Vandread: ARMY
By Norsehound
Disclaimer: Vandread doesn't belong to me. The 42nd and all their officers do.
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Chapter Fourteen
Overshadow
There was silence.
All went quiet on the bridge, even when Hibiki and Dita walked on.
Shin started straight back into the face of Grand-Ma.
Magano narrowed her eyes, "So, what do we owe the pleasure?"
There was no response, everyone turning to look at Shin.
"So," Started Shin, "You must be Grand-Ma...leader of the Mejere."
There was a momentary pause, as If she was evaluating weather he was worthy to hear her voice or not.
"You have spoken great words on Tarak." She finally said, a hint of a once-birdsong voice- now stippled with age and broken by time.
Shin stared back, ready for another few words. When none came, he went on, "Now do you see my proof? An entire battle force destroyed...by six fighters."
"How do we know you did not craft them?"
"How do I know if you aren't there allies?" Asked Shin and pointed, "Don't lie. You know about them too."
The hood dipped some.
There were glances back and forth across the bridge, wondering how this boy knew-
"I see you have conversed with my counterpart, your Grand-Pa."
Shin reached around his neck to touch the amulet that Grand-Pa had given him, "Yes, I have."
"And he has indoctrinated you?"
"To my knowledge no....I defied his orders and the orders of my superiors. I come only with those who have served with me ever since our exile."
"Then you are indeed of the 42nd Tarak....I see now. Come to extract your revenge?"
"Our revenge is satisfied. Removing your military base and the frigate that caused us exile in the first place has been destroyed. We now come to offer you a chance to stand against this new foe."
"And why should we trust you? You are responsible for the deaths of so many,"
"And how many Tarak lives are on your hands?" Shin asked, "How many Tarak have you killed...or better yet how many Mejere have you sent to their deaths because of your actions? And how many more will you selflessly burn away in your feeble attempts to defeat this new foe? Tell me Grand-Ma, what benefit will you have in standing alone?"
"I will never stand with that pessimist!" Rumbled Grand-Ma.
A silence followed the settling of her voice, and Shin asked, "Pessimist?"
"We will never give in." She said, "We Mejere will show that brute strength is not the deciding factor in war."
"But is this war really necessary?" Asked Shin and shook his head, "Why are we separate? Why are men on Tarak and women on Mejere?"
"Did Grand-Pa not tell you?"
"No. He didn't...and there is no clear reason in this skeleton of a colony ship." Shin said.
The old woman shifted her weight, leaning closer to the camera, "In a far off day and age we did consider it possible...until your Grand-Pa gave in to the harvesters. We were a prosperous people...until your Grand-Pa became delirious. He decided that we should be all herded like sheep! And 'grown and harvested' like animals! He believes that the only true way to win, is if we stimulate the best organs! He has no hope left in him!"
"Then why did he give me this?" Asked Shin as he held up the medallion.
Grand-Ma seemed a little stirred up about that, and leaned back.
"He said to me he would see if we can prove it. He said he would side with us if it was possible."
"He is tired and delusional. He will turn on you-"
"He is tired," Confirmed Shin, "And I believe weary of war. I think he sees of this harvest as an escape...away from the pains and burdens of being a figurehead. What about you, Grand-Ma, do you have the same pains of being a figurehead? While all those around you warp your words to become symbols and speech to rally a people? This is what I have seen on Tarak, I ask is it the same on Mejere?"
Grand-Ma fell silent.
All were watching. Those in the Mejere Combat information center were all staring upward at Grandma, and all those aboard Mejere vessels were watching and listening.
Even from their orbit in Tarak, in their Ichazuchi now coming to life, the Tarak listened.
"I too, sense this pain." Grand-Ma started again, "And I too feel this pain. I feel the pain of age...I feel the pain of being streatched. Perhaps it is time for the young to rise to power....as you have demonstrated."
Shin could now see her aged hands moving, clasping a small something and reaching it out-
-And appearing in thin air meters before him.
Mystified, Shin clasped the two-inch medallion, "How-"
"Lost technology of Earth....and only a trinket to a greater wealth of knowledge left behind by Earth and it's Pexis. What I have given you is the most powerful item in Mejere....the icon of Trust. It is almost blasphemy to give it to a Tarak, but you have my faith that you can do this task. I will side with you against the harvesters, as long as you can ensure Grand-Pa will not bring harm to my people."
Shin clasped both icons of respect...both trusts of both worlds. He now held them in his hands.
Never had he thought this responsibility would come to him. Never had he thought, Shin Matsenuga, a Lonely elite commander left to die in the middle of a field of rocks- think that he would hold the destinies to both planets in his hands.
But it was not just his own. This ship he was standing on...and the crew that manned this ship were also part of this responsibility, this destiny...
"Well then," He said as he closed both hands over the icons, "We'll do our best. For both planets....."
A day passed as the Nirvana headed through the asteroid belt.
It was night shift for the regular crews, but Shin was a little restless.
He sat by the stream, holding both pennants in each hand.
He looked from one to the other. Effectively he became the first millitary leader of both worlds-
No.
The Tarak....they didn't identify his claim.
He stood up and looked beyond the windows to see the distant orange dot of Tarak. That had been his homeworld once, and a long time ago it was his reason to keep fighting. Now, it was only one of three worlds he could have called home.
Barnette quietly strode up beside him and asked, "Can't sleep?"
"No. Too much responsibility." He answered her and turned to face her.
