In the cold expanse of space, Alex appeared, examining the two ships locked in combat. One was a sleek white vessel, its smooth curves reflecting an advanced and streamlined aesthetic.
The other was a dark green ship with a brutalist, intimidating design, sharp edges, jagged plating, and an aura of aggression.
It was the USS Orville, a Planetary Union exploratory vessel, and a Krill destroyer, locked in a deadly skirmish near a planet's atmosphere.
A burst of fire erupted from the Orville's torpedo, striking the Krill ship. The enemy vessel exploded, sparks and debris scattering into space. The battle was won, but the Orville lingered in orbit, sending help to the planet below, perhaps engaged in rescue operations.
Alex, invisible to the naked eye, drifted closer. His gaze roved over the Orville's exterior, noting the subtle energy signatures and the advanced technology woven into its hull. He extended his senses, scanning the crew within, intrigued by the mix of races expressing fear and relief.
He further scanned the composition and construction of the ship in minute detail and its various systems.
What amazed him most was the synthesizer that could accurately create any material down to the molecular level, based on a pre-programmed design. Added to that, the almost realistic holographic simulator.
"It's not far from the authority of creation possessed by gods," Alex mused.
He also watched them recover a Krill shuttle with a tractor beam.
Inside the Orville, a mechanical voice interrupted the bridge's quiet recovery.
"Captain," Isaac reported, his synthetic voice devoid of emotion, "I am detecting a life sign approximately one hundred meters directly in front of the ship."
Captain Ed Mercer's brows furrowed. "What? Can you get a visual on it?"
Isaac's ocular sensors glowed faintly. "Negative, Captain. The anomaly's energy reading is off the charts, extremely dense and unlike anything we have previously encountered."
Lieutenant Commander Alara Kitan, the Xelayan Chief of Security, added, "I'm picking it up too. It doesn't match any known species or technology."
Ed rubbed his chin. "Is there a way to make it visible? Is it... a Krill?"
"No, sir," Isaac replied. "The anomaly appears to be cloaked. Only our life-sign indicator can detect it."
"How long until our medical team can come back?" Ed asked, turning toward Alara.
"Approximately two hours, Captain," Alara replied.
Ed took a deep breath and looked at his First Officer, Commander Kelly Grayson. "Kelly, come with me. We should try to make contact. It doesn't seem hostile."
Kelly's eyes widened. "Are you sure? What if it doesn't want to be found?"
"We won't know until we try," Ed replied, determination in his voice. "It might be a life pod or some kind of cloaked ship. Either way, we need answers."
She nodded reluctantly. "Alright, Captain."
They made their way to the shuttle bay, where a standard Union shuttle awaited.
Alex observed the scene unfolding and made his decision. With a thought, he materialized a teardrop-shaped vessel, a stunning crystalline shuttle made of Silmarillion crystal and Mithril.
Its surface shimmered like flawless art, the crystalline structures sparkling with an inner light. It was designed with all the functionality of a Planetary Union ship but powered by his own limitless energy.
Dropping his invisibility, Alex allowed the shuttle to appear before the Orville. The bridge crew gasped, eyes widening at the breathtaking sight.
"My God," Kelly whispered over the comms. "It's so beautiful."
"It looks like a floating jewel," Ed murmured. "Is that... a shuttle?"
"I believe so, Captain," Isaac confirmed. "The construct of the vessel is beyond any known material."
"I'll try hailing it," Kelly said, her fingers dancing over the controls. After a moment, she nodded. "We're connected."
Ed steadied his voice. "This is Captain Ed Mercer of the Orville, representing the Planetary Union. Please identify yourself."
A voice, calm and melodic, came through the channel. "Greetings, Captain Mercer."