Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Once Upon The Stars
"The Story of The Pandoran Freespace Republic"
By: William Christopher

Prelude

“Incoming!” It was all Commander Tom Christopher had time to say into his com before the air to air Zeus missile struck his wing man dead on, turning his Predator class fighter into an airborne fire ball.

Tom banked his own fighter hard to the right and increased thrust to maximum in order to avoid the Backstabber fighter that had just killed his best friend. He could not engage the fighter for he had expended all but two of his Maxitor air to air missiles and had nearly exhausted his supply of Depleted Uranium Cannon shells. It had been a furious battle with nearly three hundred fighters, and friends lost. Now all that remained in the sky aside from Tom’s own Predator fighter and a Ulysses class interceptor from Eco wing, were the massive sky ships and the Backstabber fighters of the Global Alliance. All that stood between the air fleet of the Global Alliance and the capitol city of the Praetorian Republic were two lone fighters.

“Eco One-Three-Seven this is Icon Two, Target those GA fighters and clear me a path. I am going to make a run on that Airborne Carrier.” Tom knew that Joe Kelly was a good pilot and would follow his orders to the letter without question.

“I’ve got you covered Icon Two,” Came the reply from Eco One-Three-Seven. “God be with you Tom.”
“Roger Joe, its been fun.” With that Tom banked his fighter toward the Global Alliance’s large airborne carrier Tempest. He began his attack run as Joe accelerated past him and engaged the GA fighters. The GA fighters were not expecting such a tactic and vectored off as Joe closed distance upon them. This gave Joe in Eco One-Three-Seven the initiative and he pressed it home shooting down two GA Backstabber fighters before they could evade.

Eco One-Three-Seven continued his deadly assault clearing a path for Tom to make his run on the Tempest. As Tom vectored in, he could see that Joe was making short work of the GA fighters. They were after all years behind Praetorian technology. Centering his attention back upon the Tempest, one of the largest airborne ships ever built, Tom plotted his attack. It had to be exacting for he would not have the ammunition or the chance to make another pass.

“My god that thing is huge.” He heard himself mutter aloud as he closed ranged. It was at that moment that the Tempest defensive gunners opened fire. They fired everything they had at him, but Tom and his Predator were far too maneuverable a target. Tom closed ranged and locked weapons onto the Tempest hull. His attack would target the port side of the Tempest ultimately focusing upon the weakest spot of the ship.

“Joe if you can, get clear. When this ***** goes, she going to take out everything within a five mile radius.”
“Roger that Icon Two, good hunting and I’ll see you on the flip side.”
“Copy Eco One-Three-Seven, the flip side it is.”

With that Tom pressed his acceleration control as far forward against its stops as it would go. He could feel the G force of his acceleration as his fighter accelerated to maximum.

“Thank god for inertial dampeners.” Thought Tom as he began to fire on the Tempest at point blank range. He made a strafing run down her port side hull focusing his attack on the only weak spot this massive air ship had. Its hangers. Tom fired his Last two Maxitor air to air missiles directly into the amid ship hanger before veering off.

“Birds away!’ He yelled into his com as he spiraled down and under the Tempest on his course away from the ship. Seconds later the two missiles that he had fired impacted within the hanger of the ship detonating against the amid ship magazine causing a massive chain reaction of explosions that were now ripping the ship apart.

The final explosion came without warning as the Tempest erupted into the largest fireball that Tom had ever seen. Although he was moving well past mock three away from the Tempest, the expanding debris cloud from the Tempest destruction was fast approaching him. There was nothing he could do but try to get below and away from the bLast radius as fast as possible in the off chance that if he is hit, it won’t be badly. Tom pitched his fighter down at such an abrupt angle he had doubted whether or not the inertial dampeners would work, but they did. The ground was fast approaching when he pulled up on the control stick and leveled off. Just then the debris cloud hit his fighter, the pinging and banging sounds quickly subsided as debris cloud dissipated and he accelerated away from it. Making a quick check of his systems he noticed that he had exhausted all of his Depleted Uranium Cannon shells, and was nearly out of fuel.

He made a high speed turn and centered his course back toward Camellia, the capitol city of the Praetorian Republic. Camellia was the focus of the Global Alliance’s attack. Camellia was a magnificent city and among the most pristine on the entire planet. It’s glass pointed towers stretched for two miles into the sky and could be seen from hundreds of miles away. Now all of that was in the very real and great danger of being lost as the Global Alliance pressed its attack. Tom knew that unless he could refueled and rearmed his fighter, his role in this battle would be over. Camellia’s Last chance at continued freedom was now up to him and Eco One-Three-Seven to ensure.

The Global Alliance attacked without provocation and the Praetorian Republic did not have the time to mount a united defense. It had been up to the Camellia Air Guard to defend the city from attack. A job that Tom was prepared to die doing. As he approached the city he could see clouds of smoke rising from the horizon billowing out from many of the cities towers. What had once been a magnificent sky line was now a jagged and mangled mess of twisted metal and glass. Whole towers were a flame and many more were missing entire sections. He could see the Global Alliance heavy air assault frigates pounding the city with Depleted Uranium Cannon shells. The GA fighters were buzzing about the city firing upon it without response, the city was defenseless. They had failed. He had failed. So in though was Tom that he did not see the Backstabber fighter slip in from behind and above him. So intent on returning to defend Camellia that Tom was oblivious to the danger he had flown into until it was to late.

“Warning warning missile lock confirmed.” The fighters computer alarm blared only seconds before the first Zeus struck. The entire fighter shuddered violently but did not exploded. The Zeus air to air missile had not detonated.

“Thank god for GA craftsmanship.” Commented Tom has he banked right then back fast to his left. He pulled back upon the accelerator control and the control stick causing his fighter to nearly stall as the second Zeus missile shot past him and began a slow return arc. Within milliseconds of his controlled breaking maneuver Tom had pushed the accelerator control full forward again and was now banking his fighter toward the ground in a left hand roll. It was his only hope of escaping the Zeus missile.

“Warning warning multiple missile locks confirmed. Warning warning, fuel expended.” These new alarm changed everything. Without counter measures, weapons, and out of fuel, Toms only hope of evading the missiles was to cut his engines and coast in for a landing.

“Get it on the deck Tom.” He thought as he cut his engines and grabbed the control stick with both hands. Even with gravity control and inertial dampeners he knew the fighter would fall from the sky like a brick without its engines. But it was his only chance at evading the Zeus air to air missiles that were now hunting him.

Tom’s fighter was far from graceful as it made its rapid decent toward the ground, Tom worked the control stick with both hands attempting to keep the fighter from banking to far left or right. It was working, and Tom knew it for he had not yet exploded into a fire ball or rolled upside down and crashed into the ground. The Predator’s landing was far from text book, but well away from a crash. Tom had lowered the landing gear only seconds before his fighter touched down. The forward gear collapse immediately upon landing throwing Tom forward against his restraints. The nose of the fighter dug into the soft ground and heaved dirt and grass over the canopy into the sky. The aft landing gear remained in position as the fighter plowed deep into the ground and continued its forward momentum for several hundred meters before finally stopping. Tom wasted no time, he hit the emergency canopy blow control. The canopy blew away from the fighter with a loud pop leaving a cloud of gray smoke and dirt behind to fall into the cockpit. Tom had already released the restraint harness and was climbing out of the cockpit when he heard the explosions. He looked around for the source before noticing the several smoke plumes. “Well at least they didn’t hit me.” He thought as he slid down the side of the fighter and onto the ground. From where he was standing, Tom could see that he was only about a mile from the city of Camellia, and the continuing battle. He knew that the ground forces at Camellia could not hold off the shock troops of the Global Alliance for long. It was only a matter of time now before the city, and the Praetorian Republic would fall. Millions of innocent people, men women, and children would pay a horrible price for his failure.

“Freeze!” Said a metallic voice from behind Tom. The noise from the guns of the overhead Global Alliance ships was so thunderously loud that Tom had not heard the dozen or so men in armored battle suites come up behind him until one of them spoke. As Tom slowly raised his hands and began to turned something hard hit him knocking him to the ground. Tom had enough time to look up once before a second blow knocked him unconscious. Tom never saw who it was that struck him, but he knew that the man who had hit him wore the uniform of the Global Alliance.

[ March 18, 2003, 16:37: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Wow, great story Atrocities. I like the way it is going so far. I look forward to the next part of it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

The Discovery

2391.6
Eleven Years Later….

The weather on the Victorian Glacier of the Northern Continent of Bastion during the summer months is less than hospitable yet far more welcoming than that of the winter weather. It is because of these somewhat friendlier condition that many scientist studying the ice flows of the Victorian Glacier choose to do their research during the summer months.

Dr. Brook Mentor was an middle aged physically fit man with streaks of gray running through his otherwise jet black hair. Dr. Mentor was the planets most revered scientist in the study of gravitational technology. He was also a great inventor of new technologies for which he found himself this day standing in a tent on the northern most plain of the Victorian Glacier.

Dr. Mentor had a busy day planned for himself and his staff. It was up to them to determine the depth of the ice flow by means of gravimetric core sampling. A new method that had not yet been tested. The old fashioned way was to use an iceothermic laser to resound the depth by the use of reverting laser measurements. A time consuming process that required several peaces of temperamental equipment. More accurately as Dr. Mentors staff had begun to not so affectionately refer to the equipment as, cold weather temperamental equipment or CWTE. With this new technology the job of measuring the ice pack in this section of the Victorian Glacier would be cut in half. Measurements this far up the Glacier had never been attempted before because of the equipment limitations. But now with this new technology, it can be done.

Dr. Mentor worked mildly on the new equipment making minuet adjustments and other modifications. He wanted the test to go smoothly after all it was his invention, and if it worked, it would revolutionize the field of gravitational technologies. He was working slowly but with deliberate effort when Nina Smith approached

“Dr. Dr Mentor!” Nina asked. “Dr. did you hear?” Nina was a young twenty something student of his who was as eager to learn as she was to please. She was a strikingly beautiful women of medium build with ample blond hair that hung down to her waist. She had the most radiant green eyes he had ever seen, and often marveled at the brilliance that radiated from them like beckon in the night sky. She was among the most intelligent women that he had even known, and he had come to both admire her and love her as much as he had his own daughter before her untimely death.

“Dr., have heard?” She asked again as she stepped up next to him and peered down at what it was he was working on.
“Heard what my dear?” He asked as he continued his work without looking up.
“They found something under the ice.” She was very excited and it showed. Dr. Mentor looked up from his work and faced her.
“Who found what under the ice Nina?” He asked.
“The advance team found something big under the ice just over the peek to the east.” She replied. “I thought you had been told. I only just found out about it five minutes ago from some of the other students.” No doubt about it, she was excited.
“Dr. Ramzies group found something under the ice. No, I had not heard.” It was puzzling for him for Ramzies should have communicated any findings he or his team had made in immediately. “Who did you say you heard this from?”
“Melissa Anne told me about it. She and Mike Roberts are over in the supply tent gathering supplies for Dr. Ramzies. They had told me that they had just gotten back and were surprised that a research team wasn‘t being assembled. ”
“Indeed.” Mused Mentor as he looked out toward the east. “I wonder why Bill didn’t call it in. Here, why don’t you walk with me over to the supply tent. I want to have a talk with Ms. Anne.” With that he and Nina existed his work tent.

The trek a crossed the ice from Dr. Mentors tent to the supply tent was a short one. Most of the tents in the camp were within twenty meters of the supply and mess tents. Of all of the expedition Dr. Mentor had been on, this one was the most particular of them all. Because of the furious winds that whipped down from the northern pole of the planet, their base camp had to be set up in a man made gully cut from the ice by the Global Core of Engineers. The whole process of excavating this site for the base camp took the Corps about six weeks to complete. It was not a large area, but large enough to provide suitable cover for the scientist and their equipment. Dr. Mentor pondered many things as he and Nina entered the supply tent among them, what it was that Dr. Ramzies had discovered.

“Melissa, Dr. Mentor would like to speak to you.” Nina said as she and Dr. Mentor entered the supply tent. Melissa Anne was a tall slender average looking women with very short cut hair. She was in the process of gathering imaging equipment when they entered and her hands were full.
“Here allow me.” Offered Dr. Mentor as he took a few peaces of equipment from her arms and set them down upon the work table.
“Nina has told me that Dr. Ramzies and his team have discovered something under the ice to the east of here, is that correct?”
“Yes Dr., I thought he had commed the discovery in. I was sent back with Mike to gather the imaging scanner, a generator, lights and fuel. We were to meet with you and your team and lead you back to the site. I kind of figured that with a discovery of this kind, he would have alerted you by the time we got back here. I was surprised to see that you had not organized a research team. I had planed to talk to you as soon as we had gathered our gear.”
“No, Dr. Ramzies has not commed in.” Replied Mentor as he pondered why. “Could your com unit have gone down?”
“No sir, it’s one of the new vector communications units. You know, the ones they put on the space shuttles.”
“Hum, well I will buzz him then. Go ahead and continue gathering the supplies he has requested. I’ll be back in a moment.” Dr. Mentor turned and existed the supply tent without waiting for a reply.

