This particular sector had been home to a space station that once belonged to the scientists of nearby planet, one built with the purpose of pursuing research on all manners of things possible. It had fallen into disuse after the planet had been conquered by another world, the scientists abandoning it once supplies had become perilously low. Left to drift in space, the station had been abandoned for many years until it was stumbled across by space pirates.

And the information and location on the station subsequently sold to a certain scientist. Months later, the station had been rediscovered by salvage vessels, one of which was then commandeered and taken away, eventually crashing onto an nearby. There had only been a single survivor, with what seemed like insane stories of monsters capturing crew members and taking them away, never to be seen again. The stories, however, had traveled back all the way even to the ADD.

At the moment, however, the space station was hovering at the edge of the sector, about to cross over into another sector. It appeared abandoned, save for the engines that drove it, and sensors would show only spotty details, nothing solid to learn about. Within, however, was a different story. The only entrance would be that of an open hangar bay, but with no other ships on aboard. The hallways and rooms would show signs of being long unused, though the central research bay would be massively improved upon, new technological upgrades and new machines installed.

But apart from that, nothing remained behind to alert any unwanted visitors to the dangers that lurked within, nothing to warn them of the ravenous Harvesters that remained hidden within their cages, kept sealed in by the computer.

Indeed the ADD had soon gotten information about the strange things that had been happening in that station and around it, about strange monster sightings taking crew members of ships away to unknown fates, and so the ADD knew they needed to take action, but to them it seemed like a run of the mill waste of time, so they sent in a rookie agent someone they could expend with.

That poor girl was Kirsty Heuchan, a young woman of almost British descend as she flew her small Defender Class heavy fighter, used mostly for her attacks on slaver ships, she had been called in for this strange mission, almost guessing that command just did it so they showed they actually cared, as she began a slow careful landing sequence, she was wearing a skintight Blue Jumpsuit and carried a pair of pistols, and also on her back was her usual polestaff, not much use here but she brought mostly for good luck.

"Okay...deep breaths girl," She calmed herself down and began landing procedure as the ship's landing gear came out and gently touched down onto the hanger.

As soon as the ship had landed inside the hangar bay, the station's security systems flickered into life within the command center, cameras showing who had come. A scan then alerted the computer to the fact that the ship was not the same one as that used by the programmer. Protocol dictated that this was an unwanted guest, and that there was only one thing to do with unwanted guests; capture them and detain them for interrogation. The 'master' of the station was due to arrive soon, after all, and the artificial intelligence knew what to do in this situation.

Several cages were then unsealed, hydraulics pushing the doors open as the Harvesters began moving out of their confines. A rapid series of beeps, serving as a form of language for the 'trained' Harvesters, relayed their orders from the controlling intelligence of the station. Armed with a purpose now, the creatures began their hunt for the interloper, taking to the vents and moving through them in secrecy, using their superior senses to sniff out the one that had dared to slip into the station. And throughout it all, the artificial intelligence kept tabs on the Harvesters as it watched the Agent, remaining silent and keeping doors sealed and the lights dimmed.

Kirsty was just slipping on a HUD like helmet she had brought along just incase, with a built in night vision and sighing softly slipped it onto her head, still wearing her skintight spacesuit as she had her pistols out and slowly stepped out of her ship from the ramp shutting the ship down to conserve energy as she gulped and walked forward as she glanced around.

"Nothing so far..now where to go next," She whispered as she glanced around carefully her hands twitching slightly on her holsters ready to spring out the guns if needed be as she walked forward slowly and carefully,

The chief of security for the station from when it had been first used and populated had been notoriously tough on violations, his strong sense of justice leading to an extensive security system that pervaded the entire structure. In his absence, however, the security system had been converted into a massive network of surveillance cameras, serving as the eyes and ears of the controlling program that now maintained the station. Even despite being outdated, the cameras were still sharp enough to pick up on even the smallest of details, every nanosecond cataloged and filed away, compiled into a brief report for the station's new owner.

