Exiting hyperspace, the prismatic field of color that comes with faster than light travel fades away, yielding to to normal space, the stars of the universe once again visible on my view screen. I address the onboard AI as my scanners start searching for the signal that brought me to this unexplored area of the galaxy, "Sona, anything on sensors from that signal we picked up."
"Affirmative, Anon," a feminine voice addresses me from the console in front of me. "I'm picking up one unidentified vessel in the asteroid field ahead. Designation and type... unknown. Whatever it is... it is big, though."
"Unknown? That can't be right Sona, I'll bring us in closer so we can get a closer look."
I maneuver my ship, a custom designed J-F99 advanced scout, toward the signal, weaving through the asteroid field, following Sona's direction as she directs me to the source of the signal. The asteroid field is fairly dense, not many gaps between the floating rocks, and at times, I'm forced to take long detours around larger asteroids. Coming within visual range of the unidentified vessel, I gasp in astonishment as the details come into focus, "Sona! It's huge... whatever it is. Report!"
Even my onboard AI can't seem to hide her excitement, "Wow! Now the sensors are giving me enough data to cross-reference... It's a Talasian Battle Cruiser, designation Star of Extinction." Typical AIs don't tend to show emotion, but I had Sona (illegally) unshackled, allowing her full sentience years ago. "It appears severely damaged Anon, engines down, minimal power output. The distress signal must have been on loop for a very long time. There are no life signs, although life support seems to be functional."
Bringing my scout to a full stop, I stare in awe at the massive battle cruiser, "Talasian? How's that possible, Sona? And a Battle Cruiser class no less... Those things were only found on the front lines during the Great War."
Sona responds, a hint of worry in her tone, "The Talasian empire collapsed over one thousand years ago, and their ships haven't been produced in nearly as long." The AI pauses for a moment before continuing, reflecting in a very non artificial way. "We're a way off the beaten path, but someone should have picked up a thousand year old distress signal by now."
"Unless it just recently started broadcasting." I offer, trying to piece the situation together myself. My curiosity gets the better of me and I'm eager to know more. "Sona, plot a course that takes us alongside the Star of Extinction, I want to check it out."
"Anon, this is an unidentified Talasian Battle Cruiser. The Great War was the bloodiest conflict the galaxy has ever known. Are you sure this is wise?"
"Come on, Sona, those Talasian's have been gone a long time, and besides, whatever happened to her... it looks like she's already been through a lot." If I'm not dreaming right now, this is the find of the decade... no, century! The Talasian Empire, colloquially referred to as 'Elves' by humanity, was a galaxy spanning civilization that plied the stars before humans ever left Earth's gravity. The reason we call them elves? They look like the fey of human legend, spurring some people to believe they might have even visited our planet and gave birth to such stories.
However, that all came to a screeching halt during the 'Great War', a war between the civilized races of the galaxy and the D'run. I could spend a week going into THAT history, but needless to say, the D'run lost (or we wouldn't be here), but most of the Elves fled to the void between galaxies, hoping to find a safer home among the far flung stars. There are still some of their kind in this galaxy, those that would not, or could not, flee, but they are few and far between. To think, the Star of Extinction has been floating out here, alone and forgotten, for a millennium. "Sona, land us on an airlock, I'm going in."
***
The ship's airlock admits me without hassle, which is good, because I'm not sure my plasma cutter could put a scratch on it. "Let's make history, Sona." The AI elected to transfer to a small wrist mounted computer, not wanting to miss out on exploring such a rare find. Attaching the computer around my left wrist, Sona's disembodied voice answers, "Always an adventure Anon, and there's no one else I'd rather share it with." I can't help but smile, "Aw, Sona, I love you too." The AI giggles, something she does when she thinks I'm being silly.
Stepping onto the Star of Extinction, my breath is stolen away. Everything is pristine, untouched, as if the crew of this ship simply got up and walked away. "Well, Sona, doesn't look like anyone's home, does it." Looking down at my wrist, Sona responds, "Affirmative, Anon, life support is functioning, but no signs of biologicals." Not exactly shocking, Elves live a long time, but a full thousand years is a stretch even for their enhanced lifespans. We have no idea what is where on this ship, but as some doors open and some remain firmly locked, I can't help but feel we're being goaded in a certain direction. Following the unlocked doors, we walk down the white plasteel halls, flickering lights casting eerie shadows everywhere. This ship is easily four kilometers in length, so I hope whatever, or whoever, brought me here, is patient, it could take a while.
Eventually, we come upon a door that looks different from the rest. It's ornate, covered in runes and carvings, the Talasian language, but it's not the carvings that draw my eye, it's the light emanating from the other side. Touching the access panel next to the door, it slides open, revealing a room bathed in a soft blue glow. When I see what is sitting in the room, I can't help but mutter, "Oh... shit."
"Anon, now that we're closer, I'm detecting a life sign in that cryo pod, faint, the pod is starting to fail for some reason... but definitely Talasian." The life sign Sona is referring to is the only object in the room, a cryo pod, glowing the same soft blue as the light permeating the room. Stepping forward, I gaze upon the Talasian encased within. A beautiful woman dressed in white, sleeping peacefully, long pointed ears poke through flowing platinum blonde hair, the Talasian facial structure is regal, and exudes a sense of superiority. My curiosity drives me to press a button on the cryo pod, prompting Sona, "Anon, I wouldn't tou-"
A wave of blue energy rushes over me, and the world fades away.
***
"I waus in au liaus."
"I waus in au liaus"
"Please, wake up!"
The universal translator kicks in as my eyes open, and I find myself staring into the deep blue eyes of an elven girl as she kneels over me with a look of concern etched on her face. Platinum blonde hair frames her features as it hangs down around me, and as realization hits, I can't help but reach out and touch the silky strands.
"Ahem." I hear Sona's voice, quite agitated. "Anon, are you okay? You touched the pod and the energy wave knocked you out. Our friend inside has woken up, as you can tell." Sona lowers her voice to a whisper, "I interfaced with the pod, that is... or was... Second Princess Fiona of the Talasian Empire."
"A-Ah, sir?" The elf is still kneeling over me, but she looks at the hand stroking her hair with dismay. Pulling my hand back sheepishly, I sit up, "Princess Fiona? Second Princess no less." I stand up and the elf stands with me, looking at the computer on my wrist containing Sona, then me, and then back at Sona.
"Sir?" she says again, confusion apparent on her face.
Rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment, I try to explain, "Right, universal translator, English. Thankfully the elvish language is not dead, so the UT still has something to work with."
The elf points at Sona on my wrist, "Computer?"
Sona decides to take this one, "Hello, princess, my name is Sona, Anon freed you from cryogenic sleep."
Fiona reaches out and touches the computer, a look of amazement on her face. "It talks? Artificial Intelligence? But, where is the crew? Why was I..." Fiona's questions come in rapid fire succession, and as she starts to get upset, Sona cuts her off, "Easy, princess, there is much to discuss, let's go to the scout and I'll fill you in."