Free Nova by Lora E. Rasmussen

highest expression of life,
surpassing any purely organic or synthetic form of sentience.
    If the unknowns standing quietly below were Fosaki, the threat to all the Quorum Systems was substantial; one only had to
think of the fate of the Ty–Lin race to grasp that danger. After a relatively
minor territorial dispute had broken out between the Fosaki and the Ty–Lin, the
Fosaki had methodically annexed or destroyed every last sector of Ty–Lin space.
Even worse, with machine–like systemization, genetic material had been
harvested and then the captured Ty–Lin people were rounded up and executed. The
genocide of an entire race accomplished in little over fifteen years.
    Still, in many ways, the Fosaki were a threat from by–gone
days. As long as their sovereign space was respected, they seemed more than
content to focus on their own view of perfect society, untainted by
inherent chaos that pure organics perpetrated wherever they ventured. No,
Captain Serros was much less concerned with Fosaki–boogeyman than the very real
and living threat the Karukai Imperium represented, especially given the Dark
Reach Wars that had devastated billions only two brief human generations ago. Not
to mention the smaller scale, yet no less vicious and much more recent Karukai–Human
conflict, the Margrom War.
    To again have open, intergalactic warfare break out with
the Karukai, especially with the Quorum so unprepared…
    The implications were as terrifying as Karukai preparedness
and intent were obfuscated. Pierced by vivid flashes of Margrom War, Captain Avara
Serros had to consciously loosen her grip on her AR, file those feelings away
for another day, and push herself to focus on the moment and on the mission
alone.
    The Captain’s effort was aided when less than ten minutes
later, her gaze snapped to a flash of bright royal blue and Lieutenant K’llan
Z’arr came into sight. Through the sniper–scope of her Warlock L5, Serros could
clearly see that like herself and Hadarr, this time their target also wore full
battle armor, the hue a matte black with pale blue markings. Her thick hair was
tied back into three tight buns set to rest at the base of her neck. At her
waist was what Serros comfortably identified as a Gladiator Rubex GHT6
Adaptable Pistol/SMG; on her back was a Zadex Widowmaker IV.
    Lieutenant Z’arr moved tranquilly, in full view of the unknowns
and the single Vosaia among them, stopping before the others by a dozen or so
paces. Yet despite her calm demeanor, Serros could somehow sense that the
projected air of ease was a façade, and that the Vosaia STF was anything but serene.
    A shiver shot through the Quorum Shield’s body like a slap
as she realized that something was about to happen, and years of battle
experience had taught Avara Serros to accept the warning, even if she couldn’t
quantify the feeling. With a deep breath, Serros again found her center and
extended her SP Arca enhanced hearing to capture the words being exchanged
below.
    “Agent Z’arr. A pleasure to see you again.” The short haired
Vosaia greeted cordially in Avenos, the Vosaia language. Her tone held all the
graciousness that only a career politician, or possibly a professional card
shark, can project.
    “And you, Proconsul Tanad.” Z’arr responded in the same
tongue with a deferential incline of her head.
    “I assume because we are standing here you have the
package?” The Proconsul inquired, dark eyes clear.
    “It is in my possession, Proconsul. I only require a print and
voice ID to certify authorization.”
    “Of course, Agent Z’arr.” The woman answered, then turned to
her right. “Tedrar, if you will.” The helmed unknown that Avara had marked
earlier as the unit’s commander nodded and then without a word, walked towards Lieutenant
Z’arr. When the commander reached the STF Agent, the soldier simply held out a
hand, again without utterance.
    Z’arr dug into a pouch at her waist, removed a small data–screen
and