Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part VI (Deception Uncovered)

It was raining in the Capital City as it often did this time of the year. It was a hard, sustained rain that fell from darkened clouds that seemed to loom over the City like great gray blankets that marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Tom was sitting in his chair, looking out his office window thinking about things that he could be doing if he had chosen to go home the night before rather than stay and work. It was acceptable for him to have taken this Last day of the week off as he had not yet made arrangements for his move back to the Capital City, but he chose to remain at the S.E.D. and finish much of the work that was laid about his desk.

Before him, that is behind on his desk, were the latest reports on the progress of the Space Engineering and Planetary Colonization project, images from the new space telescope that had just gone on line, plans for an orbital scientific station, and atmosphere reports on the two moons, Remus, and Ramos, that orbited Pandora.

It was late in the afternoon, and Tom was getting hungry. He wanted to get something to eat, but he had to wait until the meeting he had scheduled with Carl Wilhelm was over before he could. He looked at his wrist chronometer and swiveled back to face his desk. He pressed the contact button of his desk COM and waited a second before hearing a reply.
“Yes General?” Asked his aid Captain Richard Hess.
“Has Carl Wilhelm arrived yet?” He asked.
“Yes sir, he just arrived.”
“Good, send him in.”
“Yes General.”
“And be sure to have my Sky Chariot ready to go by eight.”
“We’ll be ready sir.” Replied Hess.

There was a slight knock on his door just before it opened and Carl Wilhelm entered.
He was well dressed in an expensive hand tailored suite that Tom speculated was made from some finely exotic material. Oh how some of the rich loved to flaunt their wealth, thought Tom to himself.

“General.” Carl said simply as he came into the office. Tom stood and gestured for him to take a seat in a chair in front of his desk. Tom was thirsty now; a drink would do him good or so he thought. He stepped to the mini bar and grabbed two glasses.
“You look impressive today Carl.” It was intended by Tom and viewed by Carl as an observation and not a complement.

“I am attending an art exhibit and conference with my wife at the old Chancellery building this afternoon. I am afraid that she has insisted that I accompany her. I would much rather be working, but duty calls.” He replied casually as he sat down and crossed his legs.

Oh poor you, thought Tom to himself as he finished pouring the drinks. Now that the pleasantries were over, he could get down to business.

“I take it from your notes, and research materials that you and your team feel optimistically that this new gravitational technology of Dr. Mentor’s will provide the basis for artificial gravity for which can be used for long range space flight?” Asked Tom as he offered Carl a glass of Brandon Weed Whisky. It took all of Tom’s self control to maintain a polite demeanor while talking to Carl Wilhelm. It was an insult to the very honor of the S.E.D. and its mission objective to employ this man, however, he was one of only a few Department Heads that was actually producing positive results. And that made him a valuable asset to the S.E.D., and both Tom and Carl knew this.

“That and much more.” Replied Carl as he took the drink from Tom. He had no intention of actually drinking it for all he knew it could be poison. More than likely not, but never the less the possibly was there. He simply smiled and sat the glass neatly on Tom’s elegant girch wood desk.

“What do you mean by much more?” Asked Tom as he lifted Carl’s glass and placed a coaster under it. “What other uses are there for artificial gravity?”

“Aside from the known benefits of being able to explore the stars in ships that can generate there own gravitation fields, there are the theories that gravitational technology will lead to other technologies which could ultimately lead to our ability to create, and if need be, destroy planets, stars, nebula’s, and even black holes.”

Tom had sat down behind his desk and was took a sip from his glass. “You mean weapons.”
“Well, yes.” Replied Carl in a matter of fact tone. “Weapons of incredible power.”
“Weapons of mass destruction.”
“The ability to create and destroy a star could be viewed that way, however the likelihood of such a technology ever being developed, let alone used, is incredibly unlikely.”
“Really.”
“There are many other applications that gravitational technology could provide.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Scientific benefits in understanding how the universe works. Propulsion and possibly even drive systems that could propel a ship thousands of light years in a matter of seconds.”

Tom leaned forward, coupling his glass between his hands and rolling it slowly back and forth.
“Now those are the technologies that I am interested in Carl. Not weapons of mass destruction. Research into the development of technologies that will open the stars to our people is why the S.E.D. was founded.” He back into his chair again and took a drink from his glass before continuing.
“The pressure is on for us to being the process of colonizing both Remus and Ramos. As you know, only Ramos has a breathable atmosphere, thus leaving us with a small problem. I don’t feel that research efforts into weapons will help us to resolve that issue. Therefore, I am suspending all research into gravitational weapons.”

Carl did not say anything, but Tom could read his expression, despite how well he concealed it, that Carl was not pleased.

“I assure you General, that I too share that goal. The thought of developing weapons that could destroy whole worlds and even entire star systems is to frightening to fathom.”

Tom looked at Carl with skeptical criticism in his eyes. The hypocrisy of that statement was so ironic that Tom nearly burst out into laughter. “Right.” He replied Tom slowly.

“I understand that you have been attempting to contact Dr. Mentor and have been unsuccessful?” Asked Carl innocently enough, but to innocently for Tom’s comfort. He knew something, but what, better to play along thought Tom to himself.

“That is correct.” Replied Tom. “There is a communications problem mostly likely magnetic interference as they are rather close to the northern pole.”
“I see.” Replied Carl with a measure of doubt in his voice. “Magnetic interference. This time of the year?”
“That is what I have been told. What have you been told?”
“Well General, I have it on good authority that Dr. Mentor and his entire research team have been arrested by Global Command and are being held in Davenport.”

