In a temporary detention chamber aboard the Emperor-class battleship—
The lighting here wasn't glaring, but evenly spread across surrounding metal walls, reflecting a quality that was nearly cold yet orderly.
The chamber space was spacious, walls embedded with several faintly flickering energy conduits, air clean and dry.
Compared to the interrogation room's oppressive feeling, this place was undoubtedly more like a temporary holding area, even carrying some meaning of "humane detention."
Isaac Clarke sat on a sofa, his heavy engineering armor long since stripped away, leaving only gray-blue engineering work clothes.
His hands unconsciously rubbed his pant legs, gaze occasionally drifting toward the chamber door—the only exit and the most intimidating barrier in everyone's minds.
The other Kellion crew members either sat or stood with varying expressions.
Some appeared tense, constantly rubbing their palms as if venting anxiety;
Others simply leaned back against fixed chair backs, trying to feign composure, but frequently trembling legs betrayed their inner unease.
The chamber's configured refrigeration units and water dispensers seemed particularly jarring at this moment—they were originally "considerate designs" to ease minds, yet invisibly reminded everyone—
They were monitored, supervised, and their fates could be decided at any time.
Just then, a young technician couldn't help but speak, voice trembling with questioning:
"Those giants... what exactly are they? They call themselves Imperial Martial, but we've never heard of such forces in Federation records.
And what about this 'Human Empire' they speak of? Besides the Federation, hasn't this galaxy always been silent? There are no other intelligent civilizations..."
As his words fell, the chamber atmosphere suddenly solidified, everyone instinctively turning their gaze to security officer Zach Hammond.
Hammond's expression was grave—he already bore responsibility for leading the team and had now become everyone's invisible support.
He remained silent momentarily, gaze sweeping over everyone as if organizing his words.
"I don't know." He finally spoke, voice steady yet carrying helplessness:
"They should be human like us, but whether physique or demonstrated technological level, they far exceed everything the Federation knows.
Even the most advanced power armor couldn't extend human skeletal and muscular structure to that degree... they're at least two and a half meters tall, which normal human genetics cannot achieve."
Hammond paused, eyes gradually deepening: "As for the 'Empire,' perhaps there really exists a massive civilization we've never encountered on the galaxy's other end.
The Federation has always claimed we're alone in the universe, but you all know that over the years, besides Markers, we've found no traces of other surviving alien intelligence.
Perhaps the Federation has hidden something, or perhaps we know nothing about this universe at all."
These words plunged the chamber into deeper silence.
"Markers..." a medical officer murmured quietly, expression complex. "Unitology has always claimed we humans were cultivated by the 'gods' who created the Markers, and now, those giants... could they be products of another kind of 'miracle'? Another race favored by 'gods'?"
Upon these words, several faces changed suddenly, unconsciously exchanging glances.
Unitology's "shadow" existed to varying degrees in everyone's hearts here.
Though most were secular personnel, Unitology's infiltration was everywhere—its doctrines about "convergence" and "transcendence" often took root like malignant tumors.
"Don't overthink it."
Hammond coldly interrupted, tone carrying undeniable certainty: "Whatever they are, they've shown no malice so far.
If not for them, we'd probably all be dead already. You've seen the audiovisual materials they provided—those monsters of unknown origin aboard the Ishimura were presumably cleared out by them."
However, his words didn't completely "reassure" everyone.
Kendra Daniels frowned, her gaze sharp and calm, obviously not deceived by surface appearances.
"No malice?" she said quietly, tone skeptical. "That's because we pose no threat to them.
But once Federation armed vessels arrive, the situation will change. The Federation won't tolerate a second human force, especially an empire claiming to span star seas—this means power opposition and inevitable conflict."
These words made the chamber air even more stagnant, everyone looking at each other as if forced to face a truth they were unwilling to acknowledge.
Isaac Clarke sat there, fists unconsciously clenching.
