"Sol Invictus"

[BagaturKhan]

---

Three days later.

"Good morning, Artandir!"
The text on the TV screen is in black letters. Black, as a sign of mourning.

The camera shows Sam Valarti, sitting at a large round table. There is nothing on it except for tablets, a written speech and a glass of water. Moreover, the glass is already half drunk.

Sam's look is too serious, even mournful. Just recently, a global attack took place. And it affected not only Artandir.

Quinto is not in the studio. Rafael received serious burns, and is now in the hospital. One of the drones hit his hacienda outside Artandir City. The enemy clearly knew where to hit. Many government officials were damaged. Only the president and some officials, including, of course, members of the Security Council, managed to escape injury.

Sam (looking at the camera):
- Good morning, Artandir! Although, frankly, you can't call him kind. I think everyone now knows what happened in the Galaxy. This didn't happen even during the League. What happened defies common sense. The management of our company offers condolences to the families of the victims.

Then the screen shows terrifying footage. Dozens of cities from different galactic states are shown. Here, in first place is Artandir City, where large-scale destruction occurred in the very center. One of the skyscrapers belonging to the Republic Bank almost completely collapsed. Then footage is shown from Vintil, Griffin, the Earth Alliance, Byzantiana and many other powers belonging to different races and peoples.
Even the Elfurran planet Kumborr got it. Several drones destroyed the governor's palace, including the surrounding defensive structures. The attack that took place just recently was monstrous.

Sam's voice (off-screen):
- According to our data, 10,000 citizens of the republic were killed during the attack on Artandir City. More than a hundred thousand were injured to varying degrees. It's scary to even think who would do such a thing.

The camera again shows the destruction in the capital of Artandir. The streets are full of police and military. Dozens of combat shuttles and security helicopters are flying in the air. Smoke and rare flashes of fire are everywhere.

Sam's voice:
- This attack was the largest in all the past years. Even during the war with the League, we did not see anything like this. The only question is, who exactly launched the drones? And who is behind this monstrous attack?

Then footage from Minegard is shown. The journalists do not have exact data on what exactly happened on the main planet of the Union. But the probes managed to make the necessary recordings. Minegard Prime looks empty and deserted. Usually, there were multiple lights coming from the megalopolises there. But now it looks like this world is simply extinct.

Sam:
- According to the latest data, we have lost contact with the Mainguard Union. The Council of Gerontians is not answering our calls. Our probes have detected a cube-shaped ship. Its origin is unknown. Artandir Command believes that this is the reason for such a powerful attack on the Coalition. The enemy drones used a "portal system". The command believes that the drones were teleported to different planets to carry out their mission. The enemy command center may well be located in the Mainguard Cube... Yes, that is the name that is relevant now.

Again, footage coming from Mainguard. Then multiple destructions are shown on other worlds, subordinate to a state once hostile to Artandir.

Voice of the host:
- Admiral 1st rank Cadmus Florin has already made a corresponding statement.

Soon the camera shows the admiral himself.
Cadmus Florin is grim and stern. He stands in full dress uniform in the city square behind a small podium. Small reconnaissance probes fly above and on either side of the naval commander. They carefully monitor the situation. One of the probes is designed to amplify the sound so that everyone can hear the commander's speech.
Guardsmen dressed in combat suits stand not far from the admiral. Among them is Asinius Fernande, but she is unarmored. She is dressed in a thick blue uniform with shoulder straps and scarlet trousers.
Multiple flashes on Florin's face indicate the presence of journalists who have come to listen to his speech.
Behind Cadmus is a majestic building, the Palace of the Artandir Security Council. The air defense systems still managed to repel the drone attack, and the building did not receive too much damage.

Cadmus Florin (at the top of his voice):
- The attack on Artandir and our allies will not be forgotten! By my order, coordinated with the President and the Security Council of the Republic, martial law will be declared in every city... in every world, until the situation is clarified! I declare a Scarlet Alert throughout the country!

He coughs several times, and then continues his fiery speech.

Cadmus:
- I am initiating Operation Sol Invictus. It will bear the same name as my flagship. The combined fleet of the Coalition will head to Maingard. We will find out what caused such a massive drone attack. I suspect that the fragments of the League that have not yet been defeated have called in unknown aliens for help! But whatever it is, we will find these creatures and punish them! The enemy will be routed! The dead will be avenged! Long live Artandir!

Multiple voices from the crowd:
- Long live Artandir! Long live Artandir!

----

[BagaturKhan]

----

- Oh... Well, that's it, we've played too much.
Owen the Scorcher gathered the entire officer corps in his cabin. Among them were such personalities as Ishken Derkh and Gold. Now everyone understood that the dream had been a good one. True, the ghost had warned no one to fly to Maingard. Owen admitted that the dream was too strange. Why not fly - if such evil was coming from there.
Scorcher and the other captains subordinate to Cadmus clearly understood that the cube was the cause of everything. Maingard was most likely already empty. Or the enemy could have simply used an EMP to disable the electronics on the entire planet. Thus, he simply turned Maingard into a medieval world.
Ahmanet had a different opinion. User-Kaf had shared with Owen and Totkhemris the day before that the enemy could have used a much more terrible weapon. Psionics were too sensitive to all sorts of disturbances in space. A psionic storm or "explosion" often resulted in a creature with such powerful potential not only losing its mind, but also turning into a small bomb. But not everyone had such means.
If someone used "explosion", then this unknown was clearly a powerful entity. Ser'Kiraani was capable of such a thing. But recently she was considered repentant. At Owen's request, the Cossathian was even released from the Elfurr prison. The alien certainly could not have been the cause of such a blow.
- So, after all, it was the darned Mainguard... - Sneferu cursed discontentedly.
- Please do not swear, - Owen answered sharply, - Although, yes, you are right... The darned Mainguard. As it turned out, our dreams coincided. And I thought it was just from fatigue. Hmm... What a fool I am.
- Then why did the ghost advise us not to fly there? - Ishken's question was suddenly heard.
Derkh clearly remembered how the face of Cha-Arun prevented their flight to these distant systems. The mysterious "intruder" did not want their journey to Maingard. He managed to tell the entire officer corps of the "Salvation Army" about this. No one could find any logic. If there was danger in Maingard, then why couldn't they fly? On the contrary, they had to save the unfortunate inhabitants.
The cube had clearly caused multiple destructions on the planet. The probes confirmed this. Mysterious cracks were recorded on the surface of Maingard Prime. There was no connection with anyone. And if anyone remained there, they clearly needed help.
- I don't know, - the Scorcher said honestly, - I don't know why the ghost told us not to fly. But we have orders. The orders of Admiral Cadmus Florin. We need to find out what happened there. And yes... There is no communication there. It is quite possible that there will be no contact with orbit during the landing. That is why we have prepared for everything.
- How many ships will fly in total? - asked Gold.
But it was not the captain who chose to answer him, but his senior assistant - Balderan from Etteria, nicknamed the Swordsman.
- 35 units. The best of the entire Coalition fleet, - the rough voice of the Etterian was heard, - Lady Admiral Ahmanet will also be with us. She will monitor the situation in the sector. All these ships will be enough to repel the threat.
Here Owen realized that he had not yet said the most important thing.
- There is just one but... - he said somehow uncertainly.
He was going to say this phrase, but his tongue simply refused to obey him. He had to clear his throat several times.
- Cadmus wants us to capture this cube.
- What the.....! - Sneferu immediately cried out, - portugal him! We don't even know what it is! And how are we supposed to get in there... And if it's a portugaling...
Owen glared harshly at the dwarf, making him shut up. For a moment, his eyes lit up with a scarlet flame. This meant that the captain was very angry.
Then he looked at everyone else, and realized that his comrades were no less excited.
- This is an order! - Owen said firmly, - An order from the commander. Is everything clear to everyone? This is an order from Admiral Cadmus Florin. And this task has been entrusted to us! So all that remains for us is to shut up and carry it out!
The comrades fell silent for a while. There was simply nothing to say. Owen himself was not happy with such an order, but arguing in this case was simply useless.
- That's all I have. Tomorrow we fly to Maingard.