“Commander Thomas Allen Christopher?”
Tom Christopher was busy working under his 2320 Vulcan Ascender, a classic ground car that he was in the process of restoring, when out of the blue came the question. He ponder for a second on whether or not he should respond or simply ignore the question and continue working.

“Excuse me sir, are you Commander Thomas Allen Christopher formerly of the United Global Alliance Air Force?”

Ok, he thought, there was no escaping it, he pulled himself out from under the Ascender and looked up at the man asking the question. He was in uniform, an officer from the looks of it. About a meter and a half tall, with dark black hair cut military style and a boyish face.
“Who wants to know?” He asked politely.
“I am Lieutenant Richard Hess of the UGAAF sir, and I have been asked to find you.”
“Well good for you Lieutenant, you’ve found me. So what can I do for you?”
“Sir I need for you to accompany me to the capitol.”

Tom had moved to a sitting position by this time, and was wiping the grim from his hands with a shop rage. He made a slight sighing sound as he stood and looked down upon the shorter man. Tom Christopher was an imposing man at nearly six feet eight, and years of military service had shown him that using his size to intimidate people often gave him an advantage. “Why?” He asked of the smaller man standing before him.

“Well sir.” the young man took a stepped back. “The Prime Minister has sent for you.”

This was not what Tom had expected, he had figured the lonely Lieutenant was sent to fetch him for some military brass celebration honoring him yet again for his heroic exploits during the battle for Camellia. A setting that Tom had long since grown tired of. “What for?” He asked the Lieutenant as he walked toward the shop sink.

“I am not purvey to the information Commander.” Replied Hess.
“Stop calling me Commander, Lieutenant.” Said Tom as he washed his hands. “I am retired.”
“Yes Commander, I mean sir.” Hess said nervously.
“Tom, call me Tom.”
“Very well Commander, I mean sir.” The young Lieutenant looked down nervously. “Sorry Mr. Christopher.”
“What is it Lieutenant, never met a war hero before?” Asked Tom as he dried his hands.
“I have met war hero’s before sir, but not one as distinguished as yourself.” Replied Hess with genuine sincerity.
“I am no war hero Lieutenant, I am a merely a victim of circumstance. That’s all.” Stated Tom as he hung up the towel and began to remove his shop coveralls. “So you have been sent to fetch me for the Prime Minister for reason unknown to you. Is that correct?”
“Yes Sir.” Responded Hess.
Tom gave Hess a slightly benevolent look. “Sounds like a set up to me.” He finally said as he finished removing his coveralls. “Are you a car buff Lieutenant?” Ask Tom as he noticed the young Lieutenant admiring his collection.
“Yes sir, I am.” Replied Hess as he looked about the shop.
“Then my young friend, we have something to talk about on our trip to see the Prime Minister.”

Bill Ramzies was a smart man who knew when to keep something off the air. He had spent nearly thirty years of his scientific life working for the Global Alliance Military Command Research Division and had come to understand that the less you said the less those who listened knew. Ramzies was in his mid sixties now, and exploring the Victorian Glacier and its ice pack had become his lives work. But now, that was about to change and he did not want to loose the opportunity before he had the chance to explore it.
“I can’t talk about it Brook. I think it best that you bring your new core sampler and your team over here as soon as possible. You have got to take a look for your self.”

Ramzies was standing next to the com unit while his team was working nearby. Ramzies knew that Mentor was a a smart man and would realize that if he did not want to talk about what he had discovered over an open Com channel than it was indeed a monumental discovery.

“We’ll be at your location in about three hours.” Mentors voice was as clear coming our of the com unit as if he were standing next Ramzies in person. Ramzies waited for Mentor to finish before speaking.
“Brook, bring as many supplies and personnel as you can. I have a feeling we are going to be here for a while.”
“Understood Bill. See you in about three hours then. Base camp out.” With that Ramzies switched the com unit to standby and began taking in the site around him. He and his team had spent the better part of the day mapping out the circumference of the object they had found under the ice. It was massive, nearly a half a mile in diameter. A truly impressive find. And one that would surely put his and his teams names in the history books for all time.

Dr. Mentor and his team arrived at Dr. Ramzies discovery site in just under two hours and thirty minutes. The journey acrossed the ice plain was a tedious one and not without its share of danger. Since the turn of the century over twenty six people had died during expeditions to study the Victorian Glacier, and Dr. Mentor was determined that neither he nor any member of his team would become victim number twenty seven.

As Dr. Mentors Snow Marshal, a small ten man transport with great range and agility, hovered in for a landing he could see the markers that outlined the circumference of the object that Dr. Ramzies and his team had discovered. It was massive.

As soon as the his Snow Marshal had landed he opened the door and stepped out. He was immediately met by Dr. Ramzies and they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
“I see you have already mapped out its boundaries.” Said Dr. Mentor as he and Dr. Ramzies walked away from the Snow Marshal toward what appeared to Dr. Mentor as the camps operations tent.
“Yes, we spent the better part of today doing it. This thing is massive Brook. I am talking at least one hundred to two hundred and fifty million tons.” Dr. Mentor stopped and looked at his college Dr. Bill Ramzies with astonishment.
“Are you certain?” He asked.
“Not for sure yet, but with your Gravimetric Core Sampler and our imaging scanners, we should be able to obtain an accurate size assessment.” Replied Ramzies with eagerness in his voice.
“What do you think it is Bill?”
“To be honest at first we had thought it to be an undiscovered city, perhaps pre-Sylvanian, but after a bit we began to realize that this thing was no ancient city.” He and Dr. Mentor resumed walking. “I think we may have discovered a vessel that originated from another civilization.”
“You can’t be serious?” Said Dr. Mentor. “You think you have discovered a space craft?”
“I am not sure, but whatever it is, it is incredibly old.” As he and Dr. Mentor entered the operations tent, Dr, Mentor took a seat and accepted a hot cup of cannaberry from an assistant working in the tent. As he sipped the hot cannaberry with apparent satisfaction Dr. Ramzies busied himself giving orders to a few of the new arrivals as they set about the task of setting up a camp. Once he had finished he returned his attention to Dr. Mentor.
“We should have the camp up in about four hours or so. In the mean time if you would like, we can begin setting up your gravitational equipment.” Ramzies said as he sat down in chair next to Dr. Mentor.

“I’ll have Nina start immediately. Have you established any point of entry?” Asked Mentor.
“Not yet, that is what we need your equipment for. The image scanners can only give us a rough picture of the viewable sections of this thing. Your equipment can provide us with a 3d image.”
“Very well, I will have her set up directly in front of our position here, and begin working in a clock wise motion. It should take about twelve hours to complete the entire circumference that you have outlined.”
“I will have an extra viewer placed in here.” Said Ramzies as he and Dr. Mentor stood and placed their cups on the table behind them.
“Very good.” Replied Dr. Mentor and he and Dr. Ramzies exited the operation tent. “I will be assisting Nina if you need me.” With that he and Dr. Ramzies parted company and set about performing their independent tasks.

The process of scanning the objects outer boundaries with the Gravametric Core Sampler took less time than Dr. Mentor had expected. He and Nina Smith had nearly completed there scan when Dr. Ramzies approached yelling and waving his hands in the air.
“Stop! Stop!” He yelled as he came closer. Both Nina and Dr. Mentor looked at Dr. Ramzies with puzzlement.
“What is it Bill?” Asked Dr. Mentor.
“The Imaging team has found something.” He replied. “They think its an opening of some kind.”
Nina and Dr. Mentor looked at each other then back at Dr. Ramzies.
“Where?” Asked Nina looking around.
“At the eight o’clock position.” Replied Dr. Ramzies. “Your readings produced an anomaly and I sent out the imaging team to gather more information. They just returned.”
“Nina can you finish this up by yourself?” Asked Dr. Mentor politely.
“Yes Dr., I should be done in about an hour.” She replied.
“Good, once you’ve finished why don’t you grab something to eat then join us in the operations tent.”
“I’d rather just go out to the eight o’clock site and rescan it once I‘ve finished here.” Said Nina.
“There will be plenty of time to do that in the morning. And I will need you rested and full of energy for tomorrow.” Dr Mentor was smiling now, he knew she would go for days before taking time to rest, and it was his job to ensure that she did not over do it. He needed her, and he needed her rested and alert.”
“I’ll see you later then Nina. Lead the way Dr. Ramzies.” Siad Dr. Mentor as he and Dr. Ramzies began walking back toward the Operations tent. Nina continued on scanning.

“As you can see from the image, it is clearly an opening.” Said Dr. Ramzies as he pointed to an image on the viewer. “The imaging teams scans have confirmed it. It is an opening.” Dr. Mentor looked at the images before him, and quietly speculated on what this latest discovery meant.
“If these scans are accurate, than that opening is nearly half a mile down. We will need the Global Engineering Corp to cut an opening in the ice to reach it.” He finally said.

Dr. Ramzies looked shocked. “Well that would mean notifying Global Command of our discovery.”

Dr. Mentor could tell that Dr. Ramzies was not pleased with his suggestion or the prospect of governmental interference in his work.
“Look Bill, it is nearly half a mile down. That is not something that we are equipped to deal with. At best we could cut away maybe half that distance before the winter storms arrive. The Engineering Corp can do it in a matter of days.”

“I just don’t like the idea of turning this discovery over to the government. Remember I worked for them for many years, and I know how they think. They will shut us down, and slap a gage order on us to keep us from telling any one about our discovery.”

“You forget my friend, I have connections.” Stated Dr. Mentor as he mischievously smiled.

[ December 28, 2002, 22:50: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

it said that tom was in teh united global alliance air force...but in the first thread of this story it says that he is defending the capital of Praetorian Republic from the Grand Alliance and he was later captured. Other than that the story is great. Im guessing that the Praetorian Republic was assimilated into the Global Alliance. Keep the stories coming in!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, very very nice story. It reads with a lot of interest, aswell. Well done!

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

I liked the story, keep up the good writing

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Yes indeed, Atrocities. I liked these two stories very much. Thanks for shareing them, and keep up the good work.

Cheers!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Thanks guys. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ah but the story will explain all as it unfolds. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Great story, Atrocities! Can't wait to find out what happens next!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

The Appointment

“How long has it been since you’ve been to the Capitol Commander?” Asked Hess as he and Tom Christopher walked along the main hall toward the Office of the Military Adviser to the Prime Minister.
“About a year now.” Replied Tom as he adjusted one of his many metals hanging from his uniform.

Even though he was retired, he was still considered to be on call for active duty. A prospect that he did not look forward to ever happening, but had turned out to be the norm. As Tom and Lieutenant Hess walked, Tom reflected back upon his Last official day in the military and how he was so easily conned into agreeing to be officially retired, while still holding active duty status.

“You’ll love it.” He remember then Admiral Robert ‘Bob’ Benton III, now Prime Minister of the United Global Alliance, saying to him as he and Bob walked down this very same hall nearly three years ago. “You’ll keep getting paid without all the headaches and responsibilities. The perfect way to retire.”

‘Yep, the perfect way to retire,’ he mussed to himself. Officially he had been retired for nearly three years, but he has been called back to the Capitol five times since. The first two were formality issues dealing with his former command responsibilities as head of the division for Space Engineering and Planetary Colonization (SEPC) of the Space Exploration Division (SED). A tediously boring job that he had rather liked. If only they could have broken the theories behind both artificial gravity and propulsion, they would now be exploring the star system and colonizing the worlds they found. But alas, they had not, and two years after the founding of the SED, the SEPC program was shut down. His prospects were limited at that time, and one of his few options was to retire. An option that he had been looking forward to ever since his role in the battle of Camellia and the Praetorian victory there.

He shudder at the thought of those twelve hours after his capture and the fall of the city. So many dead, so many gone, it was a wonder that they could rise up and turn the tables on the Alliance. A victory that secured them independence as a member state of the then Global Alliance. The Praetorian Republics assimilation into the Global Alliance came at a cost, their military and technology had to be surrendered to the whole of the Global Alliance. The leaders of the Praetorian Republic would become senators within the Global Alliance, and the people of the Republic became citizens of the Alliance. Tom knew that in time the might of the Global Alliance would have eventually overwhelm the Republic, so when the opportunity to enter as a member state following the victory at Camellia had come, the mighty Leaders of the Praetorian Republic seized it like a pack of starving Dayton‘s on a fresh kill. A decision that Tom disagreed with, but never the less understood. Even today the decision to join the GA still haunts his dreams. So many of his friend died in so few hours all for the Republic. All their sacrifices to remain a free nation were for nothing. They had won the battle, but ultimately lost the war. Now nearly two thirds of the UGA’s military were from former Praetorian provinces. “The honor to server the whole as the Hero’s of Camellia did” is often the answer the young enlistees give when asked why they joined.

Time has healed many wounds, and the ascension of many of the former Praetorian Leaders and Military Commander throughout the GA ultimately lead to the founding of the United Global Alliance, a government dedicated to the citizens of the planet, and not the greed of the individual. Despite this new government, and the fact that Tom’s star had risen nicely over the years, he still felt as if he were an outcast. A man without a country of his own. It was one of the driving forces behind his acceptance to head up the SEPC. He felt that if the people of Pandora could colonize other worlds, that perhaps he could find a planet and re-establish the Praetorian Republic. A fantasy that he often dreamed of while reading reports and such during the long hours at the SED complex.