Barnette approached him closer and asked him, "Well, you wanted this didn't you?"
"Not in this sense. I didn't want to become leader." He replied.
Barnette relaxed her stance. Shin glanced at the metals again, "And I believed that the Mejere at least had the strength to repel them...I thought wrong."
Barnette took a moment of thought before asking, "But didn't you say the only way that we could possibly win was if we combined forces?"
"I did say that didn't I?" He asked and then looked at Tarak again, "But there are many on Tarak who wouldn't agree with me."
There were some others who couldn't get any sleep either.
Hiro was stirring his coffee in the near-empty galley as he looked over transcripts and tactical information about the new Spindles...as well as whatever materials could have been recovered.
Meia entered just then, ending her half-hour search for him.
"Inspecting the data?"
"Mm." Answered Hiro as he sipped his coffee, "I didn't think the Harvesters would find us for another month or so."
"They knew Mejere and Tarak's location long before we showed up." Meia said as she sat beside him, "It was only a matter of time before they found us."
"Hn." Hiro answered and looked back at the data, "The salvage from these Spindles doesn't show much weakness....other than they have no energy shielding. Their drives were modified to the point of overheating...whoever this fleet is they don't have any concern for safety."
"So they're prone to do something reckless...."
Hiro moved some papers and revealed the sheet from the combat observation center, "There tactics seem to employ cluster-fire and hit-and-run. They were too fast to out-manuver the Mejere guns...though how Tag managed to hit one with a Rail gun is still beyond me..."
"Maybe he just got lucky."
Hiro stopped his mug in mid-air, "Or it's that targeting computer."
"What?"
Hiro set his mug down, "We managed to unearth a Targeting computer in the Mission database. We didn't have the components....until we reached Tarak. We were able to construct a sort of leading guide...it puts a circle on the estimated position the enemy craft would be in time for the projectile to hit it. Tag was one of the first to unlock the plans, and we gave the targeting computer to him....the others believe they don't need it."
Meia looked into space for a moment and then said, "Dreads also use a targeting computer like that."
"How about you and I go take one apart?'
Meia turned her eyes to look up at him for a second before she answered, "Okay."
More time elapsed, the Nirvana leading the damaged Mejere forces to another base.
This one was called Halo, for obvious reasons, as it was a gigantic ring-station in orbit. Vessels docked along the outside of the ring, and the inside was honeycombed with fighter docks. Unlike Pine, this was a virtual fortress in space.
Shin strode on the bridge as they reached it, "Wow..."
"Impressive isn't it?" Magano said from her seat.
"How could the Mejere build such a thing?"
"They built Pine didn't they?" Magano said and sighed, "I never saw it this complete. It looks like it's operational."
"You mean it was under construction?"
"For a time yes. We were afraid when it was complete the Military would turn to try and hunt us. I guess it's fortunate we managed to run into you."
"Yeah, to cause this great mess." Shin said as he looked out into the distance.
"I think you underestimate the power on your shoulders," Magano started, "This is serious Shin. That Mejere amulet entrusts you with the hope of Mejere. As long as you posses it, you have the trust of an avatar to Grand-Ma. I can only guess at what the Tarak one is."
"Yeah well," Shin looked down at them, "I only hope they'll come in good use..."
The Nirvana headed in to the center of the ring, frigates and the dreadnought breaking formation to board. Supply vessels cautiously approached the Nirvana, unsure of it's possibilities...
Jinn was in the platform supervising loading, while Gasconge was once again performing requisition. More space was also being made in the Dread hangers, as then newest stock-model Dreads were flying in to dock...along with baffled and disgruntled pilots.
Especially when they saw the 42nd.
Despite this, they had no choice. Shin was their leader, and they were waiting to see if he knew what he was doing.
"There."
In the meeting hall, Tesh, Shin, Magano, Rebecca, Meia, Hiro, and Jinn were looking at the monitor.
Staring them in the face was the Ichazuchi 'new' section, ringed with frigates.
"So, the Ichazuchi is operational." Hiro calmly said.
"Yes," Said Jinn and nodded to Tesh, who stepped up to the screeen and started pointing, "Here. Looks like there's been some reconstruction here....here....and here. These look like new weapons pods...."
"So they could have anything in there." Magano said.
Rebecca looked across the table at Shin, who's eyes were looking at the monitor.
"Obviously this seems to be preparation for an assault." Meia spoke in her standing place at one wall of the room, "Otherwise why the buildup?"
Shin pointed out, "It could be a final blow, showing the harvesters who's the better of the two."
"But didn't Grandpa give you his trust?" Asked Rebecca.
"Unfortunately he added only if I can show that we can defeat the Harvesters." Shin said.
Magano spoke, "It may be that it's the fanatical who are preparing the fleet. Grand-pa may be passive to everything around him- including his own advisors."
Hiro put up, "We could use the Ichazuchi in a battle with the Harvesters. If possible we have to capture it intact."
"That old rust bucket?" Rebecca scoffed, "It couldn't even stop a pirate gang. What good is it now?"
Hiro was about to say something but Tesh interrupted, "I got it!"
All heads turned to him and Tesh looked back like a deer in the headlights, "Oh....oh yea....I identified these ports."
"What are they?" Shin asked.
"....Nuclear weapons tubes." Tesh turned back.
Jinn nodded slowly, "Makes sense. I've seen those doors on ground-launched Nuclear warheads before."
"What's their capability?" Meia inquired.