[BagaturKhan]

- What's the readiness?
- 100 percent, ma'am!
- Course to Maingard Prime set!
- Systems check complete! Commencing hyperdrive activation!
- Everyone, get ready!
Ahmanet User-Kaf stood on her flagship and watched the crew work. This operation was supposed to be decisive. Deep down, she felt that Maingard was the key to everything. And perhaps to capturing the Phantom.
Not even a moment had passed before the pyramidal Elfurran ship entered non-space. Everything around outside the porthole turned into blinding sheaves of sparks.
And now, after some 20 real minutes, the entire Coalition space fleet, assembled by Cadmus, was within the system.
Florin himself was the last to fly out to the Sol Invictus. Along with him were his loyal assistants and comrades, especially such as the first mate Dalotl. Cadmus ordered to place on his ship at least 20 heavy tanks, in case of a serious ground operation. But most of all he was interested in the weapons decks and their contents.
By personal order of the naval commander, up to 35 warheads, nicknamed "Destroyers", were already placed on the ship. If Owen and his team failed, these weapons would gladly send to hell any of the enemy objects, be it a giant cube or a gigantic diamond-shaped vessel.
The "Salvation Army" under the command of the Scorcher took off almost at the same time as Cadmus. But they could be considered penultimate on the list. Owen was terribly worried that this operation could be the last in his campaign. His comrades shared his worries. Until recently, they all thought that the war was over, and soon they would become explorers of the distant regions of the galaxy. But it seemed that fate was not ready to grant them this opportunity.
Ahmanet carefully followed the list of Coalition ships. They were displayed on the screen in the form of Elfurran hieroglyphs.
- "Ten Executions" in touch! - the admiral said, intending to hear the rest of the naval commanders' voices.
- "Crown of the Galaxy" in touch! "Doramino" in touch! "Ubiquitous" in touch!
The roll call was held for both Elfurran and human ships. There was also one frigate in the fleet, completely filled with kinos. The rest of the ships preferred to be served by crews from different races, such as on the "Sol Invictus".
- "Salvation Army" in touch! - Owen's voice was soon heard.
Ahmanet sighed with relief. Lately, their communication with the Scorcher had been too frequent. Sometimes she even thought that she liked him. But given the circumstances, the admiral tried to suppress her feelings in every possible way.
- Admiral Cadmus Florin on the line! - finally, the voice of the greatest of all the naval commanders in the galaxy was heard, - Sol Invictus is ready! In the name of Artandir!
For a second, User-Kaf thought that Cadmus was speaking with some strange pleasure. As if he had been waiting for a long time to send an entire fleet here. However, then, Ahmanet realized that these thoughts were more like nonsense.
- Initiating Operation Sol Invictus! - Florin continued his speech, - Order the first group to move to Maingard Prime! Owen! Prepare the capsules and pterixes!
- Sir! Yes sir! - the voice of the Scorcher came from the speakers.

[BagaturKhan]

Darotl had to plead need to leave the bridge. Cadmus didn't like it when the first mate suddenly left. But if the body demanded it, he had to put up with everything. Especially since they weren't in combat yet. And the latrine was practically next to the bridge. After all, it was the officers' restroom.
The gray-skinned N-sai walked past Zheng and Inna and winked at them with his right eye. They, in turn, responded with the same wink. It meant trust. And they knew it very well.
A few seconds later, N-sai was already standing in the latrine. But he hadn't come here to cleanse himself of harmful impurities. He went to the sink and washed his hands in a hurry. The mirror built into the wall of the deck showed only his own reflection. Darotl washed his face and hands and sighed heavily. He imagined how difficult this task would be. But as She said... What shouldn't he do? He shouldn't let weakness and doubts in. He should go towards his goal, so that the galaxy would become free.
- Hey... - a female voice suddenly rang out behind N-sai.
Darotl turned around abruptly. She was in front of him. Still in the same jacket. The girl looked at him with such love that it almost manifested itself in N-sai himself. Only then did he realize that it wasn't love at all. She was just playing with him.
- How are you? - she asked affectionately.
- Preparing for the inevitable... - Darotl answered obediently.
He understood that his time was coming. Very soon, he would have to fulfill her will. And not let her down.
- Good, - the mysterious maiden smiled, - You understand that your mission is responsible. Today... Everything will happen today. Not tomorrow and not in a month. But today.
Darotl perked up. For a moment, he imagined what would happen when the "Ark" went off. The warhead would destroy not only the entire Coalition fleet. Its unbridled power was capable of much. Those who studied this energy said that it could rip reality apart. Create the most powerful of all black holes.
- I hope that everything will go as it should... - N-sai tried to speak more confidently, - More precisely, no, I believe that everything will go as it should. This is all for the sake of the Galaxy. For the sake of everything. For the sake of... you.
For a second, the girl's face showed strong disgust. It seemed that she really didn't like the last word. But then the disgust quickly turned into a smile.
- Yes, I know, - the mysterious person said cheerfully, - You can handle it. This is all for me. That's what you wanted to say, right? Really?
Darotl was horrified. He knew that he shouldn't have said those words. But she... She was too attractive to him. She beckoned him to her. On the other hand... The connection between her and N-sai. It was hardly possible even in thoughts.
- No, no, don't be afraid, - the girl smiled again, - You shouldn't be afraid of what you say. If it's for me, then I accept it. For my sake, many were ready to destroy everything. I think 35 ships would be quite suitable. 35 small ships... And thousands of soldiers and officers..... Quite suitable.
N-sai felt a sharp relief. She forgave him. She didn't punish him for his insolence. So, she considers him someone important. Perhaps even the chosen one from his entire race.
- I won't let you down, - Darotl bowed to his companion, - Today they will all die. As promised.
- Very nice, - the girl giggled joyfully, - Very nice!
--

It took two and a half hours to land and prepare for further penetration of the mysterious cube.
As it turned out, the Mainguardians were so afraid of their fate that they did not even send a fleet to help the Coalition. Their entire command preferred to leave the ships in orbit around the remaining worlds, which, although they were attacked by drones, at least somehow survived. The Mainguardians were never particularly brave.
Owen acted first. Having agreed on all the plans with Cadmus and Ahmanet, his team set off. When the Scorcher talked to User-Kaf, he felt like she was caring about him. She even asked if he had changed his mind. But orders are orders. Admiral Cadmus did not tolerate insubordination.
After a while, the shuttles entered the atmosphere and managed to reach the main city. But looking at all this - there were simply not enough emotions. The capital, once teeming with life, was empty. All of Maingard turned into darkness. The majestic buildings were empty. There was nothing in the air - no air taxis, no cars, no gliders. There were no traces of Maingard aviation. It became clear to everyone that the cube had not only used the "explosion", but also activated a powerful EMP pulse.
The only question left was where all the people had gone. The planet's population was at least 4 billion living beings. The Coalition command assumed that the Maingardians had either locked themselves in the dungeons or fled beyond the capital.
The closer Owen and his comrades got to the cube, the worse the connection became. And then there were control failures. The Scorcher ordered the pilots to turn around and fly into orbit. As Cadmus had assured earlier, the Coalition has the means for any operations. In this case, the Draconid Pteryxes approached.
These majestic reptiles were not afraid to move towards the mysterious structure. In just ten minutes, Owen's entire team, intended to penetrate the alien ship, changed vehicles. They managed to fly around the structure on pterixes and inspect it entirely. They had to act as in the Age of Swords. There was no communication. Only Totkhemris and Kerret could transmit telepathic messages. And even that was very difficult.
The alien cube showed no signs of life at all. This enormous structure, the size of an entire stadium, was still hanging over the city sky. The warriors examined the ship in detail. According to them, it resembled a giant temple rather than some kind of vehicle. They discovered that it had no semblance of portholes at all. The method of its control was a mystery. Probably, it had its own systems, internal and beyond the control of the inhabitants of the Milky Way. However, hieroglyphs of unknown origin were found on its hull. Totkhemris determined the possible origin of the symbols, and was extremely surprised. She noted that the hieroglyphs were similar to Elfurran writing, but not of this era, but of a long-forgotten, past one. As was known, the Elfurran language evolved, and with each century it acquired new words. Here were such ancient words that even for Totkhemris it became a difficult test. Soon the Elfurran determined the meaning of the symbols. "What is coming is inevitable," read several hieroglyphs.
The cube, hanging in the air, looked more and more ominous. Totkhemris and the rest of her comrades felt a strange indignation. The same Owen felt very unnatural. For a moment it seemed to him that the cube was exploding, and then turning into something terrible. He had to blink several times to drive away the mysterious visions.
However, there was also news that could be called good. A giant hole was found on the cube, which could be entered by an entire group. It resembled a huge entrance to some ancient mysterious temple. The reconnaissance fighters subordinate to the captain saw that the entrance led to a staircase, which in turn rose somewhere upward. But it was possible to get there only on pterixes. Many scouts were perplexed. For what purpose such a powerful structure was created, no one could even guess.
- Stick together! - Owen said in sign language, while continuing to control the majestic pterix, - All as one!
- All as one! - his comrades answered in the same language, - All as one!
- Let's go in!
Now it was necessary to check what was inside. In this mysterious cube, which came from nowhere. And why its arrival led to the disappearance of many Maingardians.

[BagaturKhan]

- "Pegasus" sent to Argos! "Pegasus" sent to Argos!
Srilankur Jr., the Kinos navigator, was left on the "Salvation Army" to communicate with the rest of the fleet. While Owen and most of the crew were absent, this tall, upright wolf had to carefully monitor everything that was happening in orbit. The communications specialists hardly rested. The scanners worked at full capacity.
Srilankur had already contacted Cadmus and transmitted the necessary information. The admiral's face appeared on the holo-screen in front of the navigator. It seemed to the alien that the naval commander was smiling. As if the information that Owen and his team had reached Maingard pleased him too much. But there was no particular reason. After all, no information had yet arrived from there.
Moreover, the cubic device jammed any signals. This meant that there would be no communication with the Scorcher and his warriors until they at least reached the stratosphere.
- Excellent! - Florin's answer was heard soon, - The captain will not let me down. I believe in him.
- Sir, may I speak to you? - a question arose in Kinos's head that he simply had to ask.
Cadmus looked at the alien in bewilderment. He clearly did not expect Srilankur to continue the conversation.
- I'm listening, - Cadmus said coldly, crossing his arms.
Kinos was concerned about Owen's mission. He had known the Scorcher for many years, and he did not really want to expose him to danger. But deep down, the wolf-like officer was afraid for his comrade. Srilankur realized with surprise that if he were in the admiral's place, the mission would have changed dramatically. He would never have sent the Scorcher to an unknown object, and certainly would not have demanded that he penetrate it.
- What do you think the captain will see there? - escaped from the lips of the kinos.
Cadmus allowed himself to smile. This time it was not a figment of Srilankur's imagination.
- I suppose whatever it is, it must be afraid, - the naval commander said with a strange grin, - Captain Owen is an experienced man. A top-class psionicist. A worthy warrior. And with him a whole group of specialists! What else is needed for a complete victory?
After a while, the admiral disconnected. He no longer wanted to waste time on conversations. But Srilankur found that the naval commander's words did not cheer him up in any way. On the contrary, he felt danger. Serious danger. And it came from this very cube.