God damn him! Thought Tom to himself. He had only heard that this morning and was having Hess look into it. General Green had dispatched troops to the Victorian Glacier just over a week ago, under the guise of a training operation, but he knew there was more to it than that. After failing to reach Dr. Mentors party or even the city officials in Davenport, the closes city to the research site, Tom had put two and two together and had come to the conclusion that Dr. Mentor and his team were why General Green had sent troops to the Glacier. How in the hell did Carl find out about this? Tom had to find out what else Carl knew.

“That is the information I have as well. What else do you know?”
“It was rumored just over a week ago that Dr. Mentor had reported that his team had discovered something under the ice. Something remarkable, and they needed the Core of Engineers to assist them in excavating it.”

Carl knew that he was playing a dangerous game now. A fine line between betrayal, and trust. He knew that Tom had made the discovery about the good Doctor’s team’s predicament and that General Green wanted the entire affair kept quiet. Whatever it was that they had discovered up there, Carl knew that it was a significant find that he had to be investigated. By revealing the information about the discovery to Tom, he would establish a thread of trust with him, while opening the rift between Tom and Green. Carl did not fear Greens wrath, but rather something else. He needed to establish a good rapour with Tom in order to gain is confidence.

“I had not heard about any discovery.” Tom said as he sat his glass down and pressed the COM button. “Hess, get me General Greens Office.”

“Aye sir.” Came a prompt response.

“I think I will take a trip up to the Victorian Glacier and find out what in the hell is going on with up there.”

Carl considered this for only a second, as it was exactly what he had hoped Tom would do. He needed to get up there to see this discovery first hand, but he did not want Tom to think that he was interested in it.
“Do you mind if an aid and I join you?” He finally asked nonchalantly. “I would very much like to meet Dr. Mentor and talk with him about his work.”

Tom began to consider Carl’s request when his COM chirped. He tapped the accept button.
“Yes?”
“Sir I have General Greens aid, a Lieutenant Elise, on the line.”
“Put him through.”
“He’s on the COM now sir.” Replied Hess.
“Thank you Richard.” Tom looked up at Carl, and considered his request. After a moment of thought Tom agreed to allow him and his aid to accompany him.
“Pack your coat Carl.” With that Carl smiled stood, and left his office.

Once out side, he pulled out his COM and activated it. He spoke three short words then turned it off. “Op Tally Go.” No one was within earshot, nor did any one see him or his actions. He simply walked out of the outer office without looking back.

Tom pressed the activate button once again and spoke into the COM.
“Lieutenant?” Tom asked. “Where is General Green?”
“Sir, the General is in a meeting with the Prime Minister.” Replied Elise over the COM.
“I see. Patch me through to the Prime Ministers Office then.”
“I will try sir, but if you would just call back in an hour, I am certain the General will be back in.”
“Patch me through now Lieutenant.” Order Tom. His patience was gone. General Green was playing a game, and Tom was fed up with it. He wanted to know exactly why the General had Dr. Mentor and his team in custody and what it was that they had discovered.
“Patching you through now sir.” Elise was nervous about doing this, and Tom could hear it in his voice.
“Lieutenant, if the General asks, tell him I ordered you to do it, as that is exactly what I am doing.”
“Yes sir. Your connected sir.” Replied Elise a second before an attractive sounding women came on the COM.
“This is the Prime Ministers Office.”
“This is General Tom Christopher, I wish to speak to General Green.”
“The General is in a meeting at the moment with the Prime Minister.”
“I know, COM him any way.”
“One moment General.”

A second later an angry General Philip A Green came on the COM.
“What in the hell is wrong with you Christopher?”
“I should ask the same of you General.” Replied Tom as nastily as he could.
“What do you mean?” Yelled Green through the COM. “I am in a meeting with the Prime Minister at the moment, and your interruption is unacceptable!”
“Then I will come strait to the point General.”
“Please do.” Replied Green sarcastically.
“Why are your men holding Dr. Mentor and his team hostage on the Victorian Glacier?”
There was a brief pause before Green responded. This time his voice was much more subdued and was barely above a whisper.
“I don’t understand.”
“Why are you holding Dr. Mentor and his team General? What was it they discovered up there that would prompt you to take such an illegal action?”

There was another short pause before Green replied.
“This is not a secure line. Meet me in my office in an hour.” The line then went dead. Tom was furious about being disconnected, but realized quick enough that the General was scared. He did not expect him to find out about what he was up to and the fact that he had scared him. Green needed time to think, and Tom was not about to let him have it. He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

“Richard, I’ll be back in an hour.” He said as he stormed out of the outer office into the hall. Hess nodded his acknowledgement, all be it a confused.

Green slipped his COM back into his pocket. He closed his eyes for a second or two then turned and went back into the Prime Ministers Office. How in the hell did that son of a dayton find out about the discovery. Someone in his office had betrayed him, and that thought sickened Green immensely. That spy would be discovered in short order, but first things first, Green knew that it his best option for maintaining control of the situation was to control the release of the information itself. First order of business now was to cover his ***, and he knew exactly how to do it. As he entered the Prime Ministers office, his anger had subsided, if he played his cards right, this could work out far better for him in the long run than he had original planned. A smile grew acrossed his face as he formulated his new plan.

“Mr. Prime Minister, Senators. I apologies for the interruption but I have some startling news that I must share with you.”