Actually, he didn't care about political conflicts between the Federation and Empire—such vast patterns were far removed from an engineer's concerns.
What he truly cared about were the Ishimura survivors, especially his wife Nicole Brennan.
'If she's really still alive...'
Clarke silently thought, eyes flickering with suppressed hope, 'then regardless of who these people are, regardless of what they want...'
At this moment, he even felt some relief.
At least these giants called Imperial Martial, and the Empire behind them, didn't seem to be completely hostile.
Perhaps this meant hope.
At the chamber's other end, several young crew members began whispering.
Some speculated whether the Human Empire possessed biotechnology far exceeding the Federation's, capable of modifying human genes to give Imperial Martial giant-like physiques;
Others suspected these giants weren't human at all, but some humanoid alien intelligence that merely resembled humans closely.
Various speculations flowed like undercurrents throughout the chamber.
Everyone tried grasping some logic to explain the incredible before them, but regardless, answers remained far beyond their reach.
Hammond took a deep breath, trying to suppress this spreading agitation: "I know you all have questions, but now isn't the time to discuss these things. We must remain calm and wait for developments.
At least from current circumstances, they don't treat us as enemies but chose detention and observation—this is already the best outcome."
"..."
Daniels still said nothing, only coldly staring at surveillance cameras suspended from the chamber ceiling.
She understood that their every conversation, every expression, had probably already been observed by those mysterious "Imperial people."
Clarke slowly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself and stop worrying excessively about Nicole's condition.
The chamber air momentarily grew quiet enough to solidify. Just as everyone continued quietly discussing possible conflicts between Empire and Federation, abrupt mechanical sounds suddenly rang out.
Whoosh—!
Heavy alloy doors opened, light pouring in, instantly breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
Tychus Findlay strode into the chamber, his figure still imposing, steps filled with irresistible oppressive force.
Accompanying him were four heavy auxiliary troops in CMC power armor, heavy servos producing deep, rhythmic humming as they moved, each step seemingly striking everyone's heartstrings.
Tychus's gaze swept over everyone in the detention chamber—sharp yet not hostile, more carrying undeniable authority.
After momentary silence, he spoke, voice heavy and resonant, echoing throughout the chamber:
"Everyone, rest assured—after we completely resolve all hidden dangers, we'll naturally grant you freedom. Now, please take your personal belongings and come with us."
His words were concise yet full of power, brooking no argument.
As soon as he finished speaking, Tychus turned and left, movements crisp without any lingering, as if these people were merely one element in his task procedure.
The four CMC heavy auxiliary troops said nothing, just stood quietly watching everyone like a silent steel barrier.
Chamber occupants were momentarily stunned, looking at each other.
Tension, unease, and doubt intertwined in the air—no one dared act rashly.
Finally, security officer Zach Hammond spoke first, saying grimly:
"Let's go."
His tone carried determination and reassurance.
Perhaps he too was unclear what awaited them ahead, but at least following was the safest choice at this moment.
Led by him, Isaac Clarke, Daniels, and other rescue craft members gradually rose, gathered their few personal belongings, and slowly walked out of the detention chamber.
However, the moment they stepped through the door, the scene before them stunned them all.
In the corridor outside the door stood two tall female figures.
They also exceeded two meters in height, postures upright, faces cold, emanating indescribable authority and divinity.
Their ancient Greek-style power armor was simple yet solemn, lines elongated, carrying deadly coldness.
More heart-stopping than their steel-like armor was the aura they emanated.
That subtle sacred presence "struck" them, as if air itself trembled with their breathing. Corridor lighting reflected faint halos around their silhouettes, inspiring awe.
For rescue craft crew members, this pressure was far more incomprehensible than Imperial Martial giants.
If Imperial Martial could still be explained as some genetic enhancement or armor amplification, these two women's presence completely transcended common sense.
Crew members who followed Unitology trembled, chests heaving unsteadily.
