((Welcome to my first Fanfic series "The High Frontier" I'm shit with words so I'll try to keep this brief.
I hope you enjoy my first proper foray into the realm of writing, if not well you do you.
Shout out to Ghostnobody, LocusRvB, and friends for the inspiration and for helping me. AvP, Battletech, Halo, and the whole HFY and Sci-fi genre and all the great stories from them that inspired me.
All rights to whoever the fuck they belong to, I don't own Aliens, Predator, AvP, etc. all original Characters, Alien races, and such belongs to me, I'm just writing this story out of love for these franchises and genres.
Also, 18+ content here, Blood & Gore, hot aliens, Badass Mechs, an ungodly amount of references, Epic Space Battles, etc. if you can't handle that shit get outta here ya goof.))
The High Frontier: Cloak and Dagger
Part 1: "The Earth that was..."
Humanity never assumed We were alone in the galaxy, We had years of media and pop culture to reinforce the concept of extraterrestrial life into the public view.
We always expected the first contact to be some alien fleet appearing above us and demanding surrender or some kind of space federation calling us once we gained FTL to welcome us to the stars with open arms.
But one thing Humanity never expected was that We would be the ones to suddenly appear before them and throw the galaxy into upheaval with our presence.
It's just a shame that the price of our first great step onto the galactic stage came at the cost of Mother Terra herself.
In 2046, a full 7 years after it began, WW3 was finally over, the Remnants of mankind stepped out of their bunkers and trenches, stood tall, and assessed their victory.
What they discovered was a serious reality check, over 40% of humanity died in the conflict, 3 Billion souls lie dead under rubble and nuclear ash.
It took 3 years to mend what little infrastructure and government remained, to bury the dead, restore communications, and make a plan for what to do now.
While the Shattered remains of the UN and NATO desperately worked to ensure disease and famine would not kill what remains of mankind, the Scientists calculated environmental data to assess a plan of repair, it was then they discovered that a the doomsday clock was already ticking.
The combined damages of Pollution from wartime industry, nuclear fallout and collateral damage to global ecosystems combined with pre-war environmental damage resulted in Mother Earth beginning her rapid march toward her untimely death and thus the death of Mankind as well.
The most optimistic Calculations gave Terra 25 to 30 years until she reached full environmental collapse, behind closed doors this information was brought to the attention of the remaining global leaders.
After the initial shock and disbelief passed the world's leaders and brightest minds desperately tried to come up with a plan to save mankind as we knew it, they laid out the groundwork for the plan to save humanity.
They created The EXODUS Protocol.
The EXODUS Protocol consisted of Three main projects,
Project ARK, Flee our solar system with 75% of the remaining population in search of a new home in three waves of evacuations.
Project Archive, To preserve the history, culture, and DNA of Terra in vaults on Luna so one day we can seed life back onto her scarred surface.
Project Pioneer, to Train everyone evacuating earth to survive on their new worlds and to be ready for the dangers of space, and to organize moving the remaining 25% of humanity off Terra to Biodomes on Mars.
This was agreed upon unanimously by all present, all of the nations of the Earth would set aside past grievances and unite in this goal to save all Mankind.
They would stand united under one banner, The Terran Alliance
Earth 2049, North America, Cheyenne Mountain Complex, ETA 30 years until Earth death.
Subject: LT. Charles Kincade, Age: 31.
Notes: WW3 veteran. Notable Leadership skills even when under fire.
Earned the Medal of Honor fighting in the Pacific theater during WW3. Saved 4 of his wounded men while under fire despite getting wounded himself.
Assignment: Chosen for Transfer to Project ARK Due to serving with Distinction.
Lieutenant Charles Kincade adjusted the collar of his uniform for what had to have been the tenth time since he sat down at the conference table 5 minutes ago, he still wasn't sure why he of all people was assigned to this project, he was a decorated veteran, not a scientist.
Looking around the table he could see a couple of dozen other military officers of similar if not higher rank than himself, Majors, Colonels, Captains, all of them seemed to be just as unsure about this situation as Kincade was.
The orders they received were vague, 'Report to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex for Briefing on Exodus Protocol and assignment to Project Ark.'
It didn't make any sense, why would an evacuation and colonization project need so many high-ranking Earth military officers?
