Chapter 2 - Knight
Hm. Well, thanks I guess. said the stern faced officer. Heres your cash. Now leave before I have to make ya.
He handed us a credstick of about 200,000. He took one last disrespectful stare and headed off to his quarters.
Nice! Lets see, 200,000 creds split into five... thats about 40,000 each. Jacks said giving us each our credits. But I couldnt get my mind off of that officer.
Hey Jacks, Ill be right back... I said pocketing my credits.
Okay, just be back at Huron in the morning. Were heading out. Jacks said leading the rest t the spaceport.
The whole place looked very poor and ragged. Militia members were all exhausted and trying to force themselves to stay awake for the next shift. Even the small bar was in a shambles. A small, synthesized drink machine stood in place of the bar tender who, according to a scribbled note, was defending the colony of the damned renegades. When others read this, sighs came, as they knew it would be a while for them to hire a new bar tender.
The officer hopped onto the stool and was handed a large load of papers. He sifted through them, dividing them into piles. The largest pile was full of death certificates. The other large pile was made up of reports of renegade raids. A medium sized pile was missions to be taken up by the next unlucky fellow who happened to come along. The smallest pile, which consisted of about two or three papers, was accomplished missions and the bills needed to pay them.
The klaxon began to sound again and groans went through the crowd.
All hands to your vessels! The colony is under attack!
The officer scrambled to his feet and ran into me.
You still here? I thought that you UE scum had left by now. he snuffed as he began to walk past me.
I want to help! I yelled after him.
Oh, so your 200,000 credits werent enough? he snapped.
Look, just let me help! Youll get slaughtered out there!
No, its you who will be slaughtered if you keep badgering me!!
He rushed away to his fragile Helian. I followed up going to my UE Fighter...
Th fleet was huge. Three Turncoats, 10 Helians, and about 20 or so Kraits. I checked the militias fleet. About 5 Helians and 15 Kraits. No UE ships were in sight except for the few Freight-Couriers trying to make the trade route between Gribn and Their. They were quickly taken down or dispersed by the Turncoats. A swarm of the little blue demons came after us. A fired a few rockets, taking out a few but after the first pass on us, 18 still remained and more were coming from the Turncoats. The second pass blind-sided us. The buzzing shapes of blue were hard to focus upon as their red bolts cut down the small militia force. By the third wave, the Helians began to join in. I watched in horror as the militia Helians were ganged up upon. One after another, they went down. We had been reduced to 2 Helians and 7 Kraits. I quickly put out a distress call as I moved in on a Helian. Its needle missiles slammed against my ship while I fired the last of my rockets. The impact of it sent it backwards, careening into a flittering Krait. The explosion of the collision knocked a nearby Krait into a spiral. A few hits from my Blaze Cannon and it was finished.
The militia force regrouped and began to go after a Turncoat before it entered Their. The Helians needle missiles completely wiped out its shields allowing the remaining Kraits to take it out. I watched the shining wreckage burn up in Theirs atmosphere. Thats when the wave of Kraits and Helians caught up to us again. The swarming insects took out our remaining Kraits. I watched sadly as the swarm focused on one of our Helians. I rushed in to put my revenge on the renegade Helians but they quickly escaped leaving only havoc in its place. The swarm began to make one last pass to take out me and the last Helian. My ship rocked as the needle missiles pounded on my shields. I made a sharp turn and hit my afterburner to dodge the rest but the missiles eventually caught up to me. Thats when I saw the last Helian get punished by the swarm of renegades. I slammed my afterburners once more and held my finger on the trigger taking out a few more Kraits. Thats when I noticed that the militia Helian was down to about 3% armor. One more hit and it would be finished. Horrified, I saw the glimmering missile coming towards the unsuspecting Helian. Without thinking I darted in front of the last standing militia member and took the hit.
Sirens sounded as smoke filled my cockpit. I grabbed the air mask and swiftly put it on. I looked to see my wing torn in half. Keeping the ship steady became a nuisance quickly. It all seemed hopeless until I saw through the smoke a red and gray Carrier come out of hyper drive. Two Destroyers and a small fighter squadron soon followed it. We were saved.
