Once Upon The Stars (old thread)

[David E. Gervais]

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?

Cheers!

[Atrocities]

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.

[David E. Gervais]

Aaaaaaaagh, a cliffhanger! I can't wait for more! As you can see I have mixed emotions right now! But that's a good thing.

Cheers!

[tokche]

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. =)

[mlmbd]

SUSPENSE! You just gotta love it!

Very nice add, Atrocities. Very nice indeed!

mlmbd

[dogscoff]

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..?

[Atrocities]

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.