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part VII (Disclosure)

It only took Tom about twenty minutes to reach the Prime Ministers Building and even less time to make his way to the Office of the Prime Minister. Bob’s secretary was sitting behind her desk when he entered the office.
“Has General Green left yet?” He asked.
“Um no General, he is still in the meeting with the Prime Minister and the Senators.”
“Good.” He replied as he started for the door to the inner chamber. This prompted the secretary to stand and object.
“General, you can not enter it is a private policy meeting.”
“Then announce me.” He said simply.

She did so, and was instructed to allow him to enter. Tom was surprised to see so many senators in one location out side of the luxury and comfort of the Senate Complex at one time. The thought of them actually working for a living had never crossed his mind.

“Gentlemen.” He said as he entered the room. The conference room was a large gray painted oval room, with white trim work and a solid Decka wood table in the center. The room was lit well, and comfortable looking. The Prime Minister was sitting at the end of the Conference table with General Green sitting to his left. Around the table were sitting about twenty-five Senators. They all looked as if they had seen a ghost when he entered the room. Only the Prime Minister stood as he walked in.

“General, please, take a seat.” Said Robert ‘Bob’ Benton, the Prime Minister, as he gestured for Tom to sit next to him on his right. Tom walked the distance of the room and stood facing acrossed the table from Green. Tom looked at him with utter contempt.
“Please excuse the interruption Prime Minister, but I am here to speak with General Green.”
“Tom, why don’t you sit down.” Said Benton in a calming friendly voice. Tom had known him for many years, and they were on a first name basis. Tom looked at him and flashed him a questioned look of confusion. “The General was about to tell us something important.” Tom looked from Bob to the General and back.
“Please, sit down General.” Benton said once again as he sat back down and relaxed in his chair. Tom had no idea what was going on, so he decided to accommodate his friend and sat down.
“Now General, would you be so kind as to revel this important news of yours.” Said Benton.

Green looked confidant and in control. He had not taken his eyes off of Tom since he entered the room, and was not about to. This was a challenge of his authority, and he was not about to let Tom win.

“A little over a week ago a scientific team conducting gravimetric experiments on the Northern Victorian Glacier, headed by a Dr. Brook Mentor, discovered an object of enormous size under the ice. They contacted the Global Corp of Engineers, and in turn my office was notified. I ordered a containment team to the site to evaluate the discovery as per Global Command Protocols. The site was secured and the scientists were quarantined. Over the Last week a combined effort of both the scientist and the Corp of Engineers to excavate a tunnel to a suspected opening in the object has been under way. They expect to complete this tunnel no later than this time tomorrow.”

Tom just looked at Green with contempt. You bastard, he thought, you’re covering your ***. Green only starred back at him with an equally contemptuous glare.

“General, do we know what this object is?” Asked Benton.
“No sir, all we know for certain is that what ever it is, it did not come from this world.”

The room exploded into chaos as the senators began to ask questions. Benton raised his hands and attempted to quell the noise and excitement filling the room. Tom and Green only starred at each other. Tom was as shocked as the rest of them, to think an alien ship within their grasp all this time, and Green willing to keep it a secret for his own purposes.

“General, why did you not come forward with the information of discovery immediately?” Tom asked as directly as he could.

The room began to quiet down a bit, allowing Benton to succeed in regaining control of the meeting. “Senators, please, you will all have a chance to ask question, but first, we must have quiet.” It took several more minutes before the room was quiet enough for Tom to repeat his question.

“I ask you again General Green, why did you not come forward with this information imminently?”

“At first we had no Intel on the object. All that we knew was that something had been found under the ice. It was not until this afternoon that I received confirmation that the object was of off world origins. Just prior to your call in fact.”

“You did not answer my question General!’
“Who the hell are you to question me?” Fumed Green aggressively.
“Gentlemen!” Benton said forcefully as he put up his hands to in a hold your comments gesture. “This is neither the place nor the time to discuss this subject.”

Tom and Green exchanged angry looks, but otherwise kept quiet.

“Senators, I am sure that you all understand the situation and will agree that it is best for all if this matter is kept confidential for the time.”

“The religious repercussion of such a revelation alone would cripple the planet.” Replied Senator Owen Cassady, one of the oldest Senators of the UGA and member of the Salideen religious sect. He was also one of the few Senators that Benton actually trusted. “Mass hysteria and panic of the population would most likely flood acrossed the planet like some great wave leaving in its wake destruction and ruin. You can rest assured; we will all keep what we have learned here today confidential until further notice. None of us can afford the panic that news of this magnitude would undoubtedly cause.” Several of the Senators nodded in agreement but a few seemed to be noticeably displeased. One of these was Senator Caparo Kordesh, a radical by any definition, and a man who adamantly believed in the old Global Alliance and opposed the formation of the United Global Alliance. He was also one of the many Senators that openly challenged Benton’s appointment to the Prime Ministership.
“Keeping this discovery, if indeed it is an alien space ship, from the public will clearly be a violation of the free information codes of your UGA constitution. If you are not willing to follow your own laws, then what business do you have sitting in that chair?” Commented Kordesh sarcastically.

“Surely you do no think the people of Pandora are ready to hear that we have discovered an alien space ship?” Asked another Senator.
“It is not a matter of whether or not I believe they are ready, it is a matter of law that they be told.”
“Senator Kordesh, we will not expose this information to the public until I deem it is appropriate. Do you understand me?” Benton demanded evenly. His dislike for Kordesh was as apparent as Kordesh’s hatred of him. “To ensure that, I will have you placed under quarantine.”

