The Wars of our Mother.
Writers : Kiyomasu (Severce) and Teal (CharlotteCarrendar.)
LCS Asalnara, Ne’vexis-Class Battleship
Location: Jae’elden System: 3, 489, 654 LY from point of Impact / Unyian Spiral
Reference: Point of impact was in transit between Ayenee and Hellespawn Systems in the Elysium Spiral
Darkness had fallen on the former flagship of the Star Navy’s 2nd War Fleet. Beneath the fallen niranium beams and support struts, collapsed panelling and broken environmental ducts the crew and its visitors laid in silence. Conduits and panels which had once been occupied by the ship’s dedicated and loyal crew scorched and burnt, the radiation emitting flames long since extinguished from the plasma fires which had tore through the bridge and most of the ship’s other decks. Once cramped corridors were filled with litter and debris as well as the dead and the long silenced injured. Like a mystical galleon set sail upon the sea of old, they slumbered…all alone in the night.
Twisting streams of energy, flashes of blue illumination filled the bridge as five site-to-site teleportation’s occurred onto the bridge of the fallen ship. The bleeps and pings of scanning equipment echoed through the bridge’s multi-tiered interior as the five uniformed officers spread out from the circular formation they had arrived in. Sweeping beams of high powered lights washed over stained, frost coated panels.
“Atmosphere is breathable…just a little stale. Some kind of rigged environmental redundancy system seems to still be operating.” the female closest to where the command chair had been toppled over said. She reached for the release on her helmet which disconnected with a hiss. “Isarra..see what you can do about getting some kind of power in here.”
“Aye, Commander.” The lieutenant replied, taking her own helmet off as she moved her light over the panels at the operations console. “Yeh…should be a sinch….” she said, then tampered with the controls the best she could. Most of the image projectors had been melted. “I should have something up for you shortly.” she said under her breath as she worked as fast as she could.
“Shit…Isarra…check this out!” The voice of Cadet Ucara, a green haired young woman that had just graduated from the academy called out as she picked up a Quintessent Pulse Pistol from the pile of debris near one of the lifts. “Going to have to give this baby a try.” she said, showing off her prize as she headed towards the science terminal, her scanner in hand. She lost interest in the weaponry quickly as she looked at her screen. “What the hell…this thing…has to be broken. It says there are life forms present…” She motioned to the rubble.
“That can’t be right.” Isarra said, looking over at the subordinate officer. She reached for her own scanner on her belt and pulled it off. She then activated the scanner and made a sweep of the bridge. “What the….” She nearly dropped the scanner. “Away Team to Captain Eitan.. Sir we got a situation over here…we have lifeforms popping up on the scanners under the debris. Can you lock onto them?” She felt almost stupid calling it in, figuring that some kind of space-born mold had decided to make the bridge of the ship it’s new home.
-
NIS Karassa
Helios-Jodasa Class Flagship
C.I.C
Kiyomasu was a vetern commander, a man who had been thankful to be in the right place at the right time during several points of his career. The eldest son of Adrin Eitan and Babie Jenks Eitan had spent his entire life separated from his sisters who had remained with their mother in Eden – all to follow in the footsteps of his father. The Karassa was his first command, after nearly a century of service under some of Noria’s finest he finally earned the right to a chair of his own. A confused look came over the young, rather handsome commander as he listened to the incoming transmission. “Lt.Isarra…please confirm, did you just say life signs?” He set the datapad that he had been reviewing down on the pedestal console to the left of the command chair.
“Yes sir, there is definitely life signs…In fact I am getting readings from all over the ship.” Isarra returned.
Kiyo switched the channel over to his first officer. “Natsuko, what do you make of all this?”
“There is definitely life signs here, I can’t determine much – there is a lot of weird readings coming off this hulk. Probably some kind of leak in one of the reactors.” Natsuko replied, just as the bridge lights illuminated. She looked down, noticing the hand that ways exposed within the debris. “Ahhh….there are ….oh my….we need medical teams over here!” She said, feeling light headed with shock.
Kiyomasu blinked. “Medical…I four teams assembled for transport over to this ship we have encountered. Full quarantine is to be maintained for anything or anyone brought back here…that includes our team that is currently over there.” He gave his orders, looking at the volumetric screen which showed the lifeless vessel drifting ahead of them.
Three Days Later
A bright light would shine in Teal’s eyes briefly, not the harmful unfiltered range but a modified light source specifically designed for Norians. The sounds of rhythmic indicators could be heard, giving indications of her life signs as she laid on her back facing the ceiling of the Karassa’s medical bay.
“This one is waking up…I think…” Doctor Handa Taki said, looking towards the Captain who stood in his usual place, leaning against the inner door to the infirmary.
“Hello? Can you hear us?” the Doctor asked, looking down at the green haired female.
*
Teal’s eyelids opened partially, dazzled by the overhead lighting, as well as another that seemed to be waved over her face. Her reaction was to close her eyes and shield them from the light, which had roused her from her state of unconsciousness. A dull buzzing, or ringing sensation was still in her ears from the impact the ship had taken shortly after the enemy ships had been sucked into the tear in space. Voices, like echoes in a long tunnel could be heard, breaking past the electrical buzzing sound. Slowly Teal’s eyelids opened again, and she could see just beyond the small light that flashed over her eyes, a masked Doctor; whose partially obscured face showed concern as he asked if she could hear them.