---

One of the shuttles still remained within the city. It was a kind of stable for the beasts. The pterixes went back to the ship as soon as the warriors were dropped off. These animals were too smart.
An hour and a half was allotted for the operation today. Exactly after this time, the pterixes were supposed to return. The Coalition warriors had good contacts with their riding beasts. They understood them as if they were their own kind. And the beasts, in turn, always knew what their valiant riders wanted.
As soon as Owen and his warriors stepped into the gloomy corridor that opened up to them, they immediately felt uneasy. The fear was most evident in the Nicomedian Kerret, who followed behind the detachment together with two guardsmen. The green-skinned alien nervously looked around, intending to find some imaginary enemy. Soon the fear was transmitted to most of the other fighters. Only the commander himself remained calm and brave. At least, he tried to look that way. He walked forward along the corridor. His whole soul longed to find out the reason for the appearance of this cube on Maingard.
A gloomy corridor, starting with a huge hole in the ship, led to a staircase. This staircase rushed high up. Where it led, none of the fighters knew. Usually, the design of ships that could travel in space was completely different. Why did the builders of this vessel need to make an opening in the hull, and even with a staircase. As if the creators of the design involuntarily knew about the upcoming appearance of warriors from the Coalition here.
"This ship is here for a reason," Owen suddenly thought.
The commander looked around, moving the lantern and laspistol. To the left and to the right, he saw painted walls. They were engraved with unknown letters, the purpose of which no one knew. Again, it looked like Elfurr, but of a very ancient type. The stairs led high up, and there was simply no way out. But the warriors continued on their way, despite the fact that the steps were high. Some of the guards, dressed in spacesuits, began to get short of breath. This whole path seemed too long for ordinary people who did not have any psi-abilities. And the temperature here was not very suitable for life. When breathing, many warriors released dense clouds of steam.
- Will this staircase ever end? - the voices of the warriors were heard everywhere.
Ishken, who was following along with the detachment, admitted that he had the same question.
- Quiet, - Owen finally interrupted them, raising his hand up, - You will attract attention like that. - What attention, it's as quiet as a crypt here, - one of the soldiers responded.
And indeed, the silence was absolute. It could well be called dead. If the soldiers froze in place for an instant, they would be able to hear not only their own breathing, but also the beating of their hearts.
They walked up this staircase with huge steps for half an hour. Soon the exit finally opened for them. The staircase led them to huge doors, which were wide open. Owen discovered with interest that the entrance to the unknown room was also covered with strange hieroglyphs. They resembled some kind of complex mathematical equations, accessible only to the most experienced engineers and architects. For a second, Owen thought that these were magic spells, sigils, and not just decorative writing.

[BagaturKhan]

- Thank the Creator, - the joyful whisper of the fighters was heard, - At least we got to something.
- Don't thank me so early, - Totkhemris said, - Who knows what awaits us next.
- And indeed, my knees are already aching, - Snofru grumbled, who had put on a heavy spacesuit, - I'll soon die in this tin can.
- Don't bring trouble, - Gold pulled him up.
- Listen, go to hell, okay?
Owen and his warriors quickly entered through the doors and found themselves in a rather spacious room. It strongly resembled the prayer hall of one of the Elfurran temples. The room was square and spacious, and its walls were painted not with hieroglyphs at all, but with beautiful and mysterious frescoes depicting some strange creatures. Several painted chandeliers hung from the ceilings, their lamps burning brightly. It seemed that they had been lit quite recently. As Owen noticed in passing, they had built-in electric lamps, which meant that the ship had a fairly stable generator. In the center of the huge hall there was a small pedestal, as if intended for a monument. Obviously, this could be some kind of sacred altar. Around the pedestal were placed candlesticks with black candles burning in them. Owen also noticed that the candles were fresh, and had been lit quite recently. The ship simply could not be abandoned. There was clearly a crew here, and it only remained to find out who was on board.
- There is definitely someone here, - Kerret's voice was heard, - I can feel it.
- These candles clearly did not light themselves, - the captain noted, looking around the room, - And the bulbs on the chandelier are burning brightly. This ship is fully functioning. The only question is, who controls it. Or what.
- There should obviously be a captain's bridge here, - Totkhemris said, - All ships have one. And we, apparently, have ended up in a prayer room.

Elfurr female stood next to Ishken and looked at the pedestal with interest. But for some reason she felt a strange danger inside. Despite the fact that Totkhemris's body was encased in thick armor, she felt an approaching cold.

- It looks like the interior of an Elfurr temple, - Owen said, - The frescoes are similar too...
- Not quite, - one of the fighters responded here.
- At least take a look at these paintings, - exclaimed the second soldier, subordinate to Gold.
And the frescoes were clearly not of Elfurr origin. Usually, such paintings were considered blasphemy in temples. Images of strange maidens could be found on all the walls. Each of them was more beautiful than her companion. None of them even had a tunic. All of them, without exception, were naked.
Moreover, some of the drawings even showed scenes of copulation. Strange androgynous creatures were having sex with each other using some kind of devices. Having seen the details of the frescoes, Owen recoiled. He felt his mind rejecting this whole nightmare.
- Horror... horror! - Totkhemris said with disgust, also having looked at the images, - Sacrilege. Who came up with this? This is a parody of our prayer house!
Ishken discovered with horror that there were many more scenes of copulation here than it seemed before. On one of the walls, he saw two young maidens thrusting something sharp into each other's wombs. It resembled a giant steel stake. - This is some kind of outrage, - Ser'Naveh, who was also with Owen's squad, croaked indignantly, - This ship reeks of evil.
- Whoever it was, he will answer for this, - Owen's voice was heard here.
- If only I knew how he would answer, - Ishken Derkh expressed his thoughts.
He, more than anyone else, wanted to get out of this place. And preferably as soon as possible.

Suddenly, Gold and several of his fighters flew into the air, and then went on a long flight across this vast hall. It happened so quickly that Owen did not have time to come to his senses. Soon, other soldiers also lifted their feet off the floor and flew across the room in different directions. Only Totkhemris and several of the captain's comrades remained on their feet.
- What the hell! - Sneferu cursed furiously.
A moment later, this valiant dwarf was also thrown back by an unknown force. Some still remained on their feet, but a moment later, they began to fly. Terrible screams were heard from people and aliens who almost broke their backs from the strongest blows. One of the fighters even hit his head on the wall, almost breaking it completely. It was Thomas, Gold's comrade. The wound was serious, and it would not have been possible to save him even if they wanted to. Only Owen remained standing and watching the picture. All this shocked him so much that he could not make a single movement. His whole body seemed to be frozen from all sides.
The only thing he managed to do was to turn back. Soon a truly incredible picture appeared before him. He could not even imagine such a thing. In his entire life, he had seen many wonders, but he had never seen anything like this before.
Right in front of him and the warriors who remained on their feet stood a strange creature, shining from all sides. It was filled with blindingly bright blue lightning. Owen could not determine who exactly it was. The glow was so bright that it almost blinded. It would not take long for such a light to completely lose his sight. The commander felt a sharp pain in his eyes.
But for some reason, he felt cold inside. Mysterious and unknown. The cold was getting stronger with every second.
- Who are you? - Owen cried out sharply at the top of his voice, - Who are you?
The bright glow disappeared in an instant, and the commander finally allowed himself to see a wondrous and beautiful picture. Right in front of him stood a rather beautiful and tall girl, devoid of any clothes. But despite her great height, her body was incredibly fragile, and it seemed ready to split from one touch. Her hair was dark blond and long, and her eyes were bright blue dots. The pupils in them were not visible at all. Despite the fact that the unbearable glow had disappeared, electric discharges were still running through her beautiful naked body.
- Who are you? - Owen asked, beside himself with amazement.
But the alien maiden did not answer him. As soon as she looked at the commander's face, pupils appeared in her eyes. Her lips immediately twisted into a grimace of fear and some disgust. Without thinking twice, she thrust her right hand forward, and the captain flew into the air. With all his might, he hit the walls of this terrible hall and almost broke his spine. The blow was quite strong and painful. He miraculously avoided a terrible back injury. His whole body groaned and ached.
- Ha-ha! It's very funny, isn't it? - her strange voice rang out, more like a nightingale's chirping.
Owen glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. The disgust disappeared. Now the strange maiden looked at him with a sly smile. She was clearly having fun.... playing with everyone.
- Who are you... - the Scorcher barely audibly whispered.
The smile never left the beauty's face. She waved her hand again, and tore the captain's body off the floor. Then she quickly sent him into the nearest wall.
This time the blow was stronger. Only his armor saved Owen. Otherwise, he would have had to wait for a spinal replacement. And that was mortally dangerous.
- The most important question.... Not who am I, but who are you.... - the alien said with a grin, - Who are you today?

