Chapter 85: The Beacon of Antecedence
The Beacon of Antecedence was a breathtaking sight. After weeks of traveling through a universe that looked like a spilled paint set, the Beacon was a vision of perfect, clean order.
It was a giant, spiraling tower made of a material that looked like a cross between ivory and solidified light. It rotated slowly, gracefully, in the dead center of a perfectly calm, stable bubble of reality.
For the first time in a long time, the stars on their viewscreen weren’t swirling or glitching; they were just still, silent points of light. It was the most beautiful and peaceful thing they had ever seen.
The calm lasted for about thirty seconds.
"Uh, guys?" Emma said, her voice tight with alarm. "I’m detecting multiple energy signatures detaching from the Beacon. They’re small, fast, and they’re heading right for us. And based on their energy profiles... I don’t think they’re coming over to borrow a cup of sugar."
On the main viewscreen, a swarm of small, sleek drones, shaped like angry metal insects, zipped out from hidden hangars all along the Beacon’s spiraling arms.
They were followed by larger, heavier weapon platforms, floating gun turrets that hummed with a menacing, ancient power.
"It’s the Beacon’s automated defense system," Zara said, her fingers flying across her console. "It’s thousands of years old, but it still works. It must see us as a threat."
"Can you talk to it?" Ryan asked. "Tell it we’re the good guys?"
"I’m trying!" Zara shot back. "But their security software is ancient! It’s like trying to send an email to a clay tablet! They’re not listening!"
The swarm of drones closed in, their movements perfectly synchronized. They formed a loose, surrounding net, cutting off any chance of escape. The heavier gun platforms took up positions behind them, their weapon ports glowing as they charged up.