Teal’s throat was dry, and her tongue felt swollen so it was difficult for her to talk. Her head turned slightly to the left and she could just make out the shadows of other people in the room.
“Hello? Can you hear us?”
~cough~ “Yes….where…where am I?”
It was all still vague what had happened, and Teal tried to move and sit up, as something told her that she needed to find her Sons. Flashes of memory, flickering images played over and over in her mind’s eye, and the screams as the ship took a massive hit, brought Teal back to a reality with a dreadful shock.
“ADRIN?!” Teal screamed out, a look of terror in her eyes.
*
Doctor Taki leaned over Teal, and lifted her eyelids up one after the other, checking the response of her pupils. The doctor was a relatively short statured Vaesudan, she had long feather edged ears and dark red hair that tumbled loosely to her shoulders. “You are in the Infirmary of the Norian Imperial Ship, Karassa. You have suffered mild injuries but we are working to get you healed.” The doctor’s eyes widened as the woman screamed for Adrin. “Nurse, single dose of sysnesophin…” she ordered, hand out and read as the nurse passed her the dermal applicator in which she immediately pressed against Teal’s cheek. The fast working relaxant would hopefully reduce the stress level of the patient.
Adrin….. Kiyomasu crooked his right brow, a rather perplexed look on his face as the woman on the table called his father’s name. The young man had a rather distinct look, brilliant crystalline azure eyes and blue-grey glaucous hair that was spiked in the satorian-style. His uniform was black, save for the single panel on the right hand side that covered the shoulder and half the mandarin-style color which was a dark blue color. A diamond-like insignia was pinned about a hand width beneath the color. He had a niranium plated belt with the logo of the ship’s patch on it and two holstered weapons. He approached Teal’s bed, looking down at her. “Who are you? Where did you come from and how did you end up on that ship?” his jaw tightened slightly, eyes intensely upon hers, “Why are you calling my father’s name?”
“Captain Eitan….” The voice of Commander Natsuko came over the comm again. “We have detected a squadron of Umarian Zhauatha Battlecruisers on long-ranged sensors, they are on an intercept course. Please advise.”
“Set a course for the Amarnon System…We can use the disruption from the pulsar in that system to hide our signature.” Kiyo responded, then terminated the communication looking down at Teal.
*
“Who are you? Why did you call my father’s name?”
Teal’s eyes were filled with fear and confusion, suddenly being addressed by a handsome young man in an officer’s uniform that she did not recognise. The ship she had been travelling on, most of the crew were casually dressed from memory. Teal started to pull at the wired sensors that were covering her chest and head. It became clearer she was in an infirmary, but the location of which she truly didn’t know. The comms rang out and announced for Captain Eitan. ~Eitan?~ Teal found herself looking back towards the Captain, and when she saw the diamond like insignia, she found herself about to go into shock. But it was then someone, a nurse pressed a dermal applicator to her cheek, and Teal started to feel the effects of the relaxant sweep through her blood system. Teal’s hands fell away from her chest, to the sides of the observation table with a dull thud, and she began to feel light headed from the sysnesophin.
“He’s…my…Son…” Teal said breathlessly, her eyelids growing heavy once more. Her head turned towards Kiyomasu and she uttered in a whisper. “I am Teal…D..D..”
*
Kiyomasu folded his arms over his chest and took a deep breath. “Son?” He said quietly to himself and then looked at the doctor. “Can you run a DNA analysis on her?” He was not believing the story and he had every reason in the world not to. At this point though, he didn’t have much of an option but to pursue the information that he had availible to him. Most of those recovered from the other ship were still unconcious, those who had woken up were in various unresponsive states that could hadly be defined as lucid. His slender ears flicked back in frustration.
“Already on it…” Taki responded, standing at the console next to the bed. A ripple moved through the water-like surface on the lower panel as volumetrics were utilized to construct a three dimensional model of Teal’s genetic structure. After a few moments, a second genetic model appeared, a copy of Kiyomasu’s own from his medical file. The two structures were twisted and moved through the air as various base pairs were selected and matched.
“Captain…” the doctor said, in disbelief, “This woman, in terms of my equipment…is your paternal grandmother.”
Kiyomasu looked down at Teal. His eyes narrowed, “Grandmother…” He shook his head. “She looks so….young.” He said, already beginning to piece things together in his mind. “Time travel…” He said to himself, “We spend friggin years denying this….trying to get these bastards to stop killing everything they touch and now here we are..” He slipped his fingers back through his hair. “…the smoking gun…” Kiyo didn’t know what to do. He just stood there, looking down at this woman, his supposed grandmother.
“Where are you from?” He whispered, “When…are you from?” He asked then after, hand falling lightly on the medical bed beside Teal’s shoulder.
*
Though Teal had been given the muscle relaxant, she was still wide awake, and was listening carefully to all that was said, and noting what was going on around her. All it took was for her to turn her head slightly, and she spotted the construction of the three dimensional model of Teal’s genetic structure. This was quickly followed by one of the young officer that stood near where she lay. Course, she was telling the truth. She had no reason to lie. Her hopes were that both Adrin’s from each ship had survived the rip caused by the missile explosion. The tests proved to be accurate and it was confirmed. Teal was Kiyomasu’s paternal grandmother.