Kordesh looked about the faces of the Senators in shock. “There is your proof, he spoke of the value of principles and rules, of the honor of the law, yet when faced with the obligation to follow the law, he disregards is as harshly as any dictator ever could.”
“Senator!” Benton said loudly with anger in his voice. He had stood now, and was looking directly at him. “This is not the Senator floor, you will hold your salience regarding this subject. Do you understand me?”
Kordesh looked at Benton with sincere contempt but said nothing. He simply nodded a slow yes. Benton took a moment to calm himself before he sat back down.

“Eighty years ago our planet fell into the darkness of global war. All efforts at space exploration were halted as each nation took up arms in the name of religion and petty personal vendettas that nearly wiped out all life on this planet. I will not allow that to happen again. Senator Cassady is correct, the population would respond negatively to such news of a discovery of this kind.”

Benton was no fool, he knew that people individually are intelligent reasonable creatures, but people however, as a whole, are a panicky wild beast prone to random and bizarre acts of hysteria. To inform them that they may not be alone in the universe would most assuredly cause a panic and send the planet back into the chaos. The law be damned, this was far too serious of a risk to chance in the hands of the pubic.

“General Green, your action in this matter were appropriate, however, I expect you to keep me informed of all future discoveries that this object yields.”
“By all means Prime Minister.”

“Do we know for certain that the object is alien? Who actually made this determination?” Tom asked.
“Why Dr. Mentor of course.” Replied Green. “They used a device known as a Gravimetric Core Sampler to take measurement and metal density readings of the object.”
“So Dr. Mentor and his team are well?”
“They are fine. In fact, as I stated, they are assisting in the excavation.”

“I see.” Replied Tom. “Prime Minister, I will be flying up there this evening. I trust that the General’s troops will not shoot my Sky Chariot down?”

Greens look went from serious to one of out right concern.
“Your flying up there?” He asked in a reserved voice. “Why?”
“As Director of the S.E.D., it is my duty to be involved with any and all discoveries of such a magnitude as this.”
“My men can handle the situations.” Green was not happy at all about this. He had intended the to keep the discovery a secret in the hopes of obtaining new technology and weapons that he could use to proxy the Senate to do his bidding. But now that the darmok was out of the box, his best hope for salvaging any control of the situation was to maintain control of object. Having Tom Christopher nosing around would jeopardize his objective of being the first to obtain any new technology.
“That may well be General, but I am still going.”
“I can see no reason for this Prime Minister. The situation is well in hand.”

“I think having the Director of the S.E.D. investigate this object first hand is a good idea.” Said Benton as he stood. “General would you please notify your men that General Christopher will be assuming command of the operations upon his arrival.” Green face went white. “I expect you both to keep me apprised of any developments.” He looked from Tom to Green then at the Senators. “If there is nothing else, meeting adjourned.

The room cleared out rather quickly leaving only Tom, and Benton sitting alone in the room.

“My God Tom, an actual alien space ship.” Said Benton. “The very concept of it is amazing.”
“This could be one of the greatest discoveries in the history of our world and Green wanted to keep it to himself.”
“Well his aspirations in that regard are no more.”
“And Greens not to happy about it.”
“Apparently so. But he will have to learn to live with it. Its your project now.”
“Greens going to work against me on this. You know he is up to something, and this was just one small part of it.”
“True, and I will be keeping an eye on him. But to be honest, it’s not Green I am concerned with, are Senator’s like Kordesh that have me worried.”
“He did seem a little hostile.”
“Dissent has been growing in the Senate for sometime now.” Benton looked concerned, and Tom knew that if he was worried about it, then it was a serious matter indeed.

“I need for you to be careful up their Tom. I can ill afford loosing you to some accident, and you know what I mean.”
“I’ll take Richard with me and we’ll both be prepared for any random accidents that might try and befall us.”
“Good.” Replied Benton before changing the subject. “God only knows what kind of technology that thing could give us.”
“I haven’t given it much thought, it is still too amazing to believe. I would hope that at least would will be able to learn where it came from, and how long it has been buried under the ice flow.”
“True. Make it your priority to find out all that you can about that things origins. If we have neighbors, I want to know all there is to about them.”
“Well then, I guess I had better get going.” Tom stood as did the Benton, and they shook hands.
“Be safe Tom.”
“You as well Prime Minister.” Benton smiled at him, and watched as Tom left the room. Once Tom was gone, Benton’s smile evaporated and he took on a more serious look. The look of a man who knew more than he wanted to about a great many things. It was an aged look that transcended every fiber of his being.
“Be damned careful Tom.” He said to himself quietly as he starred at the back of the closed conference room door.

[ February 24, 2003, 15:51: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part VIII (Alternate Course)

Green entered his office and it was clear to all that he was not in a good mood. He walked by his aid Lieutenant Elise and slammed his office door closed behind him as entered his office. Elise felt a shiver run up his spine. He had seen the General angry before, furious on many occasions, and even down right hostile once or twice, but never before had he ever seen him this angry.

Green wasted no time; he pressed his COM send button and ordered it to contact Senator Caparo Kordesh. Within a few seconds, the Senator came on the line.
“This is Caparo, what do you need General?”
“It would appear that we have something in common Senator.”
“And that is what General?” Kordesh was a man who feared no one, but is feared by many. He is the oversight chairman for the Special Investigations Division of the UGA. He has officers in each department, division, and administration of the UGA that answer directly to him. Not even the Director of the S.I.D. fears him. If Green can convince him that he is an ally, perhaps together they can both obtain what it is they seek.

