Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles)

by James Jackson

  Even as he closes the channel, a chill runs up his spine, as not one, but two sets of forces rise up from the planet’s surface. In all, sixty-five Atlan vessels, along with hundreds of fighters, face off against them.

  Outnumbered and out classed, the Gamin fleet approaches certain death. Following the Regent’s plan, the fleet begins firing their kinetic weapons early; it is not as if the construction docks are going anywhere. Eight Atlan warships lead the defense forces, while the rest form a half dome behind them; they rally to a position between the orbital construction facilities and the fast-approaching Gamin fleet. Hundreds upon hundreds of fighters continue to rise from the planet’s atmosphere to join the defending forces.

  Voknor considers what is arrayed against them, then activates the internal communications once more, “All non-essential personnel report to the hatchery, abandon all outer decks. I repeat, abandon all outer decks. We face a superior force this day, and I will not have you die on a fool’s errand!”

  Leprax turns to Voknor and asks, “Can we survive this?”

  “Yes, but many of our clansmen will not!”

  One of the Atlan crafts fires its energy beams at extreme range; aimed straight at the flagship. The beams leave thin trails of superfluous damage. A second craft adds its weapons to the mix, soon followed by a third. As the distance between the forces lessens, more Atlan warships fire their weapons.

  Voknor flinches when he notices on his tactical display that Roggard is following his orders, and placing his ship in the path of the energy beams. Dozens of beams strike Roggard’s craft, melting long deep grooves into its thick armor as the ship rolls. Leprax sees the same information, and glances back to Voknor, expecting to receive the order to block the beams, as was instructed by their Regent.

  Voknor grins when he notices the look, and comments, “We will hold fast, those weapons pose no threat to the flagship. Be ready to roll the ship as we have done before to minimize damage!”

  The Regent’s flagship fires a barrage of kinetic weapons at the nearest construction facility, one which was damaged from previous successful impacts from the long-range attack, while many other vessels disobey orders and switch from firing upon the docks to the forces ahead.

  The Atlan warships suddenly accelerate toward the Gamin fleet, flanking them in seconds. Prime Voknor fires his ship’s weapons as the fleets pass one another, while Leprax continues to pilot the vessel, rolling it when he can. Voknor does not fire on the construction facilities either, but instead focuses on the fighters, and any Atlan craft that ventures too close.

  The Atlans fire a coordinated assault on four craft. Their concerted firepower, along with that of dozens of fighters, is a withering offensive. Within seconds, all four targets are floating hulks, the few surviving Gamin vainly attempt to seal hull breaches, and repair failed systems. Moments later, one of the critically damaged ships explodes spectacularly, sending a powerful shockwave out in all directions. The only vessels still in range of the blast are the other disabled ships, none of which have effective shielding. A second craft explodes, as does the third and fourth in a cascade effect.

  In return, only one Atlan warship appears damaged, and it moves away from the battle. The only victory afforded the Gamin is the extensive damage to six of the construction docks, along with the destruction of dozens of smaller attack craft.

  The flagship was not targeted during the pass, sparing Roggard’s and Voknor’s craft from any direct attack as well, but this will not last for long.

  Xasturz contacts his forces, “One more volley at the construction docks, then we leave. I want those facilities destroyed!”

  The flagship slows and turns in preparation for another attack before engaging its primary engines. The Gamin fleet follows suit, which allows the Atlan forces to re-engage them all the sooner. Kinetic weapons launch toward the space docks, Atlan warships, and enemy fighters, while at the same time, hundreds of energy weapons carve at the Gamin fleet.

  A flotilla of fighters, consisting of more than one hundred, stands between the fleet and open space. Many of these pilots intercept the kinetic weapons with their craft, dying in the process, but minimizing the effectiveness of the attack none-the-less.

  Voknor examines the tactical data, then notices an oddity. He is not sure what he sees, but follows his gut instinct anyway, and immediately orders, “Prepare to defend the flagship, I think they’re planning an attack run on it!”

