Q-Factor

[Tolemykus]

The Colony Diner
(Ode to Kevin Smith)

Scene:
A small diner on Orthon IV, with a hum of conversation filling the air. The room is a mix of Archon and human patrons, each absorbed in their meals or conversations. Trenton, a human sanitation worker, sits across from Enpelicon, a lanky Archon whose blue-gray skin seems to ripple as he speaks. Their table is cluttered with plates of food that neither of them seems in a rush to finish.

(Sipping a cup of strong coffee, glancing at the crowd)
"See that guy over there? He forgot to change out of his pajamas before coming here. Look at him, bold as anything, walking around like it's a fashion statement", observed Trenton.

(In a soft melodic voice his eyes narrowing in curiosity)
"Curious. This is considered a social misstep among your species? His attire appears... comfortable. I observe no immediate detriment to his physical state", inquires Enpelicon.

(Smirking)
"Yeah, well, comfort's one thing, dignity's another. Archons are too sensible to roll out of bed and head straight to breakfast without at least changing."

(Tilting his head)
"Indeed, my kind would not. We cleanse ourselves thoroughly every 3.14 standard hours. However, this notion of dignity—does it not vary wildly even within your species? You, for example, wore mismatched socks for an entire lunar cycle last month. Yet, no one mentioned it."

(Chuckling)
Trenton retorts, "Hey, that was intentional! Trend-setting, you know?"

(Gesturing towards a woman across the room whose hair and shoes are a bright, shocking shade of neon green)
"Ah, and she too is 'trend-setting' perhaps? The combination of her glowing feet and cranial plumage suggests an entertainer of sorts. Or perhaps... is she meant to guide ships with such luminescence?"

(Trenton laughs, nearly choking on his coffee)
"More like guiding us all into some weird fashion disaster. Gotta admire the confidence though, right?"

They both watch as the woman takes a bite of her sandwich, utterly oblivious to the attention she's garnering.

(Thoughtfully)
"Confidence, yes. An admirable quality. I notice it is often paired with... questionable decisions, at least in this locality", Enpelicon expresses.

(Trenton nods towards a couple that enters the diner, one of them towering at six foot four while the other barely reaches four and a half feet)
"Speaking of decisions... that pair over there, they sure do make an odd couple, huh? Wonder how that works out. Do they have to adjust the furniture at home or something?"

(Observing closely)
Enpelicon volunteers, "I wonder more about their physiological compatibility. Perhaps the shorter one is a being of superior gravitational efficiency? In my dimension, it is common to bond with those who exhibit complementary traits to one's own."

(Grinning)
"Well, that would explain a lot of weird relationships back on Earth. Guess it doesn't matter how mismatched they look as long as they make it work."

They continue to people-watch as a young man sits down a few tables over, carefully setting down a large chocolate bar and a diet drink in front of him.

(Trenton raises an eyebrow)
"Now there's a classic. A chocolate bar and a diet drink. Guess he's watching his figure?"

(With a subtle hum of amusement)
"An interesting juxtaposition. Is this typical human behavior? It is akin to one of our kind consuming pure energy matter alongside an anti-depletion field generator. The two seem to counteract one another."

(Shaking his head)
"It's about balance, my friend. You indulge a little, then try to make up for it. I mean, life's short. Or long. Depends on how much chocolate you eat, I guess."

They both chuckle, the sound of their shared amusement blending into the diner’s atmosphere. Their laughter fades as they settle into a comfortable silence, watching the parade of strange combinations of beings and behavior that only a colony planet like Orthon IV could produce.

(After a beat)
"I find these gatherings... refreshing. Observing the quirks of sentient life provides much insight into the nature of existence. I find joy in this simple exercise, watching beings navigate their own idiosyncrasies with such... determination", muses Enpelicon.

(Leaning back, crossing his arms)
"Yeah, it's nice. Kind of makes you realize we're all just trying to figure it out, one mismatched sock and weird snack choice at a time."

They share a knowing glance, then glance back at the crowd, their lunch nearly finished. The clock ticks, reminding them of the rest of their workday waiting at the waste treatment plant.

(Enpelicon stands up slowly, stretching his long limbs)
"Shall we return to the reclamation facility, Trenton? The organic waste will not neutralize itself."

