Here is the Release of "Infernal Sky".
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Freespace 2: New Dawn Resolution
Act: 1 (Chapter 1)
Infernal Sky (Capella Cataclysm)
By: George “Deep Eyes” Diaz
View Image of Infernal Sky here:
!!!CLICKME!!! “We are on the threshold of a new era... where man will either be united once and for all, or die by my hands... or under my next of kin’s command...”
-Unknown
Prologue
Space... the only “Sky” that remains dark... black, and empty... today was a little bit more alive then usual... alive and yet nothing but death... there was fire... hell... and no one... could stop it from coming. Hell came in the form of a massive alien armada of ships that were as large as Earth’s greatest cities, and with the destructive force of a dozen suns, which rained down from the stars... and killed anything and everything that lived.
These devils... were given an appropriate name, “Shivan”. Derived from the Hindu word Shiva. Which means, the Great Destroyer. But Shiva was also known as the Great Preserver as well through means of other forms of physical contact within ones culture, or species. This aspect of this species has yet to be proven because of their actions over the course of forty years.
They came by the thousands decades ago, and wiped out entire Human fleets, cities and worlds outside of Humanities home. Another race, Vasudan’s, lost their home world to a ship, which couldn’t be stopped. Months later that same vessel caused so much death and destruction found her way to Earth, where it was finally destroyed in Subspace. The void of the universe where faster then light travel is possible. Its primary defense structure was disabled within this subspace and human forces destroyed the ships primary reactors, which powered it.
Many years later after the ships destruction, these Shivan’s disappeared. Never to be seen again by Human or Vasudan eyes. Now both species are united only for one purpose, to fight against a mutual enemy and survive. Today that reason is more abstract and the alliance is at its strongest. In the distant system of Capella, an outer Galactic Terran Vasudan Alliance system, the largest space battle in its history was taking place.
There was no telling who or what was going to happen... all that veterans of this battle who survived can say is... It was an Infernal Sky, and we were all slaughtered... everyone... Human, Vasudan, and Shivan. In an instant... just like that.
This is the beginning of what will become known as the Capella Cataclysm.
Theater One
“Why is there monsters mommy?” This was the question a young boy asked his mother onboard a Human Transport ship leading away from the living hell they just escaped. She was too scared but relieved to even contemplate an answer. She just looked at your young boy, and ran her hand through his hair. She looked out the window. Close by were the Humans best fighter pilots the Galactic Terran Vasudan Alliance has to offer.
She looked further beyond the Myrmidon fighters to see the Capella star. Almost five times larger then Earths sun; even though she’s never been to Sol System because of the Great War destroying Earth’s only link to the rest of the galaxy; and saw more than several dozen alien ships. Each resembling an insect with four pitchers in front of the ship’s and a hide bigger then a camels hump. The ships themselves were unlike any seen before since the first massive invasion made by these aliens thirty years ago during what is now known as the Great War.
Thirty years ago a massive alien fleet that came to allied space while the Terran Vasudan War was engaged in its fourteenth year, and attacked a Terran outpost as well as a Vasudan fighter squadron. The alien species was later called “Shivan”; derived from the Hindu word referring to the god of destruction and preservation. The concept was widely viewed in the sense of “Great Destroyer” being that these Shivan’s were bent on total “Xenocide”, the destruction of an entire species.
They killed relentlessly, with technologies far surpassing our own we were loosing a fight that would mean the end of our existence. Slowly we adapted, we gained greater technologies, and we learned from our enemy. Then we united with an old enemy to combat the new. We shared ideals and technologies and overcame the Shivan Onslaught. We lost many loved ones in the process, especially the loss of Vasuda Prime, the Vasudan home world, and the subspace wormhole to Sol. Home to the human race.
The Shivan’s were hunted down and then extinguished from the minds of the alliance. No one has seen a Shivan since the Great War. If you were born after the events that took place, you hardly even read about the horrors faced. Today those horrors were once again realized but almost a hundred times greater then before.
Just as the woman looked at the sun surrounded by the massive five kilometer insect like ships, she saw in the distance explosions. Massive explosions... so large that either one of those alien ships was destroyed, or the worst had come to pass. Her husband was a Commander onboard an experimental allied “Super” Destroyer. A ship that was 6.2 Kilometers in length, and had the weaponry of seven human Orion class Destroyers. That ship was dubbed the Colossus. Its massive size and weaponry was feared ever since her deployment against rebel forces in the Polaris and Gamma Draconis systems. But these Shivan ships were relentless, they had four huge particle beams emit from those four antennae, which tore through the hull of even the thickest armored ships. Even an Orion class Destroyer.
She prayed and hoped it wasn’t the Colossus. She also prayed for the 30,000 military personal onboard that ship. But just as soon as she calmed her nerve, a GTVA Space Marine walked over and removed his helmet. He referred himself to her as General Benjamin Stukov. He told her exactly what she had prayed didn’t happen...
