The Lone Promise: Promise of the North
Episode 3: "Form Kestis Spacedocks"
1. Starmoon (Capital Kestis Planet/K-003a)
The capital planet in Kestis Space, Starmoon has rings around it, it helped the Kestian to inhabit and change the planet. It's the first planet they changed and inhabited. It changed from a gas planet to solid rock planet, by-passing even the Polaris. It's free to land for any ship no matter where it came from. For the Kestis government on Starmoon is where they consider everyone equal. Everyone is free but there is still justice on the planet. The Kestian took up the symbol of an owl as their logo and symbol. The Kestian are Muslims of the Islamic faith. They are faithful to their god, fear him and worship him. They are all united. The Kestian all have certain similar goals. The Kestian are very hospitable and peaceful. Starmoon is rather unique and beautiful in appearance from space. The rings around Starmoon were modified by adding special minerals to them. The rings keep the Kestis people young physically, mentally, intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. They can live for long years, centuries even. Its rings are colored green, pulsing with ownalis energy, with one side going down into the planet. That's what Kestis Strey has done; to show that Starmoon is unique and Kestis capital. Its shipyard has the far most ships available: Federation; Rebellion; Pirates; Auroran; Kestis; Vell-os and Polaran. Kestis muzon take orange as their universal color, but in Kestis society, the color verifies. Starmoon Industries is located here.
Market: Ownalis, Crovinze, Water, Food, Industrial, Luxury Goods, Equipment, Medical Supplies, Metal, Opals... etc.
Outfitting: Flanis Ultra, Energy Absorber, Pilot License, Kestis Cloak, Rainbow Ray Tube, Rainbow Ray, Kestis Jammer, Laser Tracer Tube, Laser Tracer, Star Launcher, Star Missiles, Star Torpedoes, Star Rockets, Star Blasters, Kestis Booster, Jerebi Booster, Jerebi Panels, Rainbow Fader, Auto-Escape, Biorelay Laser, Wraith Cannon, Wraithii, Hellhound Missiles, Hellhound Missile Launcher, Map, Pecker Bay, Bluejay Bay, Pecker, Bluejay, Polaron Cannon, Python Bay, Python, Terra Missile Launcher, Terra Missile, Defense Missile Launcher, Sterile Injector Launcher, Sterile Injector, Tamuya Turret... etc.
Shipyard: Fenrir, Sewit, Sewiril, Sewirim, Sewil, Fairy, Widow, Striker, Scarab, Zephyr, Manta, Arrow, Dart, Javelin, Manticore, Destroyer, Carrier, Terrapin, Cargo Drone, Lightning, Viper, Thunderhead, Anaconda, Gunboat, Patrol Boat, Scout, Phoenix, Firebird, Cruiser, Pecker, Bluejay, Legend, Mythical, Robin, Arthur, Kestis Starbridge, Kestis Viper, Python... etc.
Resort: News, Drinks, Escorts
Mission BSS: Ferry Passengers, Supply Deliveries, Ferry Teams, Ferry Cargo, Transport Colonists, Ferry Tourists
News: Starmoon News Service (S.N.S)
1971 TC - Kestis
Isolation has already begun for Kestis. During the last two years, Kestis has organized itself. Starmoon; Feranin; Zomo and Remia got all inhabited. More Kestis Starplanes were built and the Kestis Navy grew with Rel'Tanis in the lead. Kestis Intelligence got intelligence that newly converted Kestis muzon were on Merrol on Aldebaran; Viking on Tichel and Rebel 1 on Evlei.
For Merrol and Viking, Kestis Navy sent risky convoys to pick Kestis muzon up on those planets. Rebel 1 was easier and safer. Jerebi Center flourished and blossomed. It wasn't attacked once during the two years. New devices have been made in mass productions by Jerebi Center. Sti'Nercan drew new designs for Kestis Starplanes and titled them. It took a few months just to build one new Starplane. The built Starplanes were easier and quicker to build after that.
Kestis got their supplies of fuel and armor from Starmoon's enormous resources as Ownalis and Crovinze. Ownalis was the fuel for the Starplanes, a non-pollutant, self-regenerative resource; it was located in fields, like oil fields. Crovinze was the armor for the Starplanes, an extremely strong; light and flexible armor; it was located as nuggets in caves or streams. Kestis kept the beauty of Starmoon by mining the two precious resources, without harming nature.
The ground Remian force took Zomo as a temporary training planet. Kestis Army got stronger; skilled; hardened and larger. They took Kestis Swords as their weapons. With Kestis technology, Remians were able to change their sword into rifles, in a second. Mystic Suits were formed to protect Remians from injury. Kestis muzon were all taught hyper-telekinetic abilities, until all of them reached H3 or H4; H5 was extremely hard to get and only the most skilled got to it.
