Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => Arts & Talents => Topic started by: WeatherOp on July 12, 2008, 11:05:20 pm
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Chapter 1: Questions
Setting: Year 2371, 4 years after the events of Freespace 2.'
System: Beta Aquilae
May 14, 14:00 hours.
Such a beautiful ship, McAllen thought as his shuttle dropped out of subspace. Who would argue? The GTD Vega, a Orion class destroyer, one of the most decorated and battle hardened ships in the Terran fleet lit up as the moon of Beta Aquilae II moved to allow the light for the central star to hit it. McAllen has served with that fine ship for thirteen years, and just gazed out the viewport as his mind reviewed the events and decisions that allowed him to become the Chief Gunnery Control Officer for the Vega. Such an top position should thrill him as he approached his "home", but still he sighed while muttering a curse under his breath. He does love that ship, just not the governing powers of the GTVA. He had been on leave, supposedly taking four weeks to be with his wife and three year old daughter in Deneb. But, even in a time of peace, there was no rest for the weary so it seamed, as two military agents had shown up on his doorstep after two weeks in his leave, showing a letter that would drag him back early while not telling of what purpose he had been called back.
Sandra Dre sitting back two rolls behind McAllen gave a slight chuckle at the older officer's distress.
"Miss getting it on with the wife?"
McAllen looked over his shoulder, looking at Dre, and while scowling he mumbled a few un-audible phases before turning back to the viewport.
Dre smirked at his expense. Looking at the looming warship with pleasure and a sense of pride. Even at twenty-eight years old she had no family, that great warship was her home and it's crew was her brothers, and she felt no regret for people like McAllen who did not want to be on it continuously. Yes, she had been on leave, but only because the crew of the Vega were ordered to take at least three weeks of leave a year so they would be at top physical and psychological shape. She first joined the GTVA eight years ago as a fighter pilot, however during the Second Great War she discovered her true love of working on the fighters and bombers themselves, and most of all, the weapons. She had touched and armed just about every weapon in the GTVA arsenal, from the Harpoon missile to the Helios torpedo and had created a fine career out of it. Taking pride that she was now second in command in both Hangar Engineering and Fighter Mechanic on the Vega, but most of all she was next in line to take the title as Top Engineer on the Vega when Captain Watts who was fifty-nine was surely coming into retirement age. And she had no regrets for what she had accomplished.
Shuttle cockpit
"This is the Vega, you are clear to land, section two, slot sixteen"
"Acknowledged Vega"
The pilot maneuvered the Shuttle into the bay skillfully, moving around all the equipment on the bay surface, before setting down in marked off spot near a Hercules Mark II heavy fighter. The back door opened with a thump. Both McAllen and Dre grabbing their bags from a space beneath their feet and exiting the shuttle.
As they exited the shuttle a little surprise and shock hit their faces. Looking out over the hangar, it was as busy as it would be in times of war. Small tractors crossed the hangar floor with fighter and bomber parts, and spotless fighter cannons and missiles that still had the tags from the factory on them providing information with the location and date they were made. Mechanics had panels and cockpits open fixing and changing out old fighter parts. Tankers full of fuel for the craft's fusion engines were moving deck to deck. The whole hangar was a riot of noise and the smell of lubricants and fossil fuels used on the tractors and trucks was strong. Dre noticed that McAllen tensed from the noise, but otherwise paid him little attention, this is where she thrived and she could feel the adrenaline in her veins. She then turned in waled to the nearest elevator to get to her quarters.
McAllen still a little dumbfounded by all the activity in the hangar, felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned around an younger office who saluted and handed him a note.
"Commander Simms has arranged a very important meeting with all the commanding crew from sections one through eight at 18:00 hours. This letter contains a log on what information and statistics the Commander asks you to bring to the meeting for your post."
Taking the enveloped note into his hand, the other office saluted and walked off. McAllen shook his head a little and checked his watch. 14:46, he had just over three hours to prepare his information for the meeting. Taking his briefcase and suitcase, he waled to the nearest elevator, his mind wrapped in questions his mind had no answers for.
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Very promising :yes:
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Please, continue.
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Sounds good and feels like it, please, continue :yes:.
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Interested in reading more :nod:
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I just hope it doesn't have anything to do with Shivans again. In fan fiction you can be a lot more creative than in campaigns...
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I just hope it doesn't have anything to do with Shivans again. In fan fiction you can be a lot more creative than in campaigns...
It isn't FreeSpace without Shivans :P
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Noted a couple of spelling errors:
bot -> not
roll -> row ?
Other than that, good start. I am interested.
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Noted a couple of spelling errors:
bot -> not
roll -> row ?
Other than that, good start. I am interested.
I thought I had gotten all of them, but it was pretty late when I writ it as I posted it. I'll add more hopefully tonight.
Thanks for the words though. :)
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Be careful with the big biographical infodumps in place of character development. Character traits should be things we learn through dialogue and interaction.
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Chapter 1: Questions (Continued)
System: Beta Aquilae
May 14, Year 2371, 17:37 hours.
Private Quarters
In his quarters with the lights off, Commander Simms types quickly on a computer, before throwing himself back into the chair rubbing his eyes and forehead. The whole ship knows he's been awake for over a day without rest. "Too old" he thinks to himself. His desk is un-organized, files, notepads litter the surface, a few has already fell over and spilled on the floor. He picks up and looks at an official form on the GTC Baron, one of seven first Adrastos heavy cruisers that have just begun production. The Baron was being assigned to the Vega's 11th Fleet, 1st Battlegroup and all the form needed was his signature, which he wrote before throwing it back on the stack of files. He then looks down and grabs his glasses.
"I should actually wear these" He half mumbles and chuckles to himself.
Rubbing his gray head, he slides his glasses on, and squints to once again look at the computer screen. Pilot reports to confirm, officers on leave reporting back in, new fighter part shipments, GTVI inquiries on onboard cannons and missiles, new enlistments, new transfer applications. He once again sits back fully into his chair and breathes out, he didn't have time to go through all this crap right now, there were more pressing matters. He then reaches down and pulls a picture frame that contained a picture of his wife and young daughter and looks over it. Thinking back, it must have been fifteen years ago this was taken on Capella.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his chamber door.
"You have permission to enter" although he frowns when he said it, never in twenty-three years as captain of a vessel has he said such military phrase.
A well-built man, mid-thirties enters, does a formal salute, but he is quickly waved off by Simms.
"Sir, we just had the last three main officers arrive back on the Vega. They have been given their orders and are preparing the information for the meeting at 18 hundred ho.."
"Crap, you are right" Simms interrupting, exclaims as he checks his watch.
Simms stood turning off his computer screen. Lt. Col. Jay Hollis couldn't help but smile. He really enjoyed seeing the captain full of energy again, always like he would before a military move. But, the moment was bittersweet. Hollis being First Officer under Simms, he had really had a chance to know what the Commander was thinking and would only say to him in private. Hollis knew Simms was getting ready to give up being Commander, and the responsibility of Commander would certainly fall to him. Simms had been training him to take over for years. But that would mean the retirement of one of the greatest officers in the history of the GTVA, and the likely outcome of his retirement would soon lead to his death as his ship really meant the world to him.
"Come my friend, we will grab a drink from the mess-hall before we go to that meeting" Simms said smiling and patting him on the shoulder.
Hollis snapped out of his thoughts,
"You sure you just don't wanna go to bed and miss the meeting?" Hollis joked.
"Naw, I'm not dead yet. Besides, too many people want me to die quickly and I must live to disappoint them another day"
The lights of the hallway were very bright and they both squinted as they walked out of Simm's quarters. It was then they saw Chief Intelligence officer James Hanley waiting for them with a serious look on his face holding a packed file with red "Classified Level Epsilon" worded on it.
"New information from Command for your meeting"
Simms takes the file, looking through it. The lines on his face wrinkle, his face no longer like the merry fellow he had been moments earlier, and now like the Captain of Battlegroup, like a battle hardened commander. Hollis thought. That is the way he looked before a military engagement.
"Looks like we will have to wait on that drink" Simms say as he walks toward the elevator.
Hollis and Hanley follow behind him and join him in the elevator, the doors close.
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Apart from it being written in the present tense when it should be in the past tense, it's getting interesting.
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Who exactly is Watts?
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Who exactly is Watts?
Whoops, that is what you get when you are writing it while talking on IM. :p
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...as Top Engineer on the Vega when Captain Watts who was fifty-nine ...
There's one in the first post too, but I always thought it was referring to McAllen.
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...as Top Engineer on the Vega when Captain Watts who was fifty-nine ...
There's one in the first post too, but I always thought it was referring to McAllen.
No, not on that one
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Nice one. Like this story a lot now.
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Chapter 1: Questions (Continued)
System: Beta Aquilae
May 14, Year 2371, 17:52 hours.
Briefing Room
"Please hand over Firearms, PDA's, and all communication devices"
McAllen hears as he enters the briefing room. Turning to the left, he reaches into his pocket, pulls his phone out and hands it to the guard. After which he reaches into his holster and pulls out his standard issue TF-11 semi-automatic pistol and hands it and to the guard also. Who puts it into a sliding drawer with McAllen's name on it.
The briefing room was large, half circular, capable of holding one hundred and fifty top staff on descending rolls to the center platform.
McAllen, holding a folder thick with information on various weapon systems, targeting systems, and payloads, walks down the stairs into the room itself. Already nearly full with one hundred and twenty-six crew members was echoing with light chatter, he heard mostly questions in the seats near the isle where he was walking. After excusing himself some, McAllen sits in a seat on the right side of the room, three rolls back from the middle platform. Chatter continues to grow as more of the crew assembles. A little nervous of being called up to do a presentation, McAllen looks through his information just to calm his nerves that he has everything he was asked to bring.
"Attention"
Everyone in the briefing room rises as Simms, Hollis and Hanley walk into the briefing room and continue down the stairs to the front roll. Simms and Hollis both sit, and the entire briefing room follows. Hanley on the other hand walks up to the few stairs to the top of the central platform and then up to the podium.
"Date, May fourteenth, Year 2371, the time is eighteen hundred and zero-one hours." Hanley speaks over the loudspeaker.
"Commander Simms, may I have authorization to begin the briefing?"
Simms looks up to notice Hanley carrying a file that wasn't the one shown to him, "Classified Omega" the red letters say. A little confused, he nods his head and speaks.
"Authorization Granted"
Hanley looks up and nods at the guard at the door, who quickly types on the computer. Everyone hears the pops of the electronic locks which causes a slight stir. The lights begin to dim as the screen behind the podium turns on and the letters "Classified Level Omega" appear on screen with the GTVA logo underneath.
"Quite frankly, I'm not gonna go through standard clause about leaking this information that is normally spoken before briefings such as this, everyone in this room has heard it several times and know the consequences of such an action. There are far more important things right now to discuss. Alright, lets start with what you do know." Hanley speaks over the loudspeaker as he opens the folder in his hands.
"It's a widely known fact that the GTVA has been rebuilding a portal based on the data that was taken from the Knossos subspace portal in Delta Serpentis"
McAllen as with the rest of the attendants hardly flinched. The GTVA has been trumpeting the fact that they have been building a portal for over two years now and it was hardly classified data.
"Now what you do not know. It appears the process has hit some snags."
The room quietens.
"Let me start from the beginning, firstly for the sake of security reasons the portal is not being built where Command has said it to be. It is actually at the location of the Trident-Moore frigate training facility in Delta Serpentis on the opposite side of the system. Since both areas have extremely high security and the fleet watching these locations have shoot on sight authorization on any intruders who encroach in both areas of Military controlled space. I'm sure you are familiar with the civilian freighter Fargo when it collided with the Civilian ship Mathiers in Delta Serpentis a year ago, resulting in the destruction of both vessels. The fact is the Mathiers never existed, and you can take your conclusions on that."
"Well, I'm sure you all know, we didn't pull a big briefing just to share that little tidbit with you, so let me get to the meat of the briefing. Something else you did not know was that the portal is operational and has been tested. The date of the supposed, official first test of the portal in 2375 was a bogus date Command used to try to put off how complete the portal codenamed "Aurora" is."
Hanley pushed a few buttons on the remote in his hand and the portal appeared on the screen behind him showing technical details and information.
People in the room stirred a little.
"Now since that information has been revealed, I can go deeper with the report. As I can see by the look everyone's faces speaks the question on how the test went. Well, as the Aurora was powering up the station attached recorded an anomaly, a Fabric Change Trace.."
The room was once again were filled with whispers.
"I'm confused, what is a Fabric Change Trace" Jay Hollis asked from the seat on the right side of Simms on the front roll.
"Basically a status change in Space/Time."
Hollis turned around to see Scientist Neal Boggs standing. Hardly the small, thin scientist type, he was widely known as Neal "WildHog" Boggs for obvious reasons.
"Let me explain, Fabric Change Trace is basically a change in space caused by the distortion of subspace. When I was a pilot, we had a slang term for it, a "Knock-Knock". It happens when a craft whether Fighter or Destroyer engages it's subspace drive long enough to tear a rip into subspace, but then aborts it before entering subspace. What happens is some of the energy travels down the subspace tube and emerges out the location at the end of the jump creating a microscopic portal that is only detected by powerful sensors such as on Fightercraft or Stations. The reason it is called a "Knock-Knock" is not only would it alert you of a mistake possibly telling you that something is coming, but also it would bring a little information with it about the readout of the craft that sent it." With the last few words Boggs looked directly at Hanley before sitting down, and the focus of the room was now again on Hanley.
Hanley feeling the pressure of the room, looked down to his folder then back up.
"Perfect description, Mr. Boggs. The fact of the matter is we did receive a little information on the drive of the ship that sent it. The closest ship we could match the signature to was the Shivan Super Destroyer Lucifer"
And with that the whole room erupted in chatter.
"Please, please" Hanley said trying to get everyone back under control.
"The data is not conclusive by any means, and this was only the closest match our analysts could make. The fact is that many of the top scientists have agreed that it is very possible that this was only a wave of energy when the Lucifer was supposedly destroyed that has only just now reached us and that there is no threat at all in continued testing and/or use. However, by the order of Command the Vega along with four other top GTVA destroyers will go to the location of the Aurora for it's first full operational start up. Firstly to provide extra security from terrorist threats but also to provide security from the unknown threat if there happens to be one."
Simms looking at Hanley showing extreme dis-pleasure at what Hanley was saying.
"As of right now, all un-classified communications both inbound and outbound from this vessel has been suspended until farther notice. The Vega is now under the control of Terran Special Operations Command."
Simms stood up, dropping all the folders off his lap into the briefing room floor, and after looking Hanley straight in the eyes with intense anger walked up the stairs without saying a word. Hollis grabed the papers off the floor and followed Simms. After a brief exchange with the guard, the main doors are opened long enough for the them to exit after which they re-closed and re-locked. The room is quieter than the depths of space.
Hanley waits until they have left before he continues.
"When I call your name, you are to walk up to the podium and dis-close the information you were asked to gather. Drew Jones, please come up and give the data on the vital supply count....."
Chapter 1 END.
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Wooow
When's the next one gonna start, aproximately?
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i am looking forward to your next piece, i just got it in my mind a battlestar galactica esque feel to it.
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Chapter 2: Ray of Hope
System: Beta Aquilae(183 kilometers to the jump node to Delta Serpentis)
May 15, Year 2371, 01:26 hours.
Private Quarters.
Betrayed. Yes, betrayed was the feeling. After all he has done for the GTVA, they had the gall to take his ship out for under his command in this fashion. Not privately, but in front of the crew like that. Embarrassment? Yes, Embarrassment too. Simms thought as he looked out his small view port into space, slumped in his chair. Nice fashion too, the way the crew were told. Cold, sharp, normal style for the SOC.
A buzzer beeped. Simms rose up, turned around to press his transmitter.
"come in" he spoke painfully aware of the ice in his voice.
The door opened, and James Hanley stepped in.
Simms gave Hanley a tough look and turned back to the view port.
"I want to apologize, Peter, for the way things had to go in the briefing. Frankly put, there was no other way to do it."
Simms still with his back to Hanley, doesn't move.
"If we could have done it any other way, we would have done it. You must understand our position and concerns on this matter".
Simms turns around in his chair, and stands fast enough to send it into the wall, while slamming his hand flat on his desk.
"That is it, I do know your position on this, James. I've worked with the SOC before and I know how things go. I know what happens when the brave pilots you use don't come back! Instead of getting the honors they deserve, they just disappear. No consolation to their family or friends. And you are telling me I should not be upset when you pull my crew into this, even when they didn't sign up for the types of suicide missions you guys create. You guys don't care about the fodder you use. But this isn't your crazy volunteers, this is my crew!"
"You think I had a choice Peter. You honestly think that I would do something like this on my own accord. I'm just following orders like you are."
Simms walks around his desk to one of his shelves and looks at some of his knickknacks to calm his nerves. Hanley sits in a chair in front of his desk.
"Who else did you drag into this?"
"Vice Admiral John Lewis of the GTD Heart's Desire, Hecate Class, Admiral Chris Madden of the GTD Temple, Orion Class, Commander Vick Turner of the GTD Flawless, Hecate Class."
"You just swoop and pull command from them too?"
Simms glanced at Hanley.
"Once again Peter you are taking things too hard. You are still in Command of this vessel as long as you do according to what SOC dictates. Besides to answer your question, no. All the other Commanders joined with little opposition."
"So why was I chosen to be the one with the rug pulled out from under his feet."
"Peter, we both know you have been reluctant to following orders."
Simms turns around and slams his hands on his desk.
"My decision saved those people. Had I not made it they would have died, both you and Command know this!"
"Yes, Command acknowledges this. But, you still put your crew in danger and failed to follow orders. And you based this action of what? revenge? Even with the information that a fully equipped Shivan destroyer was in the vicinity, you still failed to protect that node into Capella and charged in with the attitude of a cowboy on his last ride. Don't lecture me on what we both know!"
Hanley was standing pointing at Simms.
With the energy left him, a more subdued Simms sits down in his chair with a sigh.
"So whats with this information about only supposedly destroying the Lucifer?"
Hanley also sits back in the chair.
"It's a theory that has been debated with the top scientists of Command. They say it is possible that the Lucifer was not destroyed. Well, for one we never got any comm signals back from the strike force due to the collapse of the node, so the possibility exists that they failed."
"But, what else could have collapsed the node?"
"Well the debate still goes on. Several scientists have did studies on the collapsing of both the node at Delta Serpentis and the node we collapsed to Capella and they are saying things do not add up. In their studies the Meson Warheads carried much more energy than that of the destruction of the Lucifer, yet all of the warheads were needed to bring down the node. So according to them, the Lucifer should have never been able to do it on it's own detonation. But, it is well noted that their opinion is not widely received with the majority of scientists, and their studies lack the addition of a dozen or so Harbingers detonating against the Lucifer. So their opinion is widely dismissed, but noteworthy."
"So we head to Delta Serpentis?"
"Right you are, your Navigator says we will be entering subspace in about forty-seven minutes"
Hanley stands up and starts walking to the door.
"James"
Hanley stops and turns around.
"Count this as my last official mission. Have Command accept my resignation at the end of this."
Hanley nods.
"Ok Peter, get some rest, it's gonna be a long week"
Hanley exits through the door and it closes.
Simms sits back in his chair hard, rocking it. He reaches down into his desk drawer and pulls out a bottle of Capella made liquor, pouring him a small glass before putting it back into the bottom the drawer. Holding his glass up in the air as a toast.
"To you and our last mission together."
He gulps it and sets the glass on his desk.
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<tweety voice> I did! I did detroy dat bad ol Lucifer! </tweety voice>
:lol:
I like how this is shapping up.
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I like how this is shapping up.
Me too. Can't wait for the next part.
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Chapter 2: Ray of Hope(Continued)
System: Delta Serpentis
May 15, Year 2371, 08:34 hours.
Hangar
Mayhem. Pneumatic wrenches, whines of lifts, smell of reactor fuel, "yep, normality" Dre thought as she tightened the last bolt on the right engine cover of a Hercules Mark II. Even with her earphones the place still was a ruckus. Sliding out from underneath the fighter, she gave a quick wave to the main control booth. Within seconds a large plate rose up out of the deck behind the engines while smaller arms attached to the fighter body. Grabbing her tools she gave a thumbs up to the cockpit.
"Ok, nice and slow now" Tyler Heirden said to himself as he begun to flip switches.
The air around the star fighter began to vibrate as a powerful bass rumble begin to flow from the starting engines. The whine turned into a roar, quickly drowning out every other sound in the vicinity. The ship tilted forward as streams of red fire and plasma poured from the engines immediately turning the already scorched plate glowing.
"All right, control, increasing power" Heirden pushed the throttle stick forward slowly.
The red streams of flame focused and were replaced by bright blue burning orbs of plasma. The ship began to tilt forward straining against the mechanical arms holding it in place. The roar became a incredible moan.
"Raw power" Dre thought, knowing she was smiling like an idiot, but who wouldn't be after putting that wreck back together. She pulled her flowing hair out of her eyes and gave the pilot another thumbs up.
The moan began to change back into a whine, as the plasma pouring from the engines began to fade, giving one last blast of fire before disappearing completely. As the engine whine continued to fade away, the cockpit opened and the pilot climbed down the ladder.
Dre pulled her earphones down on her neck,
"Everything looks great from out here, any problems from your end?"
"Not at all" Heirden said as his feet touched the hangar floor. As he did, he rubbed his hand across his squadron insignia.
"Now load me with weapons and this ol'e bat will be ready to go." He patted the hull.
As he spoke, the hangar alarm went off, red lights flashing. Everyone in the hangar stood still.
"All pilots, report to the simulators for practice runs" A voice said over the intercom, then the alarm went silent.
Heirden grabbed his pilot bag from the locker and proceeded to the pilots lounge to get set for the simulator runs. He ran and jumped in the hangar elevator before it closed and within second he was rising about the hangar itself. Rolls of ships, Herc II's, Perseus Interceptors, Zeus bombers, his group of Erinyes heavy fighters, even a few old Hercules fighters. Personnel filled the deck, loading cannons and fixing warn out parts. He suppressed a shudder, the last time things were like this, two hours later he would be fighting a full compliment of Mara fighters from a Ravana class destroyer, gambling for his life. But, things are different now.
Pilots Lounge
Chatter was heavy as members of five fighter and bomber squadrons converged in the pilots lounge for their simulator practice. The room echoed with war stories.
".. and I was right behind his tail, sizing up a shot." Ted Capps motioned with he hands as he talked. "When all of a sudden he exploded. I looked around, that guy who took my kill was gonna get it. That is when I looked up an there was a Ursa, it's turret aimed down."
Everyone on that table had a hearty chuckle.
"Back in the Second Great War, I had a chance to fly with the leader of the Blue Lions during one mission. The guy was incredible, tripled my kills for that mission. Sad he went out like that during the supernova."
"Did they ever release his identity?"
"Nope, SOC sealed everything off, according to them he never existed, only to the people who had a chance to fly with him."
A beep went through the air.
"Three-eleventh please report to the simulators"
The pilots on the table glanced up.
"Looks like we are on"
Bridge
012:34 hours.
The bridge was massive. Interlocking screens filled the top of the dome like strcuture giving a three-hundred and sixty degree field of view of the space around the ship above the mid-line. Simms stood, hands against the rails looking down from a balcony into the main deck where people scurried back in forth between computer stations. Marcus Holiday, lead communication specialist, walked up the stairs from the main deck into the balcony where Simms was standing.
"It appears everyone is in place and we are ready" Holiday handed Simms a piece of paper.
"Excellent, now where is he at?" Simms said scanning the screens.
Then there was a buzz at the sensors station. Simms looked over the edge of the balcony to see a young officer running towards him.
"Report"
"Sensors show incoming subspace signature, IFF confirmed friendly, it is the Flawless."
The whole bridge lit up as light poured from the top screens. A Hecate class destroyer roared out of subspace right above the ship. From his position, Simms felt like he could almost touch it, even though the ship was at least a klick above them. He then watches the vessel gradually slow down about two klicks ahead.
"They are hailing us." a tech shouts from communications.
"Tell them to hold their horses." Simms says as he walks down the stairs unto the lower bridge, and then to the communications station.
"Patch through audio"
A tech picks up a pair of headphones, but Simms waves him off.
"Those want be needed."
"Well look who it is, you aren't fully dead yet after all." Commander Vick Turner laughs through the audio feed.
"Nope, but I feel like I'm getting there."
"So how'd the SOC get you involved in this, tie your hands?"
"Literally"
"Oh, well you know them guys, they just never know how to ask nicely"
"If they do, they will kill you so you can never tell a soul."
