ONE: Epilogue of Hermesh

21. Perceptions

Closer inspection of the remains of the station suggested that it was destroyed  before the Helmeshi onboard could fire a single shot at the advancing enemy. But even in those last moments one message was sent from the station, warning the others of what was coming. How many lives were saved by that single act has been debated ever since. Suffice to say, the number generally agreed upon was significant enough to give Woo'zol a mythical status. And since the end of the war, the station had become some sort of a shrine for all passing Helmeshi ships.

Confined within an invisible energy field that stopped them from drifting away, the wreckage of the once inhabited space station floated like scattered pieces of a broken monolith, entombed in a melancholic silence only possible in the solitude that is felt in the emptiness of space.

As the Helmeshi ship moved in towards Woo'zol for a single orbit before leaving, Herrek'Nole looked down with silent reverence. He forced himself to recollect the horrors of the war that this space station was the first casualty of. Then he closed all his eyes and let out a deep breath.

****

"Is this the first time that a Xacreth...."

"Yes."

"But the inside of Nanh'men's is not condusive for them to be able to breathe and we didn't...couldn't make the modifications in time."

"It will be alright."

"Atmospheric suits?"

"If needed."

This last brief response made Miin'maaron looked at Nole, clearly perplexed.

Speculating that there was still some time left for their 'guests' to arrive, Herrek'Nole muttered, "Oulingar."

Judging from the reaction of his second-in-command, the 1st Admiral knew she had understood the reference.

Oulingar was one of the moons orbiting the Manwatu planet, Vyzol. In order to counter an impending attack by the Xacreth on their third most populated planet, the Manwatus had converted Oulingar into a heavily fortified last line of defence.

However, shocking the entire galaxy, the enemy's offensive against the star system was initiated by attacking the terrestrial defenses of the moon. Reports confirmed that Xacreth soldiers had launched a surprise ground offensive, long before the Xacreth ships had reached their weapon range.

"Two of our fleets were deployed alongside the Manwatu forces to defend Vyzol," Nole added, watching the hangar  doors open, "Once we landed on the moon, we swiftly captured or eliminated all of them. But by then they had all but fulfilled their strategic objectives. Turns out, they were dropped on the lunar surface over 70 days before the invasion. It was only then we noticed that even in that inhospitable atmosphere of the moon, their suit only had an air filter.

From what I understand, Xacreths have respiratory organs that can store air for a long period of time. They originally evolved to enable their ancestors to fly at very high altitudes for extended periods, without requiring external air to breathe," Nole explained, all three eyes still fixed on the hanger door.

The shuttle that flew in was small in size. Once it landed, to everyone's surprise and relief, only one Xacreth came out of it. Interestingly, it was not wearing any breathing apparatus.

Walking up to his host, Herrek'Nole spoke courteously, "Welcome on board the Nanh'men. I'm 1st Admiral Herrek'Nole. This is my Second, Miin'maaron."

"Thank you. I am Shanoke Baakin," using the translator, the Xacreth replied with a courteous bow, "Would you please escort me to the bridge?"