.Ch-1

O Captain My Captain

Captain's log

Phillip. of the U.W.A.F—Mephiles

(May,22,2641)(1:27am)

I have noticed that the crew have become more lazy as of late and such laziness could result in more lives lost in combat. I guess I should be to blame for that. It's been awhile since any of us have see any action,almost six months I think and Iv worked every last crewman overtime just in case one of the higher ups stops by without warning again.

To think six months and not a word from anybody, not even asking if we were still on active duty.

Then one day a message from HQ with orders to level a small town just inside the red zone. Not only that,we were the only ship being sent to do the job. I had asked my first officer what he thought of the orders and he agreed that it was odd only sending one ship for the job. Even stranger was we were bombing a mining town that had no real value for us other then the food we got when we traded with the people that lived there. Sure they had guns but only to protect themselves from raiders and mutants. They had no big guns to speak of,at least none that I could see being a major threat to my ship and crew. This didn't make any since but orders were orders and I had a job to do. I made the mistake of giving the crew two weeks R&R. And now I need to get them off of there lazy asses and to get back to work. This ship isn't going to keep it self clean.

(May,22,2641)(4:45am)---the red zone

This may be my last log entry before we head back to the mining town....

We had arrived at the mining town just before sun rise and all was well. I had the gunners prep and load the main guns and to stow any loose objects on the main deck in case some one should be killed by tripping and falling overboard again. Once we were ready we had begun our advance on the small town. As we came around the side of a hill the town came into view, we could make out some buildings but other then that there were no lights on anywhere.

I had only thought of a trap before we had a clear view of the whole town, but before I could order the port side guns to fire the starboard front engine was destroyed killing seven of my men. The shot had been fired from an AA-gun that had been placed on a hill just outside of the town and it had fired three more volleys before we were out of range. All in all we lost 1\4 the crew do the fact that one of the shots had hit the rear ammo bay killing anyone in the bay as well as anyone in the surrounding rooms and two decks up. The starboard front engine was still burning and the starboard rear was smoking but still running, also one of the rear main engines had to be shut down do to a bent propeller shaft. As we were limping home the remaining crew were taking care of the dead when the radio man had gotten a message from HQ ordering us to turn around and attack the town.

I started to protest but was cut off.

Well like I had said before, this is the last log of the U.W.A.F MEPHILES please just pray for us.

Captain Ramsey.

........................................................END LOG...................

Phillip had finished the last log entry from his journal and closed the laptop lid putting the little P.D.A to sleep for the day. they had stopped a mile or so from the mining town to make miner repairs. He put his head in his hands and dozed off for a wile before a knock came from his cabin door. "Come in"Phillip said as he sat upright in the chair to make him self look more respectable. "Sir" said first officer Morgan as he entered the room "I have the progress report you requested but I don't think your going to like it" he finished. Phillip took the report from Morgan and opened it. It was the damage that had been done to the MEPHILES. This made Phillip turn a slight shade of green. "Also" Morgan continued""our three surviving scouts have spotted at least eight more 90mm AA-guns in this section of the red zone alone, as well as tanks,troops,and small aircraft".

Phillip looked up from the damage report.

"Where did they come from?" he asked, "And why are we the only ship being sent to take on 90mm AA-guns with no support?" he finished.

"I'm not sure sir," Morgan began, "But the damage to the airship is to heavy from last nights attack to take on any type of mission and with out support from the base we wont last ten minutes in open combat."

Phillip looked back at the damage report on his desk and then back to Morgan. "Call back the scouts and let me know when there on board" he ordered Morgan. "Yes sir" Morgan answered with a salute and turned to leave when Phillip placed a hand on his arm to stop him."And Mr Morgan" he said"when the scouts are on board turn this crate around were retreating back to base," "Aye captain" said Morgan with a smirk on his face, "should I inform the crew that we're heading home?" he asked.