"Ha, speaking of souls, where is o'le Peachy, I figured they have him out with the old farts like us."
"I asked that too, they said they couldn't reach him. But, that just means.."
"He's out on a secret mission doing their dirty work of course. You would think the old guy couldn't take much more after doing all that work spearheading the invasion into the nebula"
"Well, some people just never can get enough excitement."
"Well speaking of excitement, if I do recall correctly, I'm up two to one on you."
"Oh really, I really can't remember."
"Hush, hush now, I know you and you do remember. But, in any case how about a friendly wager?"
"I wouldn't be alive if I declined."
"The terms, loser buys the winner a drink at the next GTVA Commanders Meeting?"
"You are on."
Flight Deck
Heirden looks out his cockpit, on the deck squadrons were lined up for both purpose and skill level. His squadron the 92nd Black Knights, the elite fighter squadron on the Vega were first in the Erinyes heavy assault fighters. Behind him we the 139th Hammers in Herc Two's, with the 162nd Born Killers in Perseus interceptors. Then lastly were the bomber squadrons, the 296th Blood Hearts and the 311th Rising Tide both in Zeus medium bombers.
They all waited for the signal, which was a painfully long time in Heirdens eyes. On his comm board, the "launch" light turned from red to yellow. Heirden grabed a lever near the throttle pulling back slowly. The ship shudders as the bottom thrusters lift the ship off the deck against the artificial gravity of the Vega. Dust and smoke fill the air near the deck as one by one each craft slowly lifts from the floor. Pulling another lever, his skids raise up into the craft. He feels another shudder, he looks down to see the yellow light blinking now, magnetic launch system has been activated. Pure adrenaline pumps through his veins, boosted by the pure oxygen from his mask. Trying to be patient,he watches his leader of his squad to the front of him lean back and give everyone a thumbs up.
The light turns green, and the ships accelerate, pushing him back into his seat. As they quickly near the end of the landing strip, he pulls back on the throttle and guns his afterburners as the Knights shoot through the Vega's gravity into space, with the others quickly following.
"Pick targets carefully, watch the head on pass, take your time and make your shots count" said a voice over the intercom from the commander of the Knights, Kevin "WarHound" Pike. Heirden knew the head on assault would come from the 65th Crazy Eights, the number fifth ranked squadron in the GTVA. Heirden tried to focus.
"Sensors show five wings of fighters around seven klicks and closing, increasing height for long range attack" Russ William of the Hearts spoke as the bomber wings rose up above the fighters.
They were under five klicks now, and light filled his cockpit as the bombers fired a hail of Trebuchet missiles right over his ship. However, now he knew they were in range of the enemy's missiles too. His gut tightened as he prepared himself for what he knew to be coming.
Bridge
Simms stood at the sensors station.
"They are under four klicks from each other and closing" a tech said.
Simms said nothing.
Space
Sensors showed that the trebuchets hit with limited effect, two bombers down, one critical and one fighter nearly blown in half and disabled. But, he had no time to enjoy the small victory, a trebuchet flew within meters of his fighter causing him to jerk his craft out of instinct, and hit his squad mate right in the cockpit, the fighter evaporated in a explosion. Several other missiles passed by him creating havoc and destruction in the wings behind. Then they were in.
The forces collided in a full blown fire-fight. Both lasers and both Harpoons and Trebuchets poured between the forces at they went head to head. Screams echoed over the channel. Heirden had no time to worry about them, he jerked after a Herc Two. He pulled in behind it's tail, using all his skill to stay behind it. The Herc weaved in and out, juking while engaging it's afterburner. Using steady moves he stayed on it's tail, trying not to get worked into a frenzy and overshoot. He waited for his shot and when it came he did not miss, firing his eight linked lasers he hit shields, then hull and the fighter shredded.
He let out a sigh of relief, then his craft shook like it was in the hands of a child, his HUD blinked with arks of electricity shooting between the fried circuits. He tried with all his might to control his craft, but rolled heavily to the right and then in a moment everything went black.
Pike ripped another fighter to pieces, his third kill of the dogfight. He engaged his afterburners to take advantage of a bomber missing an engine and moving slowly. He smiled as he cut the ship in half with his lasers, and flying through the cloud of debris. Looking around for another target, he checked above himself and cursed. A Perseus fighter screaming in from above, before he could react it hit him head on with a burst of Prometheus lasers. His cockpit blew out and he could feel the entire craft breaking up. Then everything went black...
The simulator cockpit opened up, the lights so bright he was almost blinded. He threw off his oxygen mask against the controls and cursed once more.
Bridge
"Looks like I'm up three to one, now about that wager"
"I stick to my word the next meeting" Simms was smiling as he said it, but deep inside he wasn't feeling too happy. They lost twenty to thirteen, seven enemy fighters and bombers were still operational to his none. Even against some of the best fighter and bomber wings he had hoped for better.
"Sir, we've got an incoming transmission, SOC pass codes." a tech said.
Simms picked the headphones off the desk, put them on while listening for a moment.
"Helm set course three-zero-four-six-niner. Simms spoke with a commanding voice.
"Looks like we've got our new course. See you on the other side of the great blue tunnel." Turner said.
Simms watched the Hecate destroyer turn and engage subspace drive, disappearing into the blueish-white light.
"Helm, engage subspace drive."
-
When's the next one?
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I see an Alpha One in thar XD
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Chapter 2: Ray of Hope(Continued)
System: Delta Serpentis
May 15, Year 2371, 17:02 hours.
Bridge
"So that is it" Simms thought looking out in front of the Vega.
The Aurora subspace portal loomed ahead. While like the Knossos, it was also quote different, built of several rings with two stations attached. The larger of the two and the main control station codenamed "Lighthouse" was on the right side at the bottom, while the smaller station used for monitoring and recording, was on the left codenamed "Floodlight".
Besides the portal and surrounding stations, the space was filled with three other destroyers, the GTD Heart's Desire, the GTD Temple, and the GTD Flawless. Along with the destroyers were two Deimos class corvettes, the Torrent and the Mythic, and three cruisers, Freelance and the Tyrant, both Leviathan class, and the Creative, Aeolus class.
Simms sipped his coffee.
The bridge elevator opened and Hanley stepped out.
"It's confirmed, start up procedure begins at 10:00 hours tomorrow morning, and we have scheduled full testing to begin at 12:00 hours."
Simms set his cup down on the balcony rail, and turned to face Hanley.
"So you think it will work?"
"I think we both know that answer, it had better, lots of resources, time, money. But, I'm confident it will perform admirably."
"More ships are present than I expected."
"Yes, Commander of Science Paul A'thor has approved extra ships for extra precautions."
"Unlike him, I remember he used to be quite conservative with using resources for these types of ventures."
"All things change, of course, he has actually sent one of his chief personnel to oversee and report back to him. You remember Lt. Colonel Terrence Hall."
"Yeah, thinks himself to be hardcore, and wouldn't smile if you paid him. Definitely someone you would not want to invite to a party."
"He is actually on the Temple, under Madden. But, honestly the reason why he is here means very little, as long as he reports good information back to his superiors."
"I'd bet, SOC really took a gamble about thinking we knew enough about the Knossos to re-build one."
Something about Hanley changed for only a second, but Simms caught it, but didn't know what to make of it, then Hanley was back to being himself.
"Yes, we did take a gamble, but I can assure you, it will pay off."
"Good to hear"
"Well, I must leave you to your work while I continue mine. I must go contact the other vessels and update them with the latest information.
Hanley saluted and walked back to the elevator.
Hollis was standing on the command deck itself, but still heard some of the exchange.
"What was that about" He thought. "Normally Hanley is very twitchy, and sometimes very unsure of things, always questioning and making sure everything goes off with out a hitch. But, this time, there was no hesitation at all in his voice, like someone who has no doubt whatsoever in their plan. Which is extremely odd for him."
Hollis shook his head, before returning to watching his subordinates at the many stations.
May 16, Year 2371, 11:47 hours.
Aurora Control Station "Lighthouse"
Kate Harrison focused hard to concentrate, the bright twenty-three year old tried to block out the excitement and chaos around her, including her own. She glanced up at a clock on the wall, ten minutes and forty-three seconds before the first official start up of the portal would commence. "I deserve to be here", she thought, obviously SOC did as well, picking her out of over ten thousand potentials as she placed first in her class in astrophysics.
A buzzer screamed as the clock dripped under ten minutes.
Someone walked up and set a piece of paper on her control surface. She glanced down before turning her eyes back to the monitor, typing furiously. The room was filled with close to one hundred staff, people running in between stations, elevators, officers yelling information, absolute chaos.
An alarm went off, On her screen, a diagram of the station showed that reactors one and two, now yellow, signaling that they were turned on and warming up.
Aaron Yates, a forty-six year old senior officer, still he could not get over the amount of younger crew members. However, they were holding up very well and performing great, while showing a lot of promise. He looked over the shoulders of the younger crew members checking their performance. Harrison flinched slightly as looked over her shoulder, but she did not look back, trying not to show intimidation. She breathed out as he passed her station without complaint.
Bridge: GTD Vega
Simms with his hands on the balcony, stood silently.
Hanley standing behind him looked at his watch.
"Start up in three minutes"
Lighthouse
Tension and excitement mounted. Diagnostics showed reactors one through four were at idle. Steelh Waldrop, commanding officer shouted.
"Status update"
"Floodlight responding that all systems are good and we are cleared to proceed" A lesser officer responded.
"Good."
He looked at the clock as it dropped under one minute.
"Alright, proceed, increase reactor power."
"Reactor power increased to one hundred percent"
"Engage magnetic generators"
"Magnetic generators engaged.
Bridge: GTD Vega
Simms, along with the rest of the bridge crew stood motionless as an energy spark flashed from "Lighthouse", and very slowly the pieces of the ring began to move.
"This will be a day long remembered in the GTVA" Hanley spoke.
Simms silently agreed, one way or another it will be remembered.
"The fighter wings in position?"
Simms asked over the balcony.
"Yes sir, they are at a dead stop approximately one klick from the station along with the fighters of the Temple, and Flawless."
"Excellent."
Lighthouse
The pieces were spinning very fast now, with each piece that passed a small vibration shook the station.
"Sir, we have a temporal distortion, it's holding, we did it, it's holding!"
A tech officer exclaimed.
A cheer rose up, with handshakes and people patting each other on the shoulder.
Waldrop slowly sat back in his chair, clapping his hands slowly.
"Get Reactor control up, ask for for status update.
On the screen in front of him, a person appeared.
"What is the status on the reactors"
"Everything is in green and performing at expectation."
Gunfire sounded behind him.
"What was that?" Waldrop demanded.
He watched the officer on the screen run over to the rail as the gunfire intensified, running back to the terminal.
"We have a prob.."
Blood splattered over the camera lens and the officer dropped.
"Get Command up, tell them.."
The lights went off in the control room.
"We've lost all power and communication." someone helplessly screamed.
Panic ensued, people running blind. Some tripped over to the power boxes, trying helplessly to get back up power on with no avail.
Harrison was knocked down in the panic, and hit her head on a chair. She got up on her knees and rubbed her forehead, it was wet.
"Must be blood" she thought
Someone forced open the door letting in a little light from the hallway.
"We've got to get to the backup systems."
Some crewmen pulled out their firearms and started walking down the hall.
Harrison dizzy from the blinding pain in her head slowly walked out the now open door, feeling her way down the hall, around the corner, and into another hallway. She walked into an open first aid closet and sat down due to the dizziness. Reaching for the first aid kit, she pulled out a wet cloth and placed it on her head. Something flickered on the wall, standing she walked and peaked around the medical enclave only to see flashlights running into the control center, then nothing but automatic gunfire, screams and bodies hitting the floor. Putting her hand on her mouth, she sank back into the closet trying not to cry.
After a few minutes she regained her poise. She knew what she had to do, sneak down to the auto-powered terminal on section D, and send out a distress signal. She pulled out her sidearm, and after checking the clip, she started walking slowly down the hall. Her heart was pounding, and she was breathing very heavily. Holding her gun up she flipped around a corner into another hallway, it was empty. Quietly she crept, the main lights out, only the red backup lights were on at the top of the corridors. She could barely see, but her senses were on overdrive, she twitched and jumped on every sound. But, at least her head wasn't hurting anymore, adrenaline caused that to cease.
After what seamed to be hours, she walked up to the terminal. Holding her breathe she flipped the switch. Relief followed at it started up normally, the bright light straining her eyes. Trying hard, she tried to type out a coherent comm. message, but her shaking hands made it hard.
Two distant gun shots made her jump, causing her heart to jump up in her throat, her head hurting badly again with the dizziness becoming worse. She turned back to the terminal, only to be dumbfounded. It was splattered red, instinctively she put her hand to her stomach, pulling it up before her face, she saw it was covered in blood, as was her uniform. Somehow she felt no shock or pain, but dizziness hit her. She stumbled back, sliding down the wall leaving a trail of blood against it. She slumped on the floor, it was becoming very hard to breathe, her legs cold and numb as were her fingertips.
Using all her strength she looked back into the hallway, and there was a man sliding his sidearm back into his holster. Gray filled her eyes, as she watched him walk and step over her, and turn off the terminal. He didn't even glance down, he just stepped over the dieing crew member again and walked down the hall.
Bridge: GTD Temple.
"Sir we have lost all communication with Lighthouse and Floodlight."
A crewman shouted.
Admiral Madden turned to Terrance Hall.
"Whats going on?"
"I don't know, try a different channel, the subspace portal may be scrambling transmissions."
Madden turned back toward the balcony before hearing a click behind him. A gunshot rang out and he hit the floor. The bridge crew turned around.
"The operation is a go gentlemen, proceed" Hall said as he slid his sidearm back into his holster.
Bridge: GTD Vega
"Communications still down."
A tech shouted.
Simms looked over the balcony, trying to look unfazed.
Hollis ran up below Simms.
"We just got communication from the Knights, the fighters of the Temple are attacking them! Our fighters along with the wings of the Flawless are trying to repel, but the Heart's Desire has launched all their wings in hostile formation."
"Issue an alert, launch all remaining fighter and bomber wings, try to intercept them!"
Simms yelled.
"The Temple is charging up main beam cannons!"
A Tech screamed.
Simms watched a brilliant beam of light from the main cannon of the Temple raked across the hull of the Flawless.
"Incoming transmission from the Flawless."
"Simms, what is going on, we are being attacked by our own forces." Turner screamed through the audio feed.
"I'll tell you when we figure that out!" Simms replied.
"We are opening fire, however IFF...s...fren.ly..." Static filled the transmission as another beam ripped across the hull.
The Vega lurched.
"What was that!" Simms yelled over the balcony.
"The Mythic is attacking us!"
Simms looked to the screen on his upper-right. He watched the Mythic fire another beam across the hull of the Vega, and the vessel lurched again.
"Power up all beam cannons, turn that ship into debris." Simms said as he pointed at the Mythic.
Space
Confusion, it felt like seconds ago Heirden was watching the subspace portal power up, and now he was in the fight for his life. His own forces had attacked him. He had taken a harpoon in confusion of the first few seconds. His shield had taken most of the impact, but some shrapnel penetrated his starboard engine, disabling the afterburner but otherwise causing no serious damage. Now he was taking revenge, he shredded the Perseus fighter in his crosshairs. He looked at his sensors, the traitors were destroyed, but at the cost of over half of the Vega's fighter wings. Now a mixture of both fighters from the Vega and the Flawless tried to collect their wits. Many of the craft were heavily damaged.
Pike looked up to see the Vega tear through the Mythic with it's main bean cannons, four klicks away. The vessel lurching and then snapping in two under the intense firepower, before detonating. He looked on his sensor board, four full fighter squadrons from the Heart's Desire were closing, sensors showed that they were powering up weapons. A steady beep sounded in his helmet, a sign of a sensor lock. He looked back at sensors, sixteen friendlies against thirty-two enemies. He cursed, he knew they had no chance. He thought about issuing the order to make a intersystem jump, but he dismissed it. No doubt some of the damaged friendly fighters had navigation computers knocked out, maybe jump drives. The able fighters jumping out would leave them sitting ducks. That would not happen under his command.
"To the death!" Yelled Crazy Eights leader Mark Fuller.
The three remnants of the once elite squadron pulled out in front toward the enemy.
Pike tightened his helmet strap, and with the rest of the Knights, fell in behind them.
Bridge: GTD Vega
Simms wasn't satisfied with the debris field that was the Mythic. The Vega now a full speed surged out toward the Flawless, which along with the Temple had fire spewing from multiple holes, with large tracks cut deep into both vessels from the beams impacting the hulls. The Blood Hearts were pounding the Freelance and the Tyrant, with the Tyrant exploding in a fireball soon after. The Creative was certainly holding it's ground with the help of the Vega's bomber wings.
Simms watched as another beam tore into the back of the Flawless, her engines flaming out and exploding, the Flawless now was slowly turning completely un-powered. The Heart's Desire provided the shot and was now bearing down on the Flawless.
Simms gritted his teeth, the Vega was almost in range to return fire.
Another lance of light from the Temple ripped into the Flawless, this time tearing completely through the vessel. The bridge crew of the Vega watched in horror as multiple decks we ripped out of her side, explosions now spewing out of her armor.
A communication barely came through in the static.
"Looks like you won't have to pay that debt after all." Turner chuckled. "Godspeed"
The transmission became entirely static.
The Flawless snapped in two pieces at the mid-line, large explosions ripped though both pieces. Then the rear section exploded in a flash of light, it's shockwave ripping through the remaining front section. The whole bridge of the Vega lit up.
The crew didn't say a word.
Simms just watched, his view transfixed on screen.
"Sir, the Heart's Desire has targeted us and is approaching. Orders sir."
"Attac.."
"Sir!"
Hollis ran up the stairs.
"With all due respect, we cannot take on two destroyers!"
"They are deploying their bomber wings, ETA three minutes! a tech shouted.
"I will not leave our fighters!"
Simms slammed his fist on a terminal.
"We've have no choice, we can't fail the ten thousand crew members on this ship. We must engage intersystem drives!"
Hollis was right in Simm's face.
"Orders, sir" the crewmen asked.
Simms waited.
"Recall bombers, engage drives upon return. Simms turned from Hollis, defeat heavily evident in his voice.
The bomber wings raced back, away from the Freelance, which was rolling on it's side, flaming, totally out of control and touched down in the hangar. The Vega sped up and disappeared into blueish light. The Creative right behind it.
Space
It was a furball again, the Vega's fighters now down to nine against twenty four enemies
Pike's spirit sank as he watched the Vega jump into subspace.
"They are leaving us, we've got to jump" a pilot yelled over the intercom.
"Jump where?! We don't have those coordinates! We can blind jump, but we still die when we run out of air. It's a one in a trillion chance of guessing the right coords and reaching an allied base, and we don't have the time to calculate anything!" Pike yelled.
The pilot jumped anyways on a blind subspace route.
Pike cursed, while dodging the laser shots of a pursuer. His mind raced. Then he had an idea.
"All pilots head for the portal."
"Are you crazy?! We don't even know if it is fully safe. It's a one in a million shot" Heirden screamed.
"Would you rather stay here? A one in a million is a lot better that a one in a trillion.
Pike pulled his fighter straight toward the Aurora.
Heirden cursed, but then followed in line behind, as did the six remaining fighters. With the enemy right on their tail, they jumped into the unknown.
Bridge: GTD Temple
"Tell all fighters to break off pursuit, let them run." Hall said.
"Hail Lighthouse, tell them to shut down the portal."
"Acknowledged." an officer replied.
Hall walked toward the elevator.
Chapter Two End
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:yes:
I love this :D
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:jaw: H-H-Holy Crap!
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Interesting read. :nod:
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Sweet :yes: Keep up the good work :nod:
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I now feel pressured.
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I now feel pressured.
How come?
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So when's the next gonna come up? And I suggest to put it up the FS story archive.
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So when's the next gonna come up? And I suggest to put it up the FS story archive.
I'll get it up eventually, two pretty long work weeks, haven't had the time nor will to do it yet.
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You killed Ms Harrison off. I was gonna marry her :( good stuff though. Stormkeeper don't worry. Your story is good too :yes:
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It's dead, isn't it :(
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I do not accept that statement!
WEATHEROP, GET BACK HERE!
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Intriguing story. Keep writing! :D
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Aww crap, i thought someone added a new section of story.... :mad:
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It's dead, isn't it :(
Dead? Naw, I'll add eventually, just too much going on right now.
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Famous last words :sigh:
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT ANOTHER ONE! DAMNIT!
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It's not dead! IT'S NOT DEAD!!! Right? :shaking:
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Seriously.
It's been ten days.
Chill.
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:wtf:
Just be quiet and wait.
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People take this "death" thing too dramatically. Eventually, we all die.
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People take this "death" thing too dramatically. Eventually, we all die.
And say hooray! :D
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Chill is right, I should have the next piece up pretty soon. ;)
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I don't want this to die because it enthralles me in the same way as The Journey of The Forgotten did until that died! I just don't want to be left hanging like that again!
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I don't know, maybe he just hasn't gotten far enough yet, but JotF was arguably the best fan fic -ever-
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This one's stuck on a cliffhanger. It makes waiting all the more difficult.
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This one's stuck on a cliffhanger. It makes waiting all the more difficult.
Why not play FreeSpace 2 while you're at it? :drevil:
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Chapter 3: Shades of Crimson
System: System: Beta Aquilae(Delta Serpentis jump node)
May 17, Year 2371, 01:16 hours.
Bridge: GTD Vega
The mood was somber among the bridge crew. Simms stood looking forward occasionally seeing the manned repair ships fly past the screens. The bridge was quiet, except for the sounds of chairs moving, keyboards and the occasional door opening/closing.
"They are all relived to get out of that with their lives." Simms thought.
The Vega and the Creative had managed to limp back into Beta Aquilae, and now was waiting for reinforcements from the now alerted GTVA forces to arrive. "How could they have pulled that off? He constantly rolled over in his mind. In fact there was only one option.
Hollis walked up, handing Simms a clipboard.
He didn't take it
"Talley of losses" Hollis said with sadness.
"Three fighter wings, three bombers, twenty-seven pilots MIA, presumed KIA. Ninety-seven crew members killed in the exchange with the Mythic. Outside scans indicated damage to armor in sections ninety-two through one hundred and forty-five, with four decks sustaining light to moderate damage. The Creative is docked with us, and is awaiting repairs"
Simms still did not stir. Hollis set the clipboard on the terminal near him and walked off.
The elevator buzzed and Hanley entered the bridge.
"I'm sorry all that took place, Peter."
"Sorry? Simms looked over his shoulder.
His speed was astounding, in one quick motion Simms grabbed Hanley by the throat, throwing and pinning him against the wall. His six foot, four inch frame easily lifting him off the floor.
"Sorry?!" Simms growled through his gritted teeth.
"My crew, my servicemen, my friends..." Simms slammed him against the wall again.
"Their death means nothing to you!"
Hanley choked and sputtered.
Guards grabbed Simms and pulled him away, causing Hanley to fall to the floor coughing and gasping for breath.
"We had too.." Hanley coughed
"it was our only choice"
Simms lunged again, the guards struggled to hold him back, the whole bridge crew staring.
"Your only choice?! What acceptable reason would allow you to sacrifice all those crewmen."
Hanley pulled himself up into a chair, still trying to catch his breath.
"In private....I'll tell you in private"
Simms threw his shoulders back, and the guards released him. Obviously steaming, he walked to the elevator.
Private Quarters
A knock at the door.
"Come in"
Hollis walked in, lights off again, the only light coming from a running computer. Simms was sitting in his chair looking out into the stars.
"You needed me?"
"Yes"
Simms spun his chair around and motioned him to sit.
"I just wanted to tell you that you made the right call back there. I was too blinded for revenge, I have no doubt it would have led to the death of us. I see more everyday that I have chose the right man to take of this vessel."
Hollis didn't say anything.
Another knock, the door opened and Hanley walked in. Hollis started to stand and leave, but Simms motioned for him to stay put. Hanley sat down in the chair next to Hollis.
"Answers, you want answers" Hanley rubbed his chin.
Simms saying nothing leans back fully into his chair.
"Operation Hollowpoint, SOC section four, classified far above top secret, mission specs only available to top officers in the GTVA."
Hanley tossed a packed file onto Simms desk knocking over a picture frame.
Simms not satisfied, doesn't pick it up.
"Ok, let me put it simple, fraud, deception, the bending of truth, that is Hollowpoint" Hanely growls out.
"Deception?" Simms whispers.
Hanley takes a breath, and pours himself a glass of liquor from Simm's desk.
"Operation Hollowpoint began three years ago as, well, a sting operation."
Hanley gulped the drink.
