We Cried for Help—Only Humans Chose to Stand with Us | Best HFY Stories | HFY Sci-Fi Story

the emergency transmission cut through the quiet night shift at un space command headquarters Katherine Miller stared at her screen as the message played her coffee cup Frozen halfway to her lips the blues skinned Centurian ambassador's voice trembled with fear this is ambassador trell of centu prime we are under attack the void Empire has breached our outer defenses they're killing everyone please Earth anyone help us the transmission crackled with static before cutting out completely Katherine's hand shook as she set down her cup 5 years of peaceful relations with the centurians flashed through her mind their first

Contact the trading agreements the cultural exchanges now their allies were facing extinction she pressed the emergency alert button this is Ambassador Miller wake up Admiral Walker and the security Council now within 30 minutes the UN space commands crisis room filled with Earth's top military and political leaders Admiral James Walker a tall man with gray hair and Stern features stood at the front of the room the recording played again this time accompanied by satellite imagery showing void Empire warships surrounding centor Prime the void Empire launched their Attack 3 hours ago Walker said his voice tight with

controlled anger their Fleet outnumbers the Cent Ian Defense Forces 5 to1 we're looking at a deliberate genocide what about the other space fairing races someone asked the arterian the Meridian Collective they've all declared neutrality Katherine answered her frustration evident they won't risk opposing the void Empire Walker pulled up more images on the main screen they showed cities burning civilian ships being shot down as they tried to escape the centurians are peaceful their military was designed for defense not war without help they'll be wiped out within days the room fell silent Earth had never faced a

decision like this before the void Empire was the most powerful force in the known Galaxy standing against them would mean War a war Humanity might not survive Catherine fought back to her first meeting with the centurians they had approached Earth with open arms Shar ing their knowledge freely while other alien races have been cautious or dismissive of humanity the centurions saw potential in them they had helped Earth develop its Space Program provided medical knowledge that saved millions of lives if we help them the defense secretary said we'll be signing our own death warrant the void

Empires technology is centuries ahead of ours and if we don't Catherine stood up her voice firm if we let them die what does that say about Humanity the centurians are our friends they trusted us they helped us and now when they need us most we're going to debate whether saving them is convenient Admiral wer nodded Ambassador Miller is right but the decision needs to be unanimous the consequences will affect all of humanity for 3 hours they debated reports kept coming in from centur Prime cities falling Millions dead the void Empire's demands were simple surrender and

face Extinction or fight and face Extinction finally the UN Secretary General called for a vote the room grew quiet as hands raised one by one the decision was unanimous Admiral Walker immediately began issuing orders launch the emergency response Fleet contact all our allies as of this moment Earth is at war with the void Empire Catherine rushed to send a message to centor Prime hold on help is coming Earth stands with you as she watched Earth's ships prepare for departure Catherine remembered something a Centurian Elder once told her the true measure of civilization isn't its technology

or its wealth it's the courage to stand up for what's right even when it costs you everything the next few hours were a blur of AC activity ships were loaded with troops and supplies defense systems were activated worldwide every human colony was put on high alert Admiral Walker found Catherine in her office as Dawn broke over New York you should get some rest he said the real fight hasn't even started she shook her head how can I we just committed Humanity to a war we might not survive maybe Walker smiled slightly but we committed to

the right side sometimes that's all that matters outside her window Catherine watched the first rays of sunlight paint the sky orange Somewhere Out There the centurians were fighting for survival waiting for help that only Earth had the courage to provide the war for survival was about to begin and Humanity had chosen its path they would stand with their friends whatever the cost Lieutenant Emily Parker stood on the bridge of the US defiant watching the massive void Empire blockade through the main viewport her mission was clear but nearly impossible break through their lines and evacuate as

many Centurian civilians as they could status report she called out keeping her voice steady despite her racing heart technical officer Michael Roberts looked up from his station enemy ships are maintaining their pattern but I found something interesting in their Shield frequencies there's a pattern a weakness we might be able to use Emily walked to his station studying the complex data on his screen while other military ships were engaging the void Empire in direct combat the defiant had a different Mission they needed stealth not Firepower how long to analyze the pattern she asked 20 minutes Michael