“The desire to see Benton removed from office.”
“What makes you think I would want such a thing?”
“Let’s not mince words Senator, you and I want the same thing, so let us meet and discuss how we can work together to obtain it.” There was a brief pause before Kordesh responded.
“Very well General. We can meet at the Aries Club for drinks.”
“Too public Senator, I propose we meet privately.”
“As you wish. I will be attending a conference in Vanalder the day after tomorrow. We can meet in my suite at the Paradise.”
“That will be fine.” Green said and pressed the disconnect button. He immediately pressed the contact button and order the COM to contact Carl Wilhelm.

“This is Carl.”
“Carl, are you aware that Tom Christopher is going to fly up to a science base on the Victorian Glacier?” Green asked.
“Yes, he had mentioned it in a meeting today.”
“I need for you to tag along with him.”
“What makes you think he will want or allow me to go?”
“I don’t care what you have to do Carl, but I want you going with him.” Green commented a bit angrily.
“Relax General, I will think of something.”
This appeased Green.
“Why do you need me to tag alone with him?”
It was a fair question, and Green had expected it.
“He is going to investigate an object discovered by the scientists. I need for you to report back to me what he finds.”
“Consider it a done General.”
“Carl, I have men up there now, but they will be under Christopher’s command, and my not be able to offer you support.”
“Understood.”

Green pressed the disconnect switch again and then paged Elise. “Elise get in here.”
A moment later Elise entered the room.
“Yes General?”
“Elise, I need you to send a message to Commanding Officer of operation Discovery, and advise him that General Tom Christopher will be arriving later today and that he will be assuming command.”
Green was sitting down behind his desk and had not looked up. He was busy thumbing through some paper work on his desk.
“Yes sir.” Elise started to leave when Green looked up and said.
“And send in Sergeant Arnold.” Elise’s blood pressure spiked a bit at this, but said nothing and left the Generals office.

Twenty minutes later Greens COM chirped. “General Sergeant Arnold is here as ordered.”
“Send him in Elise, and bring us some hot lacto berry juice.”
A moment later Sergeant Ruddy Arnold entered the Generals office followed by Elise caring a couple of steaming cups of lacto berry juice.
“The General sent for me?” Said Arnold as he came to attention.
“At easy Sergeant.” Said Green as he accepted a cup from Elise. “Elise, I want no interruptions for the next twenty minutes.” Elise nodded his acknowledgement and left the office. Arnold was standing at ease holding a cup of hot lacto berry juice.
“Sit down Ruddy.”
“Thank you sir.” Replied Arnold as he sat down in one of the guest chairs facing the Generals desk.
“I have a mission for you.” Green said as he took a sip of his lacto berry juice. “A very important one.”

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part IX (Spies)

The Senate Complex was one of the oldest buildings on Pandora. It was built when the Capitol city was founded nearly a thousand years ago. It had escaped destruction by fire, bombing, terrorism, and civil war. The building had endured because it was designed too. With each new renovation, something extra was added, and something was taken away. The Complex had been modified so many times that no one could possibly know all of the hidden chambers, corridors, or passageways that have been created, blocked off, or forgotten about over the years.

Senator Owen Cassady had walked the corridors, hallways, and passages of this building for over a hundred years and in all of that time he had only been able to explored about a third of the entire complex. He speculated to himself, as he walked alone in the silence of the lower levels, that he had only discovered about a tenth of all of the hidden areas of the vast complex.

Owen was one of the oldest and most senior Senators of the Alliance, and had seen many administrations come and go in his one hundred and ten years of public service. In all that time he had seldom if ever entered the great hidden library of the Senator Complex. It was a foreboding place first kept secret from the population of Mecca, and then later the entire population of the world. It was a magnificent great hall filled with antiques and old world sculptures. The books, files, and writings contained within these great walls were as old as the Mecca civilizations itself.

Mecca was one of the first and considered the oldest of all of the great civilization of the planet. Eighty years ago King Chandler Gore the fifth, founded the Global Alliance and began the great holly war to unite the peoples of Pandora under his leadership. Gore was an insane man who believed that his religion and birth right as the crown prince of Mecca, entitled him to the right of rulership over the entire planet. A costly mistake that resulted in billions of deaths, decades of war, and the near destruction of all life on the planet. Eventually he was assonated by his son Devon who nearly succeeded in conquering the planet but was killed at the battle of Camellia thus ending the Global Alliances quest for ultimate power.

Today was the first time in his life that he had ever given any thought to the idea that it was possible for life to exist anywhere other than on Pandora. It had been written in the ancient Salideen text that the great creator created the planet of Pandora for the Pandoran people. It was also written that there was no other life in the entirety of the universe more honorable than the people of Pandora. Owen wanted to consult the great Salideen writings and the ancient Salideen text about this new revelation, for he had dedicated his life to the Salideen Religion.

About two billion people, nearly third of the planets population also Subscribe to the Salideen Religion. If life were to exist on other planets, it would destroy the very fabric of the Salideen Religion, and thrust the whole of the population into chaos. The followers of Salideen would be humiliated and rebuked. This was something that he himself could not allow to happen. There had to be information about other life somewhere in the ancient text. The thought that life exist on other worlds must be mentioned somewhere within the old writings, and Owen was determined to find it. It was the only way he could save the Salideen religion. If it was mentioned that life did exist elsewhere anywhere within the great text or writings, then salvation was at hand. Owen knew that discovering this information was the only way to save off another devastating world war.