"I know you are familiar with Bosch, yes, good. Well, apparently things are deeper, far deeper than you could possibly think. Do you even know the history of our old NTF rebellion leader? Try it, research it. You will find a good pilot, who rose through the ranks, to later become the commanding officer of his own ship five years before starting the rebellion. Nice clean record."
Hanley pulls out a piece of paper out of the file.
"Here is what you don't know. Look at his enlist date. Notice the date on the file is on the exact date GTA forces destroyed the Hades and overthrew GTI forces."
"Pardon me, but I don't see what that has to do with anything." Hollis mumbles out.
"Wait and see my good man, wait and see. Ok, to cut a long story shorter, at first SOC didn't see anything convincing either. That is, until four years before his rebellion. That is when SOC gained clearance to open extremely classified documents."
Hanley pulled another file out.
"Daniel Erickson, private first class, GTD Finality. Pulled from active duty to serve in the GTI. First class pilot. Presumed KIA in the battle against the Hades. Or so it has been written. But, the truth is not always what is in history books. The truth is Erickson defected back to the GTA before. Using his information, the pilots of the GTD Soyakaze were able to hunt and eliminate the Hades. In turn, he would receive full pardon and be received back into the forces of the GTA. Not only that, his identity would be changed so he could not be traced. Bosch and and Erickson are the same."
Simms rubbed his head.
"Confused, good, let me make that worse as the story just gets better. Other pilots say Bosch was insane, they tell that he would wake up at night screaming as if attacked by imaginary foes, to only suddenly quit, and then spend hours writing in his journal. The answer to that was not clear at first, but upon further study we found the likely culprit deep within the files of the GTI logs."
"Apparently during the Great War, he was part of team inserted into a Shivan freighter. Shivans decimated his team. When back up finally got in to finish off the remaining Shivans, they found him, alive, un-harmed but fully incoherent, babbling, among the bloody dismembered remains of his squad. The only survivor."
"He recovered for the most part, but was always babbling nonsense. Then he disappeared after the war, grabbed by the GTI. For what reason we cannot attain, no files are left on that subject."
"I'm still confused what does Bosch have to do with any of this." Hollis asked.
"Everything, he has everything to do with this. Let me try to clear things out. If you recall the Aquitaine recovered both crew and the schematics of the ETAK device. Among the crew recovered was David Faulkner, chief lead of science aboard the Iceni. Well, the Data was sent immediately to A'thor for his scientists to begin deciphering, while the crew were debriefed and put into holding. Then things get sketchy, the data reached the Alter Horn successfully, and security cameras show the scientists along with A'thor began to decode it. Three hours later, A'thor leaves the ship, pleading a engagement. Then at 9:00 hours the security detail picks up a transmission from the ship, apparently a crew member claimed to have a bomb on board, and three minutes later the ship is destroyed by a charge detonated in the fusion reactor fuel stores. All data was lost."
"I thought all data of that importance was backed up and sent to several ships for safety reasons." Simms tapped a pen on his desk.
"According to all operating procedures that is the case, and all procedures were followed. The quirk comes for the fact that no other ship received it. We have all records of it being sent by the Aquitaine. Then even still the scientists on board the Horn backed it up accordingly based on the security cameras."
"So, it was tampered with?
"Yes, by someone with security clearance far above level Alpha and the details become even clearer. After the incident, Special Operation Command was given clearance to investigate, however nothing was found other than a series of bad circumstances, and as we all know, doesn't happen. Then new light was shed on the subject six months later. Faulkner was tried in the military courts, he wouldn't hire defense nor speak anything to intelligence. He was found guilty of treason in court of law and was sentenced to death. Two weeks before his execution date, A'thor pays him a visit. Apparently, he wanted to give Faulkner one last chance to confess and delay or even repel his execution. Cameras indicate A'thor and Faulkner talked for three hours, however no audio feed was allowed due to a deal A'thor brokered so that nothing Faulkner said could be held against him. After the discussion, A'thor remarked that Faulkner never renounced his decision to join the Neo Terran Front, and that has was and I quote, a troubled person with an incoherent mind. Under A'thor's orders, Faulkner's execution date was moved up and he was executed by lethal injection the next morning."
"If A'thor was behind all of this, why was he not arrested and tried?" Hollis said after downing a glass of liquor.
"Accusing a high official well in the GTVA counsel would be utterly pointless. Besides we have no doubt that A'thor was monitoring all the back channels and would have picked up on anything regarding him. But, we have no doubt he has at least a copy of that data, and arresting him would not get it, we needed to milk it out of him. So, SOC went another route, forming the operative branch Black Light completely off the record, and even according to the highest security doesn't exist. It was a program ran completely behind the back of the GTVA. Using this sect we were able to monitor A'thor without any consequences."
"The formation of branches un-approved of the GTA High Counsel was banned after the GTI Rebellion under th."
"We didn't have time to worry about that. This data is incredibly important, for reasons I cannot even discuss. Back to the matters before, Black Light recorded some interesting developments, A'thor would vanish for weeks, where exactly he went is still being researched. However, it was noticed that A'thor became increasingly hostile to the idea of rebuilding the Jump node to SOL. It was then that the top operatives of Black Light gave to go ahead for project "Hollowpoint" as a blind experiment, on the surface a portal re-connecting Allied Space to SOL, however deeper it was much more. Aurora was a class C intersystem Gate.."
"Intersystem?! You are telling me we lost all those brave men defending a base intersystem gate? Simms slammed his fist on the desk, rattling the contents.
"Unfortunately, yes, the structure was designed to hide any aspect of what it really was, a trap. The portal was coded with the original jump coordinates to SOL, and was built the exact same spot."
"How can you swallow the deaths of those men so easily?"
"Look!" Hanley said sharply. "The the fact that those men died is regrettable, but this is far more important than both you and me and this entire vessel. We had to do what we had to do to force his hand, and it worked to perfection."
Simms leaned back into his chair.
A small alert beeped.
Hanley looked down and picked up his PDA.
"Looks like things just escalated."
Hanely stood up and walked to a large panel, and turned it on.
A woman at a news desk was speaking.
"Breaking News out of Ribos, Science Minster Paul A'thor has locked down the system claiming a breach of BETAC by several side branches of GTVA command. Minster A'thor claims that several GTVA branches have become corrupt regarding interrogation tactics, un-lawful monitoring, and assignation attempts, along with the misuse of military funds. Wait, we are receiving word that A'thor is briefing the media on this, and we take you to it."
The view cuts to a older man at a podium, with reporters and other officials around.
"My friends, we have been the victims of injustice by several branches of the so called GTVA. To which all are in full breach of BETAC in several sections. We have evidence regarding these issues. The GTVA has used countless resources to fund illegal and disgraceful actions and experiments. They have put our honest military soldiers, pilots, and sons into harms way for the use of guinea pigs alone. I cannot stand for these actions anymore. Thus for the safety of my men, my forces have closed off Ribos temporarily until these disgraceful dogs we called leaders for so long be put into trial and pay for their actions. So let us end the terror of this government and recreate a new system that works to the gain of us all..."
Hanley turned the screen off.
Both Simms and Hollis are standing.
"On to phase two gentlemen. Mr. A'thor knows he has been played and is not a happy man at the moment" Hanley remarked.
"What do we do now?" Simms his voice low.
"We wait, it's his move."
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Yesss! :D :cool:
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This could be a campaign. ;7
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YES! I was waiting for a new chapter for some time now. :)
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Shame I can't read it properly due to it being in pirate!
But it lives! Yay! :D
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Shame I can't read it properly due to it being in pirate!
But it lives! Yay! :D
Arrr! Quotes be yer friend! Just copy th' text into yer favorite text editor, an' read it tharr!
EDIT: This 'ere be fail. Quotes be showin' up as pirate still :sigh:
EDIT2: Walk th' plank! It seems teh work sometimes.
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Why's everbody speaking in pirate?
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I quite like it. I've been reading through all the fan-fics today. It makes it a bit swashbucklier.
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It's International Talk Like A Landlubber Day, you know. :D
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Gettin' back on topic, I just hope we won't have t' wait a month fer another chapter.
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We could always TAS this til he puts it up, (just to pass the time you know ;7 )
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YES! Another highlight of today! :D
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TAS?
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I was joking (Tell A StoRy)
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You misspelled "Story", Colonel. And I thought that thread's locked. :(
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I meant run a continuanace of this story (in jest :p )......here's the missing r. R
:yes:
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I meant run a continuanace of this story (in jest :p )......here's the missing r. R
:yes:
YaRRR!
And when's the next part coming?
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I meant run a continuanace of this story (in jest :p )......here's the missing r. R
:yes:
YaRRR!
And when's the next part coming?
Ehh, whenever I decide to write it.
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Maybe I should do that too.
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Chapter 3: Shades of Crimson(Continued)
Pounding.....pounding....pounding...
Pike opened his eyes, his vision spinning, he threw his hands against his face, the blurred images making him sick. Slowly, his senses focus, the pounding in his head becomes more understandable. Horrible taste in his mouth, he rips off his oxygen mask, and finds his mouth full of blood, his tongue on fire. He looks at his hands, covered in blood, he wipes his face to find his nose bleeding. The universe stops spinning, his ears focus.
"Commander Pike, do you read"
Dumbfounded and dizzy, he finally reaches the communication switch.
"Pike here."
Here hears a sigh of relief.
"We thought we lost you too"
His brain finally recognizes the voice as Heirden. He looks over diagnostics, hull integrity near critical, two engines out, starboard cannons out along with missile bays either jammed or heavily damaged. He looks out the back of his cockpit and curses. Apparently a friendly Hercules Two crashed into his ship during the extremely rough subspace trip, taking out a huge chunk of his starboard side while both craft's shields were un-operative. But, he counted himself lucky, he was alive, the other pilot was not so fortunate, the nose of the Herc Two crumpled into the cockpit with the remains of the pilot just a bloody mess against the cockpit glass.
"I'm fine Two, shutting down reactors and none essential systems, no oxygen leaks. Who else made it?" Pike put his hand to his head.
"I've got minimal damage, Four, Dallas McKinley, made it, his main comm system is down, but overall he says he's fine. Everyone else is gone."
Pike looks up as something huge glares into his cockpit. His mouth hangs open as he catches sight of the mighty gas giant Jupiter.
"We made it?"
"Yes, all my sensors match up with the SOL system. But, that is just half of it, look behind you."
Quickly Pike jerks his head over his shoulders only to find utter shock. A massive portal, a cross between the Knossos and the Aurora spinning two klicks away, but how? Why? Pike's mind whirled.
"Incoming Jump signature!" Heirden yelled.
Pike looked down as his sensor board lit up.
"Wait, craft signature confirmed."
Pike looked up as a Leviathan class cruiser tore out of subspace just over five clicks from his damaged fighter.
He reached for his comm switch.
"GTVA vessel this is Commander Pike of the GTD Vega, we are heavily damaged and need assist."
No answer. He tries again.
"GTVA vessel this is Commander Pike of the GTD Vega, we are heavily damaged, please assist."
"It's powering up weapons!" Heirden screamed.
"Wait, I'm getting something"
Pike hit a few switches.
"This is the GTC Ozark, if you are indeed who you say you are power down weapons and prepare to be taken into custody."
"What do we do? Can we trust them" Heirden almost whispers over the private channel as the Leviathan class cruiser turns and heads in their direction.
"We have no choice, two fighters and a un-movable piece of debris wouldn't stand long against that cruiser.
"What is that!!"
Pike's sensor board lights up. Energy readings far off the scale. He looks up at a massive subspace rip. His gut chills down below freezing.
Chapter 3 end.
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Yahhh? :eek:
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:eek2: Oh Dang...
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Oh my... :eek2:
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Not as scary as a drunklern northern lass. But entertaining read nevertheless!
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Sweeet ;)
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:eek2: Oh Dang...
Oh my... :eek2:
:lol:
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I wanted to add to those for the Hell of it, but then I decided not to.
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:bump:
*cough* *cough*
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PLEASE! Any updates? I beg you to post another chapter!
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PLEASE! Any updates? I beg you to post another chapter!
Is there any need to plead? Just bump it if you have to.
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It's better than moaning to weatherop.
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I hope this is up to my older stuff, I may be out of practice. ;)
Chapter 4: The Hopeless Fallen
System: Beta Aquilae(Delta Serpentis jump node)
May 18, Year 2371, 9:57 hours.
Bridge: GTD Vega
Simms looked down at the terminal, while keeping a slight eye on the crew stations below him. He grimaced as he pulled up the latest report.
OPERATION COUGAR MET STRONG RESISTANCE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE BACK RIBOS. EARLY ESTIMATES INCLUDE TWO DESTROYERS, TWO CORVETTES AND A CRUISER WERE DESTROYED WITH AN ESTIMATED 40,000 DEAD WITH MANY MORE INJURED. ATHORS FORCES ALSO TOOK HEAVY DAMAGE. NOW REPORTS ARE COMING IN THAT SEVERAL DESTROYERS HAVE REBELLED TO JOIN ATHORS FORCES IN ALTAIR. OTHER FORCES MAY BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST IF NEEDED.
GTVA COMMAND(SECTION IV)
The situation was rapidly heading toward another massive civil war, one far greater than the NTF Rebellion as Athor was a very powerful and persuasive man. Then he pondered that information Hanley had told him earlier. What exactly was Hanley leading to?
"Incoming jump signature"
A tech said.
Simms watched as the Adrastos class heavy cruiser exited subspace to join the assembled forces guarding the Node. So, the stand off continued. Simms just couldn't shake the loss of his pilots and the crew of the Flawless. All those crewmen sacrificed. But, he swore to himself, he would see them vindicated.
Chapter 4: The Hopeless Fallen(Continued)
System: SOL
Pike put his hands over his eyes. He was exhausted. His fellow pilots and himself were taken on board a frigate and interrogated for at least three hours it seamed to him. He lost count on how many times he had recounted all that has happened since the Great War. He briefed them on the GTI Rebellion and the Second Shivan Incursion into Allied Space, and he had no doubt his fellow pilots had the same treatment. He rubbed his head, even though it was bandaged up, it still was quite painful and he was still slightly dizzy from the slight concussion he suffered.
A knock at the door.
A man obviously a lesser officer walked through the door.
"You have been cleared. Come with me please."
Pike stood up, he then realized how bad his muscles ached. He walked around the officer only to find Heirden and McKinley waiting with the another crewman. They too looked both emotionally and physically drained.
"Where are they taking us." Pike asked in a whisper.
"I don't know, they haven't told either one of us anything. Nothing at all for that matter." Heirden answered.
"Please follow me." the officer said as he flicked his hand.
A few minutes and an elevator ride later, they arrived in the small hangar they had landed in only to find scientists and pilots looking at their fighters. But, that was not their concern. They were directed to a Hermes shuttle, and after they were seated, the craft raised up off the surface and pulled away from the frigate.
They could see it would be a short trip as the craft immediately turned toward the large vessel. The ship was so large it had deployed the frigate after it exited subspace. Pike watched out the glass as the ship grew larger. It was un-like anything else he had seen. In fact, it looked as someone had put a number of designs together to create this monstrosity so that it was more like Frankenstein than a ship at all. But, as they neared it was easy to tell it was a formidable vessel, full of gun emplacements including what appeared to be massive cannons very much like what appeared on naval battleships many hundreds of years ago.
"Command would like to know about this." Heirden said quietly.
However, Pike's attention was now on the cavernous hangar now in front of the Hermes. Even from this distance, he could see the hundreds of fighters on multiple decks.
The Hermes pulled into the hangar. Pike watched as both crewmen and pilots stopped and watched the craft, "watched them" float slowly toward an empty space.
McKinley tapped on the window glass. The older fighter pilot grinning as he pointed toward a wing of fighters.
"Valks. Those were the first fighters I ever did fly."
"What are those?" Pike asked as he pointed to another wing of fighters.
"I don't know, never seen that class before" McKinley responded.
It was obviously based on the Hercules class, not as sleek as the Hercules Mark II he was familiar with, but just as formidable. His attention shifted as the Hermes set down on the hangar floor. The guards stood as the metal doors opened. Pike put his hands on the frame as he stepped out. The whole hangar was dead silent, all eyes shifted to the men. Pike watched as man wearing the blue garb of a high ranking officer approached.
"Welcome aboard the Galatea. Colonel Hood pleased to make your acquaintance."
He shook the pilots hands in succession.
"Please come with me, there is much to be discussed"
Hood motioned with his hands and begun walking.
"Galatea.... I've heard that name bef..." Heirden whispered.
"Orion class, destroyed by the Lucifer in The Great War." McKinley spoke up, almost speaking the name with reverence.
Walking through the massive hangar, they were under constant watch from all crewman and pilots.
"Inviting bunch, huh" Pike whispered watching the expressions of the crew.
"Well, after being isolated from the rest of the GTA from thirty plus years, they have reason to be." Hood spoke up, his voice monotone.
Pike looked at Hood, as they continued to walk, and noticed the hearing aid behind his left ear. They entered the elevator, guards standing at the entrance saluted.
For what seamed to be minutes the elevator traveled. Heirden watched out the single viewport as they traveled along the great vessel.
"Magnificent, isn't she" Hood spoke softly.
"Thirty-two years of engineering, fifty thousand crewmen."
Pike opened his mouth.
"All questions will be answered in due time" Hood spoke, obviously expecting Pike's question.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Guards outside saluted. They walked down the hallway, toward a door. Hood pressed the intercomm.
"Sir, the pilots from the GTA"
"Enter"
The door opened to reveal private quarters. The room was well lit, there a man sat at the desk his face behind the computer monitor.
The man, in his late fifties early sixties Pike guessed, looked up at them them. He smiled.
"Welcome aboard this excellent vessel" He spoke with a grin on his face stood. Pike could see he wasn't a very tall man, somewhere in the range of five foot, ten inches. He walked around his computer desk and as shook Pike's hand.
"Admiral Jacobs"
Pike couldn't help but see all the medals and awards he wore on his uniform. Triple Ace, Gold Cross, but a certain patch caught his eye, it was tarnished slightly, but still the emblem of the 242nd Suicide Kings stood out among everything else.
"Yes, pilot of the Galatea under Admiral Wolf, and to this day the Orff was nothing but a piece of scrap" Jacobs laughed.
Pike completely stunned nearly saluted when Jacobs waved him off.
"Long time ago, my friend." Jacobs grinned as he sat and motioned for them to do as well.
"I think this would be a good time to answer some questions and to ask some of my own. The smile on Jacobs face disappeared.
"We are pilots of the GTD Veg.." Pike spoke but was interrupted.
"I mean no offense, but I already know that information from the transcripts of your interegation" Jacobs said.
"Perhaps if you ask your questions first, we could get on the same level."
Pike sat silent for a second then spoke.
"Maybe you could explain this vessel and it's purpose"
"Ah the Galatea, Well after we destroyed the Lucifer, we found that jump node back to allied space had been cut off as you also know. Well, to begin with we didn't have a clue what to do to get back in contact with Command. Well while our scientists tried to study the first recorded collapse of a jump node, the science ship Hope's Call found something very interesting."
Jacobs opened a file folder and handed Pike recon pictures. His blood went cold as he stared at the images, and Jacobs saw it.
"You have seen this before"
Pike looked up.
"I have sir, these images match the devices known by the codename Knossos. They are subspace gat....."
"We know" Jacobs spoke.
"That is how you got here my friend. That device appeared mysteriously after the destruction of the Lucifer, why it wasn't detected before we do not know. But, we have re-engineered it to create Pyli, our subspace portal to reconnect us to the allied systems. The device has been active for close to a month now, but by all means far to hazardous to cross, at least until you and your fellow pilots flew through it. Now all science ships have recorded it is now stable and safe for travel."
"Is the Knossos activated?" Pike inquired.
"No, even though we were able to reverse engineer it, it is far to complex to activate."
"So how did we make it though the node?" Heirden asked.
"Our scientists have debated, but have concluded whatever device you claim was built in Delta Serpentis somehow stabilized the node."
"So, what now sir?" Pike rubbed his chin.
"We re-establish the prodigal son with his father." Jacobs gave a small grin.
"And of the rebels on the other side of the node?
Jacobs smiled.
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:yes: :D
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:jaw: :yes: Please, please do not this turn into just another dead fanfic...
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:yes:
Yay it's alive! :D
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Woah, I think that just made up for the six months I went without reading a book
:yes:
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IT LIVES! WHOO!
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Niiiiice.
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I'm tired, so please look over any spelling errors I missed. ;)
Chapter 4: The Hopeless Fallen(Continued)
System: System: Delta Serpentis
May 19, Year 2371, 2:57 hours.
Bridge: GTD Temple
Hall stood looking out the main view ports on the bridge. He was staring at the beautiful structure known as Aurora, the "Hope" to reach Earth, the hope to re-unite loved ones. The hope was a lie, a lie used to draw them out. A lie so well crafted it had worked to perfection and has left him with little hope of survival. But he had right on his side, it was his job to save humanity. He looked over a piece of paper, on which the orders from A'thor were clear. He knew A'thor was right, coming to save him and his fleet now was a waste of time. Time he thought was something they didn't have a lot of.
Hall looked down off the command deck.
"Has the scouts reported in yet?"
"We are just receiving them now, sir" a tech shouted back.
"We are getting word that a sizable GTVA fleet is organizing in Beta Aquilae, as of now it consists of two destroyers, three corvettes, two cruisers and one heavy cruiser. They also report that they have decoded a message that two more destroyers will be join the force later today."
Hall cursed and looked at the portal. He knew what would happen, with the portal being nothing more than a over sized ring, Command would have no problem attacking with all the ships it could assemble. He had planned on using the portal as a bargaining chip. But, that plan was now far out-dated. He had to take his chances in a all out assault as soon as possible. His fleet of two destroyers and a cruiser and corvette wouldn't stand much of a chance against the fleet assembling in Beta Aquilae. Besides, the greater damage he could afflict may give A'thor just enough time to...
"Sir! We are getting incoming jump signature from the Aurora! a tech screamed.
"Impossible!" Hall shouted watching out the view port.
He watched as two medium sized subspace portals materialized out of the black space. Then he watched as flame burst from the portals, both unleashing a torrent of shells that poured from the portal and slammed into the Cougar, a Leviathan class cruiser, and massive chunks of metal tore from the vessel and gouts of flame poured from the ship on all sides.
The two vessels exited subspace, revealing modified Leviathan cruisers armed with two four barreled battleship like turrets. Then all reality broke lose.
"Sir! Many incoming jump signatures!" The Tech was astounded by what he saw, fifty fighters and bombers all closing, weapons armed and all hostile.
Space
Reggie Hayden looked over his sensor board, the two destroyers and corvette lit up like a Christmas tree on his display, as did the poor Leviathan cruiser for a few moments before disappearing, no doubt falling to the viscous onslaught by the GTC Oak and the GTC Atlantic, the Kraken class cruisers who led the assault.
"All fighters fall in, hit the destroyers hard, attack sub-systems, and put some bombs in the hangars before the fighters can launch. Also as briefed, watch the anti-fighter beams."
He heard the acknowledgments of the many leaders of the wings behind his own. He smiled, this is what being a Suicide King ment. He toggled a few switches, his Banshee cannons on his display changed from red to green as did his Glaucus cannons. His Eurus Interceptor was in top form, a design taken from the great Hercules fighter of the Great War. The Eurus was fast, agile and strong, and it carried a decent amount of bombs. Thinking that, he flipped a switch that armed his Paveway V bombs. Not powered, they were much smaller than the normally used torpedo, yet they carried about half the punch of the Tsunami and were much harder to hit. He could carry a lot of them , but he had to get close to toss them, and that is how he liked it. Hit engaged his afterburner, streaking out toward the destroyers.
"Sir, sensors show fighters launching."
"Acknowledged, Alpha 3, all fighters protect the bombers and engage" Hayden yelled, then they were in the thick of it.
Bridge: GTD Temple
The ship shook as it took a bomb hit on it's port side, Hall holding on to a terminal. He watched at a unknown class fighter shredded a Herc Two in front of the top view screen. He didn't know what to do, the assault was too fast and unexpected. His wings were getting slaughtered.
"Sir! Incoming jump signature! It's huge!"
Hall looked up, his knees nearly failing him. A vessel so large while coming out of subspace, it had collided and destroyed half of the Aurora.
"Orders Sir" a Tech screamed.
Hall said nothing.
Bridge: Galatea
Jacobs watched the view screens as they exited subspace. He looked over his shoulder at Pike.
"Watch and see that we are not behind in technology as you may think." Jacobs smiled, pointing to a Orion class destroyer on the mid-right viewpoint, as he pointed the ship received a red target box.
"Fire full broadside at that ship."