Kestis population increased by its slow but steady birthrate. Like the Vell-os, Sti'Nercan made shots that would protect Kestis from diseases and old age. Slowly, the antidote turned into a common organ of the body. Male Kestis muzon let their hair grow to a certain length, before starting to cut it.
Fe'Roy was now eight-years-old. Ta'Alan and Fe'Karen were both 40. Ta'Alan was able to turn Robin Young Owl into Moor Young Owl. He taught Fe'Karen how to change into a Moor Starplane. Education spread; society flourished; peace endured, the golden era for Kestis had started. No criminals or crime rose up. Rel'Tanis was able to turn himself into a Spear Starplane, naming it Puma of Kestis, as was Re'Tamuchi, naming it Emestar.
Energy of Mutation Missiles, to terraform a whole planet for it to become inhabitable for humans, changed from three large missiles to one average size. Kestis Navy, with Ta'Alan in lead, explored the surrounding systems, careful not to venture off into Federation or other inhabited systems. They found K-017, with one giant gas planet. They also came about K-016, with one ring planet. The rest of the systems in Krypt space had no stellar objects.
Medical research advanced, in one way by naturally enlarging or decreasing the size of a female breast. Animals were introduced into Kestis and flourished under zoos and large reservation parks. Family ties became so strong that the individuals felt each other's emotions; thoughts or memories. Telekinetic ability was that telepath was actually speaking words in someone else's mind, which advanced were Kestis in telekinetic.
Relations with the Krypt-mind stabilized and returned to normal alliance. During the two years, not once did Ta'Alan forget about Owl of Starmoon.
7th of May, 1971 - Starmoon, Kestis
Ta'Alan was spaced off one day in his thoughts. He had the ability to shut the world around him out, including telepathing with his family. It confused Fe'Karen. Since Ta'Alan won't receive any telepathing, Fe'Karen resorted to the common, classic method. She talked, using her mouth.
"What's on your mind dear?" Fe'Karen gently asked.
Ta'Alan blinked, silent for a few moments.
'... About Owl of Starmoon...' He replied, turning to her.
'What about it?' Fe'Karen asked, happy to converse with Ta'Alan.
'I'm trying to think of a way to get it out of the core; I'm wondering a lot about the contents inside; about the whole Owl of Starmoon case.' Ta'Alan replied.
"Samig!" Fe'Roy yelled, running into the room.
Ta'Alan turned to his son, lowering his feet from the table.
'Next time keep it down. What is it?' He asked.
Fe'Roy nodded, 'Allarallei is waiting outside for you. He wants to talk with you about something.'
Ta'Alan stared at Fe'Karen.
'If it's anything of importance I'll tell you about it. Sorry that I have to rush off.' Ta'Alan apologized.
Fe'Karen shook her head, 'No need. Take your time.'
Ta'Alan nodded, standing up.
'Thanks Kar.' He smiled.
Fe'Karen smiled back, 'Your welcome Alan.'
Ta'Alan left the room and Tracker Trani, greeting Allarallei outside. The two walked into the backyard, taking a seat on one of the benches in the forested area.
'What's up?' Ta'Alan asked.
'The Krypt-tokh has been talking and we've come to a decision that involves Kestis.' Allarallei replied.
Ta'Alan leaned closer, 'About what?'
'We want a planet. Not a planet in pre-Vell-os space, but one here in Kestis space.' Allarallei requested.
Ta'Alan blinked, taken back.
'Is that all?' He asked, raising an eyebrow.
'Actually it isn't. We've all decided to help with freeing our fellow Vell-os. We'd welcome them, but it would take time; effort and probably encouragement from you and your government.' Allarallei added.
Ta'Alan smiled.
"That's what I've been waiting to hear... Kestis is only Kestis space; no other system here in the north is ours.' Ta'Alan explained.
"You're lucky that Kestis Star is still young. Anyway, we Krypt-mind prefer to think of the northern space, this space, as Kestis space. Once you and Kestis have the technology, create a planet for us in a system with no stellar objects. That's all we ask." Allarallei insisted.
"We'd be glad to. We don't have the technology yet though. Why? So that you'd all have a place to call home?" Ta'Alan asked.
Allarallei nodded, "Homeworld; home planet... whatever you'd call it. When you Kestis have technology to create a planet, be sure to make our home planet Class-M. You're welcome to bring this on your wife and Feranin Fetalin. I'll be seeing you."
'You know where to find me if you want anything.' Ta'Alan reminded.
