It is well documented in the galactic community that every living world is home to giants. Unfathomable beings of renowned strength and raw power that can shape worlds to their whims. Entities so ancient and mysterious that the sapient organisms that share the world would consider them Gods. To lesser life forms, this is true. However, to life forms that rank high to the point that they are no longer shackled to a single world, these giants are nothing but brutish beasts. Savage and destructive living forces of nature. Demons. They are an infestation that plagues the galaxy, hampering progress to further advancements of civilization.

There is no better example of the tyranny of these monsters than a world residing in the outer rim of the galaxy. The world was once a lush paradise. Flora and fauna once abundant. The sky was a wonderful shade of blue with hues of green in the distance. Plentiful water filled rivers and oceans, reflecting the sky and the yellow sun.

Now, there was only death. The earth was scorched to glass, and dead rock was in place of fields. The atmosphere had grown hot and toxic, with nothing but a great eternal storm to blot out the sun. As for the water, there was nothing but an endless desert where the oceans lied. What little water that remained above ground was highly acidic, deadly to any living thing. Hence why this world, Xilif, was nothing more than an extinct planet. At least, if one were to only glance.

There stood a humanoid being, clad in a dark suit, his eyes obscured by a visor that ran along its face. The creature was but a native to this world. His kind called themselves, Xiliens. This life form had a clear view to a deserted valley, where ancient ruins stood. They were of an ancient city, one of many, that covered this planet. The structures had long been decaying, but the mangled and melted frames did little favors. The structures had blackened, as though they were bathed in fire. This was just one of many like it.

"D7989, snap out of your daze. We can't linger on the surface." A second Xilien approached, dressed in similar apparel.

A letter and a set of numbers. That is how the people of Xilif refer to each other. It was their names. Although, there was a point and time that the Xiliens had different names. They were called words rather than a serial number unique to them. These words tended to mean something in their old tongue. Such a thing was now archaic on this world.

D7989 turned away from the valley with a nod. He joined his compatriot towards a trench that split the landmass of which they stood on. They crept through the dark, rocky walls, navigating towards a separate path within the trench. They approached a dead end, where nothing but rock lied.

The second Xilien raised his arm and pressed a key on his dark glove. The stone wall sunk inward, and then it rose up, revealing a dimly lit tunnel. The two Xiliens entered and followed the long tunnel, reaching a cylindrical tube. Once inside, they were sealed. They felt this cylindrical elevator carry them down. A meter digitally counted the number of levels which they traveled. The elevator stopped, its door sliding around to allow the two to exit. They found themselves in a wide corridor. The air was cold and stale, and the metallic surfaces of the corridor were a dull grey. However, flickering lights ran along the walls, almost pulsing. When the Xiliens walked, there was a smaller but brighter light within that followed them every step of the way, like a watchful eye.

The pair made it to a large, heavy door, its individual panels separated and retracted, revealing a doorway. They found themselves in a room, where a few other Xiliens stood, clad in tight fitting jumpsuits. Their features were more evident than D7989 and his comrade.

On average, Xiliens had forward facing eyes, as was common among successful sapient organisms. They carried noses that protruded thanks to the shape of their skulls and cartilage. They lacked carnivorous fangs but had canines, implying an omnivorous diet. The Xiliens had little hair on their heads, which were mostly bald thanks to the crests that protruded from their cranium. Their hands carried five appendages, including thumbs. What stood out the most of these beings was how sickly pale that their soft mammalian skin was. Having been forced to live under ground for generations had certainly had its effects on the Xilien people.

D7989 found one Xilien to be standing before a large screen, watching surveillance footage of the surface. The Xilien stood clad in a suit made of a reflective material. Rather than just a jumpsuit, he wore a trench coat over it, the tail end reaching the metallic floor. He wore a narrow visor over his eyes, obscuring them. Like most males, his head lacked hair. However, his temples bore electronic implants, which gave a soft orange glow.

"The hydrogen oxide harvesters in our sector have been fortified, Commander," said D7989.

"Good. C4227, how goes restoring communications with Controller's Command Center?" asked the commander, speaking in a cold tone.

"Unsuccessful. The damage done during the last attack is far more extensive. We will need to rebuild from the ground up," said the second Xilien of the pair.

"See to it. We've been deaf and mute for days now. We must get back into contact with the rest of the Empire."

"Yes, Commander," said C4227. The commander turned back to the screen, where footage of the surface was displayed.

"It shan’t be long now. That demon is bound to lose interest and go away eventually," said the commander.

