"The stars are not given—they are claimed. And under my Empire, they burn crimson with our dominion."

  – Imperator Valerian Rhys II

  14 Dominatus, Year 340 ISR

  Captain Valda Voss paced back and forth across the deck of the Starseeker's bridge, her boots clicking against metal. The holographic projections of the other ship captains – Jax of the Ironclad, Vance of the Stargazer, Thorne of the Vanguard, and Volkov of the Prospector – shimmered around the command dais, their attention fixed on her. The bridge crew, maintaining their posts, watched their Captain, the unusual tension in the air palpable.

  "Where is Administrator Chen?" Captain Voss asked, her voice carrying a note of concern.

  Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lena Hanson stepped forward slightly, her brow furrowed with worry. "She's currently indisposed, Captain. Despite the rest of the fleet reporting no significant issues after the jump, Administrator Chen is the only one who has fallen unconscious."

  Captain Voss stopped pacing, her gaze settling on Lena. "Have you drawn any conclusions as to why she's the only one who has experienced this?"

  Dr. Hanson held her hands together, her expression thoughtful. "I have some preliminary theories, Captain, but before I can come to a definitive conclusion, I'd prefer to keep them to myself for now. Further observation is required."

  Captain Voss gave a curt nod, her steel-grey eyes sweeping over the holographic projections of the other captains. An aura of command emanated from her, the weight of her position as Captain of the Red Sun fleet settling upon the bridge.

  "Captains," she addressed them, her voice resonating with authority, "the floor is yours. I need your thoughts on the matter currently at hand."

  The imposing holographic figure of Commander Theron Jax of the Ironclad flickered into focus, his presence casting a silent tension across the command bridge. Though grizzled by age, Jax radiated the kind of strength that couldn't be trained—only forged in fire. His military uniform, crossed with stripes of black and red, shimmered beneath the projection’s light, the colors of the Crimson Empire bleeding through every thread. Each medal and insignia pinned to his chest told stories of brutal campaigns and victories clawed from war.

  “Captain,” he said, voice like steel drawn from a sheath, “with all due respect, our first priority must be the fleet’s security. We are adrift in uncharted space—unknown stars, unknown threats. We can’t afford assumptions. Hell, are we even still within the bounds of the Imperion Spiral?”

  Captain Valda Voss considered his words. Despite their frequent clashes, she respected Jax’s unwavering dedication to the fleet’s safety. "He’s right, of course. Security must be paramount. But still… we are the Red Sun Fleet. We were forged to explore the unknown, not cower from it.'

  “Your words have merit, Commander Jax,” she said, her voice a steady blend of steel and reason, “but do not our mission. We are the Red Sun Fleet—pioneers standing at the edge of the Imperion Spiral. We do not let fear chart our course. Remember we are the .”

  Jax’s holographic form stood tall, though light flickered across his projection like the tension still burning beneath his surface. Recognizing the finality in her tone, he offered a curt nod—his silence speaking volumes.

  Tactical Officer Commander Rex Dalton, eyes locked on the new stellar chart Lieutenant Kai Mendes was piecing together on his datapad, furrowed his brow. “Are we truly lost, Captain?” he asked. “Do we know nothing about this system? If so, then Commander Jax is right—prioritizing security in the face of total ignorance is the only logical course.”

  Captain Elara Vance's projection shifted, a flicker of motion as she parsed a stream of sensor data. “My scans indicate we’re in a system with eight planetary bodies. Several appear tidally locked or carry surface temperatures unsuitable for life as we understand it. A few are gas giants. However—”

  She paused, her gaze narrowing as she expanded the visual in the center of the holographic table.

  “—we must deploy the Starseeker’s and long-range probes immediately. Especially toward the third planet—the blue one. Its atmospheric composition and thermal signature suggest a high probability of supporting life.”

