The End of Infinity

"Captain, we are approaching the planet", the deck officer spoke out loud. Looking at the view screen, Captain Bru’an saw the small planet. At a first glance the planet did not look important, probe reports the results of which he kept to himself, indicated that it was over populated, radiated, polluted, and insufferably primitive, but Bru’an knew it’s importance. That small planet was the last hope for the survival of the human race, perhaps even the entire galaxy. As if to interrupt his train of though, his first officer and trusted friend, Commander Koel walked up to his command chair.

"Sir, we have assumed a defensive orbit around the planet, your orders?" Bru’an looked up from the viewer.

"Launch all fighters, have them assume sphere formation around the ship" Bru’an picked up his tactical map that lay beside his command chair. He looked down at the map, punching up the display for this solar system. "Communication officer, give me intership communication". He spoke in his cool voice, not letting on for a second that he most likely was condemning the crew of his ship to a death sentence.

"Your online, sir" Bru’an sat up in his chair and tugged on the bottom of his uniform. "This is Captain Bru’an to the crew of the Human Alliance Battlewagon Markails, we have arrived at our destination, we are here to patrol and defend. This ship has never lost an engagement, and although we are not expecting a battle, exercise extreme vigilance at all times. Good luck to you all, Captian Bru’an out". Bru’an motioned to the communication officer, thinking how young he looked, far too young to be a command officer.

Bru’an recalled the days when you had to serve as a fighter pilot before you would be allowed to become a command officer. Bru’an rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander before he transferred to command operations, life in behind a fighter built character and strength in a man. He looked over to his first officer, "Commander Koel, join me in my office, Lieutenant Ky’al you have the bridge" Bru’an got up and walked over to his office, Koel followed in stride. Sensing his presence the doors glided open, Bru’an walked over to his desk and sat down, pushing the piles of reports to the side of his desk. "Computer, lock and soundproof room." He heard the door click and a rush of air flow in as the ventilation system closed off the room from the rest of the ship. Bru’an motioned for his first officer to sit down in the chair in front of him, Koel pulled the chair back and sat down, his face betrayed no emotions. There were some days when Bru’an wondered if his first officer w as human at all, he never seemed to eat, or sleep, or talk to anyone about anything other than ship operations.

"Captain, you know I would never question you in front of the crew, but we are not supposed to be here. Alliance command specifically ordered the Markalis to Arkarian sector. The Gragh have massed their forces there and are preparing to invade the Alliance. Also, this planet was conceded to the Gragh by Alliance command, during the war council two months ago, a council I beleve you sat on. So I must ask you, why are we here??" Bru’an knew that this moment was going to happen, but he had prepared himself for it. He opened his desk and pulled out a bottle of Cerulean whiskey.

"Would you like a drink Koel??" Koel stiffened up as he raised his eyebrows at his commanding officer.

"Sir, we are on duty." Bru’an raised his glass to Koel and threw back the drink, it burned all the way down just like hard alcohol always did.

"Koel, what do you know about history?" Koel, closed his eyes to think for a moment before responding.