Beyond the Horizon

[Dracus]

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

[Atrocities]

Please do, as it is a very nice read.

[Dracus]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[ 02 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

[Dracus]

+++(flashback 9 days)+++

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

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

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

(20 minutes later)

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

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

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

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

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

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

To be continued........

[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]

[mac5732]

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

just some ideas mac

[zen.]

Good work, Dracus. I don't think I've ever been that interested in minesweepers trying to break a minefield.

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

[Dracus]

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

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

Mac5732,

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

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

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

[ 07 December 2001: Message edited by: Dracus ]