As I slowly remove my hand from the memory device I am assaulted by notifications, from my ship brain, and the sound of people panicking. I slowly, relatively speaking, piece together why everyone is freaking out.

‘It would seem that my body and the ship completely stopped functioning for the duration of time, 5 minutes, which I was viewing Gunter’s final days. No wonder everyone is panicking. If my only lifeline home suddenly shut down I would panic as well.’

I turn to the second Lt who has been shaking my shoulder for a while. “Lt Gobsman everything is fine now.” I point at the device, “Could you please bag that device? It’s a partially damaged memory transfer device and it could prove immensely useful in the future.”

I stand there while the marines comply with my request whilst shooting me worried looks. I couldn’t really care less at the moment while I’m transferring everything I’ve seen to the ship brain for review and dissemination. I still find it odd that a race that can achieve some means of FTL could be so primitive in nature.

I’m not talking about the swarm mentality but rather the complete lack of any advanced hardware used by the foot soldiers. It would actually be probable, and my ship brain agrees, that there is some kind of hive mind. Gunter never saw anything like it but it could have remained in space for the duration of the conquest and came down when it was safe.

I notice Cpt Johnson wants to talk to me so I switch over to the ship. He, understandably, wants an explanation on why I suddenly went offline for 5 minutes. I couldn’t tell him that my consciousness was sucked into an alien device so I told a white lie and said an alien device had required all of my processing power.

I then informed him about the alien invaders that had committed genocide on the planet Longari below. I also told him I would have a video, minus the feelings and thoughts, ready by the time my body returned to the ship. The normally calm and steady Johnson actually joked that next time something like this happens I should at least leave the lights on when I left. I looked at the ship logs and saw people flailing around in the dim lighting provided by the emergency lights. I might have laughed had my emotions not been in turmoil from what I've just seen.

Everyone was recalled to the ship in light of recent events, no one wanted to become an alien snack. Eventually everyone had boarded the ship and we moved out of orbit of Longari. It was once we were out of any potentially dangerous remnants of the swarm type aliens that the heads of the ship met in the conference room.

Agent White, Cpt Johnson and Cpt Green all watched silently as the edited footage played in front of them. I had cut out most of the nonessential portions of Gunter’s memories, things nonrelated to their enemy, but it still took 3 hours for the entire thing. I had also prepared a condensed report but they wanted to see for themselves what actually happened.

Cpt Green was the first to speak, “This looks like a tricky problem if we were attacked by them. The sheer number of them is the most problematic without resorting to weapons of mass destruction or chemical attacks. I can’t even imagine how many ships would be required to ferry them from one planet to the next and that’s not the biggest problem either. There was at least 20 of the little buggers that popped out of that cocoon in less than several hours.”

Cpt Johnson also spoke up, “We didn’t even see if they used any weapons in space. For all we know they just rammed the ships causing them to explode. In addition they appeared right next to or very close to the Longarian fleet so either they’re astronomically unlucky or this was a planned attack.”

I chime in as well, “They also have a significantly better warp drive or a different form of FTL to get that close to the planet’s gravity well. This stands at odds with what we’ve seen from the ground troops and their intelligence level. It is entirely plausible that there is an unseen party pulling the strings of these aliens.”

Everyone scowls at the possibility. Agent White speaks up for the first time, “I suggest that we immediately head back to Gaia. With a potential threat so close to home we need to have every man and ship ready to defend as possible. I’ll be sending this information back home and I expect you,’ he stabs his finger at me, ‘to send me the unedited footage now.”

I send the footage as Agent White straightens up. “If there is nothing else I’ll be leaving now.” We no one replies he grabs his things and leaves the conference room. Cpt Johnson and Cpt Green are preparing to leave when I stop them.

“I would request that Dave be able to study the recovered memory device. I think it would pair very well with our VR simulators and could potentially be a great boon for us.” “That seems like an entirely reasonable request.” Cpt Johnson replies, “Why couldn’t you just ask that when Agent White was here?”

“Well Agent White hates both Dave and I so anything that I suggest that involves him would probably be denied.” They both chuckle at the answer. “That he certainly does. Alright I’ll inform Dr. Dave about his new assignment for the journey back.” Cpt Johnson looks over at Cpt Green. “I’m feeling like a drink after watching that video. Want to take a sip or two when we’re off duty tonight?”

Green perks up, “From the Captain’s personal stash? Count me in.” They both leave comparing their personal preferences in booze.

We leave the Longarians final resting place two days later in our longest warp yet. The journey will take many months but hopefully we will arrive before the ominous clouds on the horizon transform into a storm that we must weather.

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Bleh, the weather outside is gloomy and it's sapping my motivation to write. On another writing note I will be gone for the next week doing life stuff. I don't know what the chapter output will be for that week but don't expect much.

I also came face to face with my first grammar nazi, 0 out of 5 for grammar. I knewd my inglish isn't gooder dont hate. [th_084_.gif] Be happy!

This is not to say I didn't take his advice just that it was harsh.

Like I said in an earlier chapter this is my first story so advice, even harsh advice, is welcomed. I still might make a joke about it but I do take the advice seriously.