replied maybe less they're killing more civilians every minute Emily said we've got 10 the bridge crew worked intense silence through their long rrange cameras they could see the burning cities of centory prime the void Empire wasn't just winning they were destroying everything Michael's voice broke the silence got it their Shield cycle every 8 seconds there's a half second Gap when they're weakest if we time it right we can slip through Emily finished she turned to her Communications officer send word to the EV uation teams we're going in the defiant moved silently through space running dark

to avoid detection Emily had trained for combat her whole career but nothing had prepared her for this one mistake would mean death for everyone aboard and for the thousands of civilians counting on them enemy Patrol approaching the radar operator warned hold position Emily ordered they watched as two massive void Empire ships passed by barely a kilometer away nobody on the bridge dared to breathe after what felt like hours Michael spoke again Shield Gap in 10 seconds N9 8 Emily gripped her chair all power to engines on my Mark 3 2 1 Mark the defiant shot

forward like a bullet for a heart stopping moment they were surrounded by the Shimmer of enemy Shields then they were through racing toward the surface of centor prime multiple ships detecting us the radar operator shouted they're scrambling Fighters stay on course Emily ordered get us to the evacuation point the ship rocked with nearby explosions as enemy fire filled space around them but the defiant was smaller and faster than anything the void Empire had they Dove through the atmosphere skimming the tops of burning buildings when they landed at The Hidden evacu uation point they found hundreds

of centurion civilians waiting with just a few guards among them was Thomas Reed one of the few remaining Centurion historians quickly Emily shouted as the loading ramps descended we have 10 minutes before they pinned down our location as the civilians rushed aboard Thomas approached Emily you humans he said his voice filled with emotion we asked every space fairing race for help the arterian said it wasn't their problem the Meridian Collective said it was too risky but you came we'll need your help in return Michael said still working at his console I found a weakness in

their defense systems but I need to understand their technology better Thomas nodded whatever you need but why why risk everything for us Emily helped the Centurion child up the ramp because it's right because you're our friends and because if we let them destroy you we're next the ship was almost full when the first enemy Fighters appeared overhead time to go Emily shouted everyone in the defiant lifted off under heavy fire Emily's hands Flew Over the controls weaving through anti-aircraft fire Michael's discovery about their Shield frequencies proved invaluable as they punched through the blockade again this

time with their Precious Cargo as they jumped to safety Emily looked at the scanner showing hundreds of frightened but alive centurions in their cargo Bol it was a small victory in a massive war but it was something they'll remember this Thomas said quietly no matter what happens the Galaxy will remember that when everyone else turned away Humanity came to help Michael was already working with other Centurion refugees learning more about void Empire technology we'll need more than memories to win this war he said we'll need everything we can get Emily agreed but for now we've

given them something just as important as Weapons we've given them hope the defiant sped toward Earth carrying the first of many refugees it was just the beginning of a long fight but Humanity had shown the Galaxy something important sometimes the strongest weapons aren't guns or ships but the courage to do what's right Captain Robert Hayes stood in the command center of Earth's largest space station watching red dots multiply across the Tactical display each dot represented a void Empire ship heading toward human colonies the enemy had made their decision Earth would pay for helping the centurians

sir a young officer called out transmission from the void Empire Robert straightened his uniform put it through the screen filled with the dark shadowy form of the Void Empire's Supreme Commander its voice was cold and mechanical you have 24 hours to abandon your alliance with the centurians refuse and we will destroy every human Colony one by one Dr Elizabeth Cooper Earth's leading weapon scientist Stood Beside Robert she had been working day and night with Centurian refugees to find ways to fight back we need more time she whispered the new defense systems are ready Robert's response