Jinn spoke up, "They are nowhere near as powerful as the Terran one we have aboard. They can fly for barely the distance between Mejere and Tarak. And even then they're warhead is only a fraction as powerful as a real nuclear warhead. There isn't that much weapons-grade plutonium or uranium on Tarak to effectively use for warheads...most of it was sent to the northern nuclear power plants."
"But it seems Grand-Pa, or whoever is captaining that fleet, is desperate enough to use them." Magano muttered.
"It may be a deception tactic." Tesh said, "Yeah, like the time we floated those dummy balloon ships in orbit and fooled the Mejere to show up their true ships!"
"I remember that. Clever." Rebecca scowled.
"Whatever the case," Shin said, "We cannot underestimate the new Ichazuchi. It's possible they may have them, and it's possible they don't. Whatever the case, the Tarak aren't afraid of flexing their muscle."
A silence fell over the table, and then Magano asked, "Maybe there's a shred of hope."
"In what way?"
"....I think it's time to put a little play on your speech."
Time was growing thin as word spread through the ranks that the Tarak were moving their forces.
About an hour ago the Ichazuchi began to move- heading across space with a massive armada of a counted hundred and thirty seven Frigates. A third of them had sensor hoops, and another tenth were modified with unidentified components.
Swarming around them in a haze were Vanguards.
By the time they had come in visual range of Halo, the Mejere armada had amassed.
The remaining dreadnought loomed beside the Halo like an angel, and ringing the station were frigates, cruisers, destroyers, and the first carrier of the Mejere system.
But the most fear-intimidating force on the side of the Mejere was their Battleship.
Glistening white, and looking like an eagle with wings swung open and guns at their tips, the Battleship's dazzling decorations were feathers along the undersides of the massive wings. Guns and missile ports were almost invisible in the decoration of this magnificent warship that did indeed make the Ichazuchi look like a rusted bucket.
But then again the Ichazuchi itself was probably armed with weapons that could reduce the battleship to nothing more than cinders and free-floating hydrogen.
The Nirvana faced this horror, appearing oblivious to the imminent danger.
On the top of the Nirvana's nose, all the fighters of the 42nd were standing at the tip. Each were armed with their own weapons, and each of them was willing to fight and die.
But to everyone's surprise the Ichazuchi's mighty forward thrusters blew.
Lights winked across the fleet as the Tarak fleet slowed to a stop and stared back at the Mejere fleet, and the Halo behind them.
A moment of ominous and frightful silence covered both fields. On one hand, the Mejere had the mighty firepower to glass Tarak's surface. On the other, the Tarak had the power to make more craters on Mejere and remove the populace of women from the Mejere system.
All around the Nirvana the women glanced away from their posts on occasion to the one Vanguard perched at the head of the 42nd. Had Grandma really put her trust and faith into this one pathetic Tarak?
Shin was just wondering how the heck he got here when a transmission beeped.
"Incoming transmission from the Ichazuchi." Announced Amarone and piped it to the fleet.
"This is the General commissioner of Tarak to the pirates who stole the Ichazuchi! We demand you return what rightfully belongs to the Tarak empire! We also demand that you, the Mejere, surrender and accept your defeat!"
"Why should we fear you! You-"
"Commander, let me handle this." Shin interrupted the Battleship captain, "Commissioner, we welcome you to Mejere space. Are you willing to listen or do we have to pulverize you?"
"I didn't come here to accept insults from a worthless reject like yourself! You should be ashamed that you dishonored Tarak and your family with this treachery! How dare you dishonor yourselves by staying and nonetheless fighting freely with women!"
"Isn't that how it's supposed to be?" Shin asked, "Or would you rather throw us all to the Harvesters?"
"Your mythical 'harvesters' will not save you this time Matsenuga," Boomed the Commissioner, "And I very much doubt you'll be pulled aside by Grand-Pa-"
Shin it a visual and held up the signet. The commissioner was first shocked at Shin's sudden appearance on his screen, and then turned pale as he recognized the sigil.
"This is Grand-Pa's gift to me. I have his trust in my palm. If you defy me now, your precious doctrine of 'Grand-Pa' worship will fall like a house of cards. Need I repeat myself? The harvesters WILL be coming. You have two choices, Die here and let the Harvesters overrun both Tarak AND Mejere, or fight with us and live."
"I don't believe any of your lies! Your forgeries will get you nowhere!"
Shin hit the general comm. To the fleet, "This is Shin Matsenuga to the.....To the human race...."
Shin's voice echoed through both formations, "So...is this the end? Despite what you may or may not believe about Tarak and Mejere, I have seen for myself that long ago, Men and women co-operated and shared an existence. How blind we have become...how blind and misguided. I do not know the tragedy that separated our two nations in the first place, but I know of the impending tragedy that will bring us back together."
All eyes and ears turned to the one Vanguard perched on the nose of the Nirvana, the ship of wonder, "If you do not believe the imminent threat of the Harvesters, then ask yourself why you are fighting. To the Tarak, why do you want to spend the rest of your lives fighting over and over for no gain or glory? And to the Mejere, look around you! Your planet is dying....and unless you find some way to expand outside your flash and your glory....and your shining lights then you too will die out- victims of your own quest for perfection. Need I ask? Tell me how many of your people have died or gone starving because of your hunt for the glamour and beauty of your lives?"
Magano bowed her head this time, remembering all too well the day her own home was deprived of power.
