New Alderaan had gone missing. A entire planet vanished without a trace. At least, that was what the transmission had stated. As the Devilwing traversed through space along a far more personal and private hyperspace lane, the Black Ace sat and listened as he examined the recording over and over again with the various forensic tools at his disposal. He had heard of increasing reports regarding disappearances of vessels or hyper lanes becoming unreliable. A deeper instinct beyond the evidence told him to investigate deeper, peer into what others might associate as faulty technology or poor piloting.
But an entire planet and the crew of a super destroyer entirely vanishing? An event that would undoubtedly put any doubts to rest. Doubts that the Demon had not shared with the general populace. His personal private hyperlanes had been monitored and re-checked for any distortions or disturbances, and there were multiple sensors both built into his vessel and on several space stations and relays to help his navigational computers procure additional and real-time data should his hyperlanes become compromised.
He would not become one of the missing, and he would stop whoever or whatever was causing the disappearances of not only people, but entire planets as well. One way or another. However, what had caught his attention was the mental decline and degradation of the individual who had transmitted the distress call. Mentioning a void. Perhaps, the void of space or something far more sinister.
Then there was the talk of a
god. Singular. Yet there is also mentioned of a
they and that this group were real. Always among us. An indication of hiding in plain sight? That there was a method to track and find these individuals? Were this
they and this
god one and the same or perhaps serving under this particular individual or entity that had been compared to a deific creature?
Then the mention of a man alone with this particular god. And the brief lucidity that followed as the individual questioned if he was the last man before disappearing as well. His forensic instruments and computer did not detect anything but fear and honesty in the voice. Which meant, at least, the man believed himself to be telling the truth, even if he were perhaps not lucid. What concerned the Demon the most was the fact there had been no sounds of a struggle, even in the background noise he filtered.
Only the individual disappearing and even that had cut off early. No sign of a struggle anywhere in the recording. And as his ship exited silently from hyperspace, there were no further signs of a struggle along the outside of the ship. A cursory scan confirmed a few more facts. No escape pods jettisoned nor any ships from the hangar bays. No damage along the hull or even any interference of the ship's various systems and sub-systems.
Except its lights. That was concerning. Why were the lights off? A visual confirmation of the hangar bays remaining dark added credibility of the scan data.
Something was wrong. Perhaps it was a more scientific or explainable occurrence. Or it had been something related to the exotic particle phenomenon known as "the Force".
A transmission crackled through his ship's receiver. Someone was already inside before he got here. He listened carefully as he ran the same forensic scans he did on the previous transmission. This was live. Another investigator. His instruments began the process of trying to track the woman's transmitter location. She had introduced herself as TK-73 and that she had boarded at 56-J with her vessel. Afterwards, she provided a quick yet effective situation report on what she had observed so far.
The Black Ace tapped a button on his communication relay,
["Sage, I need you to find all information regarding an Imperial Confederation agent designated 'TK-73', and monitor all further communication traffic in this region. I want to know what's going on and who specifically these people are."]
["Right away, sir,"] a quick response followed on the other end of the communication line,
["But if I may caution a bit of advice . . ."]
["Speak your mind."]
A deep breath followed, one born of concern,
["Sir, perhaps this would be best left to the Imperial Confederation. For once, you may not know what you're getting yourself into. We don't know what happened to those people, and it very well could happen to you."]
Silence fell for a few moments before the Detective responded.
["I can't ignore this, Sage. Besides, I can't trust they will find all the details necessary to solve this. I have to see to this personally."]
Has to be me. Someone else might get it wrong.
Sensors pinged the nearby ships coming out of hyperspace. Several of which the Black Ace and the scanners recognized as Imperial Confederation ships. However, there was at least one that did not hail as such. Either an unknown quantity of allies or enemies for the Imperial Confederation. The Demon, however, saw all parties as potential disruptions to his investigation. Stealth would be the priority, as it usually was.
If he crossed paths with any of these factions, he would handle each accordingly. But no sooner. His focus remained on getting onboard that ship.
Strapping on additional gear to his suit, the Detective included a tactical backpack onto his back and a space suit that conformed and attached to his original suit underneath. Additional weapons and forensic tools would be necessary, and the spacesuit would be necessary for him to survive extended periods outside of his vessel, if such a situation proved necessary. He also did not know the exact severity or number of foes he may face as well as the full breadth of this situation. In this case, it would be to his advantage to come more than prepared. Pulling on a pair of levers above his seat, the Living Nightmare shot out of his stealth vessel towards
The Revenge.
Sailing through the deep dark expanse of space as invisible as his stealthcraft, there would be no telling the Demon apart from the cold blackness of space with exception of the red symbol on his chest. His body contorted to that similar of a diver into water as he soared through space towards the hangar. Sage would keep his vessel safe and on standby, hidden and ready to operate at a moments notice to provide assistance or a quick evacuation.
Adjusting himself several meters before impact, the boot thrusters activated to slow the velocity of his landing and to change his trajectory as his boots landed and attached themselves to the hangar bay's outer wall. Slowly, he crawled along the outside hull of the ship before entering past Hanger 56-J's magnetic containment shield. Releasing his grip from the ceiling of the hangar bar, the Walking Shadow descended before landing upon the ground. His visor automatically adjusting his vision from within the cowl.
The dark would prove an advantage for him here. Whether it be avoiding the attention of the other onboarding parties or engaging anyone or anything that would cause an entire vessel's crew to disappear. Quickly removing the spacesuit from himself, the Black Ace folded it up before storing it within his backpack. Pulling free a forensics scanner from the same tactical pack, the Demon clasped the backpack onto his back once more before holding the forensic scanner out in front of him. A soft light emanated from it as he began scanning the different vehicles and equipment strewn about.
TK-73 appeared to be right, so far. No signs of a struggle or an attack. Everything appeared to be working perfectly besides the lights. The emergency lights, however, should have kicked on by now.
Unless there was a reason for that. Perhaps, that is where his investigation should start. But first, he tuned his scanner for any footprints or indications of TK-73's position in this vessel. It would be to his advantage if he could gather any data to get a better idea of whom exactly he was to meet. Her transmission had been broadcasting on all frequencies, so he still had a trace on her within the vessel.
Speaking of vessels, the Walking Shadow approached a ship out of place. His forensic scanner detailing the ship had docked her and its engines still ran warmer than the rest of the vessels currently resting within Hangar 56-J. Slipping a small tracking device inside one of the crevices of the ship, the Detective figured it would be best to ensure he had a method of tracking down the first investigator to arrive onto the scene for any additional information.
Should it prove necessary.
For now, that was what he followed as he placed the forensic scanner on his belt and setting it to auto mode. It would scan and record any nearby data within his vicinity while he focused on tracking down this TK-73. Instantly, he became one with the shadows. The darkness was his ally. His presence invisible as he traversed the ship, following the transmission.
Careful to keep his head on a swivel for anything strange or out of place. The Living Nightmare's senses always aware of his surroundings as he predatorily stalked the hallways.
Once and when he found TK-73 (
Her
), the Proto-Predator would simply observe her from within the shadows. A creature of the night stalking her from a safe distance while she remained completely unaware. She would know his presence when he decided to make himself known.
Only stepping from the shadows to reveal himself and intercede should she find herself in danger.
Or should she become a danger towards this investigation and towards finding the truth at the heart of this mysterious ordeal.