Phillip thought about this for a second. "No" he said to Morgan "I want them to stay alert all the way back to base.""Something is going on here and I don't think we are alone in this fight." "Aye captain"said Morgan then he turned and left the room closing the door behind him.

The night was clear, and the air was warm, but Phillip could not enjoy it because only two of the three scouts sent out came back. They had waited for at least an hour before making the decision to leave. Thinking that maybe there was a problem with his radio, the other scouts reported that enemy armor was ten minutes from there location. The order was made to take off and leave the man behind. Phillip would never risk the lives of his crew for one man, but the man they had left behind was a good friend to him and if he was still alive he would understand. At least that's what Phillip hoped.

Standing on the command deck, Phillip was looking through his spy glass searching for running lights. The scouts had also reported that an enemy air ship know as the EVENS had been following them shortly after their return from the red zone. Phillip had ordered that all running lights be switched off. When ask why he glared at the man who asked wondering why his orders were being questioned . Instead of kicking the sailor from his post in the form of a court marshal he looked back to the window with his scope to his eye and continued searching for his pursuer.

It had only been a few minutes but Phillip spotted a ship a mile or so off there port side and it was closing fast. Phillip then ordered to shut down all engines and drift with the breeze. Using only flash lights to read the instruments the crew was worried that the captain had lost his mined but did as they were told. Phillip had explained that with the running lights off the EVENS could not see them in the dark. "So the EVENS would need to use there radar to find us out here?" asked Morgan. "That's right" said Phillip. "And with the engines shut down they would need to use there spot lights to find us because the radar only picks up energy from the turbines."He finished returning to his spy glass.

Phillip could see the EVENS now and it was closing fast, but once the ship got closer to there position she slowed to a steady speed. As if Phillip could read the other captains mined the search lights came on making the EVENS an easy target for the MEPHILES cannons. "Morgan ready the port side guns and prepare to fire on my command"ordered Phillip. " Aye captain on my way" answered Morgan as he left the command deck. With each passing minute the enemy ship got closer and closer. Phillip knew that the MEPHILES was in no shape to fight in a head on ship to ship battle. They were out maned and out gunned so his timing had to be right if they were going to survive.

The chime rang on the main deck and Morgans voice came over the speaker, "Captain all port side guns are loaded and ready to fire on your command sir"said Morgan. "Thank You Mr Morgan just wait for my signal"answered Phillip. "Aye Aye captain" answered Morgan and the line went off.

Soon the EVENS was in range of the MEPHILES cannons, and she was at least from what Phillip could judge two hundred yards out and still had no idea they were there. Phillip ordered the helmsman to line the ships up. After a few minutes both ships were almost side by side. Before the spot light could give a warning of there location Phillip yelled "ALL BATTERYS FIRE!." The first volley was loud and dead on crippling the ships cannons on her port side. The first volley also destroyed both port side engines as well. The second volley killed most of the men on the main deck scattering them in all directions. The third finished her off hitting the command deck dead center causing small pockets of explosions inside the ship it self.

Phillip could see men running all over the place trying to put out fires. Others were trying to help the wounded and some were trying to abandon ship in pods that had been damaged in the cannon fire. The EVENS was going down and Phillip new that all on board were going to die. Someone must have still been alive on the command deck because all the remaining engines roared to life and the ship lurched forward in a last defiant attempt to fight back. With the port side engines gone and the starboard engines on full throttle the EVENS was being pushed into the MEPHILES. All anyone on ether ships could do was watch as a dying ship got the last laugh.

Phillip did not see this coming at all. He had made a mistake putting both ships this close. The EVENS was to close for them to move out of the way and to top it off he had shut down the engines and had no time to start them again.

As Morgan came running back into the command deck to give the alarm of the danger, Phillip and the crewmen on the command deck had all stood up from their seats and had there hands up to salute the oncoming ship. Seeing this and knowing that his captain was out of options Morgan walked up to stand next to Phillip and put his hand up in salute.

The U.W.A.F MEPHILES and her crew were never seen again..............................END LOG............