- What do you need..... - the captain wheezed through the fierce pain.
The girl disappeared for a moment, and then appeared right next to Owen. This time she was dressed in a gray jacket. The fire in her eyes disappeared. No magic or alien power. In this form, she could easily be mistaken for Officer Artandir.
The Scorcher continued to moan in pain. He could hardly even move. And this mysterious person only mocked him. She came close to him and looked straight into his eyes.
- Yes, and you are cute... Very much, - the sorceress smiled once again, - Too bad... Your powers could be useful to me. But he wanted you to die. Unfortunately... I can't refuse his request. He served me so much...
- What do you want..... - the captain's wheezing was heard again.
He tried not to lose consciousness. Deep inside, Owen felt that his strength had not yet left him. But the mysterious magic emanating from the alien blocked all his abilities. He had never encountered anything like this before.
- I told you, - the mysterious person said with the same emotion, - He wanted you to die. And I did too. I wanted it too.
Owen discovered that she had spoken about herself in the masculine gender. Was it a mistake, or did the maiden really not consider herself a woman.

[BagaturKhan]

- Hey you! Leave the captain alone! - the elfurr's voice suddenly rang out.
Totkhemris had recovered from the blows and was already standing in front of the alien. She held a plasma pistol in her hands. She aimed its barrel at the girl's head.
The sorceress immediately turned to the elfurr. The smile did not leave her face.
- You dare not threaten me... - she said in a bass voice, too low for such a beauty, - You are nothing. And I am everything. I was here long before the likes of you...
Her voice became lower and lower until it began to resemble a terrible wheeze.
Totkhemris knew that the enemy was dangerous, and that the battle would be hot. And she also had excellent peripheral vision. Elfur girl noticed how the rest of the squad's warriors began to get to their feet. Some of them had already taken up their weapons. Balderan was very close, and was already aiming the plasma gun at the alien, hoping to melt her.
- Fire! - Totkhemris's loud cry was heard here, - Fire! Fire everyone!
Elfurr understood that she could not wait any longer. She immediately pressed the trigger and fired a shining projectile. Balderan followed her example. Then Ishken, Ser'Naveh and Sneferu. The rest of the warriors also rose from the floor and began to shoot as they had never shot before. Dozens of projectiles flew at the girl or at what had taken her form from all sides. The roar of gunfire in the room was truly deafening.
But the mysterious stranger was not so easy to destroy. The projectiles moving towards her instantly evaporated in the air. The soldiers spent entire magazines on unsuccessful attempts to finish her off. When the warriors realized that firearms were useless, they immediately grabbed their blades. Several fighters from Gold's team snatched sharp Elfurr sabers from their sheaths and rushed forward with furious cries.
However, this attack was also useless. The aliens instantly thrust forward their hands, pulsating with lightning. The running warriors immediately flew into the air, and then hit each other with furious force. After that, they went on a long flight across the entire hall. Gold's soldiers were trained, and they were very lucky to avoid serious injuries. And their spacesuits did not fail. Ordinary people would easily break their bones from such powerful blows.
- Fire! Shoot at her! Shoot!
Owen had already managed to somehow recover. Overcoming the pain, he jumped to his feet. He barely restrained himself from screaming. The Scorcher did not hesitate and entered into battle with the unknown alien. His psionic power was unbearably great. He could already feel the fire bursting out of his body. How the flame penetrated every cell of his organism. Flame... Fire... Element.... He was ready to turn into a giant fireball. The captain waved his arms and released a powerful column of flame at the alien. Ishken, who was standing nearby, also prepared for battle. He was not a fighter in the usual sense of the word. But he respected and appreciated the captain. Derkh immediately released energy clots from the fusee, capable of splitting anyone into atoms. These glowing and shimmering spheres headed towards the girl with furious speed. But here, too, everything went wrong.
The plasma balls never reached their target. They flew away from the sorceress and crashed into the walls. A deafening roar and crackle were heard. The most powerful force made many cracks in the walls of this terrible hall. Several frescoes were simply swept away.
No matter how hard Owen tried to set his enemy on fire, he could not do anything. The flames bounced off her jacket. He did not even manage to knock the alien over. All his efforts were useless.
- Nothing affects her! - Sneferu growled angrily, replacing another magazine, - How can I kill her?
As soon as the bearded man said these words, he was immediately thrown back a good ten meters. Fate gave him a chance to avoid death. His body did not hit the wall, but only rolled along the floor. .
- Stop! - Owen's voice was heard here.
The commander realized that mortal weapons were powerless against this mysterious maiden.
- Hold up the fire! - the Scorcher screamed at the top of his lungs. - Hold up the fire!
The warriors immediately stopped their attempts to destroy the alien. It was impossible to kill her with plasma or even psionic power. She was simply invulnerable. However, the fighters did not take the girl out of their sights. At any moment, they were ready to continue this fierce fight. And if necessary, to die with honor.
The girl, seeing that the fighters had stopped firing, immediately lowered her hands. But the sinister smile did not leave her lips.
- And if you repeat the blows often, even a small axe will chop down a mighty oak ... - her mocking voice was heard, - But this is not about you at all. But about what we did to the Coalition. Everyone already understands that your union is powerless. We are the axe that made you weaker.
- Tell me who you are! - Owen growled menacingly, taking a step forward towards the maiden, - Who are you!
- I am the End of Everything, - the beauty immediately answered, - The End of the Old. And the Beginning of the New. I was here long before you. And soon... I am Coming again.
On the last word, her voice again turned into a low bass, so eerie that Owen's knees began to tremble.

[BagaturKhan]

---
Ahmanet felt that something was wrong with the Scorcher. His image began to flash through her mind more and more often. Before, it had only flickered occasionally. But in the last hours, it had been happening more and more often.
She did not understand what was happening to her. Owen was a man. She was the greatest of the Elfurrs. But for some reason, she was very worried. There was no contact with the Salvation Army team. Almost the entire crew, except perhaps the captain's deputies, had headed to Maingard to investigate the mysterious cube.
No one had yet sent any signals. There were no radio messages, no telepathic messages. But the danger... Ahmanet felt it too strongly. Owen's face kept flashing before her eyes. A face engulfed in flames. Something had happened to them up there on the surface. Something serious.
"Ma'am," Captain Arxes' voice was suddenly heard.
Elfurr noticed that the commander was too preoccupied. She kept looking somewhere into the distance, towards the portholes. But for some reason, Arkses felt that she was thinking about something other than what was outside the ship.
- Something wrong? - Ahmanet responded.
Arkses realized that he had distracted the admiral from his thoughts. His gaze made it clear that he had admitted his mistake.
- No, I just noticed that you were worried, - the captain admitted honestly, - If everything is in order, we will continue observation.
- Good, - User-Kaf answered dryly.
Owen's face appeared before her eyes for the umpteenth time. They had talked about upcoming operations for so long, but almost never had a heart-to-heart talk. And suddenly she wanted to see him again. And to discuss more than just military plans. This desire was too great. She could hardly suppress it.
- Roll call soon, - Arkses reminded.
"I know," Ahmanet said with the same emotion, "In four minutes." The Scorcher's face continued to appear in her mind.


---

Captain Botnik was appointed to his post by Cadmus quite recently. Literally after the war. Only three days had passed, and he had already become a commander. Until now, Preslav Botnik had never dreamed of a captain's chair. He served on the ship of Admiral Fialka Tertis with the rank of commander.
Now his fate had changed, and he commanded the "Ubiquitous". The main task was to patrol the territories around Maingard Prime. Botnik gladly volunteered for this operation. He almost lost his own brother during the drone attack. He still remembered how hundreds of drones flew over Artandir City, and then sharply descended and crashed into buildings.
His brother Carol was at the Admiralty headquarters. He was lucky that he managed to get out in time. Although an unpleasant surprise awaited him on the street. A concussion from an exploded car. One of the drones flew into an air taxi and blew it up. It happened just a few meters away.
Botnik had heard about it. He was already fed up with this whole story with the League. In truth, he believed that it was the League that was guilty of the monstrous attacks on galactic states. All the evil had been coming from there for a long time.
Now Preslav was in the captain's chair, carefully studying the reports from Maingard. He cursed these unbearable cowards who had not even sent a fleet. Botnik had long suspected that the Maingardians were not brave. But what they had done now was beyond good and evil. They locked themselves in their systems and did not even think of getting close to the capital. Which meant that the Coalition would have to clean up all the mess.
- Sir! Why didn't the Maingardians come to our aid?
This question was asked by the first mate Jimmy. He was a man, but with greenish skin and yellow eyes. Nicomedian blood was clearly visible in him. His mother, as you know, was from Nicomedia.
- Because they are portugaling cowards, - Botnik answered honestly, turning off the display in front of him, - The Mainguardians have always been known as them. Even during the war. The League almost pulled them to the limit. And who had to pull them out of the sewers? The glorious army of Artandir, bless it!
- Yes, it was not for nothing that my father did not tolerate these guys, - the voice of Lieutenant Gorelsky was heard.
Gorelsky was a Vintilian, from the Terafinti holdings. He volunteered for the operation when he learned that his cousin Horace Denfir had disappeared on Mainguard. The lieutenant had no doubt that Denfir had died. But whoever did this had to be punished.
- The Mainguardians were never known for their bravery, - Preslav agreed, - And you know, when Tertis and I flew to pull their asses out of Pollux, none of them even said thank you.
- I bet it's the same this time, Cap? - the lieutenant exclaimed.
Despite the bitterness of the loss because of his cousin, he allowed himself to smile slightly.
- I don't even doubt it, - the captain nodded, - Cowards are cowards. And arrogant ones too. What's the point of talking about them.
- I haven't heard from Owen, - another crew member, the dark-skinned Frank, suddenly spoke up.
It was the communications officer. He was sitting at a giant oval computer and carefully analyzing the data. Frank noticed that there had been no news from the group sent to the cube for a long time.
- Actually, he's not Owen to you, he's Captain Owen, - Jimmy corrected, and then continued, - And there really is no news. But I don't think we should rush them. In the end, they still need to find out what's in this damn cube.

