Once Upon The Stars (old thread)

[Atrocities]

Thanks guys. But I have to agree with CNC, ROTRS is a great story, and I hope that if Aaron ever includes fan fiction with any of his future SE games, he would consider using it. The story I am trying to write here is for my own interest and if people like it, well then that is fantastic.

[Atrocities]

Bump

[ January 16, 2003, 09:45: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

[Atrocities]

Part V (B)

The black Prowler moved acrossed the surface of the ice plains just high enough to avoid being clipped by some of the jagged peaces of ice that protruded upward from the ice flow. Its sleek black form was a sight to behold, with its aggressive looking forward facing three man cockpit bustling with weapons to its slim yet sizeable midsection where the wings attacked. Each wing reaching out away from the center of the craft several meters and sporting many weapons pods. All of which could unleash sudden death at the touch of a button. The Prowler Class Assault Craft, (PCAC) was one of the militaries newest toys. Designed following the Global War to transport twelve soldiers into combat and remain behind to offer fire support up to and including air to air combat., the Prowler was a technological achievement far beyond anything that had come before it. It was well equipped with anti-acceleration damping fields that allowed it too maneuver far more effectively than previous vehicles of its class. Ion Propulsion and Vector Magma Depleted Uranium Cannons with auto tracking and target lock capabilities enhanced its abilities far beyond earlier models.

“One of the finer benefits obtained after the Praetorians joined the Global Alliance.” Said Lead Pilot Jellico Mantel as he scanned the surface of the ice flow for any sign of movement. Jellico Mantel was one of the few remaining Global Alliance pilots still on active duty that had participated in many of the Global Alliances conquests over the five years they waged war upon the world. He had won many medals and obtained the rank of Sky Hawk, before the Global Alliances defeat at the battle of Camellia. “After that, everything changed. Much of it for the better.” Jellico said as he continued scanning the ice. His co-pilot, Captain Chad Jeffery’s, was not really listening to his commander, but more or less just nodding along as he went about the tedious task of watching the forwards scanner. “God just let us find something to shoot!” Expressing Chad out load, his boredom evident.
“You don’t like my stories?” Asked Jellico as he smiled at his young co-pilot.
“It’s not that, Jell, it’s just that I was suppose to be going on a date with Cindy tonight. And here we are, out in the middle of nowhere conducting a search for two runaways.”
“Tis the life we choose to live my young friend.” Said Jellico jokingly.
“I don’t know about you old man, but I signed on to get the women, and to shoot something.” Chad said in a mocking tone.
“Be vary careful for what you wish for, life has a funny way of giving it too you in a most unappetizing manor.“ Replied Jellico in a serious tone.
“These scientists pose not threat to us, and in there lays my dilemma. No threat, therefore, nothing to shoot.”
“ One should never underestimate ones prey.” Said Jellico as he made a minute course correction and keyed his com. “Guardian One completing search of grid alpha one two, proceeding onto grid alpha one three. Confirm.” Several seconds later, a response echoed through his head set.
“Confirmed Guardian One, commence grid search Alpha one three.”

“We underestimated the Praetorian pilots, and they shoot down over a thousand of our fighters within the first twenty minutes of the battle.” Said Jellico returning to the discussion at hand. “Then when the Tempest was destroyed, it was the beginning of the end for the GA. Within twenty four hours the war was over, and the Praetorians had secured themselves as a member of the Global Alliance, and shortly thereafter, facilitated the creation of the United Global Alliance.”

“A bold endeavor toward a new era of peace and prosperity.” Said Chad in a sarcastically mocking voice as he smiled from ear to ear.

