“It’s so…blue…” The helm officer looked to the dark haired crewmate seated next to him.

“First time seeing ‘Baby Blue’ up close eh?” Captain Aertimus Bass grinned as he leaned forward, eyeing the view screen with childlike wonderment.

“Aye sir.” Helm officer Dermish spun around in his chair, looking intently at the information relayed before him. He was a tall man with short black hair and a reddish complexion.

“Alright helm, what have we got?” Captain Bass sat back slowly, running his hand across his chin and scratching his stubble.

“Captain, we are approaching upper Earth orbit. Cloak established and holding.” Dermish reported as he ran his hand along the screen, relaying more data.

“We may as well get as much data as we can while we’re here. I’m sure the xenosociologists would love to see this…” Bass said flipping up a console in the arm of his chair.

“Readings show 346 million Human life signs spanning the north western hemisphere…7.45 billion in total planet wide…” Dermish narrowed his eyes looking back to the captain. “That can’t be right sir…Archavia only has a population of 900 million!”

“This ship may be getting up there in age but she don’t tell no lies helm…trust her…if she tells you there’s a bunch of them you can take that to the bank.” Aertimus chuckled.

“Damn…sure are a lot of them…” First Officer Lemm spoke up, standing beside the captain’s chair. She wore a similar uniform as Captain Bass, with short auburn hair and hard sharp features. She seemed quite taken aback.

“Isolated nomadic settlements eh?” Aertimus spoke with a grin.

“Sir! The collision alarm is going crazy!” Dermish gave his head a quick shake and rubbed his eyes.

“Science Officer, full scan.” Aertimus laughed.

“Sir…are those…?” The young officer blinked and rechecked his findings, his mouth falling open in amazement.

“Satellites…yup…”

“I’m picking up…roughly 6000 in orbit…” The science officer signed off.

“Helm what about that one there?” Commander Lemm spoke up, with intent. “Focus on the following coordinates…” First Officer Lemm ran her hand along a console and punched in some information quickly.

“Yes ma’am.” Dermish replied as he followed through with his command.

“Why I’ll be damned.” Aertimus leaned forward with a look of wonder. “Helm give me a reading on that funny looking thing!”

“Basic modular structure, photovoltaic panels, simple magnetoplasma thruster, life support systems and…wait that can’t be right…” Dermish looked back to Aertimus, a frightened and confused look on his face.

“Well?” Aertimus withheld a coy grin.

“Life signs sir…three…on that craft…”

“Insectoids?” Captain Bass asked, already knowing the answer.

“No sir…Humans.”

Aertimus let out a boisterous laugh and sat back in his chair, hitting his arm rest with excitement. “Hahaha…take a good look ladies and gents…that there’s an example of primitive Humans making use of simple tools to manipulate their environment!” Aertimus spoke with heavy sarcasm while the crew simply looked onward in awe.

“Humans…built that?” Lemm’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Well we didn’t!” Aertimus laughed. “Anything else down there?”

“Ehhh…sensors show high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, indicative of an advanced pre-fusion society. Some signs of low level fusion reactions coming from a site…43.83 degrees North…5.78 East.” The Science Officer spoke.

“Your handy work I expect Niall…” Aertimus muttered.

The Science Officer tapped his console some more. “Sir…I don’t have an exact number as it is fluctuating but there appears to be tens of thousands of craft in flight around the planet…the computer is having difficulty isolating the exact number but I’d estimate at least 50,000.”

Aertimus simply chuckled.

“Sir…you act as if you’ve seen this before…” The science officer looked onward at the screen, as amazed as everyone.

“7 years ago…I was Sr.Crewmate 1st class…when Funa Loss was in command. We shot down a insectoid freighter on the north pole of their moon. Funa took a detour to get a better look. We were the first crew to get a good look at baby blue in over 100 years…”

“Quite the privilege.” The Science officer stood opposite to Commander Lemm, eyes locked on the screen before them.

“Alright security, confirm Titan bio reading.” Aertimus Bass’ tone became quite serious as he sat back in his chair, resting his chin in his hand.

A dark skinned officer ran his hand along a console to his side, as he did a wealth of information appeared before him, with precision and skill the officer sifted through the data. “Initial readings confirmed sir! Sensor’s show signs of Dark matter technology.” The Security officer turned on his chair to face the captain.