(Groaning but standing as well)
"Yeah, yeah. Back to the grind. But hey, at least we get to come back here tomorrow and watch the madness all over again."

They share a small smile before heading out the door, back to their shared duty of cleaning up after a planet full of quirky, unpredictable lifeforms.

[Tolemykus]

Shadows of Hunger

Scene:
The cold, damp tunnels beneath the city. The walls are slick with moisture, and the faint sound of dripping water echoes through the dark, twisting corridors.

Possessed Human (Luca)
(gasping, struggling for control as he drags Wilhelmina through the tunnel)
 "No... Not her... I can't let you... She's innocent..."

Horror (within Luca)
(a deep, malevolent voice echoing in Luca’s mind)
"Innocent? She is fuel, Luca. Her blood will empower me, and through me, you will feel what true strength is."

(clenching his fists, trying to resist, his voice trembling)
"I won’t... let you... You won’t make me a monster!"

(laughing darkly, its influence tightening like a vice)
"You already are, Luca. Look at what you’ve done... what we’ve done. Her blood will make us unstoppable. Accept it."


Scene:
Deeper in the tunnels, Captain Elise and the Colony Guard move cautiously. The air is thick with the smell of decay, and strange, whispering echoes swirl around them, causing the guards to twitch nervously.

(holding up a hand, signaling for silence as she scans the darkness ahead)
"Stay close. The Horror’s playing tricks with our minds. Don’t trust what you see—only what you scan", explains Captain Elise,

(breathing heavily, his eyes darting around as shadows seem to dance along the walls)
"Captain, these tunnels... they’re shifting. I saw the exit just ahead, but now it’s... gone", Lieutenant Graves desperately exclaims.

(tightening her grip on her weapon)
"Ignore it, Graves. The scanners can will cut through the illusions. We’re close—I can feel it."

(Private Talia's voice shakes as she glances behind her, where the tunnel seems to stretch infinitely into darkness)
"It’s like the walls are closing in... Are we even moving forward?"

(with steely determination)
Captain Elise says, "We are. Focus on the mission. Wilhelmina’s life is in our hands. We can’t let that thing feed."

Scene:
Luca stumbles into a large chamber, deep beneath the city. It’s dimly lit by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi. He collapses to his knees, holding Wilhelmina, whose breath is shallow.

(tears streaming down his face as he fights the Horror’s control)
"Please... No more... Let her go..."

(its voice growing more sinister, more dominant)
"Her blood will fuel my rise, and with your body, I will dominate this colony."

(desperation in his voice, trying to regain control)
"You don’t have to do this... There has to be another way..."

(The Horror snarls as it forces Luca to raise a hand, claws extending as he prepares to strike Wilhelmina)
"There is no other way. Power demands sacrifice."

Scene:
The Colony Guard bursts into the chamber, their weapons raised, the glow of Captain Elise’s nanite-infused vision cutting through the darkness.

(Captain Elise's voice is firm, echoing in the chamber)
"Luca! Fight it! We’re here to help you!"

(snarling, turning to face them with a twisted grin on Luca’s face)
"You’re too late, Captain. I will feast on her, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!"

(stepping forward, her voice softening, Captain Elise tries to reach Luca)
"Luca, you’re stronger than this. You’ve fought it this long—don’t give up now! Think of Wilhelmina!"

(Luca's voice is filled with pain)
 "I... I can’t... It’s too strong... I’m too weak..."

(mocking, as it tightens its grip on Luca’s mind)
"Weak? No, Luca... You are merely a vessel, a tool for my hunger. Now, watch as I drain the life from her!"

Captain Elise signals her troops to secure Wilhelmina as she steps forward, drawing a combat blade. She prepares to engage the Horror in close combat, knowing that any ranged attack could harm Wilhelmina.

(Captain Elise's voice low, filled with resolve)
"If you want her, you’ll have to go through me."

(snarling, forcing Luca’s body to lunge at Elise with unnatural speed and strength)
"As you wish, Captain. I will enjoy breaking you."

Captain Elise and the Horror engage in a brutal melee. Elise’s nanite-enhanced body allows her to withstand the Horror’s powerful strikes. Each blow the Horror lands reverberates through the chamber, but Elise’s bones and muscles harden under the nanites’ influence, absorbing the impact.