  “Yes! Captain Vance speaks the truth!” exclaimed Chief Science Officer Dr. Jian Li, throwing his arms up in sudden excitement. “The quantum resonance readings, the alien stellar cartography—this is no ordinary detour. I believe we haven’t just stumbled into uncharted space… we’ve crossed into a parallel universe! One brimming with secrets waiting to be uncovered!”

  Captain Rylan Thorne, his young but resolute face projected into the chamber, spoke with the calm cadence of a rising military tactician. “While the potential for discovery is significant, Captain, none of it will matter if we fail to assess the threats this system may harbor. Curiosity cannot override caution. Besides none of Dr. Jian Li's thoughts are confirmed.”

  Captain Valda Voss turned stayed silent for a moment, countless thoughts going through her mind before shifting her gaze toward Lieutenant Kai Mendes at the navigation station, her gaze expectant. “Lieutenant Mendes, do you have a visual lock on the third planet?”

  Mendes’s fingers flew over his console, eyes scanning streams of cascading data. “Yes, Captain,” he replied, a hint of awe slipping into his voice. “I have a visual lock. Magnifying now…”

  On his monitor, a swirling blue marble began to resolve itself from the distant stars. Oceans of deep sapphire dominated the view, interspersed with continents of green and brown, all wreathed in delicate swirls of white clouds. It was a breathtaking sight, a vibrant sphere of color against the stark blackness of space.

  "Project it onto the main viewscreen, Lieutenant," Captain Voss commanded, her own gaze drawn to the image on Mendes's display.

  With a few swift keystrokes, the alien starscape on the main viewscreen dissolved, replaced by the stunning vista of the blue planet. A collective gasp rippled across the bridge. Even the hardened holographic images of the veteran captains seemed to hold a moment of silent awe.

  "By the crimson stars…" Commander Jax murmured, his gruff voice unusually soft.

  Captain Elara Vance leaned forward in her holographic projection, her eyes narrowing with fierce curiosity as streams of sensor data shimmered before her. “Incredible… the atmospheric pressure cycles indicate seasonal flux, the cloud patterns show high-altitude jet streams, and the surface reflectivity—look at that albedo. We're looking at a living world, Captain. This isn't just Earth-like; it’s biologically active.”

  She tapped a command on her panel, cycling through overlays of climate data and energy signatures. “Landmass distribution suggests tectonic activity, and those coastal erosion patterns? That’s liquid water—moving water. My initial spectral scan was correct, but this… this exceeds every probability model. I strongly recommend immediate deployment of the Starseeker's probes—priority one. Whatever this planet is, it’s not just habitable. It’s thriving.”

  Dr. Jian Li, who had been practically vibrating with suppressed energy at his station, couldn't contain himself any longer. "Not just supporting life, Captain Vance!" he burst out, leaning forward, his intense eyes fixed on the expanding image of the blue planet. "The isotopic ratios in its atmosphere, the spectral analysis of its reflected light—they match the complex biosignatures theoretical models predicted for highly evolved, self-sustaining ecosystems! This is not merely Earth-like in appearance; it's a living, breathing world!" His voice, though excited, held a razor-sharp clarity that cut through the tension. "This validates our distinct reality hypothesis! The sheer probability of encountering a world with such advanced xenobiological markers... the scientific implications are staggering! I concur with Captain Vance, we need to deploy xenobio-probes, atmospheric samplers, geological scanners—everything!"

  "Lieutenant Mendes, continue to monitor all sensor readings in the vicinity of this planet. Captain Vance, I want your team to begin compiling a detailed analysis of all available data on its atmosphere, surface conditions, and any detectable energy signatures. Commander Dalton, maintain tactical readiness."

  "Already on it, Captain!" Commander Dalton acknowlegded. Already communicating with his team.

  The holographic image of Captain Borin Volkov of the Prospector, his rugged features slightly softened by the blue light of the planet on the viewscreen, chimed in, "Captain Voss, with all due respect, while the scientists are busy marveling, I'd like to echo Captain Vance's suggestion to prioritize those probes. An Earth-like planet could mean a wealth of compatible resources. The sooner we can get some preliminary scans of its geological composition, the better."

