My mind was filled with anxiety. How could we have lost a war? What reason would a war have even started in space? Was it worth even trying to survive? No, that was a non-starter. I would make a life here, I was always meant to do so in the first place, but this situation was FAR out of my expectations.

  Depression was going to be a real challenge. Still, I had work to do if any of us on the station were going to survive. "Computer, do we have sufficient parts to create a secondary VR interface, and if so, can we create micro satellites to transmit the signal anywhere on the surface?"

  'Analyzing, affirmative, sufficient materials are available for this project. Would you like me to begin construction?'

  "Confirmed, prioritize the micro satellites first, and deploy them on their proper orbits as they become available, incorporate the station itself into the matrix. Once all of the satellites have been launched, create the VR interface and power supply, storing those parts in the descent vehicle. Ignore any non-essential goods for now. We may even recycle the molecules of several items that will not be required with the technology available on the surface."

  'Confirmed, construction beginning. Incoming transmission.'

  "On screen." I hoped against hope for a better response.

  The screen was even more distorted on this communication than on the last one. "M..s..e re...v.d. T.o .ar t. ..lp. F.v. C.nt.r.es to r.a.h yo.r l.c.ti.n. A.d sh.p e.r.ut., w.ll r.p.p.la.e S.at.on o.ce a.r.v.. A.ph. .et. o.t." Five centuries to reach us from the only station that could help us! Then what happened to all our support ships that had already been sent?

  'Message terminated.' The unemotional voice of the computer made me angry, but there was no point in raging. 'Emergency signal received.' Rather snappily, I ordered the signal to be displayed.

  "Please, Gods, save us!" I groaned; it was another couple seemingly praying to the Comm Station in their settlement.

  "This is Pamela, I hear your call soon if possible, I will descend into the Defender placed in your settlement millennia in the past. Your ancestors failed to teach their children to keep the Defender clean and the importance of it. If the Defender can't move, there will be nothing I can do. I will aid you if I can, but do not harm the Defender!"

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  I closed the channel and went again to the VR interface, and with a flash of light, I was inside the Mech Defender in this second settlement. Checking the power available, it was even less than the previous Mech, at only sixteen percent power. Immediately, I stood up and activated the plasma blade, cleaning the mech's solar collectors, allowing the power to start ticking back up, but with the power so low, it would take ages. Activating the plasma blade had knocked off two percent, bringing me down to fourteen percent at first, and the drain of the blade slowed the power gain horribly.

  I deactivated the plasma blade once more, allowing the power to tick up faster. If I didn't gain back at least five percent, it would be a waste of effort turning it off, but I had to try something to gain some more power. Running wasn't an option, so I walked slowly, conserving power as I hoped the charge would increase some. The defenders hadn't noticed me yet, but it was very much a similar setting to the previous settlement. Archaic as it seemed, the walls were helping to keep the beasts at bay, but only just, with the spears the defenders were using only causing minor injuries to annoy the creatures.

  These were different from the last creatures. Almost Dragon-like in their appearance, but oddly with fur-covered bodies, and, thank all that's holy, their wings were vestigial, rather than practical. I actually had to climb a ladder to conserve power, but by the time I reached the top of the wall, I had mercifully regained six percent power, and I stood there pondering the best action as the people finally noticed my arrival. I couldn't jump down as I had with the previous creatures; I lacked the power supply to fight so carelessly this time.

  Noting what seemed like a large spear, or arrow for something truly massive, I picked it up. Turning to the largest of the beasts, I hurled it with tremendous force. The bolt flew true, and ripped a hole through not only my target, but two behind it, only the first and third were fatal wounds, the second one only got scratched. One defender braver than any person I had met so far pointed behind me, where a stack of similar bolts lay. I nodded the Mech's head, and went to pick up another bolt. Using the bolts allowed me to conserve power while dealing sufficient damage, I managed to thin the herd quite a bit before they decided to attempt fleeing.

  Now was the time to activate the plasma blade. I leapt into battle with my white flame whirling in deadly arcs, not letting a single beast escape. I took a few tail lashes, but the damage was minimal. The people looked on with horror-stricken wonder as I dismembered beast after beast. The final creature turned to me and sprayed something from its mouth; this defiance served nothing, as my blade intercepted the spray, causing it to flare up, following the spray back to its source. Once the flames reached its maw, there was a fwoosh, and the creature's belly exploded with flames licking at the sides of its wound.

  I deactivated my plasma blade and checked my power supply; four percent remaining, this was far too close for comfort. Moving to a bright patch, I stood there absorbing as much sunlight as I could for a few minutes, waiting for the power to tick back up to at least ten percent before returning the Defender to its plinth. Being glad I had cleaned the plinth while I was there before, I stepped onto the contacts, and while the people watched in awe, I nodded at the person who had directed me to the bolts, then powered down the mech, and my vision flashed as I once again returned to the station.