"Is this the way life will end? Either in war or in vanity? Tell me this is not the way....tell me that you have rejected all the lessons the people of Earth had meant to give to you. Ask yourself, have you dared go beyond and explore? Ask yourself when you have ever seen the other side, venturing beyond rumor and shadow. Have you been there? Have you seen it? Or are you all like sheep, following the words of a biased government?"
"ENOUGH!!" Called the minister.
But Shin wasn't done quite yet, "All of those who are higher than sheep will follow my guidance and survive this storm. All those who wish to flow in line with whatever truths you wish to cling to, and those who wish to have their minds closed, remain in your lines. The only shame I feel for you is not being human."
Several Frigates broke formation and ignited their engines, Tarak vessels accelerating out of formation and heading for the Mejere lines.
The Mejere held their fire, quite interested and shock at what Shin's words were saying coming true.
The Minster was growing whiter and whiter as he watched his forces start to break apart.
"To the Mejere, I salute your bravery and your will in surviving. But you must let go of the one downfall to the human race- Vanity. If you wish to perish on your world so be it. If you are content being all white and guilded- hiding the destruction that you leave behind in the name of all things golden, so be it. You do not have to fight alongside me. But if you wish to seek another way....another chance...and the road of our ancestors, ride this battle out with me. We either stand together or not at all....and I ask you to let go your hatreds of the Tarak and stand with us."
Numerous reports came in from the Mejere, some rejecting Shin's words and others announcing battle-ready status. The Dreadnought hovered for a moment, before the commander smirked, "Let's see if this Tarak can fight as good as he can talk."
The General Commissioner raged, turning from white to red, "You will pay for this in blood! Once the forty-second and all it's kin are destroyed, we will annihilate the Mejere and any Tarak who has laid eyes on you!"
"Then will you exterminate your own Commissioner? Or do your forget your world-wide broadcast of my 'story?" Shin said as he smirked, ready to die.
The Commissioner stabbed on the close channel button and screamed, "ALL WEAPONS FIRE ON THE ICHAZUCHI OLD SECTION!!!"
Guns erupted fire into the Mejere lines.
But the Mejere returned fire with harshness....and the even had help from Frigates with second thought. Other Tarak and Mejere ships neglected to fire, many heading up and away from the battle to think this over.
Shin pointed and aimed, "Hit the bridge! Capture the Ichazuchi alive!"
Mejere ships moved in, guns ablaze as they closed in on the Tarak's ship.
Tag raised his rail gun and drew a bead on the bridge of the Ichazuchi...waiting for the right shot...
"Well," The General commissioner said, knowing full well he would not live through this day, "I might as well congratulate you Shin. Your actions have driven the mighty Tarak empire to the hands of it's enemies. I must applaud your foolishness in brining down the strength of men.
"But before I die, I want to salute Grand-Pa and all his kin....especially the most prized of them all- Jinn Tosei....the one true offspring of our Mighty Grand-Pa."
"What?" Shin asked.
"Didn't you know? Alas you did not, as Grand-Pa is eternal, his flame was copied from him and his genes were taken to give Jinn Tosei life...the successor and heir to Grand-Pa's throne."
"Jinn, are you hearing this?"
From his station inside the Nirvana, Jinn had stopped dead cold.
Many questions were answered in his mind. As to how he never saw his genetic parents, and how those men took him in at an early age and how....
He looked at his hand, re-evaluating himself.
Gasconge looked up and across the room at him.
Yes," Laughed The General Commissioner, "It is all clear now. You have soiled the one true chance for a Tarak Reborn. Haha!!! How the forty-second has grown! And now, spoiled by taking on the devilry which is women."
Tag then screamed, "You BASTARD!!!"
The Rail gun went off.
The General Commissioner only had time to blink as the rail gun slug penetrated the glass and sailed through the General commissioner, annihilating the bridge and the many decks behind it.
The entire bridge crew was vented out into space, and explosions rattled the upper decks of the Ichazuchi.
Cheers and cries came from the Mejere fleet, as they witnessed their greatest enemy go down in flames.
Shin sighed in his cockpit. It was only-
"This is Base commander Natana to Shin Matsenuga. Great show Tarak, now I want you to surrender."
"What?"
The voice answered him, "You obviously thought that we would play along. Well, you're dead wrong."
Several frigates and cruisers also turned, aiming their guns at the 42nd.
"If you do not surrender I will kill you, and then proceed to Tarak and reduce your home planet to Glass."
"...Impossible." Shin said.
"What?"
"My home planet is three worlds!" He cried as he turned and faced Halo, "Tarak, Mejere, and EARTH!!!"
He turned again to address the fleet, "To everyone, is this how the Honor of the Mejere will burn? In treachery? I would have thought you were all stronger than that...I plead to the honor of Mejere! Is there anyone sane to help!?"
There was a muffled crack on the comm.
A silence fell on the battlefield, then a voice announced, "Commander Matsenuga. We have dispatched of the traitor and in Grand-Ma's name salute you. Carry on."
Shin blinked. He...All this....
They trusted him.
The fleet, the world...the solar system.
His hands would now guide their actions....
"Commander! I am detecting incoming enemy ships! Sir, they're here!"
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I hope I did a good job in this chapter. I was informed too late that SPOILER Hibiki was the REAL offspring of Grand-ma and Grand-pa. END SPOILER
Jinn is a genetic copy of Grand-Pa...essentially a clone of him. Not an exact one, but almost alike. This would explain his action of rising to stand in the next chapter, which is endgame.