---


Darotl knew that he had to act quickly. Inna and Zheng were ready. They had already managed to gather their comrades on all decks. The plan was very risky. And it could go down the drain at any moment.
First, all the specialists sent here by this intolerable Fernand had to be eliminated. Then, several officers loyal to Artandir to the grave had to be destroyed. After all, the bridge had to be cleared of unwanted people. Cadmus had to be surrounded on all sides.
Then, Sol Invictus would finally come under the control of those worthy of living in a free galaxy. Dalotl knew that he must not doubt. After all, if he dared to doubt this plan, a fate worse than death awaited him. She would not forgive him for this... She would not spare him. And N-sai did not even doubt this.
Everything had to start from the weapons decks. Dalotl slowly walked away from Cadmus, who was giving orders to the communications specialists and hacking experts. The gray-skinned man quietly put the transmitter to his lips, which connected him with Inna and Zheng.
- Begin.
It was a code word. A word that was followed by deeds.
Zheng and Inna immediately pulled out their pistols and began firing at the gunners working on the deck. The officers and soldiers loyal to them successfully helped. The gunners did not even have time to understand where they were being shot at. Within moments, they were all lying down. Bloody and torn to pieces.
Then the militants began to destroy the Artandir specialists. The guards did not even have time to contact each other. These healthy armored guys were trampled in an instant. They were not allowed to redeploy or hide. The attacks occurred throughout the ship in a matter of moments. In just two minutes, several decks were in the hands of Dalotl's comrades.
Next, it was necessary to clear the captain's bridge. And here it was much more difficult. Dalotl once again imagined her beautiful face in his mind. He knew that he must not let her down. He had to cope. He had to do it.
Cadmus continued to give orders to the officers. He did not even look at the gray-skinned first mate. N-sai took advantage of this. In the blink of an eye, he pulled a pistol from his holster and began shooting everyone who was loyal to Artandir. Florin did not even have time to come to his senses. He continued to sit in the command chair and watch everything.
Several officers from the Nicomedian race, being centrists, finished off five communications officers in seconds. Then Dalotl shot a pink-skinned felk'tranii in the head. His head instantly turned into a fountain of blood and brains. As N-sai noted, everything ended quite successfully. The operation was carried out with surgical precision. Without any flaws.
Inna and Zheng soon appeared on the bridge. They were tracking the three remaining Artandirs. These guys tried to call for backup, but all was in vain. The bridge controlled the entire connection. No leaks, no failures. These three special forces fought to the last, until the loyal Dalotl arangutos tore them apart. Even the heavy spacesuits did not save the unfortunate fighters.
Dalotl greeted his loyal comrades who had arrived on the bridge. Zheng and Inna entered there as victors. Their entire appearance from head to toe spoke of unprecedented success. The farrukh looked especially important. He was smiling too widely.
- Well then... The Coalition bastards have known our fury, - Zheng hissed ominously, looking at the carnage on the bridge, - And what next? Next, perhaps, is the most interesting part.
Dalotl allowed himself to repeat the farrukh's smile. He turned sharply towards Cadmus. He continued to sit in his chair and stare intently at his comrades.
- Admiral Cadmus Florin, - said the n-sai, grinning, without taking his eyes off the naval commander, - Legend of the Galaxy.
Cadmus, however, remained unperturbed. But suddenly his face lit up with a sparkle of unprecedented happiness. His eyes sparkled with terrible pleasure.
- Yeah... Legend of the Galaxy, - Cadmus allowed himself to laugh, - To hell with all this! Get the "Ravagers" ready!
- Yes! - Inna happily picked up, - "Ravagers"!
Florin finally allowed himself to rise from his chair. He once again looked around the entire bridge, filled with bloody corpses.
- Brilliant work! - He noted the merits of his comrades, - I was even afraid that you would accidentally shoot me.
- Never, sir! - Dalotl exclaimed, hiding his smile, - Don't even think about it! You are the best of all those with whom I had to serve!
Cadmus was already pacing the deck. He continued to look at those who had just moments ago declared their loyalty to the Coalition. None of them even guessed about their impending fate.
- It's good to hear that, - Cadmus muttered without looking at his comrades, - Okay... Enough chatter! Kill these bastards every single one! Prepare the "Ravagers"! The main target is the Coalition fleet!

[BagaturKhan]

---

- Sir! - Jimmy cried out in horror, - Something is wrong with the Invictus. They are activating the missile launchers! But against whom? There are no enemies in sight!
Botnik could not believe his ears. He carefully studied the scanner readings. It all really seemed true. The Invictus was preparing for battle. Moreover, it clearly intended to use the Ravagers. Preslav remembered what Cadmus had done on Acheron Prime. He did not blame the admiral too much, because there was no other way out. If he had not released his deadly "spears of light" then, half the fleet would have simply "lain down". But here, in this situation, superweapons were not needed.
The entire sector was deaf. Apart from the mysterious cube on Maingard, not a single hostile vessel was detected. Moreover, the Maingard fleet immediately left the systems when the EMP strike occurred. Such was the decision of the new Union government. No one was going to consider old Agesilaus the ruler, especially after his palace had been reduced to ruins... In front of everyone. They said that the supreme power would go to Erwin, a churchman of Meinhard, but this had not yet been confirmed.
- What the hell are they doing... - Gorelsky cursed.
He did not understand at all what was happening. There was no talk of any attack. And if Cadmus intended to destroy the cube, then he should have informed the fleet about it. Something truly incredible was happening here.
- Call the Invictus! Immediately! - the captain's loud order was heard. - I want to know what they are planning! There was no such thing at the briefing!
Jimmy and the communications specialists tried to fulfill the commander's words. But to no avail. Cadmus simply remained silent. They sent him many messages. And so it went on until it was too late.
The instruments showed that the missiles were targeting the entire fleet. The entire Coalition fleet orbiting Maingard.
- What the hell is going on with this Cadmus? - Botnik continued, - They're targeting us!
- Sir! We have to leave! - Jimmy suddenly exclaimed, - Their ship could have been captured!
- Captured by whom?
- I don't know, but this doesn't look like Cadmus' actions! This is some kind of nonsense!

A moment later, the entire crew of the "Omnipresent" realized their terrible mistake. One of the missiles was fired right in the direction of the ship. It could reach it in a matter of minutes. Even Artandir's best shields were powerless against this technology. The "Ravagers" destroyed everything in their path. Absolutely everything without exception.
- Shields at 100! Shields at 100! Prepare for impact! - the captain's screams were heard.
Sirens were ringing everywhere. Officers and signalmen were running around the bridge in terror. None of them knew how to stop it.
But soon everything went quiet. The ship simply disappeared. Vanished in a blindingly bright flame. Very soon there was no trace left of the "Omnipresent". As well as of its crew.

---

Totkhemris knew what to do. And Owen, it seemed, knew it too. The creature before them could not be defeated with weapons. And even less so if we were talking about mortal weapons. Not blasters, not plasma fuses, not laspistols, not anything else. If they had used combat grenades, it would have had the same effect.
Elfurr always wore a talisman against evil around her neck. It depicted the God of the Sun, the main patron of her state. In different places of the galaxy He was called by different names. It was believed that Khaton, who was worshiped in Artandir and in other states, could be His incarnation. Amulets were feared by any entities that were rejected by the Gods.
Owen needed to speak to this mysterious girl who had tried to kill them all just moments ago. He needed to distract her attention while Totkhemris took out her amulet. Only this could really work.
- Why are you here? - the Scorcher decided to ask, - Why do you need all this? To kill... to arrange a massacre! Are you really so bad without it?
The mysterious sorceress smiled, but this time very angrily. Her teeth immediately turned into the sharpest fangs. Fangs that were ready to sink into anyone.
- I am here because you yourself brought me here, - the girl gnashed furiously, - Do you think this galaxy is yours? You are mistaken. We are its true masters. And you sit here and think that you are allowed everything. Absolutely everything. But you feed me every day. And you do not know about it. You worship me every day.
Here Balderan, Owen's best friend and first mate, decided to speak. He stepped forward, not taking this person out of his sight.
- And how do we worship you? - his menacing voice was heard, - We serve for the good of the Coalition!
- Even when you are angry, you serve me, - the mysterious maiden retorted, - Any of your vile desires.... A desire that does not come from you, but from what makes you want more. This is worship. Worship me. The Coalition was not created from good. But from the lowest. From what wants more, fool.
Snofru was angered by such words. He always believed in the Coalition, and never allowed it to be insulted. For him, this system was ideal, in the truest sense of the word.
- Nonsense! - the "gnome" shouted, - The Coalition was created for peace and quiet! For security! For stability!
- And where is your security? - the girl grinned maliciously, - You only care about resources and power. The League was an experiment. It split you. Very easily. And believe me, as long as you continue to behave like this, the League will not disappear. It will appear again... In a different guise. In a different form.
Totkhemris turned away from the terrible sorceress. She threw her weapon on the floor and tried with all her might to tear off the amulet. But for some reason she could not. The amulet was getting heavier. She had to pull and pull to finally pull it off her neck.
- But everyone has a chance to improve! - Owen exclaimed, not taking his eyes off the otherworldly woman, - Only you do not have it.
- In vain you think so, - the person growled maliciously, - As you can see, I always win. Even now. You are my captive. You are in my kingdom. And you will not leave here. Because I will not let any of you out.
The voice of the sorceress literally spilled over the walls. With each second it only multiplied. It split into two, split into two and more. Soon, it turned into a deafening roar of a thousand throats.

