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Beyond the Horizon

The year is 2411, The humanity is locked into a struggle for their very survival. Quickly built ships with rookie crews head from the ship yards almost as soon as the Last bolt is in place. Waves of enemy ships pound at the border systems. Were are they all coming from? No-one knows for sure, all that is truely known is that they come from somewhere beyond the Dalvvj system and Sigma Draconis were our outer most colonies lay. Alpha Fleet is moving from their home port at lambdra Dra to make the first incursion into an unknown warp point at the far side of Dalvvj. Not knowing they will find on the other side has the crews on edge. Most of the escort ships in Alpha fleet were orginally designed for space exploration with 10-11 year old systems and poorly maintained cannons. There are a few frigates in the fleet that were designed right after the war began. They have an added rocket launcher mounted. Their mission is to find the enemy bases and report back to the Empire.
John Dart looks out a port side window into the coldness of space. He is attack officer for the escort friendship, an escort class ship designed in the year 2400 to seek out new life and new places for colonization. Re-assigned in the year 2407 to lambda Dra VI as part of a defense fleet (the system were first contact with the enemy took place).

For years he dreamed of meeting new lifeforms that is why he inlisted orginally with the seekers visting and taking part in a number of discoveries. All that ended when the war borke out. he has heard tales that new colonies were being set up in new systems to supply ships as they seek out enemy systems, but each attempt has turned up with nothing. Were are these aliens coming from? John is torn between hoping they are the ones to find the answer and finding yet another empty system. "When this mission is over", John thinks, "I am going to request re-assignment to one of those new destroyer class ships that they are developing." As news comes over the speaker system telling about the latest battle in the Sigma Dranconis system. John peers into the dark void and starts to recap on how this all came about.

>>>The Start<<<

The Empire rose out of a past of war and dis-order.Clashs over land and resources left the planet in total dis-array. The conditions have deterated to the point were in time the planet would be un-livable if action was not taken. In 2055, a man of vision rose to the challege, seeing the planet was dying, he worked to unit the clans. The empire was born. He renamed the star system Wayland and the home planet was then known Wayland III.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

++++from the notes of Steve Rain, a colonist on Wayland VIII++++++++

'2400.2'

"I am scheduled to board the ship in 5 hours. They say that was designed to be taken apart and used in building the colony. We are not sure which planet they finally decided on as each is no better then the others. Studies showed that a number of planets in our system have large deposits of ore, none have breathable air and we will all have to live in a domed city.
I am a little scared as they have never had a successful test of the colonizer dome and the only real reports they have on the planets have been done by un-manned probes. If we make it, we will be the first to ever set foot on an alien world."

"well, I am now aboard the starship, I was told they did not even bothered to name it. There is a story going around that the engines powering this thing are protypes and this launch will be the first real test for them. This is getting scarier by the minute."

'2400.5'

"We are about half way to our new home, Which I have learned is called Wayland VIII. The 'Rusty Bucket', which is what we have come to call the ship, seems to be holding up, The noise from the engines can drive a man crazy. The ship shakes and the power systems fade in and out but never quite to the point of failure. Why did I decide to do this? Oh, yea it was either this or spend the rest of my live in a prison mine. Is this really better? I will still be mining but have been told that I will be free and I will be getting paid."

'2400.7'

"we have made it to Wayland VII! The ship had a number of minor problems but we maded it. They picked this planet as it was the richest in minerals, yet is at the far edge of our system, which means that they will have to build large hauling ships to carry the resources home. Scans show the planet be covered by thick clouds. Time to set up the colony and dig the mine. We also believe that we can grow food to help feed the homeworld. This could mean more credits for everyone."
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
>>Expansion>>>

'2400.8'

"The success of the first colony ship as driven the Empire to build very quickly, a number of colony ships. With each construction, new developments in construction are being tested. With lack of work and harsh living on the homeworld, more and more people are deciding to take a chance and sign up for colonization. While there is still a 60% failure rate in the ion engine design, they mainly occur on the haulers transporting minerals from the mines to the homeworld. The population transports have been very lucky. The Empire now has 5 planets and the Last usable one will have a colony in 1 month. There is talk that they will also set up a colony on the moon in orbit around the gas Planet Wayland II. This will be the Last colony as there is no way for us to leave our star system. in a reasonable time frame."

'2400.4'

---From the New reports---

A discovery was made on the edge of our star system. Reseach claims that it is a gateway to another system that will cut the ravel time down to where we can once again seek out new worlds and set up more mining colonies. A new ship is being built to travel into this gateway.

'2400.8'

---From the logs of Capt. Rolen aboard the friendship---

"We have started our mission toward the gateway, which they are now calling a warp point. While the engines aboard the Friendship tend to hum quite loudly, the noise is stating to grow on me. Not sure what we will find but if we make it, we will be the first to see another star system."

'2400.9'
"We entered the warp point and while the shaking was intense with in a few seconds we merged from it. At first we were not sure if we made it to another system or if we had came back out the same side we entered. Our scanners were off-line. We soon discovered that we had enter a system with 9 planets and a orange like star. 4 of the planets would support dome colonies. We dropped a marker to help us determine how far we had traveled and headed back into the warp point.

Once again we shaken but survived the trip. Once back in our home system, we began scanning for the signal. It was picked up and we charted our course to have been to Lambdra Dra, the second closest system to our own. This discovery could mean that there are more warp points and command has ordred us to re-supply and to return to Lambdra to search for more.

