It did not take long for Cherida to get accustomed to the flow of operations in the Guardians base. She had joined a team with David and Benjamin since they all specialized in long range combat. She grew quite close to David as their training progressed resulting in them excluding Benjamin most of the time. He was of course happy to be excluded as he decided not to interfere in whatever was brewing between the two.
The time had come for the probes to be launched. They were lined up on a plain near the base in preparation for the journey. Above the probes was a large horizontally mounted rectangular warp gate variant. This gate was linked to the waves recorded from Mamon's use of the wormhole, tracking their exit coordinates.
The president and a few of his cabinet members, accompanied by the colonel and his squad, had arrived by chopper for a personal inspection and were astounded by the enormous structure mounted on the large plain. They were given a tour through the probes and briefed on the features and their expected battle life expectancy.
He then gave a five-minute speech expressing his gratitude to the Guardians, in their role of safeguarding the planet and its inhabitants as well as expressing his hope in the success. He ended his speech amidst applause from everybody and he quickly returned via the chopper as his presence there was a secret.
"Prepare to activate the warp gate. Let's get this over with", Samuel said with resolve as the scientists worked behind the computers.
"ALERT! ALERT! A FOREIGN WORMHOLE IS OPENING TEN THOUSAND FEET ABOVE THE BASE, WITH A SEENA BATTLESHIP COMING THROUGH! SWITCHING TO DEFENSIVE MODE!" a loud announcement rung out through the entire base as Lisia warned of the small wormhole that suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the skies above the base.
The base was put on high alert. Spots on the surface opened up revealing enhanced high-caliber railguns and turrets that were aimed towards the opening wormhole; charging. The Guardians quickly assembled on the surface in full combat gear ready for anything.
Just as expected, a battleship came through the opening but everyone was shocked at the condition of the ship. The Seena vessel; an A-Class warship was currently engulfed in flames as it fell through the clouds towards the ground. The wormhole closed right behind it, assuring everyone that the invasion had not started.
"We need to stop its descent. The crash could destroy everything around here", Emmanuel warned. "I've got it", Ang-Streum said before shooting off the ground, flying quickly towards the falling ship. "Lisia, please deactivate defensive mode", Emmanuel requested. "ACKNOWLEDGED! SWITCHING TO DEFAULT MODE!", Lisia replied as the railguns and turrets returned to their slots out of view.
Ang-Streum sped through the air quickly approaching the warship. When he got closer, he quickly cast a levitation spell on the ship to stop its descent.
Once the ship was stationary, he cast another spell. "Eliquanor", he mumbled as moisture in the air quickly converged around the ship until the flames were quenched. Following this, he enhanced his body with mana and grabbed hold of the ship; descending to the ground with it in tow.
He laid the warship gently on the ground as it was surrounded by the group; everyone still on their guard. Samuel stepped forward and plunged his clawed hand into the side and forcefully pried the still steaming front hatch open, revealing the cockpit.
Siting in the pilot's seat was an otherworldly beauty. She was dressed in a combat suit covered in the Seena Empire's colors with a thin sword strapped to her side. Taking a good look at a face, Ang-Streum had a recollection.
"I remember her! She's the Knight princess of the Seena empire… Mamon's first daughter. Her name is unknown but she's famed as a hero in the galactic federation; being a strong advocate for peace and justice. She's an extremely powerful person who has been the bane of criminals and Tyrants alike for years. I wonder what she's doing here", he asked himself.
"How did such a person end up like this? It looks like she is still alive. How did she survive that inferno?" Sylvester asked. "Judging by how pale she is, I can safely assume that she had a barrier shielding her the whole time, draining her mana to dangerous levels. The area surrounding her that is untouched by the flames prove my theory", Silendiana said showing the outline left by the supposed barrier.
"Let's get her to the sickbay first. we can only know more once she is fully recovered and lucid. Let's postpone the launch for now", Emmanuel suggested and the group agreed. Following this, Ang-Streum unhooked her from her safety restraints and slowly carried her out of the cockpit. He quickly transported her to the sickbay and laid her gently on the bed before the doctors present began their work.
A day later, Lyn-Fe sat next to the bed of their guest, wiping away sweat from her body. Her body had regained its color and she was breathing smoothly now, the regular beeps from the monitors proving that her vitals were steady.
As Lyn-Fe attempted to apply a cold compress to her forehead, the lady's eyes suddenly popped open and the sight of Lyn-Fe startled her. She flipped off the bed, grabbed her sword and held it threateningly near Lyn-Fe's neck. Lyn-Fe, with a calm look on her face had held her hands up to show that she wasn't a threat.
Realizing the female before her was no threat, she lowered her sword but still stayed on her guard. "Where am I? Who are you?" she asked as she traced the wires stuck to her chest to the machines before scoping out the room. She was dressed in a hospital gown with her gear folded nicely on the bedside table. She quickly understood their purpose and realized she was in some sort of health facility.
"You were found unconscious in your warship after you popped up in the planet's atmosphere engulfed in flames", Lyn-Fe informed her and asked her for her name. "My name is Judicara Xravion…no…just Judicara. I've already forsaken my family's name", the lady answered with a rebellious look in her eyes.
"My name is Lyn-Fe Agar-Da-Mon. It's nice to meet you Judicara", Lyn-Fe said as she introduced herself.
"You're Nebulaxian, aren't you?" Judicara asked suddenly, surprising Lyn-Fe. "I am. How did you know?" Lyn-Fe asked.
"In my line of work, I got to know a lot of people from different planets in different galaxies. I found out too late about my father's attack on your planet. I know nothing I say now will fix anything but please accept my humble apology. My blade is yours if you seek vengeance. Nothing will stop me from fulfilling any request you make of me", Judicara said as she bowed her head low.