Deterrence - Deep Omega Stories

[Slimy]

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Sender ID

Alejandra Sara Lopez

Location

Planet Gran Canaria - Omega-49

Recipient - Encryption

Deterrence - Heavily encrypted

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Hola chicas,

It's... difficult to know where to begin, but I must document what happened.

It started during a classified project at the Evia Research Complex.
One moment, we were on the verge of a breakthrough; the next, a blinding flash.
My vessel, my team, their ships... everything was pulled into a place that isn't on any star chart.
I pray they are safe, but I haven't heard from any of them. I am the only one who has returned to tell this tale.

I awoke to the shriek of alarms in my Dromedary's cockpit and the biting, acrid smell of burnt circuitry and all this smoke.
I had no idea where I was. But a far worse question haunted me: where were my people? Had I failed them?
The silence on the comms was a crushing weight.

My NavCom blared warnings of gravimetric hazards. Then I saw it - a swirling vortex of nothingness that devoured the light around it,
the Baleful Eye, a black hole that consumes all. I don't think I have ever known fear like that.

Somehow, I pushed the panic down. I managed to divert auxiliary power,
coaxing just enough energy to engage the cruise drives. As my vessel lurched into the void, away from that maw,
I took a moment to assess my ship. That's when I found it. Something was in my cargo hold that wasn't there before:
a mysterious, intricate alien structure. In that moment, my fear was eclipsed by a singular, burning thought:
I had to get this back to the Evia Research Complex. My brightest minds needed to see this.

An eternity seemed to pass in that empty blackness, but finally,
a flicker on my scanner - an anomaly with the energy signature of a jump hole.
With little choice, I braced myself and pushed through.

I emerged into a new system, carefully scanning my surroundings. A highly radioactive asteroid field.
In a strange way, the radiation was a comfort; it meant I had found a place to hide. I navigated through natural tunnels in the rock formations,
dodging pockets of volatile energy. My luck held. As my old friend, Sacramento Serrano, used to say, fortis fortuna adiuvat.
Another anomaly with a jump hole signature appeared on my screen. Again, I plunged in.

After what felt like an endless flight, I found an Oasis-class Liner, 'The Intrepid Maiden'.
I was able to dock, and thankfully, my simple transport raised no suspicions that a Deterrence commander was aboard.
I managed to get my ship repaired while trying to remain inconspicuous over a few cold drinks.
I kept to myself; command teaches you a certain reserve, and I've always had my issues with trusting strangers.
Once the repairs were complete, I departed and continued my search. Just as I was about to lose hope, a third anomaly appeared.
Third time's the charm, they say, don't they?

My heart pounded as I looked at the NavComputer. No system data... not yet.
I pushed through, and then through another system that followed, and then... recognition.
Familiar stars. I was in Omega-49, close to Planet Gran Canaria.
The relief was so profound it almost brought me to my knees. My decision was simple - dock, find the nearest bar, and breathe.

I can't believe I'm safe. Before I left, I spoke to the barkeeper. I told him that if anyone from my fleet comes asking for me,
to tell them I survived. Tell them I'm heading back to Omicron Gamma. My work, my position... they demand my presence.
And now, with this artifact, that work is more important than ever.

Que te vaya bien, preciosa.

Fleet Commander
Alejandra Sara Lopez

Visual Logs

The Baleful Eye

Asteroid Field with anomaly

A tunnel in another asteroid field

Docking at the Maiden

The safe haven