'2401.3'

The Empire has been busy, it was discovered that our home system contained a second warp point alomost exactly across the system from the first. It lead to Rana, the closest system to our own. Another ship has been built and sent to that system were two more warp points were found. The finding of a small un-inhabited oxygen planet meant that there could be a planet with conditions to for us to live. The Empire has doubled the the number of explorer ships."

'2402.1'

"We have been out here a long time. The discovery of 3 systems containing planets and one system contain nothing but some floating rocks has helped the Empire's planned growth. Colony ships are on the way. We have also found that this is about has far as we can go without supply bases. We are heading back to Lambdra Dra VII to re-supply.

-2402.6-

We are traveling across a system call Beid, red nebula that can barely be seen from Wayland III. The fact that we have not found any life yet has been a dis-appointment for the Empire. While our scanners can not see anything in this nebula system, based on past experience, we feel that if a warp point exist; we should find it by traveling right across the system. With the discovery of Sigma Draconis VI, a Large planet that turned out to be like heaven to our people, the Empire is calling off any more colonization. If we don't discover life soon , they may call off any more missions beyond the colonies.

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

>>>First Contact<<<

The stardate is 2402.7, Cepheus System turned out to be un-inhabited. There are usable planets but the Empire feels that traveling across the Nebula for six months would be hard on the transport ships and Haulers. Friendship is being recalled to the Texrek system for a engine refit.

In Sigma Draconis, A new warp point has been found. It did not follow the pattern of the others and occupyed a different sector. Everyone was calling for a ship to be sent but the Empire refused.

+++From the report of Frank Darren , Lambdra Dra II mining colony+++

"I was monitoring ship movements from Dra II to Dra V. I got tired of tracking them and decided to aim the scanner at Dalvvj System. No one ever goes there as it is a dead system, so the reads on the star should be quite clear.
After about 3 hours, I was going to take a break. As I started to leave the room, a signal was picked up. At first I thought that a transport had gotten off course but I was wrong.

+++From the News Wire+++

An alien race was discovered. They come from beyond the Dalvvj system. While we don't seem to be able to communicate with them, they don't seem to be moving into our system. Maybe they came in peace and are just exploring.

'2402.8'
++from the news wire+++

The alien ship as return back into the Dalvvj system. The Empire is thinking about sending a ship to try to make contact with them.

'2402.9'
++ From the statement by the Empire+++

All our ships close to Dalvvj are currently being refitted with newer engine designs. We plan on sending one to find the aliens again but it will take 2 years for a ship to be ready and arrive in Dalvvj.

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

>>>THE WAR<<<

+++ stardate 2403.1+++

From the logs of the Capt. Rolen, Friendship...

We are on our way to Dalvvj. Since the Aliens were discovered. They have not been seen again. We hope to find them and become friends.

++ Stardate 2403.2 +++
From the News Wire----

The aliens have been seen again. This time in Sigma Draconis. We have sent them Messages but they still do not respond.

++Stardate 2403.3+++

From the News Wire----

The aliens have sent us a message, They have declared war on us!!!Their ship has left Draconis system. We do not know why they have declared war. We do know what they call them selves as it appears they have studied us and learned how to communicate, They are called the Fazah.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>>Another Race<<<<

In 2408.4 another race became known to the Empire. They came from a unstable warp point in Rana. We thought Rana was safe and had put all our forces in Sigma Draconis and Lambdra Dra. The Fazah had been heavly attacking Draconis system. This new race came from a unstable warp point, that we could not go through as the damage would distroy our ships. Their ships were larger then any we had ever seen the Fazah use.
As soon as they came they left. We did not even get to see who they were. This scared the Empire and fleets were being pulled from the front to prepare for another war with this new race.

2408.7 Once again ships appeared from the warp point in Rana, this time they sent a message....The Phong as they called themselves wanted to make a trade pact with the Empire. This was good as now all forces could be resent to the front lines.

__________________________________________________ ________________________________________

<<<<The dark times>>>>>

The war with the Fazah has been a deadlock. We can not go on the attack as this would draw needed forces from defending Sigma Draconis. For some reason they only seem to attack this system. We have never seen them again come from the Dalvvj system. The friendship never got to do it's mission. as soon as it entered the Dalvvj system, the war started and it was re-called to the nearest base for defense. The Fazah have never been able to get close to a planet, but we do fear that if our ragged fleet is defeated, they would not stop until every colonist was killed.
We decided to send a lone scout ship into the warp point to see if we can find the enemy planets. The freedom was called up and sent through. As soon as it reached the other side, It turned into a ball of flame. Did the engines explode? Was the Ship torn apart by the warp point?
"What the hell happened to that ship" demanded Raven Darkwater, Commander of Sigma forces.
"from the data we got, it looks like they hit something. Some sort of space mine." reported the war department.

"Well, it really is going to upset the plans of the Empire to finally take the war to them;" yelled Raven, " If we can't get that field cleared, we will never know where they come from. Send all ships to block the warp point. I do not want them putting these mine things within our border and I want to more information on how to get rid of these things."

++2408.8+++

"sir, Research has found a way to take down the mines and they have also found a way for us to build them ourselves." Raven smiled and ordered all resources to build the mines and find a way to deploy them on our side of the warp point. "We will mine our side for defense, we will then take down their mines and send our fleet through. Yes, Finally we can take the war to them."

++2410.1++

The mine field has been holding strong against the Fazah attacks, 10 of their ships have been distroyed.Draconis V has been working overtime to keep the mine layers supplied. The Fazah appear to have increased their attacks but the mine field has keep them at bay. The first Distroyer ships have been built and sent to join Beta Fleet in Draconis.
Within the year, Alpha fleet will travel into the Dalvvj on their mission to find the Fazah systems.

