As we neared the space fleet, several Tiberian A2 fighters seemed to be dispatched to escort us toward the main Bannership. As I looked out the cockpit window, I couldn't help but feel amazed. House Virellis may have some of the best ships in the universe, but house Tiberius didn't seem too far behind.
The fleet consists of the main Bannership, an absolutely enormous vessel, the size of a decently large planetary nation. It serves as a sort of command center with only a few in existence.
Alongside the absolute behemoth, I count 6 flag ships-massive powerful ships, tasked with leading much more agile and normal sized fleets. In addition, the fleet seems to boast an innumerable amount of battleships, medical ships, troop transport ships, fighters, and more, all working together, combining into one of the most powerful fleets in human history.
Soon after our escorts dispersed, a milky whiteness covered the cockpit window.
We were entering the Bannership's docking bay.
"Greetings Achilles," A familiar, deep voice said. I turn around, only to find a new, familiar hologram being displayed over the circular spinning disk. It was Commodus.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't pick you up personally, we had priorities." He said, his hologram giving me a fake smile. I'm still confused on why he chose to pick me up in an old transport ship like Not to mention that it's run by AI!. What was he thinking? Maybe it was a test or something?
"I've sent a group of men to escort you to me once you land. We can talk more once you're here."
Suddenly, his hologram flickered and he disappeared.
What a douche bag, he didn't even give me any time to respond nor answer questions!
As the ship entered the docking bay, it landed upon a raised platform. The inside of the gigantic bannership was huge. Hundreds of smaller vessels were all docking and departing making the port quite busy.
I get out of the pilot seat, preparing to exit the ship. Walking into the cargo bay, the ship starts to shake. I feel a bit heavier, as if i'm descending.
After a while, the shaking and the feeling of heaviness disappears. Confused, I decide to exit the ship. "Open the cargo door." I say anxiously, attempting to order the AI around.
For a few moments, nothing happened. Then the sound of steam and moving hydraulics bless my ears as the door slowly opens.
I take a deep breathe before stepping out of the ship.
I was no longer in the loading dock. I was in a ginormous, all white room with atleast 100 other ships, all looking the same as the one I just exited. Confused, I looked up. There was a hole in the white roof where I presume our ship landed. It was quite obvious that the elevated platform was an elevator and that it lowered us under the docking platform.
Unlike above, here it was quiet and lifeless. No human was in sight, only machines and ships.
I could only hear the sounds of my own footsteps, echoing throughout the large room as I walk around, exploring the area. All I could do was wait.
Looking around, I confirmed that all the ships looked the exact same. They were all the same model, and color. Did that mean that all these ships had AI? What was the Chancellor doing with these?
After walking around for a bit, I hear the sound of thumping. It was footsteps, and not just one pair, but many. Walking towards the noise, I find a small squadron of soldiers. Yet something was strange about them. They didn't look like your normal warriors.
They all wore black armor, each with its own custom design and bearings. I couldn't tell the metal the armor was made out of, nor what the golden designs etched all over their armor meant.
They approach me with an intimidating aura. I could tell that they were Commodus's elites. There was an old man, probably the same age as Commodus in front of them, leading the squadron towards me. He didn't wear a helmet like the rest of his comrades. He was tall, large and lean. He was bald, yet bore a majestic beard. A large scar ran from his forehead, through his left eye to his chin leaving an eyeless eye socket.
"Follow us" He commanded, his voice deep and intimidating. He was clearly an important figure. He wore nebula armor, meaning he had to be a crowned.
I give him a small nod, following him out of the silent hangar into a small dark hallway. Pipes and wires could be seen through panel roofing and floors. The lights flickered on and off which was quite unusual. Why would Commodus not want to send some repair crews down here for maintenance?
As we continued walking, I noticed wires and pipes traveling in and out of the walls. Eventually, we started passing a few doors, but Commodus's men ushered me forward without allowing me to ask what was in them.
Eventually, we reached an elevator at the end of the hall. It was guarded by 2 other men in black armor with gold marks. It's weird to me how they only have so few guards down here. Where were the engineers and flight crews?
The leader and 2 other guards accompanied me in the elevator. It was awkward and quiet. None of them spoke a word to me.
"What is your name?" I ask the old man, trying to break the silence.
He looks at me for a while, examining me, probably trying to read me.
"I am Paul Circus Cornelius, second son of the former great Count Cornelius in the east."
I have heard of the Cornelius family before. Unlike us, they live far to the east and instead of fighting other human countries and territories, they fight the aliens and the unknown. The west has long been explored by our ancestors before us, yet the east is new territory. Yet I cant help but be confused.
"Why are you working for the Chancellor and not helping the war effort in the east?" I ask. He looks like an experienced general, why would he be working under the Chancellor when his own family comes from a line of famed generals.
"Much like you now, the Chancellor took me in long ago." he says, pausing for a moment as he leads me out the elevator into a well lit, busy hallway.
Here, both soldiers and other crew members roam the halls. These soldiers however didn't seem to have the same armor as those on the floor below. The material seemed different, they didn't have any markings, nor did the soldiers look nearly as intimidating.
As we walk by a group of gossiping engineers, he continues. "I passed his many trials and tests. In return, he gave me power. He taught me how to lead, how to kill, everything I needed to know about this universe." He stopped scanning his hand against a door panel.
"I was once a general for Commodus, in charge of his battles, yet now I am far out of my prime. He now keeps me around as his bodyguard. How the mighty have fallen I guess..." he says chuckling.
I've never heard of this before. I never knew of nor met this man, let alone knew of his many feats.
Either way, I continued following him, reaching a quiet wing of the ship. Here, the halls were empty aside from the many guards.
The old man guided me towards a room at the end of a hall. As Paul placed his hand on the scanner next to the door, steam could once again be heard as the door slowly began to open.