The Last three times he was called back to the Capitol were for the purposes of honoring him and others for their gallantry and bravery during the Battle of Camellia. A battle that took place a long time ago, but who’s veterans could not be globally honored for their sacrifices until the founding of the UGA. Tom has more war metals than he could ever ware. He holds the distinct honor of being the most decorated war hero in the history of Pandora. Given the fact that there civilization has a recorded war history of nearly six eons, says a lot.

“Sir?” Asked Hess as he opened the door to the Office of the Military Advisor to the Prime Ministers office.
“Thank you Richard.” It was the first time Tom had called him by his name, and the young Lieutenant was noticeably pleased by the honor.
“Your welcome Commander.” He said with a smile.

As Tom and Hess entered the office, Tom was immediately greeted by one of the many aids who were busy going about their work.

“My I see your identification?” He asked without formality.
Hess spoke before Tom could say anything. “This is Commander Thomas Christopher to see General Green.”
“Does he have an appointment. The General is extremely busy at the moment.”
“You will address me by rank Sergeant!” Barked Tom with genuine anger. “Is that clear?”
The Sergeant stood at attention, and said, “Yes Commander, my apologies sir.”
“Commander Christopher is expected by the General.” Said Hess politely.
The Sergeant eased a bit and pressed the com button on his desk console. “Commander Christopher is here to see you sir.” The Sergeant nodded a bit, obviously receiving the reply in his ear peace. “Yes sir, I will send him in.” The Sergeant pressed the com button once again and then looked back up at Tom.
“The General will see you now.”
“Thank you Sergeant.” Replied Tom politely. “Lieutenant would you wait here please.” It was more of a request than an order.
“Yes Sir.” Hess replied.
“Lieutenant, there is a waiting area with fresh cannaberry through the door on your right.” Pointed the Sergeant as he turned to show Tom the way to the Generals office.
“Thank you Sergeant.” Hess said as he began to step in the direction the Sergeant had indicated.
“This way sir.” The Sergeant said as he lead Tom though another door and into a large sitting room to a set of double doors made from fine Gerch wood. Tom had been in this office many times, and knew his way around. It was just a formality to have the Sergeant lead him. The Sergeant opened the doors, and stepped to the side.
“Through here sir.” Tom walked past him without acknowledging him.
“That will be all Sergeant.” Said the man who was now beginning to stand from behind his desk. “Unless the Commander would like some refreshments?”
Tom never took his gaze off of the man who was now standing behind what was the most elegant Gerch wood desk Tom had ever seen.
“No thank you.” He said as he stepped up and came to attention and saluted. . “Commander Tom Christopher reporting as requested sir.”
“At ease Commander and have a seat.” The General said as he waved a salute back with just enough effort not to be an insult. Philip Green was a very fit man in his late fifties with all white hair and was the only man Tom had ever met in his career that he truly hated.

General Philip Albert Green was the mastermind behind the attack that lead to the conquering of many sovereign nations during the Global Alliance’s bit to control the world nearly fifteen years ago. He was the man who planned and executed the fall of all of the free nations that would not join the GA, and it was his sneak attack plan that the Chairman of the Global Alliance himself, Devon Gore, used when he and his GA forces attacked Camellia. Killing Devon Gore was one of the most rewarding moments of his life thought Tom as he reflected back on that day. Attacking the Praetorian Republic while its Leaders were in negotiations with the Global Alliance was decisively underhanded. General Green may not have commanded the GA forces that day, but he was as much responsible for the deaths of nearly a hundred thousand Republic citizens including Tom’s entire family, as Gore had been. The fact that he is still alive, and a General, and the General that advises the Prime Minister is amazing. Without a single doubt in his mind, Tom knew that this most assuredly would be something that he would be discussing with the Prime Minister later. ‘Some day’ Tom thought to himself as he stood their at attention glaring at Green, ‘I will kill you.’

“I prefer to stand sir.” Tom said aloud as he took an at ease stance and clasped his hands behind his back.
“I said sit Commander!” Ordered Green. “Now sit.” He commanded as he sat back down in his plush chair and looked over his desk at Tom.

Tom did as he was ordered and took a seat in the chair facing the General and his desk.
“I will get right to the point. I want to know what the Prime Minister wants from you.” It was more of a order than a question. Tom knew far to well that this man had his own agenda, and that he was old school Global Alliance, and resented the founding of the United Global Alliance. He is a dangerous man with dark plans for the people of Pandora, and Tom was not about to over look that fact. Even if Tom knew the answer to his question, he would not have answered.

“Perhaps you should ask the Prime Minister yourself General.”
“I am asking you!” He yelled.

Tom ponder the idea of telling the General to go to hell before replying.
“I only know that he wants to see me.” He said in a subtly hostile tone. ’Yup, I am going to kill this bastard one day.’ Tom thought to himself.

“I don’t like your tone Commander. I’ll have you busted down to Sub Lieutenant if you don’t speak to me with the respect I deserve!” Green had stood and was now bending over his desk peering directly at Tom. Tom was not about to cater to this mans grandstanding and saber rattling. Despite his position, Tom knew this man was a weak pathetic power groveling coward. Matching the Generals demeanor Tom stood and leaned inward on the Generals Desk bringing himself face to face with Green.

“That rank no longer exists General or have you forgotten that it died with GA. Furthermore, this is not the Global Alliance it is the United Global Alliance, and your threats to demote me mean nothing. Try it, and see how far it will get you. As for giving you respect, you deserve non from me!” Tom’s ton was professional, but belligerent. Tom knew this man had no real power to have him demoted, and it angered him greatly that he would even imply that he had.

“Your no hero, all you are is some flight jockey con man.” Snarled Green.
“Your power is gone General, it died when I put that bullet through Gores head eleven years ago!” With that Tom slowly stood at attention. “Will that be all sir?”

The General stood hunched over his desk for a few seconds, bracing himself with his hands, before standing up right. He tugged on the bottom of his shirt a tad then pointed to the door. “Dismissed Commander.”

As Tom turned to leave the Generals office, he could not help but feel that he had just started a ball rolling and how long it would roll and how large it ultimately became, only time would tell. He was nearly out of the Generals office when the General spoke some parting words.

“I will be seeing you again Commander. And when I do, I will once again have that power you so fondly spoke of.” Tom only paused for a second before exiting the Generals office. He knew he had not seen the Last of General Green.

***
Dr. Brook Mentor stood in front of the holo-com and waited. It was getting cold out, and the team had bedded down for the night. He knew that without the help of the Global Engineering Corp there chances of digging an access route to the opening of the object were slim to none before the winter weather arrived. They had no alternative but to notify the GEC and ask for assistance.

It was getting late in the season as it was, and the conditions on the northern most plain of the Victorian Glacier were worsening with each passing day. They had been on location now for nearly two months, and here at the discovery site for four days. Two days ago he notified the GEC and apprised them of the discovery and asked for assistance. They had responded by ordering all personnel to remain away from the object until the Regional Military Commander and a team from the GEC arrived. That was exactly what they figured would happen. Sure they could have simply returned next year and conducted the excavating themselves, but by then someone would have surely spoken about the find, and the gig would have been up and with it any chance to examine the discovery for themselves. This way, by reporting the discovery almost immediately, they stood a slim chance of being allowed to remaining on site and assist in the project.

“Still no response?” Asked Nina Smith as she entered the Operations tent. Dr. Mentor turned to face her.
“I am expecting one any time now.” He responded with a smile. It was hopeless he thought, the chances that the Prime Minister would grant them full scientific access now that the Military had been notified of the discovery was remote.
“You’re a poor liar Dr. Mentor.” Said Nina with a bit of playful sarcasm in her voice.
“One can hold onto hope until there is non left to hold my dear.”
“What do you think it is Doctor?” Asked Nina, as she took a seat.
“I don’t want to speculate on it Nina.” He said as he took the seat next to her. Adjusting her position to face the doctor, she asked.
“Oh surely you have one?”
Dr. Mentor took a few seconds to measured his response.
“If I were to say it was a space ship, and it was not, then everyone would know, I would then loose credibility. Now if I was to say it was a space ship and it was one, then no one would ever know and I would have gained nothing.”

Nina ponder the doctors response for a second before asking another question.
“Say it is a space ship for arguments sake, and just between use doc, what would that mean for us? I mean as a people.”

Dr. Mentor had been considering that question for himself ever since Dr. Ramzies mention the possibility of the discovery coming from another civilization. He had no clue as to what would happen to the world as a whole if this discovery turned out to be a genuine space ship from outer space, but he did a theory.

“I would speculate, mind you I am not agreeing or disagreeing that that thing out there is a space ship-.” He started to say.
“Oh of course not.” Quipped Nina. Mentor flashed her a brief displeased look before continuing.
“As I was saying, I would speculate that the people of Pandora will at first be fearful, but ultimately that fear would transform into wonderment and curiosity. And that that curiosity will drive them to demand answers. Answers that only the exploration of space itself could proved.” He was looking up now, as if he could see the brilliance of the night sky through the roof of the Operations ten. Even though during this time of the year, it was never dark enough to see the stars, it was still the knowledge of knowing they were up there that lifted his gaze skyward.

“Just think doctor, other race-” Nina was cut off by the sound of an incoming transmission chirp from the holo-com. Following the chirp came a voice.
“This is the Office of the Military Adviser to the Prime Minister for Dr. Brook Mentor of the Victorian Glacier Scientific Team.” Dr. Mentor had already stood and was now standing in front of the holo-com before the message had completed.
“Nina please go and get Dr. Ramzies for me.” He asked as he pressed the reply button. In an instant a hologram of the emblem for the Office of the Military Advisor to the Prime Minister appeared next to him.
“This is Dr. Mentor. We have a clear signal and are awaiting transmission.”
Nina was on her way out of the ten when she nearly ran into Dr. Ramzies.
“Dr. Ramzies, come quick, we are getting a reply.” Nina darted back into the tent before Ramzies could say anything. He simply nodded and followed her into the tent.

***
It had been a long day of visiting Admirals, Generals, and old friend. Other than the visit with General Green, the day had been a pleasant one. The trip to the Capitol only took about an hour from his home in Evergreen, granted it was a continent away, but never the less, an hour was still a long time to be in flight by today’s standards. On the table were many offers from friends to stay the night at their homes, but all Tom really wanted to do was go home and sleep in his own bed. He was looking forward to finishing up the Ascender ground car as it had been his project now for about four months. ‘Once she’s done’ thought Tom, ‘It’s a long drive up the coast and down through the heart land.’ Tom was sitting patently in the waiting room of the Prime Ministers Office, a fantastically decorated room with golden brown walls and white trim work dating back to the turn of the century. This was an elegant place for one to sit and wait to be seen by the Prime Minister. Tom’s body may have been in the waiting room, but his thought were elsewhere. First they were about the Ascender, then of the time he proposed to Ruby at the beach during the festival of Freedom. “Oh how I miss you Ruby.’ He thought before his attention slowly began to drift back to the here and now, ultimately fixating on an object hanging on the far wall.

Directly acrossed the waiting room from Tom hung a single painting in an elegant frame. It was a painting of the city of Camellia, the former Capitol for the Praetorian Republic. From the looks of it, it was a very old work, perhaps thirty or more years of age. Tom wondered who had painted it, he stood up and walked over to it for a closer look. It was a stunning work of art. The artist, whoever he or she was, produced a brilliant master piece, no wonder Robert Benton, Bob as his friends liked to call him, had it hanging here.

“That is the only one now in existence.” Came a familiar voice from behind him. Tom could not help the smile that was now growing acrossed his face as he turned to face his old Commanding Officer and good Friend, Robert Benton III, Prime Minister of the UGA.

“Bob you old war Dayton.” Said Tom as he embraced his long time friend. “It took you long enough to invite me over for a visit.”
“Who are you calling old?” Replied Benton as he and Tom separated from the embrace. He was smiling too, and it was a large smile full of perfect white teeth. 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.
“Its good to see you my old friend.” Said Benton has he and Tom shook hand in the way only good friends do.
“And you to Bob.”
“It has been far too long since you and I have had the chance sit and talk.” Replied Benton as he turned slightly gesturing toward an open door.
“Here lets go into my study, I can fix you a drink and we can talk.”
He and Tom walked without saying much into the study. Benton walked over to the mini bar and began preparing them each a drink. Tom admired the room for a moment before looking for a place to sit.

“I got your congratulation message about twenty minutes before the confirmation was announced. How did you know?” As Benton as he handed Tom his drink.

“So that’s why you invited me here.” Said Tom as he took a sip from his glass and blinked. The glass was full of a golden brown liquid that Tom knew instantly upon sipping as the fine taste of a rare vintage of Bandon Weed Whiskey.
“Ah I see you like it.” Mused Benton as he made a tip of his glass in Toms direction.
“Its been a long time since I have had any Weed Whiskey.” Replied Tom as he sat his glass on the table next to the chair he was sitting down into. “Especially some as smooth as this.”