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Quartermaster Officer Ben Carter, who had been standing next to Chief Officer Engineer Anya Petrova, his attention divided between the holographic conference and the data streams on his own console, spoke up, his voice tired but urgent. "Captain Voss," Carter said, his exhausted eyes flicking towards the image of the blue planet, then settling on Captain Volkov's projection. "Captain Volkov is absolutely right. While the scientific data is crucial, our long-term viability hinges on securing compatible resources. The moment Captain Vance's team has even preliminary atmospheric and geological scans, I need that data. We need to know what resources are available here. Our antimatter reserves are…for now, but an extended stay in this reality necessitates a proactive approach to replenishment."

  Chief Engineer Anya Petrova stepped forward slightly, her gaze fixed on the visual of the blue planet, her mind already running calculations about potential energy yields and structural adaptation. "Captain," she said, her voice losing none of its usual directness, "with your permission, I'd like to begin assessing our fleet's current resource extraction and processing capacity, and formulating preliminary engineering protocols for ground-based surveys. We need to understand what kind of equipment modifications might be necessary if this planet offers a viable solution to our logistical challenges. Being ready to move quickly is key."

  "Duly noted, Captain Volkov, Chief Engineer Petrova, and Quartermaster Carter," Captain Voss replied, her gaze briefly meeting Carter's and then Anya's gaze. "Ensign Khan, have the long-range probes been deployed?"

  Ensign Zara Khan nodded, her gaze fixed on her console. "Probe deployment initiated, Captain. All long-range units are now on their designated trajectories towards the blue planet, as requested by Captain Vance."

  The main viewscreen offered a wider, more dynamic view of the fleet against the backdrop of the unfamiliar star system. With sharp, near-silent bursts, cylindrical shapes of light detached from the hulls of the Starseeker and the other vessels. These were the probes, streaks of pure velocity against the black. Engineered for speed and data acquisition, they accelerated away with breathtaking speed, becoming rapidly shrinking points of light as they hurtled through the immense vacuum, tiny messengers carrying the fleet's hopes towards the distant, beckoning blue world.

  Captain Elara Vance leaned forward in her holographic projection, a hopeful expression on her face. "Excellent! With any luck, we should start receiving preliminary atmospheric readings within the next few hours. Surface scans will take a bit longer, but even initial data will be invaluable."

  "Indeed!" Dr. Jian Li exclaimed, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Imagine, Captain! The possibilities! We could be on the verge of discovering an entirely new ecosystem!"

  Captain Rylan Thorne, his young face unyielding even in holographic projection, gazed at the visual spectacle. His earlier caution was clearly not abated, if anything, the sight of a thriving world seemed to sharpen his focus on potential threats. "We must prioritize threat assessment above all else. Any world capable of harboring life is a potential vector for unforeseen hostile elements. Ensuring the fleet's strategic security in this unknown sector is paramount. Again Curiosity, however compelling, cannot override tactical necessity. Our security protocols must remain at ."

  Captain Voss studied the image on the main viewscreen, her expression one of analytical assessment. The blue planet held a certain allure, a promise of discovery, but Thorne's words were a stark reminder of the potential dangers. She was an at heart, but understood the safety of her crew should come first.

  Captain Voss nodded, her gaze still fixed on the image of the blue planet. "Understood, Captain Thorne. I will take yours and Commander Jax words to heart. Lieutenant Mendes, continue to monitor all sensor readings in the vicinity of this planet. Captain Vance, your team will be the first to analyze the probe data. I want a comprehensive report on my desk as soon as possible. Prioritize habitability, resource potential, and any signs of technological civilization. Commander Dalton, activate fleet-wide cloaking modules. Let's not announce our presence just ."