Senator Kordesh was not a man who enjoyed playing second to anyone, especially someone such as Robert Benton. He had just entered his office when General Green COM’ed him, and despite the surprise he displayed to Green, he had expected his call.

Kordesh knew that Green was a determined man who sought the Prime Ministership for himself. This clashed with Kordesh’s own ambitions for the office. He understood the nature of politics and power, and knew that his best weapon against those who would challenge him was information and deception. If General Green wanted his help then by all means, he would get it. Eventually Green’s own greed for power will lead to his downfall.

“Trax, come out here.” He said to no one. A second later a wall slid to the side and a tall and physically impressive person dressed all in black with a hooded hiding his head stepped out from the darkness of a hidden room. “You summoned.” It said in a slow raspy lowered voice. Kordesh looked at him briefly as he spoke.
“I have a new assignment for you.”
“We have not completed our current assignment.”
“Never mind that, I need for you to watch a General Tom Allen Christopher.” He said. “He is the new Director of the Space Exploration Division.”
“We are familiar with him.”
“He will be leaving for the continent of Bastion later today, his destination is a small scientific research site on the Northern Victorian Glacier.”
“Do you wish him eliminated?”
“No, just monitor his activities. Also assign an agent to watch General Green.”
“What of the Prime Minister then?”
“I will assign someone from SID to handle that.”
“As you wish. With there be anything more?”
“No. However, if General Christopher, discovers any of the artifacts, you know what must be done.” It was statement and not a question.
“He will dealt with as where the others.”
“Very good. That will be all.”
The man nodded his understanding and then stepped back into the darkness of the hidden room, and the wall closed.
Kordesh returned his nodded and watched him leave before leaving himself.

[ February 24, 2003, 15:52: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Anyone still reading this?

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Me,

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Reading every word, and enjoying it!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Thanks guys. I feel better, but still weak. I had uploaded them to the ast.com site Last saturday. I was planning on posting them here, but found some errors.

I feel horribly about the loss of the Columbia and her crew. I had written a chapter dealing with why the Pratorian people abandond space exploration, following a horrible tragady, and now, I had reservations about posting it, so I dropped it from the story. I may re-include it else where later on.

Who would have thought that the Columbia would be lost. What a truly sad historical week Last week has been. All three NASA trajodies occured in that week from Apolo I, the Challenger, and now the Columbia. If NASA does anything, they should never send up or recover a shuttle or rocket in the Last week of January ever again.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities , I am too. I was on yesterday, before you posted all those lovely additions to your story. They are excellent!!

I hope you are feeling well. If not well. at least better! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

<font color=purple>mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font>

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, I can see your reservations about posting that part of your story. There may a good reason to post it later. Depending on what happens to NASA, after this tragedy.

Very glad to hear you are feeling better. Take care!

<font color=purple>mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font>

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

BUMP

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

* Bump *
Awaiting next episode....

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Me, too! Me, too!

<font color=purple>mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font>

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

I have created the Pandoran ship set. It's not availiable for download yet as I have to still do the AI and stuff. I have to get past a few story points before I can finish up the General.txt file as well. (I don't want to give the story away just yet.)

But if you would like to take a look, click HERE. Remember, they are done with DOGA so the Race image sucks. If I could, I would make it more human like, but DOGA is so very limited in this regard.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

You want me to draw a human race portrait for you? I can make them look pretty realistic...

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Ya that would be great. Have at it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif If you can have-em ware a uniform of some kind, or a nice looking "political" looking jacket. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Thanks. (No rush either, if you can find the time great, if not, not to worry. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif )

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Wow. that is a really great shipset. I only have one complaint. (Since this is coming from someone who has never and probably never will even attempt to make a shipset, you can decide for yourself how important this opinion is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ) The portraits look great, but it is very difficult to determine the size of the troops and fighters from the smaller pictures. It's always been a pet peeve of mine, and I've yet to find a shipset that does it well. Just my overpriced $0.02.

Oh, and when I right click on your page... is that supposed to be a joke?

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

The set looks 'great'. I had better hurry with 3 sets I'm doing, or my original idea's won't look original anymore!

<font color=purple>mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font>

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Thanks guys. I agree that the mini images of many ships, troops, fighters, and what not look like crap once set to 36 x 36. I am not at all please with out the set looks in the Mini catagory, but what can ya do?

In the game, the images look better than when displayed such as the way I do it. I could increase the image size of the mini, to more acurately reflect how they might look in the game, and I am seriously considering it.

Thanks again for the feed back guys. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

OK, how about a picture of Prime Minister Bob Benton for the race portrait, and then a different face (but in similar style/ colours/ clothing so as to feel like part of the same set) for the pop and pop_mini pics?

I found the following description of Benton: "Robert ‘Bob’ Benton III was as tall as Tom, at six eight, but slightly heavier. He was a very tan man with dark blue eyes, brown hear and well trimmed beard." Anything to add?

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Nope. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Thanks for doing this.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Hey that is a nice ship set. The smaller images look like crap though, but the portraits look great. I really like the Carriers.

And when are you going to post another segment to this story?

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Hey atrocities, looking forward to the next part of the story.

As for the shipset it is looking great! I especially like the troops and i think the minis came out quite good! Just my opinion though!

