64 light years away

[Omicron]

Kansas, Turtle Creek nebula

Alien derelict floated in dense cloud, standing monument to civilization past. Damaged structure dwarfed even a carrier, standing by to fulfil its role. “Operation is a go, deploying the task force now…” Commander has issued. Three small ships emerged from metal hull, setting course immediately towards extraterrestrial artifact. Human vessels had no issues interfacing with decayed systems of the gate, starting up sequence. Ship disappeared in almost instant blink of light, followed by two other vessels. There was nothing that could be done to help them, gate’s malfunction preventing OCV Fedayeen from following. Wasting no time, The Order was quick to rally its assets and move out. Eight marines and handful of scientists were now isolated and out of reach. Mission’s fate and their own very survival was in their hands from now on…

Unknown, deep space

All ships emerged after jump. The starscape before them was nothing else they have ever witnessed with their own eyes. Pilot on Valkyrie’s flight looked wide around. They emerged in fair distance to gas giant, leaving another gate behind them. Except this one refused to comply with everything humanity’s ingenuity could have been thrown at it. Their sightseeing was broken by scanners going crazy as ship systems went nominal. Kate unseated herself from her place in cargohold, making way towards pilot. “Arctic, snap out of it! We have work to do here…”

“Set course to a waypoint… engines at full power.” Valkyrie commanded, getting them into motion. While in transit, she had time to recollect her thoughts. Already had scouted this wicked place on earlier recon, given more than enough time to observe abnormality of this star system. “Readings are off the scale, commander” Her pilot elaborated, trying to relax in pilot’s seat despite what he saw. “Enormous radiation… we are not going to last in here.” Arctic expressed his doubts, realizing where they all just leaped into. The gate behind them was long dead, onboard electronics slowly falling to the environment. The only safe place for them was what they named The Shrine. Thought of boarding alien station in middle of nowhere was only slightly more comforting when compared to a choice of a slow death in deep space, away from home.

They had some time to themselves, able to speculate basing on informations they had. Seemingly source of hellish radiation was the sun itself. Fact that Nomads could not only survive but even thrive in this system was terrifying thought to a simple Order marine driving armored target practice through this void. Three fellow soldiers accompanied Valkyrie on this particular freighter. Arctic, serving in capacity as a pilot is veteran from Toledo battle. Earned his nickname due how he excelled himself on the frontlines against Core landing parties in freezing storms that set backed both sides. Nemesis was always a quiet one, most senior of the team. Chaos was his antithesis, serving in capacity as their heavy weapons specialist. Second freighter carried another fire team of four, third being essentially their supply ship. Along the ride, three scientists to aid them in tasks requiring considerable knowledge beyond zero gravity warfare drills. “Can’t wait to put this gem into use.” Chaos uttered, destroying the fragile and relative quiet enjoyed by rest of the crew. Nemesis looked no doubt grim at him, his face obstructed by full helmet of his armor.

Their hulls kept just fine on their voyage, meant to spare them from likely deadly consequences of exposure. Eventually they could make out an unusual structure in midst of dust field they plowed through. “This must be it” Arctic said out loud. Valkyrie tried to sleep but to no avail, already taken generous rest prior to the mission. If she could at least sleep over the uncertainty, ought to remain sound of mind when the time comes. End of the line eventually happened as they shut down cruise engines. Valkyrie took the ship’s comms to contact rest of the group. “Gear up everyone, we are moving in.” She called out to two remaining freighters. Templar, leading the other four to the frail. A non-combatant piloting their supply ship by name of Harris, sounded in. According to plan, he was to bring his ship last to allow boarding team to clear out landing spot. Unknowingly, all systems were restored to normal as if they were operating in any other normal star system. Arctic noticed it as he was drawing his pistol. Radiation gradually subsided the closer they were drawing to the opening.

“Rock’n’roll…” Chaos told to himself, waiting impatiently now for the action.

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