Chapter seven(S)

There are some anomalous sectors of space dotted around the galaxy. For example, a whole sector in which everything is just missing. All the matter in an entire sector, from stars and planets down to the smallest specks of dust, gone. Needless to say, the Ancients probably did it. Why though?

Selene sat on her couch as she tried to process the sheer absurdity of the last cycle.

She had been kidnapped into the space outside the universe, met an alien AI that claimed it was an Ancient, spoke with it, and watched it blow up a black hole.

Needless to say, she was still very shocked and confused. She had simply been fed too much information. Still, now more than ever, she needed to be strong. The rest of the fleet was having the same problems she was having, and they needed stability.

Some people were taking it better than others. The head of ordonnance was ecstatic to see a black hole blow up, while the science department was covering their ears and insisting that none of the events that had occurred made any scientific sense at all.

She herself was somewhere in the middle. On one hand she had learnt quite a bit of science and everything she had learnt was screaming at her that what had happened was impossible, on the other hand a large part of her mind told her to just roll with it.

Just as she was trying to get her thoughts in order, her personal tablet beeped. It was a call from the other leaders. As she joined,she saw they were all in their private quarters.

“The purpose of this meeting is to privately discuss the event that we just experienced and any ramifications that might occur as a result.” The leader of the Borond leader opened the discussion.

“There’ll be a reaction from nearly all of the Ancient-worship cults. The problem is what the reaction will be. It mostly depends on whether the think it to be true, or a fraud.” The Sythren leader started.

“The more extreme factions in the Republic might respond, too. The more conservative factions will probably just wait and observe while preparing their defenses.” Selene carried on.

“Why don’t we use the anomaly to help destroy the Republic?” The warlike Grent leader was very dim-witted, Selene thought as she laughed.

“You dare laugh at me!” The Grent leader was instantly enraged.

“And pray, how are you going to force the alien to do your bidding?”

“We’ll offer it an alliance!”

“And what do you think an entity who can reflect railguns rounds and travel between universes need from you?” Silence.

“We’ll just threaten it then! Force is always the answer!” Everyone else looked at the Grent leader as if he was crazy.

“Let me get this straight. You're going to threaten an entity who can destroy black holes.” The Grent leader fell silent.

After a bit of silence, the Borond leader spoke.

“I think we all need a bit of time to think more deeply about this. I propose we meet again next cycle to discuss this further.” With that, her coms screen went dark.

Sitting in the dark, she sighed and steeled her resolve. She could not afford to be weak, especially at such a time riddled with uncertainty as now. It was time to put up a brave facade, to hide the uncertainty underneath. The fleet needed a leader, and she was going to give them one.