Kincade was about to adjust his collar again when the doors to the meeting room opened and four men strode in and seated themselves to the head of the table.
"Sorry for the wait gentlemen." Kincade immediately straightened up as he recognized the voice of the man who spoke as Richard Cameron, the Chief of Staff for the Terran Alliance Military.
"I understand that many of you are confused about your transfer to this project, that is why I've brought with me Project ARK Research Director Rhials Duffy, Project ARK's Chief engineer Randolph Checkers, and Director of the OWLF John Sheridan. They will explain why we've brought you all here and everything you need to know."
Kincade looked at the Three men seated alongside the Chief of Staff, Rhials looked quite like the stereotypical scientist complete with a lab coat, balding hair, and glasses, he seemed nervous repeatedly glancing at his watch or other clocks around the meeting room.
Checkers, on the other hand, was rather laid back, he had a coffee mug in hand and wore grey and orange coveralls that while appearing to have been laundered for this meeting bore many stains.
Then lastly there was Sheridan. He wore a stoic expression and had a stick wedged somewhere up his ass, that combined with his black suit and briefcase he gave off the impression of a G-man or an agent from the Old USA's CIA.
Sheridan stood up and withdrew a USB stick from inside his suit and plugged it into a computer hooked up to a projector in the ceiling and cleared his throat.
"Gentlemen, as you are aware, Project ARK is going to be Mankind's first step beyond our solar system. Now you're probably wondering why we're assigning so many high-ranking officers to this project."
His voice while calm carried some hesitation, as though he was about to deliver some rather bad news to them all.
"That is because there is a very high chance that beyond Sol we will encounter hostile alien life, in fact, we are almost certain we will."
This statement caused many in attendance to raise their eyebrows and murmur to each other until Sheridan coughed and continued.
"My department, The Other World Life Forms or OWLF agency, specializes in keeping an eye on the stars and any sightings on earth. This doesn't mean we operate pointless monitoring stations and interview drunk drivers who swear they saw a UFO, we have physical evidence."
Sheridan tapped a key on the laptop and the projector showed a series of photos. These images shocked everyone in each photo were multiple humanoid aliens in varying states of dissection and damage. There appeared to be 3 different aliens all of the same species, however, the tones and patterns of their skin varied significantly. They were tall, at least 7 to 8 feet in height. they all were incredibly muscular, not weekend trips to the gym fit or fresh out of boot camp fit, they looked like they could've bench pressed a car.
And then there were their faces, they had no lips, instead, they had a set of connected mandibles with tusks on the ends that would cover their mouth. Their "Hair" appeared to be fleshy tentacles that almost resembled dreadlocks.
"These aliens, that we've nicknamed 'Predators', we believe they have visited earth several times throughout history to hunt for humans for sport, notable times include the Val Verde incident in '87, the LA heatwave riots, the lost WY Antarctic expedition, several encounters in South America during the 2030s, and even a couple sightings during WW3 in the jungles of Asia."
Sheridan tapped another key and the images changed to show several alien devices.
"Their tech is way beyond our own from what pieces we've captured and studied, compact energy weapons, personal cloaking, micro nukes used as capture prevention devices, and faster than light ship drives."
Sheridan pointed at a picture of a piece of glowing machinery about the size of a fridge.
"It's these precious few Jump dives that we've managed to steal and reverse-engineer from predator ships that have formed the linchpin of Project ARK. I'll let Research Director Rhials explain the scientific aspect of it.
But regardless, these Predators have come to earth before just to hunt us, so we need to be ready for them if they follow us from earth to our new homes."
Kincade didn't pay much attention after Sheridan gave the stand to Rhials, it was a bunch of science terminology and lingo he didn't even want to attempt to understand.
He was more concerned about these so-called Predators, he had heard the rumors back during the war, about whole squads disappearing in the jungle, and in the rare cases where a squad was found, they were skinned or had their skulls and spines removed. These were always agreed upon by soldiers to have been the work of some fucked up unit of commandos or enemy guerilla fighters.
Kincade snapped back to attention when Rhials coughed loudly from his stand. "Mister Checkers, would you please come and present your portion now?"
Kincade looked over at the chief engineer who was busy picking his teeth when he was called to present. "Ugh fine, one sec." His voice was some odd mix, rough and weathered yet calm and softspoken.
