[ WP ] Humans , along with a few other species , were the first intelligent life in the Milky Way . Over time , each of these races built an interstellar empire and eventually came into armed conflict with one another . You are an alien archaeologist trying to find information on these ancient legends .

I stood there among the old ruins, on an empty world where nothing ever changed. 
 
 What had they been like, these Ancients, that I pursued. In front of me lay the remains of a moon-sized Ship. To even power such a thing... what marvelous engineering. 
 
 My team had been excavating it for many cycles. Old dust covered artifacts greeted us on the first day. The ship had been shot at, almost as if someone had punched a bus sized hole in its side. 
 
 We found the dead bodies on the third cycle. 
 
 `` Professor!'' Niet was a brilliant student of mine. Her ears were quivering with excitement. 
 
 `` What is it Niet?'' 
 
 `` We.. we found *them*'' 
 
 The exosuits had degraded over time. Rust covered much of the front area. I could barely make out an incomplete `` Arya-'' printed on the chest piece. 
 
 Cursory glance told me much. A 2 legged creature, no visible appendages. A curiosely enlarged frontal lobe. 
 
 *Only 2 eyes. Well there goes my Thesis hypothesis. * 
 
 Bending down, I genty removed the apparatus covering his face. 
 
 `` They look different than our projections,'' Niet whispered beside me. ``, much more peaceful than a warrior race.'' 
 
 `` Yes well, never trust a book by its cover.'' I had spent a century tracking the rise of these people.'Peace-loving' was one thing you would n't call them. 
 
 `` Niet, the Animatrix please.'' I asked reaching out. 
 
 She gave me the small cylinder. A simple click and the spike came out with a swish. 
 
 `` You think it will work on such an old specimen?'' 
 
 Grimacing a bit, I pushed the spike into the eye with all my strength. 
 
 `` Let's find out.'' 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
 
 The war started, and we became the first casualty. 
 
 `` What's the status?'' 
 
 Naval officer Sulu checked. `` Shields are down a 100 %. We are relying on the outer layer.'' It sounded like the man was reading me the evening news. `` At the current rate, they'll breach within 10 mins.'' 
 
 This could n't be happening. The bugs were supposed to be light years away, engaged with the Mars Armada. How could they reach so close to the Earth unhindered. 
 
 `` Rama give me good news.'' I said turning to my science officer. 
 
 The portly little man was engaged in the video conference over the psychic link. 
 `` Yes.. Draupadi.. keep on tracking the worm hole.'' 
 
 `` Rama!'' 
 
 `` What?... Oh. Apologies captain. I was just discussing with Draupadi. It seems the enemy has the ability to create a stable worm hole. An accomplishment deemed impossible by Step-'' 
 
 `` It does n't fracking matter how they got here! Just that they did.'' I kneaded my 
 forehead. `` Now what can you give me.'' 
 
 He took a moment to run spectral diagnostics on the ship. `` Our weapon system was dismantled captain. This is after all a Ambassador Ship, and with the ship down.... I am not sure what we can do.'' 
 
 I hated the man and his blunt manners. `` We are the only ship in this region. They have blown off our communication array, and they can blast earth if they reach mars. 
 
 `` The earth defense force will not be able to stop them in time. So its up to us.'' 
 
 `` What exactly do you propose captain.'' 
 
 This had started off as such a good day. Junior had taken his first step, Maya seemed healthy; I was supposed to go home. 
 
 `` Captain?'' Sulu asked me with some worry creeping in his tone. 
 
 Instead I was going to war. 
 
 `` Change our coordinates. Ram the mother ship.'' 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
 
 The giant shipped gradually changed course. I watched tensely as the the Bug's mothership came closer and closer on the radar. 
 
 The bugs seemed to have noticed us. A shock wave hit. I could hear the entire ship creak and crumble. It was like a earthquake had passed through. 
 
 `` Oof.'' Rama tiredly got off the floor and dusted himself. `` That's the western chamber captain. They punched through.'' 
 
 `` Any casualties?'' I did n't want him to answer that. 
 
 `` A few thousands.'' Sulu pronounced plainly from behind. 
 
 Well it did n't matter. We were all dead anyway. 
 
 Rama started to twiddle his fingers. `` Captain, do n't you think its....prudent to evacuate the civilians.'' 
 
 `` Not possible.'' I said turning away. 
 
 `` But why! We should sav-'' 
 
 `` Any evacuation attempt would divert resources away from the cryo-engine.'' Sulu interrupted. `` We need to give everything we have to hit the mother ship.'' 
 
 A Million people sacrificed to save Billions. The math worked out at least. But how many lives would you weigh against your new born child and lovely wife? 
 
 *Can I really do this? Can I really sacrifice them? * 
 
 `` Sulu sto-'' 
 
 `` Captain we have an incoming broadcast.'' Sulu ran it through the translator. `` Its their War-Prince.'' 
 
 I came forward to greet the man that had come to destroy my race. A man on whose altar of hatred, I was prepared to sacrifice my family. 
 
 < Just what do you think you are doing, Human > 
 
 It annoyed me that they looked so.. Not-Evil. These creatures were less cockroaches and more lady bugs. 
 
 `` Performing my duty, War-Prince.'' 
 
 A series of clicks and Jabs. < We are not interested in your puny ship. We seek your nest. Move aside and save your thralls.'' 
 
 I could do that. No one would blame me. Some might even praise my decision. We had enough resources to colonize, rebuild. We could live to fight another day. 
 
 `` Mr Sulu, increase thrusters.'' 
 
 The bugs grew more agitated as they listened to my respone. 
 
 < You are being foolish human. We are the first of many. Even if you stop, this sacrifice is in vain. Earth will fall. > 
 
 `` Maybe. But if we collide, the resulting collision will be detected by Earth Sentries. They'll at least be forewarned.'' 
 
 < You wish to die, just to warn your worthless comrades. Why? > 
 
 Why was I doing this? Everyone I cared about was on this ship. This giant ship speeding towards the Chitinous castle in space. Soon nothing would be left. 
 
 Red lights started to flicker in the room. `` Warning collision imminent. Change course.'' 
 
 More clicks. The bugs seemed too excited. < Very well. We have no intention of dying such a worth less death. Change your course and we will let you return to your planet. Then you just wait for our fleet to arrive. > 
 
 Sulu's hand reached to the thruster controls. I grabbed it. As we stared at each other, an understanding was reached. The hand was with drawn. 
 
 < What are you doing? Change course! > 
 
 Bugs do not lie. Its an interesting physiological fact about them. Lies had no place in a Hive society. They really did mean what they said. Too bad I could n't accept it. 
 
 The war prince reached into receiver. His stare burned into me. < We do not lie. > 
 
 `` Warning. Collision in.... 10 Seconds.'' 
 
 Junior would be one next week. Maya had already planned an elaborate party. It would be a grand affair. 
 
 < Human. Listen to us.. We Do Not Lie. > 
 
 `` Oh, I believe you, `` 
 
 Such lifeless eyes, yet I could see the fear. It was a reflection of my own. 
 
 `` Its just that, I do n't care.'' 
 
 
 The shockwave travelled as far as venus. The wave of pure energy blazed through the sky. All around Earth, sensors began to scream as Sky Seekers turned toward the source. A bug armada heading their way, with half of their ships blown apart. A tattered ship hanging in front of the dark army, a guardian angel. Even as they watched it fell towards Mars burning and crumbling. 
 
 War had started, and the first Casualty had been claimed 
 
 
 
 

