Story

Episode 1 - The Howaks

Station Nostrau 4 detects an energy anomaly. After a quick verification, the report of an unidentified vessel in the perimeter is transmitted to the STS 27. The current commander receives the data and, facing the urgency, summons the Tazéraks of the High Council. She lays out the situation plainly. Long-range scans are ineffective due to the vessel's advanced jamming capabilities. It is an unknown civilization. The Council makes its decision and sends the ship on a reconnaissance mission to Zone 4.

The ship activates its stealth propulsion and hull deformation to become undetectable. However, once on site, analysis reveals a critical danger: the unknown craft possesses two scanners and risks detecting them. The image on the screen leaves no doubt regarding the nature of the threat; the vessel is heavily armed. To avoid an immediate target lock, the crew turns back and returns to the Nestrocoria base.

During the debriefing, the commander confirms that this civilization utilizes an unknown form of energy. A councilor then questions her decision not to engage. She firmly justifies her choice. The STS 27's electromagnetic weapon would have left no survivors; while it neutralizes weapons, it also destroys life support systems. This technology is designed for targeted ground structures, not manned spacecraft. Astrocols do not destroy life. She concludes by requesting the recall of the STS 27's true commander, Eydrene Soriane.

Meanwhile, the STS 27 continues to monitor the intruder from a distance. The unknown vessel heads straight for Earth without having detected the Astrocols' presence. The crew remains out of range to avoid any lock-on from short-range weapons. By observing the trajectory, they realize it is an observation mission. Suddenly, the STS 27 detects a disturbing maneuver: the strange vessel has just abducted a human. This civilization captures inhabitants to study them, all while remaining discreet.

End of the episode

In light of these actions, the Astrocols name this unknown civilization the Howaks, a term from their own language designating an aggressive species.