The Helmeshi first discovered Ralnac. When they chanced upon the planet for the first time, it's images revealed what appeared to be a massive body of water along its equator. Only when the first explorers landed on the planet's surface did the Helmeshi realise what they thought was an ocean was in fact a unique geological phenomenon, not seen anywhere else in the galaxy. Almost one-third of the surface of Ralnac was covered by an enormous piece of black rock, made of naturally formed carbon particles. It gave the illusion of a dark sea with gigantic waves frozen in a single moment in time. The Helmeshi who discovered this strange geological formation named the planet Gihr'rah'sargoor or the 'motionless black sea'.
After the first Amarthian-Helmeshi War, when that part of Hermesh was ceded to the Amarthians, they renamed the planet, the Dark Illusion or Ralnac.
Standing in his office onboard the space station, as Commodore Reemon Erra looked down at the planet, piercing through the vale of the thick blue-white clouds, a fleet of 20 massive ships zoomed out into space. They caused a temporary tear in the thick cloud cover, which for a brief moment allowed Erra to catch a glimpse of that ominous black mass of carbon.
Noticing the reflection on the transparent surface in front of him, Erra turned around. An officer hesitantly stepped inside the office.
"What news, Captain Nera?" Erra asked instantly.
The Captain took a moment to compose herself before answering, "The cargo ships have just arrived from the mining colonies of Zyl'othren, Commodore."
"How many?"
"48 of their largest. Each can hold approximately 2000."
"Why so few? They are supposed to be massive." Erra frowned.
"They are, Commodore. But there is not enough space to accommodate all the hibernation pods...." The Captain trailed off, her discomfort evident.
"As long as they are still alive when they reach safety, I don't care if the nutrition levels of the passengers drop momentarily," Erra interjected in his usual blunt manner. "Leave the pods behind. Fill up all the ships with as many civilians as you can."
"Yes, Commodore. I will see to it right away," Captain Nera replied, with a resolute nod.
Taking his eyes off her momentarily, Erra glanced at the two counters that were floating next to him. One of them measured the number of people already evacuated from the systems while the other, the amount of time left for enemy to arrive,
"What is the latest projection?" Erra asked again, his voice solemn.
The officer knew immediately what the Commodore was alluding to, which is probably why she hesitated to answer.
Seeing her skin colours change, Erra sighed. "I'm not asking you to give me an answer that I like. Just give me the facts."
"We're working at full capacity, Commodore. But even then, using every available ship at our disposal, we are looking at around 550,000…." Captain Nera trailed off.
"Which means we are leaving behind approximately 6 million and 450 thousand souls who cannot be evacuated in time," Erra muttered to himself.
"I'm really sorry, Commodore, but no one was expecting the alien ships to be here so soon."
"Yes. We soldiers made the cardinal mistake of thinking that there was more time. Now the civilians will pay for our sins." Erra muttered, unable to hide his bitterness.
Grasping at something positive to say the Captain rushed, "Our 7th Fleet is expected to reach here before the enemy. They are bringing with them an arsenal of automated defence systems, as requested by General Barmin."
YOU ARE READING
ONE: Epilogue of Hermesh
Science FictionHow do you defeat an enemy you cannot reason with, you cannot hide from, you cannot escape, you cannot kill? For they are not truly alive. *They are coming. They keep coming. They keep coming.* (No they are not zombies. They were never truly alive...
