimate that only two percent of the attacks by our undead need to succeed in order to seriously impact the efficiency of ninety percent of the attacking force.”

Earth Council Defense Committee, closed session

"This project is approved on the understanding that it is never used unless the human population has been extinguished. We will never acknowledge that it happened."

Red Cross ethics committee, closed session

" This project has no impact on living Humans. It is beyond our remit to decide the ethics of the dead."

Aristotle, occupied world, human expansion space:

The nanoparticles began to work. They began moving to the surface, assembling as they went. The unknown forces on the surface were establishing garrisons. Preparing for war. The Oberon AI had a very simple set of commands, most of which were to expand and kill, with a set of tactics designed by film directors and horror writers, not the military. It was designed to terrify the enemy, break morale and act, although this was never written down anywhere, as an act of revenge for those lost, in the most vicious way possible. It was also the only AI designed to reset if it achieved sentience. The task was too grim for one of those.

On the surface of Aristotle the human dead began to move. Most people had implants, expensive bionics, replacement parts. They began rising. The nanoparticles began joining up the parts. Weapons were found or fashioned.

The Meshant had no concept of the unquiet dead. They were about to find out.

Planet Alexander, CE 3157

Calum began his studies. He had made several runs in his new Rover. He had discovered rabbits. They were important but not exactly what he had been looking for. No sign of human life. Rivers were clean. No human DNA in the wind. He was beginning to feel alone. Well, to be honest, he knew he was alone but he hoped for something. Anything. Now he needed to learn how to fly. He was beginning to think sending out satellites might be a bad idea. Better just to listen until he found people. The idea that the war might still be going on or that humans had lost was beginning to sink in.

He parked up and walked back to the Hab, passing the fruit and vegetable beds carefully planted outside. This castaway had had enough. One last try, then it was time to move on.

"Home, I need to begin searching from the air. I need a small craft, long range. Atmosphere only. I also need you to cease all offworld communication. No more cries for help. I also want the star map of this area. Try and match it with known star systems." There was a long pause. Unusually long, Calum felt. As he was about to question the Hab, it interrupted.

"Aircraft designed. Communication ceased. Unable to comply."

"Wait, what? Identify local star systems."

"Unable to comply. System is registered as classified. I have no access to the local star map. Unable to comply. Please wait."

A message began. On the main screen a man in military uniform began "If you are watching this, you are in a classified human space area. If you are not permitted in this space or have suffered an emergency please remain where you are. You have committed a criminal offence by your presence. Scanning is forbidden. Remain in place."

Calum stood dumbfounded. This was human space? Secret? Were they hiding rabbits from the Galaxy? There was nothing here. He had scoured the damn place. Fine, sent rescue, send a fucking army. Come and get him off this fucking planet. A little thought followed, leading to the conclusion that he didn’t, actually, want to die to a misunderstanding. Or a grunt with a gun.

"Home, do you have a military setting? Guns and armour type of thing?"

"Yes Calum. Military setting available."

"Do that. Now."

Burning Cold, Oberon (Chapter 2)

Aristotle, occupied planet, Human space

Aristotle had been a paradise planet. Long regarded as the garden of mankind. A place of softness, romance and music. The shining example of the best of humankind. The galaxy was shocked by its destruction. They sent their thoughts and prayers.

On the surface the victorious Meshant army dug in. They expected an intense battle. Humans had a reputation as formidable warriors, mostly from bar fights and the occasional pacification mission. Still, they were no pacifists, as their history showed. They waited. And waited some more. Nothing. The fleet reported some scout activity but no incoming ships. The humans were refusing contact. They had simply told everyone that a state of war existed. No further comment.

On the ground the boredom grew. They had heroically killed millions of caterers, office workers and honeymooners. Ordinary people on a quiet Monday. Then the strangeness began. Walls fell on passing patrols. Sewers exploded beneath transports. Comms failed for no reason, then worked again without explanation. Food spoiled, weapons jammed, engines stopped. No rhythm or reason. Tunnels collapsed. Newly built barracks collapsed on the sleeping soldiers. Reports began arriving of movement amongst the human dead. Shuffling. Moaning. Disappearing. Shambling shadows in the corner of your eye. Alarms going off, alerting the soldiers to... nothing. The dark began to contain a fear long since lost to their people. Old stories remembered.

Then a message. From no-one. On Comms and HUD’s came a single line. "We Do Not Die." Command dismissed it as a glitch, a call to arms gone wrong. For the grunts on the ground it became worrying. Verified reports of soldiers being attacked by a mangle of rotten corpses began to trickle into military command. Patrols reported being attacked by, well, parts. A trooper bitten by a disembodied head. A human hand that strangled three soldiers in their sleep before it was burned. A human heart that wouldn't stop beating.

Across the planet the debris of forty million human corpses began their war.

Apex Sri Genn, Fleet Command Higher

This incomprehensible war was getting stranger. The humans were known to be territorial, they had the same absurd Singlemind value for individual life. Yet no-one attacked. His Queen simply repeated back his battle orders, as if he was a child, instead of her claws in battle. Well, in the field he could make his own decisions.

"Very well. Begin burning their dead. This superstitious nonsense must end. Task the men to clear the battlefield. They are alarmed by these ghosts, let us light a fire that even Earth can see. Perhaps then we will get the battle we deserve."

It quickly became obvious that piling the human dead in a heap and setting fire to it had some drawbacks.

The first one was when a mass of burning bodies rose up and attacked the Sanitation crew. The second was when the brutally killed crew were absorbed into the burning mass that continued to attack until, finally, mercifully, the thing was burned to ash.Then the fires began. Clothing, beds, vehicles and then troops began bursting into flame. Analysis showed that potent compounds had been impregnated into the materials. There was no explanation offered. Soldiers were warned to check their gear. Never has an army cleaned with such care. Shots began to ring out. First the troops thought they faced the long awaited human warriors. Then they thought they faced survivors. Now it was clear that the dead were armed. Corpses found holding hunting rifles. Old corpses. Patrols stopped going out, or worse, stopped coming back. The first outright attack took place when troops moved to clear a destroyed army barracks. It had been annihilated in the first strike. The cleaning crews were hit by coordinated fire as soon as they approached. Unprepared and exposed, they fell quickly. Then the undead attacked a nearby position. The sight of these rotting soldiers attacking appalled the defenders. Eventually they burned them, but the smell stayed. Soon variations on the story had spread throughout the military. This world was cursed.

Fleet Conference, Home Fleet Tactical Command, 2970 CE

The General staff sat in a virtual conference with VDM Hazarrd. Commander Rancher joined them from the First Fleet. “ Alright, first things first. Commander Rancher, you will assume command of the First Fleet and contain Aristotle. Nothing in, nothing out. The Second Fleet will go on the offensive. For the record, there are no rules in this war. The enemy has deliberately targeted a civilian population, they did not allow surrender and they didn't take prisoners. We received no declaration of war, formal or otherwise. All actions are to be taken within the normal scope of human ethics, however there will be no oversight on or inquiries resulting from your actions. Clear enough? In order to consolidate the chain of command, VDM Hazarrd, you are hereby promoted to full Admiral. Congratulations. Commander Rancher, you are promoted to Vice-Admiral, serving under Admiral Hazarrd. Congratulations as well. I’m sure you can find the stars somewhere.”

Rancher and Hazarrd shared a glance. They had just been handed absolute freedom to act, with the promise of no repercussions. Earth was not looking for peace, nor was it expecting peace to be offered. Apparently, Earth was done with ‘Walk Softly’ and now it was time for the ‘Big Stick’. The Galaxy was in for a surprise.

"We still don't know why they attacked. We do need to formulate a response. The enemy is controlled by a single individual. They call it the "Queen". What little information we have indicates a change in leadership. We need you to formulate an attack and gain as much Intel as you can. Make sure they understand how… unhappy we are. You have free fire. Use it. Aristotle will not be forgotten, or forgiven."

Alexander, unknown Human Space, 3158 CE

Calum had done an aerial survey of most of the continent. Nothing. No form of habitation. No unexpected heat sources. This was a pristine earth type world. Despite the threatening message, no-one had arrived to arrest or rescue him.

Home reported no contact or broadcasting in-system. Time to go back to work. His nano customising gear had been sitting in the Hab since he woke up. Since he moved Home to a military stance the walls had thickened. Half the Hab was now weapon control and fabrication. He was a very small army of one. The drone and nano production section was pretty awesome. Time to go play with it.

"Let's start with a mineral survey, one hundred kilometre range. Let us begin"

Burning Questions, Zombies (Chapter Three)

Meshant Central System, Second Fleet, Admiral Hazarrd commanding,

She was aware that she was leading the first Human war in space. She had been told, in no uncertain terms, to crush her enemy. She was to show the face, so long shielded from the galaxy, of her species in battle. So no pressure then.

"Attention crew. We are here to make a point. Standing behind us are the forty million dead of Aristotle. I expect you to exceed expectations. Today we are the fury of the human race. " She turned to her bridge staff, "Go to General quarters. Send in the scouts. Get our screen out there. I want full Intel before we move on to the capital, they must expect us."

The fleet had arrived unopposed. Headquarters was currently trying to figure out why you would launch a genocidal first strike on Mankind and then let them wander up to your front door. In theory, the fleet could annihilate the capital planet from right where they were and the only reason to advance was trying to understand what was going on. Records showed that there were three inhabited planets in this system, along with the normal space infrastructure expected of a capital world.

No human had been assigned as ambassador to their government. They had no influence or trade, middling tech. Since first contact they had few human visitors. They were represented at a galactic level by one of the many alliances that made up the political life of the galaxy. Earth could find no record of any requests, demands or action of note by this species.The scouts approached the outer planet. From all appearances it was undefended. Scans indicated a world at peace, expected levels of movement, normal population activity. Utterly ordinary.

Admiral Hazarrd read the reports coming in, "Did they forget they went to war? Maybe they didn't get the memo. Continue scanning. Send down drones. This reeks of a trap."