“Grandmother…”
Teal’s head turned back towards Kiyomasu and she narrowed her gaze, eyes dull but she could see him properly. He did have a striking resemblance to Adrin, so could this be her grandson? Then it dawned on her. What if the ship she had been on, had been swept into the tear? What if…this was another spiral? His quiet words; thoughts expressed out loud mentioned time travel. “The smoking gun.” Teal was now caught. How much should she reveal, and what did he know about the location of Genovus and the Adrin of this time?
“I..I…am from…the Alpha..timeline. I was trying to help..your..your Fathers.”
Now this was going to make things either worse….or a lot more complicated to explain.
*
Fuck… Kiyomasu cursed in his own head as Teal spoke. The Captain had full access to data regarding the accusations that the U.A.R had made against them, he knew full well that this was the breach in Temporal Law that Lao’Taun had issued as his reasons for starting the war. He silently wished that they had destroyed the ship he had pulled them off of prior to moving to outrun the three incoming ships. Fathers? Kiyomasu let out a deep breath. “Well you are in the Delata Timeline…” He said, bright crystalline eyes falling on hers. “Year is Eleven, One, thirty-six desa forty five…NSD (11136.45 NSD [Reference: Impact (Delata) 9837NSD, (Alpha Equivulent – 10137NSD) )…and you have arrived into the middle of a war.” Kiyo felt no need to hide the truth from her, after all it was not like he could send her back to where she came from.
“We recovered several others with you…but our medical facilities could not handle the number of casualties so we had to convert one of our aerospacy bays into temporary medical holding areas.” Kiyomasu knew that the woman — his grandmother, was worried about his ‘fathers’ and the others who had been aboard the other ship with her. “I don’t know if your Adrin..” he corrected, “..Adrins…are among the survivors, but I will do my best to find out.” He had to find out, it was his responsibility as Captain.
“Your arrival generates mixed feelings, while this is a confirming event to what we have believed…it also verifies we are the makers of our own undoing.” Kiyo said, contemplating what he was going to send back in his report to command. For now he had no intention of risking a hyper band transmission, knowing that three UAR ships were right behind them.
*
It was too much. Teal was caught between a rock and a hard place. This was not how it was supposed to have been, and certainly not how she would have envisaged meeting her grandson from this time line. One comfort was that the ship had not gone through the tear, and they were in the same spiral. The problem was what had happened to the Vanguard V, and her husband’s ship, that had come so close to the tear, right before the ship was hit. Teal had to stem the rising wave of panic that was flooding her body. The systems that monitored her would have been going off the charts, as she gripped her hands into fists. Her grandson spoke so calmly, but with each passing word, and phrase she was becoming more and more erratic in her thinking. The calm and collected Teal was long since gone. The only thing stopping her from leaping up and running to the aerospacy bays, was that she had been given the muscle relaxant. It was all coming back to her, in a tremendous rush. Like flicking paper and watching the action all play out again, till the point of where she had run for the lift to get the shuttle to save her beloved Falcon.
Kiyomasu mentioned survivors, but he failed to mention the other ships. It would be impossible to miss a ship the size of the Vanguard V, let alone the sleek ship that Falcon flew in. Finally, Teal found her voice and her will came roaring to the fore.
“My son, Adrin and I from the Alpha timeline, came here purposely to try to prevent the wars that ….*she paused a moment, fearing she was going to go to far, then changed course*…when we came out into realspace, that is when the Vanguard V encountered a battle ground, where a great many ships had been destroyed; a battle that had already been lost. The debris pummelled our ship into submission, and that is when we were rescued by…Genovus. I am sure you know of him.” Teal said, looking up at him as she released and clenched her hands again.
“It wasn’t till your Father and I were on board their ship, we encountered your Father of this timeline. Barely had a chance to speak to him when the ship came under attack. Three ships in total.” At this point, Teal turned her head away from the young Kiyomasu, almost ashamed of what happened afterwards. She didn’t want to admit to the chain reaction of events that lead to the horrific explosions and the tear in time itself. Licking her lips, as she took a deep breath, she continued, feeling a swelling in her throat.
“My son, Adrin…from our timeline, rushed back in a fighter to the Vanguard V. Our weapons are far superior, and he was going to try to protect the lead ship that I was on, with your Father of this time. But….your Grandfather….Falcon. He came out of realspace and tried to stop us…..”
Teal’s voice trailed off as she released her hands from the tight grip, her head turning back towards her grandson. and she sighed softly.
“We travelled from our own time…hoping to stop what…is coming. But in our own recklessness….we only made it worse.”
*
Kiyomasu just closed his eyes and shook his head. Worse? He had to focus to get the emotion that swelled as she spoke to leave him. She didn’t know what worse was. He nodded his head, following along as she spoke. “I mean you no disrespect, but I hope you understand — my ability to assist you is going to be rather limited for the time being. I will do what I can – the only ship recovered was the one we found you on.” His word was all he had to offer her. “Do you think you can walk?” He asked, then looked towards Doctor Taki who had resumed her duties with another patient on the other side of the Medical Bay.
It appeared, at least for now that Teal’s recollection of events were in tune with history – at least the history that he knew.