The Beta fleet under Raven's command will mass on the warp point and prepare for an incursion once Alpha fleet is in position.
Command hopes this will draw the Fazah away from the alpha fleet.

+++2411++++

John turns from the window; "why could they just leave us in peace?" He heads for the command deck. The warp point into the unkown is just 3 hours away.

=============================================

To be continued-----------

Will the alpha fleet find the Fazah planets? Will the Fazah mine field take out the Beta Fleet and open the way to invade Sigma Draconis? What about John and the Friendship crew---will they ever see their homes again?
Only time will tell.

############################################
I will continue this if the response is good and you all want to see what comes up with my next turns.

[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 07 November 2001).]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

very good, please continue with story, I like it.

just some ideas mac

Re: Beyond the Horizon

I always enjoy these stories...

Keep it up.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

<<<We've struck gold>>>>

---Stardate 2411---
Alpha fleet has reached the warp point, what lays on the other side is the dark unknown. Fleet Commander Vincent Cooper takes one Last look at the ship floating just off the port side of the Stingray. "Some of these ship don't even have names, just call numbers. How will they be remembered?" Vincent thinks to himself as he quickly turns and walks to the center of the command deck. Looking over to Johnson "are you ready to dance with the devil?" Johnson gives a silent nod. "Then take em in!" orders Vincent.
One by one the fleet enters the warp point and a few minutes later emerge on the other side.
"Where the hell are we?!" screams Vincent. Johnson looks at his scanner readout and reports; " I don't know but there appears to be transmissions coming from the planet closest to our current position. Wait! I am now picking up movement in orbit the planet, they appear to be some sort of satellite. I can not tell how meny until we get closer."
"ok hold us here until we know were we are and who is on the planet." Vincent says.
Johnson begans to monitor the transmissions and sets up scans for the rest of the system.

As Vincent was about to turn in for the evening, the comm snaps to life. "We know were we are commander, you had better get up! We've stuck gold!"

Vincent rises from his bunk and heads for the command deck. As he turns the handle and pushs the door open. A funny thought jumps into his head...."Where is all those automatic doors, they always talked about in those space shows."
Entering the command desk he turns to Johnson, "Where are we Johnson?" "Well sir, we found that the communications in this system are the same as those from the first encounter with the fazah and the the name of this system is ALkalurops."
"And how do you know that?"
"Well!" Johnson says, "The planet transmitted that enemy ships have entered Alkalurops and to send support. They know we're here and 3 attack ships are moving toward us from Alkalurps VII on the far side of th system."
"When will they be here?"
"78 hours sir"
"Since they know we are here, set up a comm relay and ask high command what we should do." Vincent orders.
"It will take 12 hours for them to respond, Sir! shall we wait here or move toward the planet?"
"Move us with-in an hour distance from the planet and hold until we hear from high command." Vincent responds. "and keep an eye on those attack craft, I don't want any surprises."

_____________________________________________

What will High commands orders be? will the ships be pulled back or ordered into battle?

[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 06 November 2001).]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

game stories are great, keep it up!

------------------
"...the green, sticky spawn of the stars"
(with apologies to H.P.L.)

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Yes, a very nice read indeed. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

------------------
New Age Ship Yards

"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Captain Picard STNG

Borg Breen Species 8472 Cardassian Dominion STNG Ferengi Klingon Romulan
Trek Movie era TOS Illuminati Starwolf Rogue Fleet

Re: Beyond the Horizon

You have my attention as well.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

I love these type of stories, you, Atrocities and some of the others should be sci-fi writers, keep it up, There used to be a thread way back where stories were put for everyone to read, like to see it back or one where we can keep up with the story lines
excellent stories........ http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

just some ideas mac

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Next installment will be posted by monday evening at the latest.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

------Captain's log---Vincent Cooper---------***********The Stingray**********************

'We are currently holding just on the dark side of Alkalurope IX A. Our scanners have shown that the enemy has colonies on both the planet and the moon. It appears that the entire population on both are contained under several large doom complexes scattered over the surfaces. We are undable to get a clear picture of these, as we are still too far away.
Feelings are running high as the fleet waits for the orders from command. We should be receiving them within the hour. This will the first battle any of us have ever seen. It maybe asked why they did not send more seasoned crews, but there are none. Our people have not seen war in over.......'
The comm cuts in..."Capt! we have recieved a transmission from command. They have ordered us to secure the planet and hold the airspace until a transport arrives."
As the comm cracks one Last time, Vincent raises from his desk and heads for the command deck.
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>
Beta fleet sits on the warp point preparing to enter the Z'trop where the enemy minefield lays. 5 new ships had been added to the fleet. They were designed to take out the field.
The sweepers being led by a distroyer ship known as Little Thunder pull into view of the warp point.

Raven turns toward the view port. "get the captain incharge on the comm." he says.
"Captain Amber responding sir," reports the comm officer.
A chill comes down Raven's back. He and Amber Rain were lovers before the war. Marriage had been on his lips but he never got the chance to speak of it. She would have said yes, but he was afraid and used the war as a way to escape. Now he gets a chance to see her again and the only thing he can do is order her into a mission with only a 10% survival rate. 'Oh why did they pick her, she is a transport captain hauling people between the colonies.'
He turns to the viewer; "Captain, Your mission is to lead the sweepers into the warp point and take out all the mines on the other side. little Thunder is to provide protection from enemy ships and to gather data on the system. You are to return as soon as the mines are down. We can not provide you with any more firepower. Good Luck."
"I understand," was all that Amber said.
As Little Thunder and the mine sweepers entered the warp point. Raven knew what Amber had meant and it had nothing to do with mission.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Next---
The attack.....
Vincent has been given the green light, what will the outcome be? and will Amber return?