'Yep. I know. Tell me the answer that Feranin Fetalin gave to you the next time we meet.' Allarallei got up and walked away.
Ta'Alan smiled, shook his head slightly and went back to his Trani.
17th of May, 1971 - Starmoon, Kestis
"What's up Sti'Nercan?" Ta'Alan asked, entering Galadust.
Sti'Nercan turned to him, smiling.
"You're just in time." He stated.
Ta'Alan blinked, "For what?"
"First of all, did you tell Allarallei about your wife's and Feranin Fetalin's decision?" Sti'Nercan asked.
Ta'Alan nodded, "Yes. I told him that both agreed to it. For the encouragement part, Meric Mosque decided to deal with it, when the time came. Why am I just in time for?"
"Oh yeah." Sti'Nercan nodded, "I just figured out a way of retreating Owl of Starmoon from the core."
Ta'Alan gasped, "You... What?!"
Sti'Nercan chucked, "You'll have to retract it from the core in your Young Owl Starplane."
"What about the studies and teachings of Tolasin?" Ta'Alan asked.
"Telekinetic Science? Or better as Telekinology? Well, well. Research is progressing slowly on it, but the teachings are great and it's flourishing amongst the young ones in Tolasin Discipline School." Sti'Nercan replied.
"Any risk in retracting it?" Ta'Alan asked.
Sti'Nercan chuckled, "Are you kidding me? We're talking about a planet's core here! Hello! Of course there's tremendous risk. The heat would either burn you up completely, or melt you down to liquid and won't turn it into gas, way before getting to the core."
Ta'Alan sighed, "So I could die? How can I retract it? How would I protect myself against the heat?"
"You could die, but think of the enormous possibilities here. If you can retract safely and you aren't killed in doing so, we could learn ancient history; it might have designs for spacedocks, normal and battle ones; it might have designs for weapons, heck it might have weapons itself; it might have designs for new Starplanes that we didn't come up with. The information and knowledge could be extremely useful.
"If anything, we could create artificial planets and moons with Owl of Starmoon, even penetrate to the north." Sti'Nercan stated excitedly.
"That would help us with Krypt-tokh and their homeworld." Ta'Alan muttered.
"Yes, that it would." Sti'Nercan agreed.
"Can anyone else do it?" Ta'Alan asked.
Sti'Nercan shook his head, "I'm sorry. It seems that only an C7 could retract that Starplane only."
"There are other C7 other than me." Ta'Alan remarked.
"I don't think they would take the risk; have the experience or survive it." Sti'Nercan concluded.
"Just how is my Moor Young Owl going to retract it?" Ta'Alan asked.
"Through your Grass Meadow." Sti'Nercan replied.
Ta'Alan blinked, "But that's a weapon, like a Vell-os Summer Bloom, but in green, it would follow an opponent's ship, even if you weren't facing it and for some length."
"That's the reason why it should be used." Sti'Nercan insisted.
"Isn't there the risk of the core exploding?" Ta'Alan asked.
Sti'Nercan laughed, "Any catastrophic event could happen and is a possibility that we won't shut off. The risks are enormous, but are you daring enough to do it?"
Ta'Alan lowered his head and shook it slightly.
"How am I going to down?" Ta'Alan asked.
"We made a hole into the ground outside, big enough for Young Owl to fit in and more than enough room for it to maneuver. We didn't drill all the way down; you'll need to use your Spring Gale to crush through the dirt. What do you say?" Sti'Nercan asked.
Ta'Alan closed his eyes momentarily, "... I'll do it, if anything happens, have Feranin; Remia and Zomo be on hold to beam out as many muzon as they can. I'll keep in touch."
"Don't worry about that. I've notified Feranin; Remia and Zomo all about the mission you'll take. They're all on standby. May Allah protect you." Sti'Nercan yelled.
'If Allah wills it.' Ta'Alan sighed, leaving.
Galadust strey all watched Ta'Alan. Sti'Nercan watched for a window in Galadust. Ta'Alan rushed to the huge hole in the opening and jumped over it. Time slowed down, as in less than a second, Ta'Alan folded around him, his protective Moor shell. It looked like a Vell-os Javelin with a few exceptions, the armor was colored dark green, with the owl lined and carved on it in black, in the center. The shields were colored orange, double shells at the rear end, on both sides. Electric and magnetic pulses surged behind the armor, between the two outer shells or shields, changing color from black to orange to dark green and so on. That was the new Young Owl.
Young Owl faced the huge hole upside down, and blasted into it, disappearing. Sti'Nercan sighed, turning away from the window, going back to his work. Strey outside gathered around the huge hole looking down.
