The half-finished schematics of the construction were displayed on the viewscreen of the Perseverance as Nova’s Commander Park explained, “The probes also detected the signal that we picked up – there are at least four communication satellites inside – we think it has multiple uses.  Passive observation, intelligence gathering, and open channel monitoring are functions we believe exist within the sphere.  There is possibly more – without a complete data set, we can only see part of this thing.”

Captain Wren Walton sat in the center chair, PADD in hand.  The two ship’s engineering teams had dissembled the probes and completed an exhaustive examination.  What they had found was giving Walton pause as she contemplated how to respond to her former XO.  “The engineering reports are where I’m stuck.  Lieutenant Edwards thinks it attempted to hack the probes?”

Park answered, “Given the technology level of whatever it is out there – we think the attempts were default programming – anything that comes inside would be poked and prodded as it knows how.  It’s pretty old technology, and the probe would have disregarded it.  The marks they found suggest a tool of some kind…those old screwdriver tools are the best approximation they could make.”

Walton moved on, still befuddled.  “We think we found the signal’s origin – it bounces off a few buoys on the way.  Wallaker?”  The chief science officer shifted the map onto the screen.  “It’s a planet in the same system as Mason Colony on Mason II.  There are seven of them, and four are habitable.  Mason III is where we think the signal originates.  Sensors are showing an empty planet.”

Park tapped at her side panels, bringing up the data that was being shared, “The signal frequency is curious.”  She turned in her chair, “Cadet Williams – take a look at the data stream around the signal and what they’re looking at.”  She faced forward, “Given how engaged the communications pattern is…I don’t think this is an automated signal.  I think we’ve got someone on the planet.” 

A young cadet stepped into the frame, a PADD in her slightly shaking hands, “Uh…yes.  Captain Walton.  Cadet Williams.  I’ve had a chance to take a quick look.  This is a bit newer technology, but not by much.  To power whatever’s communicating with the…thing…you’d need a stable power source…or a large generator, a permanent communications setup…and someone to run it.  If our hypothesis is true, this device requires constant supervision.  I’ll see what more I can find out.”  She skittered out of the frame and back to her station.

Wren sat back in her chair, wondering what wonderfully weird thing they would find on Mason III.  She told Park, “Leave a probe a reasonable distance from the…thing.  Put a small team on 24-hour watch in the project control center.  Set course for Mason III and engage on our signal.  Let’s stand down to Yellow Alert for now.”  She closed the channel.  “Set our course. Standby.”  She waited a moment.  Whatever was next was unknown.  She leaned forward, “Signal the Nova.  Engage.”

“Nothing.  Reading a dusty planet with no human, animal, or alien life signs.”  Hazel Wallaker reran the scans, “Nothing.  The last scan reports in 2398 were different.  They reported extensive foliage from tropical to temperate climates with varying topography.  They recorded high peaked mountains to low river basins.”

Walton stared at the screen. Mason III appeared, as Wallaker’s sensors reported—a dusty planet capable of supporting some kind of life.  And yet, there was no evidence of any life across the spectrum of biological measurement.  “What in the rimward is going on here?”  She stood and walked to stand behind her chief science officer, “Load a probe for planetary observation. Launch when ready.”  It took Wallaker moments to make the proper programming, and soon, a streak of light arched across the screen and headed for the planet.

“Video feed active,” Hazel confirmed, and the rough entry through the upper atmosphere filled the view screen.  Soon enough, it cleared and entered the lower atmosphere.  The bridge crew gasped.  It was beautiful.  Expansive mountains filled the screen as the probe adjusted its course.  The peaks then slowly fell into rolling hills and vast fields of grasslands with rivers snaking through them, the bright blue of the rushing water reflecting in the sunlight.  It continued to show a gorgeous planet until it crested a hill.

Wren blurted, “The hell is…that?”  A cragged castle rose from a valley floor, reaching into the bright blue sky as if to scratch away the joy in the clouds.  It was old and built with cragged rocks.  Blasts of light and smoke burst from the ramparts.  The probe dodged whatever was shot at it.  “Wallaker?”

Hazel was shocked, “Captain, I’m reading those as… modified gunpowder canons?  From what I can tell, they were converted into energy weapons of some kind…thankfully the probe has some evasive programming built in.”

The CO muttered to herself, “What in the rimward…”

Lieutenant Matthew Phillips glanced to his console as a rude beeping interrupted the rapturous views.  He shook his head, not sure what to believe.  “Captain, we’re being hailed.  By The Emperor of The Mason System.”

Walton stared at him as if she hadn’t heard him the first time or hadn’t quite heard what he had said.  “You said…the…what?”

He repeated, amused, “The Emperor of The Mason System.”