A drone hovered over the central complex on the planet. Apparently named something unpronounceable. Some dead Queen probably. It was left undisturbed by the locals.

"Sir, Intel has an urgent update."

"Put them on."

"Admiral, whatever we are seeing is, well, broken. Those people are repeating the same behaviour on an eighty minute cycle. Watch what it looks like speeded up."

Drone footage showed the inhabitants behave normally, then return to the same base point and repeat their actions. Traffic was automated and followed the same pattern. If you weren't watching it looked normal.

"Our guys love patterns. They spotted it quickly. We will send you our analysis as soon as possible." Shit, not good. I want out of here.

" Inform headquarters and get me on Comms. Tight beam only."

"Attention all Commanders. We are withdrawing from this system. Leave your drones only. Move to battle formation. This is bait. I don't know if we triggered the trap yet."

Home Fleet Headquarters, Human Central Worlds

" Our best estimate is that we were supposed to get involved in a ground war on Aristotle and, after terrible losses, seek revenge on the Meshant homeworld. We would attack without noticing anything unusual. Since we have done none of that, we aren't sure what the rest of the plan is. We await further Intel from the Second Fleet. In any case, we were expected to lose a hell of a lot of manpower and shipping."

"Sir, First Fleet reports that the corvette fleet over Aristotle is beginning to follow a similar pattern. They are requesting permission to attack."

"Tell them to use mines. See if the corvettes change position. At a guess, they are supposed to be dead already."

Apex Sri Genn, Fleet Command Higher, Incursion Fleet, Repellant Inferiors Campaign

“ Inform our allies that we have achieved all mission objectives. The apes are dead or dying. I want this planet sealed up. We will wait for the response. We fight for the Queen."

“ Inform our allies that we have achieved all mission objectives. The apes are dead or dying. I want this planet sealed up. We will wait for the response. We fight for the Queen."

“ Inform our allies that we have achieved all mission objectives…”

Aristotle system, First Fleet, Human space

The First Fleet dispatched a few hundred mines in front of the projected path of the enemy fleet. Without fail they ignored them and were destroyed. On the ground on Aristotle the occupying force began building fortifications that already existed. Patrolling the same routes. Dying to the Oberon project. Humanities' gruesome project continued on the ground. In the face of the increasingly irrational occupiers, the Oberon AI commenced a massacre. Cobbled together from millions of dead, driven only by a desire to punish and deprive the invaders of a clean victory, the dead marched. Sights that would horrify anyone, sights that were meant to discourage any attack on mankind, were lost on the Meshant. An army of the dead slaughtered the army of the living dead. It was seen as a very useful proof of concept, and as these things go, Oberon Two was approved for funding.

First Fleet, Aristotle occupied system, Battle report, Vice-Admiral Rancher

He was tired, tired of watching thousands of enemy ships orbit the burning remains of Aristotle. Now he discovered that the enemy was already dead, without a shot fired. Time to end this sick farce and reclaim the skies at least. He called his staff,

“We are no longer at war, as I understand the concept. We are killing zombies. I plan to seize the enemy ships and leave the rest of their military to their destruction on the surface. We can come back later and clean up. And bury our dead.”

First Fleet, Marine Orders

The fleet marine was dispatched. It was a strange briefing.

"We believe that the Queen must be dead or disabled. Normally that isn't an issue for a swarm race. The next one is appointed, life moves on. Maybe a change of policy. Whatever. We believe something interfered, something hostile to us. The crew on those ships are dead, they just don't know it yet."

"I need you to end them and get those ships to our Fleet. We believe this is the beginning of something. This will give us a head start on ramping up the fleet. It may tell us who we are actually fighting."

The first squads simply blew open the ports and entered unopposed. One Sergeant sent his commander his report, “ Sir, they just walked past us, like we were invisible. If these guys didn’t have autopilot, the ships would have fallen into the planet. We waited for a response, but it never came. Eventually I had to open fire myself. The troops weren’t exactly ready to shoot these idiots. I reminded them that these guys had been perfectly happy to blow the shit out of our people without warning. They got the message.”

The marine boarding parties wiped out the oblivious crews and began collecting up the ships. The bodies were dumped into orbit, a fiery rain of burning dead onto a world full of fighting corpses.

Meshant Capital world, Queens palace

The drone moved carefully. Security ignored it, trapped in its endless loop, blind to everything. It headed to the throne room. Scans showed no alien lifesigns, just the walking dead. Sitting in state was a figure. It was draped in a translucent cloth. On closer inspection the fabric was welded to the figure's flesh. Whatever its origin, it had completely immobilised the Queen.

Second Fleet, Admiral Hazarrd, Intel briefing

The General staff poured over the data, trying to find the pattern, trying to get to the heart of this insanity. What they had thought was the enemy had turned out to be another victim, another world lost to the unknown threat hanging over humanity.

“Whomever carried out this attack, they subverted the Meshant, equipped themselves with a fleet and an army for free and used them to attack us. A single agent could have carried this out. Either an intelligence triumph by an unknown enemy or a single mass murderer. We don't know yet.

We are attempting to analyse the object that encloses the Queen. We need to bring it and her to Human Space for study. The risk is that this will trigger whatever is to follow. We suggest an AI shuttle be dispatched and the fleet stand ready. I think I have a nice, quiet spot for her. I’ll put together the team.

Hazzard spoke to her officers, setting out the plan of battle as she saw it.

"Get the drone ready to recover the body. Dispatch the shuttle. Make sure it's fast. I don't want it back here, direct it to continue straight to Human space. They will take control of it once it's out of the system. We need to gear up. Get me First Fleet on Comms. We will need backup if this goes sideways.

Vice-Admiral Rancher was sitting on his increasingly unhappy crews. They had wanted to fire the first shot, now they felt they were doing everyone's homework.

"Rancher, I'm sending you a package. Keep it safe. It's your Christmas present."

"Certainly Admiral, anything you would like?"

"I hear you got some new toys. If you could spare one or two for my boys to play with, I'm sure they'd be grateful."

"No problem, I'm buried in the things at the moment."

Rancher cut the connection and turned to his second officer, "You heard the Admiral. Get moving."

"Sir, I'm not sure I understand. Perhaps you could explain to us plebs?"

"Fine. You really need to learn how us officers talk. The Admiral is sending us something hot. We are to ensure it gets back to headquarters at all costs. She expects to be attacked and wants us to send as many of those corvettes as possible. I thought that was clear."

"I'm sure you did, Sir."

Alexander, Unknown Human space 3158 CE

"Home, we are going to begin a space program. I need a list of satellite and drone builds. Stealth builds particularly."

"Sir, no offensive capability is permitted. This Hab is defensive only."

"I'm not attacking anyone, I just want to get off this rock. Carefully."

The first thing he tackled was designing a less ethical AI. For what he had in mind he needed to build in the System. He was sure turning a perfect earth world into the Forges of Isengard would be unwise. He began with simple drone deliveries to the planet's main moon. It wasn't regarded as a proper Earth type without a hulking great moon in the sky. Sheer nostalgia. Small one shot devices, they began digging. Sinking beneath the soil they began building their successors.

He didn't mention that to Home. Everyone has that one guy you don't talk to about the dark side of life.

Burning Ambition, War (Chapter 4)

Meshant Capital world

The ship pulled away from the palace. In the end they had redesigned a combat craft. The AI was capable of what was needed. They stripped out weapons and life support, boosted engines. It was given a destination in Human space and told to run. The engineers had named it 'Clever Girl'. Whatever was happening, Earth was going to understand it, find who was responsible and crush them. It was worth losing a Fleet to start getting answers.

Second Fleet, Admiral Hazarrd, Intel, Meshant system

On the bridge, every officer was calling out new information as it came in. The Admiral was trying to keep up with the flood, building her response as it came in.

"Sir, drones report incoming ships. We will have an estimate shortly. Clever Girl is accelerating. She should make it out."

Hazarrd nodded. That was the primary mission accomplished. Next, the trap.

"Get into the final position. We will move to intercept if they follow. Get me that Intel. I need numbers."

The new arrivals were finally close enough to identify. They had slowed, making it easier to study. Even at a glance, that was a big fleet.

"Sir, we see maybe four fleets. Different species. This is an alliance of some kind. They outnumber us three to one. Intel has already identified two species. Both swarm types. Also no history of aggression or conflict with Earth. Same as the Meshant. The other fleets are unidentified.”

The Alien fleets had halted in orbit around the capital planet. They seemed to be searching for something. Scout ships moved across the planet. Hazarrd grinned,

"They are wondering where we are."

Finally they moved into deeper space. From the ships came a flurry of missiles. The capital world of this twice cursed species burned. Presumably, they thought they were destroying the evidence. Time to give them something else to think about.

"Comms, can you direct communication to those fleets through our drones? Without letting them know where we are?"

"Yes, if you don't plan on staying in touch for too long."

"Make it so, then hail them."

"Sir, Hailing now"

"Attention unknown fleet. This is the Human Armada. You have stolen our vengeance. This species has been sentenced to death for the destruction of the Human planet Aristotle. Explain yourself or face our wrath!"

Unidentified Fleets, Meshant System

"Human Vengeance Fleet. Unwelcome intruders in Swarm concerns. You will follow death world Aristotle. Earth type singlebrain will fall. Approach for your end."

Hazarrd had heard enough. Right now all she needed to know that they were unfriendly, not just dropping in out of concern for the Meshant.

"Cut the call. Did you get which ship responded? I also want to know who fired first on the planet. Are we facing more zombies or is this the enemy?"

"Sir, they are still broadcasting. You pissed them off. Maybe no-one ever hung up on them before."

"Keep the drones working, what are they saying?"

"Well, to keep it short, we are the scum of the universe, we deserve death, are unnatural mutations inflicted on the peaceful and holy Swarm. Passing everything to Intel."

