Chapter 1 (Fate of the Armadeaus)
Chapter 2 (Portents)
Chapter 3 (Passing of a Fantasy)
Chapter 4 (Fissures in the Dark)
Chapter 5 (Reminiscence)
Chapter 6 (Things that go Bump...)
Chapter 7 (The Rocky Road)
Chapter 8 (Escape Plan)
Chapter 9 (Becoming)
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DARK HAVEN
Chapter 10 (And it Begins Again)
Argon Fleet Command
"Admiral Ornov." The voice comes over the communicator on the desk.
"What is it Commander Reamus?"
"I have just finished going over the latest log update from the Jubilee."
"Yes Commander, Have they reached X8 yet?"
"Yes, they arrived around fifty mizuras before the log update. This log shows them over half way to the station."
"Any trouble yet?"
"Not really, they ran into a few Xenon fighters in Teladi Way."
"How did the Corvette do in battle?"
"Reasonably well, no damage.
The Elite Commander lost another shield though."
"What!
Another, how many is that now?"
"Three."
"Remind me to have a word with him when he gets back.
We will need to send him on a few training courses.
See if we can curb that impatient brazen attitude of his."
"Yes sir."
"Keep me informed of any more news regarding the Jubilee.
I'll be in a holo meeting with some of the Generals for a while so don't disturb me.
Ornov out."
The Admiral pressed several controls and the three-dimensional holographic display over the large conference table came to life, it displayed the AFC logo, rotating slowly.
'Damn logo spining all the time, enough to make you dizzy.' the Admiral thought, not for the first time.
He tapped several more controls and the logo disappeared.
One by one, only a few moments apart, four holographic faces appeared above the table, each one a General.
"General Kaar, General Tirnok, General Vos, General Ilandas.
You have all had time to look over the logs of the Armadeaus and I imagine you have all come to the same conclusion that I have.
Noting in particular the black substance covering the hull of the space station."
"Yes, worrying indeed." said Karr.
"This 'new enemy', I had hoped to be just a rumour, a fairy tale banded about by lonely long-haul transport pilots and drunken pirates.
But seeing this, and knowing what little our intelligence has gathered from the other races, which by the way is only three lines on a small piece of paper. Actually the drunken pirates have far greater information in this case than even the Paranid.
I fear the worst."
"What do you suggest doing about this new enemy?"
"Well, General Ilandas, I suggest we show them that we are a force to be reckoned with.
"And if they are not hostile?"
"I think we can assume the Armadeaus was destroyed, or at the very least captured.
Also, if the rumours are anything to go by, they are far more than simply hostile
So until we know differently we can consider them hostile."
"And you sent in the Jubilee knowing this?"
"Captain Hall was aware of the dangers when she signed up with the Fleet.
Besides, she has been told to investigate only, not to get into a fight, and get out at the first sign of danger.
It is simply a scouting mission.
If it turns out to be just pirates after all, she will have the firepower to deal with that there and then, no need to send additional backup."
"Hmmmm."
"You have something to say, Ilandas!?"
"No, do carry on."
"Thank you, too kind.
I have sent each of you a Discoverer carrying a Jumpdrive.
As soon as it arrives, have it fitted. Stock up on plenty energy cells.
And I may call at a moments notice with orders to jump to X8, so..."
The communications panel chimes and Commander Reamus is heard.
"Admiral."
"I asked not to be disturbed Reamus."
"Yes, but we are receiving an emergency transmission from the Jubilee."
"Hurry man!, put it through, the Generals will need to hear this too."
...
---------------------------------------------------------
Aproximately 1 stazura and 30 mizuras Earlier (1hr 30min)
---------------------------------------------------------
Argon M6 Jubilee
(About to enter system X8)
"There is just enough room to get through to the gate."
"Proceed carefully, follow the Elites in."
The Elites fly past the last few asteroids before the gate, Jubilee close behind.
There is an abundance of dust and small shards of rock in this area, most probably from the asteroids which the Armadeus destroyed to get to the gate a day or two earlier.
As some of the small rock fragments make contact with the shields of the passing ships they begin to glow, fluoresce then ignite. The shield around the impact areas becomes visible for the brief time of contact. A swirling layer of electrical energy no thicker than an atom. Sparks of electricity seem to be actually attacking the small shards, lashing out, burning, disintegrating.