(gritting her teeth as she blocks a heavy blow, retaliating with a swift strike of her own)
"You’re strong, but strength alone won’t save you."

(its voice filled with rage as it presses its attack, Luca’s body moving with unnatural agility and force)
"You cannot defeat me! I will tear you apart!"

Elise’s blows start to take their toll. The Horror’s movements become more erratic as it struggles to maintain control over Luca’s body. The combat is fierce, with both sides landing devastating hits. But slowly, Elise begins to gain the upper hand.

(her breath heavy, but her resolve unshaken as she lands a decisive strike)
"This ends now!", shouts Captain Elise.

With a final surge of nanite-enhanced strength, Elise drives her blade into the Horror, disrupting its hold on Luca and forcing it out of his body. Luca collapses as the Horror dissipates into the air with a scream of fury.

Luca’s body lies motionless on the cold stone floor as the Colony Guard secures Wilhelmina, who is weak but alive. Captain Elise watches over them, her expression grim, knowing the battle is far from over.

(Sergeant Reyes kneels beside Luca, checking for signs of life)
"Nothing."

(helping Wilhelmina to her feet, his voice relieved)
"We did it. She’s safe", expresses Private Hale.

(Captain Elise nods, her voice quiet, almost distant)
"Good... Get her out of here. She need medical attention."

(noticing the tension in Elise’s voice, glancing at her with concern)
"Captain, are you... alright?", asks Sergeant Reyes.

(forcing a tight smile, her mind swirling with the Horror’s lingering presence)
"I’m fine. Just... get her out."

Final Scene:

The Colony Guard escorts Wilhelmina from the tunnels, but Captain Elise lingers behind, her fists clenched, her expression strained. Inside her mind, the Horror whispers, its influence growing stronger with each passing moment.

(Horror [within Elise] its voice sly, seeping into her thoughts)
"You think you’ve won, Captain? This body is strong... Your mind is strong... But I am eternal. The fight is far from over."

(her eyes narrowing, struggling to maintain control as she follows the others out of the tunnels)
"I won’t let you... take me... I’ll fight you... every step..."

(chuckling darkly, its voice a constant presence in her mind)
"We’ll see, Captain. We’ll see..."

End.

[Tolemykus]

The Tractor Beam

Playtest Scenario #5

This scenario involves another remnant of an ancient civilization. The character's ship was caught in an ancient tractor beam when they established orbit after receiving a signal for help. They were also taking hits from surface guns. They beamed down teams to control the tractor beam and stop the orbital guns from firing. While they are there they might be able to collect technology from the control computers.

Mission:
1. Remove Special Fuel [Jenesium 23] from the tank and add to tractor beam control computers. Whoever has access to the computer has control. This is the primary mission.
2. Shut down the orbital guns. Secondary mission.
3. Collect any important technological information from any working computers. Secondary mission.

Character Teams: Klingon and Romulan

Starting Board


This shows the area of the mission location amongst the junk from a former installation in an ancient alien city. The tractor beam is top central in the fenced in area. To the right and bottom right are the orbital guns. Central lower area is the large fuel tank of jenesium 23.

End Board State


The Klingon strategy was to ignore the Romulans and rush around the perimeter and rush to the tractor beam. They paid for their non-Klingon ways and lost a warrior and a soldier by turn 3. On the fourth turn the leader pushes past some melee to reach the tractor beam to finish the mission as he expired soon after. A very cinematic end.

The Romulans tried to feed the Klingons their cadets to buy them time to rush the tractor beam. Although they had success with this strategy in the short term, they lost the mission in the long term because they spent too much time trying to kill all of the Klingons.

Here is the updated character information.

Klingon Leader x1 [Veteran]
Moderate Armor [-1 movement. Effects die -2 from enemy’s Effects Die total if they win a contest]
Dispersed Disruptor Pistol [+1 to Main Die +2 Ranged Effects]
Combat Knife [+1 Melee Effects]
Immune [Stun]
Immune [Shock]
Movement: 6-1= 5
Main Die Ranged: +1+2= +3
Main Die Melee: +2
Main Die Tasks: +2
Effects Die Ranged: +2
Effects Die Melee: +1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: -2 [Apply to opponent’s Effects total against you]