Benton had taken up a comfortable sitting position on a plush light gray couch and was still holding his drink. “One of the perks of the job.” He said as he took another sip from his glass. “I could not help but notice that you like the painting out there.”
“It is a masterful work. Who is the artist who painted it?” Asked Tom while picking up his glass and taking sip.
“My mother.” Replied Benton simply. “It was her Last peace before she died.” Benton was looking down now, swirling his glass slightly in his hand as he spoke. “I would have loved for her to see this.” He looked up and made a slow sweeping gesture of his study with his empty hand. “I think she would have kicked my *** for taking this job.” He finally said trying not to laugh.

“I think you have done well for yourself Bob. I mean you won the appointment to be Prime Minister of the planet, that is no small accomplishment.”
“Oh I am honored to be the ‘Guy In Charge’ and all, but I miss the simplicity of being a lowly General in the military.” He leaned forward a bit and was now holding his drink with both hands. “I want you to take my old job Tom. You would be reinstated at the rank of General, and be allowed to choose your own staff”

Well there it was, the real reason for him being here. Tom was, from his expression, completely surprised.
“I thought John Lesser had your old job.” He finally said after a moment.
“Johns dead Tom.” Benton said as he slowly sat back up right and took a small sip from his glass. “He died the day before yesterday of a heart attack.”

Tom downed the remainder of his drink in one swallow. Than simply sat in his chair in stunned silence for a second or two before offering a comment.
“John Lesser was a good man, a bit over weight for his age, but never the less a good man. A heart attack?”
“Went just like that.” Benton snapped his fingers in the air. “During a morning briefing now less. Just keeled over in front of everyone there.”
“I hadn’t heard.”
“Not surprising, the news of his death hasn’t been released yet.” Benton had stood up and was reaching for Toms empty glass. “That bastard Green would want to replace Lesser with one of his lackeys, and I needed a day or so to run the job offer by you. If his death was made public before we had a replacement in place, Green’s friends in the Senate could call for an appointee.” Benton was preparing another round of drinks. “And mind you Tom, they would have selected whoever Green recommended.”
“So I take it he doesn’t know yet?” Asked Tom as Benton handed him another full glass of Weed Whiskey.
“He will tomorrow when I announce that you have taken the job.” Said Benton as he took his seat once again on the gray couch.
“How did you keep it from him?” Asked Tom
“Johns staff were a loyal bunch, and understood the situation. His wife left him two years ago, and his kids all live abroad. Since my office was the first place his secretary called, I could control the flow of information. Past that a lot of luck.”
“I have a question for you before I give you my answer.” Said Tom. “Why did you hire that prick Green as your Military Advisor?”
Tom could see that Benton was thinking about how to answer the question diplomatically. ‘Yup, he’s becoming a politician.’ Mused Tom to himself.

“There is an old saying. Admire thy enemies from afar, and he will defeat you, admire him from up close, and you will defeat him.” Benton took a drink from his glass. “I wanted to keep an eye on that bastard. He still has a lot of influence in the Senate, and there are a lot of people still peeved about the new government. People that can harm us Tom. Green is vying for my job, and if he can gain the votes in the Senate, he could seek the Prime Ministership if something were to happen to me. And I have a distinct feeling that if he had the votes, something would happen to me.”

Tom sat for a moment thinking about what Benton had just said. It was clear to him that his old friend was not yet all politician, that he still thought like a military man.
“The closer your enemy is the less he has to travel to kill you.” He finally said with measured emotion.
“I’d rather get stabbed in back from up close, then get blind sided by it when I least expect it.” Replied Benton a bit more harshly than he had intended. After an awkward moment of silence, Benton spoke. “I’m sorry Tom,” he commented as he once again leaned forward. “Its that I need supporters where I can count on them. I know that Green is dangerous, hell he even knows it. That’s all the more reason for me to keep him close.”
“I had the distinct displeasure of seeing him today.” Said Tom flatly.
Benton sat up right again. Obviously he had not heard.
“What did he want?” Benton asked.
“Just what you asked. He wanted to know what you wanted with me.” Replied Tom.
“It doesn’t surprise me. I figured he had a spy in my camp, but I wasn’t sure. Now I am.” Benton did not look happy and Tom understood why. His being here had two purposes, one to offer him the job, and the other to test someone close to Benton.
“Who’s the mole Bob?”
“Cheryl Clinton.” Replied Benton. “I had hoped that she was being strait with me, but this proves that she is still working for that bastard Green.”
“You hired one of Greens aids?” Tom was surprised at by this. Normally Benton was not so careless. Both he and Bob knew Cheryl Clinton, and they both knew better than to trust her, yet Bob hired her. There was more to this story than Bob was letting on. A topic for another time and place.
“She joined my staff shortly after the SEPC program was reactivated.”

Tom stiffened in his chair and his expression went blank. Benton instantly understood, Tom had not heard about the project being reactivated. “Tom I’m sorry, I would have offered you your old job back, but the only way I could get the SEPC program reactivated was to agree to Carl Wilhelm’s appointment as head of the project.

It was all a big surprise to Tom, he had neither heard that the Space Engineering and Planetary Colonization project of the Space Exploration Division had been reactivated, nor of Carl‘s Wilhelm’s appointment to head up the project.

“Carl Wilhelm.” Tom slowly said. “We court marshaled him after the Pennington massacre.”
“His court marshal was over turned by my predecessor on the grounds that he was simply following orders when he gave the command to open fire. That because of a communication glitch, the withdraw and do no engage order was never received.” Benton was not pleased about this, but it was the way things worked before he was appointed.

“That’s Dayton ****!” Exclaimed Tom harshly. “That murdering bastard knew full well what it was he was doing.” Tom leaned in ward toward Benton. “Bob that son of a ***** is responsible for nearly a thousand dead women and children and he gets a Commander and Chief pardon just in time to take my old job.”

Tom leaned back into his chair and took another sip of his Weed Whiskey.
“Bob I have to say, this is turning out to be a very depressing day.” Tom finished off his drink and stood. He walked over to the bar and pored himself another glass of Weed Whiskey before returning to his chair. Benton said nothing during this time, he needed time to think.

“Listen to me Tom, with you as Director of SED, you would be in control of all of the projects that they are currently running. You would even have the authority to terminate Carl if you could prove that he is not performing his job to your satisfaction. I need you Tom. It’s the absolute truth that you are the right man for this job, and you know it.”

“I testified against that bastard Wilhelm seven years ago. He was one of the worst commanding officers I had ever served under, and it was my pleasure to send that bastard to the gulag. Now your telling me he’s out, and furthermore, has been appointed to my old job. A job that I considered to me an honorable one.” Tom took another sip from his glass. “Now your offering me a position that would make me his commanding officer. Hum, let me think about this for a second.”
“It’s a once in a life time chance, you get the glory and the revenge all at the same time.” Benton offered.
“Well since you put it that way, how in the hell could I refuse..” Tom raised his glass in a toasting gesture. Benton raised his and both glasses chirped as they came into contact with each other.
“I would be honored to accept the appointment as Director of the Space Exploration Division.” Tom toasted then draining his glass. “Now on to this mole of yours.”

Benton smiled slightly as he looked at Tom. It was the look of a man with a devious plan.
“Now that I know, she can be of great use to me.”

[ December 30, 2002, 08:36: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Where do you find the time? Nice story PCP.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, The two stories are 'excellent'. Well thought out, extremely interesting, well told and captivating. I have only one criticism. And let me preface that with; I mean no offence in anyway. After all you are the writer. I do not wish to cramp your style. OK, the two stories are very long. Might you make them smaller? Just more of them. It might lead to more people reading and enjoying your work. Just a thought. Again, I mean 'no offence'. I did love reading them, and await further additions! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Engrossing stories, Atrocities! Very nice! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Keep it up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ December 30, 2002, 23:59: Message edited by: CNCRaymond ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Thanks guys. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I agree the segments are a tad long. I will break them up more. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

The problem is when I start to write, I often keep writing until the story naturally pauses. Then I leave it for a day and come back to it. I try to proof read it the best I can, making changes and adding or deleting stuff until I think its suitible for posting. The Last chapter, The Appointment, was written in about 3 hours, and I apologize for its length. It was just a great rush to write it, I wanted to keep it all together. In retrospect, I should have ended this segment sooner.

I am glad that you all enjoy it. It is a lot of fun, and a nice diVersion to be writing again. Even if I am learning as I go. Most of my writing has been in the techniqal field where I had three people under me proofing my work. My spelling and gramer skills were often the butt of many office jokes.

But my skill to turn out a complete manual, sop, etc was unserpassed. But my spelling and grammer skills sucked horribly.

Einstine could not remember his own phone number, but he knew where to get it. (The Phone book.) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

A Dangerous Game
Part 1

“I don’t understand.” Said Dr. Mentor as he stood in the Operation tent before a holographic image of General Green. “I asked to speak directly with the Prime Minister.”
“And as I have explained to you Dr. Mentor, the Prime Minister has asked that I handle your request.” Replied the holographic Green.

“With all do respect General, my team discovered this object, and we feel that our continue involvement is warranted. After all, we are some of the best scientists on the planet.” Comment Dr. Mentor.
“Of that I have no doubts Doctor, but this is now a matter of Global security an-”
“With all do respect Gener-” Interrupted Dr. Mentor.
“And your continued involvement is no longer required Doctor. In fact, once the Regional Military Commander and the team from the GEC arrive, I expect you and your team to depart the site.” Continued Green in an angered tone for having been interrupted.
“But General, surely you can understand our desire -”
“If you continue to press me Doctor, I will have you and your entire team arrested and held indefinitely.” Green interrupted. “And if you refuse to vacate as directed, not only will you be arrested and detained, but charged with violating Global security. Now do you understand me Doctor?” Asked Green in a venomous tone.
Dr. Mentor simply nodded yes.

Even though these men were separated by thousands of miles, each other could see the other man in front of him as if he were standing there in the flesh. Mentor thought to himself ‘if only he were here, I could throttle him in person.’

“Additionally Dr.” Continued Green in more civil tone. “I am placing you and your entire team under a non disclosure directive. Any violation of this directive will result in your immediate incarceration. I need not remind you that in the event this should occur, your incarceration will be for life.”
“I understand General.” Replied Mentor as he boiled inside. “No one here shall discuss this discovery with anyone who does not have top secret clearance.”
“Make sure your staff is so instructed. Green out.” With that General Greens holographic image disappeared. Mentor raised his hand indicating he wanted silence as he switched off the holo-com. When he lowered his hand, Nina Smith was the first to speak.
“That bastard! Who the hell does he think he is threatening us like that?” She demanded.
“He is the Military Adviser to the Prime Minister.” Replied Dr. Ramzies sarcastically. “He might as well be god for all the good it will do us.”
“Are you both finished?” Asked Dr. Mentor politely as he looked first to Nina then to Dr. Ramzies. “I have someone else I can call.” He added a second later.
“You heard him Doctor. You will be locked away for life.” Nina said in concerned voice. “If you talk to any one about this.”
“I do not believe that our request for the Prime Ministers intervention was ever received by the Prime Minister.” Dr. Mentor said as he sat down. “I know Robert Benton, and I know that he would never ignore a request from me. If he was going to turn our request down, he would have done it personally.”
“Are you sure Brook?” Asked Dr. Ramzies.
“I am sure of it.” He replied.
“Then who will you contact? The official channels all lead to the Office of the Military Advisor?” Asked Nina as she to took a seat.
“I will call John Lesser, the Director of the Space Exploration Division. He has a Level Five security clearance so I will not be in violation of General Greens directive.” Dr. Mentor said as he eased back in his chair a bit. “If any one can help us now, it will be him.”
“I hope your right Brook, or else it will be the end of your career.” Said Dr. Ramzies.
“Don’t worry Bill, I have known John for many years. He has the Prime Ministers ear.” Dr. Mentors tone was calm. “I will contact his office in the morning. Right now its to late. Besides, I suspect that our friend the General will have ordered our satellite uplink suspended or at the very least monitored. So in the morning I will take one of the Snow Marshals down to Davenport and make the call from there.” With that he stood and moved to the tent entrance. “I suggest both get some sleep. I think tomorrow is going to be a very long day.” He smiled at them both then existed the tent.

It was time for some food and what sleep he could force his mind to drift off into. The trip down to Davenport would take about half an hour if the weather holds. If it did not, then the trip would take longer. He figured that at best possible speed, the Regional Military Commander and the GEC would be on site by the end of the day tomorrow. He would have to work fast in order to secure the support of the Prime Minister. He hoped he was right, and that Bob Benton did not known of what was going on here, if not, all was lost.

