Nano Collective

Claws clicked across keys swiftly as Dajia muttered quietly to itself, eyes cast up to a large view screen. Holographic pop ups and streams of information superimposed over the main screen would pop up every few minutes, left to hover off in peripheral vision or to be popped back into nothingness with a flick of a hand.

Ears twisted forward and back at the sound of beeps issuing from the interface, eyes jumping from one new it of information to the next before a seemingly innocuous chirp sounded. Dajia paused, whiskers quivering as it turned to look up at the notification.

[ FLIGHT 28EK ARRIVED AT BEZGALOR AS SCHEDULED ]

The Chua pursed lips, one ear turning back as it turned while swiping the message away. A hand was waved, browser popping up to follow the motion before settling in the middle of the screen. Another wave and then a poke at the screen before a chat room loaded. NANO COLLECTIVE was set in bold face type above the chat box, with

Instantly a scroll of “ROXO, ROXO, ROXO” zoomed past before abrupt shutting down. Dajia blinked, face contorting in confusion before the indicator that someone was typing popped up.

[R@PAXMAX] : Cousin Datte is dead. Oh and Ijio is back.

Nodding, Dajia clicked the browser off as it settled back in its seat. A successful flight and Sibling Ijio was back home. Its nose wrinkled, eyes cast back up to the screen as it exhaled. -and still stuck on Nexus. In swamp.

The Chua’s tail gave an irritated slap against the side of its seat while Dajia took a moment to ruminate over the current situation.

The embers of the Vigilant Sanctuary had barely settled to ash before Dajia had been reassigned to an outpost far removed from Dominion territory. It had been decided that the Vigilant Church should be the cornerstone of the wooden outpost. A backwater land that seemed constricted in confusion with uneven land given to swampy bogs and clogged forests wherever roots could get a hold. Far from ideal and apparently Dajia was just the disciple to drop into such a position.

Chua were welcome within the Dominion, but within the Church? Most would rather forget the devoted rodent. Shuffling it off to a remote site seemed ideal. Yet-

Dajia nodded to itself slowly, smiling. A secluded site also entailed that its studies would not be interrupted, let alone discovered. The fire that had taken out the Vigilant Sanctuary had been a grand one with an explosion that had shattered the foundation of the church while leaving a nasty hole beneath.

Pesky Exiles was the official reason. Certainly, the fire had been all them but the explosions?

More Chua style and ideal for destroying anything that would have been suspect. Dajia’s smile turned smug as it settled into the chair.

Before a beep made one eye pop open. The sound was accompanied by a message pop up. Then a sudden scroll of text and a beep for each line.

Dajia shot up, ears flattening back as it released a small growl. “Why is spa-”

It paused, noticing the pink font and cheerful avatar. Parent Moro.

The Chua exhaled heavily as it flopped back into the chair. Papa Moro was endlessly excited and probably yammering on about Sibling Ijio’s landing.

A quick glance showed text still scrolling and the beeps still coming at rapid fire. Dajia squinted, ears back before blinking. The Chua snapped to attention as eyes caught on key phrases.

A countdown.

[Brace for impact] [INCOMING]

There was no time to even respond before the sound akin to a Collective of Chua igniting bombs all at the same time went off. The whole Vigilant Sanctuary seemed to leap forward as Dajia was tossed from its chair.

A rumble close at hand echoed with the sound of tumbling rocks followed by the rush of water, a hiss, and the scent of ozone creeped into Dajia’s office as the Chua bounced to its feet. It waved the now cracked view screen blank in passing, feet quickly padding as shouts from beyond its office bled in.

Acolytes, settlers, and soldiers alike were streaming out in a rush from the side rooms coughing and looking about bewildered. Not many took notice of the diminutive Chua underfoot as the crowd surged into the open air of Dreadmoor.

Outside the murky air was filled with further dust, while plumes of smoke began to dot the area as Dajia clamored up to the outpost’s runway.

“Wha-?” It stood gaping with the rest of the Vigilant’s occupants as what once was a boggy lake dotted with willow trees now seemed to be occupied by an asteroid. Dajia blinked, eyes narrowing as it caught on the details. Encapsulated windows, space grade walls peeking out among the strewn about rocks and debris.

“DAJIA CHILD! MAMA MORO IS HERE!” A shout came from one side of the massive structure as a familiar flash of pink came into focus. Flanking it were what appeared to be shaken researchers, scientists, and doctors.

“No…” The Chua groaned, tugging ears down as it watched the approach of its parent.

“Moro heard Dajia heading settlement, possible Junction!” Moro cackled, gesturing behind. “Ijio no longer heading Evidra Institute. Moro use it now and brought it to Dajia! Fully furnished settlement delivery complete!”