Chapter 1574 Regulating The Deities Author's Note: Unedited Chapter -------------- In the dimly lit conference room, a tense air of urgency pervaded the space. The room, stark and functional, was lined with digital displays and tactical screens, each casting a soft blue light across the faces of those gathered. At the head of the sleek metal table sat Captain Helena Voss, a seasoned officer known for her steely demeanor and strategic acumen. Beside her, was her second-in-command, Commander Rajiv Malik, whose reputation for meticulousness was unmatched within Triton's intergalactic security agency. The figure who had been rescued from the wreckage, now identified as Officer Eyhrum Arkwright, stood at the center of attention. His uniform still bore the subtle signs of his recent ordeal—scorched edges and stiffness to the fabric that spoke of rapid decontamination. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 "Officer Eyhrum Arkwright, report," Captain Voss commanded, her voice echoing slightly in the high-ceilinged room. Arkwright nodded, clearing his throat before he began, his voice steady despite the gravity of his report. "Thank you, Captain. As you're aware, the transport vessel was destroyed under circumstances that initially suggested an external attack. However, I am here to confirm that the devastation was indeed facilitated from within." Commander Malik leaned forward, interjecting with a frown. "Facilitated from within? Explain." Officer Eyhrum Arkwright swallowed, then continued, "The prisoner, Karis, didn't act alone. Our investigations—before the incident—had hinted at potential corruption among the crew, but we lacked the evidence to convict. It appears that a few of our guards conspired with her." "Conspired how, exactly?" Captain Voss asked, her expression tightening. "The conspirators provided Karis with unauthorized access to the ship's critical systems. She gained control over the vessel's security protocols and used it to orchestrate her escape," Officer Eyhrum Arkwright explained, tapping on the data box retrieved from the wreckage to bring up a series of security logs on the screens around them. The logs showed unauthorized access timestamps and security overrides that coincided with the guards' shifts. Commander Malik's eyes narrowed at the data. "And the Rion? How does it factor into this?" Arkwright sighed, the weight of his next words heavy. "Karis and her accomplices used the chaos to steal a containment unit housing Rion and through it, they were able to destroy from within that wrecked the entire vessel despite our lockdown protocols being effective." The room was silent for a moment as the implications sank in. Captain Voss finally broke the silence, "The Rion—do we have any leads on where they might try to utilize it?" "That remains unclear, Captain," Officer Eyhrum Arkwright admitted. "However, given the nature of Rion and Karis's known associations, I can draw up possible locations... Ranging from the Darnis Forte to the Nereus sector," he added. Commander Malik tapped on his console, pulling up star maps and potential trajectories to the locations Officer Eyhrum Arkwright mentioned. "We'll need to mobilize a task force immediately. If Rion is as potent as our reports suggest, its misuse could result in catastrophic energy surges—potentially on a planetary scale." Captain Voss nodded decisively. "Prepare the fleet. I want interdiction cruisers and tactical squads ready to jump within the hour. We must retrieve the Rion and prisoner before things get out of hand." Officer Eyhrum Arkwright stood firm, his resolve hardened by the near-death experience and the gravity of his duty. "I should join them, Captain. I have firsthand knowledge of Karis's tactics and the events leading up to the theft." Captain Voss considered him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. You'll accompany the task force. Ensure the mission is successful." As the meeting adjourned, the room buzzed with activity. Officers and aides moved briskly, executing Captain Voss's orders with precision. ... ... .... { Nereus Sector } The population was a patchwork of the galaxy's denizens—species of all shapes and sizes mingled in the crowded walkways, from the towering, crystalline Praxians to the diminutive, shadow-skirting Nelphim. Gustav, flanked by Endric and Officer Eyhrum, navigated through the throng with a sense of urgency. Gustav held a small device projecting a holographic image of Karis—a striking figure with angular features and piercing eyes that seemed to challenge even from a mere image. They approached a group of Xentarians, known for their network of information trading. The Xentarians were tall, with translucent skin that shimmered with a bioluminescent glow, casting a soft light in the dimly lit market. "Excuse me," Gustav started, addressing the group with a polite