By Norsehound
Disclaimer: Vandread doesn't belong to me. The 42nd and all their officers do.
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Chapter Fourteen
Overshadow
There was silence.
All went quiet on the bridge, even when Hibiki and Dita walked on.
Shin started straight back into the face of Grand-Ma.
Magano narrowed her eyes, "So, what do we owe the pleasure?"
There was no response, everyone turning to look at Shin.
"So," Started Shin, "You must be Grand-Ma...leader of the Mejere."
There was a momentary pause, as If she was evaluating weather he was worthy to hear her voice or not.
"You have spoken great words on Tarak." She finally said, a hint of a once-birdsong voice- now stippled with age and broken by time.
Shin stared back, ready for another few words. When none came, he went on, "Now do you see my proof? An entire battle force destroyed...by six fighters."
"How do we know you did not craft them?"
"How do I know if you aren't there allies?" Asked Shin and pointed, "Don't lie. You know about them too."
The hood dipped some.
There were glances back and forth across the bridge, wondering how this boy knew-
"I see you have conversed with my counterpart, your Grand-Pa."
Shin reached around his neck to touch the amulet that Grand-Pa had given him, "Yes, I have."
"And he has indoctrinated you?"
"To my knowledge no....I defied his orders and the orders of my superiors. I come only with those who have served with me ever since our exile."
"Then you are indeed of the 42nd Tarak....I see now. Come to extract your revenge?"
"Our revenge is satisfied. Removing your military base and the frigate that caused us exile in the first place has been destroyed. We now come to offer you a chance to stand against this new foe."
"And why should we trust you? You are responsible for the deaths of so many,"
"And how many Tarak lives are on your hands?" Shin asked, "How many Tarak have you killed...or better yet how many Mejere have you sent to their deaths because of your actions? And how many more will you selflessly burn away in your feeble attempts to defeat this new foe? Tell me Grand-Ma, what benefit will you have in standing alone?"
"I will never stand with that pessimist!" Rumbled Grand-Ma.
A silence followed the settling of her voice, and Shin asked, "Pessimist?"
"We will never give in." She said, "We Mejere will show that brute strength is not the deciding factor in war."
"But is this war really necessary?" Asked Shin and shook his head, "Why are we separate? Why are men on Tarak and women on Mejere?"
"Did Grand-Pa not tell you?"
"No. He didn't...and there is no clear reason in this skeleton of a colony ship." Shin said.
The old woman shifted her weight, leaning closer to the camera, "In a far off day and age we did consider it possible...until your Grand-Pa gave in to the harvesters. We were a prosperous people...until your Grand-Pa became delirious. He decided that we should be all herded like sheep! And 'grown and harvested' like animals! He believes that the only true way to win, is if we stimulate the best organs! He has no hope left in him!"
"Then why did he give me this?" Asked Shin as he held up the medallion.
Grand-Ma seemed a little stirred up about that, and leaned back.
"He said to me he would see if we can prove it. He said he would side with us if it was possible."
"He is tired and delusional. He will turn on you-"
"He is tired," Confirmed Shin, "And I believe weary of war. I think he sees of this harvest as an escape...away from the pains and burdens of being a figurehead. What about you, Grand-Ma, do you have the same pains of being a figurehead? While all those around you warp your words to become symbols and speech to rally a people? This is what I have seen on Tarak, I ask is it the same on Mejere?"
Grand-Ma fell silent.
All were watching. Those in the Mejere Combat information center were all staring upward at Grandma, and all those aboard Mejere vessels were watching and listening.
Even from their orbit in Tarak, in their Ichazuchi now coming to life, the Tarak listened.
"I too, sense this pain." Grand-Ma started again, "And I too feel this pain. I feel the pain of age...I feel the pain of being streatched. Perhaps it is time for the young to rise to power....as you have demonstrated."
Shin could now see her aged hands moving, clasping a small something and reaching it out-
-And appearing in thin air meters before him.
Mystified, Shin clasped the two-inch medallion, "How-"
"Lost technology of Earth....and only a trinket to a greater wealth of knowledge left behind by Earth and it's Pexis. What I have given you is the most powerful item in Mejere....the icon of Trust. It is almost blasphemy to give it to a Tarak, but you have my faith that you can do this task. I will side with you against the harvesters, as long as you can ensure Grand-Pa will not bring harm to my people."
Shin clasped both icons of respect...both trusts of both worlds. He now held them in his hands.
Never had he thought this responsibility would come to him. Never had he thought, Shin Matsenuga, a Lonely elite commander left to die in the middle of a field of rocks- think that he would hold the destinies to both planets in his hands.
But it was not just his own. This ship he was standing on...and the crew that manned this ship were also part of this responsibility, this destiny...
"Well then," He said as he closed both hands over the icons, "We'll do our best. For both planets....."
A day passed as the Nirvana headed through the asteroid belt.
It was night shift for the regular crews, but Shin was a little restless.
He sat by the stream, holding both pennants in each hand.
He looked from one to the other. Effectively he became the first millitary leader of both worlds-
No.
The Tarak....they didn't identify his claim.
He stood up and looked beyond the windows to see the distant orange dot of Tarak. That had been his homeworld once, and a long time ago it was his reason to keep fighting. Now, it was only one of three worlds he could have called home.
Barnette quietly strode up beside him and asked, "Can't sleep?"
"No. Too much responsibility." He answered her and turned to face her.