The Karassa peeled out of the quantum slipstream conduit and back into real space They had arrived in the Amarnon System. The pulsating waves of dead surface material, radiation and light that emitted from the Amarnon star cause the ship to react slightly, like a sailboat being swept out to sea the ship was pushed back each time the distortion pulse flooded through the system, it’s shields protecting it. The pulse emitted from the star on a frequent, unchanging pattern which would hopefully be enough to hide their signature from the Umarian sensors.
*
She didn’t need to hear his words, for his face and the shake of his head spoke volumes. Kiyomasu had not said mention of the Vanguard V or her husband’s ship. He did show some kindness in his reply. At least apologising for the limited assistance he could offer her, but that did not answer the questions that burned in her own mind. Where was the Vanguard V and Falcon’s ship? How could there have only been one? Did Adrin and Genovus survive the explosion? Teal wanted to scream, she wanted to lash out..but what good would that do? Her face fell at the very thought. Lost in time….Lost in space. How could she possibly help anyone now?
“Do you think you can walk?”
At first, Teal simply didn’t want to get up. She just lay there for the moment, staring at the ceiling; the enormity now crashing down on her, weighing heavily upon her whole body, like she had become a led weight. Then, there was movement, as she propped herself up and swung her legs off the table and let them dangle just before the floor. Her head was bowed, hiding her face from view as she brought her hand up to wipe away a tear that was the only sign that she felt almost broken inside.
“I think so.” Teal said quietly, easing herself off the edge of the table and letting her feet take the weight of her body. She stood still for a moment, allowing herself to regain her balance. Then she took two steps, and her legs held true. A sideways glance towards Kiyomasu, and she asked;
“Please take me to the other survivors.”
It was all that needed to be asked, for she was not even sure, who had survived, and who was lost.
*
Kiyomasu nodded in response to her request, as he ordered the Karassa’s AI to provide Teal with clothing synthesis. A shower of green swept down Teal’s form as femtomechanical constructors worked to weave a uniform onto her body. It was simple, much like his ; the final product included boots and the same insignia that was on Kiyomasu’s uniform. The doctor followed up by signing off on Teal’s discharge through the same highly advanced connection with the ship. In the past 1200 years there had been significant advances in AI interfacing, enough so that some tactile interfaces had become redundancies utilized in emergencies only.
“If you begin to feel faint, or ill in anyway – please return to sickbay.” Doctor Taki said to Teal, handing her a dermal applicator filled with pain killers. “This should help with any minor pain and inflammation – remember your body has been through a lot.”
Kiyomasu was constantly multitasking TIANA implants assisted his brain with the rapid transfer of information, he managed thousands of personnel and every department on the ship and could perform the same functions that had been reserved for ‘in-chair’ operations during the times Teal had previously encountered, flashes of colours streaked across the dark pinpoints of his pupils as HUD-like projections were cast over what he looked at. “If you don’t mind, I need to stop at the bridge before I take you….can give you a bit of a tour as well.” He said, hoping it was not going to be a massive inconvience, regardless of the special nature of her visit he still had things to attend to.
He headed towards the door, and motioned her to follow. “Thank you, Doctor.” The Captain said, giving a slight tilt of his head.
“Anytime…” Taki said, already face deep in a molecular scanner.
*
Teal was actually unaware that she was totally naked, and stood still as the wave of shower green swept over her form and materialized into a green coloured uniform that matched that of Kiyomasu, right down to the insignia. There was not much to it, simplistic in design. Teal was naturally more flamboyant when it came to garments, however she was not in a position to voice a complaint. She could only be thankful that she was covered and modest before the Doctor and Captain. Now wearing boots upon her feet that matched the ensemble, she took her first hesitant steps unaided; her will strong as ever to show independence.
“If you begin to feel faint, or ill in anyway – please return to sickbay.”
“Thank you…Doctor.” Teal said simply, graciously accepting the dermal applicator and holding it tight in her hand. First and foremost in Teal’s mind was getting to the survivors, and checking to see who was among them, to confirm her worst fears that she had lost her family in this disaster. Her pace was slow, try as she might to keep up with Kiyomasu, who had a lot to deal with, considering. So it was no surprise really when he said;
“If you don’t mind, I need to stop at the bridge before I take you….can give you a bit of a tour as well.”
It was well understood, that his role on his ship was that of Captain, and his duties to it and its crew came first. Teal thought no less of the man, and nodded in agreement, though she deeply wanted to go straight for the make shift triage bays. In days past, Teal walked up right and proud, always dignified, but with a hint of cheek. Bright and colourful. But that was due to the love and closeness of kin, and without them, she felt as though the very fire that lit her heart was extinguished.
“Course, I would honoured to see the bridge, Captain.”
Teal addressed him formally, due to it being considered polite. That and she didn’t know of him as being her grandson. Teal didn’t know him at all.
*
Kiyomasu lead the way, the corridor was busy with personnel traffic – the Karassa was a warship, that was evident, every single solider was armed and orderly. When they passed the Captain they would cross their right arm over their chest, fist falling against their left shoulder in salute. The corridors were well lit, something new for Norian vessels – the special filtered light had a bluish tinge to it and was devoid of the spectra that caused damage to their sensitive tissues and blood. Security Alcoves were at the beginning of each section, he lead her to one of the tram lifts that ran the horizontal of the Flagship.