“...your husband was a good man. I knew him very well myself. He did not die in vain... he fought to save dozens of refugee ships just like this, escape dozens of Shivan cruisers and corvettes. 200,000 lives were just saved because of his commanding. He died a hero. I am truly sorry.”
He reached for her hand and firmly grasped it. Another Marine came over marching with a GTVA Flag folded neatly. She was handed the flag, along with a case filled with his final Naval rank, and the Alliance Galatae Medal for his sacrifice for the people of the alliance and his family. She cried... but was strong and held herself firmly straight, her son watched, unaware of what happened. She looked over to him and kissed him on his forehead. She turned back to the General who also had a tired look in his eyes.
“Thank you... Mr. Stukov... thank you...” He smiled and rose from his kneeled position and said one final statement...
“Your husband... will be remembered, and for his sacrifice, as well as the many other men and woman onboard the Colossus.” He saluted her and walked off. As he walked... a tear came down his right eyes. And he wondered, how many more today if we make it out of Capella will I have to do this with? The hardest thing for any man or woman, like a doctor is to tell a family member or loved one someone they cared about died.
He went to the cockpit of the Transport and got on the communications board with allied Naval command in Capella holding the Shivan advance. He was informed that in thirty minutes, the GTD Bastion, an Orion Destroyer from the days of the Great War was being sent into one of the subspace nodes to cut off the system by self-destructing, causing a subspace cataclysm and sealing it. This move also left only one route to allied space open long enough to allow refugee ships out of the system. Then it would be sealed off forever by another ship.
“I hope those bastards don’t get any ideas...” The General quoted, and walked out the cockpit.
“Sir entering subspace now, we are leaving Capella.” The pilot informed him.
“Thank god.”
“Holy god I got five bogies on my tail! Requesting fighter cover! SOME BODY HELP M...........!” The transmission was cut off by an explosive sound and static.
“God damn it we lost Gamma Seven. There dropping like flies Sir!” Onboard the allied Destroyer Guadalupe, everyone was in a state of panic and chaos. There were small fires here and there in the bridge alone, as well as debris flying everywhere. The ship was getting pounded, and hard. Most of the ships fighter and bomber complement were already whipped out. Being that they were holding down the only unprotected section of Capella alone that lead to the only exit out of this massacre, they were actually doing better then the rest of the fleet.
“How many people are going to have to die before we can leave this hell? This is ridiculous! Helm! Make preparations to fall back to the Capella Jump Node to get the hell away from this place, I don’t care for the assemblies orders, our job is done here.”
“Sir! There’s half a dozen corvettes and cruisers ahead of us, were going to take even more damage from enemy fire and we might not make it through alive!”
“I know ensign! I know... but it must be done. Order the remaining fighters and bombers to disable those corvettes heavy beam turrets! Order remaining cruisers and corvettes to proceed to the jump node for immediate EVAC, and bring the ships engines to full power, were going to plow right through these bastards.”
Shaken and scared, “Uh... Yes sir...” The ships main engines glowed furiously and the ship began to proceed towards the jump node. An Orion class Destroyer was known for its firepower and brute strength, not speed. It would take a couple of minutes to reach that jump node, for all they know they might get left behind. And this commander wasn’t about to let his crew be on the Missing in Action list.
“Raise up the Deep Eyes Squadron. Inform them I have a job for them to handle.”
“Yes sir. Searching for Deep Eyes frequency... Sir, Deep Eyes One - Damien on screen.”
“Son, can you hear me?” Silence. “Damien answer this call damn it!”
“I am busy.” Damien responds calmly.
“What the hell?!” Stunned, “This isn’t a casual call, boy! I have a job for you.”
“Objective?”
“Carpet dust’ me a path from the Guadalupe to the Capella-Vega jump node. Leave nothing in our way.”
“Understood.” The screen then goes dead. “Weapons control! Focus most of our firepower on the corvettes. They are more dangerous then the bombers themselves. Have all Anti-fighter beams ready to take down any bombers and or torpedoes that threaten our defenses.”
“We lost two main beam cannons and our primary beam turret is leaking plasma. If we fire a beam through that turret we risk loosing decks twenty-two through seventy-three.”
“I don’t care what you have to do to protect that blind spot son, even if it means loosing those decks, were getting out of here. Sound a general order, all non-essential personal in those decks are to report to the hanger bay and await deployment should we not reach the node.”
The commander rose and walked towards his helmsman. “Son, you can do it, drive this behemoth through the muddy waters were in. I know you let me down.”
The helmsman looked at his commander. Sweaty, bloody and all he smiled... he turned towards the view screen and whispered, “Don’t worry sir. I’ll get us home.”
“Good man.” he tapped his shoulder firmly and walked back to his chair. Then he thought to himself, where is his second in command...?
