The Crystal Entity

A deep, shuddering clang reverberated through the metal walls of Melissa’s quarters as her fist struck her desk. Around her, the humming lights seemed to flicker, casting fractured shadows that matched the turmoil simmering within. 

“For the last time, no!” Her heart pounded in her chest, a wildfire of rage and dread igniting within her, making her hands clench and tremble. The flickering viewscreen displayed her husband, William. His expression was unyielding, the sharp lines of his face illuminated by the cold, distant stars, casting ghostly shadows that danced across his features.

“Melissa, the galaxy is a dangerous place,” his green eyes narrowed, icy as the void outside. “The Kryposk menace hasn’t waned in a hundred years. We must prepare him for what’s to come or have you forgotten the Day of Ruin?”

Memories of the Day of Ruin clawed at her mind—the screams, the choking smoke, the blaster gripped tightly in her hands. She sank into her chair, resentment thick in her throat. “I remember it all too well, William. I was there that day, even if I didn’t walk away with a title like you did—“Hero of the Empire.” The faint smile she attempted fell away under his unwavering gaze.

“We lost our emperor and countless lives. It was a draw at best,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, almost to himself.

Melissa pressed her fingers against her temples, the tension in her shoulders coiling tighter with every word. The walls of her quarters felt like they were closing in, suffocating her with unspoken fears. “You’re the smartest and most foolish man I know,” she shot back, her fists clenched at her sides. “I get wanting to protect Alex, but genetically altering him? He’s just a boy, William!”

William’s gaze softened, if only briefly. “Melissa, I wouldn’t consider this if the results weren’t assured. He could be faster, stronger, smarter. And he’s the first nullifier born in the Empire. One day, he could stand against the Republic Knights and their powers. The Empire is severely lacking in Esper soldiers; the Republic has been at it far longer than we have and has a much larger population to draw from. Having someone who can completely nullify them will make their knights obsolete in any battle against him!”

“But we’re not at war with the Republic! Not yet. We already have one war to fight, William—don’t start another. I’ve seen the devastation firsthand; I won’t let Alex become just another casualty in this never-ending cycle of violence.”

William’s jaw tightened. “The Republic’s negligence at minimum or intentional at worst. Let the Kryposk slip through our defences to attack our homeworld! That peace treaty with the Kryposk only lulled us into complacency. The previous emperor was naive to believe those monsters wanted peace, but Maximus understands what’s needed: the complete eradication of the Kryposk. They had their chance; now, it’s about survival.”

“And when it’s over, will you and Max just turn on the Republic next?” Melissa’s voice was edged with challenge.

William’s gaze hardened. “We’ll do what’s necessary. The Republic has ignored the Kryposk threat for too long. They left the Aefol to fend for themselves—if we hadn’t intervened, they’d be extinct. The Republic fears our strength, and I’ll make sure they have every reason to. But right now, you’re on a mission to investigate the disappearance of a scout team investigating the unusual radiation readings reported by the Yuva colony. We need to stay focused on the immediate threats, who knows what weapon the Kryposk will use this time on unarmed citizens if they go unchecked.”

Melissa exhaled slowly, restraining her frustration. “Changing the topic to duty won’t save you, William. When I’m back, we’re discussing Alex—and everything else. And maybe you can tell me if the emperor's daughter Rebecca is still following him around like a lovesick puppy.”

Straightening, she adopted a formal stance, hands behind her back. “But for now, duty first.”

William inclined his head. “Your mission, Admiral Grimwald, is to investigate the Yuva colony sector. I’m transmitting all available data now, you should have a new crew member a young Alnopie science officer by the name of Lieutenant Thyra she is eccentric even by Alnopie standards but does good work.”

“Understood, sir. My fleet will investigate and report back.”

“See to it, Admiral…” he said, his tone strictly professional. “And come home. Alex misses you.” His cold demeanour softened for just a moment.

“You big softie,” Melissa murmured. He smiled just before the screen went dark. Melissa took a moment to collect herself before stepping out into the corridor.

