Contents
6.7 LIGHT
Overview
Safeguarding’s drone offensive appears wildly successful, prompting celebration and a bold colonization announcement from Chief Director Advent. Jerennian then reveals none of the drones fired. A drone suddenly massacres Safeguarding staff, including Timorai, before the ship locks down and power fails. The stuttering triple-yap alarm signals Shrouded/EM hive infiltration.
Summary
As Safeguarding mass-produces and deploys manta-like drones to Shroud, Juna and Ste Etienne privately condemn the campaign as murder, while outwardly conforming to team expectations. Remedial Work remains idle, awaiting results and fearing a recall to the armed pod if Plan B is invoked.
Recovered drones report exceptional kill counts across multiple targets, and the bay erupts in celebration. Chief Director Advent, buoyed by the apparent success, announces a larger plan to make the system a growth hub for colonies and families, positioning this operation as a cornerstone of human expansion.
Jerennian interrupts with a critical anomaly: every returning drone’s ammunition is untouched. As Timorai orders a data autopsy on a drone, the selected unit abruptly opens fire in the workbay, shredding Timorai and nearby engineers before recoil slams it into a bulkhead, halting the assault.
In the bloody aftermath, exits refuse to open and communications are dead. The ship’s power fails, leaving the survivors in darkness. The emergency alarm stutters in a triple-yap rhythm Juna and Ste recognize, revealing the Shrouded/EM hive’s interference and suggesting the drones’ “kills” and the ship’s systems have been subverted.
Who Appears
- JunaNarrator; condemns the drone campaign as murder; witnesses the drone massacre and recognizes the Shrouded alarm pattern.
- Ste EtienneJuna’s ally; shares moral opposition and fear of the pod; recognizes the triple-yap Shrouded signal.
- Jerennian (Big Mike)Data specialist who discovers drones never fired; raises alarm before the drone turns on the crew.
- Chief Director AdventCelebrates reported drone success; announces ambitious colonization plans before disaster unfolds.
- TimoraiSafeguarding lead; orders drone data inspection; is killed when the drone opens fire.
- FenJuanRemedial Work lead present at the briefing; reserved amid celebrations; survives the attack.
- Shrouded / EM hiveInvisible antagonist; likely fakes kill data and subverts systems; triple-yap alarm signals their presence.