The Xiliens watched the screen in silence. They appeared as cool and collected that most may found unnatural. Their stoicism was mechanical. Even with the golden bolts of lightning streaking across the dark clouded sky, they didn't react.

"Monster Zero is now moving south, Commander." A Xilien spoke from his computer console.

"Very good," said the commander, his tone lacking any enthusiasm or relief.

The screen depicted the storm to be moving away passed the valley. What was revealed was a starry night sky. D7989 was fixated intensely on the image. It was rare for one to gaze upon the night sky, being forced to live underground. Even whenever he was assigned to carry out tasks on the surface, it was rarely at night. So, he took this chance to savor such an intriguing sight.

"Now that it's gone, make haste and restore communications," said the commander.

A group of Xiliens walked in an orderly fashion through a brightly lit hall. They were dressed in matching suits, comprised of coats with long tails that reached below their waists. Their features were more withered and wrinkled, their cheeks slightly sunken along with their sockets. This was evidence of their age.

Just looking at these elders, one wouldn't expect them to move at a constant pace. However, if Xiliens retained anything from their golden age, it's their mastery of technology. Thanks to honing their craft in cybernetics, they have been able to artificially extend their lifespans. Artificial organs that can support the body well beyond the old life spans of a more primitive civilization. Endoskeletal structures that augment the motor skills that even these elders can walk as brisk as a youth in their prime. Even with their advanced technology, the life of a Xilien was still finite. Whatever force that drives a life form eventually gives out, leaving a husk filled with metal and synthetic parts.

Aside from being unable to defeat the one they call, Monster Zero, the Xiliens have been unable to achieve immortality. One day, one of those things may change.

The elders assembled into a large, circular room. They took a seat in surrounding booths, which over looked a rising console from the center of the room. There was a chair that stood among the booths, where a Xilien sat. He sported the commonly worn visor, along with a dark reflective suit. His temples bore implants, which gave a soft warm glow from their lights. He raised a gloved hand to greet the elders, which they obliged. This was no mere common Xilien. This was "The Controller".

The Controller was the highest ranking position in the Xilien's caste. There was the lowest tier, comprised of laborers and soldiers. The middle tier, comprised of scientists, intelligence, and engineers. There were the higher classes, made up of leaders such as generals, politicians and diplomats. The Controller ruled them all, and had dominion over the rest. What he said goes. No one was to "go against their programming" and was to follow his will. His will came from the Xilien race's super computer. Its algorithms and data calculated solutions to any problem. It's what allowed this race to survive for this long.

"Thank you for coming. I've summoned you here as to inform you all of how dire our situation has become," said Controller. He pressed a button on the arm rest of his chair. The console in the center of the room hummed to life. On its flat surface, light and images were projected.

"After assessing all of our current data, it has become apparent that our civilization may well be on its way to complete annihilation. Every day, the Hydrogen Oxide plant turns out less and less water to sustain us. With Monster Zero dominating the surface of our planet, we may have less than a year before our world's last reservoir runs dry. Xilif is doomed to be a tomb."

"Then there is no hope. Our species shall be extinct." An elder spoke, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy.

"Not quite. Xilif may be passed the point of return, but our people may survive," said The Controller, as he pressed another key on his chair. A holographic image appeared in the center, depicting a wireframe of a spherical object.

"1000 years ago, before we were invaded by Monster Zero, our people were making steps to expand beyond the confines of Xilif and to other worlds. I've stumbled across the data involving everything on this expansionist project. Including a mobile habitat that can support us," said Controller.

"Building such a vessel would take tremendous time and resources. Both of which we lack," said an elder.

"Except our people had already built the vessel. It lies stationed on the moon, Xod. We need only to focus our resources on building spacecraft to get there."

Holographic blue prints appeared, depicting parts and designs for vehicles that resembled saucers.

"Once we leave this system, will be able to tap into the resources that we will desperately need."

"What of Monster Zero? It will surely bring our ships down before we can even escape the gravity well." asked an elder.

"Hence why we shall leave in not one single ship. Not two. Not three, but as multiple fleets. Each ship housing a number of passengers from each caste. Monster Zero won't be able to catch all of us."

"You're suggesting that we sacrifice our own?" An elder asked, incredulous.

"I'm suggesting that we use our numbers to our advantage. For the survival of our race. The data says it is our only chance." The Controller spoke coldly.

The Xilien Empire found itself in a state of emergency. These beings worked tirelessly to prepare for a mass exodus from their dying world. They built ships by the multitude, utilizing the blueprints and designs that their ancestors left behind.

All hands were on deck. From the lowest to the highest of castes. The data required every bit of its info replicated in order to guarantee success.

