Across the universe on Pontus Matscuf was looking over the schematics of the graviton pulse weapon and discovered it used iridium-126 as a power source.
She asked “computer, does this planet contain iridium-126?”
The computer replied “negative, Pontus contains no iridium-126.”
Matscuf said “computer, search for planets with deposits of iridium-126.”
The computer searched through star charts and said “four planets found.”
Matscuf said “list the systems in order of distance from Pontus.”
The computer said as it displayed the results in order of distance “planets that contain iridium-126.”
“Symar: iridium-126 deposit content 68% distance from Pontus 6.2 light years.”
“Carmoria: iridium-126 deposit content 54% distance from Pontus 15.3 light years/”
“Vornorma: iridium-126 deposit content 45% distance from Pontus 727.9 light years.”
“Glarvax: iridium-126 deposit contents 37% distance from Pontus 1,247 light years.”
After reading the listings she said “computer show me Symarian system.”
The read out of the planets appeared on the screen as the computer spoke.
“Planet: Symar.”
“Star type: T Tauri.”
“Type: rocky terrestrial with chromium cobalt core.”
“Location: 5th planet of 12.”
“Composition of atmosphere: argon 47%, oxygen 12%, krypton 34%, trace gases 7%.”
“Moons: 5.”
Matscuf said “computer, how much energy is left in the graviton weapon?”
An image of the weapon appeared and next to it was a vertical teal rectangle with several small bars stacked on top of each other on the inside. The space above the bars was empty next to the glowing bars was the energy amount it read 32%.
Turning to Kalmar Matscuf said “we need iridium-126 and the closest planet is Symar assemble a fleet that’s our destination and bring the graviton pulse weapon just in case.”
Kalmar bowed “as you wish my liege, but who will command the fleet?”
Matscuf smiled and said “I will and I want you to join me as my second in command.”
Kalmar said “I am honored but I must stay behind and continue to rally the remaining systems.”
Matscuf said “as you wish.”
Kalmar bowed and said “I will inform the fleet and will contact you when they are ready” then left.
A short time later Kalmar contacted Matscuf and said “the fleet is ready and the graviton weapon is on board the flag ship. Also spies are headed for Symar in the event you use the graviton weapon they will spread disinformation rumors about mining accidents.”
Matscuf said “excellent I am on my way.”
She went to a balcony spread her wings and flew towards home she loved flying it felt so free and so uninhibited. Once there she put on her gladiator armor she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. While looking herself over she thought first Symar then the galaxy and then the universe. She smiled wickedly at the thought then flew back to the palace and boarded the transport shuttle. When she entered the shuttle she saw the controls were designed for a being with apposable appendages. She sat on her haunches as her horn glowed and she used her magic to press the buttons and maneuver the controls. She watched as the shuttle lifted off the ground. She looked through the front window as the shuttle rose into the sky the clouds came closer then passed through them then went below the shuttle. She smiled as the shuttle entered orbit and the stars came into view. She wished she could fly in space she smiled at the idea of being a space being one that could freely roam the universe. Her mind began to drift as she imagined the possibilities. Her daydream was interrupted by the proximity alert snapping out of her daze she slowed the shuttle to docking speed. As the fleet came into view they’re designs were interesting. The front was wedge shaped with a square midsection 6 meters long. The aft section was square and slightly larger than the midsection with 2 curved fins on the sides and a small protrusion for the exhaust. The command ship was slightly larger than the rest of the fleet. The shuttle slowed and hovered over a small indented circle on the top center of the midsection of the ship. The shuttle landed on top of the circle a tube rose up from the ship and made contact with the shuttle. A clank was heard as a boarding lift made contact with the shuttle. On the shuttle the center of the floor sank slightly then opened horizontally Matscuf stood on the circle as the lift began to descend into the tube. The doors above closed the tube lite up as the lift descended. Moments later the lift entered the ship and stopped and 2 doors opened horizontally and she entered the ship.
Once on board 2 Pontian soldiers were waiting they saluted and one said “welcome on board commander follow me to the bridge.” Matscuf followed the soldier as the other closed the doors and retracted the boarding tube. Then set the shuttle’s auto pilot to return to the landing pad on the of the palace rooftop.
When she reached the bridge the others saluted Matscuf raised a hoof and moved it to one side. Turning her attention to the command chair she saw it was designed for a bipedal being she sighed and sat on her haunches one soldier asked “is the chair suitable my liege?”