He groaned as he rose from his chair, Rhials returned to his seat and Kincade noticed along with everyone else that while he stood up Checkers didn't head for the projector.
"Alright listen up, as the doc said we got 30 years at best to get off our little ball of dirt before shit hits the fan, So we're planning on being off this rock in 20."
Chief engineer Checkers briefly took a sip of coffee from the mug he had been drinking from.
"From the plans that me and my boys have drawn up and from what the Eggheads tell me, it'll take roughly ten years for us to get the first trio of Ark ships ready for launch. That's about 5 years of reverse engineering, prototyping and testing the Jumpdrive, Cryogenic storage, colonization equipment, and other spacey tech we stole, and designing the Arks themselves, then about 5 years of constructing the three ships and making sure all the selected pioneers are ready to survive on new worlds, once we have the first three done we'll get to work on the second trio the minute the first leaves the drydock and maneuvers to jump out of the system.
That trio of Ark ships should take another five years at most, and the last three another five if not less from streamlining the process. That'll leave us with five years of wiggle room." Checkers sat back down into his chair, taking another sip from his mug.
Richard Cameron addressed the room. "Gentlemen, the gravity of the situation is clear, Humanity is in a 'Fly or Die' situation, we need to escape the death of our mother earth and search for a new home, but that task will not be an easy one and even if we leave our system we are still under risk from extraterrestrial races that seek to harm us.
You have been chosen to be the shield for mankind when they depart for distant stars, if anyone feels the weight of this task is too great you can step away now…"
There were many nervous glances around the table, but nobody backed down from the task at hand, not when so much was at stake.
Kincade raised his hand hesitantly.
"Yes, lieutenant Kincade? I understand this is quite a lot to take in, nobody will think less of you if you back down." Kincade was a little surprised that the Chief of staff knew his name off the top of his head but didn't let the thought interrupt what he wanted to say.
"Uh no sir, I'm not looking to back down, not in the slightest. I merely have a couple of questions about what plans we have in place for once we reach another planet."
Cameron cocked his head slightly before gesturing for Kincade to continue.
"Sir, if these 'Predators' have been known to hunt humans in the past, have we devised specialized countermeasures and weaponry? And what are the First Contact Protocol with them and other aliens we may encounter?"
"Ah I see, Mister Sheridan can answer that question. Mister Sheridan, would you mind bringing up the 'Project Blackout' Plans?"
As the Groundwork for all three projects was laid out it was agreed that the rest of humanity needed to also share this singular vision as well, so it was broadcast to all that Mother Earth's time was drawing to a close and that we needed to flee to the stars while we could.
A short period of unrest, riots, and general panic set in, but this quickly turned into somber resolve, all would need to lift as one for this to succeed.
August 2059.
Above Earth at the United Earth Shipyard "North Star" the USCH Ark Ship 1-1 "Moses" Launches alongside Ark Ships 1-2 "Mayflower" and 1-3 "Noah", Project Ark Phase 1 is complete and Orbital shipyards immediately begin retooling to start production of the Phase 2 Ark ships.
As the three ships leave Earth's orbit the crews' bid farewell to their cradle world and each other as they set course for their prospective new homes, Alpha Centauri, Proxima Centauri, and Tau Ceti.
September 2060.
Ark Ship 1-1 "Moses" completes Warp shift to Alpha Centauri and reaches Orbit above Alpha Centauri A, the Captain wakes designated colonial survey teams to begin the process of scanning and probing the planet to assess Habitability and begin long-range preliminary scans of Alpha Centauri B.
March 2061.
First Permanent Colony is Established on Alpha Centauri A by survey teams, Colonial Settler Group Alpha is waked from Stasis to begin the Colonization process in earnest. The planet is renamed to "Bob" in honor of an old Terran artist by vote from the Survey teams, Planet Bob's landmass is 50% Savanna-like plains with many species of passive fauna.
April 2061.
Ark Ship Moses Breaks orbit after waking and sending Colonial Settler Groups Bravo and Charlie to begin establishing vast swaths of agricultural and residential sectors on the Planet Bob's fertile plains. Preliminary Surveys begin above Alpha Centauri B.
December 2061.