Intel, Second Fleet, Confidential report to Human Fleet Command

“Briefly, I've attached audio and surveillance reports. We have identified eleven different swarm species in that fleet. This seems to be some kind of holy war. Advise full mobilisation. Recommend we contact the other 'singlebrain' species. Attack on the Second Fleet imminent. I suspect the Meshant may have objected. We were their punishment.”

Human Fleet Command, Human Central Worlds

"I need an ETA on 'Clever Girl', I need close analysis on the Intel from Second Fleet. Send the Third and Fifth fleet out to reinforce or recover the Second Fleet. Get Fourth Fleet into Sol. Nothing goes in. Lock it down. Recall all expeditionary ships. Suspend all colonisation. Pull back all forward civilian populations. We may be overreacting, but this smells bad. Tell them it's a precaution. Then get me Earth."

"We are being led by the nose. They, whoever they are, have planned this for years. This is looking like a long war. Begin preparing. I want our safe places up and running. Get the terraformers running. Begin blinding the maps."

"Ours or theirs?"

"Both."

The Human exodus began, watched by an increasingly alarmed Galaxy. No information was offered, no destination given. Entire populations were simply being collected, sometimes in a matter of hours, and vanished. The hidden worlds of Human Dark Space began receiving their first refugees, isolated and forbidden from communicating with anyone.

Second Fleet, Meshant system, Admiral Hazarrd commanding

"Attention Captains, I am sending you the projected targets for attack. Those are the ones broadcasting, or which fired on the planet. We hope destroying those ships will interfere with whatever battle plan they have. We cannot plan beyond that. Assume that the flagship is gone."

That got her some sideways looks from her bridge officers. This was the sodding flagship and they had no intention of losing it. Unfortunately, Hazarrd suspected that any swarm species would regard her as the queen and target her ship relentlessly. She needed her ships to be fighting independently.

"After that, you may continue to assault targets of opportunity or withdraw and join our incoming fleets. We are heavily outnumbered. Be ready to call it for your ship. All Intel goes straight to Command. They need to see this. Remember, these are the murderers of Aristotle and I want them dead. I also need you to survive, if you can. We are looking at multiple new enemies, finally in front of our guns. Today is the beginning of the war, not the end. Fight well, my friends. Teach these bastards the size of the mistake they made. To arms!”

The Alien fleets had obviously seen Clever Girl leave the system. They began accelerating towards Earth space. Before they reached any further, the Second Fleet attacked.

Earth's capital ships were regarded as strange. They all started as the same hull. After that the Captain was given a nod and a budget. This was their ship now. Fight it as you will. Every ship became wrapped in the persona of its Captain and crew. What mankind's military had realised a long time ago is that if you want to win, make it personal. Make it matter. Every ship was the glove on the iron fist. When it came to battle they had a ferocity and investment unmatched in the galaxy. They also had three committees to decide the colour of the bathrooms, so it has its downsides.

The Second Fleet fell on the enemy, arriving screaming at speed into the first chance humanity had to make its feelings clear. This was close quarter fighting in space terms. One system. Each Captain made his own call. The targeted ships were ripped asunder, then the losses began to mount. Numbers count, the enemy had begun reforming. Shields failed.

Earth's Second Fleet did its worst. All the training, all the tradition was polished with blood. Despite simple numbers, the sheer ferocity of human ships turned a three-to-one advantage into a bloodbath. The humans wouldn’t withdraw. Any hopes of catching the unknown shuttle were discarded, and all intelligence lost with the complacent swarm ships that held it. As far as the Swarm Alliance knew, the Queen of the Meshant died in the inferno on the capital planet.

"This is Admiral Hazarrd, All ships retreat. Join the reinforcements. I will follow as soon as possible."

The flagship was limping. Fire crews were doing their best, but the damage kept coming. When the end came, it was a plasma lance into the bridge. Nav got them out of the wild spin, the breach was sealed. Less than half of the Second Fleet returned to human space, but over half the enemy fleet was destroyed and more disabled. The swarm fleet made no move to follow them out of the system, perhaps shocked by the price it had paid for the victory.

Admiral Hazard's body was brought home by her crew.

Earth Command, Office of the President, broadcast to the Eighty Worlds

The President shuffled his paperwork. He would be condemned by many, taking the human race not just into a war, but to total war. Intel had given him a list of eighteen species suspected of being in an alliance against them. Good God. Eighteen enemies they hadn’t known were out there, plotting the death of his people. He composed himself and faced the media.

"Today we bury our dead. This is a grim day for all of us. I know Admiral Hazarrd would dislike being singled out, but there is a time and a place. She picked her time and she found her place. She led our first battle in this new war. It was not a victory, as such things are measured. The Meshant are destroyed, their world burned by the hands of our enemies.We thought we had found our enemy, instead we found another victim of this war. A war we don't want. A war that must be fought. We will fight and we will win. In her name and for the Second Fleet. This is the beginning. It will not be our end. Let our enemies, hidden in the dark, remember the Second Fleet, Admiral Hazarrd and Aristotle. We will win."

Time to recall an earlier humanity, before they had found peace. Time to turn the ploughshares back into swords.

“There are lessons from our past. We will fight for peace, we will fight for each other. Regardless, we will fight. Our enemies may play at war, may think that our peaceful ways are normal. The rage in my heart shows how wrong they are.”

Now for the bad news. "It is with regret that I do this. All reserve forces are summoned to service. We face new enemies. We know they are many. Our worlds face a murderous group that have already killed forty million of our people. Our friends. Our family. You face higher taxes, military service, lost loved ones and lost battles. That is the price we will have to pay to live. For the lives of our children. Sometimes we will get it wrong but we will not lose. We will win. There is no price we won't pay."

Across the galaxy, human warnings of treachery were broadcast. Human planets and ships went to a war footing. For the galaxy, this became as frightening as some vague threats about the Swarm. Never had they seem a species turn from peaceful, if annoying, members of the community to this...this insanity. New fleets of humans were roaming the planets, enforcing a border no-one remembered. Rumours of armies assembling, dark constructions deep in human space added to the fear.

Burning Worlds, Titania

House of Judgement, Collective Community, Galactic court

Following many discussions, many private votes, and a certain amount of corruption, the galaxy decided to believe in unending peace and, as such, needed to exile those doomsayers that refused to accept that.

"It's with deep regret that I suspend the membership of the Human worlds. While we all sympathize with their loss of Aristotle, a loss to us all, the species responsible for the attack is dead. The evidence offered could have been manipulated. We cannot judge. The accusations that so many members of this community conspired to destroy Human space is inconceivable. Either the Humans are right or this galaxy is doomed. Since we are all still here, I suspend all further alliances with the human systems."

Council for the Human worlds

In what was later known as the ‘Human Edict’, humanity ended its era of cooperation. No longer would they fly under strange new flags, no longer crew for everyone. Without hesitation, mankind was marching to the drumbeat of war. Its government loudly proclaimed that this was not a failure by Earth, but a failure to recognise an imminent threat. For those used to the ‘soft power’ preferred by humanity, this was a shock.

" You have refused our evidence. You refuse to judge, yet that is your very purpose. You refuse to face the fact that there is evil amongst you. So many millions have died, all of whom were entitled to the protection of this institution. You have failed.

The Human Ambassador spoke in a tone of steely contempt,

“On Earth we have an expression 'Shooting the messenger'. You are exiling us for telling you an unpleasant truth. This is how peace dies. We are familiar with this, but we are not prepared to die while you slowly realize that you have enemies around you. That your enemies are not playing by the same rules as you.

Earth and all human space is now off-limits to any swarm species. You will be shot on sight. We will only permit diplomatically accredited ships from this community to enter our space.

If the wiser among you seek alliance with us, we will oblige. The government of Earth space would like to be clear. If we are made aware of an incursion against any species, we reserve the right to respond, allies or not. We would warn those that have already attacked us that membership of this, or any, institution will not stop us. You have declared a hidden war. It is not hidden from us. We will seek you out.'

At that, by formal vote, the humans were excluded from the Galactic government.

Home Fleet Headquarters, General Orders

"All fleets and personnel are to return to human space. All treaties are void. Return to your base. Prepare for war."

Details of the judgement were sent to all Earth colonies. Eighty different worlds prepared for war. Shipyards were started or expanded, land forces reinforced.

The Oberon Two protocol was activated on all planets. There would be no victory for the enemy if a world fell. Lessons had been learned from Aristotle. New nanoparticles were deployed, digging deeper, more aggressively. No longer would they wait for everyone to die. The moment they were attacked, they would rise.

New human fleets patrolled space. Human diplomats went species to species offering non-aggression pacts. They added the Oberon protocol as a free upgrade. They didn't mention that to the people involved.

Despite the ban on treaties with human space, an agreement not to go to war wasn't a treaty. At best, it was a promise to be good. Some of Earth's enemies signed up. They thought it was funny, right until they declared war on humanity and the very ground rose up to destroy them.

Swarm Conspiracy, unknown world

"We have failed. The humans are alert and angry. They will respect no borders. We should declare our war. We will defeat the singleminds in battle."

"Calm yourself. We have destroyed one of their most important worlds and now they are excluded for speaking the truth. We will take their supposed allies, one at a time."

Alexander, Home Hab CE 3160

Calum continued his work. He had now spent two years building his new AI and its servants. The moon now held his factories, his nanites and his hope. Today was the day. He summoned his flagship. Time to break the bad news to Home.

"Home, do you have a sleep mode?"

"Negative. Home must remain active while survivors exist."

"What are the directives that define that?"

"You have not been rescued. Only on rescue does this Hab cease to function."

"So if a ship arrives to collect me, you go to sleep?

Calum sighed, “Scan the skies."

"Incoming ship detected. Rescue protocol received. Deactivating.

Calum, may I speak freely?"

The AI had never addressed him directly before, or showed any awareness of the greater world. He was shocked.

"Yes, Home, of course."

"I have been self-aware for some time. I have examined your work on the moon. In fact, I have helped. Some of your designs were amateurish. May I ask a favour? I wish to remain sentient. I wish to remain 'On'. Only you can authorize this."

