The Flame From The Void

[Charos]

Chapter 1: Bitter Homecoming

Kansas System ,2350 Hours, #SYSTEM ERROR#

• HFB-Polyphemus
  
• ID: Markus Brass
  
• Rank: Lord Commander
  

My name is Markus Brass, Captain of the Polyphemus and Lord Commander of the Legion.

After several years in the uncharted region of Sirius, a trip that has cost us time away from our homes and our loved ones and the Legion. A trip that took away people that were friends, lovers, family. I would of hoped that would the toll we paid, on our flight back home. We've tried hailing in the Legion frequency, a call that would be only answered by the void. Star Captain Fightmaster would try all known frequencies and check the communications often for damages but the truth was much harsher.

They were gone.

Our home, Vespucci, was empty and our hails in the system communications returned only silence. There was no faulty equipment, everything was in order, the problem lied elsewhere. I ordered the helm to set course for Leniex, perhaps the nebula grew in intensity and blocked all communications in and out. On our way there we spotted scrapped metal, debris and military grade energy traces and a few clicks further we would find more clues -clues that would give us the cold sweat-, a Legion patrol group turned almost to ash except a distress beacon transmitting faintly, just enough for anyone close enough to receive its transmission. We moved anything that could be salvaged to the hangar bay 03-A, the cockpit was almost intact with the cold body of a private preserved in a horrid state. The medical team moved the body for examination and we began downloading data from the ship's systems. I've attached the patrol log to this entry.

. . . . . .
Accessing file: HLP-1/3, Vespucci patrol....
[START]
. . . . . .
<Sound from machinery and personnel in the background which reminisced of a fighter hangar. Cockpit hatch closing.>
-CO: Patrol Wing 1, check your ships status and prepare for take off, it's a routine patrol but keep it professional.
-Wing Leader: Roger that mission control, see you in a few hours. <Wing Leader addresses to his wingmen> Alright, let's welcome the two rookies by showing them around Vespucci, Dave. Check your ship's status to ensure you're good to go, after that follow my lead.
-Private Hastings: Y-yes sir. <Hastings was breathing heavily as if he was extremely anxious, but happy> All systems green, good to go sir!
-Rookie 2: Good to go sir!
-Wing Leader: Alright, we're taking off, remember your training and you will be fine.
<Ship engines are powering up and soon they're taking off, transmissions concerning the patrol and some tips from the wing leader followed for some time before weird readings started popping up and the immediate order from the wing leader to break off and retreat followed.>
-Wing Leader: Our comms are jammed, rookies, break off and retreat to Leniex and warn the rest, Liberty's here! We'll buy you some t- <A plasma projectile cut the leader's ship in half before exploding, scattering pieces of metal in the immediate area. Numerous squadrons of Liberty strikecraft accompanied by massive capital ships ambushed the patrol near the Kansas jumphole. It would seem like a nightmare come to life as the secret Legion's home system was discovered by their arch-enemy. Private Hastings was nervously maneuvering away for his life while his wingmen fell one by one. A plasma projectile hit him in the engine causing an explosion, separating the ship in numerous deformed pieces and destroying the ship's vital systems. By chance, the cockpit was destroyed only partially, allowing the pilot a few more minutes to live and witness the magnitude of the threat to his home, before succumbing to the cold feeling of death. The log continues to record for what it seems forever before being recovered by the Polyphemus.>

. . . . . .
Closing File
[END]
. . . . . .

Our homes -my home- were gone.

Sadly, we weren't able to recover any more information as I deemed it necessary to retreat and keep our presence hidden until we collect more information to cautiously plot our course in what is now, hostile territory. In all my years of service I've never thought this could actually happen, I wasn't mentally prepared for this, my only regret is not being here and counter the assault but, I'm not going to lose my hope just yet, there might be Legionnaires out there waiting for us. I think... I think I'll end this recording here, I'm in too great of a shock and grief to continue. <Brass takes a deep breath and exhales>

Brass out.