  “Yes Prime!”, Leprax replies as he stares at the same data, baffled. He has been a bridge officer for countless years, and he cannot see anything to indicate a change in the Atlan strategy. As he watches, seventeen Atlan warships swing toward the flagship, while the rest of their forces engage the other Gamin vessels on a roughly two on one basis.

  The Regent’s flagship is inundated with an overwhelming number of energy beams. Roggard moves to intercept, as does another craft, along with Voknor’s. Whereas the energy weapons only leave furrows in Roggard’s craft as it rolls, the other craft, which is assisting, is peeled open instantly. This craft does not perform any special maneuvers, nor does it have any additional armor, and is soon destroyed.

  Another Gamin craft is temporarily the target of a concerted attack, and in that brief moment, is devastated. Its primary engines overload, and then moments later, they explode. The shock-wave shatters the craft as the blast travels through it.

  Voknor continues to fire his ship’s weapons, while Leprax attempts to block the enemy attacks. They are so intent on their respective duties; they barely notice the destruction of one Atlan dock, then another. Their vessel’s armor is lined with deep grooves as energy beam after energy beam slices into them. The few that breach the hull, enter sections devoid of atmosphere, thus there is no venting of gas to indicate that they are in trouble. Repair crews respond rapidly, and move to these sections, beginning repairs even as they continue to battle.

  One of the smaller Atlan warships turns toward the Regent’s flagship, and fires. Its weapons do little damage as they strafe Voknor’s craft instead of their intended target. Leprax proudly smiles at his own piloting, then freezes as the Atlan vessel engages its primary drive. Voknor stares in disbelief as the suicidal craft rams the flagship’s command levels. The Atlan vessel drives itself deep into their leader’s vessel, then explodes. The shockwave radiates both inside and outside the flagship, buckling hull and armor plates in all directions. Gas escapes from hundreds of cracks and gashes in the extensively damaged craft.

  The flagship rolls in space, its sub light engines and thrusters pulsing erratically as it limps away, leaving a trail of debris in its wake. Someone activates the ship’s primary drive, which nearly tears the ship apart as it accelerates to many times the speed of light. The ship’s shields struggle to encapsulate the missing sections of the command levels, causing space particles to collide directly with the hull in places. The remaining ships of the fleet hastily follow the flagship’s lead, and retreat, their attack succeeding, though at great cost to themselves.

  Old Guard Versus the New

  The fleet regroups in open space, and waits. Twenty-two craft arrive in staggered groups or individually. Of the twenty-eight which attacked the Atlans, six were destroyed; while most of the remaining craft are heavily damaged. Only two vessels have suffered no casualties, and apart from extensive armor damage, are fully functional. Initial tallies indicate that more than two thousand Gamin died this day, marking it as the bloodiest in this clan’s history.

  The flagship drifts and rolls in space as if uncontrolled, as it has done since it arrived. Its power systems fluctuate, and yet there is no communication from the massive craft. Without any information, or instructions, the fleet waits.

  Prime Voknor contacts all ships and offers, “My repair crews stand by, ready to assist.” He shakes his head as Prime after Prime declines the need for help, even though it is clear that many of their ships are extensively damaged. Even those he would consider his friends, refuse his offer of
assistance.

  Leprax turns to Voknor with a grin so wide his rows of sharp teeth show. He states proudly, “I managed to scan the system as we left, and despite our own heavy losses, I am pleased to report that we destroyed five of their construction docks, along with at least thirty-five of their attack fighters, while also heavily damaging two of their warships.”

  “Pretty impressive really!” Voknor replies, surprised by the results of their attack.

  Finally, after what feels like an eternity, a fleet-wide audio message is received from the flagship, “The command levels are destroyed, there are no survivors. The main power grid has overloaded, causing numerous system failures. We require assistance.”

  “We stand ready!” Voknor replies, before any other Primes can respond.

