Author Introduction:
a) To write an epic serial that would, hopefully, be recognised as one of the best Vandread fanfics ever written
b) To contribute to the D+H portion of Fandom - which, if the fics are anything to go by, is outnumbered by the H+M portion.
So, why has this fic taken so long to get to cyberspace? Well to be honest, the road since conception hasn't been easy. The amount of re-writing that went into this fic is unbelievable. Ideas were tired and rejected. Scenes were added whilst some scenes were discarded. There was a time when the title of the fic changed into Brain Damage. And while my original ideas are retained somewhat, my original plot has changed dramatically. In fact, the only thing that hasn't changed from my orginal text is the prologue.
There were even times (and believe you me, there were a lot of 'em) when was I quite prepared to give up - I could've easily just stayed with the Vandread fanfics I've already written and refuse to go any further.
But perserverance wins the battle (at least that's what they say) and this fic has now finally found it's way here. But I implore you all, my readers, please be gentle in your reviewing. I have tried really hard to make this fic work and this is the first time in a long time that I written something for this fic that I didn't end up hating (I guess, being a D+H fan, it is kinda hard adding to that which is already been done in the series - There's just no challenge in adding to that which was already been well established). But I really need some feedback. If need be, I am quite prepared to rewrite any areas that don't work. Indeed, if there is enough interest, I may carry on writing this.
My thanks go to Blackheart, Shadow D, KTX and Ender for encouragement and support - Ender in particular for being such a great sport even when I grumbled about him being a better Vandread fanfic author than I am...... j/k
Vandread: Angel's Gate
Prelude
A thousand stars twinkled in the darkness that was the universe - A home to many planets, asteroids, comets, nebula and legions upon legions of stars.
One star, in particular, was on the move.
It was travelling at an astonishing rate through the vast emptiness of space. It grew closer and closer and larger and larger until it revealed its true form. A form that didn't take shape as a star but as a spaceship.
In time however, the ship began to decrease in speed. The ship's pace gradually died down for the simple reason that it had arrived at it's destination: A particular planet that now loomed before the ship. Having arrived at it's goal, the ship cut off it's engines to drift within the planet's orbit.
On board the ship, three pairs of eyes were examining the planet with fascination. They had arrived. This was what they had been heading for. This is why they had traversed many light years across the galaxy. This is what they were being paid for.....
The first pair of eyes belonged to a man - A man who held the position of the captain of this vessel. Karl Eisenstein was a man in his late twenties. Dressed in robes that covered his legs and feet, he sported an armoured breastplate and a top-knot on top of his head. He also bore the expression of someone who radiated command. With exceptional levels of charisma and leadership skills, this man was a born leader.
Yet even a leader can have doubts.....
The captain was accompanied by his right hand man - Valmir Lubitsch. Valmir was a man in his early forties and the owner of the second pair of eyes. Like his captain, Valmir wore robes and armour. Unlike his captain Valmir had an eye-patch and a moustache. This man bore signs of high intelligence and experience. It was this man whose opinions and advice Karl relied upon.
The third pair of eyes belonged to the ship's mechanic: A man in his mid-twenties who called himself Redslag. Yet this man wasn't exactly a handsome sight: He was heavily scarred, unkempt in appearance and the scruffiest of the trio. Yet this man was armed with the expertise to get the ship running and to keep it running!
The ship was called the Lone Wolf. It was crewed only by the three men - Three men who lived a rough life as pirates. Pirates who swore no allegiance, pirates who operated under their own agenda, pirates who would attack anyone they saw as a......problem.
Pirates who were quite willing to any mercenary work.
Provided the pay is very good.
The three man gazed down at the planet, in bewilderment.
"Is this it?" Redslag asked.
"Well, it matches the coordinates that old man gave us" Valmir replied.
Karl grimaced. A grimace that Redslag picked up. A grimace that told the mechanic exactly what his captain was thinking.
"Oh no!" Redslag groaned. "Don't start that up again!"
"Yeah" Valmir agreed. "You should be thankful that we are being paid VERY well."
"I know" Karl retorted. "But why is he bringing us out HERE?! This place is at least several light years from Earth! What's more this place is why beyond Earth's borders! If he's bringing us all the way out here, then it must be for a darn good reason!!!"