____________________________________________\

Possable warning from writer=====

Some future parts of this story may or may not contain passages not suitable for all readers.

+++++++++
Raven Darkwater and Amber Rain are trademark Characters of Cosmic Inc
and Cosmic Inc stories.
+++++++++

Re: Beyond the Horizon

working on the next installment.......

Re: Beyond the Horizon

So, does Alpha Fleet survive the engagement?

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Hey, were hanging here, what happens?????? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

just some ideas mac

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Sorry to keep you hanging but I have been tied up with getting ready for thanksgiving.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dracus:

+++++++++
Raven Darkwater and Amber Rain are trademark Characters of Cosmic Inc
and Cosmic Inc stories.
+++++++++

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So, does Cosmic Inc. have a website?

Re: Beyond the Horizon

*********The engagement******************
Vincent takes a quick look across the command deck.
"Bring all weapons Online. load the tube. Signal the fleet we are going in."

The engines of the Stingray come to life and the fleet start towards the planet.
"We are not detecting any defense systems and the scans of the satellites are not revealing any real information. Sir!" report the comm station."
"Johnson!" orders Vincent "as we pass over the planet, take out the power stations and knock those satellites out of the sky."
No sooner then the Last order was given, the comm officer yells out: "We have power surges on the planet and the satellites in orbit! We have incoming!"
"damn it! Break formation! Break formation! " screams Vincent, as the first missle slams into the port side of the Stingray. The explosion rocks the ship knocking a number of the crew onto the deck.
A second missle zips across the ship but does not make contact as it heads toward the scattering fleet. The remaining missles start to fizz in the wake of the retreating fleet. No other ships are hit.
"It appears sir that the range of their missles is about 12,000 miles above the surface of the planet."
"The other ships are requesting instructions." the comm officer reports.
Vincent turns toward Johnson; "Can we get into range and take out those missles launchers? "
Johnson responds. "We can use a single escort to set up target Coordinates and move the frigates to the edge of their grid; we just might be able to take them out. It will be more of a hit and run, Dipping in and out out as they fire."
"That is the most screwed up idea that I have ever heard of! So screwed up that it just might work. Order the Friendship to move in. As soon as those launchers fire up again put all missles in the water. "

+++++++Aboard the Friendship+++++++++++++

Capt. Rolen turns to the flight officer, "report!"
"The Stingray wants us to set up targeting info. They are convinced that they can take out the launchers a max range."
Alright! we have our order people! Let's rock!!" commands Rolen.
As the Friendship moves into the grid pulling away from the other 9 escorts, missle raise from the surface.
The 7 frigates return the favor.
All missles from the surface fail to make contact with any of the ships.
2 minutes later, the The first of the planet bound missles strikes it target.
A small outpost goes up.
++++++Aboard the Stingray+++++++++
"ALL incoming have failed to hit sir, Our first missle as taken out it's target."
"Get the tubes reloaded!" Vincent Yells, "As soon as all missles hit, I want a full report."

+++++++++++++++On the planet++++++++++++
A young Fazah male looks up at the dome Just as an incoming missle tears it apart.
As the air quickly begans to escape, He truns and runs for the pressure doors leading to from this dome to the main dome.
Just as he reachs the junction and the doors close behind him, a second missle hit the dome.
In an instance, The homes of 10,000 is reduced to rumble.
Just three days before, he and his friends had attended a gathering to support the war. Now his own planet was under attack.
He hated humans' yet he had never seen one. The leaders say they are demon creatures speading across the stars like a virus and must be distroyed. One more year and he would join the miltary.
Now his friends are no more. The Humans were no virus and they would not be so easy to distory.

++++++aboard the Stingray+++++++++++++++
"All 7 missles have hit sir, but only one missle launcher out of 5 were distroyed. We also took out a dome complex due to two of the missles missing their target. "
"take us in for another round." orders Vincent.
"all 7 missles in the water sir. 2 minutes to impact."
"We have incoming, moving out of the grid."
All missles have hit their targets sir. All launchers wave been taken out."
"Good order all ships toward the planet."
As the fleet moves toward the planet, the 12 satellates orbiting the planet once again began to show a power surge. All of a sudden escort 003 (still unnamed) get ripped to shreads by cannon fire.

+++++++Aboard the Stingray+++++++

"Sir, one of our escorts is taking on heavy fire from those satellites. They appear to be housing cannons. They are reporting engine damage. We must do something."
"Order all ships to target and take those damn piles of **** out of my sky!" Yells Vincent.

+++++++++Aboard the Friendship+++++++++
John quickly looks at the scans coming in from the satellites. He turns to Capt. Rolen; "Those things can only target one ship at a time, They appear to be linked together. If we can get a ship to draw their fire, the rest of us can take them out."
"Order escort 004 to move play the duck and let's take them out!" Rolen replies.

The escort 004 moves in to draw the fire. But before they get into position. The satellite array fires again.
Escort 003 goes up in a flash of light.

The friendship moves into range and fires two shots. They both hit their mark and one of the sats is blown from the sky.

Escort 004 is hit right in the command deck by cannon fire and all systems go dark.

Friendship fires again taking out another sat. The other escorts quickly blow apart the remain sats.

********Aboard the Stingray****************
"Capt. The Friendship reports the sky is clear. We lost one escort and another is not responding."
"Move us into orbit and send a shuttle to being rescue operations. Send a message to High Command that we control the planet and are awaiting the transport."
As Vincent walks off the command deck, He makes one Last comment; "And keep an Eye on thos enemy ships."

