"Activating the external plating and reversing magnetic pull so it is pushing on the asteroid." Jace announced over the communication channel. "Are all hatches and doors closed?"
"Affirmative Spectre." Nila responded from her position at the communication station on the bridge as they had learned it was called. The rest were sitting at other stations as well. "I am still worried about the Guardian-01."
"They are at a safe distance. We did not detect anything explosive when heated up and if there was anything explosive when magnetized it would have already blown up." Jul’an informed them as he worked his station, the one set up for sciences. Apparently he had a hobby as a scientist, specifically with the study of metals. Just as Nila had memorized almost every language available to her, even some human ones that Jace had not memorized.
"Making good use of your station?" Jace asked with a chuckle as he spun around in the pilot’s chair. It was the front most station with the weapons station being located right next to it.
"I am sir," Jul’an had his helmet off at the moment so Jace could see what the Mar’talic’s face looked like when he was attempting to smile. "I had to translate it to my language, but once that was done the actual workings abilities of this station are incredible."
Jace chuckled, "you realize that chances are we will not be keeping this ship." Jace pointed out as he adjusted a few settings at the pilot’s station so the engines were on but only slightly. "How is the asteroid around us?"
"Breaking apart, the plating and shielding are holding strong. There do not appear to be any problems with the Discovery’s structure. The magnetic field is holding just to the outside of the ship." Charlie answered, she was manning the engineering station. Just because she knew a bit about mechanics from studying her own mechanical and cybernetic parts.
"Then we are all good." Jace nodded as he could see the asteroid break apart in front of the view screen. There were cracks going through the rock as it did so. The cracks continued to increase in number and size until the rock wall before them began falling apart.
"The asteroid’s gravity is dispersing as it is falling apart." Jul’an announced as space came into view through the screen. The asteroids came into view along with it. "This could be useful for moving through asteroid fields or other forms of heavy debris."
Jace chuckled, "that is all well and good but we first have to meet up with the-"
He was interrupted by the loud beeping coming from the ship’s speaker systems. "Proximity alert!" The Discovery’s voice came over the speakers. He could tell the ship sounded panicked and surprised.
Jace was instantly alert and pulled up the information to the main view screen as they pulled out of the asteroids with the help of the engines he had turned on. What appeared on the view screen was a golden space ship that was slowly appearing as whatever invisibility style it was using was disabled.
"Guardian-01, put us between you and these new people." Jace ordered as he tapped his fingers on the console in thought. "Nila, see if you can raise them on a communication channel in your most common Victorium language." Jace ordered as he swung the Discovery around slowly while discretely opening up the rear cargo doors where an environmental shield activated to keep the hangar pressurized.
"Doing it now- never mind, we are being contacted. This is weird, I am getting an option to put it up on the main view screen." Nila looked over at Jace. He was starting to get better at reading her expression so he could tell that she was surprised.
"Huh?" Jace grunted, "Guardian-01, get in the rear hangar of the ship and close the door after you enter. We are about to have some guests." Jace ordered as he tapped several more buttons and then nodded at Nila, "put them on."
Nila nodded and the view screen switched on. What appeared was a figure in gold armor and a gold mask. They could see multi-colored hair draping out the back of their helmet. The figure began speaking in a language that caused Jace to frown, but after a moment it began to get translated. "Victorium alliance members, we scan at least two new species aboard your vessel. We, the Centuria, will test this species and depending on the result of this test will determine whether or not your entire crew will die." Despite the person’s tone they looked like one of those metal works of art.
From their armor to their ship design it all screamed with a sense of superiority. The metal looked like gold. But it was most certainly not gold. It was probably a composite alloy that they preferred to use. It might be how they were able to use their invisibility so easily. Then there was the armor and the person’s hair. The armor looked generic and non-gender specific but Jace could tell that something was off about it. While at the same time the hair color was constantly shifting and changing.
Jace stood up from his seat, "Well it is nice to meet you as well. Hello I am called Spectre Jace. Would you like to come aboard this ship or would you like me to come aboard yours? There are several different ways in which we can do this." Jace asked with a joking tone.
These were definitely the Centuria that were mentioned. Hopefully after this encounter they would be able to properly categorize the centuria. But first they would have to survive this encounter, so maybe he should cool it on the jokes.
"That is unnecessary, we are taking you now." The centuria answered. Then Jace felt strange like a bunch of small bugs were moving all across his entire body. He looked down to see a green light coming off of his body.