Ra crept along shrouded by the dense undergrowth. In the shadows, she suddenly straightened. She pressed her body against the trunk of a birch tree and slowed her breathing. About a hundred feet away stood a heavy four legged mammal with a thick red and orange hide.


    The beast lumbered monotonously past.. Ra didn’t even twitch. After it had gone away, she exhaled with relief. It was much too high a level for her to try and fight.


    Then again all the wildlife in these parts could probably kill her with one hit. But she wasn’t here to hunt, she was here for a quest probably meant for someone twice her level.


    The goal was to retrieve an item hidden in the forest and return it to the quest giver. She’d already died several times and had to restart each time, but the reward would make it totally worth it.


    “The reports are in.” Franz’s voice issued from the communicator.


    “I’ll meet you in the map room.”


    Ra ended up heading straight for headquarters instead of turning in her quest. She been expecting only Franz but Eileen, Ruben, and Arya were also there.


    “I’m telling you! The commander is going to leave us at their mercy. We have no fleet and our weapons are practically sticks and stones!”


    “That’s enough Ruben.” Arya raised her hands placatingly. “I’m sure its because she plans on taking a diplomatic approach.”


    Franz and Eileen were completely ignoring their colleagues’ conversation instead immersed in observing the newly explored regions.


    “Ah, Commander.” Mordred appeared at Ra’s shoulder having just arrived.


    “You’re here too?”Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    “To see what economic opportunities lie in our future. I also promised Stettman I’d bring him a listing of all the systems we’ve explored.”


    “I see.”


    Franz and Eileen noticed the pair’s arrival and came over. “So what’s the situation?” asked Ra.


    “The region has been thoroughly explored,” replied Franz promptly. “Small number of worlds made it easy. We’ve discovered only a single wormhole. Not sure where it leads yet.”


    Wormholes were essential for travel. The only way to travel from one region to another quickly was via wormhole, or later, space tunnels.


    “We have detected signs of other civilizations from the region north of us,” continued Eileen. “But we can’t get more detail without scouting the region ourselves.”


    “You remember what I told you, right?”


    “Map the galaxy as inconspicuously as possible and notify you of possible contact.”


    “Very good. Recall the scouts, I’ll let you know when it’s time to start again.”


    The pair bowed once before returning to their duties. Ra turned to leave.


    “Where are you going?” asked Mordred curiously.


    “I have other matters to attend to. It’s almost time for phase two of the plan.”


    Mordred rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “I can’t wait.”


    ***


    A very delighted old man gratefully accepted the leather bound book Ra handed him.”I can’t believe you managed to find my grandson’s journal in that giant forest. He’s certainly got the gumption of an adventurer but he keeps dropping his stuff...”


    The old man trailed off for moment. “Anyways I believe I owe you a reward. It’s not much, but please, accept this.” He handed her an ornamental dagger. It’s combat stats were practically nonexistent but Ra cared more about the experience she gained.


    Another level. Better stats. New skills. Money. These were the things she was trying to gain while she waited for Stettman’s notice that basic warp technology was online.