Ta'Alan saw the end of the hole in the distance and concentrated for a moment, having Young Owl release its Spring Gale, vaporizing through the layers.
'This is it, no turning back.' Ta'Alan thought.
He smiled to himself, going deeper towards the core, through the inner layers of the planet. Soon enough Ta'Alan sensed the extreme heat on the outside. He was concerned for awhile, but held confident. The outer shell of Young Owl held against the extreme heat in the planet. Young Owl's sensors picked up Owl of Starmoon's signature, getting closer and closer. Ta'Alan hastily stopped Spring Gale from hitting the core. Young Owl gracefully went through the liquid core.
Ta'Alan smiled, staring in the distance.
'There it is.' He thought.
There is was surely, after millenniums of sitting in the core, Owl of Starmoon looked new. Ta'Alan closed his eyes and carefully concentrated on Owl of Starmoon, Young Owl released its Grass Meadow, capturing Owl of Starmoon, without hurting the core. Ta'Alan turned Young Owl around and back up the surface, with Owl of Starmoon behind it. Young Owl aimed at Owl of Starmoon and analyzed it. Its shield was full and complete. It was unharmed.
'Amazing.' Ta'Alan thought.
The sky and light appeared in the distance. Ta'Alan smiled.
Young Owl blasted through the hole, startling Kestis strey around it. Behind Young Owl, connected and pulled by Grass Meadow was Owl of Starmoon. Kestis strey all opened they mouths slightly in amazement. Young Owl landed and let go of Owl of Starmoon gently. With the Grass Meadow gone, Ta'Alan unfolded Young Owl away, with him reaching the ground unharmed.
Kestis strey all surrounded Owl of Starmoon. Sti'Nercan heard all the commotion and rushed out. He rushed over to Ta'Alan, who was slightly sweating.
"I see you got back in one piece, with Owl of Starmoon in one piece also. How was it?" Sti'Nercan asked.
"Beyond any words could describe." Ta'Alan replied, panting a little.
Sti'Nercan smiled and patted Ta'Alan on the back.
"Excellent work." He complimented.
He went over to Owl of Starmoon to check out for some info. Ta'Alan turned around and collapsed onto the grass, on his back.
21st of May, 1971 - Starmoon, Kestis
"Alan!" Sti'Nercan ran into the Tracker Trani, after Fe'Karen allowed him in.
'He's still sleeping.' Fe'Karen stated.
Sti'Nercan stopped, shrugged and continued.
"Dad!" Alan yelled, running after him.
Larry turned back and rushed over to Alan.
"Alan..." He whispered.
Larry embraced his four-year-old son. Alan didn't know what to do. Larry, his father, started to sob on his son's shoulder.
"Will I see you again dad?" Alan asked.
Larry let go and stared into his son's eyes.
"Of course you will." He smiled, rubbing his tears away.
"Let's go Mr. Tracker!" Bank yelled.
Larry stood up and patted Alan's head.
"Take care of things while I'm you away. It might be some time before we come back." Larry stated.
"Do you promise you'll come back?" Alan asked.
"I promise. You're so young, stay here on Nirvana and when things become risky and dangerous, you'll know what to do." Larry smiled.
"Take care of Kar too." Bank stated, coming over to them.
Alan nodded. Larry knelt down and embraced his son once more.
"Salam, for now." Larry whispered.
He let go and rushed back to the modified Starbridge. The modified Starbridge took off, never to be seen again. Alan watched it go. With sudden pain, he grasped his stomach, like something fell on it for a moment.
"Dad!" Ta'Alan yelled, waking up with a cold sweat.
Sti'Nercan was on Ta'Alan's stomach and nearly fell off the bed from the sudden outburst. Fe'Karen rushed into the room.
"Alan?" She whispered.
Ta'Alan turned to Fe'Karen, wide eyed. After a few moments, he sighed, closing his eyes and turned to Sti'Nercan, noticing him.
"What is it?" Ta'Alan asked, calmly.
"The stuff I got from Owl of Starmoon. It's amazing stuff. I just need your approval of it. Meric Mosque and Feranin Fetalin, all of them, gave it the go. You're the only one left." Sti'Nercan replied.
Ta'Alan blinked, his dream still fresh in his mind.
'What's the stuff?' Ta'Alan asked.
'Here are some of the designs we got from Owl of Starmoon, interior and exterior.' Sti'Nercan replied, handing over some designs to Ta'Alan.
Ta'Alan looked at them for a moment.
