Ten
"The best laid plans..."
Following the battle with Blackheart everything returned to a more normal routine. With the vast majority of those who had joined the battle against the pirate lord returning to their own homes. For the people of Michaels Island a routine of mining, defending against Draconian raids and attacking the Draconian supply convoys passing through the area. During these quiet times the Captain had time to relax and spend with Rachel McManus he'd take to sitting in her office speaking about things while he was on shore watching her work.
On one of these occasions she'd turned the conversation onto him, "let's get married" she'd announced, they'd spoken about things but never seriously, today she was different. "Nothing big us the Captains a few others, Michaels can preside. I checked" she said
"Why the rush?" he asked
"Why the delay?" she countered "look I don't know if you will be here or gone tomorrow. Nor do I know if a pirate king like Blackheart will attack and end us all. I want something I'm remembered by. I love you, it's the next step, if you're willing" she said drawing close the sent off her dark hair as intoxicating as always. "I also want to fit a dress before I get fat"
"You won't" he said pulling her close trying to reassure her.
"I will" she teased "I'm pregnant" she whispered into his ear. Some would say later the Captain's scream of delight broke glass across the Outpost however quickly the small reception turned into the wedding of the century and a couple of weeks passed as if it was a blink of an eye.
The day of the wedding ceremony and everything was perfect, no dramas from Rachel's side and none from the Captain's somehow someone had even been able to source the Captain a traditional kilt from his ancestor's home before the world flooded. He'd never worn one but it felt fitting, as he stepped into a new future to honour his past. He stood at the end of the meeting hall, the closest thing they had to a real church/worship room, Senator Michaels in a very expensive looking suit stood in front of him with Captain Fox standing beside him holding a pillow with a pair of rings on them.
There was a low murmur before the wedding music began, it was an odd mix of several cultures but it brought everyone's eyes to the doors and Rachel's entry. All eyes were glued on her entrance, her long brown hair was tied back and up making her tall neck seem even longer. Her dress was a pearl white coloured shoulder less dress that flowed several feet behind her, she'd chosen not to wear a veil and in her hands she carried a bunch of flowers. Because neither the Captain or Rachel had any immediate family she'd chosen to walk the aisle on her own. She gracefully moved down and joined the Captain at the foot of the podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered today to join these two individuals for eternity if anyone thinks this is not a match that is meant to be, please speak now." Michaels began as Rachel handed away her flowers turning to face the Captain. "Then please let us begin." Michaels began as a distinctive noise began to slowly grow echoing through the high roofed hall. "Dr Rachel McManus, do you take Captain..." Michaels continued as a the noise continued to raise a whirling-beating noise followed by a roar as a shadow passed over the hall's roof windows.
At that moment a trooper in full combat gear ran to the doors "Captain we need you!" He shouted the Captain looked at Rachel apologetically.
"Go, make sure we have a tomorrow." She whispered he leaned over kissed her on the nose and then ran towards the doors Captain Fox following closely behind. They ran out into the courtyard outside, the meeting hall was situated high in the main outpost building allowing it a small courtyard giving spectacular views of the island and the sea around it. The Captain noticed all eyes looking towards the sky and as he followed their gaze found himself speechless.
"What the hell is that?" Fox whispered breaking the silence
"A plane?" The Captain whispered remembering seeing them from history lessons, none flew now the land was covered in sea. In the air the strange aircraft with engines on its wing-tips continued to circle slowly slowing into a hover near the courtyard, as it slowed the engine nacelles moved from the horizontal position. "A tilt-rotor aircraft" the Captain said changing his mind "very advanced technology Captain." He said glancing at Fox.
"God-damned Aliens" Fox said watching the strange machine change and slow to a stop before slowly descending around the courtyard marines were tracking it with their weapons. "Draconians?" He wondered more seriously the Captain could barely form words let alone think of who it could be but he knew he needed to speak before someone did something stupid.
"Everyone hold your fire!" The Captain ordered as the aircraft finally landed. Along both sides hung two long torpedoes while under the nose there was a large machine gun. At the back a ramp slowly descended, moments later two figures stepped clear of the craft. The Captain wouldn't have called them people, because they were far too big each more than 7ft tall dressed in full suits of metallic armour each arm ending in a claw with what looked like a machine gun over the knuckle. The Captain looked at the two figures and noticed no hostile movements, taking a chance he stepped out in front of them. "Identify yourself." He ordered looking at them.
The two suits stepped aside flanking the ramp as a single figure descended from the rear ramp of the craft. He was a young man perhaps twenty-five standard years old he wore a blue uniform which golden shoulder epaulettes and appeared completely unarmed. "I'm Leftenant David Peerce of the Kixeye Corporation." The figure greeted his voice reminded the Captain of a scientist or of someone who had spent too much time living off his inheritance instead of real work. "Thank you for the greeting." He said "I represent Admiral Dredge, we have so far remained behind in the various sector conflicts however we believe it is time to come to a fore."
"Another faction on the seas? There are many why come to me?" The Captain asked bluntly, he'd had plans today, why was something or someone always in the way.
"We are Forsaken, Captain just like you, we used to go by the name of the Casual Cooperative however times and paths have changed. We have avoided conflict so far and made moves that you have not thought of or reached yet, like a return to the skies. This aircraft and the personal armour of our guards are just the first steps." He said opening his arms wide "we have however other plans, I am not the only messenger Captain, there are many others to many other bases. We have decided it is time to provide the Draconians with a clear message that the Sectors will not continue to approve their presence. A mass raid with each base attacking their mine defences and supply fleets."
"Why not just cut off the head and attack their bases?" The Captain asked
"Even our technology has not progressed to allow us to breach their defences, however we hope to have some things Coming along soon that will allow us to breach them. For now our mass raid tactics are the only real option." The Leftenant said slightly resigned, here is an information pad" he said handing over a small hand held computer, more advanced than most of them the Captain had ever seen. "It has our plans for the Draconian Raid, I hope your people will be interested and will attend, my aircraft will return to our Fortress. If you have further requests we will be available on the sector communications grid just look for Dredge." The young man stepping back saluting the Captain before returning inside the aircraft, he was swiftly followed by the two armoured troopers and the aircraft was soon back in the air.
"Fox have radar track that craft what's its course." The Captain ordered Fox nodded raising his radio to his lips as they watched the aircraft move away from the island out to sea, even their eyes could see the huge ship out at sea.
"Returning to that massive ship captain" Fox said the craft was long and wide with a tall arced fin at the rear, the aircraft landed on the mid-deck of the ship and was lowered within its hull. They stood there for a few minutes watching as the ship continued to slowly sail past the island, keenly aware that it dwarfed even their flagship Leviathan, at its current speed it would take hours to leave the area.
"We need a council meeting, and we need to analyse the data on this pad." The Captain said holding the small device in both hands "we need to understand these Kixeye people and what their operations mean to this region."
"Captain..." Fox hesitated "your wedding plans?" He said quieter, the Captain stood there his eyes closed for several moments, the best laid plans never lasted contact with a problem, no plan seemed exempt.