Matscuf just looked at the soldier then at the chair and said “I will fix it” her horn glowed as the chair was bathed in a blue glow then it reformed into something more suitable. Smiling she stood up and sat down in the new chair which now had buttons that she could operate. She pressed the communication button with her hoof and said “Matscuf to fleet, prepare to depart for the Symarian system on my command.” Releasing the button she said “navigator send command to the fleet and engage the engines.”
As the ship accelerated the stars began to move forward then turn into streaks that flew past the ship a short time later they arrived. The navigator said “were have arrived in the Symarian system and will reach the planet in 12 dorons.”
Matscuf nodded and said “when we reach the planet prepare to open communications.”
When they reached Symar the navigator said “we have arrived commander.”
Matscuf said “good open communications to the planet.”
A channel was opened and a being appeared on the screen it was bipedal but had distinctly feline features the being said “I am Balkar prime minister of Symar state your business.”
Matscuf said “I am the leader of the Pontian Empire and I heard your planet is rich in iridium-126 I have need of the mineral and wish to acquire it.”
Balkar said “we can barter for the mineral how much do you require?”
Matscuf said “not much only 200 gorlons.”
Balkar said “what do you have to offer in trade?”
Matscuf said “I have abilities that you do not have and am working to engineer said abilities and would be willing to share this technology with you.”
Balkar said “such as?”
Matscuf said “levitation, teleportation, reorganization to name a few.”
Balkar said holding up a hand “hold on you are describing engineering magic that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard it is not possible to merge science with the supernatural. Now what do you have that is tangible because I need something more realistic than magic.”
Matscuf said “do not underestimate the power of magic it can be a valuable asset.”
Balkar said “look bright eyes unless you have something tangible to offer we cannot barter.”
Matscuf narrowed her eyes and she said in a slightly annoyed tone “did you just call me bright eyes?”
Balkar grinned “yes I did and what are you going to do about it?”
Matscuf smiled wickedly “you know I hoping you would be reasonable and strike a bargain but no, it seems you find it more fun to insult me.”
Balkar replied “yes it’s more fun that way because you’re trying to barter with mystical blends I suppose next you’ll tell me you’re a time traveler looking for a lost pet. The one that escaped from an interdimensional rift, so why don’t you take you little fleet of toy ships and go back to your planet and leave the important business deals to the adults.”
Matscuf was not amused she said “I will acquire what I need.”
Balkar said “is that a threat?”
Matscuf said “it is a grievance I offered you something you could easily weaponized and you rejected it right out.”
Balkar said “I told you I don’t believe in the supernatural now if you have nothing else we are finished” the screen went blank.
At the same time in orbit on the Pontian flag ship one of the officers said “commander your not going to let that walking fur ball insult you like that are you?”
Matscuf said “of course not that talking hairball is not going to get away that.”
Suddenly from behind one of the moons came a fleet of Symarian ships.
Matscuf asked “where did those come from?”
The tactical officer said “they came from behind one of the moons and are headed our way.”
The Symarian ships began firing on the fleet catching some of them off guard they sufferdd severe damage fefore enabling their defensive shields.
Matscuf smiled “so that’s how it’s to be” pressing a communication button “attention fleet we are under attack! Alpha and gamma ships take the rear beta and delta, flank them, omega follow me.”
The fleet divided into 5 sets and engaged the Symarian ships energy bolts fired in every direction. On board Matscuf’s ship the bridge shook with every energy bolt strike.
The tactical officer said “shields holding commander.”
Matscuf’s horn glowed and the ship glowed with in a blue glow she said “I have enhanced the shields and firepower now let’s destroy them for the glory of the Pontian Empire!” The Symarian flag ship fired its weapons at the Pontian flag ship but their weapons did no damage. They just bounced off the shields the Pontian ship returned fire their shields fell and a bolt struck the aft section disabling the ship. Its lights flickered as plasma vented from the massive hole it drifted slowly leaving a trail of ironized gas.
Matscuf opened a channel and said “commander of the Symarian vessel surrender now and I will not destroy your ship, I will just make you and your crew my newest gladiators.”
The response was 3 red energy bolts and 2 energy beams which bounced off the ships shields.
Matscuf scowled and said “so be it, tactical, fire.”
The Pontian ship fired 2 blue green energy bolts and several cyan energy beams at the Symarian ship as what was left of the partially restored shields collapsed. One bolt struck the side of the ship causing a 52ᴼ list on the port side the other struck the engine section and bolt exploded igniting the venting plasma. The ship glowed momentarily then exploded in a huge fireball as fragments went flying in every direction. Then they went to assist the rest of the fleet which was not too difficult with the weapon enhancements.