“About that…” Captain Bass turned to face his Science Officer a contemplative look across his face. “Dark Matter tech hasn’t been utilized in over nine hundred years…are you sure this is Titan Technology?”

“Sir, even at their current rate of progression, they are still many years away from Dark Matter Technology. It is likely they are only now just discovering its existence; let alone how to utilize it as an energy source.

“Bring Close range sensors to full power, lets hone in on the coordinates.” Aertimus crossed his arms over his chest.

“Sir yes sir!”

(EARTH 22:00 hours Nevada Desert)

“So…what is the point of all this?” Private Jones whispered as he pressed his back against the rock face.

Izzy kept her eyes forward and waved harshly in order to stifle Reece’s loud whispering. Eyrn had exceptional hearing, and his ‘whisper’ was hardly below his normal speaking voice. Clearly not getting the message, Private Jones edged his way closer to Izzy, nosily setting himself up once he had stopped fidgeting.

“Is she like some kind of sleeper agent? Oh hey is she like a Government super soldier? What’s the deal?” Reese pressed onward, clearly not taking the ‘game’ as seriously as she was.

“Exercise…ok?” Izzy whispered viciously, her attention still very much fixated on the task at hand.

“Eh?” Reese adjusted his vest and pulled a pair of night vision goggles from his side. Pondering over what he had just been told, exercise, was all this simply for exercise?

“114ft giant needs to get out every once in a while. She has no job, no purpose and very little to keep her active.” Izzy tore the goggles out of Private Jones hand and used them to look off into the distance. She could not see any sign of the giantess.

“Heh…was kinda hoping you were gonna say super soldier.” Reese sounded a little disappointed.

Izzy shoved the goggles back to Reese roughly, causing him to grimace in pain as they hit his stomach.

“Grow up Reese! This isn’t some comic book. What kind of super soldier would she make? Big target like that? Besides…how do you suppose the general public would react to that eh? United Stated Government hides Giant mutant super soldier!” Izzy’s whisper began to creep closer to shouting.

“Kinda seem’s like a waste of money…eh?” Reese shrugged.

“Well what else CAN we do?” Izzy sighed. “can’t keep her locked up, can’t just let her go running around the country side on her own. Can’t just kill her! This here is the best place for her. Keep’s her out of the public eye, keep’s her out of trouble, and keep’s her under close watch.” Izzy grumbled.

“I guess that makes sense.” Reese shrugged. “Heh, I kind of liked the Super soldier idea.” Reese chuckled.

“First off, that is no life for her; second can you imagine the political repercussions? And third…” Izzy paused; her face went to high alert.

“Third?” Reese looked to Izzy curiously.

“Shh…did you hear that?” Izzy slowly peeked over the rock face.

“No.” Reese looked around just to be sure, but seeing nothing he turned his attention back to Izzy. “Now what were you going to say?”

“Third, she would never agree to such a ridiculous hair brained scheme!” Eyrn’s voice cleverly finished the soldier’s statement. While they were talking she had managed to sneak up on them from the westward slope of the cliff face and was now eye level with them.

“Shit…” Izzy cursed.

“Opps.” Reese attempted to back himself up further into the unyielding rock face, as Eyrn gingerly scooped up both Reese and Izzy, holding them apart, one in each hand.

“This is so much fun! I’ve almost caught you all you know! Just a few left!” Eyrn sounded positively blissful! Her dark brown hair was tied back into a neat tail and she wore long brown khaki pants with a green tank top. Simple black leather boots completed her ensemble. Clothes specifically tailored for her, only scaled up.

“Not fair! He was talking!” Izzy struggled in the unmovable grip she found herself stuck in. She was flustered and thrashed her head back and forth.

“Excuses, Excuses!” Eyrn gloated and motioned to her side pocket, it appeared quite full and there was visible movement from within. “Don’t worry I have room in the other one for you two!” She grinned, leaning her elbows on the rock face they had just been attempting to hide on.

“NO!” Izzy shouted abruptly. Her pride mixed in with just a little bit of anxiety refused to allow her to give up just yet. “You don’t wanna win like this do you? It’s cheap! Let me go and give me a few moments and try again? What do you say? Come on!” Izzy’s voice took on a diplomatic flare and she flashed Eyrn a bit of a smile.

“Cheap or not I still got you.” Eyrn gloated.

“You owe me!” Izzy struggled in her most undignified position.