++++From the logs of Capt' Vincent Cooper+++ +++++++++ The Stingray+++++++++++++++++++++++

The battle went well. We do feel the loss of the escort and it's crew. Still unclear on how command plans on taking the planet, I guess we will see once the transport arrives.
Power to escort 004 has been restored and they are heading home for repairs. I just hope that is the Last ship we lose in this mission.

*********************************************
Next time ---- beta Fleet enters Z'trop.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by dumbluck:

So, does Cosmic Inc. have a website?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In time.......it is not ready.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

I am stuck taking a test and gettign the Last of the term done at school. I will return to writing this story as soon as I can. Thanks for understanding.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Please do, as it is a very nice read. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Beyond the Horizon

-----In the cabin of Raven Darkwater --------
--------aboard the Spitting Cobra------------

Raven sits in the dark; he has been unable to really sleep since he Last set eyes upon her. Why did they leave so much un-spoken? He should have demanded that high command send another to lead the mission. He should have said something.
It has been 9 days since Amber led the sweepers into Z’trop and there has been no contact with them since. The plan was for us to wait for some contact before going in. If no contact is ever made, then we are abort our mission as it is likely the minefield is still intact. We are all that stands between the survival and complete destruction of our people.
The shipyards were completely un-prepared for supporting a full-scale war so the arrive of new ships is slow.
Raven turns to the recorder and prepares to enter a log.
“Stardate 2411.8” Raven begins; “Beta fleet remains at post near the Z’trop warp point. We still have not received any word if the minefield has been taken down. Two more destroyer class ships have arrived; bring our fleet total to 14; 5 escorts, 6 frigates, and 3 destroyers.” Raven pauses for a minute and then continues; “First I would like to request that the crew of the Little Thunder be given full honors for their actions and be increased in rank. Second, I would like to request that Steve Rain, the older brother of Amber Rain, have his rights restored and be allowed to leave the prison colony on Wayland III. He record is to be cleaned.
Third, My crew and those of the other ships in beta fleet are not to be held responsible for following my next set of orders.”
Stopping the recorder, Raven rises from the chair and moves to the view port. Looking out toward the warp point, “Damn you, Damn you all to hell!”
Raven quickly turns and head out into the corridor.

****On the command deck of the Spitting Cobra****

The comm. Officer reports “We have just received word from High Command that Alpha fleet has gained control of the skies over Alkalurope IX. They lost one ship and another took a lot of damage. 139 crewmen were killed. They also report that 3 ships of unknown firepower are heading toward them at high speed. Alpha fleet reports that they will not retreat and plan on standing holding the planet. They also inform us that we are to remain at station.”
Vic Dodge replies, “Inform the Capt.!”
“He is not in his cabin.” Responds the comm. Officer.
Just then the door slam open and Raven enters the command deck.
Vic starts to report, “High Command says…”
Raven, paying no mind to him, turns to the comm. Officer; “Any word from the sweepers?”
“No sir!’
“Prepare the fleet” replies Raven.
Vic stops mid report and says,
“You are not about to do what I think you are about to do? “
Raven continues giving orders “All hands on deck!”
“Sir, All ships are responding, do you wish an open comm.?”
“Yes”
“Comm ready sir!”
Vic says, “High Command will not like this.”
“**** High Command!” Raven quickly snaps.
“Attention all hands! We have not heard from the sweepers since they went in. It is time we bring them home.” While still on open comm., Raven turns to his own command crew; “Any problems with that?”
Not one person said a word.
“Good, then all hands, battle stations!”
“Helm, As soon as the fleet is in position, take us in.”
Raven then quickly moves to his jump chair as the ships of Beta fleet prepare for what lays on the other side.

==================================================
Next ----
Is Amber still alive or has the sweepers been blown away?

________________________________________________
side note:
I am hoping that my attempt to develop my main characters and give you a sense of how they are is playing out well.

[ 02 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

+++(flashback 9 days)+++

Amber turns from the video monitor to address her crew. "We have recieved our orders. Line them and lets go." The Sweepers take up the standard convoy type formation and head for the warp point. Amber takes one Last look at the warships of beta fleet and then gives the order.
Little Thunder enters the warp point, One by one the sweepers dis-appear from Sigma Draconis on a heading that just maybe then gates to hell.

********************Death all around*************

"How long have we been in the warp stream?" Amber asks. She has gone through a jump a hundred times and still she loses track of time.
"Seven hours. " is the reply; "we should be existing within the next hour."
"As Soon as We are out, bring all weapons Online and scan for those mines."

(20 minutes later)

"We are exiting the Warp point in 10.....9....8..." Reports the hems officer.

There is a quick flash and Little Thunder enters Z'trop. As soon as the ship enters normal space, an explosion rocks the port side causing the outer hull to cringe. Before anyone can respond, a second explosion hits the starboard hull causing it to buckle. Steam from the heat transfer pipes began to pour into the corridor. A crewman passing by is Hit full force from the steam as it burst from the pipe instantly killing him.

"Full stop!" Yells Amber, Were are those sweepers?"
"They are 5 minutes behind us and there are more mines moving toward the ship!"

Little thunder quick comes to a full stop, right in the middle of the mine field. The first two mines were in the direct path of the ship. Now that it has stopped, The mines are homming in on the metal hull. Little Thunder is a sitting duck. If they move forward, they will run into more mines, if they move back, they will slam into the emerging sweepers.