“God damn it where’s Franklin?! She should have been on deck a long time ago.” The commander grabbed his portable communication device and paged the young woman. “Oh god, if anything has happened to her, Damien is going to kill me.”
Theater Two
Huh huh uh uh huh huh huh~~~* All that can be heard is the light breathing and footsteps of a woman already in a hurry. “Almighty... the lifts are out, they must have been damaged in the last bombing run. How am I going to get to the bridge...?” this woman thought to herself where is everyone? The decks should be swarming with people running about.
“OH THATS RIGHT! The Admiral called for an evacuation of these decks.”
But everyone is already gone... unless they’re already dead. All this misery... I can’t take this anymore. But where am I going to go the Lifts are sealed and disabled, the walkways to the rest of the ship are cut off. But I am near the transport-docking bay, maybe there’s a spare space suit in the supply room and an escape pod. I have a radio... she examines it, damn it, its damaged! I guess I’m trying this escape alone.
She ran around a couple of corridors and made her way towards the transport-docking bay. The door was already broken down, apparently some people decided to try to escape already... or were they? She pulled out her side arm and proceeded with caution through the bay. It was somewhat damaged and an emergency steel shield was in place over what was a hole in the ships hull.
She proceeded towards the control room and looked for anyone alive. All she could see were burnt bodies of her fallen comrades. She couldn’t bear to breathe the smell of death in the room. But then she examined one body... Lt. Carmichael... GTVA Marines Delta Division... she knew something about the way burns are inflicted against humans, especially explosions. The burns on Carmichael’s armor weren’t because of an explosion. She examined the GTVA Standard Issue Polaris MK-21 Assault Rifle...
A fifty-caliber round is chambered in the barrel, and the magazine is half empty...
Something... was in here... and he was shooting at it... but what...? There are no bodies here but Humans and 3 Vasudan’s and their wearing ID... oh my god that hole in the wall... the fired Polaris Rifle... the door was broken... it was eventually obvious to her that something was in the ship... and she’s trapped with it. She grabbed the Polaris Rifle and walked over towards the Space Suit closet. Hopefully I can get this on and not jumped in the process... She was already scared as it was and in no time got the suit on her body.
She then imputed her command code and disabled the safeties to allow an emergency evacuation procedure inside the compartment. Suddenly she a large thumping sound... then multiple explosions... sounding far away but still something to be concerned about. Are there possible survivors on this side of the ship...? Well, it’s a big ship... The explosions started sounding as if they were getting closer... I better hurry or whatever is causing that sound, is going to get about 50, 50-millimeter rounds in its chest... ok, ok... I got the Hermes escape pod online. And it’s fully functional.
She grabbed the Polaris Rifle and walked her way cautiously towards the Hermes escape pod. She though she heard the explosions stop but then it now just sounded like a rapid exchange of Polaris fire. Its possibly one of the many Marines stationed onboard the ship that’s still alive. She examined the hull of the Hermes and it looks secure. She opened the airlock and walked inside the Hermes. She started essential systems and began powering the pod. From her window she could see the transport corridor and hatch at the far end. All she has to do now is press the engage button and the doors will open.
“Is that beam turret ready to fire yet ensign?!”
“Ready waiting and able to fire sir! Just give me the word!”
“Alright people, everyone... here we go! All guns fire at will, I repeat fire at will!”
Outside the mammoth ship, all her huge turrets glowed and charged spewing particles of pure energy. The main guns of the ship glowed feverously with pure energy. The ship was already getting a pathway because of the superb work of the bomber squadrons.
“Fire the main beam turret at that Ravana coming in hot at 12 o’clock-due east! Burn its head off.”
The turret pointed at the Ravana’s position and fired. In an instant a green colored beam of pure energy fired its way through space through the thick hull of the Shivan Ravana class Destroyer. The beam tore away at the Ravana’s forward mounted weaponry and disabled its main beam cannons. But then, the beam started dissipating, and the turret started to spark... the turret, began to come apart.
“Sir! The main beam turret has sustained critical damage because of the energy channeled through it. But thankfully it got the job done. The turret has been completely destroyed but the decks below and around it are still online and are sealed off from any potential radiation contamination.”
“Good work son! Now lets continue this maneuver and get the hell out of here. Continue to fire all remaining weaponry and make sure we get through those devils!”
In the decks below that damaged beam turret, the woman who finally found a way to escape the damaged section of the ship she fled through, just felt a cold sweat... she heard a massive boom sound that rumbled throughout the pod. I think whatever it is I heard before has just gotten a lot closer. She was about to press the engage button when she heard a man scream WAIT!
“Wait! Don’t leave me! Aggh....” the man was hurt badly. He limped his way to the pod slowly. He was supporting himself on his Polaris Rifle and was bleeding from his right arm. The woman opened the door with Rifle in hand and pointed behind the man who looked as if he was not going to make it.