Jellico could not help but remember those dark months shortly after the dissolution of the GA, and the formation of the United Global Alliance. It was a time when tension were running high between many of the former GA member states and the those who openly supported the formation of the UGA. Loyalties were divided as many chose to support the UGA, and those who did not found themselves on the receiving end of embargos and trade sanctions. Eventually these tension flared and open rebellion, lead by the hard core Global Alliance member states, began. Many of the rebel states did not want to see the implementation of the United Global Alliance as it would abolish slavery and make those who had committed war crimes and other atrocities accountable. They hated the UGA because it established unilateral human rights, and a global constitution that provided the rights and privileges of freedom to all for all time. This was something that Jellico supported and was proud to be a part of. After eighty years of on going war, a united planet was exactly what the people of Pandora needed. They did not need another conflict that would cost the lives of millions of people. There was no doubt in Jellico’s mind that the rebellion had to be put down, and put down hard and fast in order to save lives.

Jellico still recalled his first mission, it was to the city of Falus. When he first was assigned to pilot Gloria, the name he had given his Predator, he figured it would be a short lived assignment, a prelude to his forced retirement. But that was not to be. When the rebellion started, he was one of ten experienced pilots selected to command a squadron of Predators that would fly teams of twelve man tactical assault troops into combat. It was his first combat assignment with Gloria, and it was one of the bloodiest engagement of the rebellion. Fifty Predators, each carrying a twelve man assault team went in, but only ten made it out alive. Despite the losses, they had succeeded in capturing Falus, a city of over three hundred million soles.

It was a successful mission, and it proved the value of not only Gloria, but of him and his piloting skills as well. Gloria had fought well that day taking many direct hits from ground cannons and ground to air missiles. She took one hell of a pounding, but managed to hold together long enough to evacuate the wounded members of the tactical assault teams.

The Open Rebellion Lasted just about a year, as most of the hard-core Global Alliance member states did not have the stomach for prolonged conflict. One by one they each sued for peace and ultimately signed on with the UGA. There is no doubt in Jellico’s mind that the introduction of the Predator Class Assault Craft had brought about the end of the rebellion conflict, a fine tradition that the Prowler Class Assault Crafts now carry on.

Back in the moment, he continued to peer out the front and sides of the cockpit scanning the ice for any signs of movement when he noticed a reflection moving along the surface of the ice. “Chad what do you make of that?” He asked his co-pilot as he nodded in the direction of the reflection. Chad looked up from his console and starred for several seconds at the object that was moving away from them on their three o’clock, at great speed on the surface of the ice flow.
“I think we have a bogie.” He finally said with a sadistic smile.

Jellico adjusted their course to intercept the object on the ground. Although it was moving rapidly, it was no match for the engines of the Prowler. Jellico over took the object and swung about to face it. Chad had already armed the forward DUC’s and was targeting the object which appeared to be a small two man ground craft.

Looking at the object and its passengers as they slid to a stop, Jellico flipped on the external com and spoke in the most commanding voice he had. “Occupants you are order to dismount the vehicle immediately and prepare to be taken into custody by order of the Global Command. If you fail to do so, we will be forced to open fire upon you.”

Bill Ramzies and Nina Smith simply sat there in stunned silence. The Prowler was huge and it looked like death itself starring down upon the. Where had it come from? It crept up on them with the skill and silence of its class name sake. There could be no mistaking it, these vehicles of war were aptly named.

Slowly he and Nina dismounted the Scrambler, hands raised in the universal manor denoting surrender. The Prowler gently lowered to the ground and with a the soft sound of crushing snow and ice gracefully touched down. Two armed men in white uniforms emerged from the maw of the Prowler as its ramp lowered. They heavily armed men meant business. They ran up to Bill and Nina and without warning the larger of the two men struck Ramzies first then Smith in the face with the butts of his Pulse rifles. The whole incident happened so quickly that neither of them could make a sound before being knocked into unconsciousness. The blood from their head wounds staining the white surface of the ice and snow crimson red.

“Sergeant!” Yelled Jellico as he and his Co-pilot were taken aback with surprise as what had just happened. He could see Chad looking at him now with genuine concern. “What in the hell do you think your doing?” Demanded Jellico over the com as the two soldier dragged the unconscious bodies of the two scientist into the Prowler.

“Just fly this thing and leave the fighting to those who know how to win old man.” Came the hostile and cold response of Sergeant Paul Harris. Harris was an especially hard nosed get it done by all means kind of guy, but to pistol whip two unarmed and defenseless civilians was cold even beyond his normal demeanor.

