Short SciFi Stories on the go

Fleet Commander Zorak stood on the grand observation deck of the Dominion's flagship, the Eternal Glory. Almost Zorak's replied, dragging his claws across the control console. Zorak's let out a sound like grinding stone, his version of a laugh. Zorak's narrowed his eyes. Zorak's clicked his mandibles in amusement.

Admiral Katrina Bailoff stood firmly inside the war room of the UEES retribution. A scientific colony with almost no military presence, a place where terraformers, xenobiologists, and families had been working to shape a new world. They had recorded the destruction of New Haven and broadcasted it across their empire, proudly showing burning settlements and describing the massacre as a cleansing of inferior species. His normally dark skin now pale in action from the weight of what he had confirmed. Katrina had served through three previous wars, but never had she faced an enemy so deliberate in targeting innocence.

Admiral Katrina Bailoff stood firmly inside the war room of the UEES retribution. A scientific colony with almost no military presence, a place where terraformers, xenobiologists, and families had been working to shape a new world. They had recorded the destruction of New Haven and broadcasted it across their empire, proudly showing burning settlements and describing the massacre as a cleansing of inferior species. His normally dark skin now pale in action from the weight of what he had confirmed. Katrina had served through three previous wars, but never had she faced an enemy so deliberate in targeting innocence.

372 colonists, Lieutenant Hayes, said quietly, mostly families, scientists, children, the Corinthian Empire had struck without warning. They had picked a distant human colony far from Earth's main systems to make a point about territory. The Corinthian Empire has committed an act of genocide against Earth citizens, she said firmly. 72 hours after Karensa's fall, the Terran defense fleet appeared at the edge of Corinthian space. Not a strike group, not a token force, the entire fleet, every ship Earth-owned nearly 2000 warships, emperor, a cryvel of the Corinthian Empire watched the sensors in disbelief.

372 colonists, Lieutenant Hayes, said quietly, mostly families, scientists, children, the Corinthian Empire had struck without warning. They had picked a distant human colony far from Earth's main systems to make a point about territory. The Corinthian Empire has committed an act of genocide against Earth citizens, she said firmly. 72 hours after Karensa's fall, the Terran defense fleet appeared at the edge of Corinthian space. Not a strike group, not a token force, the entire fleet, every ship Earth-owned nearly 2000 warships, emperor, a cryvel of the Corinthian Empire watched the sensors in disbelief.

For more than 50 years, Verine stood as a symbol of peace, a reminder that humanity no longer needed war to survive. When that message reached Earth, the Terran Federation didn't call for meetings. The Federation's first, second, and third Armada's united under one command. The Kathari Dominion laughed when they heard about humanity's mobilization. But when the Terran fleets arrived at the edge of Kathari space, the laughter stopped.

For more than 50 years, Verine stood as a symbol of peace, a reminder that humanity no longer needed war to survive. When that message reached Earth, the Terran Federation didn't call for meetings. The Federation's first, second, and third Armada's united under one command. The Kathari Dominion laughed when they heard about humanity's mobilization. But when the Terran fleets arrived at the edge of Kathari space, the laughter stopped.

The medical frigate Hippocrates drifted silently through the floating wreckage of what used to be the Kepler medical station. Confirmed casualties, 437 medical personnel, doctors, nurses, researchers, all civilians all protected under the galactic medical accords. From the recovery ship, Commander Jake Morrison's voice came through the static. Ketan warships had deliberately targeted medical bays, escape pods, and even hospital ships, all clearly marked with humanitarian symbols. Earth's hidden military fleet long disguised as support and supply vessels.

The medical frigate Hippocrates drifted silently through the floating wreckage of what used to be the Kepler medical station. Confirmed casualties, 437 medical personnel, doctors, nurses, researchers, all civilians all protected under the galactic medical accords. From the recovery ship, Commander Jake Morrison's voice came through the static. Ketan warships had deliberately targeted medical bays, escape pods, and even hospital ships, all clearly marked with humanitarian symbols. Earth's hidden military fleet long disguised as support and supply vessels.

When it reached a towering Gorvani warrior, easily 8F tall with arms like tree trunks it paused, the Gorvani's confident expression briefly faltered as the war beast considered him, then moved on. It passed by Zafir and honor guards, crystalline tactical specialists and Allarian telepaths, pausing at each, observing, then moving forward, the tension in the hall was thick, hundreds of the galaxy's best cadets waiting for judgment, finally the war beast reached Ryan's row. The war beast paused first in front of the cadet to Ryan's left, a vortanian whose crystalline body emitted faint chimes of nervous energy. The war beast's nostrils flared, and Ryan felt its scent assessment like a physical force. The war beast's voice came through the translation devices, a deep rumble that resonated through the hall like the vibration of the ground itself.