"Acknowledged Sir, commencing firing." a tech said.
Space
Hayden weaved in and out behind the Loki, it was a slick little ship, hard to hit. He grunted as he pulled a tight left turn to stay on it's tail. But, his skill was far too much a match for the hapless fighter, he pulled the trigger, his four cannons slicing through shields and shearing off the the complete right rear end of the fighter, which spun uncontrollably before exploding in a fireball.
He checked his sensor board, it was a turkey shoot, enemy ships were quickly disappearing. Looking back out out his HUD he found himself in a interesting position. He smiled, flying right down as into the hangar of the Temple as to land, he clicked his bomb release trigger twice while throwing his fighter straight up vertical. He watched the bombs bounce down into the hangar before exploding, fire and debris poured into space as the hangar collapsed.
Bridge: Temple
Hall was knocked down as the entire vessel listed to the side, the lights dimming.
"Status report" getting back to his feet.
"Main hangar totally destroyed" a tech helplessly screamed.
Hall managed a smile, this battle was nearly over.
Space
Huge streams of flames burst from the main three barreled super cannons on top of the Galatea, releasing massive rounds that tore into the side of the Heart's Desire a second later. Chunks tore out of the vessel from front and back, some rounds penetrating out the other side. The whole ship now with massive holes in the side, was kicked sideways from the force of the rounds. Flames burst from the sides of the Orion destroyer, now completely out of the fight.
Bridge: Galatea
"The Heart's Desire is out of commission" a tech shouted.
Jacobs eyed the vessel, small explosions ripping out chunks of levels every few seconds while fire consumed the whole ship's hull. Then he looked at the Temple, hangar flaming, with smaller flames pouring from bomb strikes.
"Open a channel"
"Done Sir"
"Temple, this the Admiral Jacobs of the Galatea, power down weapons and surrender your ship or suffer the same fate as your sister."
"We would rather die, your majesty." Hall mocked in a sarcastic tone.
"You will lead to the end of us whether or not I survive this engagement, wait, on second thought kill me now so I won't have to see your future blunder and the dooming of our race. Hall out."
Jacobs sighed.
"Recall all fighters from the vicinity of the Temple. Commence first battle testing of the Flux Cannon."
"Aye sir"
Space
"All fighters, this is the Galatea, remove from the vicinity of the Temple, over."
Hayden heard the order over the comm channel.
"Roger, Galatea, all fighters pulling back.
Bridge: Temple
Hall downed a shot of liquor. He watched with detached interest as the attacking fighters and bombers pulled away from the ship. Then a faint glow at the front end of the Galatea, that glow soon grew bright, what looked to be red flames leaping from the glow, then it fired, and he was vaporized instantly.
Space
The Flux Cannon fired, it's almost liquid, molten beam hit the Temple at the mid-line totally covering two-thirds of the ship. Hayden watched as the Temple melted under the intense power, that when the Flux Cannon ceased firing, all that remained was a hundred meters of the bow and stern both glowing as molten steel.
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Cooool...
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"Have the scouts reported in yet?"
Fixed. Keep at it man! ;)
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Awesome :D
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Up to now, I was gonna say...Ohh great, another Galatic Civil War story. UGH!
But I have to admit, this one really shines bright in a good story line and well written characters as well. Good job and by all means, keep at it! :yes:
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I'm trying to remember, Hall is one of those that attacked the jump gate, right?
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Dammit, I really want to be able to play this. :p
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:bump:
Just had to do this! Can't wait for more!! ;)
:D
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Dammit, I really want to be able to play this. :p
Somebody could FRED it... :nervous:
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Dammit, I really want to be able to play this. :p
Somebody could FRED it... :nervous:
But half the story takes place onboard
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But half the story takes place onboard
Oh yeah...I forgot. :o
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Teaser time :D
Chapter 4: The Hopeless Fallen(Continued)
System: System: Beta Aquilae(Delta Serpentis jump node)
May 20, Year 2371, 00:07 hours.
Private Quarters: GTD Vega
Simms pulled off his shoes and sat on his bed, he put his hands to his face, he hadn't had over fours hours of sleep for nearly a week, and near none except for thirty minute cat naps for the past two days and he was tired. But, he marveled at what had taken place, no only was the threat in Delta Serpentis neutralized, he had recovered three of his pilots thought dead, and then was the shocking matter of the Galatea and the re-established link between SOL.
He heard a beep, looking up to see his computer monitor flashing. He stood, walking to the cabinet and pouring him a drink before walking over to his chair and sitting down. Opening the message:
"GTVA Message:
Classified Level Sigma
05/20/2371 00:09 Hours
GTVA has re-established link to SOL. Threat in Delta Serpentis was neutralized by the SOL built Galatea at 05/19/2371 at 2:57 hours. After briefing the ship on the current state of affairs in the GTVA, SOL has once again become part of the Galactic Terran Vasudan Alliance. GTVA Command is currently meeting with the commanders of the Galatea on possible action against the remaining rebelling factions. In response the Galatea has became the GTVA Galatea. All Ships with clearance will be briefed further as Command sees fit.
END MESSAGE"
Simms looked out his view port at the Galatea. Even at 6 kilos away was still by far the most massive ship he had seen, even dwarfing the mighty Colossus. The structure of the ship from his opinion, looking like several Orion class destroyers mutilated with several other ship classes. He could distinctly see the gray and golden pieces of armor off what likely were the Ceto class destroyers of the early Terran/Vasudan War. No doubt SOL's space yards would be full of the bulky, under armed kilometer long warship hulks. But, he could tell one thing, the ship was basically an armored fortress, even with it's zombie looking structure with support beams and miss-matched sections, and from what Pike has stated, it certainly wasn't under armed.
He turned off his computer, rubbed his eyes, and got in his bed, and quickly fell asleep.
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DILMAH WANT!
-
Chapter 4: The Hopeless Fallen(Continued)
System: System: Ribos
May 20, Year 2371, 00:45 hours.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
A'thor looked out over the bridge, thoughts consumed his mind. Everything had gone wrong, SOC picked up something, he wasn't sure what, he had been very good at keeping his footsteps clean. Still they had knew, but the question is how much. He shook off the thought, not all of it, or they would have acted much differently. What has was doing was right, his mission, to save the human race.
His communicator beeped. Reaching down and pulling it up to his mouth.
"A'thor"
"Sir, please come to the Command room. We have received disturbing news."
"On my way"
A'thor turned and walked toward the elevator, walking by several crew members. After he entered, the door shut and he pulled out a card and inserted it into the slot. The elevator shook a little as it moved upward. With a slight jolt, the elevator stops and the doors opened. and he walked through the doors into the command room. The magnetic locks clicked behind him.
"Sir" a middle aged man wearing an officers garb saluted and handed him a file.
A'thor flipped it open and as he read it, his expression turned sour.
"Are you sure of this, Boaz?"
"Yes sir, we have confirmation from three spies"
A'thor sat in the chair on the end of the long conference table and rubbed his eyes with his hand as he dropped the file on the table.
"Send a message to all the ships in the vicinity. Tell their captains to report immediately for a meeting."
"Yes Sir" Sidney Boaz saluted and walked out of the room.
A'thor sipped his coffee, things had just taken a turn for the worst.
May 20, Year 2371, 02:30 hours.
Command Room: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
The room was filled with chatter as the ship commanders assembled. Everyone quietened down as A'thor entered and sat down with a stack of files in his hand.
"Gentlemen, I fear we have hit another snag."
"Another snag? You said this would be an easy operation." Kieth Brown, commander of the GTD Everest spoke hard.
"I never said this would be easy" A'thor retorted back.
"But yes, you can say that I was at fault earlier, but in this case, even the blame is not on my hands. Boaz." A'thor shook his head.
Boaz dimmed the lights and a large screen lit up.
A media reporter sat at a desk, the graphic on the screen stated" Link with Earth Re-established." The woman began to speak.
"Thanks for joining us, top story tonight is based on the report by the spokesperson of GTVA Command, the link with Earth has been re-established, wait, I'm getting word that a press conference is beginning, we are going live to it"
The screen changed to a conference room with the GTVA logo behind the podium, the room filled with reporters chattering. The room quietened as a man, dressed as high officer walked to the podium.
"Thanks for arriving on short notice, we felt the need for this press conference to assure the population of our commitment to your safety. As all of you know about the stand off in Ribos by Science Minister Paul A'thor, also of the standoff in Delta Serpentis. Well, the stand still in Delta Serpentis has been dealt with.."
A'thor watched the expressions of confusion among the commanders and they whispered briefly between each other.
"Early yesterday morning, by means we are still investigating, several ships entered Delta Serpentis through the jump node from the Solar System, the lead ship, the Galatea quickly destroyed the rebellious ships before making contact with the GTVA in Beta Aquilae. As of right now, SOL is now once again rejoined with the Galactic Terran Vasudan Alliance."
The room filled with chatter from the reporters.
"The commander of the Galatea has agreed to take the ship on the offensive and take back Ribos. We are...."
The screen turned off and the lights brightened.
The room filled with voices.
"Gentleman, gentlemen, please.."
The room quietened and order was restored.
"I didn't bring you here without a solution."
"May I ask, what is your solution?" Stephen Miller, commander of the GTD Superior, sternly said in a sarcastic, unbelieving tone.
"We will get to that soon enough"
"What is the size of that ship? Philip Clark asked.
"Recent reports from our spies say at least eight kilos, armed heavily and with armor we could barely scratch with our combined guns."
"Then what do we do?" Brown asked.
"First of all, we keep our wits. The only reason that was released to the press, was to scare us into action, thus doing something stupid and playing into their plans. We all must remember, it's only one ship and by my calculations, it would take quite a while for it to get into position to be used against us in battle.
"Is our primary goal still the same?" Miller questioned.
"It is, and I must know, what would we all give to protect humanity? After all, even if we don't risk anything, our lives will still come to an end. Therefore I ask you to put your lives on the line, so that your children will live, and not only will they live, but all of us in this room will be remembered as heroes. Saviors of the human race! And our families will bask in that glory. Our children will grow up respected! So, is our individual lives worth saving the ones we love?"
The men all sternly faced, looked at A'thor who was not standing.
"After all, our lives mean little compared to the sustaining of our race. But, I would not ask of you what I would not do myself, therefor my life will be on the line too. We must succeed, gentlemen. We must!"
A'thor slammed his hand on the desk.
"Any objections?"
The men looked around for a second, but not one raised his hand.
"Then it's settled, let us bring true peace to our civilization."
Chapter 4 End.
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I do believe this can be used as a basis for a MOD someday. I really do. :) Nice penmanship, good story structure and composition too. Pat yourself on the back :yes:
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But then we'd need a SOL/GTVA Galatea model. Which would look pretty kickass, from its description.
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But then we'd need a SOL/GTVA Galatea model. Which would look pretty kickass, from its description.
No chance of using the Orion Phase II, eh?
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Heh?
It's supposed to be an 8-km long space fortress that looks like several Orions fused together, with other ships stuck on and exposed girders.
When I read that description, my mind naturally created something with three-point radial symmetry...but that's just me.
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It was a rhetorical question. :)
8 km...that'll be quite huge (although probably not as huge as the SSJ Gigas).
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Chapter 5: Sins of Our Fathers
System: System: Ribos
May 20, Year 2371, 00:45 hours.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
A'thor stood, hands clutched behind his back.
"You will all be remembered as heroes."
"Then let us be remembered doing something right." Brown responded over the intercom.
"We won't fail, we can't fail."
A'thor watched as seven of the group's thirteen destroyers along with eight cruisers and three Deimos class corvettes, broke from the group and activated subspace drives and disappeared into the bluish light. A'thor respected them, giving their lives for humanity.
"Course, sir"
A technician on the level below asked.
"Full stop"
All the technicians and some of the officers looked at each other in confusion, none dared to question.
"We will stay at this position for eighteen hours, the proceed to Antares."
A'thor walked from the bridge into elevator. No doubt many were questioning his orders, but it really mattered little, they would see in due time. The elevator shuddered as it reached the officers quarters. The elevator door opened to reveal Col. Boaz waiting, he saluted as A'thor walked out and fell in tow.
"I don't mean to question your orders sir, but wouldn't we be risking both life and mission by moving toward the Galatea in Beta Aquilae?'
"Precisely. Not just Command's new toy, but also the likes of the Vega, my spies have also indicated the Crystal Hope is in Vega, and ol'e Admiral Petrarch, the Aquitane and the whole third fleet is in Deneb, also headed toward Vega and ultimately Antares."
They walked into A'thor's quarters. A'thor hit a switch and the room lit up and the door closed behind them.
"Sir, no disrespect, but isn't that heading into the lion's den? We wouldn't get close to Delta Serpintis."
A'thor went to his safe, unlocking it with his voice and finger print.
"Things are not always so clear my friend."
He pulled out a large rolled up chart, and placed it on his deck while unrolling it.
Boaz looked carefully, clearly it was a star map, an older one to be precise, but the GTI logo on the far side clearly stated it's creator.
"This is our lifeline"
Each system had several coordinates beside it, although a few caught his attention. Boaz pointed to a node.
"This is a mistake, there aren't any jump nodes from Beta Aquilae to SOL."
A'thor smiled.
"That is correct, note the red color, this is a GTI Master Node chart. The jump nodes in red do not exist. The were created to throw off the Vasudans in the Terran/Vasudan War. Had they known SOL had only one entrance and exit, they may have made a greater attempt at a blockade or something of the sort."
"So, this map was designed to fall into enemy hands?"
"Yes, and no, those jump nodes to SOL would have been on every node chart at that time. However, this chart has much more detail and is much more valuable."
"I see."
"Do you see the blue nodes? Those are jump nodes not listed by any computer, nor any other chart. This is where we are going."
A'thor drew a path with his finger.
"I understand now. Do you think the trick will work?"
A'thor sighed.
"It will have too, we are rapidly running out of time."
System: System: Vega
May 20, Year 2371, 23:37 hours.
Bridge: GTVI Krybo(SOC Command)
Paul Fisher heard a beep, quickly opened the encrypted file to reveal a message.
"Sir"
Col. Jacob Fowler walked behind him.
"We just received a report from one of our spies."
Fowler thought it over, A'thor was dead, killed when the Destiny and his battle group tried to run the blockade on the Ribos node in Antares. The plan had worked to an extent, the group blasted through the blockade into Antares, but lost two-thirds of the group, along with their head-honcho, and would either quickly surrender or be destroyed by the Galatea.
"Sir, a battle group containing six destroyers just jumped into Antares."
Fowler smiled.
"That little snake, what direction is the battle group headed?"
Fisher typed on his keyboard. Looking back at his commanding officer with a puzzled look.
"Open space, sir, they are headed away from all known jump nodes in Antares."
"Looks like he knows of the un-charted node to Betelgeuse, likely headed there to hide and wait this situation out until it all has cooled down. Wouldn't be hard if everyone thinks you are dead."
Fowler thought for a second, great opportunity.
"Open transmission line to 42904."
Fisher typed.
"Line open sir."
A voice came across the intercom.
"Admiral Lewis, receiving you Command."
"This is Fowler, desist all testing exercises in Beta Cygni. We have a real operation that can prove as an successful first test. Proceed to the Betelgeuse system. You will be meeting with some old friends."
"Received sir, and what would you like for us to do with we meet these old acquaintances?"
Lewis chuckled.
"Just see that they don't return from the party."
"Orders received, the Omega is now in full battle operation until the operation is completed. Over and out."
The transmission cut off.
Folwer looking pleased with himself, walked to the elevator.
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Nice. As always, can't wait for more :D
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:yes:
This story is getting more and more interesting by each chapter. :D
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Chapter 5: Sins of Our Fathers(Continued)
System: Betelgeuse
May 21, Year 2371, 11:27 hours.
A'thor's Quarters: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
A'thor sat, his reading glasses on, studying. His desk was cluttered with charts, books, and his computer. A beep from the door caught his attention.
"Enter" He responded before looking back to the book in his hand.
The door opened and Sidney Boaz entered, walked to the desk, saluted and sat in a chair.
"Fascinating isn't it, our own stupidity." he mumbled to himself.
"Sir?" Boaz instinctively spoke before catching a glimse of the tattered book A'thor was reading.
A'thor caught his glance, and pulled the glasses off his head.
"Aken Bosch's journal." He placed it on his desk.
"Sir, I have followed your orders and cause from the beginning, but I must know, why did you make the choice to rebel against the GTVA?" Boaz asked.
A'thor let out a sigh.
"Because based on their greed, they sent millions to their grave."
Before Boaz could answer, A'thor spoke up again.
"Why, you wonder? This..." he placed his hand on Bosch's journal.
"Because they should have stopped him, killed the insane fool before he got as far as he did. But, they didn't, long before he ever rebelled, we knew he was insane. We knew he was up to something, building something, traveling here and there. We were not blind, not in the least bit to most of his plans, although we didn't grasp the scope of what he was trying to achieve. But, still we let him continue. Later, after the rebellion had begun, I inquired to the Counsel, I inquired to GTA Command and even to the Parliament of Vasuda, but they didn't listen. GTVI had already threw up the smokescreen in their faces of the possibility of Bosch's "super weapon" he may use if pressed to hard."
A'thor poured Boaz and himself a glass of red wine. He sipped his and continued.
"But, we knew he had no super weapon, we just wanted the information on what exactly he had. We could have crushed the Rebellion the day it started using the Colossus. But, we let it grow, so we could possibly get our hands on "ETAK". Well, congratulations to us, we did, but then it was too late." He spoke sarcastically.
A'thor swished his wine around in his glass and took another sip.
System: Antares
May 21, Year 2371, 11:32 hours.
Bridge: GTD Vega
"Sir, we have destroyers just exiting subspace" A tech said as he looked at his display.
Hollis looked close and turned around.
"We have four destroyers, five cruisers and two corvettes, all damaged to some extent, but all still at fully capable."
"Ok, send a message to the Creative and the Baron to use us for cover while returning fire." Simms nodded to a communications technician at the desk to his right.
"Hanley, do we have clearance to engage?"
Hanley was looking at his PDA.
"Yes, Command has given authorization to engage and destroy enemy vessels."
Simms turned to look at the ring of monitors around the bridge that was showing a three-hundred and sixty degree look around the ship.
"Open a channel to the Galatea."
"Open sir."
"Jacobs, this is Simms, command has given orders to mop up these traitors."
"Received, Vega, give us time time, powering up main battery, but it will take five minutes, bringing top and starboard side gun emplacements to bear. Happy hunting, Jacobs out."
The link terminated.
Simms watched as the large cannons of the Galatea swiveled to face the enemy vessels. Simms smiled, vengeance was sweet.
"Helm, four o'clock low, full speed, let us spread our battle formation out, gunnery control open fire when in range."
System: Betelgeuse
May 21, Year 2371, 11:35 hours.
A'thor's Quarters: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"So, that is why you took and then destroyed all the evidence on ETAK"
A'thor was looking out the view port.
"Yes, I could only imagine all the protocols and panic there would have been had the truth leaked out. Not that Command would have acted on it regardless, and it would have turned into another GTI fiasco. They knew what they were doing, and I have little doubt GTVI would have tried the same thing. This is a fight we cannot win.
"How long do we have?"
"Not long, the node has been re-opened to SOL."
Boaz looked down into his glass of wine.
"What exactly was ETAK?"
A'thor swiveled his chair around.
"ETAK is some of what you have heard..."
"So, it was a communication device."
"..and a lot of what you haven't heard."
A chill trickled down Boaz's back.
"ETAK was more than just a communications device, much more."
System: Antares
May 21, Year 2371, 11:39 hours.
Gunnery Control: GTD Vega
A loud beep, and the entire room flashed read. McAllen listened.
"Sir, main guns now in range."
"Ok, Commander Simms, main guns are in range of the...."
His voice wavered as several bursts of fire caught his eye, and he turned to watch the Galatea unleash the main kinetic guns and he followed the huge shells as they tore into the enemy battle group four and a half kilos away. A hapless Fenris cruiser took the shell right in the bridge, the entire ship crumpled back the the engines, then the shell detonated a split moment sending shards of the vessel in all directions.
"This is Simms, fire when ready." Simms shouted over the intercom.
"Roger Sir. Fire main beam cannons A and C at target 43067, the Everest"
"Firing sir."
The lights dimmed and the ship shook a little and two green lances of light poured from the main batteries of the Vega. The first beam hit the rear of the Everest and pounded the hull, fire and molten metal pouring from the wound. The second one pivoted, tearing a long track into the hull.
He then watched as the enemy vessels powered up beam cannons for a counter attack. His gut knotted.
System: Betelgeuse
May 21, Year 2371, 11:43 hours.
A'thor's Quarters: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"So, they know everything."
"That is correct."
Boaz hadn't heard A'thor talk like this, like a defeated warrior.
"Now you understand, you see why we cannot fail. Our lives mean nothing, except to atone for the trespasses our fathers have committed in the name of greed and lust for control."
A'thor downed the last of the wine.
System: Antares
May 21, Year 2371, 11:46 hours.
Space
The Galatea fired it's main cannon, the fluid beam of fire hit a destroyer head on. A shield of fire poured around the ship. The front end of the blaze quickly reached the rear, and when the beam cooled down, nothing but an area of gas remained.
Bridge: GTD Vega
The ship shuddered as two beams slashed the hull.
"Status?"
"Good sir, we've sustained damaged, but it is all minor."
"Excellent."
Simms looked out the starboard side in time to see the Baron shred two Deimos class corvettes with it's dual beam canons located on either side of the ship.
"Incoming jump signature! Friendly configuration."
The Hecate class destroyer slashed through a cruiser with it's forward facing battery, and nailed a destroyer with it's primary gun. The destroyer shuddered as the beam ripped out multiple decks, and the massive ship rolled as it's engines flamed out and multiple explosions rocked the super-structure.
"This is Admiral Petrarch, the Aquitane is now on station."
The message poured over the communications speakers.
"Glad to have you Ol'e Peachy, glad to see you could make it..."
"Sir, the remaining enemy ships are powering down weapons. We are receiving a surrender message."
"The first reasonable decision they've made, tell all ships to break off attack, and tell the destroyers to prepare to be boarded and offer no restiance.
"Aye sir"
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Here comes the old man (Petrarch). Never mess with an old man. :D
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Great story, keep it up :D
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:yes: Excellent as always.
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:yes: Excellent as always.
Ditto.
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:bump:
Just cant let this one pass into the abyss :D
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Yea. Updates please ;)
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Oh not another one...
Yet another great fanfic falls to the mighty tidal wave of time constraints.
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Hey, I'm not dead, well not yet. :p
I've been busy for the last few weeks, but I'll update eventually.
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Woo! Great to hear, I said it once and I'll say it again. I'd hate to see this end up like Journey of the forgotten
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System: Betelgeuse
May 21, Year 2371, 11:48 hours.
A'thor's Quarters: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
A'thor looked at his watch, and breathed a sigh of relief, they were nearly there. Boaz was reading Bosch's journal.
"He was a madman, and he honestly thought he could save us"
A'thor nodded. Suddenly the comm link beeped.
"We need you on the bridge, sir, we have recorded an anomaly."
"On my way"
A'thor stood walking toward the door, Boaz quickly laid the book down on his desk and followed.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"Report"
A'thor shouted as he walked unto the command deck.
"Sir, we recorded a weak subspace signature, although no sensors on the vessel can pick anything up."
A'thor's gut went cold and his hair stood up on his arms.
"Sir, are you alright?"
Boaz asked instinctively.
A'thor didn't hear him, his mind a whirl of thoughts. How did it get here so fast, it must have been nearby. That would mean the distraction had not fully worked, and the GTVA knew of his where abouts. Not that it mattered, the main threat was here with them.
He gritted his teeth, too far to turn back now.
"Scramble IFF, I don't want anything to know what ship is what. Spread out the formation, and power up all reactors."
He knew they had no chance in a straight out fight, but no one else knew that. Besides, he just may be able to slide through. He looked down at the range indicator, it dropped under five klicks.
Space
The fleet fanned out in all directions, few turning on large spotlights that sent beams of light into the darkness of space. The central red star much too far to provide any light.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Arachne
Captain Mitch Farnsworth eyes the screens covering three-hundred and sixty degrees around the Orion class destroyer. He looks down, the techs furiously dig through information and sensor data.
Tactical Adviser Peter Willingham walks up besides him.
"Sir, farther scans reveal nothing."
Farnsworth rubs his beard and chuckles.
"Looks like A'thor is getting antsy"
His smile fades.
"Keep the Destiny in range of our main cannons in case our friend tries to put a bullet in our back."
Willingham types on a PDA.
"Sir, we have a slight problem."
Willingham turns the PDA for Farnsworth to see.