It had been two years since this story was given to the press.

No one had any clue on the whereabouts of the MEPHILES and her crew. Until one day a former captain Ramsey using a fake passport under the name of John Cortez calmed to be a survivor of the lost ship. Of course no one would believe him and he could care less if they did. The only reason he was alive is the fault of the late first officer Morgan.

Morgan had forced Phillip into a launch pod before the impact and made him swear to find out the truth about there mission and why they had been betrayed. Phillip thought about Morgans last request for a few minutes. It seemed that Morgan had done some digging in his free time and found out that the mission we were sent on was just to get us out of the picture. Why us? was Phillips first thought but he had no answer for it. If high command wanted us out of the way then why not just decommission the ship and take the crew as well as myself off active duty? Instead they send us into the meat grinder for no reason at all.

As he thought about this he started to feel angry again. Not just for the loss of his ship but for the crew that had served under him. They had given there lives for what? greed? a bad call? no it was more then that and first officer Morgan knew what it was. Morgan didn't have time to tell him but Phillip would keep his word to Morgan and to the rest of the crew as well. Phillip both loved Morgan for saving his life and hated him for it at the same time. He was the captain of that ship and as such should have gone down with her and her crew. "Dam you Morgan," Phillip said as he sat at the bar waiting for his informant to show up. He had been there most of the morning and was enjoying what quite time the little bar could offer. The bartender didn't mined him just sitting there as long as he had a glass in his hand to make him look like he was a customer.

"Mr Cortez?" the bartender ask. "Ya that's me" Phillip said as he put up his hand. "You have a phone call sir." "should I take a message?." "No no" Phillip said "I'll take the call." "OK sir here he is" the bartender said before handing Phillip the phone.

"Hello" Phillip said, "We got the paper work you wanted" the voice said. "Meet us at the old auto shop at the end of town after dark." "Got it" said Phillip "I'll have your money before I show up" Phillip said then hung up the phone. Phillip paid his tab, adjusted the shoulder holster under his duster and walked out of the bar.

It was ten after eight when Phillip arrived at the auto shop, and when he walked into the garage he saw only a small green jeep parked at the other end. Phillip could see someone sitting behind the wheel but he couldn't see there face. Then a small hand radio that was on a shelf to his right clicked on. "Did you bring the money?" The voice asked. "Sure did" Phillip said, "All fifty thousand in small bills like you asked for." "Let me see it" he asked, "Open the brief case." Phillip did as requested and opened the case. "There you've seen the money now stop screwing around Phillip tested." "Do you have the Intel or not?" He asked getting a bit angry now. The jeep started up and slowly rolled over to were Phillip was standing. "Get in" the man said and Phillip did as he was told.

The driver pulled out of the shop and onto the highway heading away from the town. "Give me the Intel" Phillip demanded as he passed the money to another man sitting in the back seat. The man took the brief case and handed Phillip a vanilla folder stamped top secret in big bold letters. The jeep rounded a bend in the road and had picked up speed when the driver noticed a single headlight in his rear view mirror. "Sir we're being followed" the driver said. The man in the back seat looked out the window and could see a biker coming up beside them. "Let him pass" ordered the man in the back seat. "Yes sir" said the driver as he began to slow down. As the biker passed by Phillip swore he had seen that kind of bike before but he was unsure. As he opened the folder he looked in the back to see the man counting stacks of bills to make sure that they weren't getting ripped off.

As Phillip began to read the files the driver turned onto an old road going into the desert. Phillip was starting to get angry at what he was reading.

Non manned drone Tanks attack on dummy targets......(95%)success.

Non manned drone Aircraft attack on dummy targets......(95%)success.

Non manned Anti Air guns attack on dummy targets......(95%)success.

Heavy infantry Armor test on live targets......(60%)unsuccessful.

As he continued to read the jeep made a left turn going deeper into the desert.

Now testing on live targets

Order approved by U.W.A.F commander Marcus. May.22-2641.