The three ships, now travelling less than five meters per second, reach the gate. The two Elites are first, side by side they enter the ring. A flash as the wormhole vortex opens, and another as the Elites disappear through. A few seconds later the Corvette follows suit.
Even after the ships have gone the trail they took is left in turmoil. The many fragments and dust remaining wash around each other very much as they would in the wake of a sea fairing vessel, only in space they will never come to rest.
...
A slight jolt and the white disappears.
The two Elites can be seen a little way ahead, almost stopped.
A voice comes over the communications.
"Captain, what is our heading?"
"Bear with us a moment, Commander, while we get our bearings."
The channel is cut.
"Anything within scanner range Lieutenant?"
"No."
"well, I could have guessed that I suppose. With the absence of an Advanced Nav Installation in the sector we are running on old fashioned scanners.
Ensign, remind me, what is the range of our scanners?"
"Fifteen kilometres invasive scan.
Sixty two kilometres passive scan.
One hundred and ninety five kilometres long-range.
Long-range will only detect the presence of an object and the approximate size, nothing more, numerous long-range scans may tell us if the object is moving..."
"Thank you Ensign, glad to see the academy is still teaching the old basics.
It's been so long since I used the proper scanners I'd nearly forgotten myself."
The Captain brought up the three-dimensional holographic sector map showing all known data from the Jubilee and Elites sensors.
She then overlaid the information from the Armadeus logs. The station, Armadeaus, M5 and Monroe now displayed in the far distance.
She calculated the distance to the station and the estimated time of arrival.
"Almost one and half stazuras (hours) at top speed.
Lieutenant, contact the Commander and inform him of our destination."
"Commander, this is Lieutenant Pierson."
"Yes Lieutenant?"
"I'm uploading the sector information to you now, it includes the station co-ordinates.
We'll be flying maximum speed, well, the Corvette is a little faster than an Elite, but we will be sticking together, there may be pirate involvement.
As always we need to be careful.
Pierson out."
The Elites quickly reach top speed. The Jubilee a little slower but soon catches up and levels off the speed.
The M6 pulling in-between the two M3's.
...
--------------
A Little Later
--------------
"An object is now showing up on the long range scanners.
It is the right size and co-ordinates to be the station.
Another object, smaller, a short distance beyond the station."
"What can you tell me about the second object Ensign?
Is it the Armadeaus?"
"No Captain.
Much too small.
Too small to be its Discoverer.
It could be a small piece of rock or debris.
Or it could be Captain Monroe."
"Captain Monroe?
If he is still out there, Captain, that must be over six hours, almost seven by the time we reach him.
He can't still be alive surely."
"No Pierson. I don't expect he could have survived all this time on his EVA oxygen.
However, as the Ensign pointed out, it may just be a rock.
There are, after all, far more rocks than Monroes floating around in space.
Ensign, is the small object moving?"
"Just comparing the sensor sweeps...
Yes, very slowly. Away from the station, away from us.
Approximately six meters per second."
"Any change in direction or speed?"
"No, well not in the last few minutes."
"Lieutenant, I have a mission for you."
"Captain?"
"I want you to take the M5 and go see what the object is.
If it is Monroe pick him up and bring him back here."
"Captain, wouldn't Lieutenant Sina be a better choice?
She has far more combat experience, she's training to be a fighter pilot and she has actually flown the new model Discoverer."
"Don't worry, we'll be right behind you.
Besides you used to own one of the older Discoverers before you joined the Fleet.
And you have had plenty of practice with the new model in the simulator."
"Yes.
No 'real' combat though.
Minor scuffles with the odd Mandalay, nothing serious.
The pirates will see me coming, they will be waiting for me."
"Calm down Lieutenant.
I don't want you getting in any fights anyway.
This is simply pick up and return.
The Discoverer can outrun any thing the pirates have.
You will be fine, and this will be good field experience for you."
"Ok then.
I'm on my way to the dock."
...
Pierson climbs into the Discoverer. Closes the door behind him.
'Much different to the Disco I used to own.
They have updated it several times since its first production model.
Although the volume is virtually unchanged, it does seem much more spacious inside, perhaps just laid out better.'
He walks through the small living cabin.
'A small fold down bed, single.
An FMS, recessed into the wall.