Redslag groaned and moved away from the window. He was really getting fed up with his captain's constant doubting. The mechanic then moved towards a computer terminal and pushed a few buttons upon a control panel. Instantaneously, a hologram of the planet emerged before Redslag, accompanied with vital information.
Redslag examined the information with great interest. However it didn't take long for his eyes to widen in shock.
"No way...." He whispered.
"Listen" Valmir said. "I can understand why you're mad but we must at least have some faith in our employer."
"Faith?!" Karl snapped. "If he's paying us so much then why have we already been paid in advance? Why hasn't he ever emerged from his quarters since the day we departed? Why hasn't he explained why he's sending us across the galaxy?!"
"Err.... captain?" Redslag said, his voce bearing a sense of ill-ease. "I think you should come and see this....."
"What's the problem?" Karl replied. All thoughts are arguing with Valmir were now forgotten. Now all that mattered was his duty as captain of his ship. Now all that mattered were his skills and expertise. Now all that mattered was his ship and his crew, and dealing with any potential threats. This was no time for petty arguments.
Karl strode over to join Redslag at the computer terminal. The mechanic indicated towards the information displayed on the hologram. Towards one part of it in particular....
The pirate Captain studied the information. It didn't take long for his eyes to blink in disbelief.
"What the...." The pirate gasped. "No! This can't be right!!!"
Valmir strode to join his companions. When he read this piece of startling information, his brow furrowed in suspicion. Being the eldest of the three he certainly knew trouble when he saw it. He knew what to look for when confronting bizarre events.
And this was certainly not something to be taken lightly.
"You know Karl" he said slowly. "I'm beginning to agree with you...."
Redslag nodded his agreement.
"Right" Karl declared, taking control. "If that old timer knows something that we don't, then we must remain on our guard. We must keep an eye on each other's back or...."
"Or else what?"
The trio all turned around. They weren't expecting their discussion to be interrupted. Interrupted by the last person they wanted to see.
In strode the fourth person aboard the Lone Wolf. He was a man in his late fifties and whom relied on a wooden cane. He was a man with a bald head and a tall stature. He was a man with a presence that commanded authority and respect. He was a man with an armoured breastplate and robes that covered his arms and legs. He was the pirate's passenger, their employer and the very person who sent them here to this isolated corner of the universe.
His name was Raul Oppenheimer. And he came from Earth to this planet on a mission of investigation.
The old man made his way over to the trio, his gaze glowering at all three of them.
"Sir!" Karl started. This was a shock to the system - The three pirates hadn't seen him ever since they departed from Earth.
"I heard shouting" Raul growled. "Is there a problem captain?"
Karl hesitated. He didn't know what to say to the investigator. Sure he didn't trust the devious bastard but he was paralysed by his commanding presence. Sure he had a duty as a captain to attend to but there also the duty as a friend and a crewmate.
But, fortunately for the pirate captain, Raul didn't wait for an answer. Instead his eye caught sight of the hologram behind the trio. Grinning, the old man cleared his throat.
"Ah! I see you've found it!"
And without a further ado, the old man pushed past the pirates and moved closer towards the hologram. Instantly, his stern expression eased off. It was the first time the pirates had seen him exhibit any form of emotion. Although his mouth didn't move, his eyes sparkled.
Yes! This was it! At long last, his goal is now within his grasp!
Valmir and Karl exchanged glances. They both nodded.
"Redslag?"
Just then Raul heard the sound of two clicks. But he didn't turn around. He knew what these pirates were planning. It was almost inevitable that they would turn against him. They are, after all, pirates. And since when have pirates ever trusted anyone?
It was also inevitable that they would become suspicious of his secretive agenda. But that wasn't really surprising. However by continually shrouding his operations in secrecy, Raul has been able to keep them from infiltration and destruction. It has always worked that way. Without fail. And after years of experience, he wasn't prepared to give up. And after a long journey to get this planet, the investigator had his own agenda to stick to. An agenda which dictated his operations. An agenda which will not be ignored or abandoned.
Raul didn't need to turn around. He already knew that mechanic was aiming two pistols at him. He already knew that the pirates suspicions were reaching breaking point. And he already knew Karl and Valmir were already at stage where they we're both taking action against him.
They were so predictable.....
"So" Raul announced. "You're all quite willing to blow my head off?"
