“Unidentified Ship, you are entering the system of Alexis Majora, currently under a state of breached emergency quarantine. All civilian spacecraft are advised against entering this system.”

The calm, synthesised voice was as familiar as ever, spelling out its preprogrammed message over and over again on the emergency band. The Quirksome Tide maintained steady thrust, raising shields to full power. I cut the voice off and checked the shipwide channel.

“All active service personnel report to suit chambers for roll call and quarantine suitability check. Repeat, all active service…”

I pressed the singed elevator call button dully and asked for an observation camera view of the massive ringed spaceport outside. I waited for the elevator and gazed upon the destruction with a mind devoid of emotion. I’d seen too much death recently to be disturbed by this, and yet some small part of me wondered if there was yet more to see.

Outside, the huge rings of the Alexis Majora Spaceport spun in silence.