"How long before those other mines hit us?" Ask Amber.
"3 minutes and 4 mines will collide with our port side, 6 minutes and 10 more mines will blow us out of the sky!" Snaps the comm officer.
Amber could heard the fear in this man's voice; She too was scare.
"A--LL hands bbbbrace for Impact!" Amber says.

--------------------------------------------------

To be continued........

[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Dracus, excellent, keep it up, ever think of publishing?

just some ideas mac http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Good work, Dracus. I don't think I've ever been that interested in minesweepers trying to break a minefield. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Although for some reason, when Raven started thinking about all that relationship stuff in the midst of war, all I could think of was that old joke about the guy and girl who had to collaborate on an English assignment together, and each had to write a part. If you don't know the funny of which I speak, I can try to dig it up and post it here. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Thanks Everyone. While I can not promise it, I will try to write some every few days.

Zenbudo, I have not seen that joke, but I for one do like good jokes.

Mac5732,

I don't know, I did kind of think about it for a second then I thought "man, I can't spell that well, that is why I write code for a living."
What makes it somewhat easy is that the readers of this forum are forgiving when it comes to my typos, Which I am highly greatful for.

But who knows, maybe I will pull all this and re-do it a little; then submit it just to see what would happen.

For those of you who would like to re-read this in top/down format, just let me know and I would be glad to include a running txt file of the story.

[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

You asked for it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

zen

-----------------------------------------------
The English Assignment

This assignment was actually turned in by two English students:
-----------------------------------------------
Rebecca and Gary
English 44A
SMU
Creative Writing
Prof Miller

In-class Assignment for Wednesday

Today we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story. The process is simple. Each person will pair off with the person sitting to his or her immediate right. One of you will then write the first paragraph of a short story. The partner will read the first paragraph and then add another paragraph to the story. The first person will then add a third paragraph, and so on back and forth. Remember to reread what has been written each time in order to keep the story coherent. The story is over when both agree a
conclusion has been reached.

-----------------------------------------------
At first, Laurie couldn't decide which kind of tea she wanted. The chamomile, which used to be her favorite for lazy evenings at home, now reminded her too much of Carl, who once said, in happier times, that he liked chamomile. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind off Carl. His possessiveness was suffocating, and if she thought about him too much, her asthma started acting up again. So chamomile was out of the question.
-----------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Advance Sergeant Carl Harris, leader of the attack squadron now in orbit over Skylon 4, had more important things to think about than the neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Laurie, with whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago. "A.S. Harris to Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar orbit established. No sign of resistance so far ..." But before he could sign off a bluish particle beam flashed out of nowhere and bLasted a hole through his ship's cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him flying out of his seat and across the cockpit.
-----------------------------------------------
He bumped his head and died almost immediately, but not before he felt one Last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who had ever had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, Earth stopped its pointless hostilities towards the peaceful farmers of Skylon 4. "Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel," Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news simultaneously excited her and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth -- when the days had passed unhurriedly and carefree, with no newspapers to read, no television to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one lose one's innocence to become a woman?," she pondered wistfully.
-----------------------------------------------
Little did she know, but she has less than 10 seconds to live. Thousands of miles above the city, the Anu'udrian mothership launched the first of its lithium fusion missiles. The dim-witted wimpy peaceniks who pushed the Unilateral Aerospace Disarmament Treaty through Congress had left Earth a defenseless target for the hostile alien empires, who were determined to destroy the human race. Within two hours after the passage of the treaty, the Anu'udrian ships were on course for Earth, carrying enough firepower to pulverize the entire planet. With no one to stop them, they swiftly initiated their diabolical plan. The lithium fusion missile entered the atmosphere unimpeded. The President, in his top-secret mobile submarine headquarters on the ocean floor off the coast of Guam, felt the inconceivably massive explosion, which vaporized Laurie and 85 million other Americans. The President slammed his fist on the conference table. "We can't allow this! I'm going to veto that treaty! Let's blow'em out of the sky!"
-----------------------------------------------
This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic, semi-literate adolescent.
-----------------------------------------------
Yeah? Well, you're a self-centered tedious neurotic whose attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium.
-----------------------------------------------
*******.
-----------------------------------------------
*****.
-----------------------------------------------

Re: Beyond the Horizon

hehe. reminds me of a parody of Online hot-talk that i read that has the guy unable to operate a bra-clasp and ends with the curtains catching on fire.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Zen that was good, what grade did they get from the teacher?

Dracus, I think you should look into a full novel or at least something on that line, the story is very good, and besides, most of us here can't spell that good either...that's why they make spell checkers,

just some ideas mac http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: mac5732 ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Puke: Hmmm...yeeeessss, I do seem to remember that one! OH that was FUNNY -- she kept trying to do the fantasy thing and he kept interjecting with reality...it was KILLER! lol http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

mac5732: I dunno. I suspect that this is one of those e-mail jokes that has been circulated for years, and not necessarily true. Funny as all get out, though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

zen
_ ______ _
Murphy's 20th Law of Combat: The easy way is always mined.

::edit::
Omigosh...I've been rated! Thanks for the five stars! I love you guyz. *sniff* http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: zenbudo ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

zen: I think there was something like that in an issue of Calvin and Hobbes.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

****Cont of "Death all around"*****************

Next 3 minutes seems like hours as the crew of the Little Thunder prepared for what most likely could be their own deaths.
Then as quickly as time seemed to slow down, it jumped back into normal speed and the first of 4 mines slammed into the port side of the ship just behind the command deck. The explosion ripped a hole in the outer hull; the air began to spill out from the breech plating. Before anyone could respond, 3 more mines hit the port side cannon and engine room.