Ark ships 1-2 and 1-3 each finish their surveys and begin colonization in earnest. Proxima Centauri b is renamed to Гадес два(Hades 2) by its Slavic Pioneers for its harsh winters even by Siberian standards, with the Jungle world of Tau Ceti F being renamed Sicherer Hafen(Safe Haven) by its formerly Central European Settlers.
2062.
Alpha Centauri B is Colonised and Renamed New Ontario, New Ontario's Land Mass is 65% arctic environments with a dense fog blanketed Jungle that stretches along the equator. Starport "Gateway" is Constructed in orbit above Planet Bob thanks to automated asteroid mining drone-ships deployed from Ark 1-1, work begins on constructing logistical ships to move personnel and materials between New Ontario and Planet Bob.
2065.
Colonies in Alpha Centauri, Proxima Centauri, and Tau Ceti establish communication relays between eachother allowing communication, despite the time delay of 1 month for a message to travel one way with the colonies relatively primitive FTL communication systems, morale surges between all the distant colonies as they learn their sister ships are not only alive but have also found suitable colony planets.
Humanity has officially dodged Armageddon and the doors to a new horizon have been flung wide open.
2070.
Project ARK Phase 2 deploys from Terra and a Communication signaling is sent from NorthStar Station toward the Three Colony systems. Ark ships 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 depart for potentially habitable systems significantly farther away from the first Phase, their warp shift is predicted to take at least 3 years to reach their targets. Phase 3 of Project ARK begins construction.
Unrest amongst the Earth's population steadily grows as rumors circulate that vital resources were diverted from Project Pioneer to keep the 2nd Wave of Ark ships on schedule by the Terran government.
2072.
With logistical and mining ships completed Ark ship 1-1 breaks orbit from New Ontario and departs from Alpha Centauri to begin a geological and colonial survey of nearby systems for potential mining and colony worlds.
With the departure of Ark Ship 1-1 and its command personnel Planet, Bob and New Ontario form the provisional government of NARC the 'North American Republic of Colonies'.
Safe Harbor and Hades 2 follow suit when their respective Ark ships depart on their planned survey missions.
Safe Harbor forms the ELS 'European League of Systems'.
Hades 2 forms the SPE 'Siberian People's Empire'.
2073.
Phase 2 Ark ships are presumed to have arrived in their target systems.
Project Archive enters its last stages on Luna, Terran Alliance Government preemptively decides that Personnel and resources are to be retasked to Project Ark upon completion.
Earth, October 2074.
New Data from Environmental analysts have considerably reduced their Window for Exodus before total environment collapse on Earth by several years. Project Pioneer and Project Ark begin fiercely competing for resources to accelerate their progress.
Earth, December 2074.
The beginning of what would be known as the Martian Riots begins in Sol as Project Pioneer falls way behind schedule due to Project Ark's 'Phase three' integrating all personnel and Budget into themselves from Project Archive to desperately try to catch up on their new deadline.
April 2076.
A shipping hauler loaded with vital materials for Project Pioneer bound for Mars is Stopped at the Northstar shipyard, shipyard authorities seize the cargo under orders from Project Ark Lead Personnel.
June 2076.
All surface to orbit transportation is blocked by spaceport and shipyard worker strikes at NorthStar Station, Terran Alliance Government authorizes Military deployment for policing actions to break up the riots.
The "Launchpad massacre" happens when Rioting workers firebomb Military police killing several of them, Terran Government authorizes use of Lethal force.
July 2076.
The 'Martian Workers Coalition' seizes control of Mars and NorthStar Station and declares themselves independent from the Terran Alliance and begins preparing to take the Incomplete Ark ships from Drydock toward Mars to Break them down for materials to Complete Project Pioneer on their own.
August 2076.
Terran Alliance Marines Board NorthStar Station to seize control back from the Martian Rebels before they dismantle the Ark Ships. Fierce fighting erupts as both Rebels and Station crew members fight back to resist the Terran Alliance attack. In the firefight a Dockworker detonates an IED in a suicide attack on TA Marines aboard Ark Ship 3-1, this detonation severely damages the ships Coolant systems causing the reactor to go critical in a matter of minutes detonating Ark Ship 3-1 in drydock. The resulting blast severely damages over 50% of NorthStar Station and causes it to break stable orbit, plummeting toward earth.
All further data has been lost…
2077.