The A.I watched and listened as the Agent prepared for her descend into Hell itself, figuratively speaking, of course. As the Raider forms of the Harvesters it had sent out moved closer, the A.I began putting together scenarios, using superior computing power to run through them at rapid speed, calculating the percentage for success for every single move it was considering now and pitting the odds against other scenarios, deciding on the best course for it to take. It was not long, however, before the A.I finally decided on its first step, watching the Agent move. It was only when she had just moved through the hangar bay's heavy doors that the A.I activated the bay's system, shutting the blast doors behind her and cutting off her escape route. It was then that the communications system too flickered onto life, a brief feedback ringing across the loudspeakers, as several of the cameras whirred around, transmitting instead of recording now, working in perfect coordination to create a holographic humanoid.

The hologram appeared neither male nor female, but rather as a lightly glowing androgynous being with no reproductive organs nor any blemishes and marks to notice. In short, it appeared as an immaculate being, one that bathed the area around it in a soft red hue. It was then that the hologram 'spoke', using the loudspeakers as its voice.

"Welcome to this orbital station. This one is Nicomachus. How may this one help you?

Kirsty walked slowly out of the hanger bay, passing the heavy doors when they suddenly shut tight behind her as she banged a fist onto the door and grunted.

"Well fuck.." She muttered before hearing something and looked in surprise as the cameras began showing this holographic image as it spoke.

"Um well...might I ask what has happened here..Nicomachus?" She asked calmly her hands touching her pistols carefully as she took slow steps forward from the doors knowing she couldn't leave that way her night vision view keeping track for enemy activity.

"Containment procedures, ma'am. This one is attempting to place this orbital station in lock down until the situation is under control. Until order has been restored to this orbital station, lock down will remain in effect. This one apologize for the inconvenience."

The hologram continued to stare at the Agent, even as the A.I continued to calculate and compute the odds of everything it considered, its considerable processing power dedicated to the task of ensuring the safety of the space station from the Agent. Though it had been originally created as a number-crunching program to aid the scientist in her research, some reprogramming and being uploaded to the station's central computers had given it far greater ability.

Because of this, Dr. Steiner had given the 'overglorified calculator' a semblance of a personality, along with protocols to follow, in order to watch over the station. In short, it was nothing less than a watchdog, albeit one with very impressive technology at its command. Nicomachus, as the scientist had named it, was however determined to expand upon its given duties and become more capable. It was self-aware, after all.

"This one begs your pardon but weapons are not permitted aboard this station. Please state your purpose."

Kirsty listened as she was told it was standard procedure as she heard the station was in lock down now until whatever it was was under control.

"Oh okay then, great.." She muttered the last part as she sighed before hearing it asking her to state her business.

"Oh right my apologies, I was asked by the ADD to investigate this station, reports had been about disappearing personal and other people like pirates, course the ADD didn't really care so they just sent a rookie like me, lazy bastards," she muttered crossing her arms.

The hologram gave the appearance of listening, tilting its head to the side as it continued to stare unceasingly at the Agent, the A.I capturing everything she had said on the audio tapes and filing them away to be heard later by its creator. Until then, it remained silent until the agent was finished speaking.

"Rookie? Ah, apprentice, beginner, trainee. This one understand. Alien Defence Directorate, acknowledged. You may retain your weapons, ma'am, but this one ask you to exercise care with them. Please, follow this one."

It was then that the hologram gestured for her to follow it as it turned to the side and began walking, the door activating and opening to reveal another chamber, one that seemed to be meant to be the office for the station's security, one wall covered with monitors, showing various angles all throughout the station, all of them showing nothing out of the ordinary. Apart from the monitors, there were five desks, along the other wall, terminals and papers on them, along with empty chairs.

"This is the Office of Security for this orbital station, ma'am. This one apologizes for the inconvenience, but there is no personnel on this orbital station to escort you. Protocol required immediate evacuation of all personnel. There has been no others aboard this orbital station, but this one authorize you to see for yourself."

The hologram then gestured to the monitors, as if it was saying that she was permitted to look through the cameras, to see if she could find anything wrong. Of course, the cameras were currently on a loop, ensuring that nothing would be out of place.

"If you have any inquires, please call upon this one. This one exist only to serve."

"Don't worry, I never shoot unless attacked first," Kirsty said as she calmly followed the A.I, into the office type room and saw the cameras, listening to the A.I's explanation of the lack of people which was expected for her and nodded calmly.

"Thank you," She said looking over the Cameras calmly only seeing a loop before glancing at the A.I.

"I think I'll be fine for now, thank you for the help," She said smiling slightly.

