Prologue: Pleasant Surprise
IMPERIAL PILOT KW-804 "WRENCH"
CORPORAL
RECONNAISSANCE GROUP #556
308TH LEGION
IMPERIAL NAVY
"I thought there wasn't supposed to be a planet for the next two parsecs." I mumbled, confused at the sight before me. But sure enough, there was a planet just minutes away.
"What the hell?" the pilot gasped, before turning the ship to face it. "Where'd this come from? Contact The Warhammer, and give 'em our co-ords." the pilot ordered. I switched on the communications relay.
"HQ, this is recon craft IH-5447, we may have a situation here, over?" I spoke, not taking my eyes off of the planet.
"What's your status, over?" the commander asked.
"Ship is running fine, weapons are online." I said, glancing to the data panel. "Is there supposed to be a planet anywhere near us?"
"Negative. Check its database."
"Roger that. Stand by." I obeyed, setting the data panel to "Information Relay" (This allows you to receive information on documents regarding any targeted ships or planets), and scanning. The results were fairly shocking. "Planet is not documented." And we thought we explored the entire galaxy...
"That's the outer rim for ya'." the pilot said, practically reading my mind.
"I'll report this to our superiors. Find a place to set up and wait." the commander ordered.
"Where, on the planet?" I asked, raising an eyebrow under my helmet.
"Where else?" the commander snapped.
"Yes, sir." I said, before tapping the pilot on the shoulder. "Head on down." The pilot grunted in reply, before pushing the throttle forward and flying towards the planet's surface.
"Give the atmosphere a check."
"Yes, sir." I said, before giving the surface a scan.
OXYGEN LEVEL: 22%
WATER LEVEL: 64%
TEMPERATURE: VARIABLE
EQUATORIAL DIAMETER: 5,876 MILES
MINERALS: CRYSTALS, STEEL, TALERITE
"Planet is habitable, and mineral rich." I said, switching off the screen and leaning back a bit. "Proceed." The pilot pushed the throttle forward further, and breached the atmosphere, causing the craft to jolt a bit. I'm never gonna get used to that.
IMPERIAL MARINE OFFICER CAL SKYFF VC-201
LEFTENANT
V-76 "THE HONORABLE"
308TH LEGION
IMPERIAL NAVY
I walked through the halls of The Honorable, my crimson shoulder pad displaying my rank. Most officers preferred to wear the typical cloth outfit, but I chose to keep my armor, as I wanted to continue fighting on the surface. Ignoring the salutes from my fellow crew, I got to the Admiral's door.
"State your business." the guard said, his black armor and red visor intimidating me ever so slightly.
"I have news for Admiral Lacer from our reconnaissance craft." I answered. The guards stepped to the side and opened the door. Stepping through, I saw the Admiral sitting at his desk. "Sir?"
"What is it?" he snapped. Disregarding his sour attitude, I continued.
"I'm Leftenant Cal Skyff, and I have news from recon craft number 556." My words seemed to intrigue him.
"What did they find?" he asked.
"A recently undiscovered and mineral rich planet." Lacer's eyes widened ever so slightly. "The scan has showed the planet has multiple sources of Talerite, and gemstones. Judging by its location in the galaxy, it is safe to assume that the gems would range from class one to class three."
"How did this planet slip through our fingers?" he asked, dumbfounded.
"Well, it's in the outer rim." I explained. "But what I don't understand is how it's habitable."