The Super computer system that the Xiliens followed was able to uplift them in many ways, but it could never offer a solution to destroy the beast that invaded their world. No weapon in their Arsenal was able to destroy Zero, let alone drive it away. It only seemed to aggravate it more and led to the devastation today. So, they would have to leave if they wished to survive.

If the beast wished to cling to a dead world, then so be it. The Xilien race will seek riches beyond their star.

The time to leave was upon them. Right now, the Xiliens were loading up supplies, equipment and what remained of their resources and supplies. Everything was divided amongst ships, as to reduce the likelihood of more losses from the massacre that was bound to occur. The Controller found himself seated upon a chair in his saucer. His crew readied the ship, pressing away at glowing keys on their consoles. The hanger was filled with several other ships, which had been prepped for launch.

Right now, there were other hangers like this. Filled with ready ships and passengers. Soon, they will all leave simultaneously and spread out to the open sky. If things go as calculated, at least a third of the ships will be wiped out. If the Controller was to be to be among the losses, then so be it.

"Give confirmation for takeoff," ordered Controller. A hologram in front of him depicted icons, representing the ships under his command. One by one, the icons flashed green, followed by a positive beep.

"All ships are ready for launch, Controller," said a crew member.

"Here me, my brothers and sisters. Our home, Xilif, is dead. We fought long and hard, but we were no match for Monster Zero. But, this planet shall not be our grave. I won't lie, not all of us will survive this exodus. Just know that your deaths are for the greater good of your people. Good luck," said The Controller.

The hanger hummed as a tunnel was lit up by a trail of flashing lights. At the end, a metallic wall rose, revealing the hazardous landscape. The saucers hummed loudly as they began to levitate into the air.

"Saucer is airborne," said a crew member, grasping a pair of handles, which controlled the ship's movement. The handles were like harnesses, locking onto the pilot's arms. A helmet slid over his head, giving him an open feed of the outside. The cabin grew quiet, save for the muffled hum of the ship's engine. The Controller firmly grasped his arm rests, keeping a stoic demeanor.

"3. 2. 1. LAUNCH!"

With a rumble and long hum, the saucer began to accelerate through the tunnel. Its speed quickly built up, as the lights in the hanger flashed by. The saucer whined as it shot out of the hanger, built into the side of a mountain. Several other saucers followed the leading ship out.

From the surrounding land masses, a multitude of flying saucers launched. The air was filled with the loud, eerie hums and whines of the ships.

"Storm is approaching, Controller," said a crew member, turning from his screen.

"It's coming. All ships, spread out."

As commanded, the saucers began to spread out into the sky. As they ascended into the daylight sky, great storm clouds engulf the light of the sun. Yellow bolts of lightning streaked from the clouds, zipping passed the ships. The saucers shot into the storm, trembling from the weather. The Controller monitored the vital signs of the ships that made up the empire. So far, there were no losses.

That all changed once a number of the icons started to flash yellow. The coms began to crackle and fill with frantic reports of sighting the enemy. They quickly cut off, followed by their respective icons turning a deep red. In just moments, the numerous icons began to turn to this dreadful color, as coms went silent.

"We're losing many ships, Controller!" cried one of the crewmembers.

"Compose yourself. Keep monitoring the ships. All units, continue ascent," said Controller, as composed as ever. The ship began to rock from the intensity of the storm. Lightning bolts streaked by, narrowly hitting the ship. From inside of the cabin, a horrible, haunting wail muffled through. The sound made the crew anxious, as their normally composed behaviors wore down. Their breathing grew quick, and sweat began to trickle down their faces. The Controller remained calm. There was no sense in panic. It would not help nor change their fate.

The Controller brought up the visual feed of the rear of the ship. What he saw made his mechanical heart rapidly pump. It was rare for such a machine-like being as himself to feel such primitive emotions such as fear. He saw a few ships that had not followed orders to spread out and had opted to tail after his ship. Behind them among the storm, a great shadow was briefly illuminated. Eyes like fire glared after the ships.

It was rare for one to catch a glimpse of Zero. Even more rare to see it in all of its horror. He read of archives of those that survived the beast from millennia ago, describing its horrible visage. This did no justice to actually seeing it.

The creature was a great reptilian creature, covered in dull yellow or possible golden scales. It bore three long serpentine necks, with horrible heads that were like demons. The heads bore long horns that stuck from their skulls and jaws. The heads were long and bore sunken beady fiery eyes. There were gnarly long fangs and short carnivorous teeth that stuck out from the monster's exposed gums, dripping saliva onto the forked tongue. The creature's heads bore protruding hair-like tendrils that moved with the wind. Its massive body was carried by a pair of even larger wings, with dark membranes that caught onto the winds. Its twin tails hung behind, covered in barbs. Its feet dangled beneath it, as it stretched out its necks to ascend higher after the ships. Its heads cackled and shriek as they gained onto the fleeing ships it had in its sights.