Eyrn scrunched her lips and pushed off against the side of the cliff, coming to a full standing position. She transferred Reese and Izzy to the same hand mashing them together in a forced embrace as she clasped her fingers easily around them both. “Hmmmmmmm” she hummed with a clever grin. “I do, don’t I?”

“Y…yea me too! Remember?!” Reese chimed in, playing off Izzy’s rather clever, but desperate plan.

“Naw, I really wanna catch you all! That’ll really stick it to ol’baggy eyes himself eh!” Eyrn gave her head a shake as she peeked down to her struggling prey.

“Damnit see if I ever do you any favors again!” Izzy grunted, struggling madly against the larger woman’s grip.

Reese simply sulked, trying not to piss Izzy off any more than she already was. He felt uncomfortable as it was being pressed up so close to her, he didn’t want to exacerbate the situation any further.

“But you know…” Eryn looked to them both, a hungry look in her eyes. “If you had something I wanted…something…useful…well then I may be able to cut a deal with you both.”

“Information?” Reese looked to Eyrn suddenly, or at least tried to.

“I want the big fish! That’s the only real way to win this! You’re all just a distraction…I’ll let you both go if you tell me where he is…”

“Where who is?” Izzy attempted to play dumb.

Eyrn lifted her two tiny captives to eye level. “You know who I’m talking about!” Her eyes had never been more focused. “I want Darren!”

“…” Izzy looked away.

“He’s …” Reese spoke up but was cut off quickly.

“Shut up Reese!” Izzy glared.

“Oh come on! It’s just a game Izzy…and I don’t see Sergeant Avery sticking his neck out to help anyone!” Reese grumbled, he would have crossed his arms had they not been pinned to his side. “All is fair in love and…”

“No! We’re not snitches! No way!” Izzy hissed.

“Shh!” Eyrn abruptly hushed Izzy, separating them into different hands. She held Izzy in a closed palm at her side and lifted Reese to face level. Carefully she opened her palm letting him rest a little more comfortably. Her voice lowered into a gentle whisper as her facial expression softened. “Reese, I will let you go if you tell me where Darren is.”

Reese swallowed as he was lifted close to Eyrn’s brilliant face. He could feel her warm breath wash over him. She had been so kind to him before, he couldn’t help but feel in her dept. more so than he had suggested she was in his.

“Don’t you dare Reese Jones!” Izzy spat as she struggled to free herself from Eyrn’s grip.

“I told you to hush!” Eyrn snapped suddenly and tucked Izzy back into her palm with her thumb.

“Please Reese?” Eyrn transformed once more into the sweet, innocent and helpless maiden, her voice dragging on suggestively, her lashes batting and her bottom lip sticking out in a bit of a pout.

“Well…it’s just…I don’t really…know.” Reese stumbled over his words, slightly taken by Eyrn’s sweet and innocent façade.

Eyrn let out a slow sigh. “Come on Reese…think hard!” Eyrn began to drop her act as she grew more and more frustrated.

Furiously Izzy fought in Eyrn’s crumpled hand, she pressed her legs against one side of the closed palm and her back against the other, but no matter how hard she tried the first remained closed.

“Well, most of the time he likes to hide about three clicks from here, you know the old bomb range?” Reese looked away from Eyrn.

“The one with the little houses and the hollowed out car?” Eyrn’s eyes widened. “Of course!” She looked down to Reese, setting Izzy back onto the cliff face. Carefully snatching the two way Radio Izzy had strapped to her side. “Tut-tut! Can’t have you calling to warn the boss!” She grinned as she pocketed the tiny device.

“Reese you god damn dirty snitch!” Izzy hissed, taking swings at the air viciously as Eyrn rose to a standing height once more.

“Y…you said you’d let me go.” Reese whimpered as he Eyrn began to move away from where he had left Izzy,

“I will, once I know you’re telling me the truth!” She smiled.

Reese sank into Eyrn’s palm as she curled her fingers up slightly for him to rest against. Suddenly this didn’t seem like such a good idea.

Izzy watched Eyrn slip away, balling her fists at her side. “I’m gonna kill that little rat!” She grumbled as she took off running.

Darren stretched out against the old torn and worn seat of the burnt rusted 66 Meteor Montcalm. His hiding place was not particularly clever or creative, but for some reason it always managed to do the trick. Time after time he had weathered the storm out here, listening to the chaos over the radio. While everyone else generally felt tense and uneasy about the little game of “capture the soldier”, Sergeant Avery felt comfortable enough to light up a smoke and stick his feet up on the dash.