"Everything is scrambled."
He looks back toward the center of the bridge.
"What is he up too."
"Sir!"
A tech screams from the first level.
"Report"
"I saw something in the last sweep of the search light."
Farnsworth runs up to the top deck.
"Sweep the light again."
The search light sweeps back around, it's light piecing into the infinity of space, until it hits a black empty spot that seams to absorb the light.
"What is that?"
Space
A green flash lights up the area the spot light hits, and fires a beam of superheated energy. The Arachne disintegrates under the intense heat.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
The entire bridge fills with light. The whole crew jumps, except A'thor.
"What the..."
Boaz ducks and shields his eyes as a second beam fires and he watches a Deimos corvette melt in half a second.
Lights flash up and down the underside of the mysterious vessel, revealing it's sharp corners and twisted shape.
"How far until we reach the end of the way point!"
A'thor screams.
"Two clicks, sir."
A Tech stutters.
It doesn't take long for A'thor to realize the hidden jump node is half a click above the top side of the attacking behemoth.
"Sir, orders?!"
Boaz yells above the frenzy.
"Full speed ahead, we have to make it, even if we turn back we're dead!"
Boaz gives him blank look, then turns back toward the bridge.
"Full Speed ahead, all power to the engines, don't worry about returning fire.
A'thor smiles, he can't help not too, he knows fate has to be on his side, if he fails, everyone dies.
Space
Mass confusion erupts as ships try to scatter, away from the attacking black terror. A few try to return fire, their primary beams reflecting of the angled surface. Those attacking are quickly mowed down with beam fire from numerous turrets.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"Sir, five hundred meters until we reach the way point!"
A navigation tech shouts.
"Excellent maintain forwa......"
The bridge lights dim, as the whole vessel shudders and lists to it's starboard side sending techs falling off their chairs. A'thor grabs a station to stay on his feet.
"Damage report!"
Boaz yells from across the bridge.
"Major damage in section six, decks twenty-eight through fifty-two, diagnostics showing thirty percent power lose from the main engine."
The bridge lights up as the Anvil, a Hecate destroyer detonates from beam fire.
"Sir, we are alone now!"
A Tech yells, his voice full of panic.
The lights dim as a beam slashes the underside of the Orion class destroyer. A'thor says nothing, even as the destroyer now lists slightly. The lights dim again and vessel shakes furiously as another beam cuts through the decks of the warship. A loud beep fills the air of the bridge.
"Sir, we have reached the waypoint!"
A'thor breathes in deep.
"Engage subspace drive, coordinates 61953-9604."
The ship shudders as the subspace drive powers up, the lights dim with some of them going fully off.
Space
Half a klick above the black ship, the Destiny picks up speed as an subspace portal opens and envelopes the vessel.
Bridge: SOC Omega
Lewis slammed his hands on a computer monitor and cursed.
"Where did they go?
"We don't know sir, our sensors are not picking up any activity in the system."
"Open COMM channel to SOC Command"
The channel beeped.
"This is Fowler, report."
"We mopped up all of them, except one which jumped into subspace. Our sensors are still trying to figure out where to exactly."
"Do you have the exact cords at the position the ship jumped from?"
"Roger. The ship was beyond critical and couldn't have went far. Should we follow?"
"Negative, we don't want to put the Omega in any risks by entering subspace with unknown coordinates. Besides, a task force will be arriving in five minutes to follow the ship and destroy it. We need the Omega to re-enter stealth mode and make an intersystem jump to 3253-32196 for combat evaluation."
"Received Command"
Space
All lights along the ship faded out, and the ship became black as space again. A massive subspace portal opened, and then faded back to the void of space.
Chapter 5 End.
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:jaw: Wooooooo!!! I'm drooling!
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Awesome. As always, can't wait for more. :)
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Chapter 6: The Fifth Trumpet
System: Ross 128
May 23, Year 2371, 06:11 hours.
Space
The once powerful Destiny limps out of the subspace jump. Large plumes of smoke still pouring out of several holes in the hull. Electric sparks leaping between titanium beams around a two hundred meter clean cut hole in the rear of the vessel. Fires still raging, despite the majority put out by crew members. Leaks in massive fuel lines shooting streams of fire out of the destroyed engines. With all the damage, the ship slowly moves forward, although with a very noticeable list to the starboard side.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
A'thor gazes toward the remaining screens, most of them destroyed in the fight. The bridge was in shambles, crew members at their stations, tired from the lack of sleep in the past three days. Several still with bloody uniforms on caused by falling bridge support beams and falling into desks. None of them complained however, and A'thor knew he had the honor of leading great men. The job was still not complete, this he kept in the forefront of his mind.
"Sir"
Boaz walked up behind the battered captain.
"Seven of sixteen engines out, but still maintaining a velocity of eight m/s."
"We have nearly made it my friend. Almost to the prize."
For the first time in many days Boaz watched a smile cross the captain's face, and then something unexpected. A'thor turned to him, his eyes full of tears.
"Sir, are you alright."
"Yes my friend."
He voice cracked, but he smiled again.
"Our children will be safe to live out their lives in peace. Yes, that is something our stupidity nearly took from them."
Hearing a loud beep A'thor turned back toward the bridge.
"Report"
"Sir, we have reached the way point."
A tech below the main deck reported.
Boaz knew where they were going, but the sight of it still sent chills down his back.
Space
A massive spot light flipped on scanning the wreckage. The light moved up and down on the nameplate of the massive landing deck, some of which was still filled with hulks of cargo containers. The light also hitting a rather odd piece of wreckage. A dim red light dimly turned on, and the wreckage rotated a few times before the light faded back to darkness.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"The Riviera"
Boaz shuddered slightly.
"Yes, it began here, and it will end here. Helm, activate subsystem 050333"
"Roger sir, activating on my mark, five, four..."
"Sir, what is subsystem 050333?"
Boazed inquired.
"ETAK, my good man, ETAK."
"....three, two, one, subsystem activating now.
Space
A small orb like device rose out of the middle deck, on the top of the Destiny. The round portion split into two pieces and lowered to the deck revealing a odd shaped radar like dish.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"Sir, the subsystem is operational, and functioning with zero power loss."
A'thor looked over the shoulder of the head technician at the sensors station.
"Good, ping ten kilometers to begin with, and increase power and range with each successful test."
"Roger, sir"
Boaz couldn't hold back any longer.
"Sir, what exactly is ETAK?
A'thor turned to face him.
"Electrostatic Transmission, Activation, Communication device. The "C" was later replaced with the "K" to hide it's last purpose.
A loud beep sounded through the bridge, causing many to hold their hands to their ears in slight pain.
"Sir, ping was successful."
"Excellent, increase range to twenty five kilometers."
"Roger"
Another loud beep rattled the bridge. A'thor watched the sensor monitor light up with everything from pencil sized space debris to destroyed hulks of cruisers.
"Wait, what is that?"
A'thor pointed to the spot and a the technician zoomed in on the anomaly.
"Just over twelve and a half kilometers from our location."
He typed on the keyboard.
"But, it massive sir."
A'thor cracked a grin.
"How long until we can get there?"
"Around twenty one minutes."
A'thor climbed back into the command deck.
"Helm, set course for 189.251.12800. Throw all power into the engines we can spare while still maintaining life support. We are nearly...
"Sir, we have several GTVA warships jumping in a few kilos behind us, they will be in firing range in sixteen minutes."
A'thor cursed.
"Throw all power from all decks except the bridge and engineering, into the engines."
"Sir, all those people will die."
A'thor looked at the half static filled monitor pointed behind the ship.
"It is too late to stop that now."
Bridge: GTD Integrity
"Yes, we have them in sight, and we are closing in."
Allen Franklin talked over the intercom.
"Give him a chance for reconciliation and surrender, if he does not comply, destroy the Destiny."
Fowler spoke back, his voice tense.
"Order received."
Franklin nodded his head to a technician.
"A'thor this is Captain Allen Franklin of the GTD Integrity, you are to power down and surrender your vessel or be destroyed. Will you comply?
Static came through the line, and then a voice.
"I will not comply, my duty is to the human race, and my cause is just!"
"Please refrain from a sermon but how is starting a rebellion and creating chaos exactly a "just" cause?"
Franklin chuckled.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
A'thor placed his hand over the microphone on his headset.
"How long until we reach our way point?"
"Thirteen minutes sir."
"And until they get within firing range?"
"A little less than eight."
A'thor cursed, then removed his hand.
"My cause is righting a wrong we caused long ago. A wrong that sent billions to their early graves. A wrong that we had full control of!"
"And what wrong would that be?"
"By un-locking the first Knossos!"
Bridge: GTD Integrity
"You are out of your mind, you old fool. You are stupid beyond imagination if you think I would believe such lies."
Franklin nodded to the technicians.
"Power up forward beam cannons."
The technician nodded.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"Sir, they are powering up beam cannons and will be in firing range in two minutes."
A'thor put hand on his head.
"So, be it, send the packet to all GTVA ships, it may buy us a little time."
The technician furiously typed on his keyboard.
"Message sent sir."
Bridge: GTD Integrity
"Sir, we have an issue."
Franklin walked over behind him.
"Report."
"Sir, a file just infiltrated out network, apparently it had a virus attached and breached the GTVA Security Network with astounding speed, and has currently reached all operating ships in the GTVA fleet.
"What is he doing?
"What am I doing?"
A voice came from the communication speakers.
"I am shedding a little light in the shadow of our past, our WHOLE past."
A'thor laughed.
"You are mad."
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"No, I was one of the few who knew too much, knew what we had done, and is now trying to right a wrong.
"SIR!"
A technician screamed. A'thor looked up and out the front facing screen and his heart sunk.
Space
Four Kilometers ahead of the Destiny, space seamed to twist and distort. A black shadow materialized out of the void, and slowly the shadow gained color as light began to reflect of it's surface. With a bright shimmer the object became solid, a Knossos. With sluggishness, the pieces began to move, interlocking with each other creating a ripple that shook the space around the area.
Bridge: GTD Integrity
"Sir, we are now picking up a signature on sensors that matches a Knossos subspace portal."
Franklin stares transfixed on the device he watched appear out of the void.
"Send an emergency message to Command, we need further...."
"Sir! Multiple incoming subspace signatures!"
Space
Multiple subspace portals open in the center of the Knossos. The first ship to emerge cruises out as the portal closes behind it. It's surface black as space itself. Blue sparks fly between the front spikes, and the whole ship flashes red.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
"Signature Confirmed, cruiser class, Rakshasa."
A tech yells across the bridge.
"Orders, Sir!"
Boaz calls at A'thor.
"Failure, I failed, we failed."
Boaz hears A'thor say, then he hears a familiar click. Boaz turns to look at A'thor, and in what seams like slow motion, he watches A'thor raise his sidearm to his chin and pull the trigger. A'thor's head jerks, and he collapses on the bridge floor. Boaz looks at A'thor for a second before his mind catches. He steps over A'thor's lifeless body to the edge of the command deck.
"Helm, turn us around toward the GTVA Fleet. Hail them for assistance."
"Acknowledged sir."
He grabs the railing as the ship turns. Not nearly as graceful as it was without damage, monitors fall off desks and technicians hold on to anything they can grab. Boaz grunts as his holds himself steady, but looks once more out the front facing screen, revealing the massive incursion now occurring. The view turns, and after a few moments of the hard right turn, the ship levels out with a view of the GTVA fleet before them.
Nearly there, he thought.
"Sir! The cruisers are firing their main beam cannons."
Space
Three Rakshasa class cruisers catch up to the Destiny, all firing their primary beam cannons. Tracks are burnt into the hull, while decks are ripped out, some totally collapsing. Then the rear third of the ship snaps with enough force to send the two halfs in opposite directions with the rear portion colliding with one of the cruisers, basically vaporizing it. The other two cruisers continue attacking, their beam cannons penetrating all the way through the front of the vessel.
Bridge: (FORMER)GTD Destiny
The structure crack catches Boaz off guard. He is thrown over the command deck railing unto the lower deck ten feet below. Technicians are thrown side ways into walls, along with desks, computer monitors and support beams. Several of the destroyed monitors come crashing down.
Boaz pushes a desk off of him, his arm shattered and bleeding. He looks around the darkened bridge, moans coming from within the wreckage. The ship rumbles so hard he loses his footing, then he is blinded by light.
Bridge: GTD Integrity
Franklin watches as the Rakshasa cruisers cut with their beam cannons until the reach the tip of the Destiny. The beams then desist as the cruisers continue toward him.
"Fire primary beam cannons!"
He watched the main beam cannon hit the mid-line of the cruiser, ripping it in half. The a flash caught his eye and he looked up to see the front remaining half of the Destiny detonate in a massive explosion.
"Sir look!"
A tech screamed.
"Take evasive act...........................
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Oh my... :eek2:
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Wow! Cant wait to see what happens next! Makes you wanna tuck in your tail and run like a bat outta hell!
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"It's too late to stp that now"... I saw that scene in my head... whoh it gives me the shivers.
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And...and...and? ;7
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:bump:
It's been over 2 1/2 months since last posted addition and hope we see this continue!
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Chapter 6: The Fifth Trumpet(Continued)
System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 22:57 hours.
Hallway: GTA Hawthorn
Single steps clang down a dark hallway, a thick folder rustled in his arms, sweat trickles down his face. The soldier quickly looks down at his watch and sighs heavily. He walked up to a metal doorway where two soldiers saluted him. He typed in a code and exhaled deeply. The door opens, bright light quickly blinding him, his name tag says James Hanley. The sound of chatter overwhelms all other sounds and the brightness fades. Hanley walks into a cavernous briefing room full of both humans and Vasudans. He walks to the podium as the large door closes behind him. The chatter instantly ceases as he slowly sets the thick folder on the podium. Hanley places both hands on the sides of the podium and grasps it firmly, his hands sweaty. The scans the room, only to see the faces of hundreds of officers staring coldly back at him. A man in the third row catches his eye. Hanley's eyes meets the eyes of Simms, who is hunched over, his head resting in his clenched hands. Hanley breathes deeply once more and begins to speak.
"You all know why you are here, so I'm gonna step right in. All of you know what has transpired in the past day and I can assure you we are taking all the steps needed to solve this..."
"LIES!"
A officer jumps to his feet, pointing his finger at Hanley.
"Such lies, we have the data, all of this could been prevented!"
The officer sits as the room fills with shouts. Hanley waves his hands, trying to calm them down. Sweat beading down his face.
"All with be explained, I will assure you!"
Hanley shouted as the voices died down.
"Yes, we opened the Knossos in Ross 128 over forty years ago, and yes we know it was a mistake, we were.."
"Mistake?"
Another officer stands and interjects fury evident in his voice.
"A mistake is all you can call it? Hey, I lost my son and my brother in the Great War. Don't you stand up there and tell me it was just a mistake. It was greed, it was no mistake!"
The officer sits down his face all red with frustration. Hanley can feel the tension rising in the room.
"Hey look, what happened back then is history and unless you want to join your son and brother soon, I suggest we put that behind us and worry about the issue at hand.
Hanley yelled. He was almost leaving hand prints in the the podium. Simms watched, almost feeling a little grin form across his face. Hanley was known for keeping his cool in all situations when he could put a favorable spin of things. But, everyone knew it all here and he could not use his advantage of keeping everyone in the dark, and Simms was actually enjoying seeing him flustered to the point of snapping.
With the room more subdued, Hanley exhaled and opened the folder while grabbing a little controller from his pocket. The lights dimmed and a map of all know space appeared behind Hanley.
"I'm gonna make this short and sweet. About seventeen hours ago, several Shivan warships emerged into Ross 128. After first contact, they destroyed nearly all GTA ships in the system, this included A'thor's capital ship the Destiny. Several fighters and a corvette escaped back to Delta Sepentis where a blockade was formed encase of another incursion. As of right now that hasn't happened. Scouts have reported a nice complement of corvettes and destroyers around the newly activated Knossos."
Hanley exhales and took a very deep breathe. The was the good news...."
"But, everyone here knew that, being old news. What is more concerning is at 20:00 hours, two more Knossos portals activated in the Adhara system and Ikeya system.The local GTVA ships were quickly destroyed as well."
Hanley pressed a button on his remote and the two systems faded to red on the map behind him. The he turned and surveyed the room. Most of the faces were somber, others dismayed and some just shaking their heads. Simms however was steadfast in his expression.
"Well just blow them blasted things up"
Remarked an older captain, running his hands through his beard.
"We can't."
Hanley said emotionless.
"Remember what happened in Gamma Draconis in the last Shivan Incursion? We destroyed the Knossos, yet the portal still functioned. This is because the Knossos wasn't designed specifically for creating new subspace nodes, but stabilizing them and closing them."
Hanley looked across the room.
"Think of it like this. The Knossos is a door, a door that opens and closes with the turn of a knob. Now what happens when you blow up a door?"
"You can never close it."
Simms remarked his expression un-changed. His cold eyes boring into Hanley. Hanley caught the glance and continued.
"Exactly."
"Well, just turn e'm off."
Spoke the man from before.
"We don't know how."
He heard sighs and scoffs fill the room with some mumbling.
"Listen, when we found the first Knossos in Ross 128, it was by chance. It just appeared one day, and with the data sent by A'thor before his death it appears they cloak when inactive. We thought there was only one, that is until the second incursion. Since then we have been searching tirelessly for any more that we could find and a way to close the devices. But, it appears A'thor was hiding much from the rest of us.
That was a lie, Simms thought as he watched. SOC wasn't dumb, they were letting A'thor do their dirty work until he found out too much. He likely decided to hide the rest and finish it himself knowing SOC would have been greedy with the data and used it once again for gain. His mind wondered back to Hanley as he was still talking.
"Admiral Jacobs will take the Galatea to Regulus to set up a perimeter. The Omega will be sent to Antares to set a perimeter. We will fill you in on the details of the Omega when time permits. any questions?"
"What about Delta Serpentis"
Simms asked coldly.
Hanley fidgeted a little.
"They will be expecting us to blockade that node, there is very little risk in running it. So a battlegroup should be enough to sustain a blockade."
Hanley quickly looked at this watch.
"Time is of the essence. Report to your battle groups for ordered. Good luck to us all."
The lights brightened. As officers began to stand and talk about the news, Simms sat silently. He watched Hanley grab the folder and quickly exit through the door he entered.
"Little risk in running it?"
The question ran through his mind. Something wasn't told. Once again Hanley had succeeded in pulling the thin black veil down just enough to hide the most important questions.
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Its aliev! \o/
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Yah-ha-hah!
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WOW. I just finished reading this entire thing from start to finish. The changing of tenses is a bit confusing (past tense to present tense) and its sometimes tough to remember all the characters. Love the FS2 Alpha 1 references, and I'm pretty sure that Admiral Jacobs is FS1 Alpha 1 (to state the obvious). I'm surprised to not see much from the Vasudans, but I guess they lost a lot during the NTF rebellion so they're off licking their own wounds.
When I read the description for the Galatea, my thoughts went to THIS (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTD_Daegon) ship, but its size is too small at just 3km.
(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Gtddaegon.jpg)
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WOW. I just finished reading this entire thing from start to finish. The changing of tenses is a bit confusing (past tense to present tense) and its sometimes tough to remember all the characters. Love the FS2 Alpha 1 references, and I'm pretty sure that Admiral Jacobs is FS1 Alpha 1 (to state the obvious). I'm surprised to not see much from the Vasudans, but I guess they lost a lot during the NTF rebellion so they're off licking their own wounds.
When I read the description for the Galatea, my thoughts went to THIS (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTD_Daegon) ship, but its size is too small at just 3km.
The tense changes is clearly a sign of laziness on the author's part. "cough" "cough".
On the Galatea's looks, what I envisioned is clearly insane. And I can assure there will be more vasudans later on.
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Not bad at all.
Glad I came back to read more.
The Galatea is defo unique. I may scrawl some kind of concept out later on then try to digitalise it.
Atropos class = stretched out Fenris right?
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Not bad at all.
Glad I came back to read more.
The Galatea is defo unique. I may scrawl some kind of concept out later on then try to digitalise it.
Atropos class = stretched out Fenris right?
No. The Adrastos class is a totally new class of ship.
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Ahhhhh. . . . . .
That may hamper my efforts. Not greatly but a definite hampering.
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WeatherOp: Good job mate. I found it a good read. :D
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One possible problem with your chronology. From what you've described, the hidden Knossos in Ross 128 is right next to GTI Riviera. However the FS1 intro clearly indicates that the Shivans attacked elsewhere in the system BEFORE attacking GTI Riviera. If it had entered through a Knossos nearby, then their entry would have drawn considerable attention prior to the skirmish encounter that Lt. Ash described. Now, you could have had it that they entered through the other Knossos devices in the other systems, then used the classified nodes to reach Ross 128, but then why have a Knossos in Ross 128 at all?
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In Freespace, Shivans initially had sensor evasion capability or we had **** sensors one of the two.
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Chapter 6: The Fifth Trumpet(Continued)
System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 12:46 hours.
Hallway: GTA Hawthorn
"It was late, or too early, and I'm too old"
Simms mumbled to himself as he walked down the hallway passing crew of every rank. He entered the mess hall of the Hawthorn. The hall was large, as it needed to hold and feed at least half of the ten thousand member crew at any time. The room was filled with large white tables, with long benches on either side. A few hundred crew members filled the chamber with light chatter. Sim looked up, the quieter officers balcony sat overlooking the floor. Quiet sounded good he thought as he trudged up the stairs. He emerged on top to find very few people. He looked around for a place to sit and heard a yell. A hand reached out of a booth and motioned him over. In the booth he found three officers, two older and one younger. The latter with a cigar clenched in his lips, puffing out gray smoke. One of the older officers spoke first.
"Come join us Peter, and get a drink."
The raspy familiar voice of Admiral Petrarch rung out as he cracked a grin.
Simms sat, while a waitress came over for his order.
"Talose 2357, no ice, please"
Simms spoke and the waitress walked off after scribbling his order down on a pad.
"Still drinking that old crap, I see."
Vice Admiral Josh Vaughn snorted.
"Why change."
Simms shrugged. He was clearly not amused. Petrarch broke in.
"So, they have you on the blockade in Delta Serpentis?"
Simms rubbed his tired eyes.
"Our battle group will spearhead into Ross 128 and try to create a foothold."
Ah, Spearheading, never know what demons lurk in the dark in that field of work."
Petrarch cracked, half joke, half serious. The waitress set Simm's drink in front of him. He picked up his glass of wine and took a sip before returning it tot he table.
"I told command to accept my resignation at the end of this. However, I never thought, I might not survive this or there may not be a command to accept it."
Simms cracked a joking smile.
"Irony, the joke of all ages I suppose."
"Indeed."
Petrarch calmly stated. Someone walked over to the table where they all sat. He wasn't a tall man, but dressed in an old admiral's uniform. They all turned to greet him.
"Admiral Jacobs."
He stated as he firmly shook the others hands.
"May I sit and catch a round?"
Petrarch motioned him to sit.
"Has command given you the data on the Sathnas?"
Jacobs nodded.
"Yes. The data suggests the Galatea can easily engage one. We have a far longer range and much more power. However, should we get in a fight with two at the same time, I don't think the ship can handle that. Incredible to think that we worked on the Galatea for forty years and yet the Shivans have mustered up, what, eighty or ninety of these behemoths."
Petrarch nodded.
"Yes. Even the Omega can't handle more than one at a time. This will be another long drawn out fight of strategy. Who knows maybe we can eek out one more time against our old enemy."
System: Ikeya
May 23, Year 2371, 12:58 hours.
Near the huge spinning Knossos, a complement of Shivan forces converged. Cruisers, corvettes, destroyers, three Sathnas juggernauts all guarded the portal intently. A small subspace portal opened and a destroyer exited. thousands of red lights lit the vessel, revealing a ghastly shape. It cruised to a stop at the heart of the complement of ships. After a few moments, the ship turned around and once again entered subspace at the center of the huge Knossos.
System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 01:27 hours.
Mess Hall: GTA Hawthorn
The mess hall, now empty, besides the last of the cooks and cleaners stood nearly silent except for the laughter and talk coming from the top balcony. Most of the lights were dim except for one small overhead light in one booth. Several empty glasses sat on the table, the ash tray fill of cigar butts. Playing cards sat idle, long with a few papers of currency the winner did not have the in-decency to take. Amoung the hardy talk, Simms feeling the hour looked at his watch. He needed sleep.
"Well gentlemen, it's far too late for me and I need my sleep."
Simms stood listening to the joking groans and laughs coming from the others.
"Yeah, big day tomorrow, besides we all aren't twenty anymore."
Petrarch laughed as he agreed, although with a little longing in his voice.