Several small storage lockers for food and drink as well as clothes and other personal belongings, also recessed.
A single chair at a small desk.
The desk has all the usual features, control panel, comms, view screen.
As always the view screen doubles for entertainment, movies, news, etc.'
'I'm entering the cockpit now.
Again it feels more spacious.
A simple design, all the controls and displays within easy reach of the pilots seat.
Ahh yes, the seat. Hmmm, softer, maybe a little too soft I seem to be sinking into it.
I'll raise its level a little, better.'
'The HUD is laid out much the same as always. Shield, weapon, missile, speed indicators all easily seen. The radar sphere, sensor readouts. All of these can be toggled on or off with the touch of a button.
Control panels either side, joystick between.'
"Requesting permission to launch."
"Granted."
The Jubilee, still at near top speed, initiated the launch sequence.
The docking clamps released the M5.
The two ships continued together as if they were still attached for a moment before Pierson fired the manoeuvring thrusters.
The Discoverer peeled off the M6 and accelerated ahead. It only took a moment to reach top speed where the Lieutenant released the boosters.
"Launch successful."
"Ok Lieutenant.
Contact us again when you reach passive scanner range."
...
'Well, here I go then.
Shields, weapons, missiles, all active.
Sensors online.
Check heading... correct.'
'A quick touch of the joystick, right a little and back, dive and back.
Handling feels just as I remember.'
'I think I'll take a look through the rear view.
The rear view is displayed in a satellite window in the top left corner of the HUD.
Now this I do like. A great improvement on the old style fighter views.
Capital ships have had this technology for nearly ten years, it's only just this year that they have been adapting it for fighters.
I hear that even some of the newest transports such as the Mercury have this fitted as standard.'
'The Corvette and escorts seem to be standing still with the speed difference, disappearing into the distance.
Check my speed on the display screen to my right, four hundred and ninety meters per second.
Very nice.
Well over three times that of the other ships.'
'Ok, long-range sensors show the two blips, well actually they show far more than two, but the two that should be the station and Monroe. Eight mizuras to passive scan range, four more to reach it.
Jubilee little more than a speck now.'
...
"Jubilee, this is Pierson."
"Yes Lieutenant?"
"Captain, I'm entering scanner range now.
The station, and the smaller object... a life form... Argon male... Alive! barely.
I think it's Monroe, some how still alive.
I'm going in to pick him up.
Just under four mizuras."
"Hurry Lieutenant."
...
'Hmmm, that's odd. The station isn't quite the same as in the Armadeaus logs.
The dimensions, it is a little wider at the bottom. Bulbous.
The black colour covered most of the station before. But the upper most deck was normal, the windows, a few hatches and the launch bay doors were visible.
Now the whole thing is black.
I'm getting a bad feeling about this .
I think I should keep my distance. Swing far around it to pick him up.'
...
'I'm now ten kilometres from the station.
Invasive scan can't penetrate it, just as before.
Monroe, that's if it's him, is eight kilometres from the station almost the opposite side, a little distance below.
I'm not going any closer than eight K, starting to go around. Slowing.
I can see him, a standard issue Argon Fleet EVA suit.
A touch of the comms panel.'
"Captain Monroe?
Is that you?
Can you hear me?
This is Lieutenant Pierson of the Jubilee, I'm about to pick you up.
Don't move."
'Five K, four, three.
Slowing further.
Two... one.
Opening cargo bay doors.'
"Warning cargo bay open, shields are down."
'I've not heard that in a while.'
"Cargo bay closed."
'I've got him.'
*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*
'What the??
Proximity alert.
Sensors show a non-localised energy disturbance all around.
There are jump points forming everywhere.'
Dark Haven - Chapter 10
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Dark Haven - Chapter 10
Last edited by crunn on Thu, 22. May 03, 01:14, edited 2 times in total.
Mind you, the Discoverer should be able to outrun pretty much everything they throw at him.
Thanks, fixedKiwiNZ wrote:Typo:...
Hmmm, perhaps.KiwiNZ wrote:Is it me or do I sense a de ja vu?.
Maybe need to send in the M6 Promiscuous to rescue Pierson while he explores the station.
Hopefully.KiwiNZ wrote:Mind you, the Discoverer should be able to outrun pretty much everything they throw at him.
But what of the Jubilee and Elites?
Still over an hour from the gate.