“What do you think will happen Dr. Ramzies?” Asked Nina as stood and prepared to leave the tent.
“I think that we are all in over our heads. I know General Green. He is a very dangerous man, and I for one will be surprised if we don’t wake up tomorrow and find ourselves lying face down in a snow drift with a depleted uranium shell in our heads.” Deep down he was more scared than he had ever been in his entire life. He knew that even if he and the team left the site, they would all eventually end up dead within a matter of months. He had heard stories of other discoveries where the scientific teams were wiped out. He knew of what had happened to the research camp at Pennington, and of all the people murdered there. There was no way that the military was going to let them simply walk away from a find of this magnitude. If that object out there proved to be a space vessel, and he sincerely thought it was, then it was a death sentence for them all. At first he had held out hope that the military would view this discovery as nothing more than a lost city or something, but now with General ‘Psycho’ Greens involvement, all of there lives were in grave danger.
“I’ll see you in the morning Bill.” Said Nina simply as she left the tent.
“I hope so.” Replied Dr. Ramzies as he followed her. “I really do.”

***
“Why do we not have a team on site by now?” Asked General Green very angrily as he and a few of his trusted aids walked together down the main hall of the Military Advisors to the Prime Ministers building.
“Our team is in play now and will be on site by mid day tomorrow. They had to prep for cold weather deployment, and that has taken sometime.” Replied a lanky and weaselly looking Lieutenant by the name Jasper Elise. “As for the Global Engineering Corp, well they are not as efficient as we are. They had to first process the request for assistance, then notify Global Command to seek permission to excavate on an unknown object. From-” Green waved his hand in the air.
“I get it Elise.” Quipped Green sarcastically. “I want all of their satellite uplinks redirected to one of our secure facilities.”
“That has already been taken care of sir. All sat-com communication from the science team at the Victorian Glacier discovery site and their adjacent base camp site will be processed by General Wilson’s and her staff at Andover Base.” Said Sergeant Ruddy Arnold, a man who looked more like a fish than a human.
“She is on your list of loyal officers sir.” Commented Elise hoping to capture back some of the lost brownie points that Sergeant Arnold had just scored. Elise despised any member of General Greens staff who interfered with his agenda to get his nose as far up the General *** as humanly possible. And Sergeant Arnold was his chief competition in that regard.

“When our team arrives on site, I want all of the scientist placed into custody. Who is commanding the team that is being sent up there?” Green asked as he and his staff entered a conference room.
“A Captain Macmillion O’Connor is the team leader.” Replied Elise before Arnold could speak.
“Is he a team player?” Asked Green as he took a seat.
“As far as we know, he follows orders.” Replied Elise.
Green looked at Elise as if he was going to shoot him right where he stood. “Oops dropped the clip on that one Elise’ thought Arnold to himself as he tried in vain to suppress the smirk on his face. ‘Even I knew better than to answer that question.’

“He follows orders.” Green said simply as he slowly stood and started moving toward Elise. “For your sake Elise,” Green was now standing directly in front of Lieutenant Elise, with his face less than an inch from Elise’s. “he had better follow orders.” Greens eyes were among the most intense of any mans when he was angry, and from the look of his eyes now, he was extremely angry. Green only wanted people he could trust doing his bidding. When that did not happen, Green became very angry. It was up to his staff to ensure that his desires were followed to the letter when carried out. In Greens opinion, to trust this mission to someone who was an unknown was an unacceptable risk. A genuine screw up that Elise should have prevented. As Green stood face to face with Elise he considered smacking the idiot for allowing this to happen, but after a few seconds of glaring angrily at his junior officer he slowly began to calm down and backing off returning to his seat. Over all, Green liked Elise about as much as he like any *** kissing brown nosing SOB, so taking him down a peg or two every now and then would do the little weasel some good in the long run. Green had no doubts that Elise would weather the embarrassment and come out the other side a wiser man. One day he would make a fine General provided he did not continue to piss Green off.
“Lets get this briefing over with, I have plans this evening.” Green ordered sharply as his staff began to take there seats.

[ January 07, 2003, 10:53: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, you just keep on ticking. I like the cat 'n mouse plot going on there. I look forward to the next part.

..you're on a roll, but is it Swiss? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Cheers!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

A Dangerous Game
Part II

“Dr. Mentor may I come in?” Asked Dr. Ramzies as he stood outside of Dr. Mentors tent.
“Certainly Bill.” Responded Dr. Mentor.
Dr. Ramzies entered the tent which was moderately lit by a small chemical lantern. Dr. Mentor was sitting at his desk eating a mystery meal, the popular name for packaged food rations.
“What can I do for you Bill?” Asked Dr. Mentor as he ate.
“I don’t think we can wait until morning,” Said Dr. Ramzies, “to head out. We should leave now.”
“We can’t leave until the morning the Snow Marshal doesn’t arrives with fresh supplies until then.”
“Doctor, by the time that Snow Marshal arrives, this camp will be in a military lock down, and you will not be able to leave.” Said Dr. Ramzies as he took a seat in one of the camp chairs that Dr. Mentor had in his tent.
“Don’t be paranoid Bill.” Commented Dr. Mentor in a slightly irritated ton.
“I am not being paranoid Brook. I am being exactly what I should be, concerned.” Dr. Ramzies leaned forward slightly, before continuing. “I know General Green, and now that he is involved, our lives my be in serious danger.”

Dr. Mentor looked up at Dr. Ramzies and he could see that Ramzies was not drunk, crazy or otherwise adversely affected by any mind altering substance. What he was, was scared, and it showed.
“Tell me Bill, why would you say our lives are in danger?” Asked Dr. Mentor with genuine concern in his voice. One thing that Dr. Mentor had come to learn over the many years that he and Bill Ramzies have been friends was that if something was serious enough to give Bill the jitters, then it was damned serious.

“Did you ever hear about what happened at the research center in Pennington?” Asked Dr. Ramzies.
Dr. Mentor thought for a moment before answering. “I vaguely remember that the entire staff and their families were killed by a chemical agent that had accidentally escaped from containment. Something to do with fertilizer if I recall correctly. Why do you ask?”
“I was there.” Relied Ramzies simply.
“What?” Asked Dr. Mentor in surprise. “What do you mean you were there? That’s impossible, all life there was lost long before a Contamination Team could arrive. The military had even made an official report confirming that they had found all of the scientist and their families dead about two days before the contamination team arrived. So how could you have survived? Wait, you were in the military at that time. So you must have been part of the military relief group.” Dr. Mentor asked as he pored himself a hot cup of lacto berry juice and offered to pore a cup for Dr. Ramzies. “Here have a cup of lacto berry juice, it will help to calm you down.”
“Thank you but no. And yes Doctor, I was part of the relief group.” Replied Dr. Ramzies as he rubbed his hands together.
“The scientist there did die from exposure, that much of the official report is true, but what they died from and what had happened to their families is not.” Ramzies was starring off into the distant past now, his attention was fixated on another point in time. Dr. Mentor knew the look, it was the look that a person had when they had kept something secret for far to long time. “Tell me what happened Bill.” Prompted Dr. Mentor as gently as he could. “Tell me what you know about Pennington.”

A horrible look of despair had begun to creep acrossed Ramzies face as his eyes began to hardened. Obviously the memories he carried with him were ones that no man should be burdened with.
“When we arrived on site, the scientist were already dead. Many of them had escaped the research compound only to die in the arms of their loved ones hours later. It was a horrific seen strait out of hell.
My team was ordered to remain on the outskirts of the compound while a sweeper team conducted the search. They reported finding many people dead, and twice as many alive.” He paused for a second as if remembering some finer details before continuing .

“We were there about thirty minutes or so when the order came in to.” He paused for a second as if the memory were to difficult to recall. “We were order to kill every Last man, women, and child in Pennington. We were told that they had been exposed to a biological agent, and that all of the survivors were carriers of a virus that would kill every living thing on the planet in under a week if only one of them were to escaped from Pennington. Our orders were to prevent that from happening at all costs. So our commanding officer gave us the order.” He paused for just a second. “The order to kill them all.” Ramzies rubbed his forehead for a few seconds before finishing.
“However after it was all said and done, the rumor mill was alive with the news that our Commanding Officer was given counter orders to ignore Global Commands original orders to render aid .. We were later told that the rumors were untrue, and that the Colonel had acted alone.” There was a brief pause of silence before Ramzies continued. “The funny thing about rumors is that they are often true. You see, the only way to prove that a countermand order was sent was to have a log of it. Which the Com Officer would have had, however, the Com Officer died in a transport accident two days later, and with him, all digital records of incoming and out going communications.” Ramzies looked at Mentor and flashed him a knowingly suspicious look.

Dr. Mentor looked upon Dr. Ramzies in utter horror. He could not believe what he was hearing. “The wholesale slaughter of nearly a thousand people at the hands of the very military who were sworn to protect them, was an unthinkable act of betrayal.
“The military murdered those people?” He asked after several long and dark seconds. Dr. Ramzies simply nodded yes. “Oh my god Bill, tell me you did not follow that order. Tell me!” Demanded Dr. Mentor as he stood and walked over to his friend and knelt down beside him.
“My God Bill tell me you personally didn’t have anything to do with that order.” He demanded gently.

“Oh God no, I would never follow such and order. In fact several of us refused to follow it as it was an illegal order. For refusing the order, I was relieved of my command and placed under arrest. I had to sit and watch my men kill those people without any regard for the right and wrong of it.” Ramzies voice was beginning to crack a bit as he spoke. “They simply shot them down, pilled them up, and burned the bodies. They followed their orders without question.” It was apparent to Dr. Mentor that it was hard for Ramzies to have witnessed such atrocities without the power to stop them. Ramzies was looking down at his own feet now. A true sign that he carried with him the horrors of an unwanted memory.

“Bill, who would give such and order and why?” He asked as quietly and gently as he could. When Dr. Ramzies looked back up, Dr. Mentor could see the wetness and pain in his eyes.
“I refused to obey the order.” He repeated with sincere emotion. “But many men followed them. They massacred those people without mercy, and it was all covered up.”
“Who gave the order Bill?” Asked Dr. Mentor quietly once again.
“The order came from my Commanding Officer, Colonel Carl Wilhelm, who gave him his orders I only discover about three years ago.” Ramzies took in a deep breath before continuing. “ You know, They court marshal the Colonel for giving that order. And with him, all of the men who followed his orders. He was the worst commanding officer I have ever served with, and I was glad to see him go to the gulag.” Ramzie looked directly at Dr. Mentor with utter conviction in his eyes. “But many of the men who followed his orders should not have been court marshaled or sent to the gulag with him.” .

“Some orders should not be followed Bill.” Said Dr. Mentor quietly but soberly. “When they are, those who follow them must accept the consequence of having done so.”

Dr. Ramzies looked away once again before speaking. “I don’t necessarily disagree, but many of those men were just kids fresh out of training camp. They didn’t have the experience to know what orders to follow, and what orders not to. I tried to make that clear to the investigation team, but they would not listen. They slapped a silence directive on all of us with the clear understanding that we would be sent to prison for the rest of our lives if we ever discussed what had truly happened at Pennington.” Ramzies looked back at his friend. “We had to sit by and accept the official Version that everyone was found dead when we arrived.”

By now Dr. Mentor had taken a seat in one of the empty camp chairs and was now contemplating the horrible story his friend had just recounted to him.
“Bill, why were those people murdered?” He finally asked after a moment or two.
“I didn’t know who had really given the order or why until years later. It was a fluke really that I even found out.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “I was assigned to the Military Records Division after I was shot, when an order came down to purge all records dealing with the Pennington Investigation. It just so happened that I was the lucky bastard assigned to purge those records.” He cleared his throat once again as he slowly began to recover his composure.

“I took the liberty of reading those files and that’s when I came acrossed the name of the man who officially gave the order to kill those people. It was a Brigadier General by the name of Lamar Strider. The investigation team uncovered the communication he had with Colonel Wilhelm after a brief interview with the Colonels Communications Officer, Captain Victor Nezbit. The same Communications Officer who died in a transport accident while in route, with evidence, to be deposed. Oddly enough, on that same day, Brigadier General Strider was found dead by the Military Police when they showed up at his home to arrest him. Evidently the General had committed suicide rather than face the music. With Striders death, there was no one else to officially blame except Colonel Wilhelm. However, as I read further, I discovered that Brigadier General Strider while under direct interrogation by Military Intelligence, had mentioned the fact that he was himself only following orders.”

Ramzies rubbed his eyes a bit and once again cleared his throat. “You know, that lacto berry juice sound good now.” He smiled at Dr. Mentor who reached over and grabbed the pot of lacto berry juice and a cup. As he pored Dr. Ramzies a glass Ramzies continued telling his story.

“In the investigators notes, but not his official report, he mentioned that Strider gave him the name of the man who had given him the order to order Colonel Wilhelm to kill those people.” Dr. Mentor offered him the glass of hot lacto berry juice and he accepted it and took a drink. “The Brigadier General said that the order had come directly from General Green of the Military Research Division.”

“I see. So you feel that our lives are in jeopardy because of single investigators unofficial note, taken from a man under investigation for a high crime, that General Green had directly given an order to commits mass murder?” Asked Dr. Mentor skeptically.
“No Brook, I feel this way because those people were witness to the results of an accidental release of a biological weapon. Those people were killed because they survived. They were never exposed to the agent, nor were they ever carriers of any virus, they were not sick therefore not a risk to anyone except those who wanted to keep the project a secret.” Stated Ramzies as strongly as he could.