“A lot has changed, especially in the last five centuries…” He explained. “Unlike the first Umarian War we actually have been able to hold some ground….its been costly, but so far the only major systems we have lost are Deneb and Denai.” Kiyo didn’t even know if she cared, but he talked anyway. “No doubt, the Aestaesys and his military council will have more questions for you…” he said, trying to get her to talk to him. She had been traumatized, been through hell and back.
The bridge design on the third generation of Flagships as well as the Alliegance-Class Titan had been completely changed from previous designs. When the lift opened they emerged into a security checkpoint, four heavily armed soldiers and one wearing a Mieyo Power Armour occupied the checkpoint which included several scanners as well as a heavily armoured isolation door that was sealed. Kiyo passed through the scanner and for a brief second it was as if he had become translucent, streams of energy worked over his form and then faded, clearing him. The scan checked for parasites and other Umarian agents, technologies and anything that would be harmful to the bridge, it’s officers or the security of the Federation. The scan was lightning quick, making it possible to ensure security even during the most urgent of situations.
“Ma’am, just step through the scanner.” The sentry said, motioning to the arch that Kiyomasu had already cleared. “Welcome to the bridge.” he said, trying to be polite.
*
A bustling hub of activity with every soldier that came to pass, dressed in full uniform and armed. Each saluted their Captain, and it was obvious he held a great deal of respect from his men. Teal’s right leg felt a stabbing pain, though it was not enough to make her fall, she did stumble slightly, and placed a hand on the corridor wall, taking in a deep breath, then righting herself and pressing on. The ship was vastly different from what she had encountered in the past; one thing in particular to note was the lighting, which illuminated all in a strange glow. All she passed were used to this, but for her eyes, it made her squint just a touch. The bluish glow setting off her fine skin, and even giving her teal coloured hair a strange glow.
“A lot has changed, especially in the last five centuries…”
“You would hope so, Captain. Though the way people dress is surprising. I was half wondering if it comes off just as easily.” This was a sign that the Teal of old, was just under the surface. The Captain spoke of the first Umarian war, whereby they had been successful in holding ground. The systems of Deneb and Denai, were sadly unfamiliar to her. Perhaps this was his way of making small talk with the dimunitive Teal, after all, he knew so little of her and her heritage, cept to say she looked far younger than she actually was.
“Ahh..shame to lose them. But unfortunately there is always a price to be paid when we go to war. And usually its the innocent that are those we lose first.”
“No doubt, the Aestaesys and his military council will have more questions for you…”
“And I them. In fact, I probably have many more. All in due time of course.”
On reaching the bridge, it was like stepping into another world; the design totally unfamiliar as well as the layout. Streamlined, and sophisticated. All of which suited to this more modern age. Surprisingly, there was even a military check point at the lift opening. Four heavily armoured soldiers greeted them, and Kiyo was first to pass through the scanners. Teal was left flabbergasted to see his form become translucent, while the scan checked him over for all manner of parasites and other technologies, or bacteria that may well be harmful. A fast process, and one that had Teal hesitant.
“Ma’am, just step through the scanner.”
“Will you see…*she pointed to her chest and made a face, before swallowing her pride and stepping into the scanner*…oh dear.”
“Welcome to the bridge.”
As she passed through the scanner, her body translucent, she uttered;
“Not any more of these things are there, Captain? Already been naked once today….feels that way again.”
*
The sentry chuckled as Teal expressed concern about what they would see. He could see everything regardless, thanks to his AI assisted vision enhancements. Modesty was something that was rarely conducted on a star ship, plenty of controversy had spun about the Navy prior to the rise of Airwin’s reformed Eitan Dynasty, his predecessor having lacked the support of the admiralty – something he did not lack at all. This new generation of Eitan/Daithilus was strong, their names heralded as their forefathers had prior to the downwards spirals that began with the rise of Chrystalia – a Dynasty that Airwin didn’t recognize at all, members of it’s regime were treated as normal citizens under his accord and granted the same social mobility as anyone else.
“No…no more of those…” Kiyo responded, the security door behind them locked down with a hiss as the isolation door in front of them raised up. On older Norian vessels there was no security separation and the bridge was immediately on the same deck as it’s entry way. The isolation door however just opened up to a carpeted staircase with a white railing that lead upwards towards a trap-door type isolation bulkhead. Obviously, boarding was something that was an issue, one that they had dealt with by creating separations before the bridge. In the event of quick access, the flag officers and commanders could use site-to-site transport which went under the same scruitiny but in a much quicker manner.
Kiyomasu lead his grandmother up the steps and the door opened, pistol-like cylinders pushing the heavily armored doors upwards and out revealing the main floor of the bridge. The ceiling was immensely high, almost three deck heights above them, towering with illuminated dark blue panes. The detailing was something that had only usually appeared in the lavished residences of the Imperials on Lorenz itself. They had taken the concept of the “Cathedral-style” Command Centre of the Yughoshi and revamped it into something completely different. The style was referred to specifically as “Basillica”, The floor they emerged into was a massive nave, with two long banks of stations that extended right from one end to the other, creating an edge to the central aisle which lead towards the raised platform that formed the crossing. Banners with the flags of the Federation and the Eitan-Daithilus Clan hung from the massive niranium support pillars that stretched upwards forming talon-like decorative inlays into the vaulted ceiling. Various terminals laid on the other side of the two main banks which were filled. The main floor was devoted to fleet logistics, secondary communications, sensors and other functions. Four Capital ship pilot stations, a NavCon Command Desk and several engineering support consoles were separated off in a partially enclosed antechamber forwards of the main floor in the opposite direction of the raised platform.
