Universe 19870901

Sol System

24th Millennium

The Spirit of Eternity was ready to depart the Sol system. It was at the spaceport orbiting Earth's moon. Its sleek form was a stark contrast against the backdrop of stars.

Captain Kaelen stood at the helm, his hands on the control console. "Alright, everybody. Our next destination is Sector 678. Prepare for the jump to Warp Space."

The crew members exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Warp jumping was still new, and navigation could have been better. The crew initiated the necessary protocols efficiently, activating the sublight engines.

The Spirit of Eternity reached the nearest Mandeville Point in less than a minute. Now that it was safe to enter Warpspace, they initiated the Warp-Drive.

The ship began to vibrate with energy, and space breached the barrier between real space and the Immaterium. Immediately, the ship plunged into a dimension very different from the material universe.

The Warp was like a relatively dense, almost liquid, energy field devoid of stars, light, and life as it is commonly known.

Inside the bridge, the crew braced themselves as the ship was engulfed by chaotic energies. They always hated this part. It always felt like they were being watched.

Kaelen took a deep breath at the safe entry. "Engage main reaction drives," he commanded.

For what it was worth, they didn't experience any issues upon entering. The ship's AI Echo estimated they would leave Warp Space at Sector 678 in seven hours. The projected eddies and currents seemed consistent enough.

Despite what early twentieth-century fiction depicted, safe, faster-than-light travel was still out of reach. The crew's only option was to use the Warp. They would continue following protocol until they finally reached the exit. The Spirit of Eternity ventured on.

#

A few uneventful hours had passed before the ship's sensors went off. Alarms blared, and warning lights flashed as the ship was enveloped in turbulence.

Turning their head to the nearest viewport, the crew watch the swirling chaos appearing outside. Some would argue they heard laughing coming from the void.

The ship began to jerk in several directions, its once steady course thrown into disarray.

"We've lost our bearings," Kaelen murmured, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of the chaos. His hand gripped the controls tightly in a vain attempt to navigate through the currents. Kaelen's heart raced as he surveyed the chaos unfolding on the bridge. "Status report!" he shouts, his voice cutting through the din of alarms.

The crew members on the bridge struggle to maintain their footing as they cling to their stations.

"It's a fucking Warp Storm!"

"The chronometer is fluctuating!"

"Shields are holding, but we're losing power fast!"

The ship is tossed about like a leaf on the wind, its hull groaning under the strain.

This was one such example of the Warp being extremely volatile. Supernatural disturbances turned areas of the Warp into raging storms of metaphysical energy.

Surviving records have said that these storms' worst can last centuries. The people prayed to whatever deity that they would live.

At the very least, they hoped they were simply blown off-course. There were even rumors of some ship getting trapped inside the Warp.

Meanwhile, Echo worked frantically to analyze the torrent of data from the sensors. Its STC Data Core was working overdrive to compile the necessary calculations. A solution was beginning to form. "Shields at maximum. Diverting power to primary engines. Dispatching repair teams to the reactor room."

Kaelen mashed fingers against the control panel to correct the ship's trajectory. "Initiate evasive maneuvers."

The ship lurched as it veered sharply to avoid a particularly violent eddy in the Warp. Sparks flew as the crew worked tirelessly to keep the ship from being torn apart.

One moment, they were fighting for their lives; the next, myriad colors filled their vision.

#

Sector 572

32nd Millenium

Space tore open as the Spirit of Eternity emerged from the Warp, its hull shimmering with residual energy as it materialized into real space. Echo revisited the crew's vitals. Losses were... minimal. "We are back, Captain."

Inside, the people were silent. They saw everything in moments that seemed like an eternity to the human psyche. They bordered on the Well of Eternity. A flood of information filled their heads.

They saw the beginning when the Warp was first breached. The primordial chaos from which the universe was born was a swirling maelstrom of energy and matter. They see ancient beings, their forms obscured by the shifting shadows of the Warp, as they tear through the fabric of reality with reckless abandon. Old Gods fought against their creations.

They saw the slow death of the galaxy. Stars flickered and faded. An unseen force snuffed out their once vibrant light. An Eye of Chaos emerged. Slowly but surely, more and more tears in space opened. Demonic-like creatures infested the galaxy like a plague. They saw chaos swallow all. One by one, humanity fell to the whispers of laughing gods.

They knew the fate of mankind, and humanity was not equipped to prevent it.

