(Posted on 01-30-2001)
Kade system
Lets get this patrol over with, says the captain of the Azdgari Warship Red Tide. This system spooks me. Comm, what do ya got out there?
A young ensign turns around, Nothing out there that I can hear. If theres something there its not sending out anything. On the upside, we have been recalled, we are to finish our patrol in this system then go back to Omega Base.
Excellent, now sensors, whats out there that you can see.
In the section next to communications, an aging Azdgari turned around, Sir, theres noth... What! Sir, theres an unknown ship directly to our aft. It wasnt there two seconds ago. Its huge, Ive never seen anything like it.
Show me it, show me it now! The captain turned to a small display on the arm of his chair where a dark silhouette of the unknown appeared.
Sir, theres an energy spike! Its prepared to fire, sensors yelled.
Comm, broadcast surrender.
Ive been doing just that, they arent responding.
Send a distress signal, in that case.
Too late!
Two minutes later, the system is empty save for Council Station, and floating debris.
Earth, Sol system
Master, master, oh, why do you have to be such a deep sleeper? Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Ahhhh. Emnine, what are you doing? The man jumped up out of the bunk. His hair was raven black, and slicked back. The mans eyes were an icy blue that stood out from his pale face.
Good, Master Alic, youre up. You have a message from United Earth Exploration. Would you like to take it here? the droid asked.
Yes Emnine, but, audio only, Im very tired, responded Alic.
The droid walked to a panel on the wall and typed in a key code. Captain Relin, are you there? I cant see you, a voice said over a speaker.
I know Major Jackson, Im not decent. What do you need of the Tempest?
Well this is a, um, delicate matter. This requires your, shall we say, and I use this term loosely, gentle touch. We at UE Exploration need you to check on our listening post in eastern Azdgari space, its been quiet for three weeks now, and frankly, we are worried.
No big deal, but I know you. Whats the catch?
Good job Alic, Jackson pauses as he chuckles, We need you to do this quietly, the Azdgari, the rest of our own government doesn't even know its there, so please be discreet about it. Jackson out.
Paaren Station, Valos system
The bar was brightly lit and as sterile as a possible, but what would you expect from a station run by scientists? The best selling drink in the bar appeared to be tonic water, there were, of course, other drinks, but the scientists stuck to the tonic water.
Alic Relin sat in a booth enjoying a Saalian brandy, taking in the pictures of the achievements the scientists here have made in the past twenty years, way back in the middle of the second Voinian War. With the Voinians subdued for the last five years the most recent pictures have been less impressive.
They always told us there were good things to wars, my opinion always was that the bad things out weighed the good, Alic said to himself, Hey! Ernie, over here, he yells out as he sees a young scientist in his mid-twenties with oddly white hair enter the bar.
The scientist looks up and moves toward Alics booth. What do you want Alic, it better not be another favor, you already owe me three, Ernie says wearily as he takes a seat across from Alic.
Oh, well, I was hoping we could look past all of that stuff. Anyway, I can make up for one of those.
What could make up for getting you out of solitary confinement for stealing a Mrk 4 power converter? he says.
Well, I can make up for the favor Im asking now, Alic says cautiously, I need a few things in exchange for some information.
What is this information?
Alic looks around and motions Ernie closer and begins to whisper, There is a series of listening posts in the crescent, listening posts where you can get data on their--unique--weapons and other technologies. Dont tell anybody about this though.
That is worth quite a lot to me, what do you need now.
I need you to gather a group and quietly install ten Mrk two neutron blaze cannons on my ship, Tempest.
Thats a lot to ask, and should even be another favor you owe me, but this ones on me, Ernie replies with a smile.
Five hours later in docking bay 3A
Ernie, pal, youre a life saver, Alic says with a grin.
Well Alic, I hope you dont need these where youre going.
No, Im only doing a check on a group of nonresponding stations I told you about. Shouldnt be a problem; I figure that its a burnt out transmitter, Alic says as he walks up the ramp of his ship, I suppose I will see in a few weeks.
Azdgari system
Hold the line! Hold the line!
Their coming through!
All guns fire! Fire now!
All shuttles have cleared Xarnes.
The line is broken. They're through!
Fall back! Repeat, fall ba...........
End Part One
(This message has been edited by moderator (edited 01-30-2001).)
