Shattered Earth
Year 2698
Michael Korell was an engineer. And a refugee. His world of Rhylla was destroyed seven years before in a thermonuclear attack by the Earth Combine. Rhylla and Earth had been engaged at war for two years prior, after a Rhyllan vessel attacked a weapons convoy passing through their space. The Rhyllans found that the convoy was en route to a testing site within the Karalla nebula, outside the Western border of Rhyllan space. The Rhyllan Navy raided the site, and stole many weapons designs. Korell improved on many of these designs.
Korell was off-world at the time of the attack. No one on the planet Rhylla survived, as the missiles saturated the world. The few people who weren't vaporized were irradiated. Other planets within the small Rhyllan empire were attacked as well, and while not devastated to the degree that Rhylla was, there were very few survivors.
Out of billions, the Rhyllan survivors numbered only two hundred thousand.
Korell stood on his ship's bridge, overlooking the navigation console. His people had been searching for a new planet to settle on for years. A planet that was habitable, yet still hidden from the Combine. Such planets were few and far between; most planets that they encountered that they thought were outside the grasp of the Combine still had some sort of testing facility or military outpost on them.
Korell activated a deep scanner on his ship. It would be an hour before the computer processed every star within fifteen light-years.
Three years later
The Rhyllan Survivors finally found a new world. Ateria. On the edge of the explored region of the galaxy. It was a bountiful world; oceans, forests, and plentiful of resources. And unknown to the Earth Combine Navy.
The few Colony Ships that were the Survivors' fleet landed.
This was to be their home.
A year after the landing, the Rhyllans began deep core drilling. The established Council simply stated that is was for "energy purposes". No one knew the purpose of this, as both the microfusion plants and the reactors on the Colony Ships seemed to be more than enough for the time being; and much larger fusion reactors were on their way.
After more months, power plants were built over the wells. Still, the Council was vague.
Then massive devices were built near the power plants. Under pressure, the Council caved in.
"Saryshagan Howitzers," Chairwoman Kari said. "A technology dating to the twentieth century, but still remarkably advanced. They are essentially a combination bombardment shield and defensive weapon. Their energy consumption is enormous, so this is why we've built dedicated power plants for them."
Some weeks later, a hyperwave scanner detected an approaching Combine fleet, and the Council was contacted by the fleet.
"I am Admiral Pashlouf of the E.C.S. Karnain," the fleet commander said. "You are hereby commanded to leave this planet by order of the Emperor. Do so immediately and no one will be harmed."
The Council refused.
"Very well, then," Pashlouf said. "We will take it by force if we must."
Korell ordered a Colonel of the Rhyllan Army to his chambers.
"Colonel Shallov," he said. "As you know, an Earth Combine battle fleet landed a hundred miles from the city. Is it not true that you are planning an incursion against the fleet?"
"Indeed I am, Sir," Shallov replied.
"Then let me take it upon myself to supply your forces. Among many designs stolen in the Karalla incursion, this is one of my favorites."
Korell led Shallov to a courtyard. In the center were three metal poles, and resting on a bench was a large pistol. Korell picked up the pistol and handed it to Shallov.
"It's air-based," Korell explained. "Highly compressed air. It's effective up to forty-five feet. Truly one of the best covert weapons I've ever seen."
Shallov aimed the pistol at one of the poles.
"It's silent..." Korell said.
As he said these words, Shallov pulled the trigger. The pole was sliced cleanly in half, yet there was barely a hissing noise from the discharge.
"...yet deadly," Shallov finished. He was pleased.
For the story in its 17-page, 7388-word entirety, download the PDF (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/xtal/shattered_earth.pdf")here(/url).
(This message has been edited by xtal (edited 12-11-2002).)
I only have the introduction, and parts one and part of two of chapter one done. It contains 3,129 words therein. And the whole story should have about ten chapters. Im not trying to offend or insult you or anything, but get ready.