Zerus took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment press down on him like never before. He had faced countless battles, and navigated through the most treacherous regions of the galaxy, but this—this was different. Time itself hung in the balance.
“We mean no harm,” Zerus began, his voice steady, though his mind raced with a thousand scenarios. “We are explorers, travelers from a different time, seeking only to pass through. Our mission is of peace.”
The alien commander studied him through the flickering screen, their glowing eyes narrowing, as if weighing every word, every intention. The silence that followed was suffocating. Zerus could feel his crew holding their breath, the tension almost unbearable.
The alien’s reply came, calm but laced with warning. “Travelers from another time are rare... and dangerous. Your presence here disrupts the natural order. Why should we not view you as a threat?”
Zerus clenched his fists behind his back, choosing his words carefully. “We’re not here to interfere. We’re here to preserve the balance. The enemy we face threatens not just our time, but all times. The Voidlords seek to corrupt the very fabric of reality.”
A flicker of recognition crossed the alien commander’s face at the mention of the Voidlords, but they remained guarded. “The Voidlords… They are a scourge that exists beyond time. But why should we trust you, strangers from a broken future?”
Liora, unable to contain herself, stepped forward, her voice filled with determination. “Because we’ve seen what happens when the Voidlords win. Planets—entire systems—fall into darkness. Civilizations vanish as if they never existed. We’ve come to prevent that, to stop them before they take hold.”
The alien commander’s gaze shifted to Liora, his expression unreadable. There was a long pause before he spoke again. “Words are easy, but trust… trust must be earned.”
Zerus felt a wave of frustration rising but kept his composure. “What do you need from us? What will it take to prove our intentions?”
The alien commander’s eyes narrowed once more, and for a moment, it seemed as though he was about to refuse. But then, with a slight nod, he said, “There is a place, deep within this sector, where the forces of time and space converge. A rift—unstable, dangerous. You will accompany us there. If your cause is true, you will help us stabilize the rift. If you are deceiving us… the rift will consume you.”
Zerus nodded, the tension in his chest easing slightly. “We accept.”
As the alien commander’s image faded from the screen, the hum of the Zerta’s engines filled the silence. Zerus turned to his crew, his voice calm but resolute. “Prepare for a journey into the unknown. This could be our only chance to prove ourselves—and to protect the future.”
Liora met his gaze, a spark of determination in her eyes. “We’re with you, Commander.”
Zerus allowed himself a small smile. “Then let’s see this through.”
As the Zerta moved to follow the ancient ships towards the rift, Zerus couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking a razor’s edge—one that could tip the balance of time itself. But for now, they had a chance. And that was more than they could have hoped for.
4o
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