Chapter 1
977words
In the cold, silent depths of space, an enormous vessel glided noiselessly. Its hull resembled a drawn black blade, spanning tens of thousands of kilometers, covered with strange metal bearing flowing patterns of deep blue energy. Every edge exuded absolute coldness and precision, as if it were the physical embodiment of cosmic law itself.
This was the flagship of the Imperial First Fleet, the "Leviathan."
Its very existence was a declaration of order.
On the bridge, light was precisely controlled to the optimal range for visual processing. The air carried a pure, almost monotonous scent filtered through the circulation system, mixed with faint traces of metal and energy. Hundreds of officers in silver-gray uniforms sat at their respective control stations, each keystroke and command executed like perfectly meshing gears in an enormous machine.
"Commander, sector K-3 has been completely cleared, energy readings from remaining resistance forces are at zero. 'Operation Balance of Order' Phase C completion rate: one hundred percent."
An emotionless electronic voice broke the frozen silence on the bridge.
At the main console, a tall figure stood with his back to everyone, like an unwavering mountain. He slowly turned around, revealing a face with distinct features. His deep-set eyes resembled stars in a cold night, calm without the slightest ripple, while his high-bridged nose and thin lips formed a severe arc. He was the supreme commander of this massive starship, Nikolai.
His gaze swept across the enormous holographic star map before him, where red dots representing the resistance forces were being mercilessly devoured and erased by the blue aura representing the Empire.
"Confirm coordinates, jump to the next mission point." Nikolai Vaughn's voice was deep and steady, carrying no emotion, yet embodying unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Commander."
This was his daily routine, as well as the Empire's. As the most powerful civilization in the universe, the Empire believed in only one truth: order. Any form of chaos, rebellion, or disorder was considered an "error code" that must be corrected. And his mission was to ensure the entire galaxy operated smoothly according to the rules established by the Empire, even if the cost was complete "formatting."
"Report, Commander!" A slightly urgent voice came through the communication channel. "The Seventh Reconnaissance Team encountered a sudden high-intensity energy wave while conducting routine surveys on unregistered planet G-618. Damn it... we lost three drones!"
Nikolai's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly. An unregistered planet typically meant a primitive world of no value; for this level of energy eruption to occur was an anomaly in itself.
The main screen immediately switched to the perspective of the Seventh Reconnaissance Team. The image shook violently, with a blue planet suspended in view, its surface being swept by a visible, twisting and boiling energy storm. It was a chaotic and primal force, like the turbulence at the birth of the universe, tearing through the atmosphere and churning the oceans.
"Energy level?" Nikolai asked, his fingers lightly tapping on the console, pulling up relevant data streams.
"...Already exceeded the regular measurement limits! Preliminary assessment: Class A natural catastrophe! Commander, the physical laws of this planet are collapsing!" The reconnaissance team leader's voice was mixed with static noise and a hint of uncontrollable horror. "Wait... we've detected a life signal at the core of the catastrophe! Very faint, but... it's still alive!"
Alive? In the core of an energy storm powerful enough to tear apart a starship's armor?
For the first time, a glint of genuine interest flashed in Nikolai's eyes. This defied all known laws of physics and biology.
"Capture it," he issued the succinct command, "whatever it is."
"Yes, Commander!"
The order was faithfully executed. Despite the cost of two survey robots being completely melted by energy waves, that faint life signal was finally forcibly dragged from the disaster core, placed into a specially-made biological isolation chamber, and transported back to the "Leviathan."
***
Blinding light was her first sensation upon regaining consciousness.
Next came the cold—bone-chilling cold. She lay naked on a metallic platform, every pore of her skin contracting, transmitting sharp sensations of coldness. The air was filled with an indescribable smell, similar to disinfectant yet more alien.
She suddenly opened her eyes to a completely unfamiliar world.
The silver-white walls gleamed with a cold luster, and though there were no visible lights on the ceiling, it emitted a uniform, soft yet piercing glow. Various oddly shaped instruments flickering with ethereal light were arranged around her, while countless slender mechanical arms hovered in midair, like spiders ready to descend at any moment.
Where is this place?
Her memories were in chaos, with only fragments remaining of the scene before being engulfed by endless light and terrifying noise. An earthquake? A tsunami? Or... something else?
She struggled to sit up, only to find her limbs restrained by some kind of invisible energy field, unable to move. Panic surged like a tide, and she began to twist her body violently, making incomprehensible whimpering sounds from her throat.
Just then, the hatch silently slid open, and several disproportionately tall figures walked in.
They stood at least eight feet tall, with slender yet proportionate bodies, wearing silver-gray uniforms as cold as their surroundings. Their skin displayed a healthy, ivory-like whiteness, and while their features resembled humans, they were more three-dimensional and pronounced, especially those eyes with pale golden pupils that gazed at her with the indifference of examining an object.
Her mind went blank instantly, fear gripping her throat.
These are not humans!
This realization pierced through her chaotic thoughts like the sharpest ice pick. She was an animal, an animal locked in a cage waiting to be dissected! Survival instinct overwhelmed everything else, and she began to struggle frantically, her whimpers turning into sharp, tearful howls like a cornered beast driven to desperation.