"Of course" Karl answered.
"You're leading us on a blind trail." Valmir said. "You haven't said anything as to where we are going, what we are doing, what you want us for and what you want from this planet! This planet is uninhabited! It doesn't even have a name! Now if you were so desperate to get to an uninhabited planet then you must know something we don't!!!"
"Aha" Raul chuckled. "But you have already been paid. And in advance may I add! Therefore, as your benefactor, you must do exactly what I tell you to do!"
When the investigator got no answer, he grinned. Success! These pirates were no better then any other - they only answered to the topic of money.
They were so predictable.
"One problem there" Karl retorted. "We can easily dump you off and keep the money!"
"I don't think so"
Then, before anyone could stop him, Raul drew a pistol. It happened so fast, the onlookers were given no chance to blink.
What came next also happened rather quickly.
Raul aimed his pistol at Redslag. And pulled the trigger.
But this was no ordinary pistol: It was a special trapper device. It contained no ordinary bullets but a special sight of ammunition. A special capsule was discharged from the pistol chamber. A capsule that burst out to form an enormous net. An enormous net that enveloped Redslag entirely. Taken back at such an attack, the pirate was knocked off his feet. And to make matters worse for the mechanic, this net was specially made to house several hundred volts - volts developed to shock it's prey into unconsciousness!
Redslag screamed in agony as the electric bolts cruised their way across his body, destroying everything in their path.
Valmir cursed and drew his pistol. In a flash he had it drawn and armed right next to the investigator's head.
"Bastard!" the veteran pirate growled.
"Oh you are a fool" came Raul's mere reply.
Then, quick as a wink, the old man brought his cane around in a great swinging arc. A swinging arc that brought Valmir's pistol out his hand with an incredible crack.
The pirate went down on his knees, clutching his hand in pain whilst cursing under his breath. This left Raul to face the only pirate left standing: Karl.
"Well captain?"
Karl closed his eyes, a curse of a whisper escaping his lips. Damn, this old man isn't one to be underestimated. And he seems determined to hang on to his gaol. A goal shrouded in secrecy. A goal that none of the pirates will ever know.
But Karl is a captain. And what's a captain without a crew?
"You win old man." Karl growled.
"Good" Raul replied, his face arranging itself to form a sadistic expression of triumph and gloating. "Now let's down to the planet shall we?"
And with that he swept his way heading to his quarters.
"Oh and one last thing." The investigator added. "I suggest you look after your mechanic! He's the only who can pilot this ship, right?!"
And, with a sadistic chuckle, Raul left the bridge, closing the door behind him.
"BASTARD!!!!!" Karl yelled at the closed door.
The young captain then turned to his crew. Valmir had used his knife to disrupt the net's electricity and had now had no trouble in removing it off Redslag. While the pirate helped the mechanic to his feet, he faced his fried with an accusing glare.
"Why did you do that?!" Valmir snarled. "Now we're still in dark as to why he hired us! We had him in our grasp! Now we'll ever know!"
"Precisely" Karl said, still maintaining a clam composure in front of his friend. "But he hasn't won this time."
Valmir blinked. Then he and Redslag leaned in closer. It sounds like Karl had a plan....
"This is what we'll do." Karl murmured, to his co-conspirators. "First he take him down to the planet. Then we play along with whatever he's got planned. Then, as soon, as he let's his guard down, we dump him off! Easy as that!"
"Sounds like a plan." Redslag grunted.
"But if the authorities get onto us?" Valmir asked. "He's a dignitary! He's a VIP! Surely someone will miss when he's gone!"
"I guess it all depends on what he plans to do, once he gets to the surface." The captain mused. "I guess if he's plotting something, then we kill him! If he isn't, we still get to keep the cash he gave us! Either way, we can't lose!"
His companions nodded in agreement. Great plan! Ingenious! Sounds like they would still be able to salvage something from this miserable mission!
"So are we all in an agreement then?" Karl grinned.
"Of course!" Valmir replied.
"Count me in!" Redslag chuckled.
"Good." Karl said. "Redslag? Take us down."
"Yes sir!" the mechanic replied. And in a flash, the mechanic was at the pilot's control panel.
Within minutes the ship shuddered, as it's engines fired up and got the ship moving. The target: The surface of the planet, many miles below......
Onward with the story!
Contents
