"Commander to Captain Lethia."
The woman groaned in annoyance as she heard the comms beckon for her. Sitting up in her bed, the light blanket slipped a bit down her naked chest as she reached for the device on her nightstand.
"This is Captain Lethia, what calls you so early, Commander Xavier?" Her voice called out in the dark room, fainly lit by the screen of her device.
"Apologies Captain, but it seems as though we've arrived sooner than expected. I need you on the Bridge as soon as possible." The deep, soothing voice called back in response with a soft sigh.
"Is it that bad?" She asked through a sad sigh. Kicking her feet to the side of the bed, she tossed the blanket aside to stand up and stretch her back with a light moan.
"There's both good and bad. Unfortunately, the bad outweighs the good." The man replied, seeming further away as he was distracted by something.
"And my squad?" She asked as she stepped to her capsule. Making sure her auburn hair was tied nicely in a ponytail, she turned around and sat in the seat.
"Already notified. As soon as you get your brief, you'll be going down to secure our landing."
"Alright, I'll be up soon." Lethia replied in a serious tone, tapping away at the console at her right hand before leaning back.
Closing her eyes, she let the capsule weave both her clothes and armor to her body. Thanks to the advancement of technology, the ability to print fitting armor and easily dismantle it was spread throughout New Earth's many fleets it boasted of. Those of higher status was given their own capsules for personal usage, thus allowing Lethia to sleep in as much as she could before missions.
"Of course, not without its flaws." She complained again as the thick cotton pressed against her softer flesh, hot to the touch as it was just made. Though she had gotten used to her olive flesh getting pressed like am iron board, there was always a genuine discomfort about it.
Not two minutes later, she was fitted in the armor she had become familiar with. Titanium threading had wrapped itself over her cotton undergarments to form a slick, yet sturdy armor that allowed her to move as she pleased. Though it was a little heavy at first, it had become much lighter over the years of constant training and deployment.
She couldn't say she had a bad frame, but the armor did seem to exaggerate her curves a bit. She could only remember how perverted the inventor was when they first showed it to her, kindly accepting the punch she had given them to try and show them their place. Sadly, they seemed to enjoy it much more than the many thanks the Federation gave them.
Sighing softly, she opened her emerald like eyes to look down at her right arm and tap at the screen that appeared over her wrist. Slowly, the Nanites embedded within the metal fiber began to squirm around to fit better on her body, as well as give her a look at her current state.
After all signs came up green, she stood up and walked back to her nightstand. On it lay her communicator, which looked more like a sight glass attached to an ear bud go fit her head easier, a phaser pistol, her family's 1911 handed down throughout the years, and a glass helm issued to assist each soldier with their mission.
After fitting the pistol to the holster on her right hip, she pushed the communicator into her ear and slipped the helm over her head. As if waiting for this chance, her suit absorbed her hair comfortably so it wouldn't interfere with her movement. Stretching her arms once more, she checked herself once more before heading for the door.
"Hopefully we get some better news this time." She sighed in despair, hoping this planet was better than the last one.
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"Captain on deck!" Someone shouted with a crisp salute as Lethia walked past the automatic doors.
Raising her hand, the Officer dropped his salute and went back to his console. Along with his, there were about 30 people of various races sitting at their assigned consoles helping to keep the ship running and units moving. Strangely, those that belonged to the Beast races all seemed quite unsettled in various ways. While the herbivores shuddered with their ears constantly flat, the carnivores and omnivores looked almost a little to pleased to be at this new world.
"Commander, what's going on with our officers?" Lethia asked as she walked up to the man standing over everyone with his hands behind his back. After his years of service, his hair had taken on a fox-like grey, melding evenly with his red hair. He had a few scars running from his chin down his neck at an angle, but his tan skin was mostly marred by aged wrinkles.
"I wish we knew. All they could say was something is prodding at their instincts. They all feel fear, but those who's lineage wasn't just prey somehow feel elated." The man sighed as he raised his hand to rub the bridge of his nose.
Ignoring the officers state, she stepped next to the Commander with her hands folded across her chest. Before the large windows making up the Command Deck, a large planet almost 3 times the size of New Earth sat surrounded by a large fleet of Cruisers, Battleships and Titans.
"6 Titans, 36 Battleships and 216 Cruisers. Just what is the Federation thinking?" Lethis asked as she settled on staring at the barren planet before the fleet.
"This planet had the largest Void reading since Ether-6. At that time, it was almost twice the amount."
"And currently?" Lethia asked as she turned to him with a cocked brow.
"About as low as uncleansed systems. Something cleared them out, and we need to know what that was."
"Catch or kill?"
"Neither, if possible. We have no idea what to expect down there, so all of Alpha and Charlie from all Titans are going down to the only structure on the planet." Xavier spoke as he pointed to a small circle of the face of the planet.
As he did, an officer took the memo and brought up a vidoe that was captured about an hour before Lethia was called to the deck. At the center of what looked like an ancient city stood a rather large castle surrounded by life. Trees thrived where the rest of the world was dead, yet what was most disturbing were the countless suits of armor stood exactly the same at all entrances and along the walls. It was as if they stood in defense, but the video showed no signs of life within the various suits.
"After the first planetary scan, no signs of life were present, Void or otherwise. This was when we picked up this castle. After the second scan..." Xavier stopped as the camera panned up to the tallest tower of the midevil looking castle. Where there should've been a roof, instead was a flat top with a suit of armor holding a rather simple looking bow. Unlike the other suits that seemed to be of lesser quality, this suit was staring directly up at the camera, as if it could see them.
"This being appeared at the top of the tower at unprecedented speeds. I fear if we scan again they will consider us hostile. This is the reason I suggested to send our top operatives that have dealt with natives of discovered worlds with you in command."
"So, you want us to make contact without seeming hostile. Are we sure they will welcome us?" Lethia asked as she turned to the Commander with a voice filled with concern.
"About that, you're already expected." Xavier sighed as he gestured back to the screen.
Looking back, Lethia saw the entity lift their arm. It was spooky to see this thing gesture for them to come, staring directly at their ship like they were only a short distance away. After that, they turned around and took one step before disappearing in a cloak of shadow.
"What do you think?" Xavier asked with a cocked brow towards Lethia.
"Given how fast they move, I can only pray that they are not hostile towards us. Though, it seems we are already on the wrong foot."
"Will you be alright? I feel we should send-"
"I promise we will be. I need good wine, meat and cheese. If they are anything like the midevil world we helped last time, it should help with talks." She interrupted the Commander as she turned to leave the bridge.
All Xavier could do was sigh and shake his head. As long as he's known her, he knew this woman wouldn't listen to another word until she met this person. Things were already bad enough on that archaic world, but it seemed as if Lethia wanted to meet this person for more than just assisting them.