They almost instinctively wanted to kneel, tears welling in their eyes—to them, this was true "divine miracle"—
Inviolable existence.
The War Maidens' expressions showed no fluctuation, gazes sharp as blades. Currently, they wouldn't show these "outsiders" any kind smiles.
The next moment, their pupils suddenly filled with pale golden radiance, sharp brilliance seemingly bursting from soul depths.
Simultaneously, a subtle pure psychic energy instantly spread, enveloping Isaac Clarke and others.
This force was silent yet brought complete soul-stripping illusion.
Someone in the crowd felt their spirit shake, vision briefly blank, as if all their secrets were exposed under the radiance.
Cold sweat slowly slid down their foreheads.
"What... what is happening?" someone murmured, voice trembling, eyes full of fear.
Isaac Clarke was equally stunned, staring at the two War Maidens, eyes full of shock and disbelief.
As an engineer, he was accustomed to explaining everything with logic and data, but the phenomena before him completely exceeded his cognitive scope.
Golden light lasted mere seconds yet seemed to extend into long eternity.
Finally, radiance gradually converged, the two War Maidens' eyes returned to normal. However, their expressions became even colder, gazes falling on Kendra Daniels.
One War Maiden spoke coldly, words cutting through silence like blades:
"Commander Findlay, this Ms. Daniels is a spy. She was temporarily assigned to Kellion with the purpose of seizing the Red Marker."
?!
At these words, the entire corridor instantly fell silent.
Daniels was stunned on the spot, pupils suddenly contracting, face changing dramatically.
Her breathing became rapid, wanting to argue, but her voice seemed stuck in her throat.
Isaac Clarke and others were equally shocked, unable to believe as they looked at Daniels.
They couldn't accept that this "colleague" who had been with them throughout was actually identified as a spy.
However, security officer Hammond merely remained silent, his gaze calm to the point of indifference.
In fact, as the War Maiden said, Daniels' identity had always made him wary.
She was assigned to Kellion at the last moment—he had already sensed abnormality, so at this moment, when the War Maiden exposed everything, he wasn't even very surprised.
Daniels' lips trembled, seemingly still wanting to explain.
But she was given no opportunity. Two heavy auxiliary troops in CMC power armor had already stepped forward, heavy mechanical arms directly grasping her shoulders.
Accompanied by metallic joint clicking, she was firmly held, completely unable to move.
"Wait! I'm not—"
Daniels' voice abruptly stopped as she was quickly escorted away, apparently being taken to interrogation chambers to extract more intelligence about Unitology, Earth Federation, and Concordance Extraction Corporation.
All this happened extremely quickly—everyone didn't even have time to react before watching Daniels being taken away.
Shock, fear, and confusion intertwined, disturbing everyone's spirits.
Tychus's expression remained unchanged—he merely nodded slightly, indicating the escort should continue, saying grimly:
"The rest of you, follow me."
His tone remained cold but was obviously gentler than during earlier detention.
Led by Tychus, Isaac and others were guided to nearby sleeping quarters.
The environment here was obviously more relaxed than detention chambers—corridors were spacious with very gentle lighting.
Sleeping quarters were arranged modularly, each double cabin equipped with beds, desks, and basic living facilities, even including small holographic screens and various equipment.
Obviously, this was no longer "imprisonment" but "guest residence" in some sense.
"You may move freely within designated areas, maintain order, and await further arrangements."
After speaking, he turned and left, only heavy footsteps gradually fading in the corridor.
Isaac exchanged glances with others, hearts filled with mixed feelings.
Though they had temporarily gained freedom, they were more confused—how did the Empire plan to deal with them?
Just then, broadcasts from bulkheads suddenly rang out, carrying grim, murderous atmosphere:
"All personnel attention, all ships enter primary combat readiness. Earth Federation armed vessels from this universe have entered the Shield system and been locked on. All personnel prepare immediately to meet initial engagement."
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