was firm Earth doesn't abandon its friends you can threaten us all you want but we won't stand by while you commit genocide then you have chosen Extinction the Supreme Commander said before cutting the transmission Elizabeth rushed back to her lab where human and Centurian scientists worked together parts and pieces of void Empire technology salvaged from battles covered the tables we have to work faster she announced they're coming in the refugee sector thousands of centurians watched the news with growing horror Earth was about to face the Empire's wrath because of them some suggested surrendering to save

their human allies but Robert had other plans he called an emergency meeting with the surviving Centurian military leaders we need everything you know about their attack patterns he said we may be outgunned but we can outsmart them the first attack came early a void Empire Fleet jumped into orbit around Mars colony but Earth was ready new defense satellites built with combined human and Centurian technology activated the battle was fierce but the colony held it worked Elizabeth shouted as she watched the data stream in the shields are holding their victory was shortlived more void Empire ships

arrived at other colonies Venus station sent out a distress call then Jupiter's moons Earth's forces were spread thin fighting desperately at every Point Robert hadn't slept in days neither had his crew they coordinated defenses moved refugees and tried to predict where the enemy would strike next every hour brought news of both victories and losses in her lab Elizabeth made a breakthrough Captain she called Robert on the emergency line we figured it out there weapons use a specific energy frequency if we can match it and reverse it in simple English Doctor Robert said tiredly we can

turn their own weapons against them but we'll need to get very close to their ships dangerously close Robert looked at the Tactical display again more red dots were appearing every hour they were running out of options how long to install this on our ships 12 hours for the first one but captain Elizabeth hesitated the first test could go wrong very wrong everything about this war could go wrong Robert replied do it as Elizabeth's team worked Robert met with the Centurion leaders again they had been monitoring Communications across the Galaxy other races were watching Earth's resistance

with growing interest you've shown more courage than all other species combined one Centurion Commander said even now facing destruction you don't bend Robert shook his head it's not courage it's who we are humans don't like bullies no matter how big they are the next day they tested Elizabeth's weapon a small Earth Ship faced off against a void Empire Cruiser the weapon worked but the cost was high the Earth Ship was badly damaged in the process still it was hope for the first time they had a way to hurt the enemy Robert sent a message to

all Earth forces we knew the price of standing up to the void Empire would be high today we show them that Humanity's will to fight for what's right is stronger than their will to destroy today we show the Galaxy that Earth doesn't bow to threats we stand with our allies no matter the cost as his word spread something unexpected happened two neutral alien species impressed by Earth Earth's determination began sending supplies and support the Galaxy was watching and Humanity's courage was changing Minds the war was far from over but Earth had proven something important sometimes

the greatest power isn't in weapons or ships but in the willingness to stand firm when it matters most marine Commander David Anderson crouched behind a fallen pillar on centory Prime watching enemy troops March through the ruined streets his team of human Marines and Centurion Fighters waited silently in the shadows they had one chance to take back the Capital City's main power station remember he whispered Into His Radio we're not just fighting for Earth anymore this is our home too The Joint human Centurion Force had trained together for weeks at first it had been awkward different

languages different ways of fighting but now they moved as one unit the centurions had taught the humans about stealth and patience while the humans had shared their aggressive tactical skills sir his second in command whispered enemy Patrol approaching David raised his hand signaling everyone to stay still three void Empire soldiers walked past their position their black armor gleaming in the dim light they looked powerful and scary but David's team had learned something important they weren't Invincible the signal came from the other side of the street a small group of Civilian survivors had spotted a gap

in the enemy defenses it was time to move Team One Go David ordered quietly humans and centurions moved together through the ruins they had practiced this dozens of times the centurion's natural ability to move silently made them perfect for clearing the path the humans followed with their heavy weapons inside the power station they found what they were looking for a new new type of void Empire weapon scientists like Dr Cooper needed to study it to find more weaknesses pack it up David ordered quickly but nothing in war is ever easy an alarm blared through the