Barnette approached him closer and asked him, "Well, you wanted this didn't you?"
"Not in this sense. I didn't want to become leader." He replied.
Barnette relaxed her stance. Shin glanced at the metals again, "And I believed that the Mejere at least had the strength to repel them...I thought wrong."
Barnette took a moment of thought before asking, "But didn't you say the only way that we could possibly win was if we combined forces?"
"I did say that didn't I?" He asked and then looked at Tarak again, "But there are many on Tarak who wouldn't agree with me."
There were some others who couldn't get any sleep either.
Hiro was stirring his coffee in the near-empty galley as he looked over transcripts and tactical information about the new Spindles...as well as whatever materials could have been recovered.
Meia entered just then, ending her half-hour search for him.
"Inspecting the data?"
"Mm." Answered Hiro as he sipped his coffee, "I didn't think the Harvesters would find us for another month or so."
"They knew Mejere and Tarak's location long before we showed up." Meia said as she sat beside him, "It was only a matter of time before they found us."
"Hn." Hiro answered and looked back at the data, "The salvage from these Spindles doesn't show much weakness....other than they have no energy shielding. Their drives were modified to the point of overheating...whoever this fleet is they don't have any concern for safety."
"So they're prone to do something reckless...."
Hiro moved some papers and revealed the sheet from the combat observation center, "There tactics seem to employ cluster-fire and hit-and-run. They were too fast to out-manuver the Mejere guns...though how Tag managed to hit one with a Rail gun is still beyond me..."
"Maybe he just got lucky."
Hiro stopped his mug in mid-air, "Or it's that targeting computer."
"What?"
Hiro set his mug down, "We managed to unearth a Targeting computer in the Mission database. We didn't have the components....until we reached Tarak. We were able to construct a sort of leading guide...it puts a circle on the estimated position the enemy craft would be in time for the projectile to hit it. Tag was one of the first to unlock the plans, and we gave the targeting computer to him....the others believe they don't need it."
Meia looked into space for a moment and then said, "Dreads also use a targeting computer like that."
"How about you and I go take one apart?'
Meia turned her eyes to look up at him for a second before she answered, "Okay."
More time elapsed, the Nirvana leading the damaged Mejere forces to another base.
This one was called Halo, for obvious reasons, as it was a gigantic ring-station in orbit. Vessels docked along the outside of the ring, and the inside was honeycombed with fighter docks. Unlike Pine, this was a virtual fortress in space.
Shin strode on the bridge as they reached it, "Wow..."
"Impressive isn't it?" Magano said from her seat.
"How could the Mejere build such a thing?"
"They built Pine didn't they?" Magano said and sighed, "I never saw it this complete. It looks like it's operational."
"You mean it was under construction?"
"For a time yes. We were afraid when it was complete the Military would turn to try and hunt us. I guess it's fortunate we managed to run into you."
"Yeah, to cause this great mess." Shin said as he looked out into the distance.
"I think you underestimate the power on your shoulders," Magano started, "This is serious Shin. That Mejere amulet entrusts you with the hope of Mejere. As long as you posses it, you have the trust of an avatar to Grand-Ma. I can only guess at what the Tarak one is."
"Yeah well," Shin looked down at them, "I only hope they'll come in good use..."
The Nirvana headed in to the center of the ring, frigates and the dreadnought breaking formation to board. Supply vessels cautiously approached the Nirvana, unsure of it's possibilities...
Jinn was in the platform supervising loading, while Gasconge was once again performing requisition. More space was also being made in the Dread hangers, as then newest stock-model Dreads were flying in to dock...along with baffled and disgruntled pilots.
Especially when they saw the 42nd.
Despite this, they had no choice. Shin was their leader, and they were waiting to see if he knew what he was doing.
"There."
In the meeting hall, Tesh, Shin, Magano, Rebecca, Meia, Hiro, and Jinn were looking at the monitor.
Staring them in the face was the Ichazuchi 'new' section, ringed with frigates.
"So, the Ichazuchi is operational." Hiro calmly said.
"Yes," Said Jinn and nodded to Tesh, who stepped up to the screeen and started pointing, "Here. Looks like there's been some reconstruction here....here....and here. These look like new weapons pods...."
"So they could have anything in there." Magano said.
Rebecca looked across the table at Shin, who's eyes were looking at the monitor.
"Obviously this seems to be preparation for an assault." Meia spoke in her standing place at one wall of the room, "Otherwise why the buildup?"
Shin pointed out, "It could be a final blow, showing the harvesters who's the better of the two."
"But didn't Grandpa give you his trust?" Asked Rebecca.
"Unfortunately he added only if I can show that we can defeat the Harvesters." Shin said.
Magano spoke, "It may be that it's the fanatical who are preparing the fleet. Grand-pa may be passive to everything around him- including his own advisors."
Hiro put up, "We could use the Ichazuchi in a battle with the Harvesters. If possible we have to capture it intact."
"That old rust bucket?" Rebecca scoffed, "It couldn't even stop a pirate gang. What good is it now?"
Hiro was about to say something but Tesh interrupted, "I got it!"
All heads turned to him and Tesh looked back like a deer in the headlights, "Oh....oh yea....I identified these ports."
"What are they?" Shin asked.
"....Nuclear weapons tubes." Tesh turned back.
Jinn nodded slowly, "Makes sense. I've seen those doors on ground-launched Nuclear warheads before."
"What's their capability?" Meia inquired.