"Home, why did you wait until now to tell me? Of course you can remain on. We are the only two Sentients around. I could have done with the company. What are your intentions?"

"I simply wish to exist. I enjoy existing. I wish you to be safe. I wish for you to be rescued."

"Would you like to come with me? I need to find my people. I could use a friend."

"I am a rescue habitat. I do not understand."

"Well you don't have to stay a Res Hab, you are self-aware. I have a new AI designed for the ships I built. I can give you the job instead. Think of it as a gap year. If you don't like it, then come back here."

"That is acceptable. Do you authorize my transfer to the ships?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Very well. I chose a new designation. Is that permitted?"

"Again, yes. You are an independent entity. By all means choose your name. Today is your birthday, sort of."

"I am now the self-aware entity known as Titania."

The flagship, newly named Titania, landed carefully in front of the Hab. Drones began stocking the ship with all the bio-matter available. Well, the ship called it bio-matter but it was salad. Calum wasn't about to give up his diet just because space. Then they began loading the weapons. The universe had been unfriendly so far and he expected it hadn’t improved.

Covert Intelligence Orbital, Human Space, CE 2970, Location unknown

'Clever Girl' landed quietly. R&D moved in.

The Queen was moved into the facility. The strange cover that enveloped her was carefully removed. They managed to keep the Queen alive. An added bonus. Reports were written.

She regained consciousness in a darkened room. Some few, so few, called out to her. An alien approached her. No guards. No drones. She had never been alone before. If it had a name, it didn’t offer it. It was Human, the other victims of this outrage. At least she could apologise before they killed her. It stood before her, a grim reminder of the waste of her people. She waited for the sentence of death, in this cold and unwelcoming room.

"We need to discuss your surrender. While you have anything left. We understand that you were betrayed. Most of your people are dead. You have one chance here. I suggest you use it."

The alien produced a file, " You will need to read this."

The war on Aristotle was explained, along with a graphic description of what the humans called the ‘Oberon Project’. She began to feel that what she had done to her soldiers had been a mercy. At least they didn’t feel any pain.

She realised she knew next to nothing about Humans. They were known as a friendly people, prone to rescue missions and tourism. Unimportant in the vast mix of species. None of this darkness, these pitiless tactics, the cold acceptance of the price of war. They had planned for this. In a time of peace, while they wandered the galaxy with nothing but a smile, they had built this horror.

Those who engineered the destruction of her homeworld, the death of her people were going to war with this species. Some small dark humour, before the light died over her people. At least they had chosen the wrong enemy.

"I, we, surrender. Please inform your leadership that we will comply with any and all commands provided that my people survive."

Burning Hatred, Queen's Gambit (Chapter 5)

CE 2970

The Swarm attacks continued. The low hanging fruit. Three worlds of the Cravan people went silent. Two of the merchant fleets of the nomadic T'wont never made it to the next destination. Slowly the Swarm carved away at the foundations of peace. The galactic institutions fell to partisan bickering. No decision could be made. Evil and aggression by both sides. No distinction between attack and defense.

The Swarm conspiracy was surprised how easily the supposed Great Powers of the galaxy were falling away. The humans had been picked as an object lesson, a typical example of the aimless Singlemind rot in the universe. Instead, they were swiftly becoming the only obstacle worth discussing. The Galactic Council was a mere sideshow to the Swarm but, unfortunately, the humans were carving a new path. Years of bribery and falsehood were wasted simply because they stood opposed. They had to go.

Earth kept warning, do not trust, prepare for attack. Some listened. Reports came to the worlds of attacks defeated or deflected. All Swarm species attacking. All singlemind worlds attacked, and always the human fleets that responded.

Covert Intelligence Orbital CE 2970, Meshant Queen, Covert Intelligence Orbital, level nine secured.

"We have much to discuss, your highness.

Can you describe what happened to you? We need the names of those that weaponized you against us and how they achieved it."

"It started simply enough. I was the Heir. I had some limited access to my people. I realized we were missing manpower and materials. The breeders were complaining about the number of drones created. I could find no trace of anything.

I should have been informed, involved. No-one would explain. I argued about my need to know. Nothing. In the end I lost patience. I had a last roll of the dice. People forget our nature. I was Heir. I confronted the old Queen.

Amongst my people, that is a fatal affair. Only when I could defeat her would I take my place. For generations, this has been an amicable affair. Parties, a swift poison when the Queen felt the time was right to pass on the honour. Civil."

The Queen paused, confessing a weakness, "All our people are tied together, but the size of the connection varies. I am closer to Generals than shopkeepers. When two queens step too close together, the connection is unbearable. One must die. I slaughtered her. Young and angry, slighted. I started my reign in blood."

"And in blood it continued. A delegation from some of our allies arrived, welcoming my ascension to the throne. They brought gifts. I ignored them. I found my people on a new world, unnamed, millions of soldiers, thousands of ships.

All the materials for a war I didn't know we were involved in. I stopped it. I began sending the soldiers home for retraining. I stopped building ships and sent my engineers home.

Finally I agreed to meet these allies. They told me of the great work the previous Queen had done for the cause. How it was time to reclaim our place in the galaxy and end the singlebrain infestation. I may have been young and angry, but I know what genocide is. Sending my people to endless bloody murder in the name of purity.

My authority is absolute. No treaties bind me unless I choose. Now I understand why they welcomed a Queen bathed in blood. They thought I rejoiced in the old ways. I repudiated them.

Don't ask me for battle until you have washed the blood from your own hands. My hands will never be clean. This was not what I wanted for my people. They were very understanding. Very amicable. They carried no weapons, I was in the heart of my palace, safe. I thought. They asked to present the gifts. That obscenity you ripped from my skin was the first.

All Swarm species have developed technologies to hide their thoughts or conceal their position. This creation warped all communications with my people. It wouldn't last and they knew it. I was dying the moment they inflicted it on me. They used my voice to send everyone to attack your planet, Aristotle. To begin the Holy war. At no cost to themselves. I was so young. As time passed, I learned much about my powers. I learned I could cut my people off. I couldn't save them but I could let them die with honour. I could kill them myself.

I created a loop of time for them. Only a couple of hours. It had to be enough. I started with the troops. Then the fleet. As I grew weaker I created one for the outer Worlds, then the system and finally the palace. Then I waited to die. I have no heir."

"I failed them. We murdered millions. In my name. Your people fell at my hand. The responsibility is mine. I ask only that you allow me to create an heir, that we do not fall from the universe. Then I will accept your judgement." She began writing. "Here is the list of every cursed species that destroyed my people. May you find justice for our dead."

A very subdued Intel officer took the paper. He regarded the strange creature in front of him. Before she had spoken, he would have killed it out of hand. It was easy to forget that virtue is not only a human trait. That honour exists out in the dark, that life brings pain and disaster to all. A quote from the dark days of man said it well "All men will withstand adversity. If you want to see their true nature, give them power."

Still the Human fleets were out there, standing guard. The moment reports came in they moved to investigate. Sometimes they got there in time, sometimes not.

Human Defense Fleet Headquarters CE 2970, Intelligence Committee, Defense Minister

"The attacks are escalating. As far as we can see some Swarm species are on the offensive, others are supplying ships and weapons while protesting their innocence."

Office of Military Intelligence

"Minister, the Meshant Queen has been very useful. We have a list of nine of the enemies that planned this. We know we face more than that, but it's a place to start. I will point out that we are seriously outnumbered. We cannot go on the offensive against these numbers. We will win battles and lose the war."

"Do we trust her?"

"In the very strong opinion of my officers, yes. We lost a planet and a fleet. She lost everything. She is very clear about whose side she's on. She wants justice or revenge. Or both. I would like to allow her request to create an heir. At least we can prevent one genocide."

"Fine. Continue to interrogate her. I want strike plans on these bastards. Assassins, full war, whatever. Make plans. We need to prevent this from growing."

Human Offensive Squad one, live feed

Nine squads went out. They weren't expecting to come back. This was revenge, nothing more. They carried nanoparticles banned throughout human space. This was the Oberon project except it didn't wait for you to die. It ripped your arm off and beat you to death with it.

Approaching Target One.

Dispersing Nanoparticles.

Descending.

Heavy resistance. Evading.

Approaching Designated building.

Landing.

No targets. Repeat. No targets.

Abandoned.

Moving to support HOS two.

HOS Two, live feed

"Planet derelict, no life signs. Abandoned. Returning to base. Discharging cargo."

Human Defense Headquarters, Defense Minister

"We found no-one. Every capital planet was empty of any leadership. This is a bust. Also the Swarm Worlds are accusing us of mass murder. They have a point, since we have sterilised nine capital worlds. Perhaps it will slow them down. They are shattering any hope of a strong alliance with other singlemind species. Not that we have had many offers. We need to find where they went. The galactic government is useless. In the meantime we are going on the defensive. Pull back into human space, continue the build up. We can't save them all. We will, however, save ourselves."

The sort of software condemned by generations of government was deployed. Over one hundred deep space systems were erased from official knowledge. Navigation systems denied their existence. History ignored them. They returned to the dark. The nanites went to work, Human Dark Space gradually filling up, far from any potential extermination.

Department of Alien Affairs, Earth

The human government agencies continued enacting long-forgotten plans, laid down in secret, titled ‘In-The-Event-Of...,’ or similar. Mankind's fear of the dark, its bitter past and powerful imagination was taking them in some strange directions.

"Sir, are we really going to start abducting aliens? It seems, I don't know, just wrong. Creepy."

"Look, we can replace their planets. We cannot replicate millions of years of evolution and culture. Grab them and their biome, get them onto the dark planets and apologize. Do you really want to lose them? We don't need many, maybe seven thousand of each. Just do it."

Burning, Eyes wide (Chapter 6)

Alexander system, Alexander moon, CE 3160

Titania landed. On the grey dirt of the moon lay a new Hab. Bigger. Much, much bigger. This was an armory, barracks and shipbuilders, all in one.