In the engine room------

The chief Engineer barks orders; “We have a leak in pipe 3 causing the starboard engines to overheat. Get 2 men up there to fix it now!” Just as two techs exited the room; the ship rocked as an explosion hit the port side. “That one felt like it hit near the front of the ship!” Yelled the chief, but no one heard him as the deafening sound of a second explosion traveled across the engine room. As the chief turned toward the sound of the second mine’s impact, two more mines hit the outer hull; knocking the chief to the deck.
A ball of fire instantly rolled across engulfed the room burning the flesh from the bones of everyone in its path.

On the command Deck------
No sooner then the Last of the mines finished tearing through the ship, Amber jumped to her feet. “Damage report!” she demands.
“We can’t contact any other part of the ship, there is no way of knowing the extent of the damage at this time.” Reports the comm. Officer.
Amber thinks to herself; ‘3 minutes and there won’t be anything to report anyway’;
“Get to work on it.” She orders.
2 minutes until the next group of mines hit us. “Reports the ops station.
Amber heads across the deck toward the ops station.
“Where the hell are those sweepers?”

***********************************************

To be cont. --------------

Re: Beyond the Horizon

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif keep it coming, looking foreward to next installment

just some ideas mac

Re: Beyond the Horizon

a dramatic lesson in why to use fleet groupings when sending escorts with sweepers through a wormhole. I think the best stories come from the situations people get into when they have not played a game much and they are not yet familiar with how all the quirks work.

im hoping they are going to be confounded by the 'clear orders when entering a hostile system' feature, or the supply minister turning them around at the most inoportune time.

edit: not that i think that the author is unexperienced. quite the contrary.

[ 12 December 2001: Message edited by: Puke ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Puke:
a dramatic lesson in why to use fleet groupings when sending escorts with sweepers through a wormhole. I think the best stories come from the situations people get into when they have not played a game much and they are not yet familiar with how all the quirks work.

im hoping they are going to be confounded by the 'clear orders when entering a hostile system' feature, or the supply minister turning them around at the most inoportune time.

edit: not that i think that the author is unexperienced. quite the contrary.

[ 12 December 2001: Message edited by: Puke ]<hr></blockquote>

Puke, this really put a damper on the story.
As I must now step out of the story world to explain the real play. The ships are actually in a fleet and by game standards did go through together.
But in my story, warp points are not large objects that can just get larger to allow ships to pass all together. besides The way I am trying to play it out, makes for a better story, then just having a fleet come through and either clean the mines or get distroyed don't you agree.

[ 12 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

i think it does make for a better story, indeed. i appologize for attempting to humorously relate it to real-game events, i had not intended to squelch the plotline. i would certainly like to read more, so the peanut gallery will now remain silent.

my appologies.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Hee hee ... Dracus is a typical temperamental artiste. Please, nobody comment on the "deeper meaning" of his work, or we'll never get to find out what happens next! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Keep ip with the goog work, Dracus.

I just want to comment on something regarding the "english joke" on communitary writing.

There is a game variation called "Succesion Game", that is very successful in many game communities. I first saw it on Civilization 3 forums.

You just group 4 or 5 players with desires to write a storyline, each one playing 15-20 game turns and writing their story based on the game on play. After that turns, a new player comes in, to follow the story of the empire.

I�ve never been in one, but i�ve read several of them and look very well.

Just an idea.

Joss21

Re: Beyond the Horizon

+++++++"Death all around" cont...+++++++++

Just as Amber reached the ops station, a bright flash caught her eye. She quickly turns toward the starboard window.
The mines hitting the port side have caused the ship to twist on its axis just enough to see the Warp point starboard from the command deck.

Amber is able to make out the shape of the first sweeper as it emerges.
Over her shoulder, she hears ops report; “Mines inbound 1 minute to impact!”
Amber does not respond; mumbling a good luck to the sweepers under her breath, she turns from the window and returns to her command chair.

****Aboard sweeper 001****************************

Capt. Robert Black looks at his clock, “Prepare to exit! Bring the magnets Online and charge the rods!” he orders.
The sweeping units have never been tested on live mines before. The crews aboard sweeper 001 are about to take on their first live mission.
The timing for charging the units have to be carried out with precision; Too soon and the ship will be torn apart as the magnets react with the fields in the warp channel; Too late and the ship may not be able to handle the mines.
“We are exiting the channel sir.” Reports the hem.
Just then the blue glow began to fade and the darkness of space could be seen once again.
“We are out sir.”
“I have a fix on the Little Thunder and there are a group of mines heading straight for her!” yells Ops.
“Then lets go to work!” Replies Robert
The Sweeper heads in and cuts across the path of the mines. As It Travels across the bow of Little Thunder, The magnets begin to draw in the mines.
“Take them out!” orders Robert.
The harmonic impulse spreads from the ship and starts to cause the mines to explode.
“The other sweepers are entering the zone sir and more mines are heading our way.” Reports ops.
“Good lets clean house then.” Replies Robert.
Just then there was a flash Sweeper 003 disappeared from the scanners.
“We just lost number 3 sir.” Reports ops.
“Number 5 is reporting failure in two if its harmonic rods Sir.” Reports the comm. Officer.
“Number 5 has been lost sir.”
“Scanners show most of the mines have been cleared.” Reports Ops, “also 2 and 4 are reporting heavy damage.”
“A cluster of mines are heading for little thunder. “
“Take us in!” Replies Robert.
In the control room---
As 001 engages the Last cluster of mines, The Rods begin to overheat.
”Captain, We have to shut em down or we will lose them all!!!” Tim screams into the mike.
“Keep running, take out as many as you can before they burn up!” comes the reply.
“Alright boys, you heard the Capt. Keep em hot!” Tim shouts to his crew.