“That’s a reprimand Sergeant!” Snapped Jellico as he unfastened his harness and grabbed the med pack from behind his seat and made his way to the Troop Compartment to treat the injured scientist. He gave Harris one of the nastiest looks he could as he passed by him. He kneeled down and opened the med pack. Within a minute he was joined by Chad who had grabbed his med pack. “Start treating the Women.” He said to Chad as he nodded toward her.
“How is he?” Asked Chad as he kneeled down by the women and opened his med pack.
“This guys going to have a hell of a headache, but he should be ok with a few stitches.

“Oh for crying out loud, just get back in that cockpit and fly this rust buck back to the insertion site.” Said Harris sarcastically as he sat down in one of the jump seats stowing his rifle muzzle down and leaning on the butt pad.

“Not one more word from you Paul!” Ordered Jellico as he applied pressure to the male scientist head wound. “If either of these people die, I will see you charged and court marshaled.”
“Not likely fly boy.” Replied Harris as sarcastically as he could. “I’ll probably get a medal for capturing these two fugitives.”
“A medal for beating two helpless and defenseless civilians?” Mocked Chad as he worked on the women. “Your one sick SOB Harris.”
“Shut the fleer up Chaddy boy, or I might just have a weapons malfunction.” Quipped Harris as evilly as he could.

Chad knew better than to press Harris when he was in one of his moods. And especially not to press him when he had a loaded Pulse Rifle.

“One more word out of your mouth Harris, and I’ll shoot you myself.” Said Jellico as he removed his sidearm from his holster and he pointed it squarely at the Harris. “Now disarm Sergeant!”

Harris looked over at his buddy, Kord, who said nothing. He simply stood there transfixed by the situation. Chad needed no prompting, he reached over and grabbed Harris’s pulse rifle and removed the meg and cleared the bolt all the while Jellico kept his sidearm trained on Harris who did nothing but star at Jellico. Once the Pulse Rifle was secure Jellico ordered Kord to clear his weapon and Kord did as he was ordered. Chad took both rifles to the cock pit and returned moments later to continue treating the women.

“You dumb fleerer Anuran!” Growled Harris as he starred at him. “You had better watch your back boy. After this, I sure as hell won‘t be!” Threatened Harris as he leaned his head back against the bulk head and closed his eyes. Kord Anuran was new to the team, and was unsure as to what to do. ’When in doubt, follow the orders of the ranking office.’ Sound advice he thought given the fact that Harris had just knocked out two helpless people with the butt of his Pulse Rifle and was more than likely insane. Truth be told, he rather disliked Harris, and would have loved to have seen Jellico shoot him.

Moments later with the two civilians bandaged and strapped in Jellico and Chad returned to the cock pit and started the trek back to the insertion point, the scientist discovery site.
“Jell, what are you going to do about Paul?” Asked Chad as quietly as he could.
“Nothing.” Replied Jellico. “Nothing at all.”

Paul Harris was many things, but the one thing he was not was a coward. Harris had saved Jellico’s life more than once, and no matter how nasty he got, Jellico owed him. That was Harris was not himself lately, after all, it had only been about a month since Paul’s family had died, and he was still dealing with the loss. He had his chance to leave the military, but opted to stay on and train the new recruits. A mistake that saved his life while his entire family perished.

“What he did crossed the line, and you know it. Not only did he assault those people, but he threatened to kill me.” Chad said after a second or two of silence.
“I know Chad. But I am asking you to just let it go and give him room. I’ll talk to him later and square **** away. In the mean time, you and Kord steer clear of him.”

Chad did not reply, he simply nodded and went about his business. He knew that Jellico and Harris went way back, and that Jellico would cover for Harris no matter what. So as far as he was concerned, provided that Harris did not try to make good on his threat, the matter was closed.

“How will you explain what happened to them?” He asked out of genuine curiosity nodding back toward the two unconscious passengers.
“They resisted, and had to be subdued.” Said Jellico as he looked over at Chad. “And you make damned sure Kord knows what to say.” With that he turned his attention back to the flight controls and the journey back to the scientist camp.