“A biological weapon? How is that possible? Biological weapons research was outlawed by the first accords of the Global Alliance over twenty years ago.” Dr. Mentor could not believe what he was hearing.
“My God, the thought that the Global Alliance was researching biological weapons against its own laws is just to horrific to contemplate. Who would authorize and run such a program?” He asked.

“The program was under the supervision of the Military Research Division of the Alliance Global Command. In other words, one Lieutenant General Green.” Dr. Ramzies just looked blankly at Dr. Mentor as he continued speaking.
“He gave the order to kill those people to cover up what it was the military was researching their. General Green couldn’t take the chance that one of the scientist may have told his spouses or kids what they were really developing at Pennington. So after the accident, he gave the order to have them all exterminated to keep the program a secret.”
“All of this was in the files you destroyed?” Asked Dr. Mentor unbelievingly.
“All of that and much more. When they sent down the files for the Pennington investigation, they sent everything they had on Pennington, including all of the top secret documents, communications, chemical lists, non official and official investigation reports, and other documentation, you name it, it was there for the reading. The whole works from day one through the cover up.”
“Why did you not go public with this information?”
“Oh I tried, but there was no way to smuggle any of the documents out of the building as we were all stripped searched each night before we left. So I did the next best thing. I placed them in another file, one only I know the name of, and re-routed it to the archives for permanent storage at the Military Archives Complex. That was about three years ago. Right afterwards I resigned my commission and joined your team.”

“Why are you telling me all of this Bill?” Asked Dr. Mentor politely.
“Because I know what kind of man General Green is. He is someone willing to kill to keep a secret, and it does not matter to him who dies so long as his orders are followed.”
“I don’t understand?”
“Damn it Brook, if that thing out there is what we think it is, then that is one hell of a military secret to keep.” Ramzies was becoming angry now.
“I don’t think that that object out there is what you think it is. In fac-” Ramzies interrupted him as he stood suddenly and spoke in an angrily razed voice.
“Cut the crap Brook, you know damn well that thing out there is a space ship. You might have Nina fooled, but I know you. Your just not willing to publicly admit your conclusions.” Ramzies was pointing now in the direction of the object under the ice.

“Bill sit down.” Said Dr. Mentor calmly. “Just take a seat and relax a moment.”
“Damn it Brook, we don’t have the time to just sit and talk. We have got to get going before the Military gets here.” Ramzies said as he bent down to look his friend in the eyes. “If we do nothing and just sit here hoping that they will let us help them, then I am certain they will kill us all.”

Dr. Mentor looked long and hard into his friends eyes, he had known Bill Ramzies for nearly twenty years, long before he ever joined his research team. He knew that his friend was right, he could not explain it, but he knew his friend was right.

“Very well.” Said Dr. Mentor as he stood and started gathering his things. “We can use one of the cross country Polaris transports to make the journey over the ice plains to the south. It will take us about four days to reach Davenport.” Dr, Mentor said as he slipped his coat on.

Ramzies simply stood there for a second thinking about there situation now that he had convinced the Doctor to go, he did not think the Doctor himself should go.

“Sir, with all do respect, you should remain here, and send Just Nina and myself.”
Looking at him in puzzlement Dr. Mentor asked. “Why?”
“When the Regional Military Commander arrives, he will be expecting to speak to you. If you are not here, he will order a search of the area, and with their Sky Prowlers, they will spot us in a second on the openness of the ice plains.” Dr. Mentor looked at him for a moment and Dr. Ramzies continued.
“They won’t get concerned about Nina and I being gone for quite sometime after they arrive. And if when they do ask, you simply tell them we were injured and sent to Helen for medical treatment before the discovery was made.”
Dr. Mentor looked at his friend for a few seconds before nodding his approval.
“Get Nina and leave as soon as you can. If what you have told me is true, then the success of your mission to Davenport my well save all of our lives.”
Dr. Ramzies smiled at Dr. Mentor and started for the tent opening.

“Bill .” Dr. Mentor said as he reached out to shake Dr. Ramzies hand. “Gods speed and good luck my friend.”
Taking Dr. Mentors hand in his, Bill Ramzies spoke. “Be careful Doc.” With that and a smile, Ramzies let Dr. Mentors tent to find Nina Smith.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Aaaaaaaagh, a cliffhanger! I can't wait for more! As you can see I have mixed emotions right now! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif But that's a good thing.

Cheers!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

damn you!!! why can't you finish the damn story! now im held in suspense waiting for the next post!!! it is a great story so far, but why must you leave all of us readers in suspense like this!!! cant wait for the next post from you. =)

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

SUSPENSE! You just gotta love it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Very nice add, Atrocities. Very nice indeed!

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

This is great stuff. I like the slow pace, the focus on character development and the fact that it is SE4 inspired without being a simple game chronology. I also suspect you have some mean plot twists in store for us, and I look forward to them.

I also like the new, shorter format. When I'm writing I find that I tend to find the end of a chapter at around 1600 - 2500 words but I guess everyone has their own rhythm. I try to edit them to about 2000 words, +- 10%. That seems to be a compact, readable, chunk of writing which is still long enough to move the plot and characters on.

Oh, and what's with the names? Clinton, Gore..?

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part III

“Making this announcement to the world will be one of the proudest moments of my life Tom.” Said Robert ‘Bob’ Benton as he stood just out of side of the news room. “I am announcing a new era for our people Tom, an era that I know you will help usher in.” In the back ground the press meeting had begun, and Tom could hear the Press Secretary making the Prime Ministers introduction.

Bob was smiling widely at Tom now, as he to heard his introduction announcement. He patted Tom on the shoulder and stepped out before the Press Corp and the Pandoran people with the pride and professionalism that had won him the appointment to the Prime Ministership.

As he took his position in front of the podium, there was flurry of laser flashes and holo scans. A familiar sight to any one who made this a daily routine, but to Tom it was all new. From his vantage point, just off to the right of where the Prime Minister was standing, he could see Bob preparing to speak. Many of the Press Corp did as well, and quickly a hushed silence filled the room.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, for nearly six thousand years the people of our great planet have been separated first by distance, then by beliefs, and ultimately by war. That time of separation has finally drawn to a close with the founding of the United Global Alliance. For the first time in our collective histories, we are a united planet under one government. No longer do we have to focus upon making war with one another, but only on how to make each of our lives better. The purpose of our existence has never had more meaning than now.

I made a promise to the people of Pandora that before the end of this century we would have in place the ability, the technology, the motivation, and above all else, the passion to reach out into space and begin our exploration of the stars. That is a promise I intend to keep. However, with all great journeys there must be hardships. Today I must regrettably announce to the world of such a hardship. A true inspiration and driving force behind our dreams to explore the heavens has died.” He paused for effect.

“Lieutenant General John Lesser, the Director of the Space Exploration Division, has passed away. I wish to express the sincerest regrets of a grateful planet to the Generals family, and to offer you, the citizens of our world continued hope. it is to that ends that I have appointed Major General Thomas Allen Christopher, the most decorated war hero in the history of Pandora, as Lieutenant General John Lesser’s replacement.”

With that, Tom entered the arena of his future. He step once again from the shadows out into the open sky of public service. He took up the now vacated position behind the podium and smiled. He looked about the room and took in all that he could see before speaking.

“General John Lesser was as talented a leader as he was a visionary. While Director of S.E.D., several pioneering advancements in the science of space exploration were made. Thus paving the way for our eventual exploration of the stars.” Said Tom as an ice breaking first statement to the world.

“It is with great honor that I accept this appointment as Director of the Space Exploration Division, and although I have been appointed as the late General Lesser replacement, I could never replace him or his achievements.” Tom paused briefly to allow the flurry of laser flashes and holo scans to pass before continuing.

“I promise you all that I will make it my goal in life, with the help of the many talented people at S.E.D., to pave a brave new path of discovery and achievement to the stars. Together we will pick up this torch of hope, and boldly go where no one has gone before.”

With that Tom stepped aside to allow the Prime Minister the podium. “We will now accept questions.” He said simply as he took a step back.

The remainder of the press meeting ,as did the afternoon, went quickly. Tom was eager to get on with his new duties at the SED Complex and the more time he spent touring the Capitol the more he felt like a politician and less like a soldier. By the end of the day he must have shaken more than a thousand hands, answered literally tens of thousands of questions, and must have drank his body weight in drink to which he was now feeling the total effects of.

“Tomorrow you begin the first day of the Last job you shall ever have.” Toasted Bob Benton as he offered his glass in the customary fashion to honor a new appointee. “Welcome to the club Tom.” With that everyone yelled “Cheers.” drank from their raised glasses and sat down. The state dinner was the final official function of the evening, and Tom was grateful for that. The dinner progressed well throughout the evening hours before eventually dying off as people slowly left and returned to the comfort of their homes. A thought that really appealed to Tom.

“It looks like the Ascender is going to have to wait sir.” Said Lieutenant Hess as he stepped up to Tom and offered his hand. Tom graciously accepted it and smiled widely. “Congratulations on the promotion sir and of course the Appointment.” Said Hess cheerfully.
“Thank Lieutenant.” Replied Tom politely. “I trust your bags are packed and your affairs in order?” He asked the young Lieutenant who responded with a puzzled look.
“I don’t understand sir?” Asked Hess cautiously.
“Well haven’t you been informed?” Tom asked him with a slight smile.
“Informed of what sir?”
“Well your new job of course?”
“Excuse me sir, but I don’t follow.” Replied Hess with sincere confusion.
Tom smiled widely at him before speaking. “I have asked that you be on my staff at SED and the Prime Minister himself has approved that request.” Hess simply stood in front of Tom with a blank star upon his face.
“Of course that will mean you will have to be promoted to Captain, but I am sure that is something that you can deal with.” Said Tom as he took a sip from a glass of melon wine which had just been handed to him by a lovely and radiantly attractive mild aged women in peek physical condition.

“Passing out good news I see.” She said as she smiled at them both.
“Oh of course not Madam, you know me far better than that.” Said Tom as he returned her smile.
“Oh come now Thomas, call me Mel.” She said with such charm and style that only an elegant lady as she could posses.
“Are you serious Sir?” Asked Hess finally. “Excuse me Mama, sir.” Apologized Hess as he realized he had interrupted there conversation. Taking no offense to this Tom simply smiled and began the introductions.
“Captain Hess, allow me to introduced to you the Prime Ministers wife, Mrs. Melissa Ruby Benton. Mel allow me to introduce to you the newly promoted Captain Richard Atlas Hess.” Hess bowed slightly as Mrs. Benton offered her hand.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you Mrs. Benton.” Said Hess as he took the Mrs. Benton’s hand and he politely kissed the back in a gentlemanly fashion.
“The pleasure is all mine Captain, and please, call me Mel.”

“Well I see she has found some new prey to toy with this evening.” Joked Robert ‘Bob’ Benton, the Prime Minister, as he casually approached the group. “And I think I know who the new victims are.”

“Oh Bobby.” Melissa Benton said as she blushed. “I only offered him a drink.” Bob and his wife kissed each other with restrained passion. It was clear that these two people were still as much in love now as they were when they were young. Tom waited until there embrace had passed before continuing the introductions.

“Bob, allow me to introduce Captain Richard Hess. He is the young officer who you sent to fetch me two days ago.”
“Prime Minister.” Hess said politely.
“Captain Hess.” Said Bob as he offered his hand. Hess accepted and they shook each others hand. Bob liked this kid instantly, he had a strong hand shake and a confident demeanor. No wonder Tom wanted him on his staff. This kid had potential. As the handshake ended he focused his attention back onto Tom.

“If you will all forgive me, I have to speak with the General in private.” He said as he put his hand on Toms shoulder and politely started to lead him off toward a set of double door. “I won’t keep him but a few moments.” He said as they parted.

“You had better not Bobby, or I will have to send in a rescue party armed to the teeth and have them wrestle him away from you and one of your boring war stories.” His wife joked innocently as they walked away.

“God I love her.” He said to Tom as they walked. “Even though she is a pain in the ***, I still love her.”
“You’re a lucky man Bob.” Said Tom as they approached the double doors and two men in Palace Guard uniforms opened them. The room was a well list library with ample seating for studying and quiet reading. The doors were closed behind them as the they walked over to one of the pure decka wood tables. Bob turned to face Tom and leaned slightly against the table as he folded his arms in front of him. Tom took this as a sign that a serious discussion was about to take place, and he was correct.

“What I am about to tell you is considered absolutely top secret for the time being.” Bob said more seriously than Tom would have liked.

“General Green has ordered a task force to a remote part of the Victorian Glacier for reason I do not yet know. My operative only knows that something was found up there by a scientific team. What that is exactly is unknown. All I do know is if Green is interested in it, we should be as well. So tomorrow, I want you to investigate this for me. I can’t do it myself without raising suspicion.”

Tom thought for a second before replying. “Do you know what scientific team is conduction research on the Victorian Glacier?”
“Right now about thirty teams are up their. They are conducting experiments on everything ranging from the water content of the ice to core sampling in the northern plains. Where exactly Greens task force is heading is still unknown.”