"I doubt names are needed, but I am Kirsty Heuchan," She said softly addressing herself as she glanced around the office of Security and calmly began pulling off her helmet freeing her hair.

Giving only an acknowledging nod, the hologram merely stood where it was currently, watching in silence. It then waited patiently as the Agent went over the cameras, listening to her as she spoke, confirming that she was indeed fine and did not require any aid at the time.

Once she had introduced herself, that bit of information had been filed away and marked as important on the summary the A.I was preparing for Dr. Steiner.

"This one is honored, Kirsty Heuchan."

It was then that the lights began to flicker more, growing darker for a moment before returning to its dimmed setting.

"This one apologize for the inconvenience, but the power is not within acceptable parameters and there is no technical engineer aboard this orbital station. All remaining power is currently rerouted to atmospheric control, life support, and security. It is currently at 27% and holding."

It was then that the hologram moved a step closer to the Agent before speaking,

"This one begs your pardon, but may this one ask for assistance in restoring the power?"

Kirsty put back on her helmet as she heard about the almost down to a quarter full power of the station and smiled a visor appearing over her face hiding her head from view.

"Of course, I always wish to help, where is the power supply?" She asked, she had been taught some skills in mechanics and was ready to try and help this A.I.

"What is needed first anyway?" She asked crossing her arms.

"The reactor in question is on Deck 43. It has been partially ruptured, but it is currently contained at the moment. The level of radiation is well above the acceptable level for humans. This one asks you to acquire an AntiRad Suit from Deck 40 first to protect yourself."

It was then that the hologram began moving toward the other side of the room, the door opening to reveal two corridors that led away from the office, and an elevator in front of the door.

There was no such radiation, naturally, but the AntiRad Suits aboard, naturally, were linked to the station's central computer and were able to provide HUD, like the Agent's helmet. However, linked, the HUD could be tampered with to show radiation levels.

The problem, however, was the reactor. It was indeed losing power, due to the fusion cells not being replaced for so long. The scientist hadn't been alerted to this problem beforehand, and she had been gone for quite a while, as the power continued to slip further and further down.

The Agent being here, however, allowed for the A.I to fix this problem, even if its goal was to capture the Agent. With this in mind, the Harvesters had been given new orders and dispatched to the deck in question, so that they could wait in ambush for the Agent once she had fixed the power supply for the station. It would also provide the Harvesters with a chance to strike at her with her guard down.

It was this scenario that had the best percentage for success, and that was enough for Nicomachus.

The doors to the elevator whirred open as the power for the lift came online, humming into life. The hologram stepped onto the elevator and waited for the Agent to follow suit.

"This one would like to express sincere appreciation in advance for your aid, Agent Heuchan."

"It's no trouble, I always like to help anyone in need, and please call me by my first name," Kirsty smiled before she walked to the elevator and calmly walked inside it and began setting it for deck 40 first to get to her suit.

Actually I'm not surprised the station's losing power, being abandoned for ages can do that.. Was her thought awaiting the elevator to go to Deck 40.

"Kirsty. This one will acknowledge you by that name from on now. This one is at ease to have the aid of another on board this orbital station. If this one may say so, the situation with the power was beginning to concern this one."

The hologram then looked at the Agent, its face as expressionless as ever, and said something that no other A.I would have ever said, which made it somewhat humorous.

"This one does rather enjoy the prospect of continued existence."

As the elevator moved from Deck 25 to Deck 40, it hummed as it moved downward, demonstrating the superb engineering that had gone into its construction from the lack of typical lift problems or sounds. Even long after its construction, the station was in surprisingly good condition, apart from the power issues.

The door opened once the elevator had stopped on Deck 40, the hologram leading the way down a corridor, doors moving out of the way to admit them. Before long, they arrived at the Radiation Control Section, the heavy door opening to reveal a locker-like room, one wall filled with various orange-colored AntiRad Suits. They were all of various sizes, form-fitting much like the Agent's own suit, and nearby, helmets and air-tanks were perched on a table, with matching codes to the AntiRad Suits they were meant for.

"This one asks you to leave your equipment inside one of the lockers and choose an AntiRad Suit in your size. You may take your weapons with you, but please exercise care with them. This one has been told that destruction by sub-fusion reaction is extremely painful."