'I assume those are the designs of our own spacedocks, or Space Stations, one is already named Kestis Station, normal one, like CC station. It's in the form of a complex five-edged star form, and its stationary. The second one is named Kestis Defense Station, battle one. It's in the form of an X, large one. We need your approval to start manufacturing them.' Sti'Nercan explained
'Go ahead.' Ta'Alan replied, giving the designs back to Sti'Nercan.
Sti'Nercan smiled, taking the designs.
'Thank you. Salam.' He stated, leaving the room and Tracker Trani.
Fe'Karen sat down on the bed, next to Ta'Alan.
'Bad dream?' She asked.
'A dream? No. Reality and fact. I didn't know I was still waiting for dad, my dad. The dream was when I was four and he said good bye to me, for the last time. He promised he'll come back, but he never will.' Ta'Alan sighed.
'You had the chance to say one last good bye to your dad? My dad went with him, did he request anything from you?' Fe'Karen asked.
'I won't have remembered, but the dream brought it back. He did request something of me.' Ta'Alan nodded.
'What?' Fe'Karen asked.
'... For me to take care of you Kar. He called you Kar.' Ta'Alan replied.
Fe'Karen lowered her head, her eyes watery.
'What happened to them?' Fe'Karen asked.
Ta'Alan shook his head, 'I don't know.'
'We'll have to find out though and avenge their deaths. We owe our dads that much.' Ta'Alan added.
'Memories of my dad are foggy. He left when I was four. I barely remember him.' Fe'Karen stated.
'I do, from the dream.' Ta'Alan sighed.
23rd of July, 1971 - Actonal, Kestis
"Our first Kestis Station. Two months, a few days and it is done. I'm sure you saw it from outer space on how it looked." Aci'Knock remarked.
"Yeah, I did. It was remarkable." Ta'Alan smiled, gently touching the crovinze wall of the station.
"Do you want me to take you on a tour?" Aci'Knock asked.
Ta'Alan nodded, "Sure why not?"
"The rest of you can come along." Aci'Knock smiled.
Feranin Fetalin; Ta'Alan and the representative of S.N.S were all there. Aci'Knock started to tour.
"What are you going to name it?" Aci'Knock asked.
Ta'Alan blinked, with Fe'Karen holding his arm.
"You mean you haven't named it yet?" Ta'Alan asked.
Aci'Knock shook his head, "I left that for you."
"What are you going to name it?" Je'Nick asked, the representative of S.N.S, holding a notepad and pen.
Ta'Alan smiled, "How long would it take to build another one?"
"Probably the same time it took with this one." Aci'Knock replied.
"Good. I want Starmoon to have two Kestis Stations around it. I'll name this first prototype, hmm... Actonal." Ta'Alan smiled.
Je'Nick wrote that down on his notepad.
"Why?" He asked.
"Two reasons: First, in honor to Actonal Fetalin and second... It's my favorite surname and character." Ta'Alan replied.
"But Tracker is your surname." Je'Nick stated.
"I know. Tracker is my surname but Actonal is my 'favorite' surname." Ta'Alan explained.
Je'Nick nodded.
"We weren't sure it would be a success." Sti'Nercan rubbed his head.
"Yeah. It was just an experimental trail project. It was estimated for us to build this space station and for it to be done in a few years, not few months." Jel'Carpet added.
"Of course, the building was tough and almost every capable muzon got to work on it, one way or another. Some captains brought supplies from Starmoon to held building and stocking supplies here." Rel'Tanis agreed.
"Thanks for Remia Fetalin for that." Mol'Meriam smiled.
"Hey. It's no problem." Rel'Tanis shrugged.
"What else was in Owl of Starmoon?" Je'Nick asked.
"Stunning stuff. It has designs and actual prototypes on some ship or Starplane devices, one which is a cloak. There's another, when after some time, we discovered that it was some sort of 'energy absorber'." Sti'Nercan explained.
"What does it do?" Je'Nick asked.
Sti'Nercan smiled, "You won't believer even if I told you. Anyway, it absorbs any attacks to reboost the Starplane's weaponry; armor or sensors. It can absorb Polaran Torpedoes, laser blasts and nano-pods from Krypt-mind."
Je'Nick opened his mouth. Aci'Knock and the others stopped, shocked as well.
"Told ya stunning stuff. With energy absorbers our navy can become impenetrable defensive forts." Sti'Nercan grinned.
"Amazing..." Je'Nick muttered.
"Go ahead and report about that stuff if you want." Sti'Nercan shrugged.
"Don't worry, I will." Je'Nick nodded.
"The tour isn't over... yet." Aci'Knock stated, after some silence.
The group shrugged and followed Aci'Knock, continuing on with the tour.
COMING UP! EPISODE 4: PLANET ARTIFICIAL