The relay base drifted quietly in the void, anchored to a wide slab of dark rock that had once been a natural asteroid before Hollow Star carved its structures into it.
At the center rose the familiar black tower that marked nearly all of their installations, a long angular structure that stretched upward like a spear aimed at the stars. Around it sat several lower buildings filled with equipment, residential aread, and storage areas, all connected by narrow metal walkways that clung to the asteroid’s uneven surface.
Inside the tower, activity moved with the steady rhythm of routine.
Rows of consoles lined the circular control chamber near the top, each manned by administrators from different races who monitored the communication channels that connected this relay base with the rest of the network.
Data streams flickered across translucent screens while signals pulsed through the systems that allowed Hollow Star to coordinate its operations across multiple star systems.
At the center of the room stood the Eternal assigned to oversee the relay.
The signal window remained blank.
Again.
His fingers tapped the surface slowly.
"Why is Abor not responding?" he asked without turning.
One of the administrators, a Feran from a fox tribe, quickly lowered his head.
"We are attempting to reconnect."
"We have been attempting for twenty minutes," the Eternal replied coldly. "The attempts appear ineffective."
The Feran swallowed but kept working, his claws moving quickly across the console.
Another administrator, an insectoid technician seated nearby, spoke up in a careful tone.
"There may be interference in the relay chain. The network is extensive, and disruptions can occur."
The Eternal finally turned his head.
"Disruptions do not occur across multiple channels simultaneously."
The room fell quiet.
Several of the administrators exchanged uneasy glances as they continued working the consoles. One after another they attempted to open communication with Abor again, but the channels remained silent.
The Eternal’s patience was clearly thinning.
"I requested further mission assignments," he said slowly. "Those instructions should have arrived by now."
The Feran administrator nodded nervously. "Yes, it should have."
"Yet nothing has come."
"No.."
The Eternal stared at the console for several seconds before turning away.
"This relay exists to maintain communication with Abor," he said calmly. "If that connection is broken, then I will simply verify the situation personally."
The administrators looked up in surprise.
The Eternal stepped away from the console and walked toward the chamber exit. As he moved, a Phantom waiting near the doorway straightened, its shadowy form looming over the administrators.
"You," the Eternal said, pointing toward it.
The Phantom bowed its distorted head.
"Maintain this relay while I am gone. If communication resumes, notify me immediately."
The creature nodded silently.
Without another word the Eternal left the control chamber and began descending the tower’s internal corridors watching through each of the floor and the work going there.
A few minutes later he emerged outside the tower.
The Eternal walked calmly toward the portal platform located a short distance from the tower. The circular structure glowed faintly as its systems remained active, ready to transport personnel back to Abor whenever needed.
He was halfway across the platform when the portal suddenly flared.
The light expanded violently, spreading across the ring in a bright surge of energy.
The Eternal stopped.
They were not expecting anyone.
The portal erupted with light as a massive figure stepped through.
Ragnar arrived like a falling mountain.
The giant warrior landed heavily on the platform, the ground cracking slightly under his weight as his enormous frame straightened. His skin carried the faint sheen of hardened muscle, and a massive club rested easily across one shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
Behind him the portal continued to glow.
Dozens of soldiers began stepping through, followed by hundreds more as the mixed army poured onto the asteroid.
Demons.
Ferans.
Insectoids.
The Eternal’s eyes narrowed.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
Ragnar grinned broadly.
"Well now," he said loudly, his voice echoing across the asteroid. "This doesn’t look like a welcoming party."
More soldiers spread out behind him as the portal finally dimmed.
The Eternal studied the massive warrior standing before him.
"Member of the Order Of Absolute," he said coldly.
Ragnar rested the club on the ground with a heavy thud.
"Yes," he replied cheerfully. "And we are here for demolition services."
Several Phantoms rushed forward from the surrounding structures the moment the alarm systems activated.
Ragnar’s grin widened.
"Ah good," he said. "I was worried this would be boring."
There were no further dialogues as the Eternal spoke, "Attack."
The first Phantom flashed in front of Ragnar.
Ragnar swung the club casually.
The weapon connected with the Phantom’s armored body mid-charge and the impact detonated its body into fragments that scattered across the platform like shattered stone and drifting deathmist.
He laughed.
"Oh that felt good."
More Phantoms poured from the nearby buildings as the soldiers behind Ragnar moved forward to engage the defenders. The asteroid erupted into battle as energy blasts and weapon strikes echoed across the base.
The Eternal stepped forward through the chaos, deathmist beginning to coil around his body.
"You will regret this intrusion," he said.
Ragnar turned toward him with obvious delight.
"Nope. Not happening."
His body expanded suddenly.
Muscle thickened, bones stretching as Ragnar allowed his size to increase. His height doubled, then grew again until he stood like a towering giant above the battlefield. Thirty feet in height.
The club in his hands looked even larger now.
"You look strong," Ragnar said happily. "Let’s test that."
The Eternal unleashed a beam of deathmist toward him.
Ragnar didn’t dodge the attack and swung the club downward. The force of the impact crushed the beam apart and the shockwave tore across the platform, throwing nearby defenders off their feet.
Ragnar roared with laughter.
"That’s more like it!"
He lunged forward with terrifying speed for someone of his size, the club smashing down toward the Eternal. The Eternal vanished in a burst of mist, reappearing several meters away as the impact shattered the platform beneath Ragnar’s strike.
But Ragnar had already turned.
His laws surged through his body as silver colored force gathered around his limbs.
"Let’s see how long you last!"
He charged again.
The Eternal launched another attack, but Ragnar simply waded through it, the club slamming into the Eternal’s side with crushing power. The blow hurled the being across the platform and through the wall of a nearby structure.
Ragnar followed without slowing.
The building collapsed as he smashed through it and swung the club again.
The Eternal attempted to reform from mist, but Ragnar grabbed the half-formed body with one massive hand.
"Got you."
The club rose.
Then came down.
BOOM!
Then again.
BOOM!
Then again.
BOOM!
The Eternal’s body exploded under the impact, dissolving into scattered fragments of dying mist.
Ragnar looked down at the remains and shrugged.
"Huh," he muttered. "That one broke faster than expected."
Around him the battle was still unfolding. The abominations had finally begun to move, leaving the pit where they had been gathered and charging across the asteroid in a disorganized wave of twisted bodies and claws. Ragnar’s eyes shifted across the battlefield and immediately locked onto the phantoms first.
He scoffed.