  She paused, her gaze sweeping across the holographic faces of her senior officers, and then to Anya, Lena, Ben, and Rex who stood around the command dais. "For now, we hold our position. We will await the initial probe data before making any further decisions regarding our course of action. Commander Jax, maintain a heightened state of alert. Captain Thorne and Commander Jax, keep your weapons systems online. Captain Volkov, prepare the Prospector for potential resource assessment and extraction, but await further instructions. Chief Engineer Petrova, have your teams ready for any preliminary surveys or landings once we have more data."

  Captain Voss took a deep breath. "This is a new chapter for the Red Sun Fleet. Let us proceed with diligence and a clear understanding of our priorities. The meeting is adjourned for now. Await my signal for further instructions once the probe data begins to arrive."

  The holographic projections of the other captains flickered and then dissolved, leaving Captain Voss standing on the bridge with her senior officers and the ever-present image of the alien blue planet on the main viewscreen.

  At the forward helm, Tristan Grey and Jessica Richards remained focused on their instruments, their eyes occasionally glancing at the captivating image of the blue planet, a silent reflection of the mixture of excitement and apprehension that permeated the bridge. The low hum of the ship filled the silence, a constant reminder of their isolation and the vast unknown that lay before them.

  Tristan Grey, the Starseeker's main pilot, leaned slightly forward in his seat, a subtle thrill running through him at the sight of the unknown blue world. A whole new set of variables, he thought, a flicker of dangerous excitement in his eyes. Can't wait to see how she handles in these parameters. His fingers itched to put the ship through its paces, to feel the subtle shifts of this alien gravity well.

  Beside him, Jessica Richards, was already deep into the flight data, her mind calculating optimal thrust vectors and anticipating potential atmospheric densities. "Tristan," she said, her voice calm but focused, her gaze scanning lines of cascading telemetry. "I'm flagging a persistent micro-gravitational fluctuation near the planet's primary satellite. Registering a localized mass distortion, roughly 0.7 gees at current proximity. Nothing critical yet, but log it for approach calibration. I'm also rerouting secondary power coils to reinforce inertial dampeners and optimizing vector response protocols for potential evasive maneuvers, just in case."

  Tristan grinned, a flash of his daring nature showing through. "Always plotting the hard burns and the quick pivots, Jess. That's why you're the best co-pilot a reckless flyboy could ask for." He tapped a finger against the helm control. "Just give me the numbers, and I'll make the ship sing."

  Jessica rolled her eyes, a faint smile touching her lips for a brief second before her gaze locked back onto the probes as they hurtled towards the world before them.

  ...

  16 March 2025 - 00:00 AM

  Maryland

  NASA

  Chesapeake Bay Space Observatory - CBSO

  The digital clock blinked to midnight—00:00—a silent but precise harbinger of the day that would split history in two. The hum of the observatory's systems was a quiet symphony of ordered chaos beneath the tension building in the secure viewing room. No one spoke for a moment. The silence wasn't empty. It was loaded, dense, waiting to burst.

  Agent David Chen sat on the edge of his seat, elbows braced on his knees, hands clasped so tightly the knuckles had gone pale. His eyes didn't blink. The monitor in front of him displayed sharpened images of the unidentified objects now unmistakably shaped—cylindrical, metallic, deliberate. They glinted with a sheen that looked too perfect, too cold to be natural. He had seen surveillance feeds from across the world in his years at the Agency, but nothing—not stolen satellite tech, not stealth drones—had ever looked like this.

  Standing beside him, Colonel Sarah Jenkins had the posture of someone who had trained herself to carry the weight of the world with still shoulders. Yet even she couldn't hide the slight tremor in her fingers where they rested on her biceps. Her jaw was clenched hard, the muscle twitching slightly every time the image refreshed on screen.

  Behind them, Director Kenneth Thompson paced like a ghost caught in a loop. Normally charismatic and authoritative, he now moved with a kind of haunted restraint. The red-rimmed edge of his eyes suggested he hadn't blinked much in the past hour either. Or slept.

  From the overhead intercom, Evelyn Reed's voice came through with surgical calm:

  "Speed unchanged. Objects remain in tight formation. Estimated arrival in approximately six hours, and give or take seven minutes."

