by Eden Blue
A new video displayed. One side of the alien structure opened and a long crystal came out. It floated on, leaving the structure. Scans cascaded over the giant crystal as it left the confines of the black object. The gas giant’s gravity took hold and the crystal began to turn. Evan stared with wide eyes as the information from the scans displayed to the right. Something stirred inside it and an alien eye opened and closed behind distorted crystal.
Ryan turned and moved to Evan’s side. They watched as a warp tunnel appeared and the crystal was swallowed up. The tunnel collapsed and it was gone.
Evan’s eyes looked down, “It’s a factory, a titan factory.”
Ryan nodded, “That is what we came up with too. As far as we can tell, it randomly draws in the chemicals from Sunarr’s atmosphere and uses it as building blocks for building titans. Once a titan is created, it is ejected and sent to who knows where. The farther a warp tunnel goes the more power it uses. The warp tunnels those crystals or the factory makes are very long, longer than anything we can create. It is beyond our scans on where they are going so we assume they are being randomly shot into space to seed the universe.”
Ryan let out a small exhale before continuing, “When we discovered this, I brought it to the guild leaders again. Despite the proof, they said it was not part of guild business to investigate such a find and told me to shelve it. I wasn’t the only one upset with how the guild was being run. In secret, we began to funnel guild funds so we could prepare.”
“Prepare?” Evan asked as she looked to his brother.
Ryan smiled, “This ship is not built for observation. The Arc Light was built for one thing and one thing only, to blast that factory to nothing.”
Venna slithered forward, “You stole from the guild to build this ship?”
Ryan nodded, “We needed credits to build the Arc Light. It would have taken us years to amass that many credits on our own so we used the guilds funds. We knew it would only be a matter of time until we were found out, but we were running out of time on this end. The Arc Light was missing one thing we desperately needed, Tempest Crystals, six of them. The guild vaults had five. Since we knew we would be discovered soon, myself and a select few decided to murder the leaders. We knew they would come back, but it bought us the time we needed. Instead of having the entire guild hunting us down, we invited everyone we could to Azure station. With seven days before they resurrected, it would be enough time to put the plan into effect.”
Ryan looked to Evan, “We needed one more crystal. I asked Venna to watch over you. I knew you would figure out where I went. I had to leave instructions with Jamie Spiral. If I told you what we were doing, and the attempted raid on the installation failed, we couldn’t risk the Krekken finding out what was happening in their own system. I’m sorry…but it had to be done this way.”
Evan stared at his brother, not sure what to say.
Ryan turned his attention to Lydia, “I never expected you to wake the titans up.”
Lydia stared daggers into Ryan, “I did it to save us. We wouldn’t have made it out otherwise.”
Evan’s head tilted forward, “She made the hard choice, one I couldn’t make.”
Ryan looked down at his brother and clasped a hand to his shoulder, “Maybe so, but you did the right thing fighting them. I was looking at the feeds and reports from Battle Net. You came up with a clever way to fight titans. No doubt many will try to emulate your success. Be proud for what you did. You save thousands.”
Evan looked up, “What happens now?”
Ryan smirked, “The last crystal is being installed. Once it’s ready, we’ll fire up the crystals and send a plasma stream through the titan factory. Once it is destroyed, we open a warp tunnel and move on.”
Vickers folded his beefy arms, “Destroy it? Why would you do that? A titan factory could give an endless supply of Tempest Crystals. It should be researched and used for everyone’s benefit.”
Ryan smiled as he looked to the large doctor, “This is the first factory found and it is a Krekken system. Who do you think will lay claim to it once it’s discovered? The Krekken would use the factory to further their own expansion.”
“Shouldn’t the empires decide that,” Vickers gave a sardonic grin.
Ryan’s eyes took on a sheepish gaze, “I take it you don’t know much about what is happening in the galaxy. It’s only a matter of time before the Krekken explore other options then peaceful co-existence. The crabs are always hungry. Their entire race eats continuously. They center their lives on consuming anything. You must know the reports about some of their systems starving. They are only working together with the other empires until they have no choice. They are letting us free range so when enough of their people starve, they can turn on the next available food source.