"Well the Galatea is headed to Regulus. The plan to re-fit the ship with anti-fighter beams before the fighting really begins." Jacobs begind to stand up.
"Wait one second."
Petrarch said intently.
"A toast."
He raised his glass as did the others.
"A toast, to likely the last time we will be together acting like stupid teenagers, and to the survival of the GTVA."
Petrarch smiled as he said it, but the smile quickly faded and he face became solomn as with the others.
"I'll drink to that."
Simms said. They all bumped glasses.
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Awwww.
My favourite one so far.
Comraderie before a fight few drinks then a sad moment of realisiation.
Know that feeling.
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Anyone here thinking that the mysterious Shivan destroyer has something to do with Bosch?
WeatherOp, do you have this whole storyline mapped out in you mind (or elsewhere) ahead of time, or are you frequently taking the story in directions you hadn't intended originally?
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Anyone here thinking that the mysterious Shivan destroyer has something to do with Bosch?
WeatherOp, do you have this whole storyline mapped out in you mind (or elsewhere) ahead of time, or are you frequently taking the story in directions you hadn't intended originally?
Oh no, I've known how it ends for three years. :D
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It will all end in fire!
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Oh no, I've known how it ends for three years. :D
That's what the story wants you to think...
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Chapter 6: The Fifth Trumpet(Continued)
System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 02:03 hours.
Shuttle Willham(En route to GTD Vega)
Simms watched out the view port as the Vega grew larger, his eyes weary. He was tired, yet he mind was still sharp. He thought about the weeks events. His mind wandered back to past battles and over strategies long used. He exhaled, he was now back in the present. The shuttle was quiet and dark, his light was the only one on. His eyes flicked back to the folder of orders he was reading. He picked up his glass of water and noticed the familiar lights on the outside of the hangar which grew steadily.
Sandra Dre worked furiously under the right-rear engine of a Perseus interceptor. Sweat mixed with grease and oil streaked down her face and falling on her red tank top. She hastily wiped the mix off with her forearm before reaching back up to try to screw in part of the fuel injection system. The part went in cross-threaded, and she let out a quiet curse before un-screwing the part to try again. She leaned back flat on the rolling board she was laying on and reached for a ratchet. She looked our the side and noticed a pair of boots. For a second she waited, knowing the question that was coming.
"Excuse me."
Said the deep voice. She cringed. She was very busy and certainly that person could see that. She cursed silently again as she rolled out from underneath the fighter craft with a scowl on her face. Her heart jumped in her throat as she found herself looking into the eyes of Simms. She hastily saluted. Simms looked over the fighter craft. He looked closely at the weapon bays, and newly replaced Prometheus II cannons. He then moved to the side and opened up the side panel on one of the engines. He looked through wiring and injectors, even down to the throttle control mechanism. Then turned to Dre.
"Everything looks good."
He nodded with approval and turned back to the ship. Dre exhaled quietly with relief.
"Have we received the scheduled shipment yet?"
Dre spoke up.
"No, only half. We received the shipment of Harpoons, but we are still waiting on the Trebuchets."
"Ok, that is acceptable. I'll leave you to finish your work."
Dre saluted once more, Simms returned it and walked off to the elevator. Dre felt her breathing return to normal and slid once more underneath the ship.
Simms stepped off the elevator, his mind full of thoughts. The past twenty-four hours had sent his head spinning. He reached his quarters and with a sigh opened the door. His mind was now so fuzzy with thoughts, all he could think about clearly was the need for sleep. He quickly realized something was very wrong. The room smelled of liquor. He noticed several empty glasses on his desk.
"Come sit down Peter."
The voice startled him a little. The chair in front of his desk turned around revealing James Hanley, his eyes tired from exhaustion and booze.
"What are you doing in my quarters?"
Simms asked calming, despite the subtle anger in his voice.
"I have something I need to tell you."
Hanley picked up the thick folder off the desk. Simms could see even in the dim light that it was the same folder he had seen Hanley carry in the briefing. Simms walked around the desk and sat down. He could clearly see Hanley was truly disturbed, a state he had never quite seen him like.
"Peter, A'thor was right. Unstable, yes, but he was right."
Simms stared at him a second.
"What do you mean he was right?"
Hanley handed Simms the folder.
"Peter, we were greedy and now we must pay the cost for all our misdoings."
Simms opened the folder and started flipping through it, although all of his attention was on Hanley. He stated calmly.
"Explain."
Hanley became frantic.
"I'm telling you, we have made our last mistake! We did exactly what they wanted. They used our greed once again to destroy us!"
Hanley had stood up, his hands on Simms' desk. He composed himself once more.
"Peter. They used us. They placed a bet on our stupidity and and it paid off. They waited with incredible patience."
"I'm guessing, "They" means the Shivans."
"Yes, or whatever they call themselves. In either case, they have proved themselves to be smarter and more have much more patience than we. They are the higher beings."
Simms placed his hand on his forehead.
"Hanley, it has been a long day, I'm tired and I still have to go over the exact orders from Command. I have mountains of reports to looke over and check up on and I have just a few hours to get some sleep. I myself need to be rested enough so I can put this ship in position to possibly win this battle."
He heard Hanley chuckle and the sound sent chills down his spine. He glanced up at Hanley. He had a sadistic grin on his face.
"Peter, we are doomed. A major Shivan incursion will occur in under forty-eight hours it will make the other two seem like practice rounds.
His expression darkened.
"They won't be playing with us this time."
Simms started to get angry. He pointed his finger at Hanley.
"Practice rounds? Do you forget all the people who died in those wars? Where are you getting this information?
Hanley just stared at him. No emotion on his face.
"Read the files Peter."
Simms tried hard to get his breathing under control and calm down, but his blood was boiling. He picked up the folder and started to read it angerily.
"They tricked us to be frank. Let me explain. Everything now fits into place like a puzzle. Ten thousand years ago a war raged. One species found itself on the losing end. Facing extinction they built huge doorways around subspace portals. Huge doorways with locks. A Knossos on each side of a jump node. Knowing they couldn't win out-right, but they could lock them out. Somehow they lured them into the doorways and locked them out. We now know the Shivans did not have the reasoning or possible technology to activate the Knossos."
Hanley paused and looked at Simms who was deep into reading the folder, occasionally looking out his view port into the depths of space. His chair back facing Hanley.
"The only reason you would lock something our is to protect something or someone else."
Hanley waited for a response from Simms, but there was none. He continued.
"Nearly ten thousand years later we come along. Greedy and lusting power and dominance, we take to space. Learn about subspace and us it to coninue our lust for glory. That was our mistake. Not long after, in the middle of the Vasudan War, we find the Knossos. We study it and again in our greed we unlock it. Somehow, some way, they laid a bet on our greed to take the best of us. They waited until we un-locked the door and rushed through it. After entering they formulated a plan. They fought us toe to toe, not any more or any less. Using the Lucifer, they destroyed Vasuda Prime which was only sport. The Vasudans were of little consequence to them. It worked in their favor of course, throwing us off their real objective. Then knowing that we would eventually find a way to destroy the Lucifer, they time it just right. To be frank, it was magnificent. They let us destroy the Lucifer on the way to SOL and collapse the Node. Exactly as they planned all along."
Hanley took a deep breath.
"They had planted their seed, in Aken Bosch. Warped his mind when he came face to face with them on that freighter. He was stupid enough to believe them. Got the information they needed and hand delivered it to them. Their strength was clear at the end of the last war. They could have destroyed us easily, but they didn't, no they didn't."
Hanley was up out of his chair now, walking back and forth, his mind deep in thought. Simms kept his eyes in the folder, while occasionally looking back at Hanley.
"Now why did they blow up the star. Was it testing a weapon or device, or was it just to confuse us?"
Hanley spoke to himself, but out loud.
"So, why have they spent so much time and effort to trick us into giving the the technology of the Knossos."
Simms finally spoke up, the folder on his lap.
"Flip to the last page of the folder."
Simms flipped to the end. There was a rudimentary sketch. The form was twisted, but faintly resembled a Knossos. It was much larger however, as it pictured a Knossos to the right of it.
"What is it?
Simms asked intently. Hanley stared at the drawing.
"That's A'thor's sketch. He called it "Gehenna". It means Hell."
Hanley said without emotion. Simms kept studying the drawing. Then three letters above the smaller Knossos caught his eye. He slid his glasses over his eyes and lifting the folder closer to his head. The letters were faintly scribbled. Then it dawned on him. The letters "SOL" were wrote and everything clicked. Then he remembered the report of the Knossos in SOL from Jacobs.
GTD Vega(Bridge)
Jay Hollis looked over the many computer stations from the Command balcony. He sipped hot coffee. He looked down at the communications desk.
"Any new reports from Command?"
"No sir."
A tech responded.
"Although there is something about the whereabouts of James Hanley."
Hanley, Hollis thought. Yes, he had seen his ID card pass through the system not two long ago. He reached down and pressed the intercom.
GTD Vega(Simms' quarters)
The intercom beeped, but Simms was now too occupied with his thoughts he did not hear it.
"So, this is what they are after."
Hanley nodded.
"It's the only thing that makes sense."
Simms continued to look at the drawing, fully transfixed.
"How would they know we would find the Knossos and decipher how to use them? Why didn't they use the Vasudans instead? They were more technology advanced at the first encounter. And how did they knew they could count on our greed?"
Hanley took a deep breath.
"Peter, there is only one explanation I can come up with, and it matched with what A'thor thought, and Bosch before him. The knew they could count on our faults and our greed because we made the same mistakes before."
Simms turned his head and looked straight into the serious eyes of Hanley.
GTD Vega(Bridge)
Hollis had tried to reach Simms' quarters three times. He started walking toward the elevator.
"Major Clark, you have the bridge until I return."
The solder saluted.
"Yes Sir."
GTD Vega(Simms' Quarters)
Simms was rubbing through the stubble on his chin, a freshly drained glass in front of him with the bottle of liquor still open. Hanley remained in the chair, un-moved and rigid.
"Does Command know about any of this?"
Simms said softly.
"I myself, have brought this information before them. They either don't believe it or do not believe it to be note and effort worthy."
"So, they believe the Galatea and the Omega can pull this one out."
Hanley nodded.
"Absolutely. You can almost smell the self-confidence flowing among them all. This is including all the top brass in the SOC.
"Vasadans?"
"They are more leery of the boasts the GTA has spoken, but they believe them. Just not hook, line and sinker."
Simms took a deep breath.
"What awaits for us in Ross 128?"
Hanley shook his head.
"Nothing, besides a few aging Rakshasa and Cain class cruisers and a Demon destroyer or two."
Simms shook his head.
"What?"
"Peter, the GTVI was ready to take on the full brunt of the Shivans with the Hades super destroyer. After it was destroyed, a few GTVI fighters flew into the Knossos to record any information before they closed the Knossos to hide it from Command. All they found was a empty system with no jump nodes. The Lucifer and it's battle group had waited, locked in that empty system for thousands of years. Command is just trying to get you out of their hair when the Galatea and Omega wipe out the Shivans once and for all. To be frank, they didn't want you to dis-obey orders and mess up a supposed flawless victory.
Simms shook his head, however what his superiors thought of him at that moment was not important to him. Hanley spoke up.
"Peter. from what I've read and understood we don't shape up good in this fight. We need the best Commanders at the forefront before GTVA Command digs us in a hole to deep. Peter, you know me and you know I wouldn't be telling you this information if I wasn't sure about it."
Simms leaned back in his chair.
"What is your move Peter."
A knock at the door. Simms slid his chair back abruptly and walked quickly to the door. He pressed the key and it opened only to find a startled Hollis in the hallway. He hastily saluted.
"Sorry sir, but we need your..."
Simms cut him off.
"Full stop."
Simms started walking hastily down the hall.
"Yes Sir."
Hollis was dumbfounded on the change of orders. Before he could answer Simms spoke, turning as he walked.
"I need to make some calls."
He continued walking.
Chapter 6 End.
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:yes: :yes: :yes:
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And....and...? :D
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It's been a month and a half already. What the hell? Please, WeatherOp - I need to CONTINUE THE FRIGGIN STORY!!!! :hopping:
...and the Galatea always reminds me of the GTVAngelion from JAD :P
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Chapter 7: Locusts of Hell
System: Beta Aquilae
May 23, Year 2371, 02:15 hours.
Pike's Quarters
A blinding flash of blue light, Pike sat up quickly. His heart was pounding. He looked around the small, dark room. All he could hear was the clock ticking repeatedly on the wall, along with his heart beating and rapid breathing. He was soaked from sweat.
"Quite a nightmare."
He thought to himself. He glanced at the clock, a quarter past three.As his body awoke further, along came blistering pain in his head. He placed his hand hard against his head and put his feet on the floor. Walking through his small, by private quarters he flicked on the light in the bathroom while turning the a small cabinet above the sink. Grabbing a white bottle of pain pills and quickly swallowing a couple, he looked back into the mirror. His eyes were blood-shot and he could see a deep red spot in the center of the bandages on his head. He hadn't had much sleep lately, in fact just about none at all. All the briefing sand debriefings were bad enough, but when he could sleep, nightmares would plague him to the point of staying awake. They would pass as he healed, he knew that, still he cursed quietly as he turned off the light and walked back to bed.
He walked to the window, he quickly noticed the stars and realized that the Vega had already jumped into Beta Aquilae. He looked back to his bed, rubbed his face with his hand and mumbled a curse before walking to his closet and grabbing his uniform.
System: System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 3:11 hours.
Bridge: GTVI Krybo(SOC Command)
Col. Jacob Fowler peered into a terminal, starting intently on the information on the screen. All around him, chatter engulfs the area, terminals beeping, doors opening and closing, the mood tense. Still his attention remains fixed.
"Sir, we have them."
A officer shouted from the level above. Fowler walks up the steps into a round area, a 3D holographic map of all the known systems. Both Adhara and Ikeya systems are flashing red. Fowler nodes to the officer. The officer reaches and touches the hologram of the Adhara system. The 3D maps zooms in and flattens out showing icons of all jump nodes and know friendly and enemy locations. The main center piece, the Knossos. The officer touches a blinking fighter icon.
"Open channel."
Static fills the speakers for a moment before going clear. The only sound is breathing.
"Report."
The pilot spoke, his voice occasionally rasped by static.
"Sir, GTVA battle-groups closing in on the Knossos. Enemies consist of several cruisers and destroyers and two Sathnas class Juggernauts. Wait, a third has just entered the system, I repeat a third Sathnas Juggernaut."
Fowler folded his hands.
"Pilot, Colonel Fowler, how long before the GTVA battle group is in firing range."
A burst of static.
"Sir, at current pace, forty-six minutes."
"Thank you, keep us updated."
The transmission ended.
"Sir."
A tech replied.
"Just in, reported that the battle group in Ikeya will be in firing range in thirty-nine minutes."
Fowler smiled, almost showtime.
An officer placed his hand on Fowler's should and whispered into his ear.
"Thank you."
Fowler walked to an empty communication's desk and placed the headset over his ears.
"Commander Harold."
A voice fizzed across the headset.
"Colonel Fowler."
"Orders."
He heard the man on the other end breathe deeply.
"The board agrees with you. Both GTA Command and SOC Command has placed you in charge of this conflict. We're still working on convincing the Vasudan Parliament."
Fowler smirked.
"We hope this trust isn't un-founded."
"It's not."
Fowler quickly rebutted. Then he grinned.
"If it is, no one will be around to remember it."
"Doesn't inspire confidence, I'm afraid."
"If anything, your fears are un-founded. We will quickly resolve this conflict once and for all. We know their motive, all we have to do is set the bait and then set the hook. Let me remind you, the bait is placed."
The line was quiet. Then the muffled voice whispered back over the line.
"Yes, lets finally have peace."
The line went dead. Fowler placed the headset back on the desk and walked back to the map in the center of the room.
System: System: Adhara
May 23, Year 2371, 3:34 hours.
Bridge: GTD Nautilus
Captain Henry Prichard stared quietly into the main forward facing view screen. His hand firmly gripped on the railing. In the middle of the screen is the distant, but growing Knossos. The Knossos isn't the center of his attention. The enormous device had the likeness of a wasp nest, and around it the insects themselves were swarming.
"Sir."
An First Officer Andrew McNight walked up the steps and handed him a piece of paper.
"Number of observed enemies and classes."
Prichard quickly read over the paper and threw it to the floor visibly shaken.
"Sir, with all due respect, this is suicide. Sir, we need to turn back."
Prichard's stomach froze over, he began to feel frantic as his heart rate rose. He looked in the view screens from the rear of the ship and looked over the large fleet he was leading. He wasn't a coward. He had always completed his mission. All the lives that depended on him. The fleet was solidly behind him, not wavering.
"No, we will only turn around when we reach the waypoint."
He continued to look forward. The officer just starred.
System: System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 3:53 hours.
Bridge: GTVI Krybo(SOC Command)
"Sir, the fleet is two minutes from the way point, shall I send the signal?"
Fowler gave his full attention to the giant holographic grid in the center of the room. The grid showed the fleet, comprised of twenty-four destroyers, corvettes and cruisers moving toward the Knossos where the massive Shivan fleet outnumbered them nearly two to one.
"No, just a little while longer."
System: System: Adhara
Bridge: GTD Nautilus
Prichard felt the sweat drip down his face and back, but white knuckled, he stood quietly. An alarm sounded and the red warning lights flashed twice over the bridge.
"Sir!"
A Tech screamed from below.
"We have been sensor locked. Sensors show several cruisers and Corvettes powering up engines and moving toward us. Sensors also show the destroyers and the three Sathni deploying fighters and bombers heavy, but are still stationary!"
Prchard knew what that meant. They knew that the meager strike force was doomed and now procedded to play with them. He felt nausea rise up in his chest. Another loud alarm.
"Sir, we've reached the way point!"
Prichard wasted no time.
"McNight message the fleet. Full starboard, retreat back to the node at full speed!"
"Yes Sir."
The lights dimmed and the ship shook.
Prichard looked up at the view screen. A Moloch class corvette had entered firing range, firing it's forward beam cannon with impacted the rear hull of the vessel.
"Status!"
"All decks show minimal damage, armor absorbed most of the impact. Shall we return fire?"
"Negative!"
Prichard shouted.
"All available energy into the engines."
The Hecate destroyer turned quickly, as did the rest of the fleet. Trails from the thrusters poured into space.
Prichard gripped the handle with all his strength. The hard turn sent cups and papers of stations and crew members off their feet. The pressure slowly ceased and looking up at the screen Prichard now looked at the engines of the rest of the fleet in mass retreat.
"How long before the fighters and bombers reach us?"
"A Minute, Sir."
"Power up anti-fighter beam cannons and get gunnery control to ready the flak and laser cannons."
"Sir!"
A Tech screamed.
"Incoming jump signatures, enemy configuration."
Prichard looked up at multiple view-screens. Many subspace portals opened and he felt the slight hope he was feeling only a moment ago shatter into hopeless despair.
"Sir, several several destroyers and corvettes have exited subspace. Sensors show a new class of destroyer and corvette among them, designating the corvette Agni."
Prichard felt helpless. Where was the reinforcements? His mind snapped back to reality.
"Communicate with the fleet, tell them to launch all fighters and bombers and power up all photon beam cannons. Order them to fire at will!!"
"Yes Sir."
"Have gunnery control fire at will.
System: System: Vega
May 23, Year 2371, 3:59 hours.
Bridge: GTVI Krybo(SOC Command)
"Command this is the GTD Damascus, we are heavily out numbered. Please advise."
The command center was silent. Only the occasional cough or whisper could be heard.
"Command do you read? The is Prichard, where are the reinforcements? We are out numbered and taking casualties. Please assist."
The technician at the communication desk spoke.
"Sir, should be assist?"
Fowler stood, unmoving staring transfixed on the holographic map. The map showed a tangle of red and green ships, the greens ship dwindling. The technician looked back and asked once more.
"Sir?"
Fowler didn't even flinch. The technician then understood and looked back solemnly at his desk. The answer was clear and he was helpless. The entire room listened quietly to the cries for help and screams over the communications channel.
System: System: Adhara
Bridge: GTD Nautilus
"Command, this is Prichard, we need help now plea......"
The ship shook and the lights dimmed, Prichard stumbled before catching a computer station and steadying himself.
"Status!"
"Light damage in quadrant four and five with moderate hull damage. No atmosphere venting.
Prichard cursed. Where was the reinforcements.
The Hecate destroyer turned with the noticeable crumple in the hull on the rear-right. Gunnery control zoned in on a Cain class cruiser. Power surged from the beam batteries. The first lance of green light slashed across the cruiser ripping a large scar down one side. half of the cruiser's red engine sputtered and exploding rocking the ship to the side. A second later the destroyer's larger direct fire beam blasted through the ship. The whole vessel was pushed back until the mighty sword of light cut through the ship at mid-point. As the beam dissipated, a hue hole remained in it's stead. With most of the core of the ship disintegrated, it collapsed at the mid-point, all running lights fading out as the ship bowed up and the engines collided with the top bar.
Prichard watched as the cruiser faded black.
"Good shooting Gunnery."
As he spoke a giant flash lit up the view screens, seconds later the whole ship shook.
"Sir, we just lost the Damascus."
The moment's victory was overcome and the situation was once again hopeless.
"Sir, brace for impact."
Half a klick away, an Agni class corvette, Destitute closed in. It's wasp like hull, flashing red over it's grotesque spikes and bone like super-structure zoned in on the mid-section of the Nautilus. Beginning with a fain blue glow, red particles gathered at the front of the ship. The glow grew and became bright as a star, pulsating blue and white, red particles leaping from within. A bright flash of light and with it came a lance of red. The beam tore through multiple decks. Molten steel from the impact scattered across the hull like small meteors exploding into fragments as the hit the hull.
even with the small warning, the impact threw crew members on the bridge upward and sideways. Monitors crashed down as the overhead lights sparked and exploding, raining down sparks. Prichard was slammed into the floor.
The beam continued for six seconds, tearing through decks and floors like paper and blowing it out the other side of the ship. Small explosions blew out more floors and huge jets of flame poured into space from multiple locations. The beam finally faded out, but it had served it's purpose. A large section of hull was missing, explosions and fires continued at deck collapsed.
Prichard stood to his feet, the bridge half bathed in darkness. He could hear moans and in the faint light see Technicians pulling themselves back into their desks.
"Damage report."
"Catastrophic damage to the entire top half of the read one-forth of the ship. Reactor damaged and performing under half efficiency, only one engine responding, half fuel lines damaged or incapacitated, main engineer station not responding to inquiry."
The tech spoke with horror in his voice. Prichard knew what he had to do.
"Issue order abandon ship. Get everyone to the escape pods. McNight!"
Mcnight ran to him holding a powerful flashlight. Blood dripping from his eyebrow, his clothes torn.
"Yes sir."
"Oversee the evaluation. Hurry, you don't have much time."
"Yes sir. Everyone follow me"
McNight started to run toward the stars with several technicians and personnel behind him. Prichard grabbed the tech on the shoulder and out of the chair.
"Hurry, go!"
The tech looked right into his captain's eye and began to run toward the stairs. Prichard looked up to find he wasn't along. Several technicians and officers remained. He smiled.
"Gunnery control train all remaining guns on the Destitute. Lets provide a parting shot."
A Herc Mk Two chased a Nehema bomber from behind, weaving around exposed support beams and through fire and smoke billowing from the side of the wounded vessel. He heard the targeting system beep and let loose with his chained Prometheus and kayser lasers. The lasers nailed the bomber, ripping into the hull. Fire spewed and an explosion ripped the ship apart. It was then he realized it was too late. In front of the newly formed debris cloud a torpedo snaked it's way into the hull and exploded.
Running down the corridors with the others, McNight was thrown into the wall by the impact. Several others were thrown to the floor. He stood up.
"Everyone, hurry!"
The destroyer, pouring smoke and flame from several places along with the huge rift along the side sluggishly turned to face the Destitute. A orb of green light appeared and a beam slashed across the hull of the ship. Particles from the impact pour around the ship, but was the beam faded to blackness, only minimal damage was done. The familiar blue glow formed under the head of the black ship, and quickly illuminated the entire corvette. The beam poured out with fury and tore into the hull of the Hecate class destroyer once more.
McNight and the other had just entered the fighter bay when the beam hit. Throwing fighters and service equipment across the landing bay like toys and crew members into the floor. McNight looked up from the floor to see the Hermes shuttles were ready and a few hundred crew members were entering the ships. He stood up and waved toward the others.
"Hurry, we don't have much time."
They ran toward the shuttles.