  Marcus Harley, astrophysicist and CBSO's lead civilian analyst, had always been the quiet sort—smart, awkward, borderline brilliant. But tonight, there was something different in his silence. He wasn't just stunned. He was afraid.

  "Six hours," he finally muttered, eyes flicking to the display, then away again. "That's… not a lot of time to process the end of the world."

  "No one's said it's the end," Agent Chen replied instinctively, though his voice lacked conviction.

  "It's not the end," Jenkins added more firmly. She shifted her stance, subtly placing herself between the room and the image—as if preparing to intercept whatever might come through the screen. "But we can't afford false comfort."

  Agent Chen glanced over at her. "Colonel, what's your assessment? You've seen combat drones, prototype aerospace crafts, classified weapons tech… Does any of this look familiar to you?"

  She studied the shapes again before answering, her voice low and deliberate. "No. And that terrifies me. These structures aren't just aerodynamic. They're aggressive. Efficient. That formation? It's military. Tactical. It screams coordination." Her eyes met his. "And it's not ours."

  Director Thompson stopped pacing. "Then we escalate this to the President. We're out of our depth."

  "Already done," came a crisp reply from the comms device on Jenkins' wrist. "The President is awake and convening an emergency session of the NSC."

  The words settled on them like snow—soft, silent, but undeniably cold.

  Chen's fingers tapped his thigh as he scanned the screen again. "Dr. Harley, you mentioned the materials are… exotic. What are we looking at?"

  Harley swallowed hard before pulling up the spectral analysis. The holographic projection lit the center of the room in ghostly blue. "The probes' exteriors are composed of metallic compounds that defy classification in our current materials databases. There are trace elements here we can't even name—patterns in the material suggest some level of intrinsic programming, as if the structure itself is designed to adapt or react."

  Colonel Jenkins stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied the projection. "So we have objects that are fast, perfectly coordinated, and constructed from unknown, perhaps even 'intelligent' materials. And yet, their source is a complete mystery." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "We have six hours until these things reach Earth—and we don't know if they're benign, hostile, or something in between."

  Chen stood, determination sharpening his voice. "Then we need to prepare for all eventualities. I'll notify my field offices immediately. Public reaction could be catastrophic if this information leaks without full analysis."

  Thompson, now standing by the window and looking out at a clear Maryland sky that seemed eerily oblivious to the cosmic drama.

  "We pray they come in peace," he murmured. "But we brace for war."

  The room fell quiet once more, the glow of the monitors casting eerie silhouettes on the walls. Outside, the world slept—blissfully unaware. Inside, four people stood in the shadow of the unknown, facing a future that was no longer fiction.

  The clock continued its steady march forward.

  Tick.

  Tick.

  Tick.

  And the sky was falling.

  Hey everyone,

  If you've made it this far, thank you! I know Chapter 4 might have felt a bit like a strategic briefing, a lot of setup and moving pieces. But I truly appreciate you sticking with the Red Sun Fleet as they navigate this bewildering new reality.

  My intention with this chapter was to really establish the stakes and the different personalities within Captain Voss's command. We see the cautious military minds of Jax and Thorne, the eager scientific curiosity of Vance and Li, and the pragmatic concerns of Volkov and Carter. These different perspectives will be crucial as the fleet grapples with the implications of finding what appears to be a parallel Earth.

  The discovery of the blue planet is, of course, a major turning point. It offers hope for resources and potentially even a new home, but as Thorne rightly points out, it also carries significant risks. This tension between the desire for discovery and the need for caution will be a driving force in the chapters to come.

  And of course, the final scene shifts back to Earth, introducing a new set of characters who are about to have their world irrevocably changed by the arrival of the probes. This parallel narrative is something I'm excited to explore, showing the unfolding events from both sides of the potential first contact.

  So, thank you again for your patience. The stage is now set, the pieces are moving, and the collision course has been established. I hope you'll join me as we see what happens when these two very different worlds finally meet.

  Onwards!

  — A.M