“Get inside the Pod now! Hurry, I’ll cover you!” That to the man was the best thing he heard yet.
“You don’t have to tell me... ungh... twice darlin’!”
“What the hell were those explosions a few moments ago?”
“I’ll tell you once were out of here, trust me, you don’t want to know!”
Suddenly there were the sounds of inhuman screams. That something he didn’t want her to know was going to make its presence felt.
“God damn it lady! Help me get to the pod! I can’t limp all day!”
She ran to the man... he was trying hard to stand. She grabbed him and helped him to the pod. “I don’t know how it’s still alive... I pumped that bastard full of pepper and it didn’t go down until I detonated a C4 Charge when it turned the corner.”
“What is still alive...?” The woman asked...
“Lady, are you a civilian or a officer, unggh’?”
“I am a Lieutenant soldier. Lieutenant Lauren Franklin.”
“That thing, Ms. Franklin, I tried to take out was a bug sir. The Marine Corps personal slang name for a Shivan drone.”
“A Shivan drone? That would explain the burn marks on that other Marine’s armor.”
“Yes that was a Shivan Plasma burn. I was in here when that thing made its way through the hull. I was able to make it follow me away from here allowing people to escape, but I can now see it didn’t work. Damn...”
“Were getting out of here soldier. Don’t you worry... was it the only Shivan in the ship?”
“Yes, the emergency shield came in place after it entered the ship. I never had seen one of those things before, and my god there huge... just like the history books said.”
“Yeah well I don’t want to be here...” Suddenly she looked at the Hermes pod... and a ghostly figure was standing overhead... three legs... three arms... and multiple eyes... and it looked mad.
“Yo.” The marine said as he looked up with a ghastly grin.
Theater Three
I am the “General”. You are my enemy. I will not die.
“Damien! On you’re six! On you’re six!
“Copy.” Damien brought his Terran Fighter around and about, the marvelous Perseus Interceptor fighter. He banked hard and fired his retro burners to quickly reverse thrust in the opposite direction in flight and locked on to three Shivan fighters simultaneously and fired a swarm of Tornado anti-fighter missiles. All eight hit their targets, but one made it through.
“A survivor.” Damien fire away with his main primaries composed of dual Maxim kinetic cannons and Prometheus-S laser fire, tearing away at the anti-matter shields of the remaining Shivan fighter.
“Lone survivor terminated.”
“Sir, we just received orders from command to reinforce and assist the GTD Bastion into the subspace node in sector seven-zero. There sustaining heavy attack from Shivan Seraphim bombers and the Bastion may not survive. Your orders?”
“All orders come from Admiral Botezae. So my answer is no.”
“Roger.”
This pilot, Lieutenant Commander Damien “General” Sonatine was a man for few words, and heavy unadulterated action. He is normally calm and collected, but will not hesitate to respond with words of fire. His actions are not that known, as many elite GTVA pilots. But if you were aware of the reputation of the 223rd Deep Eyes Squadron, you would know that these guys, piss more blood, eat more laser fire, drink more cannon fodder and breathe more radioactive air and still fight and wont die until there mission is completed - then most pilots alive to-date.
“Come in Lieutenant. This is Admiral Botezae. Repeat, this is a priority message.”
“Yes sir?” Damien responds calmly as he comes about along side the Guadalupe.
“Why didn’t you follow the orders of command? You are to proceed to the subspace node in sector seven-zero to assist the Bastion.”
“With all due respect sir. I could care less about that ship. There’s people dying out here and I’m not going to ditch these civvies’ and let them get wasted by these damn bugs.”
“Damien I know, but that is a direct order coming from command.”
“No! I don’t care.”
“Son, don’t try to fight this. If you don’t proceed I will pull rank on you, make my order and you will obey that order do you understand me?” Botezae said forcefully and with strength. Damien sat for a moment, and thought briefly.... and sighed.
“Roger... Deep Eyes, move out, proceed to subspace node.” He returned his attention to Botezae, “You better save these people...”
“Were doing the best we all can son... god speed.”
“I want more then your best, Damien out.”
“GET DOWN!” The Marine brought his Polaris Rifle up and fired away in steady bursts at the Shivan drone in front of them.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHhhhhhhhhhhh! The insect like creature roared as its skin was grazed by rifle fire.
“To hell with this your hurt!” Lauren brought up her Polaris Rifle as well and launched a volley of Stinger Shin Missiles that are the size of .45 Caliber rounds and contains a miniaturized explosive.
“How do we kill this thing?!”
“Aim for its eyes! That is where its nerve center is!” He fired away at the Shivan. But then the bug launched itself at the two humans. One of its many arms extended and claws grew from its end. It lunged at the Marine.
“Get down! It’s going for you!”
