Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Prologue: The Aquarian Fugitive

Date: 085, OA19,653

Location: Shizukana Nakama facility, Hanner Cylch system

'Infiltration squad, mission run-through!'

Engines rumbled. An intercom voice crackled a stream of garbled instructions. Crew-members sprinted from one end of the control deck to the other. An assembly of heavily-armoured paratroopers gathered around their commanding officer. SCO Miriam Randazzo stood adjacent to a three-dimensional composition of the Shizukana Nakama complex. It was a six-tiered, platform structure, with each platform rotating in opposing directions, reminiscent of its Mirai Industries architecture. The laser light glowed a deep red that filled the entire spaceship and painted the faces of the onlookers.

'Pankosmios. Charitable establishment founded by noted academic Sára Natália. Acquired more than a decade ago by unknown investors, and now defunct. From intel we've gathered by the United Systems Senate, the charity was originally created as an educational conduit for underprivileged students. But following its acquisition and restructuring, sources tell us the institution experienced a change in operations. Operations that former employees have been unwilling to divulge.' A murmuration of understanding passed through the paratroopers. 'Needless to say, the activity has since appeared suspicious.

'In addition, following a financial donation made by the Greenpalm Union that triggered bankruptcy across ten planetary systems, the President of said union was found murdered while on vacation with his family in the Rainbow Nebula. Forensic evidence and witness testimony from the family has linked the murder to a former employee at Pankosmios - Matteo Gimenez.'

Digital reconstructions of the target's head materialised from the troopers' personal Polymatrix communicators. The face was of a young, unassuming man. His soft eyes and innocent complexion offered no indication of a murderer's identity.

'He is why we're here today. For whatever reason, after murdering a high-profile political individual, Gimenez decided to return to Pankosmios where we believe he is currently concealed. Flight paths of the only spacecraft to have exited the area of President Naoki Goya's body was tracked directly back to the Shizukana Nakama complex. Whether the charity itself is complicit in the murder is yet to be determined. As United Systems Security, our only role is to secure the suspect and then in accordance with his extradition, deliver him to his home-world, Arena, where he will face justice.

'Infiltrate. Locate. Apprehend. Depart. That is our objective. Our only objective.' Officer Randazzo observed all of her squad individually, ensuring each understood this command. 'The United Systems Senate has no jurisdiction over the operations of Pankosmios and so we are only authorised to apprehend the suspect. Anything else - anything you witness, hear or anything anyone does or says to you - you will ignore without prejudice. Understood?'

'Understood, Commander!'

She gestured to the holographic complex. 'The schematics for Pankosmios are straightforward. Our transport will attach to the exterior structure on tier six.' Index finger pointed towards the roof of the plan. 'First team will make their entry here, immediately, announcing your presence and beginning the search. Second team will take the external gangway to the opposite hatch and enter from the other direction. Third team will remain onboard the spacecraft with myself and monitor the situation. The search must be thorough. Communication must be clear, concise and consistent. Due to the delicate nature with which this operation is being authorised, there is no room for mistakes. Security is reliant on discretion and discipline. Is that understood?'

'Understood, Commander!' They replied unanimously once more.

'Arrival in approximately one millionth of a rotation. Standard procedure in unknown environments is to wear your ventilators. I suggest you put them on now and prepare for landing. Any questions?'