Valag Timonus 
Taoshe, Executive Palace
 Shao XI system 

“Exploration?!” screamed Vice Admiral Shalkur Timonus, “ Our highly specialized troops…..sent on exploration missions……Brother….please..?” Shalkur said to his brother Valag. “ This is a political decision, we are at peace at home. I want the First through Fifth special forces groups and the first special warfare group ready to deploy for PEACETIME……..long range recon patrols..” Valag said with a smile towards his younger brother Shalkur. Valag always knew his younger brother was hot-headed but he was not dumb. They both knew that this wasn’t just a snap decision to explore, there was more out there. “ The Laucomb has been intercepting stray radio traffic for weeks, alien languages mostly, and our combat recon teams have started detecting radar signatures just past the Kalai Abyss” ( The asteroid field and gas cloud that lies to the galactic south east). Valag sighed a bit as if he were making this decision for the first time “ If it wasn’t clear before….it is definately clear now that we cannot be isolationists . Anything we find out there must be dealt with peacefully or we risk annihilation.” Shalkur nodded and studied the galactic map, his brothers concerns were his and the thought of starting a galactic war made him feel uneasy. “ Alright, you will have your troops, we will launch today”. Valag clasped his brother on the shoulder and nodded, “good….get it done” he said as he turned back towards the map as Shalkur began to walk off. “ Oh…..” Shalkur added as an after thought “ Two recon platoons found something…….well it found them rather. I think you might want to see it…..it is, beyond explanation” he said before walking through the large double doors to the main chamber of the palace. 

Captain Yulan Talikan
Taoshe, somewhere in the woods

Raven 2, Army

“ Well things sure did escalate quickly” said one of Talikan’s lieutenants, “ Yes, it sure did, just our luck huh…..we are doomed to forever find things” Talikan said with a chuckle. Shortly after the engagement started, the repeated mortar impacts made the ground give way. After maybe 10 seconds of fighting, the entire aggressor force fell into the newly formed hole, a win in Talikans book. Luckily no one was killed, only a few cases of broken bones and concussions. “ Lucky them…..” talikan said as he pulled a expertly rolled cigarette. White paper encapsulated a ground blue herb, with what looked like a rolled up notecard acting as a filter. Yulan’s helmet was already hanging off his belt when he brought the cigarette up to his mouth to light it. The Blue herb was one of many psychoactive herbs that were natural to the planet, this was known for relaxation and feeling of euphoria. It was also a favorite of soldiers in garrison due to the relatively light effects. 
	Taking a long drag, he placed the small plasma torch back in a pouch and let the sweet smelling smoke wash over him. “ They are searching what ever this is, we need to be back in orbit. We are scheduled for more training operations on Haloh” he said calmly as the cigarette took effect. He wasn’t exactly happy that their sister company would get all the glory for “finding” the ruin, he wanted to be the one exploring it. This would certainly lead to some promotions, maybe even a senatorial appointment if they find something. Captain Talikan scoffed and continued to take long drags from his cigarette “ Breakdown the gear and have Alpha squad set up a landing zone, transports will be here soon…”. The young lieutenant nodded and sprinted off towards the troops who were lounging by their holes. A sigh escaped Yulan’s lips as he looked over the commotion in front of him, ‘what could this be….’ he thought to himself before pitching the cigarette butt and walking back to his company.