First the Dominion, Cardassian, and Ferengi and now this, you're on a roll Atrocities, good look with the writing too

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part X (Approach)

In the late autumn months on the Northern plains of the Victorian Glacier, nightfall marks the end of the day without ever really becoming dark. For nearly all of the autumn months the nighttime seldom becomes darker than that of a bright sunset. The days become very short and the night longer as the season migrates toward the winter months. Within a few weeks this will change and the days will become nonexistent as the daytime sky becomes perpetual darkness. As the season changes, the air becomes colder and the jet stream more turbulent as the warmer surface air, heated by the sun, rises from the ground and mixes with the colder upper air. This mixture of warm and cold air causes areas of unstable air, known as warm air pockets, to form thus generating areas of hazard that if flown into can cause an air borne craft to rapidly loose altitude without warning. For an experienced pilot flying in these conditions is a mild challenge, but for an inexperienced pilot, it can rapidly become a life and death situation.

Captain Richard Hess was busy making routine course correction and minor instrument adjustments, it was his first official flight as a certified pilot and he wanted the ride to be smooth for his boss, General Thomas Christopher and the other passengers that he was fairing, when he encountered a warm air pocket. He had never flown in extreme cold weather conditions before, although he did have training for it, he had never really experienced actual winter conditions. The warm air pocket that he had just passed through was his first, and the experience of loosing a thousand feet of altitude in just under two-point-six seconds made a Lasting impression on the young officer. Even with the inertial dampeners set to full, he knew that the time for casual flight was over; as his job as pilot had just became a whole hell of a lot more complicated. He was busy making his course corrections, when he decided that it would be best to let the passengers know that they were about to fly into some very turbulent air. The air is warmer near the surface, thus less turbulent, and he was in the process of descending when he keyed the internal COM.
“Gentlemen, we are entering into an area of turbulence, and I am descending in order to avoid encountering additional warm air pockets. Our expected arrival time at the site is less than ten minute from now.” He keyed off the COM, and went about flying the small six-man Sky Chariot with as much concentration as he could muster when the General entered the cockpit.

“Richard, you sure you know how to pilot one of these things?” Asked Tom as he eased himself down into the Co-Pilot seat looking a bit nervous but obviously joking.
“I am sorry about that General, these warm air pockets are a bit tricky at times.” Replied Richard. His concentration focused upon flying the Sky Chariot.
“You haven’t flown much practice time in severe cold air environments have you?”
“No sir.”
“Well just to be safe, perhaps I should take over, you know, give you a break.”
Richard chanced a quick look at his boss, a look of ‘hell no’ but with a polite ‘I don’t think so’ appeal to it. Tom could not help but smile at this, as being a pilot himself, he understood that for everything there must be a first time. He held his smile for an extra few seconds to avoid showing his young officer how concerned he was. It was Richard’s first official flight, and Tom did not want his nervousness to show as that would more than likely effect Richard’s confidence, and may even offending the younger officer.
“I guess everyone has to learn sometime.”
“Oh I am learning it sir.” Relied Richard as he made another quick course correction this time only loosing about fifty feet of altitude before powering out of the sudden decent.
“You would have figured sir that by now they could come up with a way to prevent that from happening.” Commented Richard as he banked the small craft slightly to the left on a baring that would bring them back on course toward their destination.
“I hear you Richard, and once we get back, I am personally going to look into it.” Replied Tom as he buckled himself in.
“We should reach the Discovery site in about five minutes or so General.”
“Only if our luck holds out.” Whispered Tom to himself.
“Excuse me sir?” Asked Richard.
“Nothing Rich, I was-“
“Say, where are the barf bags?” Interrupted a calm and cocky officer who had poked his head into the cockpit. Tom looked back over his shoulder at the man, and flashed him a dirty look.
“Arnold, get back there and buckle in.”
“Buckle in sir? Oh right, sorry sir, but Mr. Wilhelm and his aid seem to be getting a bit sick, and I am worried that they might not make it sir.” Commented Sergeant Rudy Arnold with a smile.

Sergeant Rudy Arnold was a long time annoyance who’s company Tom had grown to tolerate over time. He had first met him some eight years before when he was selected for a mission that Tom was in command of. It was routine rescue mission to recover a propionate Senator family who had been kidnapped and were being held for ransom. Although Rudy was a cocky bastard, full of himself, and very arrogant, he had proven that he could get the job done. After the successful rescue he was appointed as aid-decamp to then Military Advisor to the Prime Minister, General Lee Westmore Forman. Over the years Arnold had become an aid to many Generals who have long since come and gone. Most recently he had attached himself to one General Philip Albert Green, the current Military Advisor to the Prime Minister, and from what Tom was able to gather, had become a member of General Green’s inner circle of confidants. No doubt about it, Arnold was very good at his job, that job being *** kissing and brown nosing the brass. Arnold was out for Arnold, and throughout the many times that Tom had had the misfortune of having to deal with him, he had learned that Arnold was only to be trusted lightly. Arnold had a cocky sense of humor that often annoyed Tom to no end. He was, and still is, a sly arrogant, and cunning manipulator that knows how to work any situation to his favor. It was no wonder that he had risen in rank to that of Master Staff Sergeant. Tom had figured that by now, he would have conned his way to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant or would have been given a commission but some misfortunes involving the daughter of a well respected Senator had stalled his career.

Tom really did not like or dislike him, he merely tolerated him. Arnold was an annoying man, but he was also clever and was cool under fire. These were his only two redeeming qualities as far as Tom was concerned. Although Tom was not happy about being ordered to take him on this mission, he did so. He wanted to try and find out what General Green was up to, and Arnold, although he was a master manipulator, could be easily manipulated himself.