  “No!” replies Glarth, another Prime, “We must find a safe place to repair the fleet.”

  The debate rages for quite some time before, finally, a consensus is reached. The battered fleet moves on, including the extensively damaged flagship, and after many hours, finally arrives at their destination. A lush world greets them, one devoid of intelligent life, but teeming with a rarely seen diversity of plants and animals.

  The Primes debate to the point of arguing over their course of action. Voknor’s voice is drowned out by the others as each Prime attempts to assert themselves as the new clan leader. They argue over whether to land on the planet or not, then they debate over which ships should be repaired first.

  Finally, Voknor shouts, “We have to cooperate with each other. The most damaged vessels must be repaired first!”

  Prime Glarth angrily spits out, “Who are you to tell me what I must do?”

  A chorus of other Primes add their hearty agreement to Glarth’s comment, while a few others back Voknor’s position.

  Glarth demands, “I call a meeting of the Primes on the flagship.”

  Voknor shakes his head as the majority of the Primes agree. He turns to Leprax and orders, “Remain here while I deal with this idiocy. We’re wasting precious time.”

  Making his way to the shuttle bay, Voknor is surprised to see Prytec waiting for him, and he is heavily armed. As he approaches, Prytec states, “I will be your escort, as is afforded under the dispute charter, and I do believe we have a dispute.”

  Voknor simply nods as he replies, “Gratitude.”

  Traveling by shuttle, the pair are shocked by the sight of the battered flagship. Gas spews from hundreds of places where the hull is either punctured, or blown out. The command levels have a massive hole in them, as does the main hull where they originally connected. There is little left of the ship which collided with the flagship, its self-destruction being almost complete. The flagship’s shields continue to sparkle, then fail, being unable to contain the vast amount of damaged areas.

  Unseen by all the approaching Primes are the flagship’s repair teams, which are frantically sealing hull breaches as quickly as they are able. The power grid is normalized by the time they land, but many of the ship’s other systems are being left as they are until hull integrity has been restored.

  Prime Voknor stands tall as he strides from his shuttle and onto the floor of the cavernous hangar deck. Prytec follows close behind, his long weapon held in his hands, pointed downward, but ready for action. They make their way toward a group of Primes. The commanders of each of the fleet’s ships wear long flowing robes, a sign of their station. Some, like Voknor, have a guard, others do not.

  Glarth turns and states, “I am surprised you showed up, Voknor!” His failure to address him by his title is meant as an insult, but his taunt is wasted.

  Prime Algathor steps from the group and goes so far as to state, “Voknor, you do not deserve the title of Prime, you are too inexperienced, and should be replaced with a more knowledgeable clansman!”

  “I vote that Voknor be stripped of his status.” Glarth states authoritatively, almost as if the entire event has been scripted.

  Many of the Primes cheer, even as more arrive and wonder what is going on. Roggard casually passes behind Voknor, under the watchful eye of Prytec, and whispers, “Issue a challenge for the Regency. You only require one vote of support, and I will provide it.”

  Voknor is stunned by the idea, then as a chill runs through his body, he ponders his options. Coming to a decision, he strides closer to the group and then states confidently, “I claim position as Regent, and challenge all who oppose me.”

  Most of the Primes laugh and chuckle, while others stare in disbelief at Voknor’s audacity.

  In the midst of the heckling that follows, Prime Roggard loudly states, “I second Prime Voknor’s challenge.”

  The area goes deathly quiet as Prime Voknor’s claim is supported, legitimizing it. A low murmuring begins amongst Glarth’s cohorts.

  “He has no right!” Glarth spits out venomously.

  Roggard grins as he approaches Glarth. He then points to Voknor and states, “As a Prime, he has a legitimate right to claim the position of Regent.” He stares at Glarth as he adds, “Do you fear his challenge?”

  Glarth steps aggressively toward Roggard and hisses, “Why don’t you challenge me?”

  Roggard grins widely as he replies, “You are my equal, there is no challenge!”