After the battle was over Matscuf opened a channel to the planet “Balkar your little trick did not work. I gave you a chance to resolve this in a way that could allow you to keep some resemblance of dignity now watch and learn the assets of magic.”
Turning to the navigator she said “prepare the graviton weapon we only have enough energy for one shot but it will be all we need.”
Reopening a communication to Balkar she said “you might want to step outside for this one and bring a communication device trust me you’ll need it.”
Balkar said “give me a moment” as the screen went blank several moments later a voice came over the communications audio only “ok I’m outside now what am I looking for? Just so you know you can’t scare me or my citizens into submission with your cheap voodoo. What are you going to do make a face appear in the sky?”
Matscuf said “I’ll show you cheap voodoo.”
The navigator said “graviton weapon ready commander.”
Matscuf said “set the beam set to maximum width I don’t want any large pieces causing planet wide destruction or mass extinctions, fire when ready.”
Balkar watched as a dark spot appeared in the sky that began to grow then rotate the 3 probes moved along the event horizon then the gravity beams intertwined and spun out. The graviton beam flew out and hit the moon. As the beam struck the moon it bagan to shake violently as the sheering forces tore the crust apart. Huge cracks began to form as the beam bored to the core when the bean struck the core the lunar body began to glow. Slightly at first then it grew brighter as the crust became molten then it exploded in a brilliant flash. One that lite up the sky almost as bright as mid-day some on the other side of the planet could see a flash in the night sky. Molten rocks went flying in all directions. Fragments of all sizes went flying in every direction. Balkar’s mouth dropped open and just stood there as the debris fell into the atmosphere. Some fragments crashed to the surface and various bodies of water. She noticed the fragments were not large enough large enough to disrupt the climate or send any huge waves crashing into costal settlements.
Matscuf was saying something that snapped her out of her daze she screamed into the communication device. “HOW DARE YOU DESTROY MY PLANETS MOON!”
Matscuf said “oh good I have your attention now you listen to me! You attacked me without provocation that constitutes an act of war. Since your defense fleet was destroyed that means your planet is defenseless and I am the victor. Therefore effective immediately you will unconditionally surrender. If you do not I will destroy another one of your planets moons or maybe your planet.” Thinking for a moment she continued “or maybe I’ll point it at your sun and cause a supernova explosion one that will destroy your entire solar system.”
Balkar said “if you destroy this planet our allies will retaliate.”
Matscuf said “why destroy when we can decimate from orbit.”
Balkar said “you’re bluffing.
Matscuf said “am I?”
Balkar paused for a moment as the last of the lunar debris fell from the sky and the empty space left behind she lowered her head sighed and said “very well.”
Matscuf said ‘wise choice now come on board my ship and we will discuss the terms of your surrender.”
Balkar took a shuttle to Matscuf’s ship and landed on the docking port when the doors opened 2 Pontian soldiers were waiting for her. One of them said “follow us the commander is waiting for you.”
With one guard on each side they escorted Balkar to the bridge she grumbled “I have a few choice words for the commander of this ship.”
One of the solders replied “we’ll see.”
When the entered the bridge Matscuf stood up and approached the chancellor.”
Balkar was astonished at what she saw once she regained her composure she said “wait your real? I thought you were using an image filter on your screen do you realize what you have done that moon was the moon of romance. Thanks to you my citizens are going to have disrupted courtship rituals and hmmph.”
A blue aura surrounded the prime minister’s mouth muffling her and Matscuf said “you should have considered that before attacking me. Also I am the one who has the ability to destroy your planet and or solar system so I advise you to watch your tone.”
Balkar nodded and the aura faded Matscuf said “I wanted to barter I offered you magic which is a valuable asset as you no doubt have seen so far. You insulted then attacked me I am going to give you two choices. One you are going to go back to your planet and tell your citizens the loss of your moon was a mining accident.”
Balkar said “the other?”
Matscuf said “tell them you attacked an alien race without provocation causing an interstellar war that you lost badly costing you not only you’re your defense fleet to but your planet as well. Those are your only 2 choices any deviations and I will know and I promise you it will not be pleasant”
Balkar said “who are you to dictate terms to me bright eyes.”
Matscuf frowned as her horn glowed lifting the chancellor’s feet a few centimeters off the floor slightly. She said “I am the one who holds your planet captive and stop calling me bright eyes I am Night-Mare.”
Balkar said nothing as the blue aura vanished and she fell to the floor causing her to stumble slightly.
Night-Mare said “hence forth I now control your planet and everything associated with it.”