[ February 24, 2003, 15:47: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

[dogscoff]

Keep it coming

[mlmbd]

Atrocities, I am with dogscoff. I need Part V (C). Great stuff here, Atrocities!!

mlmbd

[Atrocities]

Thanks. The next segment is going to be a big one. I will make an effort to break it down into segment parts, but parts C & D are going to be a bit long.

Part C coming soon.

[Atrocities]

Part V ( C )

Tom Christopher, followed closely by his aid, Captain Richard Hess entered the briefing room. Agenda in hand Tom walked past the men seated on the right side of the table and took his seat at the end facing back down the length of the conference table. Rich took a seat directly behind him at a work station. The room was quiet as many of the Department Heads of the various Space Exploration Division programs studied their new boss. Tom understood the importance of taking his time, of letting the idea that he was the guy in charge sink in before beginning the meeting. After several minutes of glancing through the agenda, Tom closed it and through it into the garbage can next to him. He then stood and looked about the faces of the thirty or so people gathered around the enormous conference room desk and the thirty or so seated along the walls.

“First and foremost I would like to say that the current agenda for today is now null and void.” With that Tom sat down and Rich handed him a file. This prompted a pretty young lady to stand and begin handing out duplicate files to all of the Department Heads that were sitting at the table and those who were in seats along the walls. The conference room was a rather large area with several flat all purpose wooden tables placed together to form one large surface area for which everyone could sit around and have ample room for their documents. It was cheep looking, but given the budge, affordable. Along the walls were chairs for staff and other people to sit with work station located in key spots. All of the available seats in the room were taken, and additional chairs had been brought in for many of the Department Heads staff and aids. The room was filled beyond its maximum capacity thus cramping everyone, and that was something that Tom had intended. He wanted them off center as much as possible.

After all of the people present had been given the new agenda, Tom once again stood. At this point several SED security men entered the room, and took up what little space was available. Many of the people in the room began looking about and flashing puzzled looks to each other. They really had no idea of what was about to happen.

“Ladies and Gentlemen.” Tom said as he picked up a single white peace of paper and held it for all to see. “The names that I am about to read will be escorted out of the room. Your services will no longer be required by the SED.” Tom allowed this to sink in for a moment before he began to read the names.

One by one he slowly read the names of the people on his list, and one by one they were escorted out of the room, and off of the SED Premises. Tom had many reasons for wanting to let these people go, but the main reason was an economic one. They simply could not afford to keep people on the staff that were wasteful of what little resources the SED had. Many of the people he had chosen to terminate were in programs that had not yielded or would not yield much benefit to the overall project that the SED was charted to accomplish, that being the Exploration of Space. One name that he had really wanted on the list he could not place their. The name of Carl Wilhelm. Carl was an ex-military officer sentenced to life in the gulag for high crimes but pardoned by the previous Prime Minister, and hand picked by the Senate to lead the re-activated Space Engineering and Planetary Colonization project. A project that Tom had headed but was shut down after failing to produce any results. The truth be told, Tom would have loved nothing more than to read Carl’s name first from the top of his list, but he could not fire Carl no matter how much he wanted to because Carl’s team was producing results. And as long as that was happening, Tom could not justify removing Carl to the Senate without causing a political backlash against the Prime Minister. Once Tom had finished reading the names from the list the room was half empty. He had effectively cut thirty seven people from the staff, and terminated six projects from the overall SED program.

“Now that that unpleasant business is over, we’ll take a thirty minute break.” With that Tom and Captain Hess left the briefing room.

***

“Control this is Guardian One on approach to your position, package in tow.” Said Jellico as he made his approach toward what was not designated as Control and Command, the former Scientist discovery site.

“Guardian One, you are cleared to land.”
“Control be advised that we need a medical team upon touch down. Packages were damaged in transit.”
“That’s putting it politely.” Commented Jeffries to know one in particular.
Jellico briefly flashed him a dirty look.
“Confirmed Guardian One, medical team standing by.”
“Would you look at that!” Said Jeffries out loud as he looked forward out of the cockpit. “Where did all of those jokers come from?”
“Looks like the bulk of the recovery team has arrived.” Said Jellico as he pressed a few controls.
“More like an entire army.” Commented Jeffries.