Back on the command deck-----
“We just lost all the rods!” comes a voice through the speakers.
“There are still 12 mines in route!” reports ops.
“Well let’s go shake hands then!” replies Robert.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++
next----the fate of sweeper 001 and little thunder…………….

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Is the suspense killing you or what? I know it is killing me and I am the one writing it.

Coming today ---- the outcome of the sweeper mission. Stay tuned, do not touch that mouse. More exciting stuff to come.

Oh and Happy Holiday from Cosmic_Inc
And Me.

[ 22 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Just as the first of the mines were within seconds of hitting the Little Thunder. Sweeper 001 Made contact, the force of the impact caused the mine to travel along the outer hull of the ship before bouncing off and exploding.

****On the command Deck of Sweeper 001******
“Sir the first mine of the group will make contact with Little Thunder in 30.”
“Take us across her bow.”
The Sweeper crossed so close to Little Thunder that it looked as if they had made contact.
“Ram that Mine!” Ordered Robert.
Hem quickly turned the ship and the mine slammed against the hull plating. The explosion rocked the ship but the plating held.
Now that the sweeper was between the mines and Little Thunder, the Mines were no longer homing in on the flagship.
“Impact in 10!”
“All hands prepare for impact.”
The Last of the mines began colliding with the sweeper.

****Command Deck ---Little Thunder******************
“Those Mines are heading straight for us. Capt.!” Reported Ops.
Amber headed for the view port to get a better look.
Just then the ship shook, knocking her to the deck.
“What the hell was that?” Amber yelled as she rose to her feet.
“Another ship just came across our topside,” responded Ops.
Amber ran to the view port just in time to see the Sweeper being pounded by mines.
“Get us away from that ship!” She screams.
“Main engines are still down”, responds Helm.
“Then use the docking thrusters and push us sideways!” Amber replies turning from the window.
Just as the ship starts to move, the shock wave of a large explosion slams into the ship. The outer hull buckles as the communications array is ripped from its mount.
A Cascading failure shuts down helm control and the docking thrusters.
“Damage Report!”
“Helm, communications, and sensors are all down. We have no way of knowing how many are dead. Looks like life-support is on backup battery power. “ Responds Ops.
“Issue the hand-held two-ways and get some-one down to the engine room to work on life-support. Those batteries won’t Last forever.” Orders Amber. “And get those sensors working, we need to know if any enemy ships are heading in to finish us off.”

****Ship’s Log ---Little Thunder*************************

“It has been 8 day’s since we first entered Z’top. Repairs on the ship are coming along slowly. The crew has done wonders with limited tools and spare parts we had onboard.
Life Support has been fully restored and we have managed to get external sensors back Online.
We lost 18 crewmembers for the total complement of 83. Our chief Engineer was injured but the doc says he will live.
Once we got sensors back Online, we could not locate any of the sweepers. It appears they have all been lost. There were a few escape pods floating around but due to engine damage, we were unable to rescue any before their life-support ran out. Official loss is all hands for all sweepers.
The minefield is gone but we have no way to transmit this information back to high command. We have our engines back up but are unable to generate the field needed to safely travel the warp channel.
Scans of Z’top show that there are a handful of enemy ships in orbit around the planet on the far side of the system. Either they do not know we are here or they know that we are damaged and do not feel threaten.
Engineering is preparing a device that we can load all data onto and drop in space. In case we do not survive. It will be ready in 3 days and then we plan on attacking the planet nearest to our current position.
I would also like to state for the record that the crew of sweeper001 gave their lives to save ours by driving their ship into the Last of the mines. “
“End Ship’s Log. “
As Amber finishes the log, she thinks to herself; “God I hope he understands.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next---- I don't have a clue I will have to play a few to find out.

Hope you all have enjoyed the story so far.

I will continue writing this after christmas if you all are still interested.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

I think is is safe to say that we are very interested!

Re: Beyond the Horizon

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Keep it up, I won't have much time over the next several days to ck on story, but keep it coming, have a nice holiday

mac

Re: Beyond the Horizon

I shall return to writing this As soon as I have the Cylons done.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

was wondering what happened, I always look for the post to read, looking foreward to more, http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

just some ideas mac

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Not to sound impatient, but ummm...

Are the cylons done yet? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: Beyond the Horizon

Yes please. I looked at your beta Version of the cyclons and can say only 1 thing. WOW....

It left me wanting more. Do you have a time frame on them?

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Beyond the Horizon

The cylons should be ready in about two more weeks.
As for this story, I am hoping to return to it this saturday.

Re: Beyond the Horizon

I have now returned to the story, the Cylons are mostly done and the beta for the gold is complete.
So I thought I would do a little teaser to get everyone back in the mood.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
================================================

(2 days later) ----On the command Deck---Little Thunder

“Have the repairs been completed?” Amber asks.
“We should be completed in a few hours, but the field generators are shot.”
Amber replies, “Well looks like we are stuck here. Keep tracking for enemy ships.”
Amber turns and leaves the command deck.
“What do you think she’s got planned?”
“I don’t know, but I am sure it does not involve sitting around here forever.”
---------------------------------------

Amber quickly passing through the hallways and reaches her corridors.
“God what am I doing here?” She screams knocking over a nearby table.
“All we wanted to do was peacefully explore and meet other races, why are we now fighting to just survive? Why!” throwing herself into a chair.

Re: Beyond the Horizon