Once Upon The Stars (old thread)

[Atrocities]

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 ]

[Ragnarok]

Wow, great story Atrocities. I like the way it is going so far. I look forward to the next part of it.

[Atrocities]

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 ]

[tokche]

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!

[mlmbd]

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

mlmbd

[Raging Deadstar]

I liked the story, keep up the good writing

[David E. Gervais]

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

Cheers!

[Atrocities]

Thanks guys.

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!

Ah but the story will explain all as it unfolds.

[Kamog]

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

[Atrocities]

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 ]