“This old man got some fight still left in him Sir!” He launched a volley of his own Stinger Shin missiles and hit the Shivan’s extended arm. It was blown completely off. The Shivan then fell in mid-air and riled around in agony.
“Come on! We can make it to the pod!” they began their run back to the pod. The Marine was limping along his way with Lauren. They reached the escape pod... then... a bright light emanated from behind them. They both turned around and saw what was happening. The other arm of the Shivan was extended and had a light coming out of it.
“Holy ****! Sir, get inside the pod hurry!”
“Why what’s happening?!”
“Just do it get inside!” He pushed Lauren into the pod and slammed the hatch shut.
“No! What are you doing?!” He moved away from the escape pod. He walked his way back to the Shivan who was severely injured and stood over it.
“You damn devils. I won’t let you win this day... or let you hurt anyone else!” He pulled out his last remaining C4 Explosive. And held it as he pulled the pin and held the trigger.
“Lieutenant! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, AND HURRY!”
“No! Don’t do it!”
He looked back down at the Shivan. Its too late for me... I’m going to die anyway. Let me just do this one... last deed...
Bbbbbbbbbbbbboooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
“Noooooo!” Lauren jumped at the window and banged on it, then was thrown back into the pod. The explosion vaporized the Shivan drone and the marine.
“Thank you.” She engaged the pods engines and began her departure, and suddenly, the docking bay decompressed. The Hermes escape pod was violently sucked into the void.
“Admiral! The ship has just sustained a massive decompression explosion in the forward docking bay.”
“Was anyone down their son?”
“Initial reports are unclear... we don’t know what the hell happened down there.”
“Jesus, were falling apart out here.”
“Sir, hull integrity has fallen below critical. The enemy isn’t what’s hurting us sir! It’s the gravity pull being generated from the Capella star.”
“God damn physics... order all remaining personal to the Hanger. If were not bringing my boat home were all going to get out of here one way or another. Engage the ships autopilot, and inform command, we’re abandoning ship.”
“Yes sir...”
“Inform all remaining fighters and bombers they have a new objective. Escort the three-dozen escape pods and transports to the subspace node. All other orders are nullified.”
“What about the Deep Eyes sir?”
“There already engaged, there orders are to proceed as planned.”
“Alright sir, I’m sending out orders to all remaining fighters now.” The Admiral sat in his chair and thought for a brief moment. He was thinking about all past captains and commanders of their ships and what they would do or have done or would have to do should “their” ship go down. Was he to stay and go down with his Ship? Or was he supposed to live? He asked himself this question everyday of his life.
“Son, are you done with those orders?”
“Yes sir, the 100th, 24th, 98th and 42nd have all received orders. But the Deep Eyes have yet to respond. They are in engaged in battle around the Bastion.”
“Ok. Lets get out of here...” the remaining command officers of the GTD Guadalupe saluted the deck of the ship. Then proceeded to the Hanger bay.
“There may never be a finer ship...” This was Botezae’s last words before the door to the EVAC-lift closed... and the bridge exploded.
Laurens escape pod was damaged in the decompression. The hull was severly damaged and her engines too as well.
“Jesus... all this just to be stuck outside the ship. And it’s already making its way towards the Jump node.” The pod was already a good five minutes behind the destroyer already. Thankfully there were no enemy ships inbound or about, except for what she could see in the distance surrounding the Capella star.
“Oxygen levels are not even high, they’re dropping fast. I got maybe another four minutes at best. There’s a leak in the hull. Think, think girl, your going to die out here if you don’t do something!” The pod moved at only one-tenth its slowest speed. Its engine has failed and the pod is now adrift...
“Oh hell... I guess this is it for me...”
Theater Four
“Hey Delta 2! I got me another one!”
“Hah! Good one!”
“Hey don’t get to cocky yet! We’ve got another two minutes before the Bastion enters the subspace node.”
“Sir I am detecting jump signatures... IFF status is confirmed, it’s the Deep Eyes.”
“Oh man these yoyo’s!”
“Watch your mouth their Alpha 2. Were here to cover your ass.”
“Huh? Who the hell are you!” the Deep Eyes second fighter designated DE-2 came about in showy fashion around Alpha 2 and loomed overhead upside down.
“Hey if you don’t need our help we’ll be glad to go back to our Shivan bashing back around the Capella star!”
“That’s enough from the both of you.” It got quiet. The voice silenced everyone. “Alpha One, Deep Eyes Squadron reporting as ordered.” Alpha One of the Blue Lions from the GTD Aquitaine was supposedly the best of the best. They never met the Deep Eyes but heard of their reputation.
“What is your situation?” Damien asked calmly.
“Situation here is critical. The Bastion is down to 20% hull capacity and her Mason warhead complement is unstable, the ship can go anytime. Massive waves of Seraphim and Nephilim bombers were hitting us hard. Most of the fighter escort was destroyed by the bombs they took down.”