Jinn spoke up, "They are nowhere near as powerful as the Terran one we have aboard. They can fly for barely the distance between Mejere and Tarak. And even then they're warhead is only a fraction as powerful as a real nuclear warhead. There isn't that much weapons-grade plutonium or uranium on Tarak to effectively use for warheads...most of it was sent to the northern nuclear power plants."
"But it seems Grand-Pa, or whoever is captaining that fleet, is desperate enough to use them." Magano muttered.
"It may be a deception tactic." Tesh said, "Yeah, like the time we floated those dummy balloon ships in orbit and fooled the Mejere to show up their true ships!"
"I remember that. Clever." Rebecca scowled.
"Whatever the case," Shin said, "We cannot underestimate the new Ichazuchi. It's possible they may have them, and it's possible they don't. Whatever the case, the Tarak aren't afraid of flexing their muscle."
A silence fell over the table, and then Magano asked, "Maybe there's a shred of hope."
"In what way?"
"....I think it's time to put a little play on your speech."
Time was growing thin as word spread through the ranks that the Tarak were moving their forces.
About an hour ago the Ichazuchi began to move- heading across space with a massive armada of a counted hundred and thirty seven Frigates. A third of them had sensor hoops, and another tenth were modified with unidentified components.
Swarming around them in a haze were Vanguards.
By the time they had come in visual range of Halo, the Mejere armada had amassed.
The remaining dreadnought loomed beside the Halo like an angel, and ringing the station were frigates, cruisers, destroyers, and the first carrier of the Mejere system.
But the most fear-intimidating force on the side of the Mejere was their Battleship.
Glistening white, and looking like an eagle with wings swung open and guns at their tips, the Battleship's dazzling decorations were feathers along the undersides of the massive wings. Guns and missile ports were almost invisible in the decoration of this magnificent warship that did indeed make the Ichazuchi look like a rusted bucket.
But then again the Ichazuchi itself was probably armed with weapons that could reduce the battleship to nothing more than cinders and free-floating hydrogen.
The Nirvana faced this horror, appearing oblivious to the imminent danger.
On the top of the Nirvana's nose, all the fighters of the 42nd were standing at the tip. Each were armed with their own weapons, and each of them was willing to fight and die.
But to everyone's surprise the Ichazuchi's mighty forward thrusters blew.
Lights winked across the fleet as the Tarak fleet slowed to a stop and stared back at the Mejere fleet, and the Halo behind them.
A moment of ominous and frightful silence covered both fields. On one hand, the Mejere had the mighty firepower to glass Tarak's surface. On the other, the Tarak had the power to make more craters on Mejere and remove the populace of women from the Mejere system.
All around the Nirvana the women glanced away from their posts on occasion to the one Vanguard perched at the head of the 42nd. Had Grandma really put her trust and faith into this one pathetic Tarak?
Shin was just wondering how the heck he got here when a transmission beeped.
"Incoming transmission from the Ichazuchi." Announced Amarone and piped it to the fleet.
"This is the General commissioner of Tarak to the pirates who stole the Ichazuchi! We demand you return what rightfully belongs to the Tarak empire! We also demand that you, the Mejere, surrender and accept your defeat!"
"Why should we fear you! You-"
"Commander, let me handle this." Shin interrupted the Battleship captain, "Commissioner, we welcome you to Mejere space. Are you willing to listen or do we have to pulverize you?"
"I didn't come here to accept insults from a worthless reject like yourself! You should be ashamed that you dishonored Tarak and your family with this treachery! How dare you dishonor yourselves by staying and nonetheless fighting freely with women!"
"Isn't that how it's supposed to be?" Shin asked, "Or would you rather throw us all to the Harvesters?"
"Your mythical 'harvesters' will not save you this time Matsenuga," Boomed the Commissioner, "And I very much doubt you'll be pulled aside by Grand-Pa-"
Shin it a visual and held up the signet. The commissioner was first shocked at Shin's sudden appearance on his screen, and then turned pale as he recognized the sigil.
"This is Grand-Pa's gift to me. I have his trust in my palm. If you defy me now, your precious doctrine of 'Grand-Pa' worship will fall like a house of cards. Need I repeat myself? The harvesters WILL be coming. You have two choices, Die here and let the Harvesters overrun both Tarak AND Mejere, or fight with us and live."
"I don't believe any of your lies! Your forgeries will get you nowhere!"
Shin hit the general comm. To the fleet, "This is Shin Matsenuga to the.....To the human race...."
Shin's voice echoed through both formations, "So...is this the end? Despite what you may or may not believe about Tarak and Mejere, I have seen for myself that long ago, Men and women co-operated and shared an existence. How blind we have become...how blind and misguided. I do not know the tragedy that separated our two nations in the first place, but I know of the impending tragedy that will bring us back together."
All eyes and ears turned to the one Vanguard perched on the nose of the Nirvana, the ship of wonder, "If you do not believe the imminent threat of the Harvesters, then ask yourself why you are fighting. To the Tarak, why do you want to spend the rest of your lives fighting over and over for no gain or glory? And to the Mejere, look around you! Your planet is dying....and unless you find some way to expand outside your flash and your glory....and your shining lights then you too will die out- victims of your own quest for perfection. Need I ask? Tell me how many of your people have died or gone starving because of your hunt for the glamour and beauty of your lives?"
Magano bowed her head this time, remembering all too well the day her own home was deprived of power.