building they had been spotted defensive positions David shouted protect the tech team the battle that followed would be remembered for years humans and centurians fought side by side covering each other's weaknesses when human weap couldn't Pierce enemy Shields Centurion technology found a way through when Centurion Fighters needed cover human Marines provided heavy fire sir one of his soldiers called out they're broadcasting this David looked at the small screen the battle was being transmitted across the Galaxy other alien races were watching humans and centurians fight together against impossible odds good David said firing his rifle let

them see what real allies do for each other the fight for the power station lasted three hours they lost good people both human and Centurion but they held their ground when the last enemy soldier fell David looked around at his mixed team they were tired hurt but proud a young Centurian fighter helped a wounded human Marine walk two human Engineers worked with Centurion technicians to secure the captured weapon this was what the void Empire feared most different species working together becoming stronger than they were alone Commander His Radio crackled you need to see this on

every screen in the power station images appeared from across the Galaxy the broadcast of their battle had worked better than they hoped other alien races inspired by what they saw were finally taking sides ships from two more species had arrived to help Earth and the centor they're calling it The Battle of Nova station his officer said they're saying it shows what's possible when species work together David watched his team secure the area humans were treating Centurion wounds centurians were sharing their food with hungry Marines this was more than just fighting this was proving that different

species could be more than allies they could be brothers he clicked on his radio base this is command Ander Anderson power station is secured but we got something more important than just a building we showed the Galaxy what Humanity stands for the response came from Admiral Walker himself well done Commander your team just changed the course of this war as David watched the sun rise over the ruined City he thought about how this all started Earth could have stayed neutral like the other races they could have watched the centurians die in instead they chose to

fight the Centurian Soldier handed him some water my children asked why humans would die for us he said I told them it's because you remember what so many others forgot that the strong must protect the weak or We All Fall together David nodded the battle for centory Prime was far from over but today they had won something more valuable than territory they had one hope Admiral James Walker stood on the bridge of the Earth Flagship Thunder watching his Fleet gather for operation Thunderbolt 500 ships the largest human Fleet ever assembled they were joined by 30

Centurian vessels and for the first time ships from two other alien races All Ships report ready sir his Bridge officer announced James nodded send the signal operation Thunderbolt begins now back on Earth Dr Elizabeth Cooper worked with her mixed team of human and alien scientists the weapon they captured from the Power Station had given them exactly what they needed on her main screen a simulation showed how to break the void Empire's strongest Shields it's ready she told her team send the data to Admiral Walker's Fleet the plan was bold but simple while the main Fleet

attacked the void Empire's largest base Lieutenant Emily Parker would leave a special team to sneak inside and plant plant the new weapon it would disable their Shields from within Emily's small ship the defiant hid behind a large asteroid waiting for the battle to begin her crew included both humans and centurians now all experts in stealth operations remember she told them we only get one shot at this the battle began with a massive flash as Earth's Fleek jumped into view the void Empire's base at giant black structure floating in space immediately launched its Defenders my God

someone whispered on Emily's Bridge there are thousands of them but this time Earth wasn't fighting alone as void Empire ships rushed to meet Walker Fleet ships from their new allies attacked from different directions the space around the base erupted in explosions and weapons fire Dr Cooper watched the battle data from Earth the plan is working she said there ships are spreading thin just like we hoped on the Thunder Admiral Walker directed the battle with calm Precision group three push forward group five cover their flank Centurian vessels strike at their fuel stations the battle was huge

but it was just a distraction the real Mission belonged to Emily and her team on the defiant there's our Gap Emily said spotting a hole in the enemy defense full power to engines the defiant shot forward using the chaos of battle as cover enemy ships were too busy fighting the main Fleet to notice one small vessel slipping through their lines inside the void Empire base diplomatic Officer Jennifer Phillips was doing her part she had spent weeks talking to other alien races showing them proof of the Void Empire's crimes now watching the battle she saw more

ships arriving reinforcements from species that had finally chosen to fight look she told her staff pointing at the Tactical display three more fleets just join our side the Galaxy is waking up Emily's team reached the base's main Shield generator they had 10 minutes to plant the device before enemy troops found them as humans set up defenses centurians worked on breaking through the security systems 5 minutes Emily called out as the first enemy soldiers attacked their position the battle outside grew more intense Admiral Walker's voice came over all channels Hold the Line give the Strike Team