“Who’s on your wing that needs support the most?”
“Delta 3, he got hit bad, his fighters cockpit was damaged and he’s depressurizing, but he doesn’t want to leave.”
“Delta 3, come in. You are advised to leave system before your fighter implodes.”
“Negative sir! I have a job to do, if you don’t mind.”
“Your brave I give you that. Link up with DE 2, he has a full complement of repair systems and some spare Harpoons to give if you need it.”
“Thank you sir, Deep Eyes 2, I would appreciate that greatly!”
“Can I take your order?” Deep Eyes 2 said sarcastically. He pulled his fighter to Delta 3 and linked up to repair his essential systems.
“This will only take a couple moments, your main systems are alright, but your canopy needs to be repaired. It will take 2 minutes.”
“Hova’.” Damien mumbled. “Switch fighters with him. Give him your Perseus.”
“No problem! Once these repairs are done, his Myrmidon will be just fine.”
“Deep Eyes 1! They’re not going to switch fighters now! A Shivan squadron could hit them when they’re resetting their systems!”
“Alpha, my squads man is changing fighters with Delta and that’s final. I’m giving that boy a new tool to do his job and not get killed. Hova’s fighter has more custom additions and better shielding then that Myrmidon.”
“Yeah!” Hova bellowed over the PA system. “He’ll be fine! Just be easy with her Delta 3! You have to work with that fighter not it work for you. Treat her good, she’ll treat you even better!”
“Thanks a lot for the advice.”
“Uhh, ladies!” A woman’s voice bellowed over the PA system, “We have incoming at 12 o’clock high, seven heavy fighters and three wings of bombers are inbound and they’re going for the cruisers.”
“Alright, all fighters acquire your targets and engage enemy! Deep Eyes! Cover the Bastion; we’ll mop up the inbound hostiles.” Alpha one ordered...
“Too late.” Damien said, his fighter already ahead of the pack and killing a Shivan fighter. He was in full burn as his fighter screamed through space launching a fury of laser fire at enemy fighters. He was like a devil, no hesitation; he unbelievably took out 2/3rds of the hostile fighter and bomber craft before he realized he was out of missiles.
“Requesting support ship.”
“What the hell! Deep Eyes 1 has a majority of this engagements kills!” Alpha 3 screamed astonished.
“Calm down! Just calm down!” Alpha 1 said anxiously, “Deep Eyes 1, that was an exceptional performance you displayed there. You’ve even managed to surprise the elite of the elite.”
“I don’t care for the gratitude. Honestly I would be better used in helping the civvies escape Capella. Our people our dying, and for what, a ship?”
“See here! This mission is to protect those civilians...”
“Damn you and your GTVA bureaucracy. Just let it be known that when you die, no one will care let alone the Security Council.” Damien pulled his fighter in a dive-roll maneuver and dropped to the aft side of the GTD Bastion. The following Deep Eyes did the same and covered the aft of the Bastion.
“Damn renegades...” all the Blue Lions muttered low...
For the remainder of the mission, The Blue Lions lost 3 men, and the other allied fighter wings had heavier losses. But the Deep Eyes held their own. Only suffering minor damage, they escorted the Bastion to the subspace node and watched as she was swallowed by the natural energies of the universe. No more then five seconds after she began entering the subspace vortex she exploded. The ship carried massive Meson nuclear demolition warheads onboard. Apparently they did their intended job; they collapsed the node.
“Mission complete. Deep Eyes fall back to the Guadalupe. We have previous orders to attend to.”
“Thanks for the help.” Alpha 1 of the Blue Lions said just before the Deep Eyes jumped out. “Renegade or not, there one of the best chances we have to winning this war...”
Oh my god... that’s all that went through Lauren Franklins mind as she saw the massive ships surrounding the Capella Star. About eighty or so of those behemoths were poised for some unknown purpose or reason. I doubt God even knows what they had in store for us, and it was going to be an event... far greater than anything Human or Vasudan eyes have ever seen before. And even the vivid imaginations of humanities pass, couldn’t foresee an event of this magnitude...
“Oh my god...? What did those things do to the star...?” The Capella Star began to glow with a sickening green color but began shrinking in physical size. Ok think Lauren, there has to be something you can do to get this crate jump-started... she scurried around the escape pod looking for anything that can be used to restart the pods engines or send a communication to any allied ship still able to mount a rescue.
They did something to that star and whatever it is, its going to happen really soon. And I don’t want to be here for it!
She found transponders floating around as well as battery packs and a Marines com-unit that could be used to fix the broken transmitter. But she had no way of hooking the system to relay voice messages. All she could get working was a S.O.S beacon going.
Times running out... I hope someone hears this... Lauren floated into her chair and closed the light shields of the pod, for she was scared of the scene she saw and possibly coming, and began to cry.
“Damien...”