The Prowler touched down raising a slight haze of ice particles into the air. Seconds later the forward drop hatch lowered and Paul Harris and Kord Anuran exited the craft as several medics ran up the ramp past them.
“There laying over their.” Said Kord as he pointed toward the location of where the two unconscious prisoners were.
“Shut up Anuran, they have eyes.” Commented Harris angrily. Kord gave him a displeased look then walked off. A few seconds later Jellico and Jeffries came down the ramp.
“Jell you son of *****!” Said Harris not so politely. “You me need to talk.”
Jellico smiled at his co-pilot, and nodded it was ok. Jeffries just returned a concerned look and walked away after Kord Anuran. “Kord, wait up.” He yelled as he jogged off after his buddy.
“I have to file my report, walk with me Paul.” Said Jellico as he started off for a black tent that was being set up.
“No, we talk here.” Said Harris has he grabbed Jellico’s arm.
“Alright.” Said Jellico while pulling his arm away from Harris’s hand. “What’s on your mind?”
“Cut the crap. What are you going to say?”
“About what you did to those people?”
“What the hell do you think?”
“I think you need to talk to someone, and stop being such a jerk.”
“What are you going to say in your fleering report?” Demanded Harris.
Jellico sighed a bit. He allowed himself to relax a second before answering his demanding friends question.
“They resisted arrest, and you did what you had to do. But as a friend Paul, you need help.”
Harris looked down a bit then back into Jellico’s eyes. He to had relaxed a bit.
“Thanks Jell. Is the kid on board with it?”
“He is, and he more than likely telling Kord to do the same right now.”
“Good, Kord’s going to be ok, but he has to learn to keep his mouth shut.”
“And you have to learn not to threaten my crew old friend.” Said Jellico has he patted Harris on the arm.
“Come on, after I file the report, we can get something from the mess tent. It looks like its up and running.”
“No thanks, I think I will just go catch some shut eye. I’ll be on the Guardian if you need me. With that the two me parted ways. A few moments later the medics left the Prowler with their walking but dazed patients.
“You fleering bastard!” Hissed Nina Smith as she stumbled by Harris. Harris just flashed her a smile and went on board. “I hope you fleering shoot your self!” She yelled at him as she and Ramzies were escorted away.
“Nina, save your breath, people like him enjoy it.” Said Bill Ramzies as they walked away. “I’ll settle up with him later, on that you can trust me.” The tone in Ramzies voice was one that Nina had never heard before, it was an evil sounding tone, and one that clearly visualized for those within ear shot of what he was planning to do.

***

The Conference room was virtually empty now with the exception of the thirty people sitting around the conference table. Tom had a specific agenda that he wanted to accomplish within his first day at the SED, and so far so good. Those whom he had not fired were grateful to still have a job, and would work twice as hard at their jobs to keep them.

“The purpose of to days agenda is to bring me fully up to speed on all of the current projects here at S.E.D.” Tom looked about the room at each and every face before continuing. “Then I will decide which projects are of the most importance and have the most likely chance at success.” This prompted a few hushed responses, non of which Tom could officially hear, but the one that he wanted to hear was that of Carl Wilhelm.

Carl was sitting in his chair plotting his next move. His very survival depended upon how well he could play this new game of Tom Christopher’s. He knew that Tom hated him and it was apparent to Carl that Tom wanted him out. Well my young General, that just isn’t acceptable, thought Carl as he leaned over to his aid. “Load the viewer, I will be going first today.” His aid simply nodded. Carl looked away from his aid and starred directly at Tom.

“Carl did you say something?” Tom asked as politely as he could given the fact that he truly disliked the man. Carl looked somber for a second then stood.

“Yes Sir, I do having something I would like to say.” Carl was a confident man with the demeanor of a man who knew the game, and who could play it well. To bad these qualities were lacking at Pennington thought Tom to himself as he gestured Carl to continue.