“Radio Silence…” Darren looked down to his radio; it hadn’t gone off for a while. That normally meant the game was just about over. “Twat’s getting better.” He admitted, with a bit of a cough.

Darren watched from a distance, he could not hear or see Eyrn but he knew she was close. His eyes fell on Izzy who looked about ready to bolt. His face flashed a disapproving glower as he gave his head a shake, whispering to himself.

The soft sand muffled Eyrn’s footsteps as she slowly and meticulously approached the old bomb range. It had been used in the early 40’s and was modeled to look like an old village. Most of it was blown to hell, but there was just enough left standing to give it sort of an ‘old west’ ghost town look.

Her eyes darted back and forth through the moon lit range until they landed on the old rusted burnt shell of a car. ‘Bingo’ she mouthed, looking down to Reese with a grin.

“See, I told you.” Reese whispered.

“You’re a doll Reese Jones.” Eyrn whispered, reaching down with her free hand to pull the flap of her second pocket open. The one on her left side, void of soldiers.

“But you said!” Reese scrambled to his feet.

“I lied.” Eyrn winked and tilted her hand on a 90 degree angle.

“You dirty little…” Reese cursed as he slid into the deep, empty pocket. He looked up in time to see her flip the tab and button it up.

“All is fair in love and war sweetie.” Eyrn whispered as she gave her pocket a bit of a pat. She had at least enough mercy not to stick him in the overcrowded right pocket, with all the others.

___

“Engage secondary cloak.” Commander Lemm took a few steps towards helm officer Dermish.

“Secondary cloak established. We are now invisible to their radar as well as visually. Radio silence still advised.” Science officer Dayun commented, looking over a schematics reading.

“Navarchos Zyn has given us a short window helm; let’s try to do this quickly.” Captain Bass sat up straight and leaned forward rubbing his hands together slowly. The tension in his voice was quite audible at this point. He was about to something that had not been since well before his time; since the occupation in fact.

“Aye Captian.” The helm officer responded, going to work.

“Gonna have to do this manually, not enough sensor data to trust this to auto nav.” Captain Bass turned to face an officer standing at a console to his far left. “Keep monitoring their airways for traffic, and let me know if you pick up anything they gets to close.”

“Sir!” The young woman responded in a quick and obedient tone.

“Don’t look so nervous Dermish.” Lemm set her hand on the novice pilot’s shoulder. “It’s not like you’re attempting a stunt never before performed by any living fleet pilot in our age or anything…eh?” Her lips pulled back into a grin.

“right…sure…no problem…” The pilot turned away from his commanding officer, a look of absolute panic filled his face for a brief moment.

Aertimus leaned forward, his chin resting in his palm as he eagerly watched the screen. “Take us down…”

___

Darren took a long draw from his cigar, holding it in for a few seconds before exhaling carefully. “Whelp’ ah’suppose it’s over then.” Darren looked down to his radio; nobody had attempted to contact him for over an hour so he had figured the game was over. Darren slid out of the vehicle and hopped to his feet, taking a quick look around.

“It’s not over until the fat lady sings!” Eyrn’s voice seemed to come out of nowhere.

“Fuck!” Darren cursed and swung around quickly. Eyrn was standing behind the car grinning ear to ear, her arms crossed over her chest.

“hehehe, you lil’shit.” Darren chuckled. He knew running was useless, she could cover more in one step than he could at a full sprint easily.

Eyrn fell to her knee’s briskly and reached out to snatch Darren up. It happened so quickly, Darren hardly had time to process it. She held him firmly in her grip, bringing him close to her face. Silently she smiled, then took a deep breath.

“Heh, ya look pleased.” Darren spoke with calmness in his voice.

“I’m just taking a moment to savor my victory!” Eyrn gloated.

“Victory?” Darren questioned his cigar still in mouth.

“Yup! Admit it, I won! I got you!” Eyrn motioned to her side. “You and everyone else!”

“E’verone? Right there? N’that pocket there?” Darren questioned her carefully, trying to fully comprehend what he was hearing.

“Yup!” Eyrn beamed, letting her rear rest on her feet. “Well almost everyone!” She scrunched her lips. “One noisy grumpaloo-Izzy got left behind.” She giggled just a little.