As Melissa exited her quarters, she met her XO, Tarak, waiting in the corridor. The Aefol male was tall and lithe, his green skin faintly gleaming under the ship’s artificial lights. Intricate black markings traced up his arms and across his face, resembling ancient tattoos that told stories of lineage and legacy. His yellow eyes held a flicker of both curiosity and resolve.

“Admiral, do we have our orders yet?” he asked, saluting her with a hopeful expression. “Are we moving to engage the Kryposk?”

“No, Tarak. We’re investigating strange readings in this sector,” she replied firmly. “But if we encounter any Kryposk, you have my full permission to wipe them from the galaxy.” She paused, noticing his hesitation. “Is there a reason you’re not on the bridge as ordered?”

Tarak shifted uncomfortably, an unusual reaction from her normally composed XO. “Yes, Admiral… I wanted to speak with you privately,” Tarak said, his voice steady but laced with nostalgia. “We’ve faced the Kryposk together on numerous occasions, and I’ve always trusted your judgment. But now, I have a different battle to fight—one that begins at home.” He took a breath, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “My child will be born soon, and I’d like to request a transfer to a home sector.” His voice softened. “The Aefol population is dangerously low. I want to raise him to understand our ways… from his father. You know as well as I do that our Aefol culture is hanging by a thread. The Kryposk have decimated our traditions and history, leaving us with nothing but echoes of what once was. Even after four hundred years under the Empire’s protection, we’ve barely recovered any of our culture.”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “That’s come around quickly… It feels like just yesterday we were patrolling the outer colonies.” She softened her tone. “I’ll start the paperwork right away. Once we’re done here, you’ll be cleared for transfer. Family is important, Tarak—don’t miss out on those early days.”

Tarak allowed himself a rare, grateful smile. “Thank you, Admiral. If you need anything in the meantime, even while I’m gone, please don’t hesitate to call. It has been an honour serving under you.”

With a nod, she replied, “The honour is mine. Now get to the bridge.”

As Melissa stepped onto the bridge, the crew rose to attention, an unspoken show of unity and respect that swelled her heart with pride. She returned their salutes, then waved them back to their stations. “Back to work, everyone.”

She approached the new addition to her crew. Thyra, an Alnopie with shimmering bluish-grey skin. Her elongated head had faint red and purple hues beneath the surface, and her eyes sparkled with the excitement of discovery, she had been the only one not to come to attention or salute.

“Thyra, have you found anything unusual in this sector?” Melissa asked amused, glancing at the screen.

Thyra’s eyes widened as she gestured toward the display. “Admiral, look! These readings—I’ve never seen anything like them.” Her fingers danced across her controls, a barely contained thrill in her voice. “It’s almost as if… whatever’s out there is alive.”

Melissa leaned closer, studying the monitor. “Careful with your conclusions, Thyra. I need concrete data before we proceed.”

Blushing, Thyra cleared her throat. “Apologies, Admiral. I’ve already transmitted a preliminary report to headquarters. Should I halt the research vessel on standby?”

Melissa nodded, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. “Yes, have them wait until we verify safety. Your enthusiasm is admirable, but we don’t want to risk unnecessary exposure.” She straightened, looking out at the bridge. “All ships—maximum speed toward Yuva!”

Thyra’s hands flew over her console, her glee barely contained. The crew on the bridge echoed her excitement, a low hum of anticipation filling the room.

An unsettling quiet filled the bridge as Yuva came into view on the screen. One by one, the Kryposk ships appeared, battered and fleeing, their formation broken. The cause of their panic hung in space, massive and motionless—a crystalline entity, pulsing like the heart of a dying star. Its slow, predatory shift sent ripples of cold dread through the crew.

Melissa’s jaw tightened as she took in the sight. Tarak stepped up beside her, his eyes fierce. “Admiral, we have the Kryposk and… whatever that is. Just say the word, and I’ll turn them into space dust.”

