As the G.G.S. Solomon and her escorts emerged from warp, the bridge came alive with activity. Holo-displays flickered to life, data streams scrolling across the consoles as the crew prepared for the mission ahead.

  When the bridge doors parted, Captain Maeric Solen and Commander Soren Thoss stepped inside, followed closely by Lyssandra Voss and her guard, Kael Renn.

  The security officer announced sharply, “Her Royal Highness and the Captain are on deck!”

  Every officer rose from their stations, saluting as the command party crossed to the central dais. The captain gave a short nod, and they returned to their posts.

  “Status report,” Soren ordered, his voice cutting clean through the low hum of the bridge.

  “Warp emergence nominal,” the navigator replied, adding under his breath, “Thank the Forge.”

  “Systems are within operational range—surprisingly,” came the mildly astonished report from the systems officer.

  “Shields at full, weapons in the green,” the tactical officer confirmed.

  “Communications with the escorts are stable,” the comms officer added. “They report ready to advance toward the gate on your command.”

  “Good,” the captain said after a moment’s pause, scanning the readouts. “At ease.”

  The captain gave a single nod. “All ships—move to the edge of the gate ships’ combat range.”

  Thrusters flared blue along the Solomon’s hull, echoed by her escorts as the formation drifted toward the Dead Sector Gate. The void ahead swallowed all light — a canvas of motionless black broken only by the faint pulse of the gate’s event horizon. Even the stars seemed reluctant to shine here.

  A low murmur of static rippled through the bridge speakers, and the crew instinctively quieted. The silence beyond the glass felt heavy, ancient — as though the void itself were listening.

  “Chief Engineer,” the captain said, eyes still fixed ahead. “How’s she holding?”

  Chief Engineer Dax Rouren’s voice came through the intercom, rough but steady. “Holding fine, sir. For an ancient antique, she’s got her sore joints — hasn’t stretched her legs past the capital in years. But some grease, care, and curses will keep her running.”

  A faint smile touched the captain’s lips. “That’s all I ask.” He turned to the science console. “Doctor, is everything ready to begin deciphering the signal?”

  Dr. Ilya Merin glanced up from his holo-display. “Yes, Captain. The Solomon’s old comm systems are responding to it — exactly as Her Highness predicted. The resonance began right after we dropped from warp.”

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  Lyssandra’s eyes brightened. The quiet hum of data scrolling across the console reflected in her gaze.

  Kael leaned closer and whispered, “Seems you were right on the mark.”

  “If my theory holds,” she said softly, “we might be close to rediscovering the lost expedition.” Her voice carried a tremor of excitement.

  Commander Soren turned his head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Solomon resonating might be good — or it might be something worse.”

  Captain Maeric nodded slowly. “Agreed. One step at a time. The Forge remembers, and sometimes it remembers violently.”

  “The gate is entering visual range,” the navigation officer called out. “We’re at the edge of recommended proximity.”

  “Good,” the captain said, raising a hand. “Pull up the feed and magnify.”

  The forward holo-display flared to life. The image resolved — the Dead Sector Gate, once a silent relic, now pulsing with cold, rhythmic light. Its portal spun like liquid obsidian, a wound in space itself.

  Before it stood the five Gate Ships, motionless yet menacing — vast constructs of blackened alloy and forgotten design. They drifted like sentinels, their hulls etched with symbols no scanner could decipher.

  They did not move.

  They simply waited.

  The bridge held its breath. Silence stretched, tense and heavy, though under it ran a current of awe and nervous excitement. Some crew leaned closer to their consoles; others gripped rails, eyes wide.

  The quiet broke with the Science Officer’s voice.

  “We’ve got a reading — the Solomon is accepting the signal!”

  “It’s working!” Lyssandra’s voice rang out, sharp with relief.

  Soren leaned over the console. “Can you decipher it?”

  Dr. Ilya Merin’s fingers flew over the datapad. “Not yet. The system is trying to display the message, but it will take a moment.”

  Then the unthinkable: the Gate Ships shifted in formation, gliding toward the Solomon.

  “Sir,” a junior officer shouted, “the Gate Ships are closing! Weapons are charging!”

  The captain’s hand rose, voice cutting through the rising alarm. “Battle stations! Scramble fighters!”

  Soren barked orders over the comms, crisp and precise. “Escort, form defensive positions! Fighters, screen formation — now!”

  Alarms screamed, red lights pulsing across the bridge.

  The comms officer’s voice trembled. “Can’t reach the escorts… only static.”

  Dax Rouren’s console bleeped furiously. “Engines — shut down!”

  “What?” the chief engineer bellowed. “They were running fine moments ago!”

  “The Gate Ships are closing fast,” another voice added, tight with panic.

  Captain Maeric’s gaze swept the bridge. “Prepare for contact. If the Forge calls, we answer.”

  Kael crouched beside Lyssandra, shielding her instinctively. “Lyssandra… what now?”

  Lyssandra’s eyes darted across the displays. “Doctor — what are the systems telling you?”

  Ilya glanced frantically at the datapad. “It says… block. What does that even mean?”

  Her mind raced. Then clarity struck. “Input — allow chat. Now!”

  “What?!” Ilya sputtered, startled.

  “Just do it!” Lyssandra snapped.

  Hands shaking, the scientist typed the phrase.

  Kael tightened his stance, covering the princess as the Gate Ships’ weapons charged. Everyone braced — hearts thundering, fingers gripping consoles.

  Then… nothing. The alarms continued their shrill cry, but the weapons fire never came. Silence hung over the bridge, sharp and unnerving.

  Please give a comment, review if you want.I would love to see how you guys view the story. Even like to hear your critique, if willing.

  If worried about the AI assist, I use it for polish and grammar checks, but am learning to write without the polish.

  Note: Character and ship designs are open to interpretation. Imagine them in whatever style fits your vision.