  Glarth utters a series of obscenities under his breath, then states, “I issue a challenge for Regent.”

  He quickly receives support from almost half the Primes. Others quickly add their voices, laying claim to the Regency, and receive at least one vote of confidence, endorsing and legitimizing their claims. No one is permitted to both contest for the position, and support another; such is the way of the Gamin.

  Roggard shouts over the voices of the other Primes, “So it is settled. Six Primes will enter the pit, only one shall be victorious, and claim the title of Regent.”

  Those gathered agree, and then debate about when the contest will be fought, and where. The talks are heated, but finally they all agree to wait until some of the flagship’s damage is attended to.

  The Pit

  Two days later, the stage is set. On the lush planet, which the fleet still orbits, an enormous pit has been dug. In it stands six naked Gamin. None have weapons of any kind, nor do they need them. Each of the combatants has sharpened their claws to a razor’s edge.

  The remaining fifteen Primes stand around the edge of the pit and watch. The ensuing fight for the right to lead them will be transmitted live to every console in the fleet. All in all, some five thousand Gamin stop what they are doing to watch as well. Wagers are taken on who will win, who will succumb first, and more. Most cheer for Glarth, he is favored to win, but each of the other contenders has their supporters, even Voknor has a few chanting his name.

  Glarth is the heaviest and stockiest of the contenders and confidently stands in the middle of the pit. He stares at Voknor, ignoring the others, and states, “This is the way of things. The strongest earns the right to lead, and that is me. Voknor, you die today!”

  These challenges are rare, but when they occur, it is usually to the death. Few yield, as the loss of honor that follows them is like a curse. The six in the pit begin to move about, positioning themselves, waiting.

  A timer chimes loudly, indicating the match is to start.

  Voknor stands with his back to the wall, and closes his eyes for a moment as he recalls Prytec’s combat training. He hears Glarth charging at him, his heavy strides thud into the ground as he rushes closer. At the last possible second, he opens his eyes, sidesteps and spins, then lashes out with the back of his hand, striking the back of Glarth’s head.

  Glarth roars in anger as he slams into the dirt wall, his sharp claws digging deep grooves as he struggles to remain standing. He turns and rushes at Voknor slashing wildly with his now dirt-filled-claws.

  Voknor dodges Glarth’s attacks, stepping backward along the wall of the circular pit as he does so.

  “Look out!” Lokarz shouts, directing his warning to Voknor.

  One of th
e other contenders slashes at Voknor’s back with a vicious swipe. Voknor arches his back to avoid the blow, then spins around on his feet, narrowly avoiding another slash of sharp claws. He grabs his new attacker’s arm, and propels him toward Glarth. The two collide and fall down, but only one rises to his feet.

  Glarth shakes his bloodied claws, then charges at Voknor once more. Glarth slashes wildly, but his claws fail to find their mark as Voknor easily avoids the attack.

  A shrill scream fills the air as one of the Primes is slit from his throat to his crotch. He collapses to the ground with his innards spilling out, and then shudders as he dies. The other two Primes square off and circle each other. It would seem that the fleet had a lot of old rivalries, and these two are hell bent on killing each another. They lunge, slash, duck, and weave, and yet still fail to injure each other greatly.

  Glarth narrows his eyes as he prepares for his attack; he paces, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Voknor glances at the other two, providing the opening Glarth was looking for. He attacks with a speed that belies his build, then grins.

  Voknor stares back in surprise. He thought he avoided the assault, but the blood dripping from three claw marks across his chest proves otherwise.

  Another scream fills the pit as the other two wrestle on the ground. The victor stands, then staggers away. Bloodied and battered, he collapses to his knees, with each breath, blood flecks the ground.

  Glarth approaches the injured Prime to finish him off. Voknor considers what he has learned about honor, and becomes enraged. He charges at Glarth before his adversary can get to the severely injured Prime, and grabs him from behind. Glarth scratches at Voknor’s arm, but is unable to free himself.