“Captain on the bridge!” One of the crewmen yelled, the majority of the working staff snapping to attention.
Kiyomasu’s posture stiffened and his walk became more brisk as he marched up the central aisle, climbing up the three stairs to the crossing. Two areas sat on either side forming the transcepts of the modelled interior, one was devoted to Fleet Intelligence, and the other to secondary operations and flight control. Two sweeping curved staircases rose to the elevated Apse that formed the Command Bridge. Kiyo bound up the stairs, passing the massive operations table where three officers worked around a massive interactive solid-state volumetric recreation of the ship.
On the command chair, a throne-like chair that sat on a slightly raised platform with two pedestal-style consoles on either side that had an elegant curve that matched that of the dome-style ceiling above. The symbol of the Federation had been etched right into the niranium of the wall surface behind the chair and tapestries tumbled down on either side of it. A female sat in the chair, left leg crossed over the right in a very professional but alluring manner. She had pale ravenesque features that drew attention to her dark smile.
“Report, Commander…” Kiyo said.
“The three ships are gaining on us, despite our penetration into the wake of the pulsars…it appears they have followed us. The disruption of the radiation should provide the same nullifying effect we are experiencing in terms of long ranged sensors and communications — hopefully their commanders have not had the sense to call into whatever combine they serve for assitance.” Commander Ishara responded to Kiyo’s request for an update. She looked to Teal, and gave a slight nod. “Good to see you awake ma’am. I am Commander Ishara…Delta Shift Supervisor, Tactical Expert.” She introduced herself.
Kiyomasu sighed, “Suppose that means we are going to have to paste them…” he said, shaking his head slightly.
*
“Captain on the bridge!” One of the crewmen yelled out, causing Teal to jump slightly in her step. Certainly were on the ball, and Teal followed Kiyomasu as he walked with a straightened posture up the centre aisle. Teal could not help but be fascinated by the marvellous architectural design, and of course, she noted the banners that held the Eitan-Daithilus Clan symbol. With far more consoles, and the different floors of that led up to the elevated Apse which was where the Command bridge was located. Teal took each step slowly, eyes darting in all directions, but keeping in behind Kiyomasu till they reached the top and found themselves before a throne like command chair, which held the Commander of the very ship. Seated much like she was a Queen, and not military, this Commander held herself in high regard, alluring and with a dark smile that welcomed the Captain and his guest.
The report was filed immediately, of how the three ships were gaining on them. Now Teal understood the reason why the Captain had to attend the bridge, as he had been summoned to explain what they faced. Teal peeked out from behind her lanky grandson, and her green hair tumbled off her shoulders, whilst striking jade eyes took in the Commander and regarded her with a hint of curiosity.
“Good to see you awake ma’am. I am Commander Ishara…Delta Shift Supervisor, Tactical Expert.”
“Well met, Commander Ishara. I am Teal Daithilus.”
Teal felt it was not her time, nor right to speak of her true title, but of her given name. Surely the Commander already knew who she was and what troubles she had brought with her. Stepping out from behind Kiyomasu, Teal appeared a lot smaller in stature. Tiny would be a good word to describe her.
“Your Captain was kind enough to escort me here, on the way to see the survivors from my….son’s ship.” Teal paused partially due to the fact, that the son of this time line, she simply didn’t know. Her son, Adrin from Alpha was presumed lost to her. So many questions she had, and the most pressing was…who survived? Teal was well acquainted with making small talk with ambassadors, and the like, and decided to attempt conversation in light of everything.
“You have a lovely ship….it’s…very nice.” Her voice almost musical, but you could hear the touch of frayed nerves. The Commander was looking upon a woman, who felt she had lost everything that mattered to her in this life. Struggling to show good manners. Ever Teal.
*
Kiyomasu looked to Teal apologetically, “I am sorry but your suvivors will have to wait a few minutes.” He said, giving a slight nod of his head as the Commander rose from the chair. “You have the Eien, Commander.” He issued as Ishara left the platform, racing towards a direct lift bank that had three dedicated lifts; Eien, Yume and Chuujitsu. Kiyomasu sat down in the command chair, the second his buttox hit the padded chair it moved forwards three inches and the pedestal consoles adjusted inwards, activating several volumetric imaging arrays around the chair.
“Attention all decks, this is the Captain speaking. All hands Condition One….All hands to battle stations and prepare for separation sequence.” Kiyo’s voice rang out over the internal communications system of the ship. The bridge lights dimmed and officers rushed to their stations. The massive volumetric model of the ship at the operations console, began to flash. “Separation Sequence Z-3:00″ The ship’s AI cores immediately went into full alert, closing bulkheads and preparing the ship not only for the impending separation but the coming of battle as well.
“It would be wise if you held onto something…” Kiyo said, motioning to one of the pedestal consoles. A volumetric image of the three Umarian Zhauatha Battle cruisers popped up next to him.