It took a gigantic effort for Totkhemris to pull out the amulet, to break its chains and take it in her hand. Without thinking twice, she turned towards the maiden.
- Even if you don't want to let us go, you are not the one to rule here! - the warrior's menacing words were heard.
As soon as the sorceress saw what the elfur was holding in her hand, she suddenly recoiled. Fear appeared in her eyes, animal and unbridled.
- You have no power here, Marfur-Nirari!
Totkhemris called this entity by name for the first time. Everything was clear from the very beginning.
Long before this entire operation, Ahmanet User-Kaf and the members of the Droen Council warned of a serious threat. Marfur-Nirari had already penetrated this galaxy. He was the one in whom the Phantom so zealously believed, and whom he served faithfully and truly. This creature could not be called either a woman or a man. Rather, something neutral, without gender.
Marfur-Nirari existed long before Artandir and the Earth Alliance, long before this galaxy was inhabited. And every time, he tried to sow darkness and chaos here. In ancient times, this entity caused such a massacre that it affected not only the Milky Way, but also several other galaxies. Every race knew about it. Each people called Marfur-Nirari differently.

The war with the League was only a consequence of the monster's arrival. The Phantom was a pawn, a servant. Dangerous, but still vulnerable. But Marfur-Nirari, on the contrary, was the crown of all evil in the universe. All that he could carry within himself was chaos, war and death. He split nations, forced representatives of one race to kill their own kind, arranged bloody conflicts and led to the disappearance of entire civilizations. The Elfurr had always known about this. Not everything was disclosed even at the secret meetings of the Coalition. But the War with the League revealed the terrible truth. Better the bitter truth than a sweet lie. Marfur-Nirari had long been planning this. To destroy the familiar galaxy and turn it into darkness. And now, he was advancing again.
- You have no power here! - Totkhemris exclaimed again, holding her amulet in front of her.
Nicomedean Kerret followed her example. He also wore a medallion around his neck, which had saved him from death more than once.
- I banish you! - his cry was heard, - Banish!
Marfur-Nirari was strong. No one knew his true age. Many peoples feared him. In legends, his name sounded differently, but always in a whisper, so as not to attract his attention. So that he would not hear how they remembered him. But this entity also had fear. He, like no one else, feared those who could fight him and win.
Legends spoke of the War of the Gods. Marfur-Nirari was defeated and retreated to distant worlds, where the Light had not yet been laid. It was there, in this pitch darkness, that the source of his power resided. It was beyond the power of mortals to destroy it. And so he manifested himself in the world of the living in the form of various creatures. But not for long. For months or days. His energy was waning, since the power of the Gods in the worlds for mortals was stronger. Amulets and Charms were a terrible curse for him.
He manifested himself only for a time, and then returned to the source again. And so for all the long millions of years. But everything that was somehow connected with the True Faith, frightened him more than anything in the world.
Seeing the elfurr's amulet, the mysterious maiden retreated. Fear was reflected on her beautiful face. - What, are you afraid of the medallion? - Owen's voice rang out, feeling more confident, - You shouldn't compete with us. You will never rule here!

[BagaturKhan]

Soon Marfur-Nirari's fear was replaced by rage. Bloodthirsty and powerful. The entity's face began to change rapidly. The eyes turned into black coals. Multiple cracks appeared on the cheeks.
- This will not help you... - creaked what had previously seemed like a beautiful maiden, - It will not help... I am coming again. You'll see.....
The jacket on the entity's body quickly flared up. With each passing moment, the flame grew more and more.
- My power is great... And my strength... Endless...
Totkhemris continued to hold the amulet in front of her. Kerret did the same. There was no more fear. No fear or horror. Only Faith and Courage could force this entity to retreat - send it back to hell.
- You have no power here! - Totkhemris's voice was heard again.
In the blink of an eye, Light burst out of the elfurka's amulet. The brightest beam that immediately hit the sorceress in the chest. Marfur-Nirari flew back, engulfed in flames from all sides. He hit the wall with such force that it cracked. The terrible and frightening frescoes that were full here began to collapse at a furious speed.
- Burn! - Owen shouted at the top of his voice.
He only had to wave his hands once, and streams of fire immediately flew out of them. The flames surrounded the demon from all sides. They literally melted him, burned him alive in a matter of seconds.
- Fire! Fire! - the cries of the fighters were heard around.
Those who had already recovered from the fall began to fire at Marfur-Nirari from all the weapons they had. Blasters, laspistols and fusees were used. Gold's surviving fighters opened fire from assault rifles.
- Hit him! Hit him! - Balderan's orders were heard, - Don't let him recover!
Then there was a jolt. A powerful wave. The light-bearing impulse was so bright that it almost blinded the fighters. Totkhemris recoiled and barely managed to stay on her feet. The same thing happened to the others.
The medallion worked. The monster disappeared. Nothing remained of the once beautiful maiden posing as a voluptuous woman. Marfur-Nirari lost again. How many times had he tried to harm the galaxy. And now he was sent into the darkness again.
The power of the amulet was enough to overthrow this evil. Of course, it can return and try to plot its intrigues again. But this will clearly not be now, but somewhere in the unfinished future.
The flame from Owen's hands died out. He did his job perfectly. But after that, a terrible headache arose. Usually this always happened after using abilities. The pain passed only after a while.
- Is that all? - Ishken's voice was soon heard.
Derkh had already realized that the monster was no more. The sinister ghost created by Marfur-Nirari had been incinerated. But there were still many questions. One of them was how to get out. The second was dedicated to Admiral Cadmus. Florin had undoubtedly sent Owen and his crew to certain death.
- Why did Cadmus do this? - Totkhemris repeated Ishken's thoughts.
She no longer needed the medallion, but she still continued to hold it in her hands.
They had destroyed the monster. However, the reason they had been directed at the cube was still unsolved. Florin had calmly sent them here, not even thinking that there was danger here, and a terrible one at that. Or was he counting on Owen's luck? The captain and his warriors had already cheated death several times.

The Scorcher heard this and was amazed to realize that he was thinking the same thing. It all seemed short-sighted. And anyway, why did Cadmus send them here, knowing that there would be no connection? Did he know that Marfur-Nirari could be in the cube?
This whole mission seemed ridiculous from the very beginning. Even before the flight, Ahmanet warned Owen to think it through carefully, and if he refused, it would be no big deal. The Scorcher, however, was completely confident that everything would go smoothly. He had no idea that they would be led into a trap from which they would miraculously escape.
"Cadmus is a portugaling bastard," Snofru's voice was finally heard.
This "gnome" disliked Florin from the very beginning. It seemed to him that he was not as sincere as people saw him. But Sneferu's suspicions had grown sharply when Cadmus had bombed Acheron Prime. He had endangered an entire race with his missiles. The Unn-chorr were certainly involved in the League's plans, but not all of them deserved it.
"I'll ask the Admiral that question when we get out," Owen said menacingly.
"But we haven't looked at everything yet," Totkhemris noted.
"Enough!" Sneferu growled at that. "We nearly died here! I'm all for getting out of here!" Owen glanced at his crew. They were all more supportive of the Neferirikar than anyone else. And Totkhemris knew that nothing good awaited them in this cube.
There could be devices on the ship that no one had even suspected. Who knew what Marfur-Nirari could have hidden here. There might have been thousands of drones here. But it could have been worse. Combat clones or supersoldiers, or even living corpses.
- We have to leave, - the captain concluded after some serious thought, - Let's say the cube is dangerous.
- Right! - Ishken picked up, - Take it down with Aswaram! Right from orbit!
But Totkhemris didn't agree with that. She understood that the energy beam coming into contact with something like a cube could have fatal consequences. The ship's structure was made of minerals that weren't in the Milky Way. No one knew what kind of chain reaction could happen. The entire Maingard could easily fly apart, and there were still survivors here. Millions or even billions.
- No! We will return and report everything... - said Totkhemris, - But I do not advise you, Owen, to talk to Cadmus... After this, there will be no trust in him.
- Did we have it? - Snofru muttered discontentedly.
Owen simply nodded, preferring not to enter into polemics. Especially now, when almost everyone died.
A few seconds later it became clear that it was no longer possible to stay here. The walls of the prayer hall began to crack at an incredible speed. This threatened the destruction of the entire structure. Delay was impossible.
- Let's get out! - the captain immediately commanded.
- Cap, where to? - asked Ishken, remembering that the pterixes were not there yet, - Our beasts are on shuttles!
- I don't give a damn about it! - cursed Snofru, and a moment later he was running to the doors leading to the exit. This whole "walk around the temple" got on his nerves.