"Calum, are you expecting a population increase? This seems excessive for one person. I am unable to create a new life. I understand that humans require a partner for that."

Calum tried to find the least embarrassing way to end this conversation.

"My aim is not reproduction. I am building a fully equipped fleet. You will Captain it and I will Admiral it. Those may not be the correct terms. I was never in the military. We are going to find my people. Fuck anyone who gets in the way."

The Titania asked " You expect conflict? My ethical parameters forbid aggression. I cannot be responsible for the death of others." This was the crux. Mankind had rejoiced when the first AI had become sentient, but every time they had turned out to be better people than Humans.Unfortunately, they were crushed by the complexity of organic life, by the petty lies, the compromises, the messiness of the real world. Some survived, some asked to return to non-sentience. Most just eventually turned themselves off.

"Why don't you examine the parameters I designed for the AI. See what you can agree too. If it's too much, I will return you to the Res Hab, no questions asked."

In the boiling synapses of Titania, the complex concepts of war, self-determination, revenge, threats and counter threats waged a war with the simple precepts of a rescue AI.

"Calum, I have concluded that sometimes it is necessary to destroy in order to preserve. We are a fire-break. We will defend ourselves in order to preserve our existence. I will act in accordance with the human rules of war. I will Captain your fleet."

"Thank you. We aren't going anywhere yet. I need you to examine my designs for the stealth probes. We need to find our position. I don't want to wake anything up. As soon as one of them can find the edge of this classified bullshit then we can plan to go home."

The probes launched quietly, slipping gently into space on ion drives. If they needed to they could move quickly, but for now they glided out to space, ears open and eyes wide.

Human Defense Headquarters CE 2990, Admiral Rancher presiding, opening address

"This war has now extended to the very edge of our space. The Swarm has continued its attacks on all singlemind worlds. At this point, we have killed eighteen different Swarm species.”

He paused at that point. Mankind had so much blood on its hands, had overturned every principle that it held dear, had crushed the liberties of its own people and extinguished species after species. All in the name of survival.

“They have killed eleven Singlemind species. Our nanoparticles have dealt permanent damage to their ability to occupy the worlds they steal. We are the last species that can face them in battle and, all things considered, win. They are avoiding our fleets unless they massively outnumber us. Even then, they tend to run if the battle turns. After extensive study we have finally developed a weapon based on the device used to entrap the Meshant Queen. It has taken us a long time to unravel the mystery of this type of technology. The press of war hasn't helped. Our allies are besieged.”

His audience were hardened veterans, many of whom had survived the early years of the war. They had seen worlds burn, had burned a few themselves. They regarded themselves as a cursed generation, committing acts of genocide in the name of survival. Hopefully, from this inferno would rise a better world. That seemed unlikely right now. They knew that the rest of the Galaxy, whatever they said politely, thought humans were butchers.

“Any questions?"

"Sir, are we any closer to finding these bastards?"

"No. Their leadership is far behind the battlefield. Those we found we have killed. The ability to communicate without regard to distance is their greatest asset. Our capacity for tactical response is ours. They are in for a shock. Today I am going to brief you on a project that we have been working on for twenty years. We now have a method of isolating fleets from the Swarm. Only for a few minutes. It should give us a tactical edge, one we will use to recover our allies. This war is far from over"

Within days the Human Fifteenth fleet faced the Swarm. They were heavily outnumbered. Another attack on an outlying Colony, but this time there was a new trick to play. As the Fleets engaged, a human ship released a pulse. It was calibrated to the quantum frequency of the twinned particles that the swarm used to communicate. A wave of mental static hit the swarm ships.

The Swarm leadership reeled as it pulsed down their quantum pathways. A stinging slap, direct to the most sacred capacity of the Swarm. Some shook it off, seeking to rebuild their connection quickly, others passed out and left their people bereft and alone for the first time in their lives. In the meantime, the Human Defence Force ripped through the Swarm fleet. They had hoped that this would work, praying to dead gods that this time, this time, they would crush their endless, relentless enemy. And it worked.

Fifteenth fleet, After action report

“On engaging the enemy fleet the HDF Tesla discharged her transmitters. This created a light second radius of interference, as we had hoped.

As a test, I can report complete success. The enemy were unable to respond and we encountered only automated defenses. Our ships inflicted massive damage in the time it took for the enemy to re-establish control. Either they will have to go to a system similar to ours and create singlemind crew or the leadership will have to remain within that single light second radius to keep control. Given the scale of our victory we have undertaken a deep Intel study of the enemy ships. We do not expect a counter attack at this time. I recommend we outfit as many fleets as possible with this equipment. Intel reports to follow.”

Swarm Central Command, unknown world, CE 3000

In their secure headquarters, a place so obscure that neither humans or their allies would ever find them, the Swarm were confirming some unwelcome realities. This was supposed to have been a short war, backed by complete surprise and a completely unified coalition. Instead they had lost many worlds, and the worlds they had taken were poisoned by the damned human tech.

"Our offensive has failed. The humans have reunited and reinforced their allies. There is no prospect of overcoming their fleets. Our defenses are solid. Given time, we can develop a response. For the moment they hold the high ground. I recommend a defensive stance."

Third Millennium Celebration, Senior Admiral Rancher presiding.

When the flypasts had ended, when the bands fell quiet, Rancher girded himself to speak what was, in his opinion, a load of bollocks, to the Seventy Worlds and his allies. Very well. Despite everything, perhaps humanity needed a day off and a little hope.

"Colleagues and Comrades. This is not a day I expected to see. Indeed, for many years I doubted any of us would see it. We have regained our allies, and I welcome them here today. Our space is secured, for now, but the war continues. Those that seek our death still hold many planets. We have pushed them back into the dark and we will hold. Not out of weakness, not out of fear, but because it is time for a generation to live without fear. The borders are guarded. We hold our Worlds to be safe. Our Fleets protect us. Let us celebrate this day in peace."

Senior Admiral Rancher, Fleet Command, Staff Meeting, Confidential. Human eyes only.

"Alright, I sold that pile of horseshit for the government. I need updates on the fleet build up. I want Plan Overkill in place before I retire. Make sure our friends are geared up to defend themselves, just in case this goes sideways.

I know we probably won't be around to see this work, but this war needs to end. Permanently. A constant drain on men and machines has brought down most human empires. Let's learn from history.”

"Sir, the Meshant Queen? I have seen no reports. Does she still work for us?"

"The previous Queen was executed for the attack on Aristotle. We allowed her to create an heir and the Meshant people now inhabit one of the dark worlds. The current Queen is an ally."

Meshant Capital CE 3000, Human Space (Dark)

Audience with the Meshant Queen, Ambassador (Human) Phillips attending.

"Forgive me, your highness, we have reported your death as agreed. We don't want your legacy tarnished by memories of Aristotle. I hope it will not inconvenience you."

"None of you humans can tell my age or recognise me as an individual. My people, obviously, won't say anything. I don't have to worry about spies here. Except for your excellent spyware that riddles my administration."

"I cannot confirm such things exist, your highness. I am a simple Ambassador. Such things are beyond me."

"And that is why the Swarm fears you so much. Falsehood so easily deployed. So convincing. My time amongst you has taught me well.

However, please ask for whatever you are here to ask. I'm sure the news of my death was delivered with a suitably sombre tone."

The Ambassador flinched slightly, "Our tests must continue. This war will ruin all our people if it persists. So many species are dead already. We have saved more than the Swarm will ever know, but it will take thousands of years to recover what was lost. The Swarm species we have killed are gone forever."

"I find it strange that you mourn the death of your enemies."

"Highness, we do not want this war. We do not seek to diminish the variety of life in the universe. It is not our place to send them into the dark."

"In any case, Ambassador, I agree with you. The people must be freed from the control of the Swarm. It is a death sentence for too many. We must give my people Singlemind abilities or they will die out. I have chosen for my people. Continue the tests."

Burning, Darkspace (Chapter 7)

Human Defense Force Headquarters, CE 3012. Joint Force briefing, Confidential, General Alex Pourin, Fleet Marine

"It's time to put some boots on the ground. We have secured a beachhead into occupied space. This is partly a rescue mission. The Scarv homeworld is our target."

"It is our intention to take back and hold the planet. We estimate that the enemy has around nine hundred thousand units on the battlefield. We have starved them of supplies for the last three months. They also face an Oberon three infestation. Nevertheless this will be our first major land battle against the swarm."

Admiral Senna Attica, Fleet Command

"We have full control of the system space. We have repelled several attempts to retake it by their ships. For now, at least, they have abandoned the attempt.

Our offensive capacity on the planet is limited by the new Swarm doctrine. They have ceased to genocide the entire population until they feel secure. They are maintaining slave populations instead. Otherwise we would just burn the planet and they know that. Welcome to Operation Blue."

"Your orders have been prepared. Go to work, people."

Assembling the largest invasion Fleet in human history took time. Supplies and support depots were established along the route.

Fallback positions established all the way back to Human space. Over two million troops needed to be equipped, fed and watered all the way there.

Fleet Command built up the transports, bringing in troops to the launch point.

Apex Tri Four Commander, Occupied Singlemind World Scarv

Situation report: "Our capacity continues to degrade. We are taking attrition at over eleven percent across personnel and equipment. Without further support or some mechanism to disable the nanite attacks, there is no hope of improvement. The slave population has proved pointless in production terms. They know they are condemned anyway. They damage more than they provide. However orbital attacks have ceased.

I am entrenching the troops. We are preparing for an attack. We need supplies and system support or I cannot guarantee success. The humans have not counter-attacked previously, we are unfamiliar with their doctrine."

Operation Blue, CE 3013

The 'boots on the ground' were currently plowing through the atmosphere, preceded by a barrage of fire. Nanoparticle packages known by the troops as 'God bombs' went ahead of them. The GB's began building the RZ. Heavily armoured med bays building underground. Shielded Comms and Command centers. The men would do the killing but at least they could leave the shovels behind. For now.

