"Sir,we are nearing Oro."
I leaned back."Good.Have we established contact with them?"
Glen shook his head."They aren't responding to any kind of signal,sir."

This can't be good."Keep trying.The last thing we want is to get shot at when we are on a diplomatic mission."
"Got it!"He exclaimed."They are saying that they will receive you in their main hall.They are sending us the coordinates so that we can warp whoever's going."
"Good."I nodded."Max,prepare the warp core.I'm going."
Max looked at me with a dubious look."Sir,any one of us could go.You don't have to."
"I'll be fine."Nevertheless,I tucked a blaster in my holster.It doesn't hurt to be careful,right?
"If things get messy,warp me out of there."I patted Max on the shoulder as I made my way to the warp core situated at the other end of the ship.I stepped into the platform as the technicians entered the coordinates.

In an instant,my surroundings changed.I found myself in a dark hall with barely any light to see.As far as I could make out,the hall was circular,and there were niches cut into the walls.My eyes caught several movements in the dark.They were lurking in the shadows.Watching me.

"What do you want?"I turned around to face a gigantic figure standing in the darkness.I couldn't make out his features in the dark,but there was no mistaking the large axe he was wielding.I silently thanked myself for bringing the blaster.

"I come with the greetings of the Nova Corps.We realize that an ancient relic was taken from you long ago.We would like to return it to you,the rightful owners,as a sign of friendship and allegiance.Our intention is purely to ensure the cooperation of your species with ours."I held up the orb high.

"Do you now?"He snarled.He stepped closer and I could see the evil glint in his eyes."Did it ever occur to you that exactly how it was taken from us?"

I gulped."Well,I.."
"IT WAS STOLEN FROM US!!"He screamed."Your precious Nova Corps stole it from us and cost us a ton of good men.And now you want to return it as a sign of allegiance?Friendship?"He hissed.Brandishing his axe,he continued."Oh, you'll get more than you bargained, Earthling.Today,my brothers,we feast on human!"
A cheer went up among them.Each brought out their own weapon and advanced.
I had enough of it.In a swift move,I unholstered my blaster and fired.

"Urgh!"The Mecander in front stepped back,one hand on his eye, dropping his axe.His other eye gleamed dangerously.

Note to self:Never injure a Mecander,for they tend to get more desperate.
As if they could read my thoughts,the Mecanders let out a war cry and advanced.

Shit.
Shit.
Shit.

"Now will be a very good time,Max!"I frantically screamed into the communicator."Get me the hell out of here!"No answer.

The raging Mecanders had nearly got me..

Suddenly,my surroundings changed.I found myself back on the Jackal,standing on the warp platform.In front of me,the technicians heaved a sigh of relief.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"About time."I muttered as I made my way to the front deck.

"Get us out of here."I told my flight officer as I put the orb back into the ship's vault."It won't take them long to retaliate."

"Yes,sir.Where shall we head to?"
"Yorktown."
I leaned back on my seat,my heart still thumping from the narrow escape.

"Glen, contact the Vice-Admiral.Tell him that the mission was unsuccessful.Awaiting further orders."
"Yes,sir."He frowned."There seems to be some kind of problem with the signal,sir.I'm unable to communicate with Yorktown."

I got up."Did you check the wavelength?Try again."

He tried again."Negative,sir.It says it is unable to send the signal.Seems like it's jammed."

Jammed?

Suddenly, the ship screeched to a stop.I could hear the engines powering down.
"What the hell is happening down there?"I all but screamed into the speaker.
"There seems to be some kind of malfunction,sir.All the engines are powering down."
"We've lost power?"
"No,sir.Engine capacity is still at 55%.The backup power's jammed."

What the hell?

"Sir,we've lost control of the ship."My flight officer shouted."It isn't responding to any kind of command."
I sprinted to his place.Sure enough, the Jackal was stranded in space,not responding to anything.

"Sir,you should have a look at this."Max called our from his station.I went up to him."Put it up on the main screen."

The main screen blinked and flashed.I stared at the image in front of me.My eyes widened.

Oh my God.
This can't be happening.

Question of the chapter:What do you think Steve saw on the main screen?

Hey, guys.Sorry I couldn't update before due to the projects and assignments given by my school.Sorry if the chapter got too long.Promise on better chapters.Please don't forget to comment and vote.