1. Non manned drone Tanks attack on live targets......(100%)success.....target Silver Dunes mining station (DESTORYED).

2. Non manned drone Aircraft attack on live targets......(100%)success.....target Bracket Air force base (DESTORYED).

manned Anti Air guns attack on live target......(55%)unsuccessful.....target U.W.A.F MEPHILES....class-heavy combat frigate.

As Phillip finished reading this portion of the files he looked up to see that they were stopping on a bridge over looking a cliff. There were walls on both sides of the jeep and the same could be seen on the other side as well. "What are we doing out here?" Phillip asked. "This is were you get out Mr Cortez" "Or should I call you Mr Ramsey?"

Phillip froze in his seat as he felt the barrel of a gun on the back of his head. "I'll be taking back that folder now if you don't mined." "Why are you doing this?" Phillip asked. "I gave you your money like we agreed on." "Yes you did and me and my driver are grateful for it too." "Don't feel too bad at least you got to see why your men were killed." "Oh that's right you got them killed making a bad decision good call on that by the way." Phillip was about to protest when he heard what sounded like an engine coming at them from the other side of the bridge. All three of them looked to the other side and could see the road but they couldn't see anything coming. "Lets grease this prick before someone sees us with him" said the driver. Phillip felt the gun on his head and heard the hammer click back. Just as the driver was about to pull the trigger, the engine roared over the top of the cliff reveling the biker they had seen before.

Bryan had the Norton at full throttle when both tires left the ground. He jumped over the bridge and had the bike aimed directly at the jeep. Phillip and the driver threw open there doors and jumped out just as the three hundred pound Norton motorcycle crushed the roof of the jeep as well as the rear passenger killing him instantly.

Bryan had slid off the top of the jeep and landed hard bouncing himself off the bike and came tumbling to a stop. Bryan laid on the ground looking at the stars when a figure blocked his view. "You stupid bastard" a voice said, "I should kill your ass for that little stunt." Bryan's vision cleared and he could see one of the men from the jeep aiming a 45 at him.

The man thumbed the hammer back and took aim but before he could fire his head exploded.

Bryan opened his eyes and looked over to were the shot had come from only to see Phillip standing next to the jeep holding a and sporting a smile. "I thought I'd seen that bike somewhere."

Phillip retrieved his money from the jeep as well as the folder, walking over to were Bryan was sitting. he sat down next to him. "Hell I thought you were dead" Bryan said looking at Phillip. "Geez man I thought you were dead too" answered Phillip. Both men sat there for a few minutes before laughing about it.

"Lets leave before anyone they know shows up looking for them" Bryan said

"Good idea" Phillip answered back.

Bryan walked over to were the Norton rested after the crash. The skid plate he had put on the bike protected it from the impact landing on the jeep, but the handle bars were bent and the headlight was missing. Bryan couldn't tell in the dark if there were any other problems but he didn't have time to check ether.

"Well lets hope she starts."Bryan said. Picking up the bike was no easy task even with Phillip helping him. First they had to tilt the bike on the right foot peg. Then Phillip had to hold it up wile Bryan went around to the other side. Once Bryan had a hold of the bike again he began to pull up wile Phillip pushed up on his side. As Bryan sat down on the old Norton he twisted the handle bars so riding wouldn't be as hard. Then he pulled a battery light from the sattle bag and tied it to the old mounting were the original headlight used to be with some wire that he also retrieved from the bag.

"I thought I ordered you to dump this old junker." Phillip said.

"You did but this bike has saved my ass on more then one occasion." "Anyways" Bryan continued "lets talk more about you leaving me behind in the middle of the wasteland."

"Lets get somewhere safe first" Phillip suggested.

"Aye Aye Ex-captain." Bryan said in a sarcastic tone. Phillip shrugged off the smart ass comment and stayed quite but even Bryan knew he had hit a nerve. Once Bryan got the old bike to start Phillip mounted the second seat and they were off.

They didn't say much on there way back to town.