NARC, ELS, and PSE establish Communications with Colonies from Ark ships 2-1 and 2-3, no Communications are detected from Ark Ship 2-2.
Ark ship 2-1 forms the 'Britannia Coalition' and Ark ship 2-3 forms the 'Neo Shogunate'.
NARC, ELS, and PSE construct their first Warp capable ships and begin to Follow their Ark Mothership's trail and bring the Colonies she left behind under their respective governments. By 2079 a total of 21 Planets were colonized by NARC, ELS, PSE, BC, and NS. NARC holds 5 planets under its banner, the ELS Held 4, the PSE ruling 6, and BC and NS holding 3 planetary colonies each.
July 2nd, 2079, New Ontario, NARC-CM Thunder Ridge Airbase 0200 hours.
General Carlyle flung open the doors to the primary air control center and immediately shouted "Where's the contact?!" A nearby radar operator quickly brought an image of Northern New Ontario Airspace up on the main monitor, 2 distinct blips could be seen moving across the image.
"Sir! bogeys appeared at approximately 0140 hours, we went to double-check all scans to make sure it wasn't another false positive, but it's been confirmed. Two Predator spacecraft entered the atmosphere over our airspace, sir!"
Carlyle clenched his fists reflexively upon hearing the alien race's name.
"What's their last known heading?"
"That's what has us confused sir, bogey "Pred-01" entered the atmosphere without any of the typical ECM they used on earth and then immediately began evasive maneuvers."
"We got birds in the air engaging them already?"
"Negative sir, we Detected "Pred-02" shortly after Pred-01, it wasn't trying to keep a low profile either, we detected it very clearly as it began discharging an energy weapon, and based on its trajectory and angle of its discharges it seems that Pred-02 is firing upon Pred-01."
"What?" This situation continued to baffle Carlyle the more He learned. "What is their current location? I want Aerospace Interceptors on standby and ready to be in the Air ASAP, and get Echo Company geared up for dust off!"
"Sir!" another Operator spoke up. "Pred-02 seems to have landed a Crippling Hit on Pred-01! Pred-01 is losing altitude and Pred-02 is still in pursuit but has stopped discharging its Energy weapons!"
"Crap, I want Echo Company Saddled up and en route in 30 minutes! Prep AAEMP Cruise Missile and move Stealth Surveillance Drones to be into the airspace around the crash site, keep interceptors on standby, if they even think about trying to fly away blow their alien asses out of our skies!"
New Ontario, 2079, 0300, Above the Garma Forest.
Two Chinook troop transport helicopters rush toward the Crash site of Pred-01, skimming above the snow covered trees and flying at high speed to ensure they're on the ground within minutes of the AAEMP landing.
Corporal Jacob sat quietly humming to the music that was playing as he checked his gear for the third time since the Chinook took off from the base, Mk4 "NERVE" Anti-Material Rifle, Fully loaded. Winter camouflage Thermal Masking suit, Fully sealed. Insulation under suit, Warmed up. Tranquilizer gun, Check. Flares, Check. Frags, Check. Infantry First aid kit, Che-
"Hey Jacob, are you ever gonna stop fidgeting with your shit man?" Jacob looked across the troop compartment toward his battle buddy, PFC Jenkins. "Come on man you got all your shit on you, if you didn't the major would've thrown your ass off the bird before we even took off."
Jacob just sighed "Jenkins you dumbass, we're up against fucking Predators here, we got to make sure we're absolutely ready, these fuckers can snap you in half with one arm."
Jenkins just gave a cocky smile from ear to ear "Yeah that was back on Terra, now we got the equipment, the Intel, and the training to get the drop on them for once and kick their alien asses."
Jacob scoffed at his statement, granted they had indeed been training for this, but he knew he wasn't the only one who had issues with their kit.
"Yeah, and some of that Equipment is still considered Experimental and hasnt been tested against Predators" Jacob pointed at Jenkins's own "Nova" Mk-1 Plasma Projector Cannon 'PPC' to emphasize his point, then a shout from the front of the chopper jolted him.
"Lock it up back there!" Jacob and the rest of the marines looked toward the front to see Major Charles Kincade stepping into the troop compartment.