"We're almost out of the planet's gravity well! Divert all power from the shields and into the engine!" The Controller ordered. Frantically, the crew began to type away at their consoles. There was a louder hum that filled the cabin, as the engines went into overdrive. They were immediately pushed back into their seats, as the acceleration increased. It was a dangerous thing to bring down the shields in this storm, but it was their only chance to escape.

The ship began to leave its pursuers behind. The Controller watched the feed intensely, as Zero caught up to the slower saucers. Its mighty jaws clamped down upon the ships, causing them to burst into fire. It then began to descend down, disappearing among the storm.

The saucer burst through the clouds. It found itself rising up to a dark void, decorated in numerous small lights. The Controller's heart began to pump at a steady pace. His calm returned as he changed the feed to the front. The saucer was high above the atmosphere, able to see the planet below. Xilif was a dull, grey world, with no signs of water anywhere on its surface. There was however a great dark splotch on its surface. That was the great storm that Zero brought with it. It covered around 40 percent of the planet's surface.

The Controller turned his attention back to another hologram, depicting the icons of the ships in their fleet. There were numerous red marks. About one third of the fleet died. Perhaps a little bit more based on those fools who disobeyed his orders. No matter, the losses were acceptable. He found the other saucers to be scattered about in orbit, rising after his ship.

"All ships, continue to Xod."

It has been over a month since the Xiliens escaped to the research station on their moon, Xod. Just as the archives documented, there was indeed a colony ship stationed here. It exceeded all expectations in fact. The vessel was massive, at least several times larger than the demon that plagued them. Its surface was a dull silver color, bearing segments all around its surface.

The ship was said to have utilize the anti-gravity technology that the Xiliens had during the height of their civilization before Zero arrived. The ship was able to house around thousands of members, with life support systems that could allow them to live in the void of space itself. However, that was not viable. The Xiliens needed a new world to call 'Home'.

The ship would house them, allowing them to travel to a habitable planet where they can restart. The research station was stocked with plenty of water, synthetic foods and other useful equipment that they can take with them. There was even preserved genetic material from long ago. Sperm, eggs, and embryos locked in stasis. The idea was to use these to help jumpstart colonial development. The genetic diversity, and that being specimens with a much more diverse genetic template from a lost past had shot the Xiliens survival chance beyond what was previously calculated.

The colony vessel hummed and roared as it powered on. It was fully boarded and stocked. Conduits plugged into the ship disengaged and removed themselves, as the ship levitated from the launch station. It ascended higher and higher, sending dust across the land. The ship soon began to move away from the moon, leaving the orbit of Xilif.

The Controller stood in a large control room, where he watched a holographic screen. He watched as the world and moon grew smaller. He could still make out the ugly dead rock, and the hated splotch of the storm. It was now housing one living thing, who for whatever reason had destroyed everything.

While The Controller may have guaranteed the survival of his people, he couldn't help but feel a sense of shame and humiliation. He was unable to find a way to restore things to what they were. He instead exiled himself and his people to the great unknown. He heard of whispers of how the events had led to less productivity as of late. Hence why it had taken this long to launch the ship. The efficiency had gone down since they left Xilif. Either everyone was exhausted, or morale had dipped significantly. This would not bode well.

The Controller pressed a key on his gauntlet. From the wall, a panel slid open and revealed a floating orb with a camera lens. It hovered to him and remained stationary. From all around the ship, holographic screens appeared, depicting The Controller. His voice began to emit from every room and station on the ship, catching the crew's attention.

"People of Xilif, we are now leaving our system in search of another. I know of your woe to have abandon our world. I know that we've lost many of our own. However, you must not allow yourselves to succumb to despair. We shall fight on. Once we find refuge, we shall rebuild. Then when we are ready, we shall retake Xilif from the clutches of Zero. It may not be during our generation, or the next generation. But I vow to you that the day shall come."

After addressing the crew, the feed cut off. The Controller took a seat on his chair, giving a weary sigh. It was just a speech to stimulate the crew, but perhaps one day, Xilif may truly be saved. Until then, The Controller would dedicate much of his days to researching the archives. Much of the data had been corrupted over the years, but if he can restore them, he can find what other wonders his people had before their fall. When he does, they'll be ready

Art is by me