Approximately 300 years in the future; Saleucami System
"Battle report!!!"
The vessel vibrated violently as it received yet another strike to the aft section, rattling the beings inside and throwing those not seated against the steel bulkheads. The pilot, without turning his head responded in haste to his most recently issued order, "Sir, we've still got three of them hot on our tail and no signs of letting off or breaking away. They've got us outgunned, sir".
The pilots attention was quickly ripped back to the helm as he gripped with white knuckles attempting to keep the ship from striking the massive debris field which they were flying through in an attempt to lose their pursuers. The man who produced the previous order moved closer to the pilots chair, gripping the back in an attempt to stabilize himself against the constant, vicious movement of the ship as it dodged debris and attacks. The explosions being produced all around them in the debris field caused intermittent flashes across his ruby visor as he issued his next order; "take us through the hole". It was an incredibly cold command that showed no semblance of emotion. It was nearly mechanical in tone.
The pilot seemed to hesitate this time, as if the coldness seemed to literally freeze his speech capability. "But Cadmus, nobody has gone through that thing before. Nobody knows where it goes. They don't call this place the collective graveyard and junkyard of the galaxy for no reason". Cadmus wasn't known for his empathy or inputting sympathy in his decisions. It was off-putting at times to some members of the crew. It made them uncomfortable with how steely he was at nearly all instances. But yet, they trusted him. There was no doubt in that.
Cadmus gripped the back of the pilots chair a little tighter, not breaking his gaze from looking through the cockpit window. "It was not a suggestion, Gallus".
The pilot looked over to the female co-pilot whom shared his apparent worry for what was about to occur. Cadmus still stood there, unbroken and unphased by the magnitude of the possibility of terrible outcomes which may befall his crew. The pilot responded; "directing towards the vortex. Entry in 15 seconds". He began to count down as they neared the vortex. The closer they came to the swirling mass, one enemy fighter after another began to peel away.
As the ship cleared the mouth of the vortex, the force which gripped them was immediately noticeable. Initially it seemed to be more linear as it hauled the ship forward, pulling it fasting than even its own engines were capable. However, the flow quickly became turbulent. The ship, although still going forward was now going at an incalculable speed while also being rag-dolled.
Sensors began to wail, gauges were breaking and the hull creaked as if to voice its immense pain. The crew along with Cadmus were being tossed around the ship, smashing into consoles and various tools. The collisions inside the ship were unforgiving against their bodies. Soon, the inside of the ship went black from power failure and the sensors finally gave up their alarming screams. The crew too had faded to black - everybody had been knocked unconscious from being thrown about with extreme forces.
Time had passed, how much was unknown; though the vessel had leveled out and was now flying straight again. There was one major issue...the crew were still not woken from their forcibly given slumbers. And then, the vortex just seemed to end. The ship cleared the end of the stormy vortex, which immediately closed. There was another issue at hand. The ship was still flying at the same speed they had entered the vortex at when they were attempting to escape their pursuers.
Another alarm came to life, this one with an audible voice. "Ground impact imminent. Ground impact imminent. Ground impact imminent". Slowly the eyes beneath Cadmus' red visor opened up, attempting focus along with his other senses. His vision and head were still hazy as he attempted to make sense of the only sound he could hear constantly repeating in his ears. Then, as quickly as he had been knocked out, his eyes widened and his mind sharpened again. Cadmus reached for the pilot who was still buckled into his chair - still knocked out. Looking out through the cockpit window he saw not space, but what appeared to be a planet. The vortex had brought them far beneath the inner atmosphere!
Land features and vegetation were becoming vividly visible; Cadmus grabbed the pilot and shook him violently. " GALLUS!!! Pilot this damn ship". Despite a seemingly imminent disaster, Cadmus still maintained his cold demeanor when commanding. His voice acted almost like a cold bucket of water to the face of the pilot who snapped awake, instinctively moving his hands to the control levers.
The ship was now propelling itself through vegetation; the loud smacks against the hull served as an alarm clock for the fellow crew who struggled to find their bearings.
The pilot was struggling to gain control; he began to adjust for the gravity difference of the planet compared the space. He was struggling - the ship had never been to this planet so the local gravitational field setting was not pre-programmed. Cadmus stood there still and collected. His eye had caught something on the console. The ship began to level out as the pilot has managed to regain control and slow the vessel down to a more sensible cruising speed. "Well, that's that problem sorted out", Gallus said as beads of sweat profusely rolled out from his pores.
Cadmus spoke up; "Perhaps, but there's another issue at hand now". He motioned the pilots attention to the nav computer; the place which had caught his eye seconds earlier. "If that's correct, we're about 300 years in the past on a planet called Earth".
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