Melissa’s gaze remained on the crystal entity, her mind racing. “Hold fire on the Collosial, Tarak. Let’s see how it behaves. Target the engines of the nearest Kryposk ship—force them to stay in its line of fire.”

Tarak’s face broke into a fierce grin as he keyed in the commands, his eyes alight with satisfaction. “With pleasure, Admiral.” His hands moved swiftly, locking onto the Kryposk’s engines. A single pulse shot out, hitting the target dead-on. The Kryposk ship staggered, its engines sparking, and then drifted helplessly in the path of the crystal entity.

The crew watched, spellbound, as the crystal approached the crippled ship, tendrils of energy extending toward it. A moment later, the crystal enveloped the Kryposk vessel entirely, and in its wake, a smaller shard-like crystalline emerged, hovering beside the colossal entity.

Gasps rippled through the bridge as the new shard powered up, its own beam firing toward another Kryposk ship. The targeted vessel twisted and contorted, its structure warping under the crystal’s influence, before it, too, was consumed in a brilliant flash.

Thyra’s voice was barely a whisper. “Admiral… it’s… reproducing.”

Melissa’s eyes narrowed as she studied the tactical screen, unease prickling at the back of her mind. “Thyra, analyze any data we’re getting from the crystalline. I want to know what we’re dealing with before it turns its gaze on us.”

She turned to Tarak, her voice steady. “Prepare all weapons. If that thing makes a move toward our fleet, I want to be ready.”

Tarak saluted, his initial excitement now replaced by a fierce resolve. “Understood, Admiral. I’ll make sure it knows not to mess with the Empire.” The fleet quickly mopped up the remaining Kryposk ships, clearing the immediate threat.

As they prepared for what could be an unprecedented encounter, Melissa kept her gaze locked on the crystalline entity. Whatever this thing was, it represented a dangerous unknown—and in a galaxy already fractured by war, one more threat could tip the balance.

“Admiral, we’ve received a report from the colony,” Jamie, the comms officer, said, his brow furrowed with concern. “No issues detected aside from a Kryposk scout sighting. But with everything at stake—” His voice trailed off, the weight of unspoken worries heavy in the air.

Just as relief washed over her, the view screen exploded with chaos. Two Kryposk vessels disintegrated, their remnants swirling into the maw of the crystalline creature.

Her eyes hardened. “Open a wide comm channel. Let’s see if it can communicate.”

“You’re on open comms, Admiral.”

Taking a firm stance, Melissa addressed the entity. “This is Admiral Melissa Grimwald of the One Hundred and Third Imperial Fleet. On behalf of His Majesty, the Emperor, I thank you for assisting in the defense of our colony, Yuva. Are you able to understand me?”

A tense silence fell across the bridge, broken only by the hum of the ship’s systems. After a few moments, a high-pitched, grating screech erupted from the comms, making the crew wince. The crystalline beast pulsed, light refracting off its shifting facets, casting eerie shadows as it approached the colony like an unstoppable tidal wave.

Melissa’s jaw tightened. “This is your only warning. If you dare to approach that colony, I will open fire without hesitation, and you will feel the full wrath of the Empire,” she declared, her voice steady yet laced with a threatening edge.

The creature only screeched again and continued its path toward Yuva.

Suddenly, Thyra called out, her voice tight with urgency. “Admiral! I’ve managed to hack into the Kryposk databanks of the destroyed vessels. According to republic records within those databanks that entity—it's a planet eater! It consumes worlds, turning them into breeding grounds for more crystalline creatures. The Kryposk must have been guiding it to Yuva so it could feast on the colony!”

Melissa’s eyes flashed with fury. “Does their depravity know no bounds? All ships to battle stations! Captain Birch, initiate an emergency evacuation of Yuva. Half of our fleet will engage that monster—keep it away from the colony at all costs!”