Balkar arched an eyebrow and said “what makes you think you’ll get away with this?”
Night-Mare smiled and said “you have no choice what I did to your moon I can do to your planet or if I choose or I could destroy parts of your planet. Then your citizens will rise in revolt and chaos will ensue guaranteeing you an exile or worse. At the very least it will cause factional divisions which will plunge your world into total anarchy, as they fight over meager positions of power or over petty ideologies. Consider what’s best for your planet guaranteed peace or the planet falling into total anarchy.” Then a wicked grin spread across her muzzle “the choice is yours.”
Balkar said “very well but this is not go unchallenged I will find a way to expose you.”
Night-Mare said “oh I doubt that by the way as we speak there are operatives on the surface with instructions. In the event of use of the graviton weapon they would spread rumors about a mining accident. So unless you want seeds of decent amongst your citizens I suggest you keep them calm and stick with that story but hence forth this planet now belongs to the Pontian Empire.”
Balkar sighed “very well” and signed the terms of surrender.
Night-Mare said “that is very wise of you maybe next time you’ll think twice before attacking an orbital fleet” Balkar just gave her a look of disgust. Night-Mare continued “I will leave the spies on the planet and if you try anything I will know it and don’t think you can spot them. They will be incognito and will look like just like the inhabitants of your planet.”
Balkar said “the loss of that moon is going to cause massive disruptions.”
Night-Mare said “I already told you what to say and remember we will be watching.”
After returning to the surface Balkar addressed her citizens during a planet wide broadcast she said “citizens of Symar earlier today the moon Kalshar exploded some of you may have seen it. An investigation has determined the explosion occurred when a laser drill accident it penetrated the moon’s core. The impact on the core created excessive shearing forces which caused a resonance to occur causing the moon to shatter.”
After the chancellor’s broadcast 2 Symarian merchants were talking one said “the jarsarium aphrodisiac business may not survive without the mineral, the other said “when the moon Kalshar exploded the mineral we need to make it was lost. Now we have to find lunar fragments they may contain the mineral” the other agreed.
Matscuf watched the broadcast and smiled just then a transmission came from Pontus “Kalmar calling Matscuf.”
Matscuf said “speaking what is it?”
Kalmar said “you should return to Pontus I found something you should see.”
Matscuf said “I’m am on my way” turning to the navigator she said prepare to set course for Pontus.” She then opened a communication channel to the fleet “attention fleet I have been called back to Pontus I leave the planet in your care. I want that mineral extracted as efficiently and discreetly as possible do nothing to arouse any suspicions. The last thing we need are insurrections Matscuf out.”
The navigator said “course set.”
Matscuf said “engage displacement engines.”
After arriving in orbit around Pontus she said “Matscuf to Kalmar what is you your location?”
Kalmar said “I am in the guardian’s office.”
Matscuf said “I’m on my way.”
She contacted the shuttle on the palace rooftop when it docked with the ship she took it to the surface as the shuttle entered the planet’s atmosphere. She imagined flying from high orbit into the atmosphere. She thought of the speed the thrill, the view, the wind in her in her mane and over her wings. Soon the palace came into view. When the shuttle landed she went to the guardian’s office and soon met Kalmar and asked “what is so important to call me back here?”
Kalmar said “trust me this is important I have been studying the footage from Hydoria’s ship and annualized the debris and found we have been tricked.” Showing readout of the analysis “the amount of organic compounds was less than that of a Pontian.” Pointing to the readout he continued “see that someone put a vile of organic compounds on the ship. Pointing to the screen he continued “watch” then froze a frame “see that?” He pointed to the lower corner of the screen Matscuf said “wait what is that?” Kalmar said “computer enhance section 17-24” the screen moved to the designated section and enhanced the image. A small rectangular piece came into view it was part of a broken container. Kalmar repeated the footage and said “also watch the ship see how it doesn’t makes any evasive maneuvers. Nor did it try to defend itself it is almost as if it were on auto pilot.”
Matscuf frowned “this complicates things how many systems have you rallied?”
Kalmar said “35 so far still waiting on replies from 10.”
Matscuf nodded “very good Hydoria will no doubt be waiting for us to make a move until we have enough iridium-126 to power the graviton pulse weapon we should lay low for now.”
Kalmar said “if I may my liege if we show the destruction of the moon of Symar and Coues to the undecided systems.”
Matscuf said “no we don’t want to extort them if we do that it will undermine our efforts and they will work against us, use persuasion you will find it can more effective than brute force.”
Kalmar nodded and said “understood.”