“With all do respect General, I would like to go first with out project up date. That is unless you prefer someone else precede me?”

Oh he was slick, he knew his *** was on the line, and he wanted to see just how much over that line it was. Carl had just made the first move in a game that Tom had every intention of winning. “Proceed.” He said simply as he sat down in his chair.

“Thank you General.” Replied Carl as he adjusted some papers in front of him, stood and walked over to the to vid viewer and activated it. A second later several impressive looking schematics appeared.
“As you know, the Space Engineering and Planetary Colonization team has been tasked with many projects including designing and or creating a method for generating an artificial gravity field in a zero gravity environment.” The image on the view changed to display the image of a middle aged man. “To that end we have been studying the research of Dr. Brook Mentor, the foremost expert in Gravitational Technology on the planet. Dr. Mentor has many theories on artificial gravity, and it is those theories that we are most interested in. In fact, Dr. Mentor is currently testing a new device on the Victorian Glacier called the Gravimetric Core Sampler. The device uses a gravimetric field to nullify the planetary gravity matrix thus creating a stable and unmoving section of ice that can be measured accurately up to ninety nine point nine percent.” The image changed to a digital representation of how the device functioned.

“If Dr. Mentors test is successful, he will have been the first man to create an artificial gravity field. A field that with some minor modification could be adapted to serve as the artificial gravity generator for a star ship.” Carl looked directly at Tom to measure his response. It was clear to him that Tom was impressed, but was hiding it behind a mask of disinterest. Carl was not fooled, he had just won the first round. Now for the bonus point.

“We have also made advancements in the field of deflector technology. We have a working deflector dish that is as we speak being prepared for testing.” The image on the viewer once again changed this time to a three dimensional image of a deflector dish. A blue concaved oblong oval looking object with several peaces of hardware protruding from its back. To Tom it looked like an antique viewer monitor without its casing.

“Our preliminary testing has proven that the deflector dish is working far better than we had hopped. In fact, if this trial test is successful as I believe it will be, then we will equip a long range probe with a full scale deflector dish device and launch it from the Rocket Works at Zephyrus Space Dome into space directing its course through the Thromgorn asteroid belt.” The image on the view switched to a projected course of the probe.

“The probe would enter the Thromgorn belt and traverse the Marcus corridor on a return arc to Pandora. If the deflector dish works, then we will have achieved our second mandate, and be one step closer to long range manned flights to the twenty six known worlds of our system.”

Carl shuffled some more papers and then pushed another button on the vid viewer. A new image popped up, an image of what looked a lot like a rocket engine to Tom.

“We have also made some advancements in propulsion that I would like to mention.”

Tom was regrettably impressed, how could this man have achieved so much in such a short amount of time. A prototype deflector dish, a strong possibility for creating artificial gravity, and now he was going to brag about advancements in propulsion. Tom was beginning to feel very ill.

“In conjunction with the Advanced Propulsion Research Division, we have successfully built and tested the first small scale Ion engine.” Carl was obviously proud of his teams work, and it showed. “We project that within the year we will have the ability to produce a large scale Version of this Ion Engine, and with any luck, conduct our first unmanned space flight tests by the end next year.”

That did it, Carl was going to be around for a very long time. Tom’s hopes of a quick termination sank as did his mood. An actual successful test of an Ion Engine. My God thought Tom to himself as he pondered the idea that the people of Pandora were one step closer to exploring the stars, and they owed it to this man. God indeed has a very sick sense of humor.

“I would like to see your data as soon as you can make it available to me.” Said Tom somberly. It was hard to hide his mood. This man had achieved everything he and his team had failed to do years before. It was not only an embarrassment but a personal failure as well for Tom.

“Perhaps I could bring it by your office after the meeting?” Asked Carl politely.
Tom simply smiled. “That would be fine.”

Carl smiled inwardly as he cherished his victory. And now, he thought, time for round two.

***

[ February 24, 2003, 15:49: Message edited by: Atrocities ]