"Is this the way life will end? Either in war or in vanity? Tell me this is not the way....tell me that you have rejected all the lessons the people of Earth had meant to give to you. Ask yourself, have you dared go beyond and explore? Ask yourself when you have ever seen the other side, venturing beyond rumor and shadow. Have you been there? Have you seen it? Or are you all like sheep, following the words of a biased government?"
"ENOUGH!!" Called the minister.
But Shin wasn't done quite yet, "All of those who are higher than sheep will follow my guidance and survive this storm. All those who wish to flow in line with whatever truths you wish to cling to, and those who wish to have their minds closed, remain in your lines. The only shame I feel for you is not being human."
Several Frigates broke formation and ignited their engines, Tarak vessels accelerating out of formation and heading for the Mejere lines.
The Mejere held their fire, quite interested and shock at what Shin's words were saying coming true.
The Minster was growing whiter and whiter as he watched his forces start to break apart.
"To the Mejere, I salute your bravery and your will in surviving. But you must let go of the one downfall to the human race- Vanity. If you wish to perish on your world so be it. If you are content being all white and guilded- hiding the destruction that you leave behind in the name of all things golden, so be it. You do not have to fight alongside me. But if you wish to seek another way....another chance...and the road of our ancestors, ride this battle out with me. We either stand together or not at all....and I ask you to let go your hatreds of the Tarak and stand with us."
Numerous reports came in from the Mejere, some rejecting Shin's words and others announcing battle-ready status. The Dreadnought hovered for a moment, before the commander smirked, "Let's see if this Tarak can fight as good as he can talk."
The General Commissioner raged, turning from white to red, "You will pay for this in blood! Once the forty-second and all it's kin are destroyed, we will annihilate the Mejere and any Tarak who has laid eyes on you!"
"Then will you exterminate your own Commissioner? Or do your forget your world-wide broadcast of my 'story?" Shin said as he smirked, ready to die.
The Commissioner stabbed on the close channel button and screamed, "ALL WEAPONS FIRE ON THE ICHAZUCHI OLD SECTION!!!"
Guns erupted fire into the Mejere lines.
But the Mejere returned fire with harshness....and the even had help from Frigates with second thought. Other Tarak and Mejere ships neglected to fire, many heading up and away from the battle to think this over.
Shin pointed and aimed, "Hit the bridge! Capture the Ichazuchi alive!"
Mejere ships moved in, guns ablaze as they closed in on the Tarak's ship.
Tag raised his rail gun and drew a bead on the bridge of the Ichazuchi...waiting for the right shot...
"Well," The General commissioner said, knowing full well he would not live through this day, "I might as well congratulate you Shin. Your actions have driven the mighty Tarak empire to the hands of it's enemies. I must applaud your foolishness in brining down the strength of men.
"But before I die, I want to salute Grand-Pa and all his kin....especially the most prized of them all- Jinn Tosei....the one true offspring of our Mighty Grand-Pa."
"What?" Shin asked.
"Didn't you know? Alas you did not, as Grand-Pa is eternal, his flame was copied from him and his genes were taken to give Jinn Tosei life...the successor and heir to Grand-Pa's throne."
"Jinn, are you hearing this?"
From his station inside the Nirvana, Jinn had stopped dead cold.
Many questions were answered in his mind. As to how he never saw his genetic parents, and how those men took him in at an early age and how....
He looked at his hand, re-evaluating himself.
Gasconge looked up and across the room at him.
Yes," Laughed The General Commissioner, "It is all clear now. You have soiled the one true chance for a Tarak Reborn. Haha!!! How the forty-second has grown! And now, spoiled by taking on the devilry which is women."
Tag then screamed, "You BASTARD!!!"
The Rail gun went off.
The General Commissioner only had time to blink as the rail gun slug penetrated the glass and sailed through the General commissioner, annihilating the bridge and the many decks behind it.
The entire bridge crew was vented out into space, and explosions rattled the upper decks of the Ichazuchi.
Cheers and cries came from the Mejere fleet, as they witnessed their greatest enemy go down in flames.
Shin sighed in his cockpit. It was only-
"This is Base commander Natana to Shin Matsenuga. Great show Tarak, now I want you to surrender."
"What?"
The voice answered him, "You obviously thought that we would play along. Well, you're dead wrong."
Several frigates and cruisers also turned, aiming their guns at the 42nd.
"If you do not surrender I will kill you, and then proceed to Tarak and reduce your home planet to Glass."
"...Impossible." Shin said.
"What?"
"My home planet is three worlds!" He cried as he turned and faced Halo, "Tarak, Mejere, and EARTH!!!"
He turned again to address the fleet, "To everyone, is this how the Honor of the Mejere will burn? In treachery? I would have thought you were all stronger than that...I plead to the honor of Mejere! Is there anyone sane to help!?"
There was a muffled crack on the comm.
A silence fell on the battlefield, then a voice announced, "Commander Matsenuga. We have dispatched of the traitor and in Grand-Ma's name salute you. Carry on."
Shin blinked. He...All this....
They trusted him.
The fleet, the world...the solar system.
His hands would now guide their actions....
"Commander! I am detecting incoming enemy ships! Sir, they're here!"
--------------
I hope I did a good job in this chapter. I was informed too late that SPOILER Hibiki was the REAL offspring of Grand-ma and Grand-pa. END SPOILER
Jinn is a genetic copy of Grand-Pa...essentially a clone of him. Not an exact one, but almost alike. This would explain his action of rising to stand in the next chapter, which is endgame.