The Allbright System - A Sci-Fi Progression LitRPG Story

Under fire, it was organised chaos at full volume—shouted coordinates, damage reports, and targeting confirmations layered over the deep shudder of the Grand Cruiser's broadside batteries cycling through another volley.

The holosphere at the center blazed with the live state of the engagement, a three-dimensional web of red and blue markers shifting in real time.

Captain Seyne Ardara didn't sit in her command chair during a fight. She never did.

She moved between stations instead—short copper hair pushed back from a scarred face, pale grey eyes cutting between screens and crew with twenty years of hard experience behind them. The old plasma-burn scar running from her jaw down the left side of her neck had long since become part of the picture.

She was mid-stride between the tactical console and the helm when the rear doors slid open.

An ensign entered, moving with the energy of someone who knew the timing was terrible.

He had a man with him.

Civilian clothes. Short grey hair. A build that had once been something more.

Ardara turned, and the look she gave the ensign could have stripped paint.

"Why are you bringing a Civvy onto my deck while we're mid-battle, Ensign?"

The ensign snapped to a full UHF salute, fist to chest. "Sent directly by High Command, Captain. I was ordered to bring him before you immediately. That is the full extent of my orders."

She shifted her gaze to the man beside him and took him in properly.

The face was a map of damage.

Scar tissue covered a good third of it—old burns layered over by years of other wounds.

Most of it ancient with one singular exception: A long cut across his left cheek, clearly newer than everything around it by an order of magnitude. Years old, maybe a decade.

But fresh, by comparison.

"Who are you?" she said. "And why did the Brass send you onto my Eternal Colossus?"

"Consultant," the man said. He hadn't moved since she'd started looking at him. "War consultation for this Sector. It made sense to come to the flagship."

Her eyebrow moved. "You're not System Powered. But you were, weren't you."

He nodded.

"Then tell me, Ex-Marine—what would you know about commanding a Grand Cruiser?"

The laugh that came out of him was low and raspy. "Nothing, Captain. I'm here for one purpose: Consultation on unexpected developments.

"Name's James McKay. I'd prefer something less formal than 'Captain and Civvy' if we're going to be working together."

Ardara's eyes narrowed. "McKay…? James McKay…? Why do I know that name?"

He exhaled. Long. Weary. "Damn Brass."

He straightened slightly. "Well. It's been a while since I've done this."

He took a breath.

The Presence hit the bridge like a tsunami—no source, no warning, pressing outward until several crewmembers grabbed their consoles without meaning to.

Ardara stepped back two full paces, grey eyes wide.

Then it collapsed. Gone.

He coughed once.

"I suppose the Title had to come with some advantages, eh?"

Ardara stared at him for a moment. Then her fist came to her chest—sharp, full. "General Harbinger. I didn't recognise you. My earlier words—"

"Don't." He waved a hand and turned toward the holosphere. "Let's just hope the Title didn't bring its usual—"

"Captain!" The sensor operator's voice cut across the bridge. "Three Stellar Republic Battle Cruisers have just jumped into the system. Intercept course with our forward fleet. T-13 minutes to contact."

Silence.

Ardara stared at the Harbinger.

He stood at the edge of the holosphere, two fingers pressed to his temple, staring at the three new red markers with the expression of a man who had been here before and found it no less exhausting for it.

"Not even one fucking second," he said quietly.

Then he turned to face her, spreading his hands.

"It would appear something thoroughly unexpected has occurred, Captain. Would you like some consultation on the matter…?"

—

[Shortened Excerpt from “A recording of the Eternal Colossus’ Command Deck - The Harbinger’s Return” — Compiled by the UHF Historical Division, PFC943. Classified: General Staff Access Only.]