“Have you checked in the overhead compartment?” Asked Richard sarcastically.
“I didn’t need to, this little joy ride you are piloting caused the crap in those compartments to come tumbling out all over us back here.” Responded Arnold in a mocking tone.
“Then look in the base cabinets!” Tom said with authority. “Then buckle yourself in.”
“I doubt buckling in will save us given the way that this kids flies.” Commented Arnold with a wicked smile before ducking back out of the cockpit.
“Sir, we should have left that guy in the flight hanger.”
“Green wanted him to come along, and the Prime Minister agreed.” Tom looked over at Richard who was in the process of activating the landing gear. “But I agree with you Captain, we should have left his *** back in the Capital.”
“I wonder why the General insisted on sending him?”
“To annoy me.”
Richard looked briefly over at Tom and smiled.
“I could always blow the hatch and bank sharply to the right.”
Tom smirked at the thought of seeing Arnold flaying his arms and legs around as he screamed his lungs out on his uncontrolled decent to oblivion.
“Better call us in for landing approval Rich.”
“Right Sir.” Replied Richard as he switches on the COM. “Discovery Base, this is Sky Chariot Pegasus Two-Nine-Zero-Three requesting landing clearance.”
“Sky Chariot Two-Nine-Zero-Three please transmit authorization code now.”
“Authorization Code?” Richard flashed Tom a confused looked before transmitting.
“Discovery Base, this is General Tom Christopher transport requesting landing coordinates over.”
“Sky Chariot Two-Nine-Zero-Three, please transmit authorization code.”
Tom could hear what was being said over the cockpit COM, and he was not pleased. No one had mentioned that he would require a code to land. Tom keyed the COM and spoke in an angry voice.
“Discovery Base, this is General Thomas Christopher requesting authorization to land.”
“Please transmit authorization code prior to entering the no fly zone.”
“You require a code, then here it is. Eco-Alpha-Tango-Star-Hector-Ira-Tango, over.”
Richard started to laugh, but noticed that Tom was far from amused and was not in a joking mode.
“Sky Chariot Two-Nine-Zero-Three, that code is not valid. Please transmit the correct code or alter your course away from this area.”
“Sir.” Said Richard a bit alarmed. “We have company.” He was pointing to his scanner at two large blips that had just entered the scanning range of the Sky Chariot and were on an intercept course.
“They don’t look friendly to me sir.”
“God damn him!” Tom said as he clicked the transmit button once again. “Discovery Base, you will clear us for landing immediately, that is a direct order.”
“Sky Chariot Two-Nine-Zero-Three, if you fail to transmit the proper authorization code within thirty seconds, you and your vehicle will be escorted by two Prowler’s to Andover Base and detained. Any attempt to deviate or land will result in hostile action.”
“Arnold get your *** up here!” Yelled Tom over his shoulder as he fumed.
A few seconds later Rudy entered the Cockpit smiling like usual.
“You yelled sir?” He commented smugly.
“Cut the charm, and tell me what our landing authorization code is.”
“Authorization code?”
“Yes, we have about fifteen seconds to transmit one or we’re going to be shot down.”
“Condor One-Five-Zero.” He said without further prompting.
“Discovery Base, authorization code Condor One-Five-Seven over”
“Authorization is valid, landing coordinates have been uploaded to your navigational computer. Welcome to Discover Base General.”
“Somehow I don’t think we are.” Commented Richard as he validated the landing coordinates and began the landing process.
“Discovery Base inform Captain O’Connor of our arrival and have him meet us at the landing site.”
“Understood. Discovery Base out.”
“Looks like it was a good thing you brought me along after all General.” Commented Arnold politely as he smiled on.

[ March 05, 2003, 03:01: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, excellent add to your story! It is getting very very interesting!

<font color=purple>mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font>

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Thanks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Its finding the time to write any.

I have the back story worked out, and will soon explain some key plot points.

But to sit down and actually write at the moment takes a lot more devotion and interest than I have. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif I am sure a lot of people who write for fun know what I am saying.

Dman, a flea just bit me!!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif Time to throw the cats out and bomb the house. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Thanks for reading the story. I am also in the process of going through it fixing some key plot scew ups, and adding more material to fill out the story better. The story is the victim of my own desire to write non stop for many hours at a time. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, you are most Welcome! Finding time, is key to almost everything! Damn, that is obvious! Whew!!

I know a lot of writers that write that way. One of them told me once; "I just get in a grove sometimes. I never stop, until the grove ends." So, you have good company!

I very eagerly await, any tweaks! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

<font color=purple>mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif </font>

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

I got your mail Dogscoff. Very interesting portait. I really like where you going with it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I never figured him for a gotee, (sp), but it fits very nicely. I look forward to your next draft, and thank you very much. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Glad you like, Atrocities. Any particular direction you'd like me to go in? It's your pic after all...

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities: Eudoramail seems to have imploded, so if you have replied to my mail Last night please send me a PM here.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

atrocities: Did you get the zip file I mailed you at the end of Last week (thurs/ fri- can't remember exactly when.)

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

*bump*

Atrocities- I see you started a new thread, so I won't clog it up with my question, I'll just bump here instead.

Edit: Just spotted your reply. Forget I spoke=-)

[ March 18, 2003, 15:58: Message edited by: dogscoff ]