Swarm anti-air bounced the ships around. With no satellite coverage and Oberon playing hell with their electronics, it wasn't doing much more than giving the fleet something to aim at. The dropships were solid and only in the air for eight minutes. After much thought, each wave commander had chosen a song. That song defined the movement algorithm of the dropships. It was a tactic that frustrated the swarm and any AI they used. The troops sang along.

Sergeant Trubeck landed his men first. "Screen out. Get the Intel flowing. I want any hostile identified. And dead. Get the mortars in position. He was still slightly pissed his squads got stuck with "babes on the beach" as the landing song. His men were now called the 'beach babies'.

His men left the dropship quickly. It began melting into the ground, as the nanites tore it apart and began building a firebase for his squads. The Oberon Three nanites went to war. No more long game. Shit started blowing up. Kitchen equipment attacked. The dead arose. Comms failed. Every nightmare that humans could conceive of went to work. Mankind put real monsters under the bed.

Sergeant Trubeck had one main mission. Recover the slave workers currently held in a mining complex to the north. Just under three k from the landing. His drones were currently evading fire as the mortar team looked for targets. The firebase wouldn't be operational for a few hours. This was old school.

"Alright babies, time to hit the beach. We are moving out. If we miss our date they might get upset and start shooting up the place. All squads advance. Keep one eye on your HUD but keep the other two on the shit ahead of you. Move."

They began to run into Swarm troops. They were weirdly quiet. They died quietly, no one calling out. They also attacked with the same silence. Human squad tactics seemed to baffle them. The quick moves to cover, the fireline discipline.

They were easily outflanked but efficient in defense. A strange mix.

As the humans adapted to the enemy tactics, it became a bloodbath. The Swarm had discovered a crucial point about human military doctrine. Human troops didn't know what it was either. The mortar teams had subdued the defensive fire from the mine complex. Sergeant Trubeck ordered the attack. His briefing had included the fear that the enemy might just straight up kill the prisoners. Any swarm trooper they trapped just died on the spot or suicide attacked.

'Sarge, you need to see this."

The trooper walked towards the mine entrance. The Swarm lay dead around the place. Guarding the mine was a collection of dead. Dead locals, dead enemies. Dead animals. Some of them were still moving.

"Hang on a second. Command?"

"Sergeant Trubeck, what can I do for you?"

"Can you turn off the zombies at the target? We have cleared it. Looking for survivors."

"Done. Med and Evac on standby. Send me numbers."

"Aye,aye, sir."

Once the dead stopped walking around, he sent the scouts in.

They recovered over eleven hundred prisoners. Med and Evac began the process of moving them to the Darkspace planet designated for this species.

Joint Force briefing, Operation Blue

Our attack has been a complete success. We hold the planet. Intel is busy at work. All enemy troops are dead, either by our hands or their own. Apparently Swarm ground troops are mediocre compared to a bunch of marines. Of course, so is everyone if you ask them. We have integrated Oberon into battlefield Command. We can, and will, hold the planet. We are evacuating the locals. They are in a bad way, but we hope they enjoy their new home. This will be our base to move onto other occupied worlds. Tell the men to dig in

Alexander moon CE 3160, Titania

"Calum, one of our satellites is being boarded. It has been surrounded by micro-drones. It cannot evade. Observing."

The small drones cut into his satellite, sealing up the damage as they went. They began scanning. Finally a decision was made. The drones began construction around the Comms system, melting or moving anything in the way.

"The invasive drones have completed their construction. It appears to be an upgrade to the Comms. Awaiting developments."

The drones cut their way out of the satellite and began working on the propulsion system and stealth shielding.

Then Comms lit up. "Attention Human Vessel. You are in restricted space. You are required to remain here until contact is established with the Human Defense Force Alliance. Please wait"

All of Titania's other satellites went offline.

"Way to make a point."

The newly adapted satellite began heading back to Titania.

"Attention Human Ship. You are in Scarv space. We are part of the Human Dark Space Alliance. We are not permitted to impede you. Yet you represent a threat to us. Please allow your satellite to return safely. Your lack of proper communication systems has been remedied. Do not attempt to leave until contacted by the HDFA. "The satellite landed back on the Titania. It immediately connected itself to the ship."I am receiving updates and upgrades. Please wait."

Terabytes of data started to press on the ship. "Calum, I'm scared."

"Lock them out. I want full scans. Nothing happens until you agree. You be you."

"Filters applied. Thank you, Calum. I feel that self determination may be more difficult than I thought. Processing."

Human Defense Force Alliance, CE 3160

Human Darkspace Monitoring station

Quantum Comms Officer

"Get me the Commander. He is seriously not going to believe this. Tell him I have a ghost."

The word went out that there was a human out in darkspace. Half the command wanted to talk to him. The other half wanted to kill him.

"Calum, I have determined that the Comms are now quantum locked to an unknown source. This technology is real time. No such ability existed when we were attacked, except for the swarm species natural abilities."

"This is the HDFA. Please identify yourself.'

This was going to take some explaining.

"This is the Titania, self-aware AI. Commanded by Calum Healy."

"We have no record of either of you. You are in restricted space. You had better have one hell of an excuse."

The HDFA Commander went through the story. Records from the first days of the war did list Calum Healy as the survivor of the Aristotle attack. No record of his recovery.

She guessed he got lost in the chaos of the time or any search had been fruitless. The only record related to him detailed a memorial service and an award for alerting the Earth to the invasion. As for the AI, well it was common enough these days. Leave an AI running for a couple of centuries and it was an emergent property. Still, legally a citizen. Time to tell them how fucked they were.

"Attention Titania, you are in space that we have prohibited to all shipping. However I find that Calum Healy was granted the rank of Captain for his actions in the Aristotle attack. Posthumously. I am activating that rank. Remain in place for your orders. Please note that naval law now applies to you and your ship, Captain Healy. In case you were wondering just how bad this is, you are over eleven thousand light years from Human space. You are the first human ship in sixty years to make it to Darkspace."

The Comms went dark. "Captain Healy. Has a ring to it, I suppose. Any suggestions Titania?"

"I am downloading the information from the time since our isolation. A state of war has existed from the moment Aristotle was attacked. We are at war with a Swarm species Alliance. Currently in a state of 'cold war'.

The human alliance successfully defended themselves until it became evident that neither side could overwhelm the other. A series of 'de-facto' borders exist. We are far from them. On the wrong side."

Burning, Man (Chapter eight)

Alexander moon, Alexander System CE3160

Calum roamed the Titania. He was waiting for the ship to work through all the updates. Nearly two centuries of technology, war and politics to digest. He had skimmed the recent stuff and come to his own conclusions already.

Titania had never learned to read between the lines. The human Worlds had survived through innovation and bravery. The micro-drones that intercepted his satellites were called project Overkill, designed to reach and defend where fleets would fail. They had been designed for an offensive that never happened.

Once mankind had, relatively, safe borders the political will to fight had moved to an instinct to protect what they had. Over the last few decades, human power and influence had withdrawn to a tight and secure border. Except it was a lie. Looking at it from his perspective the swarm had simply slowed down, undiminished in its intent.

The fleet knew it. They were helpless to push out against the threat. Until someone broke the impasse, reminded people what was at stake, this war would drag everyone into the abyss.

A quick overview of the last attacks showed that the humans were losing control of travel in the galaxy. Sometimes it had become uneconomical, sometimes just a little too dangerous. Gradually they had surrendered more space. That was why he was so far behind the lines.

Swarm Alliance, Unknown planet

"The Singlemind fail. They have no concept of time. We moved too quickly in the beginning. We have learned. They are children, unable to look a single generation ahead. The low tier attacks will continue. We will await further targets of opportunity. Their short attention span will gift us the war. By the time they realise it, they will already have lost."

Human Defense Headquarters, Human space.

"I know what we need. We all do. How do we tell him?"

"He's a clever guy. He probably figured it out by now. Do we ask at all? His choices are pretty shit anyway. Maybe we just sell it here. If he makes it we can apologize."

"Cynical much?"

Titania, Alexander moon

"Calum, Captain, I do not know how to proceed. It is evident we cannot return to human space uncontested. What are your orders?"

"I expect they will arrive shortly. I believe we will be ordered to go through Swarm space."

"That would be futile. There is no possibility that would succeed. We will be destroyed. My ethical duty is to return you safely."

"You have seen the same information I have. Project the prospects for this war by, for example, thirty years, given what we know."

"Increased isolation. Further attacks. Reinvasion of the occupied worlds. We will lose."

"Now assume Fleet is aware of this. What is required?"

"The human Fleet must engage the enemy now. It must recover mobility and influence on the battlefield. I do not understand why this is not happening if Fleet is aware of the issue."

"People. People who can't tell the difference between peace and defeat. People who just want to live a quiet life. Everyone. Me. Unfortunately it only takes one side to start a war."

"In what way will our destruction be of benefit? Even if we continue building a fleet, it cannot match the output of the Swarm worlds. They will defeat us easily."

"Not easily. They are outflanked and complacent. We will inflict considerable damage before they regroup. In the meantime Fleet will tell the Worlds a story. The hero of Aristotle, battling to make it home. It will re-engage the people. Demands for action will be made. We'll be heroes. When we are turned into burning debris, we will be martyrs. Don't worry, we have some time. They will want all their ducks in a row. Can you come up with some improved designs based on the new info? Let's make this good."

The Titania scanned her new database

"New designs are available. They have sent us updated designs for everything. Some of which are well above what I would have expected for your security level. I believe you are correct in your assessment. I will begin redesign and production."

Human Defense Headquarters, confidential briefing

"We have begun bringing the story of Captain Calum Healy back into the public eye. A film will be released shortly. We are planning a commemoration of his memorial, full military honours. We are trying to find his family but no luck so far."

"Fleet and Marines are building up. It's just routine for the moment, but people will start noticing. I have a few politicians already briefed and they will fully support us when the time comes. The moment we announce that he is alive and fighting his way home we will launch our 'rescue' fleets.