Each vessel moved in tight formation, responding to her orders with clockwork precision. Yet Melissa sensed the pulse of fear running through her crew, a hum of tension beneath their professionalism. She knew her team’s families waited for them back home. The thought lingered in her mind like a whisper of doubt, but she pressed forward, every command pushing them closer to survival. Anti-ship nuclear torpedoes slammed into the colossal crystalline, causing it to screech and shudder. But Melissa’s momentary hope turned to horror as smaller crystals began to spill out from the entity, swarming like a hive of bees.

“Cat-and-mouse! Draw it away—sides only!” she ordered. “Corvettes, take the smaller crystals; battleships stay at range and use long-range bombardment!”

“Admiral, the smaller ones are trying to ram us!” a crew member shouted as the swarm closed in.

The battle dragged on, stretching her fleet to its breaking point. Explosions flared across the bridge’s view screen as ship after ship fell to the relentless tide. Even as they destroyed crystalline after crystalinel, the colossal entity only spawned more. Soon, only her flagship remained—battered, with systems failing, but still holding on as if sheer willpower kept it alive.

The ship shuddered violently, alarms blaring like banshees as the colossal crystal loomed ever closer, each heartbeat echoing the crew’s mounting dread. “Status on the evacuation?” she asked, her voice low but determined.

“They need more time, Admiral,” Thyra replied, her voice thick with tension. “Captain, I’ve been analyzing the battle data, and I believe I can devise a weapon capable of defeating this creature, but I need a lab to finalize it. However, for this battle, if we overload the ship’s core while it devours the vessel, it should destroy it—or at least cripple it severely!”

Melissa set her jaw, her decision already made. ““All hands, evacuate the ship! Prepare the core for overload!” Melissa’s voice rang out with a fierce clarity. “We’re going to ram this monster straight down its throat and show it what the Empire’s made of!”

“Yes, ma’am!” the crew shouted, beginning the evacuation process. But then Tarak spoke up.

“Admiral… controls are down. Someone has to stay behind and guide it manually.”

A steadying breath escaped Melissa, grounding her as she spoke. “I understand, Tarak,” Melissa said, her voice thick with emotion. “But you have a family waiting for you—your child needs his father to come home. An admiral should go down with her ship, but I won’t let you throw your life away!”

Tarak, his face resolute, met her gaze. “Admiral, where I come from, stories are told of those who go to the stars for the good of the whole. If it must be one of us, let it be me. My son will know his father was not afraid.”

“No! You need to get out of here!” she insisted, her voice catching. But as she looked around, she saw her entire crew standing resolutely at their posts.

“If you’re staying, Admiral, we all stay.” The officer’s gaze held hers, unwavering. “We won’t abandon you.” Around her, others nodded. She saw it in their eyes—their fear, their resolve.

Frustration and pride clashed within her. For a moment, she struggled to find words, then relented. ““Fine. Security—get Thyra to an escape pod!” Melissa commanded, her heart racing. “We need her to bring back the data to the Empire. She’s the only one who can continue this fight. so we’ll be ready for these monsters next time.” Her voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “And damn the Republic for hiding these things… My husband was right. They’ll have a war on their hands soon enough.”

Security dragged a protesting Thyra toward the escape pod. As Melissa turned back to face the monstrous crystal, her expression hardened into a snarl.“You dared to bear your fangs at the Empire,” she hissed, her voice dripping with cold fury. “Now, you’ll learn the true meaning of defiance. Today, your reign of terror ends!”

Her grip tightened on the console. “All hands, brace for impact,” Melissa called out, her voice unwavering even as a quiet dread curled inside her. They were outmatched, out of options. But if her ship was to be devoured, she would ensure it was on her terms. “All power to engines. Ramming speed.” The bridge shook as the ship surged forward, each second pulling them closer to the crystalline behemoth’s gaping maw.

The crew stood at their stations, shoulders squared and heads held high, a silent agreement passing between them. They were more than an admiral and crew; they were a family bound by duty, and if this was the end, they would face it together. The Empire would remember them—the crew that faced the stars and didn’t blink. In those final moments, Melissa met the determined gazes of her crew. Together, they had faced the darkness of the cosmos—and together, they would carve their legacy in the stars.