Klingon Warrior x3 [Trained]
Moderate Armor [-1 movement. Effects die -2 from enemy’s total if they win a contest]
Disruptor Pistol [+2 to Ranged Effects]
Bat'leth [+1 Melee Main Die Total +1 to Melee Effects]
Reckless: [+2 Movement but Ranged targeting you gain +1 to Effects against you.]
Movement: 6+2-1= 7
Main Die Ranged: +1
Main Die Melee: +1+1= +2
Main Die Tasks: +1
Effects Die Ranged: +2
Effects Die Melee: +1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: -2+1=-1 [Apply to opponent’s Effects total against you]

Klingon Soldier x1 [Trained]
Moderate Armor [-1 movement. Effects die -2 from enemy’s total if they win a contest]
Disruptor Rifle [+3 to Ranged Effects]
Combat Knife [+1 to Melee Effects]
Reckless: [+2 Movement but Ranged targeting you gain +1 to Effects against you.]
Movement: 6+2-1= 7
Main Die Ranged: +1
Main Die Melee: +1
Main Die Tasks: +1
Effects Die Ranged: +3
Effects Die Melee: +1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: -2+1=-1 [Apply to opponent’s Effects total against you]


Romulan Leader x1 [Veteran]
Light Armor [Effects die -1 from enemy’s total if they win a contest]
Dispersed Disruptor Pistol [+1 Main Die +2 Ranged Effects]
Combat Knife [+1 to Melee Effects]
Master of Effects: +2 to Ranged Effects die and -2 Melee Effects die [your rolls]
Movement: 6
Main Die Ranged: +2+1= +3
Main Die Melee: +2
Main Die Tasks: +2
Effects Die Ranged: +2+2=+4
Effects Die Melee: -2+1= -1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: -1 [Apply to opponent’s Effects total against you]   

Romulan Warrior x2 [Trained]
Light Armor [Effects die -1 from enemy’s total if they win a contest]
Disruptor Pistol [+2 Ranged Effects]
Combat Knife [+1 Melee Effects]
Agility Stance: -1 on Effects die roll against this character.
Movement: 6
Main Die Ranged: +1
Main Die Melee: +1
Main Die Tasks: +1
Effects Die Ranged: +2
Effects Die Melee: +1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: -1-1=-2 [Apply to opponent’s Effects total against you]   

Romulan Soldier x1 [Trained]
Light Armor [Effects die -1 from enemy’s total if they win a contest]
Disruptor Rifle [+3 Ranged Effects]
Combat Knife [+1 Melee Effects]
Grim Duty: [You may reroll one Effects die if you win a Ranged Contest.]
Movement: 6
Main Die Ranged: +1
Main Die Melee: +1
Main Die Tasks: +1
Effects Die Ranged: +3r
Effects Die Melee: +1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: -1 [Apply to opponent’s Effects total against you]   

Romulan Guard x2 [Militia]
Type 1 Phaser [+1 Ranged Effects]
Combat Knife [+1 Melee Effects]
Retreat With Extra Retreat: If lose melee & you suffer damage then move 3" directly away from enemy.
Movement: 6
Main Die Ranged: 0
Main Die Melee: 0
Main Die Tasks: 0
Effects Die Ranged: +1
Effects Die Melee: +1
Effects Die Assigned Duty: 0
Armor Effects: 0

--------------------
Enjoy!

[Tolemykus]

rpg-cards

This is a website that allows you to make simple, but not simplistic cards for your projects. I was playing around and made these for the Star Trek characters that I have been play testing for the rules from this thread. When saving to print spooler/PDF the title and icon doesn't show, but they do allow them and will print out to printer if you print from the web page. Also, they allow for card backs and can choose a different icon for that. This is not shown here though.





For the character creation process you would be allowed 4 trained characters.
 -You can trade one trained for 2 militia and one militia for two rabble/civilian.
You can also trade up.
 -Two trained for one veteran and 2 veteran for one exemplar.

This might change to allow a free leader of veteran status and four trained characters. I am not sure yet. Otherwise exemplars would be hard to play since you would only have one good character and one meat shield.

Enjoy!

[Tolemykus]

Colony Orthon IV

  Colony Orthon IV was established in the year 2297, a bold venture into the stars to secure humanity’s future on a distant, promising world. Nearly 150 years later, in 2445, the long-anticipated settlement fleet arrived, bringing not only 400,000 new colonists but also advanced technologies and orbital factories capable of sustaining an entire planetary society. They carried with them everything necessary to cement humanity's presence on Orthon IV, promising a new age of prosperity. Their mission was clear: establish culture, law, and opportunity, ensuring that every colonist could build a fulfilling life.