The red pillar of light fading, leaving a huge hole in the center of the ship. Fire poured out and explosions begin to rip through floors, becoming larger. The entire top section of the ship began to sag and collapse into the void. Support beams were thrown like matchsticks into space as desks fell into one another before detonating.
Prichard pushed himself slow off his hands unto his feet. Alarms were wailing, half of the bridge had collapsed and only the occasional spark lit of the now dark bridge. He could here a rumble. The sound of an unstoppable beast roaring towards him. He turned toward the main door, only to see it explode towards him, with fire and heat and shrapnel.
The shuttles were lifting off the floor of the landing bay, moving towards the exit. McNight looked a view port to see other crew members below running towards them and yelling. He knew it was too late. The bay started collapsing. The shuttles pick up speed and the great bay doors opened and the eight ships blasted out of the bay. He kept watching out of the view port. Explosions were ripping through the once mighty vessel. A closer explosion caught his eye, temporarily blinding him. As he vision readjusted, he saw it. Out of the explosion came a large steel support beam. He watched as it blasted out of the fire and he was stunned. It pieced through the rear of the Shuttle with incredible force. Crew members were sucked out into the vacuum. He held on and turned around. He watched as the flaming hull of the Nautilus grew larger. He shut his eyes. The shuttle bounced off the hull, ripping apart as it did before exploding.
Several explosions ripped through the Nautilus tearing the ship apart in an impressive final flash. Only one badly weakened destroyer remained, pouring fire and smoke, along with a Deimos class corvette. As the Shivans closed in a giant flash lit up the immediate space bathing the ships in blue light. Immediately after exiting subspace the Omega was firing all it's batteries. It's two main beams cannons tore into a Sathnas juggernaut, ripping off two of it's forward spikes while the other tore into the vessel itself. Smaller beams, missiles and laser cannons shredded destroyers and corvettes alike. Within ten minutes the massacre was over and space was full of debris.
Admiral Lewis Looked over what destruction he vessel had wrought. Immediately friendly support vessel arrived. Several cruisers, corvettes and destroyers, which also included Vasudan ships. Lewis looked ahead toward the Knossos.
"Command shall we proceed."
A crackle fizzed through first, then the voice of Fowler.
"Proceed, enter the Knossos and set up a perimeter on the other side."
"Understood."
The large black ship moved toward the Knossos, plowing over still sparking debris, and entered subspace.
System: System: Unknown
May 23, Year 2371, 4:17 hours.
Bridge: SOC Omega
The system was quiet, no sign of enemy presence. Lewis looked around at each view-screen studying it. The only thing of importance in the system was a nebulae straight ahead. Lewis stared on it intently. For a moment the nebula flash brightly. He walked down to the navigation station. Feeling his presence the tech spoke before Lewis said a word.
"Sir, we are getting very high levels of radio-activity from the nebulae, the computer reports high chance of a pulsar at the center. Likely from a recent supernova."
Somehow that sent a chill down his back.
"Align star charts, locate current position. Where the heck are we."
Lewis spoke loudly.
"Capella."
A tech spoke up. Lewis turned around.
"Impossible, run the data again."
"I did sir, three times. The computer reports a ninety-sever percent certainly that this is Capella, the only different is no planets and the Pulsar. Sir, the star charts match perfectly."
Lewis looked back up at the nebulae. He watched as the nebulae lit up in sections, illuminated by the spinning remnants of Capella one."
"Sir, Sensors just reported a new Knossos."
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That's a fantastic read, WeatherOp. Good job. :nod:
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Please don't let this slide into the Abyss! This has gone on for so long and I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every installment. :)
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New year....new update? :)
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:bump::nervous:
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I do hope WeatherOp has not forgotten about this? :D
I hope he continues as this is something that could be made into what Blue Planet is if you ask me. :yes:
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:bump: :bump: :bump:
It's been a Longggg time. Will we ever see the end of this awesome story? just askin! :)
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About to crack this back open, but I want to judge interest before I start putting time into writing.
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Definitely yes please.
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Yeah if you could start writing again, that'd be great. :hopping:
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About to crack this back open, but I want to judge interest before I start putting time into writing.
Please, please, PLEASE continue the story - I found it very engaging. :yes:
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About to crack this back open, but I want to judge interest before I start putting time into writing.
Do it. You'll not be disappointed.
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Definitely post more, WeatherOp. I just read all of this at once and I'm itching for more.
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System: Vega
June 1st, Year 2371, 1000hours.
Bridge: GTVI Krybo(SOC Command)
The briefing room was dark. The only lights along the edges which gave a chilly white glow. Fowler sat at the end of the table with a smug expression on his face. The empty room testifying to his pride. All was going as planned. Command was happy, morale was high but most importantly, he was happy. Only a few small inconveniences stood in his way. He rested his hand on a folder. His Tactical Commander insignia glowed in the dim light, as did the red eyes of his SOC pendant.
A small beep echoed through the empty room.
"Go ahead" Fowler spoke as the noise awoke him out of his day dream.
"Commander Simms has arrived. " spoke a tech through the intercom.
"Send him in. "
With a slight whine, the heavy doors opened and Simms entered the room. As he walked toward the table, Fowler stayed in his seat.
"Have a seat." Fowler spoke in a monotone voice.
Simms pulled the chair back and sat down slowly. Tension evident across his wrinkled face. Then Fowler spoke.
"I see you have filed a grievance against SOC with the GTVA Counsel. "
Simms could take it no longer, with astonishing speed he stood slamming the chair on the floor. The echo reverberated across the room.
"How dare you do this again!" He roared.
"Twice you have put us on danger. You have the blood of millions on your hands. All this time you knew you created this mess. "
"Protocol" Fowler coldly injected.
"Protocol!" Simms face was red with fury. He pointed his finger at Fowler.
"Just as I thought, no remorse. You and your like are worthless."
Fowlers smirk started to fade.
"I have information that shows SOC knew about A'thor and his true plans. And I will use all that I have to see you and your commander tried in Military Court. I know others who..."
Fowler stood and cut him off with a sharp tone.
" You will do no such thing."
"I know how this works, and you can't silence all of us" Simms spake firmly.
A cold smile appeared on Fowler's face. He reached and picked up the folder. Flipping through it, he spoke.
"KIA'ed this morning, Jack Grand and the GTD Morning Star, Frank Moses and the GTD Monitor, shall I continue?"
Simms stared coldly.
Fowler walked around the table. His hands rolling across the top of the red chairs.
"See Mr. Simms we just have differing views on how to resolve this. On my side, I have results.
He pulled out a remote from his pocket. The room darkened and an holographic system map appeared over the table.
" Our forces are advancing on every front. We have destroyed eighty six shivan capital ships including sixteen Sathnas juggernauts while suffering relatively few loses. We are winning and winning handily I might add."
"You are a prideful, arrogant..."
"You on the other hand have morals. " Fowler cut him off again.
"Well my results trump your morals I'm afraid. The operation will continue as planned. However, I think we have a place for your morals in the GTVA."
Fowler smirked.
"Your record indicates you like to take risks. See the Twelfth Battlegroup has taken forty-eighth percent loss and morale has surely suffered. I'm sure your morals could help them. Also we have mentioned to your crew that you will be in your quarters for the most part. The know you will be getting top secret orders straight from SOC."
Fowler smirked, the straightened and did a mock salute and the pressed the intercom.
"We are finished."
Two guards walked in.
"Please escort Commander Simms back to the Vega."
One of the guards touched Simms on the shoulder which he shook off.
"You will pay for this. " Simms spoke through gritted teeth as he turned to go with the guards.
"Godspeed Commander and may you be victorious." Fowler spoke in a kingly, almost mocking manner as the door shut.
He looked at his watch, quite pleased with his efficiency. Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out a small black case. He opened it revealing a shiny pin of the GTI logo. With a smile, he pinned it to his uniform.
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Keep it going dude. I'm enthralled.
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Oh this is so good. I can't wait for more.
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It's been a little more than a year, any more?
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I saw this listed in my recent "show new replies".....
My heart soared.
No update.
I am distraught.
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My FreeSpace: Secrets Revealed is in SEVERE Withdrawals! This is by far one of the most riveting stories in regards to Freespace in my opinion! While I respect the author's absence and wish him all the best, I also hope this get completed someday too :)
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Merry Christmas. :D
He felt numb. He watched his hands move but could not feel them. His mind clouded as different scenes passed before his consciousness. But he did not hesitate. He pushed the joystick down and pulled the trigger. The cannons pulsed out a stream of energy. A Zeus bomber flew by with a fraction of a second to spare. The Dragon fighter behind it was not as lucky. The orbs from the Kayser cannons punched through the hull and out the other side. The Dragon tumbled through space as if it was a plane whose wing caught a cliff and exploded.
Then his mind was fuzzy once more as it raced with thoughts yet didn't. The past few weeks had been like scenes from a nightmare. The offensive had been a huge success. With the power of the Galatea and Omega it seemed unstoppable. GTVA forces pushed ahead of the two battleships and what had been like a nightmarish roadblock were halted. The Shivans had pulled a new trick. Instantly no Shivan ship could be picked up by sensors and the massacre began. As an unstoppable tsunami they counter attacked. All targeting systems were rendered useless as we all torpedoes and missiles. Tens of thousands of GTVA pilots we killed within days as the blood thirsty enemy tore through entire battle groups. Yet even with a incredible tactical advantage the Shivans changed as well. They toyed with the pilots and seemed to fight with unholy honor and dignity. They chose to engage in dogfights were they could see the eyes of their victims the moment before they died. Massive warships fought less than two hundred meters apart with standard cannons instead of beams.
He noticed a glimmer and pulled back on the joystick. He pushed his throttle forward. He questioned if he was alive or dead yet failed to care.
The real issue came when a Sathanas was able to jump behind the Omega and hit it with its hellish power. The Omega was able to fend off the attack as the crews aimed the cannons manually but not before significant damage was done. With the Omega back in Vega for repair, the Galatea stood alone as the only true repellant for a further incursion. A task the Captain accepted with feverish delight.
His mind wondered back as the dark object grew closer. A distant pounding in his ears.
The pain was multiplied as a new class of a Shivan fighter appeared. Pilots named it the Cherub after the angel described in the Holy Scriptures. A name that matched the ship perfectly. The ship could move any direction in a second, sliding and juking as it's eight cannons dealt out death. It had no secondary armament however which added to it's feared status. It wanted to fight personally and once locked on to a target would fight until one or the other succumbed.
Numbers appeared in his mind and he found his lips whispering them out.
"Three, two...."
The two ships now locked in a jousting match. The winner, life, the loser, death.
Red beams cut right above his heavy fighter, barely grazing his upper shields. When the Mara was less than fifty meters away he fired. The Kaysers punched into the cockpit and the front section crumpled. As if the pilot had seen the Holy City, the ship sailed off at full power into the pitch black darkness.
Eventually the GTVA pilots hardened off and repelled the temporary advance. The veteran pilot like the pilots of old were changed into inhuman warriors.
"Two"
Yes the GTVA was able to change enough to be able to target Capital ships. But the pilots, for their blood was ice. He hated them. He killed them in his sleep.
"Two!"
He would slaughter them with his bare hands if he were given the chance. And any human who stood in his way would suffer the same.
A glimmer caught his eye and he consciousness snapped back with a startling jolt. He looked to his right only to be looking into the eyes of Alpha three, Lessa Holbrook. Lessa stood about 5'6" with dark skin and jet black hair which she always kept pulled tight in a bun. Despite her rather plain features, her piecing green eyes along with her serious personality made her quite attractive among the pilots. The last to make a pass at her though was a rookie that transferred in from the GTD Scepter. No one talks about it though as the pilot was out of commission with the loss of two teeth and a concussion. No one talks of him either as he was killed in his second engagement a month ago. Holbrook was a very capable pilot easily matching his skill yet at a much younger age. She also was his valued wingman, despite only being so for the past month.
"Two, Captain wants to know if you are ok."
He could see the concern on her face despite the oxygen mask.
"I'm....I'm ..."
He spoke across the intercom in a half daze. It was then he realized that his Erinyes was motionless. Then the burning began in his hands. He pulled off his gloves to see his hands blood covered from the blisters and sores. Due to the ability of the enemy to not be detected and targeted by AAA beams, a constant twenty four hour patrol was needed around capital ships. He couldn't remember the last time he slept. He snapped his mask on, not remembering when it fell off.
"I'm fine three. "
" That was a risky move, but good shot. "
The normally strong but now tired and raspy voice of Captain Pike came through.
Then a green flash startled him.
" That will do it, all fighters stand back from the Iho."
He turned his head to see the Rakshasa cruiser be finished off by the Malcolm a Deimos class corvette. Flames ran down both sides and then the cruiser shattered into millions of glowing embers.
Space was quiet for a moment.
"Attention fighters we have a incoming subspace signature. It's small likely cruiser class."
Just as the message was finished the blueish white light of a subspace portal opened around four klicks away and a black figure emerged. He zoomed in with his helmet lens and noticed the clear three pronged head of a cruiser.
"Attention this is Alpha two, I'm seeing a Cain class cruiser. Anyone want to help me wreck it?"
"This is Three, I'm in."
" Beta One here, our wing will provide the boom you provide the distraction. "
"We will move into position to manually aim our cannons. But it will take a few minutes if you need us"
The Deimos corvette responded
As he increased engine speed he watched as Holbrook and the Beta squad of Zeus bombers began fall in. As they closed in past two klicks his gut cooled. A Cain class cruiser was a push over by military standards. A few well placed torpedoes and it would be out of commission. What bothered him though was Beta squad would have to launch they torpedoes at close range dummy style. He imagined the dive and torpedo bombers of eras ago. Close and personal, yet fraught will things that could go wrong. Then his senses became alert as a bright blue energy ball formed on the main cannon of the cruiser. The energy quickly grew larger. His mind raced, something was wrong. Then he realized.
"That's a Lilith. Malcolm pull back!"
As he screamed into the intercom, the light of the cruiser flashed on revealing the bulkier wicked looking design of a Lilith class cruiser. The whole thing covered in thick armor. But his warning came too late. The main cannon of the Lilith tore through the space near the wing of GTVA craft into the Corvette's rear side. The Deimos bowed as the energy beam tore through the other side. Fire and debris pouring out through the gaping wound. The lance of energy lasted for six seconds leaving a hole a Ursa could fly through. The Corvette completely helpless.
"It got our Engines. We have no power. "
Screamed the Malcolm.
"We have to take out that cannon."
The group closed on as turrets from the cruiser belted out flak and AAA fire. He raked the cruiser with his guns but the armor was barely scratched. He heard an explosion and felt the shock wave. Beta wing had made a hit. He pulled his fighter underneath the belly of the ship, trying to make a run on the main cannon. Flak bursted all around him shaking his small fighter like a kite in the wind. He heard a beep and it was two late to react. A dragon fighter nailed him right behind the cockpit. The laser punched his shields and blew a chunk out of his hull. Sparks popped in his cockpit as his HUD faded. The dragon prepared to make another run but was shredded by Alpha Three before it fired another shot. He aimed the best he could and pulled the trigger. A couple of shots fired before warning buzzers screamed and the computer shut the weapon system down to maintain life support. He cursed as he watched as the energy formed on the cannon once more and fired. This time the beam hit the corvette dead center. As the beam tore through the ship once more, fires and explosions rippled across the bow. The beam faded out but he watched as the ship cracked in the middle as a child breaks a stick in two. With a bright flash the shockwave shattered the remains of the vessel.
Ten minutes was all the time needed to turn the Lilith into a burning hulk. Flames spouted from cracks and holes in the dense armor. Explosions occasionally blowing out chunks as internal systems failed. The top most horn missing. Despite the terror a Lilith cruiser could provide to capital ships, it still succumbed easily to a wing of bombers even with the tough shell.
The fighter and bomber wings flew into the hangar of the Vega. Both sides of the massive bay filled with worn fighter and bombers, some that didn't even look fit to pilot. As he taxied in he noticed a Herc Mk 2. The cockpit had been nailed with flak shell, with most of it missing. Techs were furiously working on it, with cranes lowering parts and sparks from welders flying. No doubt it was towed in with some hope of saving it. He pitied the pilot who would be assigned that fighter. Ships such as it were said to be bad luck.
He set his Erinyes into an empty bay and within moments a team of mechanics swarmed the craft and a ladder was pushed to the cockpit. As the glass raised he turned around to see the charred hole. In his mind he knew what the result would have been if the shot hit two meters toward the front of the craft. Then emotion overcame him. Not a sense of fear or thankfulness, but of rage and anger. Angry at today, part of himself rethinking the past and putting that laser in the cockpit. How his blood seethed and burned in his veins. He stepped down from the fighter and threw his helmet toward the side of the hangar. The noise rang across the room as it hit the metal beams.
Pike had just opened his cockpit. He looked around the bay half standing and half leaning for support. He looked over his wing. Holbrook had just opened her craft and stepped off the ladder. He watched as she slowly removed her helmet which left her hair frizzed and she let out a deep breath. It amazed him how much the lack of sleep and exhaustion could age a person. She was only twenty four but for the moment she looked twice her age. He looked around and found the same for Levi Tolson, Alpha Four. Levi joined the Knights as most young hotshot pilots do, confident and brash. Levi was beaming with self confidence in his abilities. The last few weeks had changed that. He had seen nothing but death and carnage. Now Levi was humble and quiet and rarely spoke much. After every sortie the relief was clear in his eyes that he survived another day when others did not. However he was a good pilot and Pike was also happy to be able to worry about himself than his new rookie wingman. Then he felt alone. He looked over the crowd and realized how little he knew each face. They all were strangers. The faces of the ones he had worked with for years very few in number. He lost two thirds of his squadron in the revolt and now it was only two left, Heirden and himself. He lost his long time wingman McKinley four weeks ago. He quickly brushed off that train of thought and his mind flipped to today. That was the third time a capital ship had been lost in that fashion. With the sensors still not able to lock on anything below a destroyer, the act of mistaking a Lilith for a Cain had proved catastrophic. Something about this war bothered him. In the last war Shivans used numbers and superior craft to wage war. This time they were devious. The way they fought was devilish. He knew if several cases where disabled ships were left until the pilot ran out of air or died of injuries. Then he knew of cases of honor where they had allowed ships to be repaired before destroying them. It all didn't make sense. As he thought he snapped back into reality as he gazed at Heirden, helmet off in a quick walk head to the front of the bay. He watched the next group of fighters roar out of the bay for patrol and then he heard it, the sound of yelling.
Heirden didn't understand nor could he in his current state. The poor duty officer on the other end couldn't as well.
"I demand to be put on the next rotation and my craft be fit for action!"
"Sir I have orders that all pilots must take twelve hours rest before next duty. I can't change that."
"Forget the orders, I demand that you change the order at this moment."
Heirden's face was red as he screamed two inches from the face of the officer.
Pike hurried over.
"What is going on here?"
The officer gave a helpless look at Pike.
"I told him I have orders to make any pilot take a rest of twelve hours before they can be returned to active duty."
Heirden looked at Pike.
"No I will be returned to active duty at th..."
Pike interrupted.
"Hey power down, we all are warn ragged at this point and a little rest is a godsend."
To Heirden, Pike could not have said a worse insult.
"No I have to do this. I'm needed out there. "
"Look today is upsetting, we all feel for what happened today. "
"Look if I had properly identified that cruiser our corvette would still be here and it's crew still alive. "
"Be realistic, no one could have properly identified that cruiser at that range. They even had the lights off so we couldn't have known. I'm upset about it, we all are."
Heirden glared at Pike.
"Apparently some of us are just too tired to let others do something about it. "
The tone from Heirden made Pike stiffen. His patience was worn through and that thinly veiled insult was enough.
"Lieutenant Heirden you leave me no choice. In front of these witnesses I declare you unfit for duty. If you even step foot in this hangar for the next twenty four hours you will be removed from this squadron. Do I make my self clear."
Heirden was shaking, his lips quivering and teeth clenched. He had never been so angry. He stared at Pike and breathed deeply for a rebuke. Then he realized the hangar was silent, all eyes were on him. He then noticed Holbrook and Tolson standing a few meters behind Pike, their eyes full of shock and concern. He felt himself back up before slowly walking to the automated door.
Pike hated to do that to a squad mate and friend, but he had seen this before. If left unchecked a pilot with that deep of exhaustion and rage would kill himself and possibly others.
The rage melted as he walked down the hall. The manic energy was replaced by pain and exhaustion. He felt like he was limping, fighting a losing battle for each step. His hands burned, his gloves pulled at the sores with each step as he tried to keep himself balanced. He thought about going to the medical ward for a stimulant but at the risk of becoming addicted as many pilots did, he waved off the thought. He walked into the pilots lounge. The room was dimly lit with a few pilots eating or talking at a table. The man behind the bar asked if he needed anything. Heirden shook his head in a wobbly motion and found a small table in the back of the room and sat down. Immediately exhaustion overcame him and his emotions became unglued. Thoughts whirled in his head that he couldn't make sense of. Scenes of family and home, and pilot academy flooded his mind. He pushed against the side of his head with his hands and wept.
-
:yes:
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:nod:
Keep it going dude.
I want mooooorrrreeeeee.
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Forgive the misspellings. I haven't had time to proof read it completely.
Hangar
The pneumatic wrench pounded in her ears. Despite the ear protection the sound seemed to penetrate and pound on her brain. Her muscles ached and she had to bring them into submission every time she raised up her arms. The damage was deep into the core of the craft despite the relatively benign looking burn score on the surface armor. She had worked furiously to remove the damaged plates by removing each rivet and having to cut some out completely. The hot laser had welded some of the surface together. Now that was the easy part. She began to replace internal damaged components doing her best to remember wire patterns. This was much harder than it should be she thought to herself. Her brain was foggy and she found herself forgetting the names of the simplest parts. She had her head down in the top of the open area when dizziness hit her. She pulled herself out of the hole and sat on her knees. The whole world seemed to wobble. She wiped the sweat off her forehead as her hands trembled. That is when she realized she was sliding. Her reaction time so delayed it was almost too late when she finally caught herself with one hand. She half dangled off the craft. With all her strength she reached with her other hand and was able to pull herself up. Her heart pounded in her chest. She then heard a drip pinging again the hull of the ship. Blood was seeping down her forearm and dropping onto the metal. When she caught herself she cut a four inch long gash into her arm. She grimaced as she reached for a grease wrap to cover the wound.
"Dre, I saw that. You get to the medical ward and get that fixed. "
The head technician in the bay, Boggs walked up the craft and looked up at her. She looked down at him and realized how thin he had become. Boggs was never highly overweight but he was generally round. Now he was much smaller. He didn't look fit but rather sick. It was as he never caught his breath as he walked up and down the hangar, helping where needed and explains tasks to techs undue him. In the back of her mind she wondered how much more he could take.
"I'm ok, just a little scratch. "
"No, no a little scratch does not fill a rag with blood. "
She looked down to see blood once again dropping to the top of the fighter, the rag soaked.
"Head to the medical bay and get that fixed before you get an infection. When you are done there, go get a hot meal and a few hours sleep. I'll get another guy on that ship."
She slowly nodded her head, realizing she was too tired to protest and walked down the ladder. As she walked across the side of the bay she couldn't help but find Boggs suggestion more desirable, then she hated herself for thinking that way.
Pilot lounge
He did look dead, she thought as she walked to the table. His head laid on his crossed arms with his body slumped to one side.
He felt an explosion. His body jolting upward as if shot out of the barrel of a gun. He jerked and raised his head. He stared at the person in front of him dumbfounded. As his eyes focused and heart beat slowed, he realized it was his wingman. She had kicked his boot to wake him. He sat back in the chair, put his hands over his eyes and groaned.
"You know if we start to have pilots impersonating the dead on a regular basis, there would be no one to actually do the real thing."
She cocked her head and hissed.
She pulled out a chair and leaned back, crossing her legs as she put her boots on the edge of the table.
"You know as well as I do Command won't like that.
She cracked sarcastically.
Heirden looked at her groggy eyed.
"How long have I been here?"
"A little over four hours. The last bartender tried to wake you. When he first saw you he thought you were dead. He then realized you were breathing and left you alone. He said he watched you act funny so he figured you just had too much to drink. I shook my head and agreed with him"
Heirden dropped his head a little.
"Yeah, about that, I just...."
"Look, there is no explanation needed."
She cut him off mid sentence.
"We all are tired. Command has had us on the front line for a month now. All of us are edgy and could come apart at any second. At least I was there to save your skin this time around. "
He glared at her quite annoyed, which he knew she could tell by the big sly grin that grew across her face.
"Hey listen..."
She moved with a foot of him and slowly pressed closer. He leaned back out of sheer reaction. He felt very uncomfortable.