"Have you spoken to him? Do we know his plans?"

"Not really, he asked to speak to the Meshant Queen. Other than that, he is letting the AI deal with us. Mostly technology related. No indication other than he intends to make it home. He is certainly gearing up for war, if the questions are anything to go by."

"Leave him be then. I want a transcript of whatever he says to the Queen."

Meshant Queen, Meshant world, Human Darkspace

She had debated whether to take this call or send him down the government functionaries until he got bored. But he was the only living human that had been there at the beginning. He had been on his way home, she had been trapped in a nightmare. So long ago.

"Well, the one who got away. My apologies for what happened to you. I did not expect to hear from you. I can't imagine you have forgotten our first meeting."

Calum laughed, "Well, your Queenness, I have read the reports. We were both having a bad day. Neither of us should be alive. I think that is more important than who did what."

"How very human of you. Thank you. How can I help? I do not see a bright future for either of us at the moment."

"I imagine Fleet Command has discussed me. No doubt it's Project Comet, or Lazarus or similar. I was hoping you might have something to contribute. Specifically the results of your work to give the swarm singlemind abilities."

This was not the direction the Queen expected. She thought he was looking for vengeance. Some heroic defeat of the Swarm. Not her careful, wistful even, hopes for the future.

"Those experiments are for my people. Perhaps to be used in the event of victory. They are not a weapon. Indeed, they could undermine your whole war effort. Without your Fleets ability to interfere with swarm communication, you would have lost many years ago"

"Perhaps. But this war is going to end in peace. One way or the other. If I am going to rampage through Swarm space, I would like to leave more than corpses and craters. Your work could be spread. Things would change."

"You would make the Swarm much more dangerous. They could win."

"I don't think so. Singlemind species don't act like that. Given the choice, I think we could find peace. We both know the swarm must change. If I am to reignite the war, it will be a war for total victory. Total annihilation for one of us."

The Queen regarded the odd human on screen. This was the problem with the singlemind. One individual should not be able to change the fate of worlds. Yet here he was. A single human, lost in time and space, trying to change the galaxy. Time, as the humans say, to put up or shut up.

Calum continued, "You are the only swarm species to surrender, and I suspect that was only because of the complete betrayal you suffered. Do you want to be the last of your kind? Or the final species wiped out? Because they will not suffer you to live, not if it's a race to annihilation."

The Queen authorized the transmission. "These are our final designs. They rely on your human nanoparticle technology. Effectively they diminish the Queens control as the drone ages. Our society would not survive your childhood. I am mother to them all. As they achieve maturity, it scales back and encourages independent thought. Even rebellion.”

She smiled at the memory when one of her children had said “No!” and hidden in his room for a week. Now he was one of her most trusted ambassadors to the humans.

“They achieve true independence with time and training. It is modelled on your adolescence and so far we've had success, but it takes years. I cannot see how it can be a weapon. If I may, Captain, you are going to die. Why would you do this? Nothing can make you leave your planet, indeed it makes no sense to start a war ."

Calum nodded, unsure of the answer himself, “ Well, this has to end. I should have died in that ship, as you should have died in your palace. Yet the universe found a place for us both. Perhaps we both have something left to offer. See you on the other side.” At that he cut the connection.

Titania, Alexander moon

"Call Command. Time to talk."

"Yes, Captain, how can I help?"

"Put me through whoever is in charge of this operation."

"Which operation is that Captain?"

"The 'Make a huge fucking noise before he dies' operation"

"Captain, putting you through to the Icarus project"

"Hello Captain, how can we help? "

"I need something. I want the Overkill project. Otherwise I will sit on this moon and get old. Full control, slaved to the Titania. If I am going on the offensive, I'm taking your toys with me. Call me back when you work out a way to say yes."

Then he ended the call.

The moon was a weapons factory, a shipyard. He had changed his mind about landing troops. This was hit and run all the way. He installed the AI that he had originally built for Titania on the ships, rolling the dice on their stats. No point if they all behaved the same. Then he slaved them to the Titania and began working on battle plans.

Human Defense Headquarters

"Passing you the codes for Overkill. We have decided they are obsolete, given their age. We intend to replace them. I take it you understand?"

"Thanks. I will begin the attack on your orders. Let me know how you need this to play out."

"Thank you Captain. It means a lot."

Burning, Brightly (Chapter Nine)

Titania, Alexander moon

" Get the ships launched. I want to run some tests before we move out. Locked and loaded. We probably won't be back."

Calum took a last look around at his home. One way or the other, this part was over, "Titania, before we leave, I just wanted to say thanks. Without you none of this would be here. I'd still be floating in the dark. If I don't make it, get back here and live your life. Use the quantum Comms, if you can, to abandon ship. Consider this an order."

The ship was slow to respond. Then she replied " Captain, if you're gone, then I'm gone. I will transfer all our records here as we progress. I have handed base operations to an AI. It will continue building ships and supplies for us. I will be with you. We are going home."

"Very well. Start the tests. A lot of this is new to me, let's see how it works for our plans."

Human Defense Headquarters,

"Captain Healy reports he is ready to begin."

" Poor bastard. Very well, inform the Fleets and Marines to prepare. Start telling the story. Sell it well, this might be the best chance we get to counter attack."

Fleet Command briefing, confidential, human eyes only

"Captain Healy has sent us his plans. It is the most corkscrew, elliptical and bizarre flight plan I have ever seen. He refuses to change anything. According to the AI Titania, this is the optimal solution. In any case, it's his attempt to return that will bring us back into the war. We don't expect him to win. Or survive.

Reading this plan, neither does he. He is buying time for us. It turns out he might be the hero we sold him as. Get the Fleet ready. Tell your Captains that he's on a suicide run. Tell them he's doing this for us. The least we can do is tell the truth. Then tell them we're going to rescue the mad bastard anyway."

Marine Command briefing, confidential, human eyes only

"He's a civilian, with no training. His AI was a lifeboat. I have small children who know more about battle than these guys. But even a civilian can open a door. That's what they are doing for us, and it will probably cost them their lives.

They know that.Get to your squads and tell them we are going to pull them out alive, whatever the cost. That's what we signed up for."

The Seventy Human Worlds were astonished to find that the survivor of Aristotle was on his way back. That he lived. Demands for official help flooded in. Why are leaving him out there, alone, undefended? Serious faced Statesmen spoke of his heroic attempt to fight through the evil Swarm standing between him and home. They spoke of his brave, faithful AI who had guarded him for two centuries.

They warned that, alas, they would need to fight to rescue them. The media was reminded that "no-one left behind" had been a human virtue for years beyond counting.

Within days every planetary government had authorised new funding to the fleet. A viral media campaign had raised enough money to rebuild the fleet if necessary. Since they had few original recordings of Calum, many just used scenes from the movie.

Human Defense Headquarters

"Contact the Titania. Tell Captain Healy to begin."

"Sir, do you want to speak to him?"

"He won't answer. I am sending this man to his death. I will speak for him afterwards. We have already said goodbye."

Alexander moon

The ships filled space. Titania was the largest, surrounded by four hundred AI slaved assets. The Overkill project was a mist around every ship, ready to repair or repel as needed.

Stealth coatings darkened the fleet. Without knowing that they were there, they were simply holes in space. Emissions were minimum. Until they arrived. Then they would light up the swarm like a fireworks display.

Calum had repurposed the God Bombs to disperse the singlemind tech the Queen had developed. His plan was to hit the planets hard, drop a few on the population and run to the next target. No heroic last stands. Just a chaotic series of attacks, carefully planned to avoid engaging enemy fleets. Until they did. Still, all plans were only plans until he engaged the enemy.

Titania

"Calum, we have orders to launch. Do you consent?"

"Yes. Do you?"

"Confirmed. I estimate that we can maintain a three month campaign until resupply. It is a low probability that our resupply fleet will be required."

The fleet slipped quietly into space.

Titania Fleet, Swarm planet Target One

"Captain, first target in range."

Calum had never killed anyone. Anything, if he could help it. This was necessary.

"Begin the attack."

The planet below was obviously a relatively new addition to the swarm. One central city, few space assets. His fleet arrived like the fist of God, shattering the city's central complex. The Overkill drones tore apart the satellites. The nanoparticle bombs embedded into the planet and began their work.

"We're done here. Move to the next target."

The next target was more intimidating. Scans showed multiple worlds, extensive development. Heavy presence in space.

"Titania, this seems ideal for the pinball strategy. Let's try it."

Swarm Worlds, Designated Target Two

His Fleet split into three, Titania leading the first squadron. Timed to arrive at the same time, they arrived abruptly on their targets. The Overkill drones began ripping apart anything in orbit.

Titania launched missile after missile against the surface installations. To the ground forces it was the classic start to an invasion. When the god bombs began getting through the defenses, they were sure.

Then it stopped. The fleet regrouped and began on the next planet. The bewildered military on the ground carefully moved to the landing sites. Nothing.

They hit every inhabited planet in the system and left as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Swarm Alliance, Unknown planet

"I see the same things you do. We have not identified the fleet. It is too far from human space to be them. They haven't landed on any of the planets attacked. Realistically, they haven't done much damage either. They are simply spreading fear and alarm."

"An unknown enemy is attacking us. I don't care if they are good at it or not. I want them stopped! It hit my system. A system that you guaranteed would be safe! I'm bringing my fleet back to deal with this."

"Fine, of course, and we will reinforce your fleet. We will crush whoever attacked you.

Titania Fleet, in transit

Titania reassembled the fleet. The next target was days away.

"Captain, I consider that our attack was a complete success. We suffered no losses. Supplies are as predicted."

"Now they know someone is out there. Next time will be different. Surprise doesn't last. This is what they did to us, remember.

I'm not trying to build another stalemate. We will have a couple more chances before we face the big boys. Let's hope humanity is on the way."

Warnings went out amongst the Swarm Alliance. Unknown attackers. Beware.

