Liberty-City, Ministry of Defense, Office of the Minister of War
"Stossel-Conde speaking."
"Good day, Madam Minister. Maverick here. This is an international emergency."
"There is an emergency every other day. Could you be more…"
"A demon infestation. Auman. Some other places too, but the Aumanii are our allies."
"I… what is the scale?"
"Interstellar."
There was a pause. "What do the Aumanii need?"
"Not yet clear. I believe it would be ideal to send a team to investigate the details."
There was a silence as the Minister of War considered the proper response. "When will you send me the briefing?"
"Should be in your inbox already."
"Let me just open it… that is hardly good. Okay. I will talk to the DREAD people to put a scientific expedition together. And, of course, the Navy. I'd like you to tell the ambassador in Auman to tell the Aumanii that help is on its way."
New Victoria, in orbit
That was it. There was no dazzling flash of light, no visible contortion of realspace. There was only slight, barely-visible, flash, and it was simply there, at a location where it had not been before. If one had not been looking at the spot in the sky where the ship came to be, one could have been deluded into believing that it had been there for hours.
The ship was an Allanean cruiser, its hull so dark a grey it was quite nearly black. This was the FKS Xenophon. It was immense, its shape somewhat reminiscent of a spearhead, although it would be hard to imagine a spear giant enough to fit this spearhead, or a being to wield the spear. Despite its impressive size, it was smaller than full Allanean battleships. It has been chosen for this mission because of the technologies its carried – the drive that had allowed its somewhat less than theatrical entry, and, more importantly, a pair of devices that now rested deep within the ship.
Those were a pair of complex items – things, seemingly antiquated in their function for this era of quantum computing, solid-state engines and gravitics. The two devices were each taller than a man and filled with moving, rotating parts, which, when active, made an impressive noise that made one think of the machinery of the age of steam and diesel – and right now they were not active. They were too dangerous to turn up when it was not yet clear if they function would even be needed.
The Xenophon was armed with a variety of other experimental weapons – a cloaking device, hangars with the newest aerospace fighters, beam weapons, missile launchers, all manner of items like this. However, at the present moment, perhaps the most important role it played was as a transport for the men assembled in the Captain's Office.
First of them was the Captain himself. An imposing individual, Captain Arnold Steinbach had a partial REichskamphenite extraction, although he was now removed from it by several generation. A scar running down one cheek marked him as the veteran of the First Freemen's crusade – a man familiar with demon warfare.
Second was Professor Ingwar Mechem. This man was an absolute civilian. He was, however, a professional in this very sort of thing. That is to say, he was the Professor of Conjuration and Demonology from the University of Concord, and as such it was only natural that he was requested to assist with the expedition. His 'civilian' outfit for this trip was a long set of dark-brown robes, just a shade less dark than the short, yet somehow menacing beard that framed his face. His staff was leaning against the wall behind him, kept within easy reach.
Third – Colonel Inga Tarkova. Her green uniform had the badges of an Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment - an antiquated name, and in this case, referring only to the fact that her men were capable of orbital drops. Obviously, Tarkova represented here the presence of the Army's muscle – it would be these men who would actually go and fight the monsters if need be.
Fourth – but, in fact, far from least – was Subdirector Timothy N. Sumarokov. With his hands steepled, he sat on the opposite end of the table from the Captain. He wore no uniform – just a business suit with a silver bolo tie. Overlooking the people in front of him, he spoke:
"Gentlemen, ladies, we are in orbit. Colonel Tarkova, I believe your men are already prepared, but it would be wise to do a final check. Captain, I believe you should order a scan of the system. Professor Mechem, we should be prepared to start our survey as soon as we receive a situation report from our erstwhile allies."
There have been no objections.
Very soon, the Aumanii authorities received a brief message.
Greetings.
This is the testbed cruiser Xenophon. We are carrying the resources necessary to commence assisting you. Please send out a situation report, including a list of the most urgent needs and any targets you would wish us to fire upon.