“Heh…’mkay…s’all ah needed’t know.” Darren wiggled his hand free from Eyrn’s grip to reveal a long army grade knife. It had a silvery blade smooth blade and a black handle. Quickly he ran the knife into the side of Eyrn’s palm pulling it out quickly and thrusting it in once more.

“Owwww! What the hell Darren!” Eyrn cursed viciously, instinctively releasing her grip on Sergeant Avery.

Darren caught the knife off the fabric of Eyrn’s pants on the descent down, and used it to slow his fall. “First rule kid!” Darren maneuvered himself to land near Eyrn’s pocket. While she was busy shaking off the stinging pain in her hand, Darren used his knife to cut a hole in the fabric of Eyrn’s pants.

“Fuck that hurt!” Eyrn brought her finger to her mouth sucking on the injured finger.

“It aint over’till it’s over!” Darren laughed as soldiers began to pile out of Eyrn’s open pocket.

“You low down, cheating little bastard!” Eyrn whined as she sucked on her finger, bright red blood trickling onto her tongue from her finger.

Darren’s victory dance was somewhat a cross between a drunken cowboy and a lame horse! He didn’t have long to celebrate however as the wall of a palm from an angry Eyrn came crashing down hard onto him, flattening him into the desert sands.

“Gat’danget.” he muttered, spitting sand out as the incredible weight was lifted, he however was not left to wallow in the sand, he was lifted up, balled in her fist, his arms pinned at his side.

“You jerk!” Eyrn did not sound amused.

“That’s no way’teh talk to yer commanding officer…” Darren was dazed, he was still not sure what happened, he felt like he’d been hit by a mac truck.

“My commanding officer is lucky to be alive in the first place! You fucking stabbed me!” Eyrn was still sucking on her finger.

Izzy had reached the fray in time to see a mob of free’d soldiers running in the opposite direction of the angry Giantess, who was on her Knees in the sand.

“Aww shit…Darren…” Izzy cursed, she could easily piece together what had happened. Darren let his pride cloud his judgment, now things were going to escalate. “Ok…everyone just clear out…back to base…game over.” Izzy snapped, pushing a few on lookers away. “NOW!”

“All’s fair’n love’n war sweet-heart! Now quit yer bitchin!” Darren’s voice grew sassy.

“I followed your damn rules! I didn’t hurt anyone, I was careful and everything and you do this!” Eyrn was growing more and more irate, she didn’t even notice the bright lights from above.

Izzy took a step back as the area around them became much brighter than it should be for so late at night. Darren and Eyrn were to occupied screaming at one another to notice. “What the…”

“If yer gonna whine maybe yer not ready fer this eh twat!” Darren’s casual teasing was growing serious.

“You want to know what I think? I think you’re just to much of an ass hole to admit when I won! You always do this!”Eyrn spat, pulling her wounded finger out of her mouth.

“Um…guys…” Izzy spoke up.

“Oh Cry me a river twat!” Darren struggled, but this time Eyrn was not allowing him an inch of leeway. “Tuff it out…war aint perdy!”

“ARG! You are so frustrating! I’m not a damn soldier! I’m only doing this because YOU make me!” Eyrn’s voice escalated, neither of them seemed to notice Izzy.

“Ya seemed ‘appy enough when we asked you to!” Darren began to grow even more defensive.

“Well what else am I gonna do! Sit on my ass all day and knit!” Eyrn applied a little more pressure on Darren to show she was quite upset.

“Gah…don’cha go think’n you can bully me ya over grown ninny!” Darren struggled, letting his cigar fall out of his mouth.

“Hey….look…you might wanna see this…” Izzy spoke up once more, the area around them was bright as day, above their heads was a blue light so bright and blinding it was difficult to look at. The sand around them had been kicked up in what looked like a dust storm of epic proportions, and the sound of their screaming was almost totally drown out by a loud constant droning sound, like engines.

“Don’t call me a ninny you…you…you ASS!” Eyrn was almost screaming now, in part because she was angry, but also subconsciously to compete with the growing noise around them that was drowning them both out.

“Ninny!” Darren cursed, struggling even more.

“Idiots…” Izzy sheltered her eyes from the bright light, which only continued to grow brighter and brighter until it was all she could see. As for the sound, it escalated to such a point, and then suddenly without warning all went silent.