"R&D has been working on those toys of yours for over 10 years to make sure they can take down a Predator." Kincade stopped in the middle of the troop compartment to light a cigarette. "Now listen up boys, we're not just hunting Predators here."
"We got two Predator ships in the AO, both of the same design and model, but here's the kick in the head; Pred-2 shot down Pred-1, we're not sure the fuck why, but we know Pred-2 is right on Pred-1's tail like stink on shit, so we're going to hit them both with one AAEMP and then move in to secure both ships."
Jacob raised his hand. "Go ahead, corporal."
"Sir, what's our RoE?"
Half the compartment burst out laughing at the notion of using an RoE against Predators. "That corporal is a very good question. LISTEN UP!" The whole troop compartment promptly shut the hell up.
"Now then, OWLF records have shown that Preds not only understand English but can Mimic it, and in some cases, they can outright speak it fluently, so we're going to see if whoever is in UFO 1 will feel talkative after we take out the SOBs in UFO 2 and pull their ass out of the wreckage. Command will mark which UFOs any Preds we encounter are from on your HUDs via our Buzzard Recon Drones we got overhead, use non-lethals on UFO-1 marked Preds, and only in self-defense. We're going to attempt to detain as many of these Preds as we can, that's why our specialists are carrying capture gear." Major Kincade said, pointing at Jacob's Tranquilizer gun on his hip holster.
Jenkins promptly raised his hand. "Sir, are you telling me we're risking our asses for some specimens for the Science team?"
Kincade sighed. "No Jenkins, we're going to bring in the Predators from Pred-1 to try to talk to them, Lab boys want to get a Predator alive and in position that they'll willingly talk to us, shed some light on their race or even better, their tech. The Predators from Pred-2 are weapons-free, but take them alive too if practical, and don't attack the Predators from Pred-01 unless absolutely necessary, so in other words, try to be on your best behavior around the eight foot tall alien psychos."
Major Kincade held one hand up to his earpiece and glanced at his wrist-mounted PDA. "Roger that," Kincade spoke to whoever at command was contacting him.
"LISTEN UP!" Kincade shouted "ISR reports that Pred-01 Ejected 2 drop pods mid decent that have landed Five klicks south of the Crash site in the hills along its decent trajectory, they're also reporting that Pred-02 made what appears to have been a touch and go landing Two klicks from the drop pods. Bravo team will stay in the bird and redeploy to secure the Drop pods"
Jacob tensed up hearing this and exchanged looks with Jenkins, both of them were assigned to Bravo squad, this meant that if things go bad, and seeing as there would be at least one Predator out there in those hills and likely more if those pods were life boats or if Pred-2 wanted to make especially sure they secured those pods and dropped off more than one, it will just be them and 8 other marines for at least 4 klicks around, meaning that if things go sideways then they're all gonna buy the farm.
"Prepare to hit the dirt! AAEMP is in the air and will touchdown in 3 minutes! We're landing in 5!" Immediately Jacob, Major Kincade, and the rest of the marines began activating their suits and affixing their masks to completely block their thermal signatures, glancing over his shoulder Jacob could briefly see the jet trail of the Cruise missile pass their choppers in the dark.
Soon enough the light above the rear door turned from red to yellow and all of alpha team plus the Major stood up and grabbed a handhold above them. Moments later with a thud the chopper touched down and lights turned green and the ramp lowered.
Rapidly all of Alpha piled out of the Chinook lead by Major Kincade, the marines all formed a semi-circle around the chopper as they unloaded.
Jacob looked out the window and saw Charlie and Delta squads doing the same nearby, as soon as the last Marine stepped off the ramp the chopper began to ascend back into the air with the Chinook carrying Bravo Squad moving south to search for and secure the drop pods, and with Charlie and Delta's chopper beginning to move to a safe distance away from the AO in case of a 'Pred-Nuke' detonation.
With a series of quick hand gestures from Kincade, the marines of Alpha Charlie and Delta formed up into chevron formations, spaced each squad out 200 meters apart and began to advance toward the Predator Crash site. As the helicopter flew away darkness quickly crept in.
The Marines all knew that out there were multiple Predators, but with the howling of the frigid wind that masked their boot falls and thermal masking suits blocking their heat vision, they would have no way of detecting that Echo Platoon was closing in on them until it was too late.
This time, Humanity would be the Hunters.