----

- Load three more warheads!
Cadmus' commanding voice echoed throughout the bridge. The corpses that had been lying all over the deck had already been cleared away. Only the blood had not yet been washed away.
Florin had already destroyed the "Ubiquitous." Captain Botnik had gone to the Gods. But the Elfurran ships that had come from Ahmanet were still threatening the "Invictus." They decided to leave User-Kaf for dessert. First, they had to eliminate three penteconters.
- Target the engines!
- Yes, we'll disable their engines! - Zheng happily chimed in.
A team of officers and fighters loyal to Florin had been occupying the bridge for several minutes. Everyone was working tirelessly. They carefully monitored the instruments. They did not miss a single detail.
The Elfurran ships were not prepared for the strike. Most likely, their captains received news of the destruction of the "Ubiquitous." But while they were investigating that the salvo had come from the Invictus, a lot of time would pass. Cadmus understood that "time is money" and it could not be wasted.
- Destroy! - his loud order was heard.
- Sir! Yes sir! - there were cheers.
A moment later, three more warheads were launched. Three nuclear missiles based on Elfurr technology.
Dalotl sat at the console and carefully monitored their movement. To prevent the shells from being shot down, they had to be teleported closer to the engines. He coped with this task quite easily.
A minute later, the missiles were already flying to their designated target. The Elfurrs did not have time to prepare. They could not even turn on the shields to somehow protect themselves. The deadly shells destroyed them all. - Yes, a present for Ahmanet, - Inna laughed, looking with interest at the flashes of light visible from the portholes, - I wonder what she thinks?
- I don't care what she thinks, - Cadmus answered menacingly, - I'll make them all pay.
- Well.... After all, the show is just beginning!

[BagaturKhan]

Ahmanet User-Kaf couldn't believe what was happening. More and more information was coming in with every passing second. Tragic.
The Invictus opened fire. The Ravagers were used. In a few moments, four ships of the flotilla were destroyed. Three of these ships belonged to the Elfurr Empire. Ahmanet couldn't contact them. She knew all these captains very well, and now that was it. They were dead.
"Has Cadmus gone mad?" Arxes shouted, beside himself with horror.
User-Kaf didn't want to believe it. Deep down, she wished that it was all a lie. Some part of her hoped that the Invictus had been captured by terrorists. But for some reason, her heart said otherwise. Was Cadmus, in fact, that same loyal friend and ally? Or were they all mistaken. They saw in him someone he had not been for a long time. - Call the Invictus for communication! Immediately! - Ahmanet screamed almost in a frenzy.
But the communications specialists could not fulfill her will. The flagship did not respond. All attempts to contact were unsuccessful.
- Warn the fleet that the Invictus may be captured by the enemy! - new orders from the admiral soon followed, - Do not interrupt attempts to contact him! Shields at 100!
Arxes and his subordinates immediately transmitted the information to all ships in the Maingard sector. Most horrified of all was Srilankur, who was left in charge of the Salvation Army. He could not even imagine that Cadmus would decide to kill his comrades. He, like Ahmanet, wanted all this to be untrue.
- I am taking command!
User-Kaf understood that if the Invictus was really captured, all powers of fleet management would pass to her. Cadmus can no longer be considered a commander.
- Everyone listen to me! - the elfurka's orders rang out, - Shields at 100! Prepare Honor-class drones for battle! Ships that do not have such weapons are to immediately redeploy towards Fortis-Maingard!
Fortis-Maingard was the name of a small satellite of the planet. Long ago, the Mainguardians built a military base there. But after recent events, it was abandoned. Such was the shameful order of the command that came to power.
In the current situation, Fortis was a safer place. It was quite possible to hide on its dark side.
---

Cadmus clapped his hands joyfully. Already four ships. But still, dozens of Coalition ships remained in service. Many of the captains had already noticed that the fire was coming from the Invictus. A little more, and they would start shooting back.
- 10 "Ravagers" to battle! - the order was heard, - Prepare to destroy the Artandir fleet!
- Yes, sir! - Dalotl answered loudly.
Soon a dozen warheads were brought to readiness. N-sai was already anticipating how death would fall on everyone who still believed in the Coalition. This time, they were supposed to fire at Artandir ships. The only exceptions were Ahmanet's flagship and the "Salvation Army". Cadmus had his own plans for Owen's ship.
- Sir, the "Ten Plagues" have been trying to contact us for ten minutes! - one of the officers reported.
Cadmus immediately understood what was happening. Ahmanet was not letting up. Perhaps she even thought that the "Invictus" was captured. But the admiral did not want to talk to her yet. Their dialogue would be soon, but not now.
- Do not accept the signal! - Florin commanded clearly, - Maintain silence.
- The "Ravagers" are 100% ready! - Dalotl's voice was heard at the same moment, - We are targeting.
The admiral knew perfectly well that his comrades were flying on the nearest ships. Many of them respected and valued him. They could not even imagine that such a famous naval commander would dare to do such a thing. Florin did not want to reveal the secret to them. It was better to let them die in oblivion. As they say, when you know less, it becomes easier to die.
- Fire! - the commander's order was soon heard.
- Yes, sir!

[BagaturKhan]

Owen was beside himself with surprise when he discovered that they had spent at least two hours in the cube. It seemed to them that twenty or twenty-five minutes had passed. But as it turned out, time worked differently inside the ship.
The Pterix were already waiting for them along with two specialists. The stable ship was obviously nearby. All that was left was to jump on these creatures and leave this godforsaken place.
- Nice to meet you, sir! - exclaimed one of the special forces, dressed in armor from head to toe, - We've been waiting for you. For half an hour. We were about to send for you!
- It's good that they didn't send, - muttered the Scorcher, - You would have all been killed.
The special forces soldier looked at the captain in bewilderment. He did not see his gaze because of his helmet, but he felt the emotions perfectly well.
- We were attacked, - Owen continued his speech, - It was a trap. One person died.
The dead warrior had to be carried out by Gold's soldiers. These strong guys were already tired, but duty remained duty. They had to get their comrade out at any cost.
- Who attacked you? - the warrior asked with anxiety in his heart.
- It's better for you not to know, - Totkhemris's voice was already heard, - We're flying away from here. We need to get back to the Salvation Army immediately.
The special forces soldier understood everything at once. He ordered his comrade, who was standing nearby, to prepare the pterixes. They had to fly out to the shuttle immediately, and then go into orbit. Staying here was useless.
The "temple" structure was starting to crack. The upper part of the cube had almost collapsed. A little more, and the ship would simply collapse on the city. Owen understood that there were still people left in Maingard, and if the cube fell, the destruction would be massive. But now they could do nothing about it.
- Let's go! - Owen commanded loudly.

Captain Demetrios had just received horrific news. The Invictus had begun firing on its own flotilla. And it wasn't ordinary weapons that were used.


The Ravagers were deadly to all living things. Elfurr technology allowed the missiles to reach their target without delay. They could dodge missile defenses or any other weapons designed to prevent a strike. If necessary, the Ravagers were able to teleport.
It was the perfect "thinking" weapon. The highest form of WMD. The Invictus was the only ship in the flotilla that had such missiles. The others didn't have access to them. Even Ahmanet tried not to use the Ravagers during the war with the League. She couldn't even imagine that Cadmus would start using all this against his comrades. Or maybe it wasn't Cadmus who did it, but the one who seized control of the Invictus.
Demetrios had been in command of the Bellatoris for a long time. He had had this ship since the beginning of the war. He had been through at least 8 military campaigns against the League. Together with Cadmus, he had managed to destroy up to 20 enemy ships. The captain valued and respected the admiral, and tried to follow his example in everything.
But now he could not believe that the fire was coming from Florin. Demetrios did not even think that Cadmus was capable of betraying them all.
- Sir! The Invictus fired shells again!
It was the voice of the senior assistant, a Nicomedian named Charita.
- Sir! They are flying in our direction! I recommend that you immediately engage the hyperdrive! We must leave!
Demetrios clearly understood that he simply could not escape from the missiles. By the time the engine came into action, the Ravager would have time to destroy the Bellatoris a hundred times. No shields could protect him from such a powerful blow. - Shields at 100!
- It won't help, sir, - Charita admitted honestly.
At that moment, the captain wanted to take something heavy and smash the entire captain's bridge. A moment later, this desire disappeared. And with it, everything he believed in disappeared.
"Bellatoris" flew apart in twenty seconds. And then followed ten powerful flashes, reminiscent of small supernovas.

[BagaturKhan]

- What do you mean, attacks? Who attacked? Who? Explain to me!
Owen didn't know what to say. The power of speech simply left him, as well as all his comrades.
The transporter, which was often called the "stable", returned for the pterixes. After all, there was a special compartment for the pterixes. The Scorcher believed that the shuttle would quickly deliver them to orbit. But the news from the pilots was not very encouraging. The guys claimed that a real war was going on in the space of Maingard.
- "Invictus" began to fire at its own ships, - one of the pilots said with horror.
Owen and his team were already sitting inside the shuttle. All the tests of the cube were behind them. When they flew away, they clearly saw how the structure of this mysterious vessel was slowly falling apart.
But the Scorcher no longer cared. The captain himself made his way into the control cabin and decided to question his comrades from the aviation in detail.
- "Invictus"? - Owen cried out in wild amazement, - Admiral Cadmus? Someone captured his ship?
- Admiral Akhmanet thinks the same, - the pilot answered, - Maybe it was the Mainguardians?
The pilot was clearly of Artandir origin. Owen did not remember the names of his subordinates, only his closest comrades. After all, what were the special name stripes for then? But judging by the conversation, this pilot definitely had his eye on the Mainguardians. Most likely, this was due to the long-standing feud between the two powers.
- I don't think the Mainguardians would dare to attack us, - the captain noted, - They are too cowardly. And we no longer have any quarrels with them.
- Then who captured Cadmus' ship? - a question rang out, - What if the filthy Mainguardians lured us here themselves? Anything could have happened. My father died during the Domna War! I will not forgive them for that.
Totkhemris appeared in the cockpit. She wanted to defuse the situation a little. Elfurr heard the conversation, and she did not like it much. And besides, her instincts told her that the Mainguardians had nothing to do with it at all.
- The Mainguard scum are always digging up some artifacts, - the pilot continued to grumble, - They take them for themselves. Maybe it's the same with this cube. And with the drones. I feel it in my ass.... It's all their fault. They attacked us.
- Enough!
Totkhemris decided to calm the disgruntled pilot.
- You shouldn't blame the Mainguardians without evidence! It wasn't them!
- What the f..... - suddenly came from the Scorcher's lips.
He almost followed Sneferu's example. At that moment, he really wanted to curse, and very dirty.
- Something wrong? - Totkhemris asked in bewilderment.
But then everything became clear to her. Looking out the portholes, she saw the brightest flashes somewhere there... in the distance. A dozen flashes. This usually happened after the use of the "Ravagers". This meant only one thing - even more ships were destroyed than expected. The day before, the pilots reported four lost ships.