“The factory must be destroyed in this system. We must keep destroying them until we find one that the Terran Empire can control. If it gets out, the Gwyndolin system will become a battleground with the Krekken holding all the cards.”
“You think there’s more?” Evan asked.
Ryan nodded, “We think we might be able to scan gas giants for other factories. Once we destroy this one, we plan on hopping from system to system until we find one we can control.”
Vickers shook his head, “This smells of bad politics.”
“Then be grateful your hands aren’t getting dirty,” Ryan said as he turned to the main screen.
An alert appeared on the screen. Ryan smiled as Evan gazed upon the alert.
“The Tempest Crystal is installed. Everyone take a seat for the show,” Ryan said as he moved to the chair in the middle of the Control Bridge.
Evan raised an eyebrow, “You’re going to fire now?”
Ryan sat down, “We have too. The titans you fought on Tuvorr somehow managed to alert the factory. There has been an increase in power since the battle. We can’t risk waiting any longer. The Arc Light was built to fire a dense plasma stream. It has little defenses since we ran low on time and credits. Essentially, it’s a giant gun and we have to use it and then warp from this location before the factory spits out another titan or the Krekken see the power signature.”
The Soldier made another head nod and several people on the bridge began system procedures. Evan watched as they worked, activating power and maneuvering the giant ship.
Ryan beckoned Evan a little closer, “Do you remember the movie, Star Wars?”
Evan nodded.
“It was the inspiration for the Arc Light. There wasn’t enough time, manpower or credits to build a similar Death Star, but the Arc Light fulfills the same role. I wish you were here to help. It was killing me that I couldn’t have you here just yet. But now we can see it in action together.”
Evan eyed his brother, “So many have fallen to build this. Don’t you…”
Ryan looked up to his brother, “I still feel for everyone killed during this conflict. The Azure Guild was my home for a long time, but this is more important. We have to do this or things may grow out of control. Our actions now will be justified when this is all over.
“Evan, I know it hurts, but sooner or later you will see it from my side. This is for the greater good.”
Evan felt the metal of the dog tags against his chest. Reaching up, he touched them, thinking back to happier times with his brother. Looking down at him, the player could see the heavy weight in Ryan’s eyes. He knew deep down the decisions he made affected him, but it wouldn’t stop him from achieving his directives. All Evan could do was stand by his side, even with a sickness filling his stomach.
Ryan looked down at the small control panel on the chair, “We are close to full power. Prepare the Tempest Drive. Once we fire, the Krekken will know we’re here. I’d rather we made a hasty exit before they figure out what’s happening.”
Displays filled the screen, leaving the center with a view of the Titan Factory. Power levels reached maximum. Ryan tapped at the chair controls before a lever came up and glowed gree
n. Venna stood with their small group as they watched. Colors swirled along Nyn’s skin as her attention fell on Evan. The Engineer looked on in reluctant support of his brother.
The Arc Light floated high above the surface of the gas giant. An oval barrel extended from the end of the ship, pointed down at the black dot floating among yellow clouds. The barrel of the gunship glowed with writhing plasma. Everyone held their breath as the Arc Light cannon surged with power.
Ryan reached for the lever, fingers curling around it, “Today we make history in Nova Sky.”
An instant later, he pushed the lever forward. Power pulsed through the entire ship. Six Tempest crystals blazed to life as power funneled along the oversized ship. Plasma flared and pulled in slightly before it exploded forth, stabbing outward. A plasma stream surged on, barreling toward the alien structure. The beam slammed into the equator of the structure and blazed bright. The thick stream burned on and on as a brilliant light filled the screen.
Evan watched as plasma ate away at the alien factory. A long moment passed before a hole appeared, light streaming in. Ryan kept his hand on the lever, eyes taking in the magnificent sight as the plasma stream punched through and appeared out the other side. The factory gave off muted explosions as the Arc Light’s cannon continued to blast through it.
