Prologue

Prologue

The Chernobl Empire was busting their britches. They had consumed all the habitable planets in this galaxy, save one, designated, 10532X. The inhabitants of 10532X called it Earth, such a strange name, it was after all, on 26% land.

***

“Commodore!” Second Lieutenant 120 burst onto the bridge.

Commodore 73 turned in his chair, “What is it Lieutenant?” The panting lieutenant gasped for breath, “New orders, sir! Set course for 10532X.”

Their ship, Lord, was the only remaining ship equipped with terraformers, a last relic of the Expansion Ages. Commodore 73 blinked, 10532X was something of a myth, and no ships were allowed within 2 parsecs of it.

“10530X?” 10530X was a recreation planet.

“No sir, 10532X,” insisted Lieutenant 120. 73 sat back in his chair.

“Well, you heard the man, Helmsman, set course for 10532X. Helmsman 5545 slid his nimble fingers across the panel, swiveling the flagship about on a direct course to sector ZZ9 Alpha.

120 handed the commodore a data pad before returning to his duty station. The commodore tapped on the “Mission Description” icon, at the head of the flowchart with events and responses. Another flow chart appeared, with “Approach” at its head. Commodore 73 retired to his ready room to read the description.

NOTE: Throughout the story, italizized passages will appear, dictating happenings onboard the Lord.