Event Horizon

A Ship Worth Saving

The UED Research & Development Facility was one of the most advanced engineering hubs in the system—a sprawling complex of shipyards, laboratories, and testing stations. From the observation deck, Captain Elias Vance and his officers stood in silence, watching hundreds of vessels in various states of construction.

Some were sleek, gravity-manipulating warships, others were enormous, colony transports designed for deep-space expansion. But what caught Vance's eye was the sight of decommissioned ships—older vessels stripped down for parts or outright dismantled.

A cold sensation settled in his stomach.

Because Event Horizon was scheduled to be one of them.

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An Uncertain Future

"You can't be serious," Lieutenant Adrienne Cormac muttered, arms crossed as she stared at the classified documentation Raine had handed them. "You're planning to decommission our ship?"

Director Evelyn Raine, ever composed, gave a curt nod. "The Event Horizon is an outdated prototype. It lacks the modern structural integrity, AI coordination, and shielding necessary for sustained operations."

"It's not just an outdated ship," Dr. Jonas Ibarra snapped. "It's our ship. Our home. We're not just going to let you scrap it."

Raine sighed, folding her hands. "It's not a decision made lightly. But from a practical standpoint, there is no need for your vessel when we have far more advanced options."

Silence followed.

Then, Dr. Alexandra Pryce—usually the voice of reason—stepped forward.

"Give us a chance," she said. "Let us retrofit the Event Horizon. Update her systems, integrate modern tech, reinforce her hull. She may be outdated, but she's proven herself."

Vance studied Raine's face. "We're not asking for a favor. We're offering another asset in the war to come."

Raine exhaled slowly, exchanging a glance with Admiral Dominic Kain, who had remained silent until now.

"You want to fight?" Kain asked finally, his gaze sharp.

Vance didn't hesitate. "We owe it to the people who died because of our first encounter. We saw what those things are capable of. If war is inevitable, we won't sit on the sidelines."

The room fell into stillness.

Then Kain gave a small smirk. "I see. You don't just want to survive in this new world. You want a purpose in it."

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Resistance and Support

The argument for keeping the Event Horizon wasn't an easy one. Some within the UED Military Command viewed the ship as a historical relic—useful only for its data logs and firsthand knowledge of the reptilian enemy.

But others saw potential.

General Tessa Rourke, a high-ranking figure within UED's exploratory divisions, was one of the few who backed them. "There's value in this ship. It was built for deep-space missions. It survived a singularity jump no other vessel has. That alone warrants consideration."

Opposition came from Fleet Commander Vekov, who led the Earth Naval Operations Division. "This is a waste of resources. We have fleets that can outclass the Event Horizon in every conceivable way. The ship is obsolete."

The debate was heated.

But ultimately, the final decision rested with Kain.

After an agonizing silence, the Admiral leaned forward.

"You want to bring your ship back? Fine." His gaze was sharp. "But if we do this, you're not just observers. You're soldiers now."

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A Difficult Choice

Back aboard Event Horizon, the senior officers met to discuss their next steps.

"I don't like it," Ibarra admitted. "They're forcing us to play by their rules. If we agree, we're not just a crew anymore. We're a military asset."

"Do we have a choice?" Cormac muttered. "If we refuse, they scrap the ship, split us up, and we're absorbed into different divisions. We'll be prisoners in all but name."

Pryce exhaled. "At least this way, we keep our crew together. We stay in control."

Vance sat in silence, staring at the sleek warships outside the viewport.

For the first time since their return, he felt something that had eluded him until now.

A path forward.

Finally, he stood.

"We retrofit the ship," he said. "We bring her up to speed, we integrate the best technology available, and we prove we belong here."

His gaze swept across his crew.

"We don't just adapt. We take control of our future."

One by one, they nodded.

The decision was made.

The Event Horizon would fly again.

And this time, it wouldn't just be a symbol of exploration.

It would be a weapon.

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