The Eternal Captain and the Hive’s Shadows
By Eleawen Galadiel
There are interviews that begin like a dance, where each question is an invitation, and each answer a graceful evasion. Such was the case with Sa R’ha, the Consortium’s commander for our galactic quadrant. Seated in her office, its polished steel walls bathed in the bluish glow of star charts, she greeted us with a smile as enigmatic as the depths of space itself.
» Everybody knows me already « , she began, as if her name were etched into the stars. Sa R’ha, a commander since… always. » I was born with this role « , she confessed, as if it were the most natural thing in the cosmos. Yet for us, simple mortals of Arche Terre, this revelation raises more questions than it answers.
And then, there is the Hive. » Arche Terre is but a pebble amongst countless others « , she tells us, downplaying the urgency that looms over our heads. Yet this pebble has caught the attention of these ravenous creatures, the Riche, lurking at the edges of our system. » They are drawn… to Arche Terre « , she whispers, choosing her words with care that speaks volumes.
So, what is to be done? » Learn. Grow. Become a spacefaring civilisation. » The Consortium has even opened a University in Mur Administration to help us. » If Arche Terre continues to evolve, it will achieve true autonomy. » But beware: » Some things from the past cannot be erased. » The Ancients, perhaps? Or other shadows we have yet to uncover…
Eleawen: « what an impressive office Captain. And thanks for accepting that interview. It has been a long time since The Gazette, specifically journalist Vincent Ryder interviewed you, and a lot has happened since then. I would like to write a series of articles based on conversations with you covering various topics, such as the Consortium, the Hive, and other subjects. »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « I see. Well, some information, you’d understand, can’t be disclosed. But go ahead, what’s your most burning question then ? »
Eleawen: « I fully understand that some questions may go unanswered, but I will try to avoid contentious topics – at least for this initial interview. To begin with, having reviewed the interviews, we still know very little about you and the consortium in general. The situation is further complicated by the presence of other consortium entities, such as corporations, intervention forces, and various other individuals. So my first question is… Who are you, where you come from and what is your role in the CGC activities in Arche Terre? »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Hmm well I think everybody knows me by now but my most known name is Sa R’ha. I’m the commanding officer for this space quandrant and some others. Arche Terre is part of it of course. I was ma… hmm… born on the Consortium home planet… a long time ago… »
Eleawen: « Could you tell us more about your career? I imagine you weren’t born a captain, after all. I would like our readers to get to know you a little better. After all, it is becoming increasingly clear that the story between our peoples and the consortium is only just beginning. »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Oh well. No, my function has always been this since I came to exist thus we can’t properly say I went through a career to get to this position to be honest. But maybe that would frighten your readers more or less but there was no proper processing as to say. »
Eleawen: « So you born as captain? Well, that’s a bit strange, i suppose but we have to face what the Consortium is and how it works. Even the strange things we know are less frightening than the things we do not know. We’ve learned that R.A.V.E.N., certain corporations, and a certain XIAN are also operating in our territory. Could you shed some light on how this is all organized? Who is in charge of whom?
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Those informations are more or less beyond your accreditation but the Consortium is made out of many corporations, which have their own reasons to be, some are strictly military, others more civilian, even led by civilians but all in a certain way have to inform the central command of their doings, more or less. »
Eleawen: « If I understand correctly, you oversee the implementation of the CGC on Arche Terre, but corporations and even some civilians enjoy a certain degree of autonomyis that right? »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « The Consortium is very structurized but also has many bubbles. I think that’s an accurate way to picture it. Yes as you say. »
Eleawen: « I see. Regarding the Hive and their attacks on our planet… I understand that these creatures are launching fierce attacks against the Consortium. What can you tell us about the course of this war?
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Arche Terre is like a pebble amongst many many others. It’s a war that’s ongoing since a very long time already. Arche Terre just wasn’t aware of it, until not so long ago. We hold a vast territory of this galaxy, but incursions by the Hive are current. »
Eleawen: « What can we do, at our level, to contribute to this fight? It is certainly not in our interest for the Hive to win and manage to establish itself on Arche Prime. We have had a few rocks fall on our planet recently, but what is the actual scale of the attack launched by the Hive? And for that matter, why are they attacking us now? »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Arche Terre seems to have triggered their curiosity. It’s also why we actively encourage Arche Terre’s inhabitants to learn the more specific knowledges neccesary to become a spacefaring population. It’s time to grow. For the time being we don’t expect them to be able to launch a vast operation on Arche Terre as Arche Terre lies rather deeply in our control space. But space is extremely vast and occasional incursions are always possible. they’ll probably continue doing so. But pushing them back will eventually discourage them. Resources are for every warfaring entity a crucial component afterall. »
Eleawen: « Curiosity? Isn’t that a curious concept for creatures like those of the hive? They seem to possess no real intelligence? Just a desire to consume all life, driven by some sort of primal instinct? »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Just a matter of speaking. Are attired by..would maybe be a more suiting expression but sounds more dangerous too… I wouldn’t want to create some sort of panic. »
Eleawen: « That’s true, but burying our heads in the sand won’t help us successfully face the Hive. And the residents are already worried. Sometimes, knowing the danger well makes it less frightening. And finally, if the Consortium – which you represent – had a message for the inhabitants of Arche Prime, what would it be? »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « I think we’re doing rather good, if that would be an appropriate expression. People seem to be willing, for the most at least, to progress and work with us now for their benefits. We recently opened a University in Mur Administration and we encourage people to study there. For us, if Arche Terre continues to evolve there’s no doubt they’ll achieve real autonmy regarding their destiny. Nevertheless some things are as engraved from the past, a lot of these can’t be just pushed away by us… People of Arche Terre will have to deal with those by themselves. »
Eleawen: « Are you talking about the ancients? »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Amongst other yes… »
Eleawen: « Mmm i see. I would probably write an article about the university. »
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « It needs to be known indeed… »
Eleawen: « I thinks we have enough for that second interview, i suppose. Do you mind if i take a picture of you in your office now, for illustrating the article?
Capitaine Sa R’ha: « Please do. »
Eleawen: « perfect! thanks you for your time! »
And so our parley with Sa R’ha, the Consortium’s commander, draws to a close, her words echoing like a reverberation in the silence of space. » Learn. Grow. Become. » Three simple verbs, yet heavier than the stars themselves.
Arche Terre, this pebble lost in the galactic expanse, now stands at a crossroads. The Hive lurks, the Consortium watches, and we… we must choose. Remain passive spectators, or seize the chance to become the architects of our own fate?
The answer, it seems, lies in this University of Mur Administration, a symbol of the trust the Consortium places in us. » If Arche Terre continues to evolve, it will achieve true autonomy. » But evolution cannot be decreed. It must be lived, fought for, earned. And if the Ancients, those shadows of the past, still lurk in the darkness, then ‘tis up to us to face them. With cunning, as Erevan Ilesere teaches us. With courage, as Sa R’ha seems to encourage.
So, dear readers, the question is no longer » What do we know? « , but » What are we ready to become? «
Even ‘neath the stars’ gaze, the shadows of the past do dance with us. Yet memories and Hive alike, Erevan doth teach us to face them with cunning… and a smile.