Ellena arrives on the pilot prep deck as warning strobes wash the station in red. Mech gantries unlock while infantry squads crowd the launch lines, awaiting orders.
The tactical wall shows hostile humanoid insect movement beyond the station, marked K Sector. Beneath it, a second alert identifies a sealed internal command channel as the emergency source.
Sergeant Vale
Lieutenant, the launch system is rejecting your authorization. It still has Beta Platoon queued, but command validation says your activation status is disputed.
Sergeant Vale, a broad-shouldered middle-aged woman with close-cropped gray hair, stands beside the command console in battered marine armor. Her gloved hand hovers over the override.
Beta Pilot One
My cockpit says deploy for external contact. Infantry control says seal the deck and prepare for internal breach. Which order is real?
Ellena
Two alerts, one countdown, and neither command channel is trusted.
Across the deck, launch indicators fall from thirty seconds. The sealed channel pulses without an origin trace, while the bay doors begin cycling toward automatic response.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get them to let us through
“I tell Vale to use the override and clear my activation status.”
SUCCESS (Good Command, rolled +4)
Ellena
Vale, use the override. Clear my activation status and restore Beta Platoon's command authority.
Sergeant Vale
Yes, Lieutenant. Override engaged. Confirming your activation status as valid.
Sergeant Vale drives her glove into the override plate. The console rejects the disputed seal, then replaces it with Ellena's authenticated command signature as the countdown freezes.
Sergeant Vale
Status cleared. Beta Platoon is yours again, and the launch system is accepting your orders.
Four cockpit indicators turn from amber to green. The tactical wall strips away the false internal alert and exposes a maintenance relay feeding the sealed channel from outside the station.
Beta Pilot One
External source confirmed. The breach warning was spoofed through the relay. We have a clean launch corridor, Lieutenant.
The bay doors lock open under restored command authority, revealing the launch rail and the hostile movement beyond Alpha. Beta Platoon stands ready for Ellena's next order.
Launch Beta Platoon
Quest Complete
Get them to let us through