Heritage

Heritage (Chapter 53)

Chapter 53: Dante

Here I am. I'm in Pulvan territory. They're basically a bunch of intergalactic thugs that managed to carve out a piece of territory for themselves way back. While Earth and the Sekrid were engaged in all-out war, and the various worlds rallying behind either side, the Pulvans thought it was high time to claim some ground.

After all was said and done, no one really bothered to look all that hard at them given the fact that they were one of the most inferior species in the galaxy. They were equated to little more than scavengers, scrounging through the wreckages of battles fought by better men. It suited them considering they were essentially giant insects; with their large eyes, hard exoskeletons, and antennae.

That was until they discovered the technology for macro radar. They developed the ability to detect unidentified ships from light years away. Soon enough, everyone was on board to become their ally. The Sekrid were a bit too hardcore for their liking and so, the UEDF won the bid. The Pulvans were too smart to be swindled though and only allowed humanity to have a fraction of their radar technology. It had the same accuracy, but didn't detect ships from anywhere near as far away. It made it so that the UEDF couldn't suddenly invade and capture their territories.

In the years that followed, the Pulvans created an unprecedented network of defense, all centered on their macroradar. Instead of a large navy like most of the galaxy's militaries, the Pulvans opted for massive artillery cannons that cracked the skies of their owned planets. Long black spires with breathing yellow lights jutting out very nearly through the atmosphere.

During this time, humanity brokered a lease with the Pulvans to use certain worlds as black sites for their tests. It was the perfect plan given the fact that the Pulvans wanted nothing to do with politics or anything that came with it outside of their own civilization.

And one of those black sites is why I'm here.

Planet Voresh, a bright blue jewel shining in the blackness; I remember coming here once or twice for some bombing runs before during a few conflicts the Pulvans had with other races. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.

The planet was mostly water with a few small landmasses dotted throughout. No one lived here given the harsh storms and huge tsunamis that could swallow a landmass whole for days at a time before draining back.

With a push of a button my ship slowly thrusts forward towards the surface below. As the ship breaks through the atmosphere and slows down to a cruising speed, I press in a few coordinates and watch the ship level out and make adjustments.

It only takes a few minutes before the ship lands on a waterlogged, algae covered landmass. In front of me, a small, metal compound sleeps. It's covered in seaweed and partially rusted from years of water crashing against it. I can only assume that the government was ready for the hefty amounts of water to submerge this place, so it must be airtight.

Rain starts to fall as I exit the ship and make my way to the compound. Large, heavy drops of water pound my head and face. I reach the door and kneel down in front of the electronic lock to the right of the door. It's old and dated. But it's still incredibly complex. I remove the digital sequencer from my pack and place it on the tumbler of the lock. Without hesitation the machine extends a tube over the tumbler and begins to move smoothly left and right. Before long, the lock clicks and the door slides open with quick, jilted movements.

I turn my flashlight on and enter. There's a hallway that leads straight down ahead of me. Another hallway cuts across it halfway down creating a cross shape. There are four labs, each separated by the walkways with large observing windows. I notice multiple different types of robotic machinery and lab equipment strewn about. I walk through the halls, shining my flashlight into each of the labs, hoping to find a computer that's still intact.