The emergency alarms blared in the background while engineers and staffs were running around the containment hallways. Red lights and footsteps echoed in unison. And people frantically searching for the source of breach. The Control Room kept receiving static sounds from the Minos Space Station when they tried contacting them.
"It's no use, Admiral! They are not answering!" the officer said.
"Damn it, how can it be?" The Admiral pursed his lips thinking the worst possible scenarios.
"Try it again."
Is someone trying to intercept space communication lines?
This cargo spaceship was an old model of TB- 09 Legacy and can carry tons of weight. Its structure and controls were not that complicated compared to the latest model. But some specs were different and modified to compensate the Hyperwarping System, including the Secret Containment Room Security. Of course, it was legally issued and licensed from Bureau of Spacecraft. Most of the old model of TB- 09 Legacy can do four times of warping and did not have Secret Containment Room. It can only support intergalactic foods technological parts, small vessels etc. This certain cargo ship was owned by a private intergalactic corporation, delivering an unknown material to Minos Research and Development Facility, even the crew or the admiral did not know its whereabouts or origin. He and his apprentice were hired right after his mission from Tartarus- VII, a cold planet.
At some point, the admiral felt it was because of this unknown item that they were being targeted. Yet, something is off. Who knew about this delivery? The cargo ship was disguised with a different design so no one can know about it.
The ship cannot hold it anymore, they had located the source and it was on the Engine Room. According to the staffs, the people inside were already dead before the explosion happened. They were shot by a laser gun. The edges of the hole made on the bodies were burned. But the burns spread quickly, making the hole bigger as it displayed the innards disgustingly. The impact was severe as if putting a band aid was not enough.
"Admiral, the ship cannot hold it anymore! We're going to crash!" the officer reported.
It was the most crucial time for them and an important decision must be made right away.
The Admiral's apprentice stepped up from the shadows, gradually displaying her face. Still young and had a lot to learn in space voyage. She had a small stature, yet confident on her own. Holding her ideals and morals right, with naivete on the side. The Admiral taught her well to be able to make decisions inside and outside the spaceship.
"Sir, please order all units to go to the escape pods. We don't have time to save the ship. No, we're going to abandon it."
The Apprentice was right, there was no other way but to abandon it or else they were going to crash to the nearest Kepler planet. Worst scenario, the ship will explode.
The old TB- 09 Legacy kept shaking, while everyone hold on to something and went to the escape pods.
The Admiral turned on his mic.
"All units and crews, get to the escape pods right away. Leave all the unnecessary things and save yourselves." He announced.
The Admiral signaled his men in the Control Room to change into automatic piloting as they left.
Only the he and his apprentice were left inside.
She was curious what was her master thinking.
"There is somewhere we need to do. Let's leave at once."
The Admiral checked his gun and strapped his handgun holster on his waist. Before leaving, he fix his peaked cap and turned off some buttons and controllers on the Operator side. The Apprentice followed him as the automatic door opened. They walked through the containment hallways, going to the opposite side of where the Escape Pods were.
Only the annoying emergency red lights and alarms as well as their footsteps echoed in the hallway. No one talked and silently strides toward what the Admiral was going.
As they approached the intersection, the Admiral said, "If something happens to me, make sure to keep that item safe."
"Also don't trust anyone."
He thought something was odd and he didn't understand why or how. He just felt off. It's bad and the Admiral was sure, this was different from all of his previous missions.
The Apprentice did not understand what he meant, but for assurance, she gripped her pulse pistol strapped under leather jacket.
They climbed the emergency stairs and went undetected deeper underground to find the Secret Containment Room. Only those who hold a biometric card can unlock the automatic heavy metal vault door once it was accepted by the scanner.
Sweat slid on his cheek as the Admiral used the card onto the scanner.
Ka-chuk.
Combinations of locks were beginning to disconnect from its source and the handle automatically rotated counterclockwise. A wind just passed through the crevice of heavy door.
Just the time as they enter the room, another explosion happened. Shaking the whole spaceship and losing its control. Alarms didn't stop, but it only kept them aware of the danger. When the fluorescent lights flickered several times, the Admiral and his apprentice were quick to act. They went inside to secure the classified item. But as they retrieved it, the the UV lights inside turned off.
"Oh, no, no, no, no. No!" He took out his handgun from his holster, closely holding it to his chest. Even his apprentice. They turned on their pistol lights to see in the dark.
"Take the item and never lose it. Be ready, you'll never know whose to appear."
The Apprentice took what seems to be a book bag, slinging it to her shoulder.
Her heart pounded loudly in her ears, nervous but hid it well from her master.
"Stay close to me."
They moved out from the room. Only to see in front of them, their Department Unit Heads including themselves. No, these people were different. Just the way they looked at them felt menacing and dangerous.
"I have a bad feeling about this." His apprentice said.
Their faces blurred and gradually changed into original. They have long ears, and big deep blue eyes, with a neutral green rough skin, and tattooed symbols on their arms. It was not just symbols, but a language unknown to all.
"Give that back to us!" said by the one who disguised as the Admiral with rough deep voice while pointing their laser gun at both of them.
"Krekins." Her master whispered.
Krekins was one of the alien races who didn't bother becoming friendly with other intergalactic races. They lived in silence and away from the intergalactic problems. They were rarely seen and if they will appear, it was only during Intergalactic Ball Party. They wanted peace. Krekins didn't let anyone enter their domain especially humans. Krekins value technology very much and they were the primary source of all the advanced technology in the entire universe.
But how come they were here?
"You have what we want. If you don't want to be killed, give that to us."