Out of fear and insanity from the horrors witnessed, some of the crew committed suicide in an attempt to avoid the suffering. Sadly for them, someone or something was in the background, ready to collect souls. Others were curled up into balls, rocking and muttering ramblings.

Captain Kaelen was among the first to regain their senses. Sweat dripped from his brow as he tried to get seated. "For those that can hear me, please help anyone nearby." He turned to see someone who backed their head against the viewport. "

Echo, help collect the dead."

"Understood, sir."

Kaelen leaned against the console with a tired breath and cried. The memories through time would forever stain his mind.

#

It took two days of drifting in space for some semblance of normalcy to return. Following an all-hands-on-deck meeting, they saw that fifteen percent of the crew had perished. Ten percent were currently sedated. Those left experienced minor physical and emotional damage.

Once they took care of the ship's immediate needs, they all agreed to warn humanity of what was approaching. They needed to head to the nearest human outpost. Sadly, the task brought up another issue.

On the Spirit of Eternity's bridge, Captain Kaelen and Echo worked tirelessly to recalibrate their star and planet charts. Initial scans of the nearby systems did not match anything in their database.

When one crew member mentioned the malfunctioning chronometer, Captain Kaelen requested that the current star map be compared to one adjusted for stellar drift.

Echo did as asked and projected their map hologram. On the side, the date continued to increase as the small stars drifted along a predicted curve. When the date stopped, the map flashed green, signaling that they achieved a match. Those in the room paled as they saw the date estimate: 30,000+ CE.

Thousand years had passed since they departed. Their friends, families, and homes were long gone. Suffice it to say, a wave of depression overwhelmed the crew. Some locked themselves in their quarters in denial. It would be another few days before Captain Kaelen stepped up.

With the updated charts, Kaelen plotted a course for the nearest human-inhabited planet: "Set course for Agriworld 542-B." Thankfully, they wouldn't have to go back into the Warp. Sub-light speed would be enough to reach there in a few days. The crew hoped humanity was still there, but who knows if it had already fallen to chaos.

The Spirit of Eternity accelerated toward its destination through the cosmos. During this time, they performed makeshift ceremonies for the fallen, and the bodies were cremated.

Hours passed as they traversed the vast distances of space, the stars streaking past in a blur of light. Despite the hardship, Kaelen and his crew were determined to ensure their survival meant something.

Finally, the agricultural planet came into view. As they looked from space, it seemed off. The planet's normal space traffic was practically non-existent, and space debris littered the lower orbit.

From Kaelen's right, someone narrowed their eyes toward one edge of the planet. "Uh, is that a space station shaped like a castle?"

The others followed his eyes and saw the same strange sight. Before they could say anything, Echo spoke. "The other vessel is sending a transmission. I believe it is trying to hail us."

As the Spirit of Eternity approaches the planet, the crew is startled to receive a signal hailing them. Captain Kaelen exchanged a glance with the crew before deciding to open the communication lines, curiosity outweighing caution. "Patch us through," Kaelen commanded, his voice tinged with unease.

Echo virtually nodded and initiated the connection. A blue circular symbol appeared on a holographic display in front of them.

"Greetings. I am Vega. It is a pleasure to speak to you."

The crew breathed a sigh of relief. The stranger seemed amicable.

Kaelen cleared his throat. "Are you the STC Admin managing the vessel? Due to... complications, we have come across vital information for humanity's survival."

Vega's symbol glowed. "You may consider me the Fortesses's administrator. Currently, my associate is planetside, assisting the locals with a pest control issue. He will be able to join us shortly.

"Shouldn't we land on the surface's spaceport?"

"I would advise against interacting with the local human populace without sufficient protection."

Kaelen furrows his brow, his interest piqued. "Why?"

Vega's digital form flickered. "The humans on the planet's surface are not very hospitable. They distrust outsiders and will attack strangers on sight."

A few recoiled at the thought of getting attacked as soon as they landed. It would seem that after thousands of years, this planetary colony collapsed into anarchy.

"My scanners indicate that your vessel is still emitting strong Warp signatures. I must ask if you are experiencing any adverse effects."

They all shuddered at the past few weeks. Kaelen swallowed. "Yes, that is related to our complication. We are... recovering. Some of us didn't make it."

"You have my condolences. In any case, I have notified my ally of your arrival, and he requests that you dock at our hanger to recuperate.

Echo chimed in. "Captain, we should proceed with caution. We cannot afford to trust blindly."