more time in her lab Dr Cooper watched the device's signal it's almost ready she said just a few more seconds the device activated with a pulse that spread through the entire base suddenly the mighty Shields of the Void Empire's strongest Fortress disappeared all ships attack Walker ordered without their Shields the base's defenses crumbled Emily's team fought their way back to the defiant as Allied ships poured fire Into the Now vulnerable structure hours later the battle was over the void Empire's main base was destroyed their Fleek was scattered for the first time since the War Began

they were running away on the Thunders Bridge Admiral Walker received reports from across the Galaxy more alien races were declaring support for earth and its allies the void Empire's grip on power was breaking send word to Earth he ordered operation Thunderbolt is a success but more importantly we're not alone anymore Jennifer Phillips was already talking to leaders from six more alien species they see it now she told Walker they see that standing together makes us stronger than standing alone Emily's team returned to Cheers from both human and alien Crews their bravery had helped turn the

tide of war the void Empire was still dangerous but everything had Chang Earth had shown the Galaxy a different way one where species helped each other fought for each other and stood together against tyranny the real Victory wasn't just destroying a base it was showing that unity and courage could overcome even the darkest evil Commander David Anderson walked through a Centurian detention camp that his forces had just liberated the sight broke his heart thousands of civilians kept in horrible conditions but among the sadness he saw hope human Medical Teams worked alongside centorian healers helping the

weak other alien allies brought food and supplies Commander His Radio crackled we found something you need to see this in a hidden room they discovered the truth about the void Empire computer files showed their real history they weren't naturally evil they were afraid long ago their own people had almost been wiped out by a now extinct race they decided that the only way to survive was to become the strongest to crush anyone who might one day threaten them fear made them into monsters David said quietly on the flagship Thunder Admiral Walker received the files send

this to every species in the Galaxy he ordered they need to understand what we're really fighting the war had spread to three star systems the void Empire was losing ground but fighting desperately they attacked civilian targets trying to break their enemies will to fight Lieutenant Emily Parker led a rescue mission to a burning human Colony her ship the defiant had a mixed crew now humans centurions and members of three other spe species they work together perfectly saving thousands of Lives why do you keep fighting a rescued alien child asked her your people could have stayed

safe Emily smiled sadly because if we don't stop them here they'll hurt more people sometimes you have to fight not just for yourself but for everyone back on Earth Dr Elizabeth Cooper made another breakthrough the captured void Empire files helped her understand that technology better their weapons their ships they're all built on fear she explained to her team they never trusted anyone so they never shared knowledge or worked with others that's their biggest weakness the next battle proved her right a void Empire Fleet attacked Mars colony again but this time they faced something new ships

from six different species fought together using combined technology each race brought their own strength together they were stronger than the sum of their parts the battle lasted 3 days the void Empire lost badly their ships retreated leaving behind more proof that Unity was more powerful than fear but Victory came at a high cost many good people died defending Mars colony in a quiet moment Admiral Walker visited the injured in the medical Bay he saw humans being treated by alien doctors alien Warriors thank aning human nurses pain and hope mixed together Admiral a wounded Centurian soldier

called out do you think it was worth it all this death Walker thought about Earth's first decision to help the centurians we didn't fight because we thought we would win he said we fought because it was right everything else came from that choice Jennifer Phillips now working with representatives from 12 alien species organized aid for all the worlds hurt by War this is what the void Empire never understood she told a meeting of alien leaders real strength comes from helping each other not from making others afraid David's forces found more detention camps each time theyd

brought not just freedom but proof that different species could work together could trust each other many of the rescued prisoners joined the fight turning their pain into purpose Emily's crew intercepted a message from inside the void Empire their people were starting to question their leaders some were secretly helping the Allies sharing information about military targets the empire was crumbling from within they're learning Emily told her crew sometimes the bravest thing isn't fighting it's admitting you were wrong as the war entered its Final Phase Earth received messages from across the Galaxy species that had watched from

the sidelines were finally choos using sides they saw that earth and its allies weren't just fighting against something they were fighting for something better Admiral Walker gathered his Fleet for the final push remember how this started he told them one planet decided to help another one people chose to stand against evil now look at us United strong and fighting for each other that's Humanity's gift to the Galaxy we showed them that courage is stronger than fear and hope is stronger than hate the war wasn't over but its most important battle had already been won the

