[ WP ] Write an epilogue to a story that has n't been written .

The [ vessel ] Sacrifice returned, right at the exact moment it left, and appeared in the exact place it had just vanished from. 
 
 The Crew had really done well this time. The vessel was much larger, sleeker, and had little apparent battle damage from its final showdown. 
 
 The Grey pulled the logs and flew through data that would take months for our engineers to digest. 
 
 *Once again your species impresses us~ The systems most damaged at the onset~ Are once again the most heavily augmented~* 
 
 I had a few tricks of my own. My own parser was watching his data-feed, and found what he was talking about. 
 
 Cloak efficiency was 8 sigma. Hybrid drive types abounded, with peak speed of over 20 psl. 
 
 No turrets though. This crew had crafted arrestor gear and military androids. They must have dropped troops and ran from each fight. Every crew has one unique quirk, and this was theirs. 
 
 *They attacked The Octos~* 
 
 I saw that too. Another rarity, but not entirely uncommon. The Octos know Humans have a propensity for betrayal, and always fire first. 
 
 These new systems do provide an opportunity for the next mission. 
 
 *It won ’ t work~ Neither idea will~* 
 
 `` Quiet Rumpelstiltskin. I know your name and I ’ ll use it if I have to'' 
 
 *If the analogy holds~ that places you as the young woman~ who sacrifices her firstborn child for material gains~* 
 
 The Grey had a point. 
 
 `` The calculus of war isn ’ t an easy game to play. I am making decision that will ensure the survival of the Galaxy'' 
 
 *The galaxy will survive without you~ It always has~ and it always will~* 
 
 `` Yes, but how many countless worlds have you'saved' thanks to our exploration. We aren ’ t the ones making the mess out there.'' 
 
 *That has yet to be fully determined~ The common temporal origin of the Saurothrop are still unknown~* 
 
 I give the order anyways. 
 
 `` Split the ship in two.'' 
 
 `` Up armor 75 % of the mass and give it all the best upgrades. Make the ship as unkillable as you can and send it out again. Throw it as far out as you can. Even pre-brief the crew beforehand. Our best and brightest.'' 
 
 `` Take the other, optimize for long duration interstellar flight and send it to Proxima Centari under blackout conditions before Jumping from there. Let's defy the laws of physics a little and give it no real home.'' 
 
 *It is unwise~ A waste of materials~ Those people could kept~ Safe~* 
 
 `` I have reserves.'' The Vagabond project was ahead of schedule. I had enough mass to duplicate four more ships if I need to. 
 
 `` I'll buy you a drank if either make it home.'' 
 
 *I will not consume it~ but I can appreciate your gesture~ and accept your wager to reciprocate a beverage~ as per your customs~* 
 
 