“Well I don’t know what I can do from my end, but I will definitely look into it.” Tom said with no idea of what in the hell he was going to do. Bob smiled a bit as he uncrossed his arms and started for the door.

“Cheer up old friend, starting tomorrow you will be briefed on many things including the new orbital telescope project, advancements in artificial gravity, deflector technology, weapons research, advanced communications, space born operations, a whole slew of things.”

As they left the room, Tom could not but help wonder what lay ahead for him. One thing was for sure, come hell or high water, he was going to make dammed sure that by the time he was done, the Pandoran people will have begun to colonized other worlds.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

I've had something come up of a really personal nature and will not be making any more Posts to this topic for a while. If you get board, please bump it from time to time for me. Thanks.

(RL things often come up when your busy making other plans. For this I am sorry.)

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Do not worry about it Atrocities. Take care of your RL situation first, we will still be here when you return to the story.
Hope all goes well for you.

Ragnarok

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part IV

“I want a complete profile of that bastard on my desk ten minutes ago!” Demand General Green as he pointed at the holo-vid of Thomas Christopher standing with the Prime Minister during the earlier news conference announcing his acceptance of the Directorship of the S.E.D.
“And get me Wilhelm on the com!” He yelled to one of his aids who promptly left the room.
“That bastard should have known what in the hell was going on over there!” He stated. “Three days and no one knew or cared to report it to me!” He yelled as his anger once again flared. “What am I surrounded by idiots?” He looked directly at his aid, Lieutenant Elise.

“When will the task force arrive at the Victorian Glacier discovery site?” He asked in a calmer voice.
Elise took no time to think about his answer, “Within the hour General.” He replied.

“Very good. I want everyone there locked down. If any one is missing, I want them found.” Green said as he sat down behind his desk in his custom built Timmeron Skin office chair. “I do not want any interference from out side agencies. If that thing up there is what I think it is, then I will have what I need to take the Prime Ministership from Benton. I have languished as his lap Dayton for far too long. Humiliating me with this position as his Military Advisor has been insufferable.” His desk com chirped.
“What?” He asked.
“Sir I have Carl Wilhelm on the com.” Came the reply from one of his aids. He looked at Elise and nodded. “Get me that profile Elise, I want to know everything about Christopher there is to know.” He pressed the com channel as Elise and two other aids left his office.
“You idiot!” Green yelled into the com. “Three day and you knew nothing?”
“They kept it under raps General. I am quite impressed that these fools could actually pull something like this off.” It sounded to Green as if Elise was not at all bothered by his angry ton. He leaned forward toward the com a bit.
“Your job was to keep me informed. You’ve failed!” Green said venomously.
“If you want results General, then I suggest that you have me promoted. Otherwise I am out of the loop here, and have been since day one. I explained that too you or do you not recall?” Came an equally venomous response from Wilhelm.

Green sat back in his chair a bit smiling slightly. Normally such insolence would have infuriated him, but Carl was no fool that could be pushed around by a deep voice and offensive attitude. He was in all respects, a brilliant man with a keen concept of directness without the pong fodder.

“Carl, I depend upon you to do the best you can do. If you say it was kept under raps, then so be it. However, I need you to get into the loop especially since Christopher is now the director.” Green spoke this time with respect in his voice, knowing that his aggressive attitude would get no where with Wilhelm.

“He testified against me at my court marshal. The bastard was the ranking Prowler pilot and would not follow my order at Pennington. I sincerely doubt that he will be accommodating of my desire to gain access to the advisory counsel.” Replied Wilhelm. “However, I do have a plan.”

Greens smile deepened a bit. Carl my be many things, but stupid was not one of them. If there was a will, Carl would find the way. “Keep me apprised of your activities. Use a third party.”
“Very well. I will have my man contact you within a week with a report. Wilhelm out.”

Green sat quietly for a moment before pressing the com on his desk. “Elise, where’s that damned profile?”

***

The five black Prowlers swept over the ice plains of the northern Victorian Glacier as silently as a calm breeze. If one did not look up an see them directly all one would know of their passing was a slight breeze and a dark shadow cast momentarily upon the white back ground of the snow and ice.

They flew in a standard V-Formation about twenty five meters off of the ground. The trip was nearly over as they approached the coordinates relayed to them by the scientific team who had made the discovery. One Prowler broke formation and moved off to the west to secure the base camp from which these scientist had come. Within seconds, the first of the four remaining Prowlers was on the ground and its team of twelve men deployed.

The white uniformed men fanned out in standard military incursion formation to sweep the discovery site and secure all buildings and persons located their. It was early morning and all of the scientist were in their tents. The whole operation to secure the site from touch down to completion took less than one minute fifty seconds. The first tent to be taken was the operation tent. It was manned by only one man, and he was secured without incident. The remaining tents were cleared and the occupants removed to the mess tent.

As Captain Macmillan O’Connor entered the mess tent he could see that the scientist were visibly shaken, all that is, except for one. He was a middle aged man with white streaks running through his hair. He approached this man and offered his hand as he spoke. “Dr. Mentor, I am Captain Macmillan O’Connor.”

Dr. Mentor did not accept the mans hand. Captain O’Connor was a man who stood one point five meters in height, well built, and clean shaven. He had black hair cut in military fashion. His eyes were dark brown and his complexion was tan. Dr. Mentor could see the experience of this man on his face as clearly as if he was reading his resume. It was his eyes really they spoke volumes about him. Dr. Mentor knew without a doubt, this man was a man of death.

As O’Connor lowered his hand he stepped forward invading Mentors space and looked directly into Dr. Mentors eyes. When he spoke, it was with a ton of authority that commanded results.
“Where is Dr. Bill Ramzies and your aid Nina Smith?”
Mentor stood silent for a moment not answering him. They starred at each other for a what felt like an eon before he finally had the strength to respond. “They were injured a week ago in a Polaris accident. They were transported to Helen for medical treatment.”

O’Connor looked at him for several seconds before looking away to one of his men. “He’s lying. Begin a grid search of the ice plains to the south of here. Send a team to Davenport and secure the town. I want all communications in and out of that place shut down.” Then he looked back at Dr. Mentor and smiled.

“You have guts doctor.” He said simply then stepped back turned and left the tent.

Dr. Mentor closed his eyes slowly and sat down. How did he know he thought to himself. “God help them both.” He whispered to himself.

[ January 07, 2003, 11:03: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, First I hope the RL situation work out! Like rags said; <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Now, this latest chapter is outstanding! Really nice interactions. Whew! Nice add.

Oh yeah, thanks for making them shorter! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif joke

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

You're making excellent progress, I really like these stories, keep up the great work.

Cheers!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

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

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part V - a

The S.E.D building is a handsome modern age quartz faced five story building on the out skirts of the Capital located at the former Mustafa Air Base, one of the largest air bases in the world. As Toms staff car approached the gate, his driver slowed and came to a stop. The drive exchanged some words with the guard before being allowed to pass. The buildings parameter was a one layer fence with razor wire tops. Tom knew that security was going to have to be improved in order to keep the crucial areas secure while allowing increased access to both the employees and the public. One thing Tom wanted was to make the Division open to the public for tours, and informational exchanges. In the past the SED has always been a military operation and ran as such. Times have changed, and it was high tide that some of those changes began here.

The drive in from the entrance gate to the underground parking facility only took about a minute. As he exited the staff car, Tom looked around. The garage was a vast complex which was already close to a third of the way full by five am. “I see people like to get early starts?” He asked out loud.
“No sir, those are the people who stay on campus. They most likely work in the Propulsion Design Bureau, and the Gravitational Studies Department. They love their work sir.” Responded the drive as he closed Toms door and stepped back around to the drivers side of the staff car. “I will park the car, then report to the motor pool sir. If you wish to leave, just have your aid or secretary com me, and I will be ready for you right here within five minutes sir.”
“Thank you.” Replied Tom simply as he slowly began to walk to the lifts. In the back ground as he walked he could hear the Staff car pulling away. It had been about a year or so since his Last visit to this place, and it felt really good to be back. As the lift moved silently to the fifth floor, Tom reflected back upon the incident at Pennington, and the man who gave the order to kill a thousand innocent people. His first order of business was to confront Carl Wilhelm and set the ground rules. If Willy boy didn’t like the new ground rules, or broke so much as one of them, Tom was going to boot him from the SED with a swift hard kick that he would not soon forget.

The lift stopped, and the doors opened. Tom existed the lift and looked about the floor. It was an open floor with many cubicles spread all about in a maze. The place looked much as it did when he worked here. His office was on the northwestern corner of the building overlooking the launch facility and run ways. It was a breath taking sight to say the least. The Launch complex was nearly fifty stories tall, and was still being completed. From this building, would come some of the first manned, and un-manned, space vessels to be launched into orbit over Pandora in almost eighty years. Next to satellites, nothing important had been launched into space for eight decades. Well that was all about to change.

***

“What?” Asked Nina Smith as she stood looking down at Dr. Bill Ramzies as he pulled himself out from under the Polaris Ground Transport. “What was that Dr. Ramzies?” She asked again.
Bill Ramzies simply looked up at her with deep sad eyes. He didn’t need to say anything. It was clear, the Polaris was finished and with it, the chances for their survival.
“Oh my god!” She said as she raised her hand to her mouth to cover it up. “We’re dead.” She said almost on the verge of tears. Dr. Ramzies had stood by this time. He grabbed both of her arms and shook her slightly.
“Nina, calm down, we are not dead. We still have the Ice Scrambler.” He said as he looked her directly in her eyes. “We can still make it to Davenport, but its going to be a very cold trip.”

She simply looked back at him and shook her head in acknowledgement. How could she have been so stupid she thought. Driving the Polaris right off that ice cliff. She should have been watching the forward scanners. She should have seen it. “Its all my fault.” She cried.
“No, it is not, the scanner was malfunctioning. If I had been piloting, the same thing would have happened to me.” Stated Ramzies as calmingly as he could. “Now we have to get going. I will need your help to free the Ice Scrambler.” With that they both set about the task of freeing the two man open cockpit ground hovering vehicle. It was small with limited in range, but it was fast, and reliable with good forward ground sensors that would hopefully keep them from running off another cliff.

Within an hour they had freed the Ice Scrambler and were on their way again. Ramzies figured that at their current pace, they would reach Davenport in just under two days, or freeze to death. The Ice Scrambler had the fuel to make within walking distance of Davenport, but without accurate satellite guidance, they could be heading in the opposite direction. ‘Thank god I took that Last reading before we went off that damned cliff’ thought Ramzies to himself as he maneuvered the Scrambler over the rough ice and snow surfaces of the Northern Ice Plains.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Great stuff. Are you noticing how much easier it gets as you go along, Atrocities? To me, that is the best thing about writing. Once the story gets going, there is very little need to do more than a little poking and prodding to get it to go where you want it to go.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

So far, this is publishable stuff. It would sell!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

I agree this is good stuff! Maybe Aaron would like to include a copy of the finished story in his next Space Empire game? I remember buying a few games that included small novela's with the game. IMHO, it would be worth contacting Aaron and bounce the idea off him! Also, I'm sure Aaron is a lot easier to 'contact' than a book publisher!

Cheers!

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Yes, many of the stories I have read here are the kind that peak ones interest in this game. I like this story, and RotRS the best.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Thanks guys. But I have to agree with CNC, ROTRS is a great story, and I hope that if Aaron ever includes fan fiction with any of his future SE games, he would consider using it. The story I am trying to write here is for my own interest and if people like it, well then that is fantastic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Bump

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

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part V (B)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Keep it coming http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

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

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

Part C coming soon. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Part V ( C )

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Keep em coming. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Great story thus far. Can you enlighten us as to where the story is going? I mean a breif outline if you would?

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, how much of this storyline did you have planned out in advance? Did you know what was going to happen or did you just start typing?

I'm just curious as to how you go about it.

Enjoying it thoroughly BTW. More please. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ January 22, 2003, 14:26: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities, Thank You! I just love this add. "Always leave them wanting a taste." That's what my creative writing Proffesor said. You do that regularly. But with Part V (C) you did just a bit more. I know I am wanting Part V (D).

<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. The story is basically planned out. The bulk of the story is just sit down and type.

I have an out line for the story, and am following that, but I don't want to disclose it as it would be a spoiler.

Sitting down to write for me takes a bit of a mood. That is to say I have to be in the mood to write. Once in that mood, I can write for a long long time. I often write a segment or two in advance of what is posted here. In that way I can go back and tweak them if I need too.

I haven't give each segment a title as they are all really under one chapter at the moment. I may change that later and go back and rename each segment individually. That I have still not decided.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

In the mid day sun the temperature on the Northern Victorian Glacier can reach as high as minus thirty degrees below zero. However if you factor in the wind chill the temperature can plummet to minus two hundred below zero. Zero being the point at which water freezes.

Standing in the open, Captain Macmillan estimated the temperature to be, factoring in the wind chill of course, around minus fifty degrees at the moment. Without his cold weather gear, he would have frozen to death in a matter of seconds. Such vastness he thought to him self, how could anyone ever ignore its beauty. He was studying the newly established parameter for this current base of operations, a parameter that was nearly a mile in circumference around the object frozen in the glacier.

