Once Upon The Stars (old thread)

[sachmo]

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.

[Ruatha]

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

[David E. Gervais]

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!

[CNCRaymond]

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.

[Atrocities]

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.

[Atrocities]

Bump

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

[Atrocities]

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 ]

[dogscoff]

Keep it coming

[mlmbd]

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

mlmbd

[Atrocities]

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.