- Sir, may I address you!
Inna was very interested in using the "Ark". The warhead was already prepared. All that remained was to use it. But no orders had come from Cadmus yet. He ordered to continue firing the "Ravagers".
Florin clearly understood what Inna wanted to ask. After all, he was a psionic, just a hidden one. He hid his abilities from his comrades so carefully that sometimes he even forgot about their existence.
- "The Ark" can wait," Cadmus answered, "It's not time yet."
- But it will come, right?
The Admiral cast a stern look at Inna. This witch simply longed to see the star system turn to darkness. The use of "living darkness" threatened to destroy not only the people of Maingard, but even neighboring worlds. In ancient times, there were even cases when this led to the formation of a "supermassive." Such a black hole was capable of absorbing not only dozens of planets, but also carrying half the galaxy into its bosom.
- It can wait for now, - Florin growled sharply, causing Inna to recoil, - If anything, I will give the order. And now be quiet.
For now, he was enjoying the fact that he had destroyed 14 Coalition ships.

[BagaturKhan]

Ahmanet could not recover from what she saw.
Three ships of her kind. Then 14 more ships of Artandir. All these brave men and women went through the Acheron War, and came out of it victorious. Now they are dead. Ignominiously dead from blows to the back.
Luckily, some were saved. Srilankur Jr. hastily led the Salvation Army to the Maingard moon. The others followed his example. Ahmanet tried with all her might to save them.
Invictus continued to fire at the fleet. It fired a couple more shells, and turned two frigates into dust. These were ships belonging to the Coalition. Artandirians, Vintilians, and even Earthlings served there.
- The drones are ready, mistress! - Admiral Arxes suddenly shouted, - Ready to use!
User-Kaf had no choice but to give the order to destroy the Invictus. If this madness was not stopped, there would be nothing left of the fleet. Everyone would die here.
Suddenly, one of the young communications girls reported. She said that Owen's shuttles had appeared in orbit. The Burner's crew had survived. They had managed to escape from the cube.
Ahmanet immediately turned her gaze to the girl.
- Where are they? Where is the captain? - she exclaimed.
- They are entering space, - the elfurr woman said, - They will soon approach the Y-mark.


Owen demanded to be connected with Elfurr immediately. Ahmanet's ship was nearby. But something terrible was happening to the rest of the fleet. The last time he had seen something like this was on Tevcris, when the Coalition armada had turned the League's battleships into dust.
The captain noticed that the Salvation Army was nowhere to be seen. Obviously, the ship had been destroyed or relocated. That meant they couldn't go back. You can't fly far on shuttles like that. They need refueling and maintenance. The transporters weren't designed for heavy space combat. They just carried soldiers.
The pilots soon reached Ahmanet. The elfhurrka's beautiful face appeared on the holo-screen.
- Owen, are you okay? - she suddenly asked him in a completely unofficial tone.
But the Scorcher didn't pay attention to it.
- We just went into outer space, - he answered, - What's going on here? Why did the Invictus start the attack? What happened to Admiral Florin? I'm sorry... I have so many questions.
Ahmanet nodded. She understood his concern. And the elfhurrka herself was almost losing control.
- The Invictus destroyed dozens of our ships! It continues to fire! Cadmus isn't responding!
- Damn it..... Where is the Salvation Army?
User-kaf had to tell him the truth.
- We sent him to Fortis.
Owen barely restrained himself from cursing. That meant they simply wouldn't make it to the ship.
- We were attacked in the cube by a creature known as Marfur-Nirari, - Totkhemris decided to speak.
At this word, Ahmanet turned pale. This could be the reason - the mysterious creature that had been poisoning life in the universe for so long. Everything that was happening around could well have been its creation.
- We dealt with it, - the warrior said without waiting for a new question, - We destroyed it with the medallion. But Cadmus clearly knew where he was sending us. Something was wrong with it.
Ahmanet turned pale. She certainly didn't expect to hear this from Totkhemris. Direct accusations of treason against the admiral.
- I don't know what's wrong with him, - Owen continued, - And I don't know what's going on here! But Cadmus is somehow connected to this! To all this armadillo!
The Scorcher was horrified by his own words. The captain hadn't even thought of talking about it. They somehow burst out of his mouth. Just now he had almost directly accused Cadmus of treason.
If he had started such conversations in another situation, he would have been considered an instigator and deprived of the ship.
- Those are dangerous words, - Ahmanet noted, - Cadmus is not responding to our signals.
- Maybe we should call him? - Totkhemris suggested.
Her sister-admiral had only a few seconds to think.
- Do it! Just stay away from the fight! If they detect you, fly away to Fortis!
- Understood! - Owen immediately exclaimed, - That's what we'll do... If "Invictus" is ignoring you, then maybe they'll contact me? Maybe I'll get lucky?

[BagaturKhan]

--
All those long minutes, while the shuttles were flying out of Maingard, different thoughts were swirling in Ishken's head. He tried to find answers, but he couldn't do it. One of the main questions was dedicated to Admiral Cadmus. Derkh couldn't figure out why Florin had sent them to their deaths. And even more so, he didn't know what had happened to the naval commander that he had started firing at his own.
Ishken doubted that the Invictus had been captured. Not long ago, this ship had been held up as an example. Ex-President Fernand had called it the Impregnable Stronghold. The security systems there worked like a charm. In addition, the ship was full of specialists sent by Asinius to protect the admiral and his officers. No one could have captured it from the outside.
- Some nonsense... - Balderan, who was sitting next to him, muttered through his teeth, - Why did he do this...
The first mate couldn't understand the admiral's logic. He also knew that the Invictus could not be captured so easily. Whoever organized this massacre was somehow connected to Cadmus. Or maybe Florin really organized all this. In that case, he was not such a loyal naval commander to the Coalition.
- Listen, does Cadmus have a family? - Ishken suddenly decided to ask.
For some reason, this is exactly what came to mind. He did not remember Cadmus ever talking about his wife.
Everyone knew, for example, that Owen had a free heart. Asinius preferred girls to boys. The famous Admiral Nolan, as he recalled, had a wife, and not from the human race. Florin, of whose family Ishken had never heard, was a different matter.
- He doesn't have a family, - the first mate muttered, not even looking at his comrade, - What does this have to do with... I'm trying to figure out who exactly organized this massacre.
Here Kerret decided to intervene in the conversation. This green-skinned Nicomedian heard everything, and he clearly had something to share.
- He was never married, as far as I know, - the alien's words were heard, - Only a civilian. And that was a long time ago. Many, many years ago. Then it all ended.
Ishken looked at his comrade with interest. He wanted to quickly find out what happened to Cadmus' beloved. Somewhere inside, he felt that the answer lay in this. The answer to everything.
But instead of the Nicomedian, Derhu answered Ser'Naveh.
- He had a companion, - the draconian hissed somehow excitedly, - He had a companion... Exactly. She worked in the government of Artandir, I think even with Fernand and her colleagues.
- And what happened to her? - Ishken's voice was immediately heard, - Something happened?
Ser'Naveh looked at his comrade with sorrow.
- She died. Well, how can I say... It seems like a plane crash. Cadmus was very worried. He even thought that Elfurr did it... The girl got wind of something, something was wrong. Fernand said that Cadmus was delirious... and was about to go on pills. And then he seemed to have recovered. He was strong. He always was.
- Of course he recovered! - Kerret finished after his comrade, - I don't believe in Cadmus' betrayal at all. He had won so many victories! The Hero of the Galaxy! So enough suspicions already...


Dalotl reported some unpleasant news to Cadmus. Owen and his team had somehow miraculously survived. And that meant that whatever was waiting for them in the cube had failed.
Florin's soul seemed to sink into his heels. He didn't understand at all how it was possible to survive after that. She had to kill them all... without pity and without mercy. He begged Her to do it.
- Sir! - the first mate shouted, still not taking his eyes off the screens, - The captain is trying to contact us.
Deep inside, Cadmus did not want to talk to the Scorcher. But he simply could not help but find out how they had miraculously survived. And how they had managed to get out of the cube.
- Maybe we should convince him to join us? - Zheng suggested here.
Florin clearly understood that he liked the idea very much. But he was also not going to give any second chances. Either the Scorcher accepts his offer, or turns to dust, like all the others.
- Well then... Let's try, - Cadmus agreed, - Just one chance. If he refuses, he will die. I will not stand on ceremony with him. He should already be in the realm of the dead...
- We'll happily destroy his shuttles, - the farrukh grinned ominously, - Our drones have dealt with worse.
Florin rose from the commander's chair and approached Dalotl. For the first time, he would speak to his former comrade not on behalf of the Coalition. And not as an admiral. The Coalition was and remained his main enemy.
- Connect him!