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They’re headed directly for us,” the Tactical officer said.
    “
Desmodi
is in route to us. They report they should reach us before the Invaru fleet,” the Com officer said.
    Atlantis
rocked slightly as if she had been hit by something.
    “What the hell was that?” Jon said. “Did they fire on us?”
    “No, Sir, they haven’t opened fire yet,” the Tactical officer said.
    “Explosion on deck twelve, section four,” the Engineering officer said. “No casualties reported.”
    Lights faltered on the bridge as stations shut down. Atlantis appeared next to Jon just as the last of the stations shut down.
    “Failure in the primary and secondary power coupler,” Atlantis said. “Engineering is trying to reroute. Secondary bridge reported a systems failure too just as contact was lost with them.”
    “What the hell is going on around here?” Jon asked.

Chapter 3
Visitors

    Emergency lighting flooded the bridge as guards took up positions around Jon, Deatra and Sa’oliq. In a flash of light sixteen kneeling figures dressed in pitch black armor appeared in multiple places on the bridge of
Atlantis
. The guards on the bridge immediately cycled up their guns and pointed them at the intruders.
    As if they were of one mind and body they slapped their chests and said, “We are to serve.”
    “Who the hell are you and what are you doing on my ship?” Jon asked. He had pushed Deatra back behind him and was trying to look around the guards in front of him.
    The figures all stood up at once and bowed their heads.
    “Evacuate the bridge,” Jon said. Personnel quickly made their way to the transport tubes.
    “Rerouting power from my personal supply to transport tubes one through twelve,” Atlantis said.
    “I know this race,” Sa’oliq said. “Jon, do not trust them. They always have some ulterior motive for the things they do. Most times it doesn’t end well for the people they’re involved with.”
    Jon nodded as he started to speak but was cut off by a crystal clear female voice.
    “Why, thank you for the introduction Sa’oliq of the Castanian people,” the voice said.
    Jon watched one of the armored intruders step forward and remove her helmet. Gold and silver hair fell down to her shoulders as her gold eyes took in the room. Her skin was almost as black as her armor and as she grinned her gold colored lips parted to show a set of perfect golden teeth. She knelt and placed her helmet on the floor as she bowed her head to Jon.
    “Who are you?” Jon said.
    “I’m Nefeit,” Nefeit said without picking her head up. “I’m the High Priestess of the Drovasian people.”
    “Why are you on my ship?” Jon said. He quickly glanced at the other fifteen figures as if waiting for them to make some move. Each was like a statue as if waiting for a command to be allowed to move.
    More guns cycled to ready behind Jon as Mark spoke, “Atlantis said you needed help on the bridge. Are you ok?”
    “I’m fine,” Jon said as he raised a hand. He reached out and pushed through the guards in front of him so he could see Nefeit clearly. The guards shifted nervously as Jon exposed himself. “Care to answer my question Nefeit? ... and please no sudden moves. My guards are very nervous right now.”
    “Of course,” Nefeit said. She still hadn’t looked up the entire time. “We’re here to swear allegiance to you and the ADF.”
    “What kind of trick is this?!” Sa’oliq said, angrily. “The Drovasian people haven’t sworn allegiance to anyone, ever. The last time they even entered an agreement of any kind was when the Ga’sahde Treaty was signed.
    Even then, they did so only grudgingly, and only so they could hide behind the Ga’sahde when they pulled another one of their little schemes. Funny how that all ended when the Ga’sahde disappeared, and how you suddenly show up when they make an appearance.” She turned to Jon as she continued to speak. “Don’t trust them, they’re up to something. I don’t