nod. "We're looking for this person. Seen her around?" He gestured to the holograph, which rotated slowly to give a full view of Karis. One of the Xentarians, whose skin flickered with a dull orange light, leaned closer, eyes narrowing on the holograph. "Hmm, might've seen her, might not have. Memory's a bit fuzzy," he said, his voice a low rumble. Endric stepped forward, a small pouch of credits in hand. "Perhaps this can clear up the fog," he suggested, offering the pouch with a slight sense of disdain for the necessity of the bribe. The Xentarian's hand moved with surprising swiftness, taking the pouch and weighing it in his palm. After a moment, he shook his head. "Apologies, travelers, but no—this face doesn't ring any bells. Best of luck to you." "You little...! But you took the credit" Eyhrum stated with a tone of annoyance. "Is there a problem here?" The other Xenetarians gathered around while their eyes glowed ominously. It was obvious that a fight would break out if they continued. "No problem at all," Gustav responded while gesturing for them to leave. As they moved on, Eyhrum's frustration was palpable. "It's always the same in places like this," he muttered. "Information is just another commodity to be bought and sold, truth not included." "It doesn't matter. He didn't get anything anyway," Gustav said while handing the pouch over to Endric. "How did you...?" Eyhrum was utterly astonished. Behind them the Xeneterian was checking himself in confusion, "I can't find the pouch." "Better stop joking around and hand it here!" The others voiced without reason. Gustav, Endric, and Eyhrum continued on their way unhindered. They continued their inquiries, approaching a variety of species. Each interaction followed a similar pattern: expressions of vague recognition, a request for money, followed by denials or claims of ignorance. Hours passed with little to no progress. The marketplace was a labyrinth of neon signs and holographic adverts, selling everything from rare metals to contraband biotech. Stalls were manned by vendors of all species, including a group of insectoid Arachnians, their chittering speech almost impossible for the untrained ear to follow. Gustav approached a stall run by a hooded figure whose species was obscured by the shadows of the overhang. "We're looking for this woman," he said, showing the holograph to the hooded vendor. The vendor's eyes, glowing faintly from within the hood, flicked to the image and then back to Gustav. "Many faces pass through Nereus, few stick in the mind without good reason," the vendor replied cryptically. Endric, less patient now, skipped the niceties of offering a bribe. "She's dangerous and likely looking to trade illegal goods. Any information could prevent serious trouble in your sector." The vendor paused, "You're not from around here, are you? Every being within the Nereus Sector is dangerous. If you don't know that then you should never have come here." "We understand but if you do have any information for us, we will be grateful," Eyhrum pleaded. "Dangerous individuals often seek the quieter docks. Try the eastern docks during the graveyard shift. Fewer eyes, fewer questions," the vendor voiced out. Thanking the vendor, they headed toward the eastern docks. The docks were less crowded, the lighting dimmer, and the atmosphere tenser. There, the air was thick with the electric buzz of potential danger, the shadows deeper and more enveloping. As they made their way through the dimly lit docks, every shadow seemed to promise the appearance of Karis, yet she remained elusive, a ghost in the vast machine of Nereus. As they moved deeper into the docks, a small, sobbing figure darted out from between two cargo containers. She was a young girl, no more than four feet tall, with luminous skin that shimmered with a soft blue light, characteristic of the Aquarii species. Her large, teardrop-shaped eyes were filled with fear, and a gash on her arm glowed with phosphorescent blood that dripped to the metallic floor. Ignoring and outright avoiding the child, the others around there continued with their tasks, indifferent to her plight. The child, desperate and terrified, spotted Gustav and ran to him, her small hands clutching at the fabric of his jacket. "Please, sir, help me! He's going to take me back!" she pleaded, her voice a mix of whimpers and gasps for air. Before Gustav could respond, a large, imposing figure emerged from the shadows. The newcomer was an alien of the Krylorian species—tall and broad, with skin that looked like molten lava, bearing cracks of bright orange and red burning across a dark, rocky surface. In his hand, he wielded a whip made of light that crackled with fiery energy, illuminating his stern, chiseled features. "Child, return to me at once," he commanded in a booming voice, the fiery whip in his hand snapping sharply as he spoke.