But the colony did not respond.

Despite repeated attempts to communicate, the fleet was met with eerie silence. Their signals were being jammed. Perplexed, the fleet deployed surveillance satellites in orbit to investigate the situation below. What they discovered was deeply unsettling.

The fleet quickly identified the colony’s chief administrator, Sikka Morti, a figure who should have been coordinating with the arriving settlers. In a covert operation, a recovery team executed a black-bag extraction, abducting Morti and bringing him aboard the fleet's command vessel for questioning. He was furious, claiming his rightful authority as the lawfully appointed leader of Orthon IV. However, the fleet command, led by Admiral Forrest Kinady, had serious doubts about his legitimacy.

The fleet's intelligence suggested that the colony’s mission had been compromised—by alien influence. Admiral Kinady and his staff were deeply concerned about rumors of an extraterrestrial presence, particularly the Archons, a mysterious species purported to have been in contact with the colonists for years. Morti scoffed at the allegations, dismissing them as paranoid fantasies. He insisted the Archons were benevolent partners, instrumental in shaping the colony’s success.

"The Archons have helped us create a paradise here," Morti explained, his voice calm but firm. "Yes, there were challenges, but through cooperation—human ingenuity and Archon wisdom—we've built something beautiful. The problems we faced, we solved together. The fleet’s outdated intelligence is fueling ignorance and fear.”

Despite his assurances, Admiral Kinady was unconvinced. The fleet had been traveling for decades, their only knowledge of Orthon IV frozen in time, based on centuries-old data. Kinady couldn't ignore the unsettling anomalies revealed by the fleet’s surveillance. The jamming of communications, the strange energy signatures, and the sudden cultural shifts on the planet all pointed to something more sinister. The admiral feared that the colonists might be unknowingly manipulated or that their minds had been altered.

Morti’s impassioned defense of the Archons only deepened the fleet’s suspicions. To Admiral Kinady, there were too many unanswered questions. Why were the colonists kept silent? Why were transmissions blocked? Was Morti truly in control, or was someone—or something—else pulling the strings?

Kinady made a swift decision: Morti would remain in custody until more information could be gathered. The settlers, eager for a new beginning, would not be allowed to disembark until the fleet could ensure their safety. Fact-finding teams were assembled and dispatched to the surface to conduct covert investigations. Meanwhile, the fleet’s orbital factories began to unpack and prepare for production—of more than just civilian infrastructure. Heavy ordnance was readied, in case the situation turned hostile.

The stakes were unimaginably high. If the colony had indeed fallen under alien influence, it posed a grave threat to the future of humanity on Orthon IV. Admiral Kinady knew they could not afford to fail. Trust, once broken, would be nearly impossible to repair—and the cost of allowing a compromised colony to thrive could be catastrophic.

The fleet stood at the brink of an impossible choice: believe Morti’s vision of harmony or prepare for war against an unknown enemy.

[Daeothar]

You definitely spin a compelling tale! 

[Tolemykus]

Thanks! I sometimes forget myself and suffer from analysis paralysis. Then I have to remind myself that it is meant to be a overview and not an RPG or a long form story. The details should be played out in the miniature game scenario.

[Tolemykus]

Deploy Skin Suits

The skin suits moved undetected, gliding in perfect synchronization through the shadows. Communication wasn't necessary; every piece of intel was transmitted directly to each operative's retinal interface, seamlessly integrated into the suit. These thin, wearable electronics were not just advanced armor but a sensory extension, constantly feeding the wearer real-time data on their surroundings: positions of allies and enemies, environmental hazards, and structural layouts. Information flowed freely between the suits, creating a network where knowledge was instantaneous, shared, and always accurate.

These suits weren’t mere tools for reconnaissance. They turned their wearers into deadly forces of agility and precision. Enhanced acrobatics and combat abilities allowed them to eliminate foes with lethal efficiency. To an outside observer, they were a blur—a fleeting distortion against the background, disorienting enough to cause onlookers to question their own sanity. In truth, the skin suits were designed not for brute force but for balance—an equalizer. Why risk hundreds or even thousands of lives when a handful of operatives, equipped with skin suits, could achieve the same result with surgical precision?