After regrouping at Gribn, I received some money from the UE for helping out. It was just enough to repair my ship to the perfect condition it needed to be in. Many a militia officer came up to thank me for the help. Thats when I saw the only surviveing Helian land in the spaceport. Astonished, I watched the stone-faced officer step out of his ragged ship. I went up to greet him as he put his hand on my shoulder.
I owe you my life., was all he said. I asked him what his name was before he went inside. He quickly responded. Knight.
Chapter 3 - Complications
I made my way back to Huron, my ship good as new. I made my landing request and soon landed. As I walked into my quarters, I saw the clock. Only a half an hour until our patrol. I sighed and made my way towards the bed to try and get as much sleep as I could before we headed out. Fortunately, I was exhausted so I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
ALERT, ALERT! Squadrons Skullriders, Bloodshed, and Sandstorm report to the main hangar at once! ALERT, ALERT! the klaxon sounded.
My head jerked up groggily. I replayed what I had just heard in my head. My eyes widened and I jumped out of bed.
I rushed as fast as I could to the hangar where Scott and Scasm were standing, talking to an officer. As I rushed up beside them, Scott, Shard, and the other squadrons soon joined us.
My name is General Darius. We have just received reports of a humongous fleet of renegade ships gathering in Troub. We want you to disperse the fleet and report back here. I will escort you in the U.E.S. Ironroot. Now lets MOVE! the general shouted as the rest of us scattered to our vessels.
We waited intently for the U.E.S. Ironroot as it slowly launched from Huron. When it finally reached us we received orders to jump to Troub. I flipped a few switches and we were off.
As we entered the system, I braced expecting the familiar needle fire from our guests. However, none came. I looked up expecting a deserted system, but it was filled with the renegade vessels. I quickly looked at my scanners to notice that the ships were not renegade, but militia.
Jacks, are you seeing on your scanner what Im seeing? I asked over the comms unit.
That our horrific rebels are just lost militia? he answered.
General Darius quickly hailed them, asking if they needed assistance. When they responded no, he ordered us back to base.
I was waken up for that!!?!! I yelled groggily. Jacks told me to get some rest and that they didnt need me for patrol. I happily agreed.
We were still yet to be told what we actually saw. I think the officers were just as confused as we were though. You see most militia stick around their home worlds. Yet there they were, right in Troub. I pondered this for a moment before getting out of my warm bed. We had an off day today and I wanted to make the most of it.
I hurried to my ship and climbed into it. I flipped a few switches and off I went. A few minutes later and I was above Huron. I set my nav systems to Troub and then to Hatuli. I set up for hyper drive and my ship rocketed forward.
I began to set down onto Their as soon as I entered Hatuli. When my ship landed, I began looking for Knight.
No, I cant say any of my troops have been in Troub. That is unless they did so without my authority. I never let any militia member out of Hatuli unless its an emergency. Knight said looking at the scans. Its possible they could be Renegades, he added.
I curled my lips displeased with Knights answer.
What about Gribn? Did they launch anything? And can you get me contact to Iothe, Helios, and Omm? I asked.
Well I can tell you right now that Omm doesnt have any militia. But yeah I can probably get you in touch with them.
Knight got up and gestured me to follow him. I stood up and began to walk swiftly behind him. We reached the comms room a few hallways away. A few seconds later I was in touch with Gribn.
This is Col. Harker of the Hatuli militia. State your affiliation, name, and business.
Its okay Hark. Its me Knight. A friend of mine wants to ask you a few questions. Knight said before I could open my mouth.
Yes, I needed to know if you ordered any militia into Troub yesterday. I aksed.
Troub? Why would I? Nothings there but a chuck of rock. He said confidently.
Thank you I replied.
The conversation was the same as I made contact with Iothe Prime and Apollo. None had done so. I became more puzzled than ever.
Well thanks anyways Knight. Look could you keep an eye on this for me though?
Sure he said, his face still expressionless.
I began to walk out when the klaxon overhead began to sound.
All militia report to your ships! A group of renegades has arrived along with Barge!
Just read my sig