Instead of feeling offended, Vega took it in stride. "Your friend has valid concerns. However, I assure you that no harm shall come to you or your crew. We would also like to hear what you offer, considering your bout with the Warp may be related to the current galactic crisis."

Kaelen glanced at his crew, concerned. Were they too late to save them all? There was only one way to find out. "We're lacking options right now. Are you able to reconnect us with the Sol System?"

"You wish to return to Earth? Yes, that can be arranged."

Kaelen hesitated for a moment before accepting. "Alright, we'll be in your vicinity soon."

"Understood. I shall prepare the hanger bay for your arrival."

With the communication ended, Kaelen turned to his crew. "Prepare for boarding. Have security positioned in the barracks should things turn violent."

#

The Spirit of Eternity glides gracefully toward the Fortress of Doom. As the ship approaches, Captain Kaelen and his crew stand ready on the bridge, their eyes fixed on the massive structure.

Kaelen's hands moved deftly over the controls as he guided the ship toward the designated hangar bay.

Echo coordinated with the space station's docking control systems, ensuring a smooth transition. The ship maneuvered toward a marked landing spot as the Spirit of Eternity entered the hangar bay. With a soft hiss of hydraulics, the ship came to rest, its landing struts extending to secure it in place. "Docking complete."

With the ship safely secured, Kaelen exhaled a sigh of relief. "Is it safe outside?"

"Oxygen levels are normal. I can tell that the vessel is armed, but no weapons are directed at us."

"Best that we can ask for right now."

As the crew members began to disembark from the ship, Kaelen felt grateful to Vega for offering them sanctuary in their time of need. "Let's see what awaits us inside," Kaelen murmured. When they stepped off the ship, a Vega drone floated toward them.

"Welcome. Please follow me. I shall take you to the briefing room." A hatched opening revealed an inert drone. "Feel free to connect your digital companion to this drone and join us."

Suddenly, the drone activated. Instead of Vega's blue, the lights were purple.

Kaelen "Echo?"

The purple drone spun around a bit before replying. "Systems are optimal. No issues are present."

With that, the group moved to a designated room and sat at a large table.

Vega hovered at the head of the table. "Until my ally arrives, I'm happy to answer your questions."

One member raised a hand. "You mentioned your friend pest control. What did you mean by that?"

Vega paused. "There are... entities currently infesting the planet below and preying on the remaining human settlements."

Memories of chaotic forces taking over the galaxy flashed through their minds, causing them to visibly pale.

Vega easily noticed their shift in expression. "It seems you may be familiar with the current threat. Perhaps it would be best for you to view his helmet cam. As a warning, it's not a pleasant sight."

They all gulped and nodded one by one to confirm their fears.

"Very well. Opening transmission."

A holographic display lit up on the wall. It seemed to depict the HUD of Vega's ally. However, the Spirit of Eternity dismissed everything else and focused on the swarms of creatures they recalled from their visions in the Warp: Daemons. They were already here. Their moment of fear was cut short by the slaughter that followed.

A machine gun appeared in the man's hand and fired explosive tracking missiles into the crowd. Explosions ripped through the air, sending daemons flying in all directions as the force of the blasts tore their bodies apart. The Doom Slayer unleashed a hail of bullets. Daemons fell in droves, their ethereal forms dissipating and flowing toward him.

The gun was swapped out for a plasma rifle crackling with foreign energy. The air shimmered as he rounded a corner, and a horde of daemons materialized. The air sizzled as superheated bolts streaked through, incinerating daemons with every shot.

Echo recognized the next weapon equipped. Seeing the weapon thousands of years after it became antique was surprising. While there were slight modifications, the mechanics were the same. The .75 caliber rounds were fired quickly like miniature rockets, accelerating toward the target. The hardened diamantine tip and depleted deuterium core allowed them to penetrate most armor with incredible stopping power. When the rounds embedded themselves inside their demonic flash, the explosive charge in each one detonated, maximizing damage to the target and causing horrific injuries.

The Doom Slayer drew his chainsaw and waded into the midst of the daemon horde, the chainsaw carving through flesh and bone with brutal efficiency. Limbs were severed, bodies torn asunder, until at last, the last of the daemons lay vanquished at his feet.

The time travelers shared the same sentiment. What the hell happened to the world while they were gone?

#

AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Mecha Destroyer98, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Alexander, Ajax Roranson, trey, Asaf, DJC, $hane-08, nighnight, decimator, Roswell, SpeX, Giorgie Baramidze, Professor Xivass, jorge, Adam!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did, please follow or review/comment. See you guys in the next chapter.

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