"We all need to have times for R&R or to have a good time. Amazingly enough, yours truly has just the thing to lighten a weary mind. "
Heirden looked into her piercing eyes.
"Three, the last time someone said that to me was back in Fighter Academy. That little escapade had leave revoked for the whole class for two weekends.
Her smile widened.
Bridge
Simms looked up at the monitors that spanned the entire ceiling of the bridge. Occasionally in the black void of space he would see tiny blue streaks cross in front of his vision. The fighter wings we constantly vigilant, looking for a foe that may appear anywhere. In his mind he felt like someone stuck in a nightmare unable to awake. He had been in tough situations before, but not any like this. He looked around at the various technicians with headsets on watching their screens intently. Each person ready to sound the alarm in an instant. He had never felt like prey before. In the worst times in the past the playing field was equal. Right now it was different, they knew where he was. It was as if his vessel had a spot light painted on it, in a void of complete darkness. He could hear the pings of radar coming from the front computer station. It was antiquated and not very effective, but besides visual was all they had. Hollis walked up beside of him.
"Here is the report from the mission today. "
Hollis reached to hand the file to him. Simms just sighed and placed his hand on the rail of the command station giving no acknowledgement to the words or the file.
"Sir, we have some papers you need to look over. We have some transfers headed in and we are running low on parts and generally everything. "
Simms continued to stare transfixed into the monitors overhead. Hollis dropped his hand, gazed at him for a moment and began to walk off.
"How many times do I have to remind you that I am no longer the commanding officer on this ship. "
Hollis stopped and turned, disgust on his face.
"Who are you fooling. You are commander to everyone on this bridge and everyone of those pilots that are sent out to die and every ship in this Battlegroup."
"The only thing I'm responsible for is the eventual death of everyone on this vessel. It is my fault that we are stuck on the front line with no reprieve."
Hollis started walking back.
"Then we will all die with honor. You know as well as I do that we would be on the front line regardless if you were forced or not. You would have us no other place. This whole ship would have followed you into hell and back. We've been there before."
Simms still looked ahead, but Hollis' point clearly reached in.
"How is the damage repair coming?"
"Fairly good. The two torpedoes never penetrated the deck. We sustained heavy armor damage in that quad and we have a turret out of commission but no internal damage or loss of life. "
That was good Simms thought. The attack come out of nowhere and two bombers released their payload before they were dispatched.
"Did they ever find Hanley?"
"No news on him yet. "
It will be hard to find him. Hanley was ordered to be arrested for releasing secret documents. However in a month they still could not find him. But Simms knew the likelihood of him being on the Vega was high. No doubt SOC did as well, Simms always had a guard watching his every move and security was high. Even so catching James Hanley would be hard, as a high ranking SOC officer he knew the ends and outs of every procedure and could blend in and hide himself effectively. Simms figured he would turn up eventually.
"What are orders right now?"
"To stay where we are and to be target practice.
Simulation room
She led him the empty corridors to a closed door. She typed on the keypad and the door buzzed open. She hit the light switch which revealed an empty simulation room. It was clearly the older, secondary one. Heirden was a little dumbfounded. He didn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't this. She sensed his confusion and goaded him a little.
"Don't look so disappointed."
She flashed a grin. He just felt annoyed.
"How does this help blow off steam? I could have all the simulator practice I need in the up to date room?
"Relax and give me a minute."
She walked over to the main computer hub and typed on the keyboard. Heirden leaned against one of the sim cockpits.
"There, now you get in that one and I'll get in this one. "
He sighed again but pushed the button which opened the solid canopy. He sat down, buckling the harness and sliding on the sim helmet. Numbers began to count down on the sim HUD and suddenly all the cockpit lights beeped on and the blue light of subspace was glowing all the the computer generated top. Then he was out, he quickly looked over the objects and star patterns in space around him. It was Vega he concluded. Then he jumped near out of his seat, a dragon fighter roared right over him. Even knowing this was only a simulator it was still realistic enough to make him jump. The fighter was only thirty meters in front so he sized up and fired. Red lasers bolted from his craft just over the ship. Immediately a message rang over his headset.
"Two watch your fire! Are you trying to kill me?"
He sat in stunned silence and turned around to see several wings of Shivan fighters and bombers behind him. Then he realized he was in a Shivan Dragon as well. He half smiled.
"Three what in the blazes did you do. This is blasphemy. "
She laughed over the intercom.
"No better way to fight your enemy than to know them"
"Don't you realize they could hang us for this. We are breaking code by simulating this. Do you know what would be said if they find out we are simulating destroying GTVA forces as Shivans?"
"Relax, I disabled tracking and recording. Try to have some fun. "
He rubbed his head and a thought come to him. These simulators are tied to active rosters of ships and pilots.
"Three, how many times have you simulated killing me in a dogfight playing as a Shivan. "
A moment of silence.
"Two, just watch the head on and use those lateral thrusters. They take time to get used to them"
She clearly avoided the question. "Great" he thought, his wingman had been killing him in the simulator as his enemy for fun. He tightened up his helmet strap and fell in behind her as they approached GTVA forces.
Bridge
Simms was still busy looking into the view screens. In his mind he was doing his part, albeit small to locate the possibly enemy. He heard the main door open behind him. A officer walked through them with a folder in his hands, his SOC badge on his shirt. Timothy Balk was a man in his mid-thirties, middle sized in height and smaller built. He looked nothing like a commanding officer or a pilot Simms thought as he walked toward him. Certainly not a man who was on charge of this ship. In his mind Simms detested having to abide by the orders of that man, although he knew that Balk was nothing more than a puppet from which SOC sent their orders through. Balk walked up to Simms and handed him the folders.
"Here are the new orders, straight from Command. "
Simms took the folder and flipped through it. His expression quickly soured.
"What is this? What are they expecting from us? My crew is exhausted and low on supplies and the battle group is limping. We are in no shape or form to go on the offensive.
Simms looked around and realized others had quieted down due to his raised voice. Balk threw his hands up.
"Look I don't want to be here any more than you do. I never signed up for this and never planned on being here. Staying on the front lines has given me the creeps and now we have this. I would resign right now if I was assured that I would get off this hulk of metal. But you and I know they wouldn't let me nor would it help you be able to protest. So we are stuck in this together for the mean time. "
Simms nodded his head, subdued and understanding his point and their plight.
"So where do we go from here?"
We are due back off the front lines to meet the freighter Roland in a day and a half to resupply and pick up some new fighters and transfers. If we play it right we can stretch it out and get three solid days of rest for the crew before the mission begins. "
Simms nodded and walked down the stairs to give the coordinates to the helm.
Simulation Room
Both cockpits opened at the same time. Heirden was amused at his experience. Holbrook climbed out of her side.
"That was interesting. I've always wondered what it would feel like to pilot a Shivan craft."
Holbrook nodded.
"Yes, their craft is both superior to ours and on the the other hand outdated. The first time I had to restart the simulator five times before I could score one kill again even the most rookie GTVA pilots. Then as I started to understand how to control the ships I found that even the best pilots of the Allied forces could be downed. "
Heirden's expression became serious.
"That begs the question, why can we still take them down so easily. Surely the Shivans have their ace pilots as we do."
Holbrook raised her foot to rest on the side of the cockpit and half leaned over.
"Tyler, I've spent many nights questioning the same thing. "
Her tone became a little anxious.
"Maybe Shivan pilots can only become so good and once that place is reached they can't learn anymore. But why build craft so advanced if the pilots can't learn how to fly them at the craft's full capability."
"Good question Three."
The voice startled them and after turning they were looking at Captain Pike. They both quickly exited the simulator and stood at attention.
"What is the meaning of this. "
He asked as he walked toward them, his voice stern.
"Do you what could happen to both you and our squad if it this leeches out that two pilots were simulating flying Shivan craft destroying GTVA ships? You both could be court marshaled and I could have command of this squad stripped from me. "
Holbrook spoke up.
"Sir this was my fault, I tricked...."
"There is no excuses. This time I will keep this quiet for your sakes. But remember this, next time you two desire to do something foolish in this room, see that you lock the door. "
Heirden and Holbrook gave each other side glances.
"And If I were you three, I would do a little better. You are still zero for three against me. As for both of you, head to mess before someone starts asking questions. "
"Yes sir"
The both saluted and began to walk out of the room when Heirden stopped. He turned and looked back at Pike.
"Sir I apologize for my actions earlier. I had no right to have..."
Pike cut him off.
"Forgiven, don't speak of it again. Every pilot has his demons that pop up every once in a while to give us trouble. It is what makes us human. Just get some rest next time. "
Heirden shook his head, saluted and followed Holbrook. Pike looked around and typed on the keypad which locked the door. He typed on the computer and the simulator lot up.
"My turn."
Chapter 7 end.
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HOT DAYUM! WOOHOOO! He's Baaacckk! Thanks again and again for this and I hope you're back on a regular basis too. If not, like always, enjoy your time away :)
Thanks again :)
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Once again forgive any misspellings.
Chapter 8: Hunting a Horseman
Hangar
Pike stood in the hangar. The cooled air chilling his face. He didn't mind it as he sipped his coffee. The last two days had brought much needed rest. He watched as the large cargo container was slowly brought into the bay. A small support ship pushed it as the large magnetic generators held it above the deck. He heard several alarms sound as the cargo container was slowly lowered to the deck floor. The noise the container made on contact was a defending boom and then all was silent. The crane over head became online. The motors whined as it wheeled down the central rail and positioned itself over one end. He sipped his coffee again as he watched it reach down and grab the latch and and lift the large gate up. With one more clang the mechanical locks switched on to hold the door safely open. The all clear alarm sounded and workers began to close in on the open container. Pike felt it too, almost like an invisible hand pushed him toward the opening. As he walked toward it, he noticed another cargo container being pushed in the same fashion. As he reached the entrance, the lights flicked on revealing it's contents. A compliment of new Eurus class heavy fighters straight from the shipyards in SOL.
The other pilots and crew members began to look closely over the brand new fighters. Pike stood off a little from them. He knew the capabilities of that craft well. Built after the design of the Hercules fighter, the Eurus was tough and well armed. The Eurus wasn't as sleek as the Mark 2, and it was different. It's six main cannons were located strategically underneath the nose of the craft. The cannons were close enough that when firing the lasers appeared to become one. The Eurus was nicknamed "the Saw" for this very reason as the concentrated fire from the ship would literally cut enemy fighters in half. This was a advantage, Pike thought as he gazed at the front of the ship. In this new era of dogfighting without sensors, bringing the most firepower to one spot was critical. He looked over the rest of the ship. It's larger engines made it faster than the Mark Two. In fact as the fastest heavy fighter in the arsenal of the GTVA, it could double as a intercepter if need be. The need for speed was paramount at this point even if sacrificing maneuverability as the Eurus did. Nothing could outmaneuver the Shivan Cherubim or even come close right now. The only way to survive a dogfight with one was to hit it head on like in a jousting match of old. He looked down the vessel and noticed the second reason they were shipping it to the front lines and replacing other GTVA craft. The lines of the internal "dumb" bomb bay stood out clearly. Without sensors, the effectiveness of torpedoes were cut drastically. The Eurus was the only heavy fighter capable of carrying dumb bombs. Lacking the engine, you could carry a good compliment of them. He hoped his wing had enough simulator practice to use them effectively. In the back of his mind he was anxious. To be pulled off the front lines and resupplied in this fashion meant that a big mission was ahead. With the current state of affairs that worried him more than usual.
The roar of engines snapped him back. He walked outside of the container to see a Hermes shuttle land in the bay. New pilots were arriving. This time it was not new pilots fresh out of academy, but seasoned pilots with a score to settle. Pike was expecting a pilot for his squadron and it intrigued him. The new pilot was a Vasudan, the first Vasudan to serve with the Knights. His first name was H'ararytha, his other names unpronounceable with the human tongue. Other pilots referred to him as Phantom. In the Great War, Vasudans often teased their Terran counterparts due to the lack of dialects the human tongue could pronounce. One thing They did like the human call sign. Many vasudans used their call sign as their name while around human wing mates. The Phantom as he was called was one of the better pilots in the GTVA. Pilots often had said he would decimate wings of enemy fighters while surviving insurmountable odds. Often escaping sorties without any damage. Far fetched stories from some pilots had said they had seen lasers shoot through his craft doing no damage as if he were a ghost himself. Thus the name Phantom was born. Pike was not superstitious in the least, but what was known about Phantom is that he was a crack shot and had no fear of death or anything from that matter. He was also a natural leader and skilled tactician, which was excellent considering he was to lead Wing Two.
The shuttle door opened, and Pike watched as several pilots and other new crew members stepped from the craft to look at their new home. A large hand grabbed the edge of the door and the large body lowered half of his frame to miss the top post. Vasudans were already physically imposing, but the pilots suit which looked almost like ancient armor added to the intimidation factor. He watched as Phantom leaned back and stretched, his head twisting slightly. Then he locked eyes with Him. Pike saluted and Phantom followed suit. Both pilots began to walk toward one another with Pike extending his hand. As Phantom responded in like to shake his hand, Pike could feel the strength in his arms. He also realized how far he had to look up at the eight foot plus pilot.
"Welcome aboard the Vega, lieutenant. Captain Pike of the Knights. "
"I am pleased to join your squadron. Pleased to fight on such a decorated ship. "
Phantom's eyes scanned the inside of the bay. His translator taking every sound and turning it into the sharp electronic voice known so well. Pike was sure that the translator could use a more natural voice. Then again he also knew that If Vasudans could understand the Terran language so easily, they could also speak it. However the Vasudan's had their ways just as the humans did. One thing for sure is the Vasudans never did anything without a sure purpose and meaning behind it.
"I would give you a tour, but we have a pilots briefing in forty minutes."
They began to slowly walk toward the bay exit.
"Acknowledged. I was told to be ready for anything. It seems the Vega has fallen in favor with some in Command."
Pike dropped his head and nodded.
"That is correct and underneath the radar so to speak, we have been dealt a harsh hand recently and I'm sure the new mission is just as difficult."
"I was listening to the chatter from the new pilots. A good number of replacements for a vessel such as this."
Pike nodded again.
"We have effectively lost half of the pilots of both fighter and bomber wings. Our wing hasn't suffered as much, but we have lost a few veteran pilots in the past month. "
Both pilots walked passed the cargo container where cranes were carrying the Eurus fighters into the hangar.
"Are you well acquainted with that fighter. "
"I have read the specifications and the capabilities of that craft."
"Good. I would suggest that you get some simulator practice in during the next day. Our squadron is swapping over to them. I'll put in the order to have your fighter modified for you. "
The pilots walked through the large doors into the hallway.
"I'll show you to your quarters before we go to briefing. "
Briefing Room
Light chatter filled the room of seventy of so pilots. As Pike walked in, he could tell morale definitely was higher with just the two days off the front line. He walked toward the familiar faces of his squadron on the left side, front half of the room. Holbrook had her boots on the seat in front of her which was empty for the same reason. Heirden had a dossier in his hand, which he could tell was on the Euruas. As Pike and Phantom walked up, the squadron gave them a relaxed salute which Pike returned.
"Ok gentlemen and gentlewoman..."
Holbrook gave him an over acted sigh and rolling of the eyes. A few of them coughed out a hushed laugh.
"I am pleased to introduce Lieutenant Phantom. He will lead B Wing."
Several of the pilots saluted him, with some reaching over and shaking his hand which he returned. The lights began to dim. The pilots that were standing, quickly found a place to sit. Holbrook dropped her boots to the floor and backed into her seat. Pike sat down to the right of Heirden on the isle. He heard shuffling behind him as the pilots moved a seat over to make room for Phantom. Then the doors began to close and with a pop the magnetic locks closed in place. A icy chill flooded over Pike as if pieced through with a frozen lance. He had been a pilot for thirteen years yet had never felt at ease when those doors closed. A officer began to walk to the screen which flashed with the GTVA emblem.
"Attention"
The pilots began to stand, but the man waved them off.
"Ok pilots I will keep this short and sweet. We have a new mission from command. The good news, we have received our compliment of Eurus fighters."
The diagram of the fighter popped on the screen.
"If your squad is changing over, please get some simulator time. I've heard great things about this fighter. Now the bad news. "
A system map flashed on the screen.
"As you know we are in the remains of the system Capella. Our orders are to proceed through the Knossos gate into the next system where we were. However we aren't going back on the front lines as we were. Command has given us orders to search a nearby nebula."
The system closed in on the map showing the pink nebula.
"We have a situation there. A Shivan corvette code named Plague has caused lots of damage in and around this nebula. All reports indicate it is a Agni class corvette. This corvette has been picking off our ships and escaping before a counter attack can be launched. Right now it is responsible for the loss of three destroyers and two corvettes. So be advised, this is a veteran ship. "
The room erupted into light chatter.
"Our mission is to go into the nebula and hunt it down and eliminate it. "
The pilots were not pleased, including Pike. Unlike the Moloch which was still a decent threat, the Agni was a different beast. It was fast, agile and had good AAA defenses. Worse, the corvette had a strong primary capital ship beam, along with other smaller "slash" type cannons. While the Agni class was few in number, they were destroyer killers. Strong enough anti fighter defenses to fight back the bombers and with the anti capital ship firepower to overwhelm any corvette or destroyer. Pilots quickly learned to fear them even under normal circumstances.
"Are sensors updated enough to target them yet. "
A pilot in the back spoke up.
"No, not yet. "
Answered the officer.
"This is suicide, we are driving into the fog with no sensors, trying to knock out a powerful and smart enemy. "
Another pilot yelled out.
Pike knew how hazardous the situation was. The nebula messes with sensors in any case. But now with sensors still not able to target smaller ships, they would be sitting ducks. He turned around and looked at Phantom. His emotions completely blank.
"Listen this is our orders and complaining or protesting will not change them. You can expect some fighter resistance. The good news is the Baron will be in the nebula for support.
The Baron was a Adrastos heavy cruiser and it was one of the new toys at the disposal of Command. It's very heavy anti capital ship ability were second to none.
"We also have received a order of TAG missiles. Our objective will be to hit the Plague hard with bombs and then TAG it for the Baron to hit with full broadside. Any other questions? No? Dismissed. "
The lights faded back on and the doors opened. Inside Pike wasn't pleased. The same look was on every other pilots face as they slowly began to stand up and walk toward the exit.
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This is simply great. Please continue! :yes: :yes: :yes:
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He wanted to rub his eyes to clear the fog. He strained to see anything, yet the gases of the nebula were too thick. He felt trapped in a box, almost claustrophobic. He felt alone and distant despite his wing mate behind him. Out of nervous habit he would call to her, just to make sure she was there. He hated nebulas and he had thought he had seen the last of them.
Lightning arced between the mists causing him to roll his craft out of instinct to duck the already long passed bolt. The thunder rolling through the gas, shaking his craft. His sensors and gauges lit up and flashed. The radar showing wings of unidentified craft before fading blank again. While he felt alone, he forced himself to believe otherwise. He knew that several wings of fighters were within just a few klicks of their location. His private channel beeped.
"I wonder if we strap those in Command to our crafts, we may educate them on how hard it is to find the enemy in this environment without sensors. "
Heirden instinctively shrugged despite no one there to see it.
"You just watch my back. "
He quipped back at her. He was not in the mood for her remarks. He felt hot and flustered. His mind focused on any contrast in the pink clouds. He felt his breathing becoming faster. He felt anxiety but couldn't understand why. He never had a problem with it before these few past week.
"Aaacc..ckn..owllllgg....ee.ddd..."
The voice filled with static as another bolt arced close by. As the internal electronics faded back to normal, one sound didn't. He quickly rolled his ship and juked while releasing chaff. The missile whizzed just by his cockpit. Above him two Basilisk swooped down after him, red lasers blazing. He rolled and yawed hard to the right and his cockpit was lit up by an explosion. He looked up toward the dissipating debris cloud to see the other fighter break off pursuit. It turned sharply, right into the stream of Kaysers from Holbrook's fighter. He saw the flash of shields and then an explosion. She just notched her second kill in seconds. He looked back a head to see a glowing red light. With complete instinct he pulled toward the object and poured hot plasma into it. The third Basilisk took the lasers in the left side and shook as they penetrated out the other side. The craft exploded just as he pitched away, his shield flaring from the debris. He slowed down and looked over his shoulder to see Holbrook swoop in behind him. He opened his channel.
"Command this is Alpha Two. Be advised we have had contact with Shivan fighters. Over. "
"This is the Vega, we receive. Beta wing has also met resistance. We have your position with reinforcements on standby. "
All was quiet again with the only sounds coming from the thunder. He looked at his clock, forty minutes left on his patrol before they could get out of here. Then he saw it. A black object materialized out if the haze. His sensors tried to pick it up.
"Command, we have something here. Probably corvette sized. Waiting for orders. "
"Do not engage. Repeat do not engage. All fighter wings close in on Alpha two. We are dispatching the Baron. Please stand by. "
Heirden slowed his fighter to a crawl. He gazed at the object for a minute before he saw the flash. A flak shell burst just above his craft, shaking it.
"Two, we have fighters incoming!"
The spikes on the front of the black object folded out as a cobra fans it's hood. The ship's red lights pulsed with energy through its blood like veins. Flak poured from the turrets. Heirden engaged his afterburner to meet the fighters, the flak tracking him as he flew just ten meters over the bone like ribs.
"Command we have engaged a Moloch class corvette, code naming it Malice."
He poured his fire into a Mara fighter which had just exited the fighter bay and downed it. Red lasers flashed over his cockpit glass and he felt the shudder as his shields took the impact. He juked and weaved but the Mara fighter stayed on his tail. He engaged his afterburner which pushed him into his seat as he pushed the fighter to its limits with a hard left turn. As he rolled he saw a Basilisk fighter below through the top of the glass. He pulled hard on the stick and fired in lead of the target. As he pulled away the lasers bombarded the ship and tore it in pieces. Another shudder as more red lasers scored his hull. The Mara was still on his tail. He cursed to himself. Blueish white orbs flashed over his cockpit into the pursuing craft, ripping it in two. In a blur, two Eurus righters flew just overhead. Heirden could breathe easier now.
"Good shot, Beta Two. "
"You are welcome."
The buzzing voice of Phantom responded.
Heirden's fighter shook again as flak shells exploded all around. His cockpit was flooded with light as the bluish whirlpool that is a subspace portal opened. The armored white plow of the Baron materialized out of the light. The gun emplacements coming online with the barrels moving toward the enemy.
"The Baron is on station. Tag that Corvette and we will take it down. "
Heirden felt a shockwave and heard an explosion. He turned his craft to see the Malice with a burning wound on the rear side, fire and smoke billowing from it. Someone had hit it with a bomb. He engaged his afterburner and flew in, flak bursting all around him. He heard his lock alarm beep and watched the ship launch a cluster missile. It opened and many small missiles tracked in on him. With a little chaff they all missed. He dived toward the top front spike as the corvette fired it's two main cannons. The small red lances of light bored into the Baron. As they faded, nothing but small score marks were left in the heavy armor, the corvette drastically lacking in anti cap ship armament. He pulled the trigger, firings his lasers into the ship which tore out chunks of hull. He released two bombs from the bay. They dug into the surface. He pulled up and flew along the neck, afterburner engaged to elude the flak and lasers. His craft shook, his bombs exploded sending shards of hull in every way. He pulled up and did a half loop three hundred meters over the top of the ship. He admired the destruction he had caused. Two large holes belched flame. He had never used bombs or torpedoes his whole career. He pulled up to make another run on the wounded corvette. Then a loud beep filled his speakers. The ship had been tagged and that was the warning alarm. He looked back at the clouded fuzzy form of the Baron to see two large green orbs glowing on front and back. The light grew until the nebula surrounding the cruiser was bright as the sun. The green beams sizzled through the mist, both penetrating the ship. Debris and fire poured out the other side. With massive holes in the hull, small fires burst along the surface. The ship went dark, now only illuminated by the fires that were burning. Before any rejoicing could be made, a large lance of red bursted through the corvette into the top of the Baron. This time, the beam cut out a section like the slash of a knife. The Agni corvette flew over the top of the corpse of the fellow ship and fired again as it neared being over the top of Baron. The beam hit the rear of the ship tearing a hole that penetrated through the section. The Baron half rolled laterally and responded with both main cannons at point blank range, Both clipping the mid section and rear. Debris rained down on the Baron. The Plague suddenly increased in speed and was gone into the unreachable depths of subspace. It's foe not so lucky. The Baron expelled geysers of flame from the considerable crater in the rear.
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WHOO! Now that's what I call Space Drama at it's finest! I'm a BIG fan of WeatherOp's writing here and I cannot wait for more installments! Hell, you should seriously consider writing up FreeSpace 3, 4 and 5 :)
All the best,