By this time tomorrow, but not soon enough for his needs, this entire area would be monitored for movement, sound, heat and even pressure changes, nothing would be able to enter or leave this site without his knowing of it.
“I want this area secure by the end of the day.” Said Captain Macmillan as he pointed to areas around the discovery site. “I want motion sensors and heat detectors along the entire circumference of the operations area and our compound.” He pointed to key location on a digital map on his command and control pad, CCP for short. A device used to relay order to team leaders instantly without the need for verbal communications. It was an effective way to give orders and have them carried out. Quick reliable, and fool proof.

“Yes sir.” Responded a Lieutenant Michael Winston,, Captain Macmillan’s aid, as he to entered data into his command and control pad. “The Engineering Team has arrived, and the Chief Engineer would like to meet with you”
“Very good.”
“Guardian One has returned with the missing scientists and all other search teams have been ordered back.”
“Assign them to patrol duty in layers ranging from one mile as far out as five hundred.”
“Yes sir.”
“I also want the scientist at that the Glacier research base camp taken to Davenport. Tell them that they are under military quarantine.”
“What about the ones here?”
“They know to much, I want to keep them here until I receive orders to the contrary.”
“Yes sir. I’ll have then collared.”
“Do that and make sure they understand what will happen to them if they attempt to escape. In the mean time direct the Chief Engineer to Operations Tent.”
“Yes Sir.” Responded Winston as he walked away. Macmillan stood there for a moment looking about the vast openness of the northern part of the Victorian Glacier. My god what desolation. He thought to himself then walked away.

Lieutenant Winston and five armed men carrying what looked like small black belts walked into the mess tent where all of the scientist were being held. He wasted no time on pleasantries as he made his announcement.
“You are all going to be fitted with monitoring collars that will allow you to move about the camp but will prevent you from leaving it. It you attempt to leave it, the collar will paralyze you and notify Command Operations. You will then be taken into custody and placed in a five by eight holding cell on the Argo once she arrives.” He looked about the room to ensure that everyone there had heard him.
“Just for your information these devices are sound monitored, and we will be listening.” He nodded at one of the armed soldiers to begin placing the collars on people. For the most part everyone complied without resisting. Everyone that is except Dr. Mentor who demanded to speak to Captain Macmillan.

“I will not allow you to place that damned thing around my neck until I have spoken to your commanding officer!” Stated Dr. Mentor adamantly.
Winston just looked at him for a long second then nodded. “Very well Dr. Come with me.”
Dr. Mentor and Lieutenant Winston left the mess tent. Not more than a foot out of the door Winston, a tall and very strong man struck Dr. Mentor in the lower left leg just behind his knee with his left foot causing the Dr. to scream out in pain and fall to his knees. Winston then grabbed a handful of the doctors hair and pulled his head back. One of the other soldiers placed a collar around Dr. Mentors neck and stepped back. Winston knelt down beside Dr. Mentor, still holding a handful of his hair, and whispered into his ear.
“If you ever talk to me like that again in front of my men, I will break your legs in five places and leave you without regard to die in an open pit. Have I made myself clear to you doctor?” Mentor looking rather startled and in some pain simply nodded as best he could against the constant pull of his hair.
“Very good. No follow me.” With that Winston released his grip on Dr. Mentors hair and stood. He began walking toward a solid black tent that Mentor assumed was the newly established Operations Tent. It took him a few seconds to gather his composure and stand. He had underestimated their situation, if people like this Lieutenant Winston had their way, they would all be lined up and shot. He knew he had to be careful now, for one wrong move, and everyone would surely die.
“Coming doctor?” Asked Winston in a mock polite tone.
“Lead on Lieutenant.” He replied as politely as he could given the anger he felt.

“At best estimate it will take us about two weeks to dig an access shaft to that opening.” Stated Engineer Ron Lindley as he pointed to a digital reading on his data pad. Ron was a husky man with short brown hair. He had a tan complexion and seemed to always be smiling. “From what we have here, the data shows the entrance to be nearly half a mile down through solid hardened ice.”
“Two weeks is unacceptable.” Said Macmillan as he stood next to him looking at a data pad. “Is there no way that you can speed things up?”
“Well we could if we had a clear and accurate depth and density reading of the ice around and under the object. With that we could use sculpted charges and cut our bLast time in half.”
“The winter weather will begin to effect this area in about a month.” Commented Macmillan
“I understand that Captain, but this core sampling the one the scientist did.” He held it up for inspection. “Just does not have the information I need. For all we know, the ice around the object could be unstable.” Lindley looked down at the data pad on the table. “Hell we’re not even sure that this is an opening, it could be just about anything. We simply do not have enough accurate information to be certain.”

“We could perform another core scan of the object.” Commented Calvin Kurd, another engineer.
“No, they’re not accurate enough.” Replied Lindley as he moved to a large display of a top down satellite image of the object and the outlining area.
“We could just bLast according to our best guess, and conduct scans as we go deeper. It would speed the process up by a few days.” Commented Kurd.
“That would be far to dangerous, one wrongly placed charge and we could severely damage or even destroy the object.” Responded Lindley flatly.
“Destroy it how?” Macmillan asked.
“Its like this Captain, we have to be certain of how the ice will fracture when a charge is detonated, how thick the ice is, what its density is and how the bLast will effect the overall stability of the ice. BLasting ice is like cutting diamonds. One wrong move and you destroy the diamond. For example, the ice could fracture under the focal layer and this entire shelf could simply shift to the side with the least amount of pressure thus crushing the object.” Ron was deadly serious, and he wanted the Captain to know it.
“Simply put we do not know how deep this ice is. For all we know, that thing out there could be sitting on only an inch of ice covering a vast chamber and one wrong bLast and this entire area would collapse into the chamber and game over.“
“What is the likelihood of such an event?” Macmillan asked.
“The likelihood of such an event occurring is high given the fact that this entire region has thousands of such caverns.”
He paused for effect as he folded his arms.
“Basically put sir, If we just bLast without regard, we could cause the entire ice flow to collapse inward and that is something we do not want.”
“So bLasting is out of the question?” Commented Macmillan more to himself than to the people around him as he tossed his data pad onto the table.
“Unless you can give me a core sampling that accurately reads more than a hundred feet, there is no way.”
“Perhaps I can be of some help then.” Said Dr. Mentor politely.
Both men were so intent upon their discussion they did not notice that Dr. Mentor and Lieutenant Winston had entered the tent. Both Lindley and Macmillan looked over at the doctor in silence.

“I could not help but over hear your situation as the Lieutenant and I walked up.” Said Dr. Mentor as he removed his coat. The temperature in the Operations tent was a comfortable sixty degrees above zero. Odd thought Dr. Mentor, why they called these things tents when in fact they were prefab buildings complete with insulated walls, flooring, and ceiling. Perhaps because they assembled like tents.
“Captain Ron Lindley, meet Dr. Brook Mentor.” Introduced Macmillan as he flashed the doctor a casual smile.
“I am familiar with Dr. Mentor.” Said Lindley as he smiled from ear to ear and offered his hand to Mentor. “I attended a few of his seminars on gravitational technology. I was going to enter the field of Gravitational Theory but life took me in a different direction.”
Taking the offered hand Mentor smiled.
“Indeed, it is a shame that life would be so cruel as to place a potential gravitational scientist in with such bad company?” Mentor said in serious non-joking tone as he shook Lindley‘s hand. Winston flashed him a dirty look and was about to revive the good doctors memory of their earlier conversation when Macmillan put his hand on his arm to steady him.
“Very clever Doctor.” Replied Macmillan. Mentor just smirked at him as politely as he could.
“What do you propose?” Asked Lindley with some agitation in his voice.
“First I want this god forsaken thing off of my neck.” Mentor said angrily.
Macmillan looked at him for a second then nodded to Winston who reluctantly stepped behind the doctor and started to remove the collar. He slapped Mentor on the back of the head, accidentally of course, as he finished removing the it. He flashed the doctor a ‘oop’ look as he stepped to the side. Mentor just looked at him without an expression. ‘In time all good things come to those who wait.’ Thought Mentor to himself before directing his attention back toward Captain Macmillan.

“One other thing, we over heard your men earlier commenting that they had captured both Nina Smith and Bill Ramzies. Is this correct?”
“Yes.” Replied Winston without explanation.
“Why have they not been returned to use?”
“Because they are being treated for injuries sustained during their apprehension.”
Commented Winston again.
“I am not asking you Lieutenant, I am asking the Captain.” This time Mentor was the one to flash the dirty look. Politeness be damned, Winston’s arrogance was getting on his nerves. If he was going to die, then he would die like a man, and not like some cowardly whimpering old man.
Winston took immediate offense at Dr. Mentors tone and stepped forward. “What did you say?” He damned in a hostile tone. Mentor matched posture for posture before choosing to ignore the danger, and looked directly at Winston, and said as sarcastically has he knew how; “You heard me Lieutenant.”

After what felt like hours, but was in fact only seconds, Dr. Mentor looked away from the menacing Lieutenant to make eye contact with Captain Macmillan.
“Captain Macmillan, what happened to them?”
“Your people are well doctor, and Lieutenant Winston will see to it that they are escorted to the mess tent immediately.” Winston cringed ever so slightly, but never the less he stepped back away from Mentor.
“Yes sir.” He said with professionalism and then left the tent.

“Thank you Captain.”
“Why are you here doctor?” Asked Macmillan without pretence and it took Mentor a second to collect his thoughts before he could answer.
“I wanted to know why my people and I are under arrest.” Stated Mentor flatly. “And why my people have been collard like animals?”
“Doctor Mentor.” Said Macmillan as he causally stepped to within inches of Mentor. He was in charge, and he wanted Mentor to understand that. “You and your people are free to move about the compound, provided that they do not attempt to leave it.” Macmillan was studying him for a reaction. “The collars are a necessity doctor.” He smiled. “A matter of global security.” He then stepped back a bit and gestured at the satellite image. “Now would you be so kind as to explain just how you can help us.”

Mentor looked for a long second at Macmillan. He was indeed an intelligent and perceptive man. Mentor knew that if he thought he was lying about being able to help them, he would have allowed that sadistic fleer Winston to beat the crap out of him.
“You need to know the depth and density of the ice around and under the object correct?”
“Yes.” Replied Lindley.
“I can use the Gravimetric Core Sampler to accomplish that.”
“I thought you had already done that?” Asked Lindley. “I am reviewing the data your team gathered, and it is noted that that is how you obtain the earlier readings.”
“We only used the Core Sampler part of the device, a core sampler that is specially designed to work in extreme cold weather. We did not use the GCS equipment when we took those readings.”
“What is a GCS?” Asked Kurd innocently.
Mentor looked at him and smiled. “GCS stands for Gravimetric Core Sampler. It is the device that we came up here to test.” Mentor pointed to the satellite image as he continued to speak. “As you all know this area has never before had an accurate core sampling. It is theorized that there may well be vast untapped resources under the Glacier, and with an accurate core sampling, we can begin the process of bLasting access tunnel through the ice to the ground beneath it. Given the fact that the Northern Glacier is riddled with thousands of caverns that can cause collapses without warning, having an accurate core reading is a must.”
“Dr. Mentors device, if I understand it correctly, uses a reverse gravimetric field to nullify the planets gravity to any depth thus allowing a core sampler to take an accurate reading of the ice.” Commented Lindley.
“Correct, as you know, fractures in the ice are so small that they can not be seen without the help of specialized equipment. And given that the ice flow of the Glacier is constantly in motion, it is next to impossible to obtain an accurate reading beyond a few feet. The GCS suspends an area in zero gravity thus stopping the motion of the ice and allowing the core sampler to obtain an accurate reading of the ice.”
“And without an accurate reading of the ice below you, you could easily tunnel right into an open cavern, and collapse the ice for which you are standing.” Commented Kurd as he began to understand the significance of the Dr. Mentors GCS device. “I guess the next question would be when can we get started?”
“With my teams help, we can perform a complete scan of the object and the area around it within three days.” Said Dr. Mentor.
“We can begin bLasting an entrance shaft once the reading is completed and we have a day or so to survey the best route.” Said Lindley excitedly as he punched figures into his pad.

“I am impressed Dr. Mentor.” Commented Macmillan as he put on his coat and stepped toward the entrance. “Have your team ready for work within the hour.” He said then exited the tent.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Bump

FYI just in case you did not know, Will is back in the hospital again.

Also, and this one hurts, his new pc died, and with it, the 3d images for the New Dominion,Ferengi, and Cardassian ship sets.

And this Story was lost as well. I don't know how much he had written past this point, but I suspect he had a chapter or two done. Sorry.

I have not told him yet, I do not want to added to his worries. Rest assured, there was no back up.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Aw, cripes.

Don't let them take the hard drive; you can probably recover the data.
Just add the old drive as a slave to whatever replacement/repaired PC you end up with, and you'll have a good chance of saving the work.

[ January 27, 2003, 22:50: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

Atrocities is in the hospital? Please wish him well for me if he is.

Re: Once Upon The Stars (old thread)
 

CNCRaymond, please check your private Messages.