“Norian Federation vessel..Lower your defence fields, de-energize your weapons, and prepare to be boarded.” The clicks and whines of insectoid tongue were overlayed by the electronic voice of a translator.
Kiyomasu chuckled, activating the communications in return. “Umarian vessels. Please, oh please…don’t hurt us…We are a colony ship on a mission errant of mercy carrying humanitarian aide to Ayenee.” He then cut the communication off. “Yes…let me lower our shields, shut off our weapons and let you come over here and kill us all” He uttered, shaking his head.
Separation Sequence Initialized….Standby….
The ship shuddered as internalized clamps and umbilicals were released, lift tubes and other access ways were sealed and the massive flagship began it’s separation sequence. The model of the ship at the operations table shifted, matching the movements of the ship as it separated into four autonomous craft. Each vessel had it’s own engines, weapons and defence systems. One by one, they transformed, shapes shifting slightly as coil assemblies were augmented to flight mode. Three screens opened just in front of the operations tables, showing the battle bridge of the three sections.
“Eien Ready…”
“Yume Ready….”
“Chuujitsu….Ready…”
Kiyomasu tilted his head slightly to the right, “Stay in proximity formation until they reach 20,000km….The second their first ship opens fire, break formation and commence offensive manoeuvre Kiyomasu-One.” Each of the vessel’s main gun assemblies became visible on the bulk which made up the Karassa’s main section. Super-Heavy turrets were raised from beneath the substrate of the hull, missile batteries and two Tristram Detonation towers began to build up to the ready as well.
“Helm…ready on emergency sub light….four second burst 0.42c.” Kiyo ordered. “In five…four….three….two…..one…..”
*
Kiyomasu apologised for the delay in getting her down to see the survivors of her ship, but it turns out that he had a damn good reason. Teal took a step back, as the Commander leapt off her throne like chair and dashed across the deck, past Teal who was now confused about what was going on.
“You have the Eien, Commander.” Kiyomasu sung out, as the Commander reached a specialized lift, marked accordingly with Eien. Teal looked about her, wondering what to do, or even where to go, till instructed that she needed something to hang onto. ~Oh not again.~ was the first thought to cross Teal’s mind. Seemed like every time she boarded a new ship, it came under attack. Was she cursed? She certainly felt that way at present. Kiyomasu pointed out a pedestal console, and she hurried across to seat herself down, while three large projections appeared, whilst the lights of the bridge dimmed. Battle stations, and the enemy was not at all friendly.
“Norian Federation vessel..Lower your defence fields, de-energize your weapons, and prepare to be boarded.”
The strange tone, that had been translated across, gave Teal a chill that ran up and down her spine. They weren’t friendly by any standards, and the Captain’s reply confirmed her worst fears.
“Umarian vessels. Please, oh please…don’t hurt us…We are a colony ship on a mission errant of mercy carrying humanitarian aid to Ayenee.” Kiyomasu replied, much to Teal’s surprise, and then she caught on the sarcastic tone, and when he finished what he wanted to say after cutting communication, there was no way she wanted to meet these creatures face to face. Teal dug her fingernails into the armrests and closed her eyes tight, listening to the communications going on between the various parts of the ship, that were actually breaking up. One eye popped open, as she viewed the screen and realized what was going on. A ship that could become four; fully functioning and independently capable of engaging weapons systems which was fascinating. If only her sons were here to witness this.
“Stay in proximity formation until they reach 20,000km….The second their first ship opens fire, break formation and commence offensive manoeuvre Kiyomasu-One.”
Teal felt totally helpless, hoping and praying that the combined ships manoeuvring and working together, could outmatch the Umarians.
*
The opening manoeuvre was a devastating one, the masking effects of the pulsar had masked them enough to create the illusion Kiyo was going for, they had expected a colony ship, their lead opened fire and the four ships broke formation. Turret fire, torpedoes zipped across the darkness of space, blasting through the hulls of the lead vessel. The Karassa and it’s “escorts” slipped into formation, the three smaller craft like hunters – gunships designed to prey upon the ships that tried to hurt their mothership. They were fast, engines screaming, as manuvering thrusters fired in rapid sequences constantly changing their orientation in space. It was something to watch, because the internal dampening systems on most ships wouldn’t of been able to keep up with the constant changes, but on these new generation of ships, they were taking it with grace. Beam cannons surged, sweeping like knives that cleaved through space and metal, literally severing the lead Umarian Battle cruiser right in half.
“No runners…Lets finish them.” Kiyomasu ordered.
“Offensive manuver Kiyomasu-Nira-Alpha….” He ordered, the three vessels zipped out ahead of the remaining two Umarian ships. “All starboard weapons….fire on my mark.” The Karassa’s main vessel began to turn, exposing it’s lateral side to the two remaining ships. Turrets blasting, the ship shuddered as it too took hits, the shielding systems of the superior ship withstanding the beating.
“Damage Control Teams to Deck 342…” The Operations Officer ordered.
“Stay on them!” Kiyomasu ordered as he reopened the comm to the Umarian ships. “Don’t let them get away. Eien, target enemy escape pods and egg nursery modules..”
“Umarian vessels…This is the Norian Federation Battleship..I’d offer you the chance to lower your shields and surrender but quite frankly I’d just blow you up anyway.” The young Eitan Captain grinned, watching the tactical monitor.