Theater Five
“Deep Eyes listen up! The Guadalupe has gone down! We have seven escape pods all heading towards the Capella-Vega jump node and they’re under heavy fighter escort with three civilian escape pod convoys. We are not too loose those pods people.”
These orders came from the led escape pod carrying the command staff of the Guadalupe. Botezae is still alive.
“I have a question for the Admiral.” Damien of the Deep Eyes pulled up and held his heading.
“Where is Lieutenant Franklin?” He asked calmly. Botezae walked to a window and looked at Damien’s fighter, and Damien looked back. Botezae dropped his head in sorrow cause he didn’t know what had become of his second in command.
“Sir! Permission to search and rescue any more pods left behind in sector three-seven-niner?” Damien, still holding his calm asked.
“Son... I... I can order you, but who’s really going to stop you?”
“Sir, I am waiting for your decision.”
“Son, from the bottom of my soul I can’t find the words to say no, but at the same time, I can not say yes, we have a thousand or so civilians with us, we need every fighter available!”
“Is that your final decision sir?”
“...” He hesitated. “...Damien I... I know you love her... but...” Botezae was cut off, “Deep Eyes squadron, maintain escort of the convoy, DE 2, Hova, you have command until I return.”
“General! Don’t die out here, find her bro!” Hova yelled.
“Copy.” Damien pulled his fighter about and began back-stepping the original Guadalupe’s flight path. “Lauren...”
Botezae looked at Damiens fighter speeding away... “Find her son.”
Damien remembers her name like he remembers the memories he had with his first time flying. Ever since the naval academy and even when they first met years before as young children, he and Lauren were always hand in hand in something or another. But as time progressed... she went towards her true passion, fleet command, and Damien went with his passion, piloting. They over the years grew apart, but he always made sure that she would always be safe, even at the cost of his own life; his love was that deep for her.
He thought to his self, “You’re not dying out here. Not without me at least...” Damien knew he only had a little time left before something goes down around the Capella Star, but he is still unaware of what is about to transpire, that it will change everything, forever.
Lauren still cried in the corner of the escape pod. As she cried, she thought about all the things that lead up to this point in her life, all within maybe less than a minute. She looked up and saw the light emanating from the pods windows gleam brighter then it was. She placed her head down with fear. She couldn’t bear to look anymore, the death, destruction, and pain she has witnessed was enough to make her want to never use her eyes again. Then something hit her head.
“What the hell?!” she though. She looked up and saw the transmitter that she set on the dash board where the controls of the pod were located. It must have drifted...
“To hell with it!” She grabbed it and began breaking down some wall power units and removing their chargers to try to boost the S.O.S.’s signal or even send a voice message. “I’m not going to die like this in the corner of this crate!” Those Shivan bastards were going to have to earn it!
Damien was a good distance from his last position and was still coming up short of traces to follow, too much interference from the sun, and he thought to himself its getting larger? The electro-magnetic field around the star was getting disrupted and everything wasn’t looking pretty. I have to find her... I won’t leave Capella without her...
“Damn it!” Lauren screamed. Her transmitter attempt failed... “I should have paid attention in communications class back at the academy...” she thought to herself... this was it, there was no chance of her survival now... her communication system is still only able to send S.O.S’s beacons, and there was no visible allied ship in sight... only the distant view of explosions, and the sounds of battle...
It is said, in space, no one can hear you scream, or let alone cry. But this woman sat again back down, and wept. She crying to herself why didn’t she stay at the bridge like she was ordered to... why she didn’t try to save the Marine and help him to safety too... and why, she was going to die... she sat back, and the tears poured... Is this the end?
Is this the end... is this the end... is this the end...?
“Damien... is this the end?”
“Huh...?!?! What is... happening to... me?” Damien began sweating and his hands began shaking... his fighter suddenly did a barrel roll and dove almost 3 kilometers before he regained control of his fighter. “No...! Whose end is it? Is it mine? No! Her? Lauren... NO! I WON’T LET YOU DIE!” He started to shake slightly and he extended his right hand directly in front of himself... and then, he blacks out. He lies in the void of space, his fighter moving slowly, and he is still unconscious. In his state of mind, he began to dream of himself, in his past.
He thought about all the time he and Lauren were together, all the fun and excitement they had growing up. The first time they kissed... the first time they made love, the first time they broke up, and the first time they said goodbye...
“RAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” He yells, only four seconds later... mouth wide open and his arm extending; fist hitting the canopy of his fighter. “Lauren!” He put his fighter into full after burn, and headed for her “assumed” position.
“I’m going to get you... I’m not loosing you again!”
Theater Six – Armageddon
“Were detecting a massive electromagnetic field in a state of influx emanating from the Capella Star, all units are advised to leave system immediately! REPEAT! All...”
This warning was straight from Allied Command itself. The Shivan’s put what looked to be there final solution to the “Human and Vasudan” problem into motion...