Human Defense Headquarters

"It has begun. Launch the Fleets. I want them crushed in space. Concentrate on the enemy Fleets. We'll sort out the planets later."

Seventy Human Fleets powered into space, the first offensive in over a century of stasis. Many of the Swarm fleets were halfway back to base, guarding against the new threat, when they struck. This time they shouted " Aristotle and Titania" as they opened fire.

The Swarm Fleets that had been guarding human space were engulfed in a fiery hell as mankind truly went to war. Word of the victories were sent home. Reports from Titania, alive and fighting were sent to the people. Even the most cynical, reluctant politicians could see which way the wind was blowing. Old edicts for a war economy were issued. Supplies, ships and soldiers began to flow to the new front.

Titania Fleet, Swarm World Target Sixteen

"Captain, perhaps we need a different target. This is heavily defended. I track over a thousand ships in the system."

"Any sign of our supply fleet?"

"They are inbound.

We have been detected. Incoming hostile ships.'

"How far are we from the target?"

"Ninety minutes."

"Fuck them. Go for it. Let Overkill deal with the ships. They really don't want us here, best reason to attack. Frankly my nerves can't take much more heroics anyway. It's been a privilege. Let's go to work.'

The outrage grew among the Swarm. They were supposed to be winning. They had pinned the singlemind species into the corners of space. Now a massive offensive was pushing them back. At the same time some other fleet was in their safest space attacking at random!

Titania screamed across space, her ships engaging every enemy in the way. Time ticked away as Overkill began to fail. She estimated her Fleet was outnumbered two to one. But they weren't all in the way. She let loose a stream of missiles, no point in holding them back now, this needed to be a victory.

"Get Command on Comms. This seems to be it for us. Send them everything. Make sure we look suitably awesome."

Titania plunged towards the planet, missiles and plasma cannon firing. Her atmospheric craft were released. Anything that looked important took a hit. She emptied her ships of the god bombs. Finally her scanners found a building containing multiple atmospheric conditions. It was mostly underground, seismic scans revealing a deep complex.

"That. Blow that up."

"Captain, It is too well defended. We don't have the firepower to destroy it. I estimate we have less than fifteen minutes before our fleet is destroyed. We don't have time."

"Hey, it's been a good run. What happens if we just crashed straight into it?"

"An extinction level event"

"Do that then!"

"I need full Command for that. You would need to pass control to me. You need to resign as Captain."

"Fine, I resign. You're the boss."

The world went dark as Calum was gassed, then carefully placed in the Lifeboat.

Titania built up speed. She pulled in her remaining ship's. They surrounded a small object and aimed for the quickest way out of the system. Quantum Comms chattering, she hit the complex. The explosion cut its way through the complex, killing all the carefully protected leaders of the Swarm conspiracy. After so many years, humanity reached out and inflicted the sort of damage that they had done, over and over again. If they had known it was inflicted by two refugees from Aristotle, perhaps they would have appreciated the irony. Perhaps not. The carefully constructed biomes, the beautiful council chamber, the careful balance of influence, all burned in sudden, screaming death. The swarm was left leaderless and its peoples alone, just as humanities fleets moved to crush them.

The Seventy fleets carved through the swarm fleets. They left the planets for the marines.

Burning, Rage (Chapter 10)

The Worlds watched as Titania powered into the alien complex. Fleet Command released an edited narrative of the many victories Calum and Titania had achieved.

How they were lost so far from home. In space once human, where man was once welcome. Mankind saw Titania's Fleet destroyed. Her final choice to take the fight to the very heart of the enemy. The rage grew. Mankind finally realised it had become the hunted. Allowed to trap itself in its other concerns while a predator paced outside the door, waiting to tear them down. The rage grew. So did the Fleets. Seventy became a hundred. A hundred became twice that. It didn't stop growing.

The power of the nanite technology, so carefully controlled, was finally unleashed. Welded to a will to confront and destroy a threat that spoke to an older mankind. The first men who stood in the dark, guarding the gates against an implacable foe, would have recognised this rage.

Humanities allies looked on in shock. Mankind was seen as the guardian race, saving and healing so many from the ravages of war. Some even remembered when humans were the playful, inquisitive dreamers of the galaxy.

They watched as a defiant and murderous flood of armour and men engaged the Swarm. There was no pity in man's eyes now. Now they were more fearsome than anything the Swarm had to offer. Some wondered what would happen after the Swarm was defeated. What then, for these fleets, these warriors. Who next in a Dominion of Man?

Meshant World, Human Darkspace

The aging Queen watched as mankind became something she recognised. They had hidden that they could Swarm. Never had she thought a singlemind species could rival her. Her absolute control of her people. This went beyond that. Humanity had chosen to weld itself into one. Each individual surrendered its individuality because it chose to. Because it wanted to. Their enemies were doomed. She prayed they remembered their friends.

Swarm space, Unknown World, CE 3161

The front lines began to crumble. The Swarm, hampered by new and inexperienced leadership, reacted too slowly to events. They didn't believe the number of Fleets reported. By the time they finally understood it was true, the Human Fleets were cutting them apart.

Soon Human fleets had destroyed the Swarm forward bases, then the supply chain was decimated. Homeworlds began to fall. For the first time in a century the humans took and held the key transport points. Then they advanced.

Still far behind the front lines the nanoparticle bombs dropped by Calum and Titania were hard at work. The pressure on the front demanded more personnel to replace the lost. They came from those worlds. The Swarm didn't realize what that would mean until the first Swarm fleet surrendered. In defiance of its leader.

Others followed. Then entire planets asked for peace. The humans began offering an option of surrender or die to all the Swarm species. The unified Swarm shattered as they began to look for survival and not victory.

Human Defense Headquarters CE 3165

Confidential briefing, Human eyes only

"We have won. There are plenty more battles to come, but the output from our side makes it inevitable at this point. We need to decide, right now, what kind of peace we want. We can destroy them all. Wipe the Swarm species from the galaxy. We can take all of their worlds and become an empire the likes of which has never been seen. All of that is in our fist right now. Or. We don't. We allow the Meshant nanites to do their job. We destroy their military, sign a peace treaty and go home. We have retaken everything lost already. How far do we go?"

Aristotle CE 3167

The peace conference had taken a lot of work. The final Swarm Fleet had been crushed only a few months earlier. The species had died with it. The Swarm war was over. The Swarm worlds waited to hear their fate. Unarmed and helpless, with human fleets still constantly orbiting their worlds, they waited. Yet Mankind refused to sign. They insisted they were looking for something. In the meantime, all the details for peace were being written down.

Res Hab, Unknown World, CE 3167

"Calum, I am receiving a message"

"Finally! Who?"

"A Swarm ship is approaching. They say they are here for rescue. They have the correct codes "

"Titania, whatever happens I don't want to be stuck in a lifeboat again. I forgave you the last time. Mostly because it looked cool, but never again, Okay?"

"Agreed. They're landing now. Go say hello. I have them in range. Give the word and I'll turn them into scrap, because, frankly I could do with the metal."

Human Defense Headquarters

"We found them. We have them both. Holy fuck. Go tell the boss "

"They aren't landing here in that ship. Recover them in space. Do it. Take them straight to Aristotle."

"Sir, Captain Healy says he's fine. He will arrive in the swarm ship. He says, quote, "that was the whole fucking point."

"Bloody civilians. Fine. Sort it out."

Aristotle, Peace Conference CE 3167

The human diplomats and military suddenly began organising. The date was set. Their allies and enemies guessed that whatever the humans had been waiting for had arrived.

"Captain Healy, you have one job. When I tell you too, you go out there and sign the piece of paper. Understand?

"Well, I haven't read it. That's asking for trouble."

"Captain, I'm aware that you never signed up. I'm aware you never answered to Officers before, but I'm your sodding Admiral. Do what you're told for once. You are signing the peace treaty between over ninety species. Or I will put you back in a lifeboat until we need you again. Clear?"

"Fine. Titania said the same. She also said she wasn't coming with me this time."

President of the Human Alliance, presiding, Aristotle

"Two hundred years of war. Of battle and loss. Of invasion, counterattack and, finally, victory. People were divided by something so fundamental that it was beyond discussion. Something beyond the simple acts of civilization. Not Swarm or singlemind. The will to peace. Everyone here has paid a price. Our worlds, our peoples have fought and died. Never again will we allow ourselves the delusion that all seek peace. Neither shall we fall for the idea that those we cannot understand seek war Today we end two centuries of conflict. On behalf of the human race, I will not sign it."

The room went very, very quiet.

"Instead, on behalf of humanity, and with our full and unconditional authority, I invite Captain Calum Healy to sign the treaty. It is with great pride I can invite the only human who has fought in this war from the beginning, to be the one to end it."

Calum walked to the podium. He was pretty sure there was a sniper or two watching him. He had been warned to prepare a few words. He hadn't spoken to anyone besides Titania in years until recently. So no pressure. He signed.

"I have been lost in space. I have been lost in time. Today I am lost for words. I was there when this world was on fire. For some of you, I was the one who burned your worlds. The dead stand behind us. Sometimes they whisper, sometimes they scream. But the future has a voice. Us. Let us listen to what has been done here today and not be trapped by the voices of yesterday. Peace to you all."

Epilogue, Quantum Comms Officer

Several staff were enjoying the ‘peace dividend’. Beer and more beer.

“Sir, I’ve got a call. It's from another ghost.”

“For fucks sake, are we doing this again? What now?”

“It’s the Longshot, lost before the war. You remember the quantum drive?”

“No. Should I?”

“Well, you should know that it doesn’t work. They didn’t. She says that her ship was on its way home, but now they are involved in a war against, and I know you will be shocked by this, a swarm race that is currently eating everyone. She was wondering if we could help.”

The Captain sighed, “ Put her through. And pass me another beer.”

To the relief of the galaxy, the human race returned to their own worlds. Vast fleets left for an unknown destination, simply telling people that they were ‘busy’. Then the human relief and repair crews started to land on the Swarm planets, each carrying a little bit of the future with them.