*
Tactical genius and the ship’s amazing capability to separate as it was fired upon, meant that it would cause not only panic and confusion for the Umarians, it truly gave the Norians’ the upper hand in what was going to be a relatively short conflict. The blackness of space became illuminated by turret fire and the torpedos that were hurtling towards the hull of the lead vessel. The command bridge filled with radio chatter and the orders being posted by the Operations officer and the Captain as well. Resolute and without showing mercy, they intended to defeat all the ships, including any runners, escorts, or escape pods.
Teal held on tight, as the ship took a barrage of hits itself, the lights dimming and projections flickering before stabilizing once more. The Karassa and the separated sections was clearly no match for the Umarian vessels, and when the Captain issued his order for them to surrender, it looked like the Umarians would have little choice in the matter. Question was, would they surrender to the Norian battleship, or instead blow up their own ships in self defence; a tactic used in the most desperate of times.
*
The two remaining Umarian vessels turned, heading back straight for the Karassa, their sublight engines and shielding systems had received all the power they diverted. It was obvious what they intended to do.
“You’d think these damn bugs would figure out…this tactic doesn’t work anymore.” Kiyo said. “Ready dorsal burst….All turrets to standby….” He watched, the ranged distances of the two Umarian battle crusers were closing fast as they intended to ram them. “…almost…..” He said, literally sitting on the edge of his seat.
“Now!” Kiyo yelled. The Karassa heaved, it literally sounded as if the ship popped as massive armored covers were jettisoned off the dorsal hull. It created a massive decompression of four massive chambers at the corners of each of the hull ends, which combined with the sudden diversion of Dimensional Energy Taps through the tube system to those now exposed vents. Eruptions of Tristram fed energy burned through space as the Karassa was propelled straight down on the Z-axis diving beneath the closing vessels. “Fire….” The Captain ordered, swarms of missiles blasted from the ship’s batteries and torpedoes swarmed from the forward and dorsal tubes. Pulse after pulse of heavy turret fire caused the interior of the ship to vibrate and surge. Two explosions followed, the Umarian vessels decimated by their failed attempt at kamikaze.
“Clean it up!” Kiyo ordered, the three other ships hauled ass back towards them, swarming the debris of the two ships to vaporize any survivors.
*
Teal was right on the money, sure enough the two remaining Umarian ships were going to attempt to take out the Karassa by way of ramming head on; a suicide tactic, that was engaged at the most dire point of any battle. But seems the Captain knew this all too well, and was prepared for such action, calling out orders, that had the ship ready to face this head on. Teal’s chest heaved, feeling the wave of terror mixed with excitement fill her. Looking back up at Kiyomasu, she had a renewed sense of respect for him. A man that was at his best when his back was against the wall. Could he pull this off? He was practically on the edge of his seat, mentally counting down to give the order…
“Now!” Kiyo yelled.
The Karassa lurched so sharply, it almost threw Teal straight out of her chair, and her long teal coloured tresses flew forward and then back, as she was rocked by the ship’s massive armoured covers being jettisoned off the dorsal hull. The ship took evasive action, hurtling forward and then beneath the oncoming ships. Teal held on tight as she tried to correct her seating, when she heard the word yelled out “Fire!” Split seconds later and the ship was launching a swarm of missiles and projectiles at the two remaining ships. Holding her breath tight in her chest, she waited for the earth shattering explosions that were bound to come. Sure enough..they did, with the two Umarian ships being blasted to oblivion, their straggling remains of debris, ordered to be cleaned up by the Captain, who must have felt great relief that the ship had managed to come out of this ordeal relatively unscathed. Teal sat still for a moment, trying to take it all in, as she let out her held breath. If this was the state of how the worlds were at war, she had only seen the tip of the iceberg.
*
Kiyomasu’s victory was short lived as Commander Ishara’s voice came over the comm. “Karassa…this is the Eien…I am detecting a non-Umarian fragment within the debris field. It appears to be a probe of some sort….” The Eien transmitted a volumetric image of the probe to the bridge of the Karassa. The probe was about the size of a large garbage receptacle with the words “NIS Vanguard V” written on the side of the probe. The probe was inactive, drifting through the debris field left by the lead ship they had destroyed.
“Hmmm….” Kiyo said, looking at the probe and then to Teal. “That belong to you?” He asked, freezing the movement of the image on the name of the ship it had been launched from.
*
Teal could not take her eyes off the image of the inactive probe that was floating in amongst the debris. The words “NIS Vangaurd V” plain as day. She just sat there, staring at it…haunted by the image.
“My ship…was called the NIS Vanguard V. My son, Adrin was piloting it….when…..”
Teal paused for a moment, her brows knitting as her heart started to beat slower. She struggled for a moment, and then looked back at the Captain, finding her voice.
“….yes..it would be mine. But that probe…is as lost as I am.”
*
Kiyo listened as Teal spoke. She had so much emotion…so much passion. He had little choice but to give into his convictions. “Eien..have the probe brought back with you…Hopefully it will help us locate the vessel it was launched from.” He then looked over to Teal. “Guess its your lucky day….” He whispered, standing up from the command chair.
“We will find them…if they’re out there…”
>End Scene.