Alerts popped up on screen. Power surges filled the ship as an overload warning blinked over and over. Ryan pulled back on the lever. The main cannon dimmed as power was cut off. The stream trickled to nothing and the main cannon became silent.
The crew watched as several more muted explosions took place on the factory. It began to lose stability and drifted down, pulled by the gas giant’s gravity. Before a cheer could erupt, a side of the factory opened and a giant crystal emerged. The crystal cleared the factory as the diamond shaped structure fell further into yellow mists, on a course for the Arc Light.
Ryan was reading damage reports as the crew scrambled. Evan’s group stayed where they were, watching the alien crystal slowly pulling from the gas giant’s gravity toward them. Coms activated on the Bridge and Ryan looked up.
“Unauthorized vessel, this is Commander Spirro. You have fired an unknown weapon. Power down and prepared to be boarded.”
“Open a warp tunnel,” Ryan said coolly.
One of his crew turned to him, “Tempest Drive is offline. The power surges damaged many of the main power systems throughout the Arc Light. It will take an hour to repair.”
A shadow fell over Ryan’s face as he sat, “Begin repairs. The rest of the crew, prepare to repel invaders.”
Fifteen
“Two Krekken battleships will be within weapons range in seven minutes,” one of Ryan’s crew members shouted above the alarms.
“And the Titan Crystal,” Ryan asked as he stared at it on screen.
“It’s slowly pulling away from Sunarr’s gravity, ETA, twelve minutes.”
Ryan was to his feet, “Activate the Defense drones and have the plasma cannons targeting anything that gets past the drones.”
Ryan turned to Evan, “I could use your help to repair the Tempest Drive. Teams will be working on it, but we need everyone. The Krekken will deploy Dumon carrier ships. They are heavily armored and will penetrate our defenses. Once they’re inside, they will begin dismantling our systems.”
Ryan pointed to the floating crystal on screen, “That thing is coming right at us. If we don’t have that Tempest Drive online soon, it’s going to smash through the hull. The Arc Light’s shields are minimal and will not be able to repel the invaders or the titan crystal.”
“You know I will help,” Evan said with determination.
Ryan smiled, “I know. Right now, we are simply buying time. We lose the Arc Light, we lose our chance to fight back against the titans. We need that drive online and ready to go.”
Ryan turned to Venna, “We have only a few Raptor Class ships. Mind bringing the Shield Maiden to the party?”
Venna grinned, “I thought you would never ask.”
Ryan returned her grin and then turned to everyone on the Bridge, “Set up a Battle Net. I want everyone connected in real time. Priority is to restore the Tempest Drive and keep the Krekken as far from the Arc Light as possible, understood?”
Heads nodded to the Soldier.
Ryan turned to one of his crew, “Have their weapons returned. Make sure everyone is armed.”
The crew member nodded and moved to a station. Opening it, he pulled Lydia’s rifle and handed it to her. Next was Venna’s pistol and Pris’s rifle. Evan watched as they armed for war, feeling a little helpless. Nyn walked up to him, her skin turning a light pink with splashes of red. Evan eyed her as she stepped close to him, her hand touching his chest.
“If anyone can get the drive working, it’s you.”
Evan looked to her, uncertainty filling his eyes, “They said an hour. We only have minutes.”
Nyn nodded, eyes staring as her skin took on a deep red. “You took on a titan. You can fix a drive. I want you to know, I believe in you.”
Evan felt a flutter of hope, but only for a moment, “Thank you, Nyn.”
“I have to go with Captain Venna, but we will be out there defending you for as long as we can. There is much I want to discuss with you and I couldn’t bear to wait seven days. Please survive.”
Evan held the Lyress’s hand to his chest, “I will for all our sakes.”
The red color of Nyn’s skin shifted and drained away to her natural blue. “Don’t let those Frakkers win,” the Lyress said with a straight face.