Galaxy had learned that standing together wasn't just right it was the only way to build a better future the final battle for centory Prime began at dawn Admiral Walkers combined Fleet of ships from 15 different species faced the last of the Void Empire's forces above the planet where it all started the largest space battle in galactic history was about to begin All Ships report ready his Bridge officer announced including the void Empire deserters who joined our side Walker nodded the enemy fleet was still huge but they weren't fighting scared refugees anymore they faced a United

Galaxy send the message he ordered one last chance to surrender the void Empire's response came quickly a barriage of weapons fire the final battle began again Lieutenant Emily Parker led the defiant through the chaos her ship though small carried Crews from six different species now they targeted the enemy's weak points using everything they'd learned during the war look her Centon Navigator said pointing at their sensors more ships arriving species that had stayed neutral until now jumped into the battle they chose their side not out of fear but out of hope for a better future on

the ground Commander David Anderson led the assault on the void Empire's last stronghold human Marines fought alongside Warriors from across the Galaxy Dr Cooper's new weapons built with combined alien technology broke through the strongest defenses push forward David shouted as walls crumbled around them freedom is coming in her diplomatic ship Jennifer Phillips watched the battle while talking to more alien leaders this isn't just about winning she told them it's about what comes after we need to build something better the fighting lasted 12 hours when it ended the void Empire's leaders were captured their soldiers laid

down their weapons many looking relieved that it was over Emily landed the defiant near the old Centurion capital building the city was damaged but standing already people from different species work together to help help the injured and rebuild you know she told her crew when we first came to help the centurions I never imagined it would lead to this Admiral Walker stood in the same room where the war started where the first Cry for Help had been heard the void Empire's Supreme Commander sat in Chains finally facing Justice you could have joined us Walker said

we would have helped you too we thought strength came from being fierce the Supreme Commander replied we were wrong one month later representatives from every space fairing race gathered on Earth they came to honor the dead and plan for the future in New York they signed the treaty creating the galactic defense Alliance the purpose of the alliance Jennifer Phillips announced is to ensure that no species ever faces genocide alone again we stand together or we fall together on on centor Prime David watched alien children playing together in the rebuilt streets human teachers worked in centorian

schools alien doctors shared their knowledge in new hospitals my grandfather wouldn't believe this a young Centurion told him different species living together helping each other all because Earth answered our call Dr Cooper's lab had become a center for Galactic research scientists from 20 species worked together sharing their their knowledge openly every Discovery makes us all stronger she said that's what the void Empire never understood Emily visited the new Memorial on Earth it listed the names of everyone who died in the war human and alien alike below the names was a simple message they died so

others could live in peace a similar Memorial stood on centory Prime at its base were written words that would be remembered for Generations when we CED tried for help Humanity answered they taught the Galaxy that true strength lies not in standing alone but in standing together Admiral Walker retired from active service but he had one last duty at the first meeting of the galactic defense Alliance he spoke to representatives from 50 species this war taught us all something important he said the void Empire thought the strong should dominate the weak we proved that real strength

comes from protecting others Humanity didn't win this war unity and courage won it now it's our job to make sure that lesson is never forgotten as the sun set on a new era of Peace ships from across the Galaxy patroled together on countless worlds different species lived and worked side by side the Galaxy had changed forever all because one planet chose to help another Earth's courage had lit a fire that would burn forever the knowledge that in the darkest night hope lies in standing together against the dark