The team leader, Gamma-7, navigated the upper levels of the Archon's council hall, where a private session was underway. The mission was simple: gather intel on any council plans involving the colony and leave undetected. The hall’s security measures, believed to be impenetrable, were easily bypassed by the suit's ECM systems, which neutralized all alien detection technology.

The team got to work, planting advanced recording devices designed to penetrate the main council chamber, where high-level discussions took place. Fleet intelligence had one key target—Archon Maestro Falconguard. Once a power-hungry politician who attempted a coup, his sudden return to favor within the council remained a mystery. There had been no public explanation, just rumors. Whispers suggested that Falconguard wielded an enigmatic ability referred to as the "Q-Factor," an unseen force that allowed him to manipulate others. The fleet needed answers. What was the Q-Factor? How had he lost it during his failed coup? And most importantly, what dangerous secrets did the council hide?

As the team finished setting up the surveillance, a message shattered the silence.

*"Breaking radio silence."*

“Recon Gamma, we’re detecting a large convoy of vehicles heading toward your position. Your presence may have been compromised. Archon communications are lighting up—scrub the mission and prepare for immediate extraction.”

Gamma-7's eyes flicked over the mission data scrolling across his retina before responding with calm professionalism.

"Copy that, Central Command. Scrubbing mission. Preparing for extraction."

With the council's secrets still locked behind closed doors and the mission compromised, the team would leave the shadows just as they had entered—silent, unseen, and ready to strike again if needed.

[Tolemykus]

Detect the Skin Suits

Malcolm Stagforce's mind was ablaze. The security console before him displayed nothing out of the ordinary; every sensor showed a calm, stable readout. Yet, deep within, his instincts — or more precisely, his psychic abilities — screamed of imminent danger. His mental alarms rang with a ferocity he couldn’t ignore.

[Enemies are near.]

If he was wrong, this would end his career. But if he was right, he could not only save the Council but elevate his standing in ways few could imagine.

[Minutes later, chaos erupted.]

"Move! Move! Everyone to the trucks! The Council Hall is under attack!" bellowed the Archon Security Section Commander, his voice cutting through the shrieking sirens.

[The team mobilized with precision honed by years of service.]

"Team A, take the right flank! Team C, cover the left! Everyone else, guard the Council chamber. Sweep the hall room by room—leave nothing unchecked," the commander ordered, his tone as sharp as the blades they carried.

Inside the grand chamber of the Council Hall, the councilors stood bewildered, eyes wide with confusion.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" demanded the stern voice of Camilla Falconguard, her eyes narrowing as she stepped forward, exuding authority.

"A report was sent declaring the Council Hall was under attack. We responded immediately," replied Commander Seranda, his armor gleaming under the cold lights of the hall.

"Who sent this report?" Camilla’s voice dripped with venom. "We’ll have his head! We are in the middle of an emergency, and someone dares disrupt us with false alarms? Commander, explain yourself! As you can see, nothing is amiss here. Building security is clear."

Commander Seranda stood his ground. "We're securing the facility as we speak. We’ll know more soon."

Tension filled the chamber like a thick fog. Every second felt like a lifetime, the weight of unseen eyes pressing down on them. Minutes passed, and then—

"Report, Commander," demanded Teela Wolfcrest, the Council Leader, her sharp gaze fixed on the officer. "What have your teams found?"

Seranda hesitated, the weight of his words heavy. "Team B checked the cameras… and there was definitely something here."

[A murmur rippled through the council.]

"The Horrors?" asked one of the councilors, dread creeping into their voice.

"Negative," Seranda replied. "The cameras show… something. A distortion. Movement, but not something the cameras could focus on. Just a shifting pattern—like a shadow refusing to be seen. No other sensors recorded any activity."

Teela’s expression darkened. "Lock the facility down. No one enters, no one leaves. Search everything, even if it takes all night. I have a suspicion our 'emergency' and this security breach are connected."

As the commander issued orders, Malcolm’s thoughts raced. He had felt it. Something real had been here, something dangerous. Whatever it was, it lurked just beyond the edge of perception. And if they didn’t act soon, it wouldn’t stay hidden for long.