Space Odyssey: Spectre

"I am not all that familiar with my own country's military history, so might I ask, what exactly are biological weapons?" Josef asked as he leaned forward. Instead of responding Jace looked toward Nila.

"The Victorium do not teach their own about the limited amount of history regarding biological warfare." Solisa cut in instead to explain, "as it is the amount they have on it as digital records are only mentioned in other reports. I apologize Spectre but it seems you will have to explain the concept of biological weapons yourself." Solisa then disappeared.

Jace grunted in annoyance and turned back toward his squad. "Biological weapons are diseases, viruses, and just about anything that directly attacks a person's biology instead of their body or mind."

"You mean it is a weaponized infection or disease? That is genius, but why is it so bad? It seems like that would be good." Uti pointed out with a grunt.

"Because biological weapons like that tend to evolve beyond the original creator's intentions." Vana jumped in, "we have records of biological weapons being released to only turn around and nearly destroy a world."

Jace nodded, "a large issue with biological weapons was that it killed everything living indiscriminately and could easily be used again to cause death on a massive scale." Jace began explaining, but before he could continue he had to stop as the doors to the room opened up, revealing General Isaiah who walked in.

He stopped for a moment and grunted before walking towards the holotable, "sorry to interrupt what is clearly an information session for Grackle."

Nila stood up, "sir-"

"It is fine, humans like to go with the most knowledge possible." General Isaiah cut her off and then looked at Jace, "Unfortunately Cerberus Squad will not be joining us on our operation against Grackle." He stepped forward and handed Jace a datachip.

Jace raised an eyebrow in surprise. Datachip were rarely used for data transfers. Typically people used datapads or remotely moved or retrieved the information. Datachip's were useful for moving information security without it being stolen, it was usually paired with an information erasing program. But for General Isaiah to use one aboard his own ship was incredibly strange.

Jace opened a panel in the holotable and plugged in the datachip. At the same time with his other hand he secured the holotable so no information could be retrieved or sent to it. A moment later a signal frequency appeared. It sounded like rhythmic beeping. But after a moment Jace realized there was a pattern.

"As part of the Victorium and Vexical alliance we have shared technology. As a result we found our sensors and detecting systems incredibly compatible with Vexical sensors and detecting systems." General Isaiah explained as he turned to the rest of Jace's squad who were sitting in their chairs. "As of an hour ago, we detected a signal within Victorium territory. We have no idea what the coded message means but it appears to be originating in one of our colony systems on the edge of our territory."

Jace starts looking through the rest of the information that was in the datachip. Which was not much. All the datachip had was a copy of the signal repeating a few times. It also had the approximate tracking location, but they would have to get closer and use more sensors to get a more exact location. "You want us to go after this signal." Jace pointed out as he listened to the signal a few more times, it was just a bunch of beeping but why was it so familiar?

Isaiah nods, "I do, I am sending Cerberus Squad to track down this signal and investigate. You can take what equipment you need and I am having Masilla overhaul the Puddle-Jumper you brought. It will have new sensors and a miniaturized version of the warp engine that the Venture uses. I am also designating it as the Cerberus Squad's personal ship."

Jace nodded and tapped his finger against the holotable as he thought. "Is that part of space known for anything? I doubt it is only still just a colony if there was not something detrimental."

"Yes, just beyond that territory are the Centurias. We have had a stalemate relationship with them. They have managed to match our technology each time. We actually think they are holding back quite a bit. We have never negotiated nor even got video proof of their existence. Instead we had to rely on personnel accounts from soldiers of ships who survived straying into their territory." Isaiah began explaining, drawing a memory from Jace's mind. Reminding him that the Victorium were mostly surrounded on all sides of their massive territory by a different type of creature or unassailable wall.

"So they are not aggressive but they will not let you intrude upon their territory either?" Jace asked as he removed the datachip from the holotable and a program was automatically run to remove all residual data and information that might have been left on the holotable.

"Not quite. While there has never been any evidence of conflict or aggressive action. We have lost several civilian ships from what we assume are raids. Their last known locations are near the Centuria territory. But since there is a clear lack of proof…" Isaiah leaves his words unfinished for Jace to complete his thought.

"You cannot attack." Jace nodded, "yeah, I suppose I would not put much effort in those border territories either if that was the case." Jace changed the settings on the holotable so he could pull information from the information banks.

A moment later and he was downloading all he would need to know about Centurias on a datapad he plugged into the holotable.

"Anyways, go get your armor and weapons ready and then go to your squad's new ship. I will remind you to keep this operation quiet since we do not know what will happen as a result of it. Nor do we even know how long this message has been sent without us knowing." Isaiah informed them and began walking toward the exit.

Jace turned to his squad, "you heard the general. Change of plans get ready with a mix of lethal and nonlethal. As well as any other equipment that we might need for investigating."