Evan couldn’t help but smile as he watched Nyn’s skin turn a lighter blue. She wasn’t smiling, but Evan knew the light blue meant she was laughing. The Engineer couldn’t hold back his wide grin as Nyn trembled with her race’s version of laughter and glee. Evan stepped closer and hugged her. Nyn hugged him back, her eyes closing and taking in his scent. When they parted, Venna slithered closer.
“Bruiser and Hera will be left here to defend you. Vickers, Pris, and Lydia will also be here to help you while you assist with repairs. Nyn and I will keep them at bay for as long as we can.”
Evan eyed the Shri-Ka, “Coming to my defense again. I owe you another one.”
Venna let a smirk slip, “I’ll put it on your tab.”
The Shri-Ka Captain turned to her small crew while Ryan shouted orders to his, “I expect everyone to survive. Don’t let those Krekken power their way through. Stay connected and we will make it.”
“Very inspirational,” the Doctor laughed.
Venna shot him a glare.
Vickers’s laughter died down, “I mean, yes Captain.”
“Then follow your directives and we will see each other when this is all over,” Venna said with authority.
“Yes Captain!” the crew said in unison.
***
Krekken battleships closed in. Scanner bursts reached out and touched the power signature left behind. Narrowing the scan down, Commander Spirro typed in his commands and watched the main screen. A scan burst from the gas giant touched the two battleships and a Battle Net was activated.
“Fire on the coordinates,” Commander Spirro said with liquid grace.
Main plasma stream cannons targeted an area high above the gas giant surface and fired. Eight plasma streams burst forth, streaming across the celestial sky and slammed into something. Holes appeared as the floating cloaking screen disintegrated. Along the extended joints of the screen, metal melted and small explosions took place. The cloaking screen fell to pieces and the Arc Light floated against the Sunarr gas giant. The giant ship was aiming at the surface of Sunarr and the commander gave orders to target the oversized vessel.
Krekken Forces
Battleship Volor: 100%
Battleship Kreec: 100%
Dumon Fighters: ???
Dumon Drop Ships: ???
Dumon Exo-suits: ???
Ryan’s Forces
Black Dagger: 100%
Ryan’s Raptor Fleet:
12
Exo-Suit Forces: 40
Arc Light Shields: 100%
Arc Light Hull: 96%
Arc Light Defenses: 100%
Arc Light Drones: 1000
Shield Maiden: 100%
Hera: 100%
Bruiser: 100%
Pris: 88%
Black specs swarmed from the starboard and port sides of the Arc Light. Defense drones turned and set a direct course for the Krekken battleships. Bay doors opened and Raptor Class attack vessels emerged, the Black Dagger leading the way. Behind it, the Shield Maiden was close. 10 more crafts followed, weapons powering.
“Keep it loose, but watch each other. Krekken will send everything they’ve got and try to plow straight through. It works because of their numbers, so I want everyone spread out. Don’t give them a target to aim at,” Ryan said over the Battle Net.
Acknowledgments blinked back to Ryan’s Battle Net feed, “Venna, when this is all over, we should have that first date.”
“I’ll think about it,” Venna said back.
“She’s playing hard to get!” said one of Ryan’s commanders.
“Ryan, don’t let her boss you around,” said another commander.
“Venna, make sure he pays. He’s a tightass with credits,” said another commander.
Ryan smiled, “Alright everyone, let’s focus. Once they deploy their forces, we will know what we’re up against. For now, defend the Arc Light!”
The Battle Net lit up in agreement. Defense drones powered along, speeding toward the two Krekken battleships when bay doors opened. Plasma turrets hummed to life as barrels spun. The swarm was nearly within weapon’s range when ships swarmed out the sides of the battleships.
Ryan squared his jaw as numbers blinked along the Battle Net, increasing with every second. He had seen the Krekken in battle and it was the sheer numbers that always sent a shiver down his spine. Venna gripped the armrests of her captain’s chair as the dark sky lit up with Dumon fighters.
Krekken Forces
Battleship Volor: 100%