Damien had since long heard the warning. He continued on his blind path. Only encountering one damaged enemy fighter, which he wasn’t concerned with. He continued on his way and began detecting a blip on his radar. He followed the blip until he was able to get a visual on the source of that blip. It had already been a few minutes since his journey began, but he covered a large distance, as well as blacking out – and even then he wasn’t sure if he was awake or not.
He proceeded cautiously and saw up close that it was an allied escape pod. He tried to hail the pod but there was no response. He brought his fighter about and in a bold move, shut his visor on his helmet and engaged his onboard space walking suit. He then exited his fighter; he pushed himself towards the pod and reached the hatch. He didn’t want to risk a depressurization so he didn’t try to open the pod. He banged hard against the hull of this pod. No response.
This time, he pulled out his sidearm. He shot at the door, knowing it was strong enough to withstand Polaris-pistol fire; he hoped it would make enough noise internally that anyone would respond.
Tap... tap... tap...
“What the hell? *Sniffling.” Lauren was still getting through her tears when she heard successive taps at the pods hatch. She pushed herself up with the Polaris Rifle and walked slowly to the hatch gun drawn. She banged hard on the door, and the taps responded in old Morse code.
Tap... Tap... ta...*...Open your cockpit shutters!”
She ran over the control console and dropped the shutters, ignoring the horrific scene many kilometers away. Suddenly a body drifted over into her field of vision.
“Oh my god!!!” she gasped deeply and fell to her knees! She began crying again, tears of joy to see who had out of the void came to save her.
Damien waved at Lauren and motioned her to jettison the hatch door so they can leave the area.
She quickly acknowledged and quickly disengaged the hatch. She had her space suit already on full power and it was wandering dangerously low. She then floated out the now defunct Escape pod, and floated into Damien’s arms... He then used his Nav-Jets onboard his suit to maneuver himself back to his fighter. She held him extremely tight and didn’t let go.
“Were going home. Put your head down, and don’t look at the sun.”
Damien entered his fighter and powered up his afterburners. He decided to do an inner-system subspace jump to the escape jump node point designated for allied use. This would shave off a good 4 minutes and allow him to avoid unnecessary combat.
“Entering subspace...”
Were safe...
“CAPELLA HAS GONE SUPERNOVA! REPEAT!!! CAPELLA HAS GONE SUPERNOVA!!! ALL ALLIED UNITS PROCEED TO THE JUMP NODE ESCAPE POINT! ALL UNITS ARE ADVISED TO LEAVE SYSTEM NOW!”
Command delivered this message as soon as they realized what was about to transpire. The Shivan armada of Sathanas ships all opened fire on the Capella Star. The star grew and glowed a sickening yellowish green color then turned out orange and red. The stars size grew incredibly large slowly, then it began to shrink, indicating that it was about to explode. The Capella system was larger than most systems, and to an extent, anything far away from the star might have a chance to jump into subspace and escape the explosion for it would take a few minutes for it to hit there location. But... strangely enough, no one alive, Human or Vasudan has ever witnessed a supernova, so who really knows what’s going to occur until it happens...
Back in Delta Serpentis, where the GTVA Security Council is located, they all watched in horror as the Capella Star was changing right before there eyes and they could anticipate the impending destruction. They thought about the people who were there, who were fighting for there lives and the lives of people everywhere, but only to die in vain from an event that will forever be beyond there control... then... the flash occurred. The Capella Star exploded.
“Exiting Subspace”
“Were here Lauren, were no more than 4 kilometers from the subspace node. Were going home...”
BEEP, BEEP! Warning! Supernova blast ETA 30 seconds! REPEAT! Supernova blast ETA 28 seconds! Pilot advised to leave system!
“What the hell is going on?” Damien looked back with Lauren already peering over his shoulder. She could see the blast coming, her eyes wide and still on the impending hell she was about to face. Damien’s eyes grew large and for once saw destruction on a whole different scale.
“****... Lauren hold on tight!” Damien engaged his afterburners and reallocated all energy from his fighter’s core to his engines. He was flying in access of 100 Meters Per Second, and was pushing his fighter beyond its limits. The blast wave was right behind them and was slowly overtaking them. The fighter began shaking horribly and buckling. The rear of the fighter began to burn and sizzle. The paint along the hull began to melt off.
“Damien it’s getting hot...!”
“I know! Were almost there!” The subspace node was no more than 10 seconds away from them- they can make it... we can make it... we have to!
Damien held onto Lauren tightly who has already passed out from the heat rising in the cockpit. The bright light had overtaken them as they entered the subspace node.
Activating Subspace drive.
The fighter was on fire, the hull was melting off... the massive heat wave burned at Damien’s fighter... then in the blinding light, his fighter... vanished.
End Act 1-Chapter 1.
Poll
