Chapter 1
After they got back to the Anderson, Ian got out of his ship and headed to the mess for the debrief. Afterwards he walked straight to his bunk. On the way, he came across some of the men in his squadron, along with a rookie.
"Hey, nice shooting out there man!"
He just keeped walking past her.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"Just leave him, man. You never bother the boss."
"What's his deal anyways?"
"That's a story for another time, rookie."
He just kept walking. When he got to his bunk, he laid down, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
It was the same dream he always had. Every night, nothing had changed.
They were on a Constellation Phoenix Class touring vessel. They had just gotten on the vessel for their honeymoon. They were sitting at the table eating dinner when the alarm sounded. The pirates came out of knowwhere and attacked the ship. Before he knew it the ship was on fire. And she was lying on the floor.
He sat up in a cold sweat.
"It never changes. One peaceful night is all I want."
He looked around and saw Lorenzo standing there, ready with a glass of water.
"See it again?"
"Yeah. It never goes away, and it never changes."
"You gotta see a therapist, man."
He snorted.
"Like that's gonna happen."
"Well, if you insist. Get some sleep, you'll need it in the morning."
"Alright."
"Semper Ibi."
"Semper Ibi."
Lorenzo walked over to his bunk.
"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"Yes"
After he had eaten breakfast, he went to the hanger. When he got there he went to his personal ship, which he dubbed the Melissa after his former wife.
"Till death do us part."
As he stood there admiring his ship, he heard someone approach him. And he knew exactly who she was.
"What do you want, rookie?"
"Sir, I want to know what was with you earlier, why you just walked on past. And why you're so depressed all the time?"
He sighed.
"Nagase, that is a story that almost everyone has heard. And is rarely spoken on."
"A touchy subject, I take it?
"A VERY touchy subject. That day was a day that completely changed my life. And the day I lost my best friend."
"What happened, Sir?"
He looked up at her.
"That, young rookie, is a story for another day."
Nagase looked down, as if being rejected.
"Don't worry, I'm not telling you this early for a reason."
She looked up at him, as if to question him.
"Personal?"
"Yes, very. "
He changed the subject.
"So, how did you do on that last sortie?"
"I got 5 kills, Sir."
"First mission?"
"Yes, Sir."
He chuckled.
"Pretty good, for a rookie."
"Better than you, Sir?"
"Hah, not even close. And for God's sake, stop calling me sir, will ya? Call me Ian."
"Yes Sir… I mean, Ian."
"That's better. So tell me, why'd you join up?"
"Just wanted to help people."
"Makes more sense than most reasons."
"What were those?"
"For the money, for the glory, and for the fun. But mostly for the money."
Their conversation was interupted by Lorenzo.
"Hey boss, you got a call from a Firefly Class freighter. Designation Serenity."
"So Captain Malcom finaly used my favor. Be right there. Come on, rookie."
"Yes Sir!"
"Sir, don't worry, we'll take care of the problem. You have nothing to worry about."
"Thank you sir, and hurry!"
"Yes sir. End transmition."
They stood there for a second.
"Alright, men! Get ready, this one is going to be big! Maximum loadouts for everyone, we launch as sone as we excite Quantum Space! Nagase, I want you on my number two."
"Sir, are you sure?"
"Yes, now let's get moving! To the ships!"
As soon as they got out of Quantum Space, the hangar door opened and a flood of fighters poured out.
"Assemble squadrons! Mobius Squad, on me! All other squads, go to you're positions, they should be here soon!"
As they sat there in their ships, they each reviewed the plan.
Soon, a bunch of ships came out of Quantom Space. It was the pirates. The lead one spoke over open coms.
"Ah, so you hired help. I don't know who you are, but you made a big mistake accepting this job."
"You, my friend, made the mistake messing with Captain Malcom, not me."
"Give us Malcom and you may make it out of here alive."
"Not gonna happen."
"Alright then, that's how it's gonna be. Pirates, attack!"
"Ribbon Fighters, CHARGE!"
As the two opposing forces clashed, he could tell that these were no rookies, these were skilled pirates. They had to have been around for a while. But who were they?
As he took out pirates left and right, He looked everywhere for an insignia. He finally found one.
It was Harlock.
"Ribbon Fighters, pull back!"
"Why?"
"It's Harlock!"
"S**T. Everyone fall back!"
As they started to pull back, a Starfarer came forward. It had a Gauss Cannon on it.
"Everyone MOVE!"
As the cannon started to charge up, Sky Eye came on the comms.
"Ribbon Fighters, 10 seconds till impact."
"Nagase, MOVE IT!"
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Impact!"
As Ian closed his eyes, he felt his ship rock as the cannon fired. When it was over, he opened his eyes.
"Ribbon fighters, Check in!
"Everyone's still here, sir."
"Where's Nagase"
"Out there, her ship's down, sir.
He sat there for a second.
"You're orders, sir."
"All squadrons, assemble. We're taking that ship down."
They assembled into one big mass of fighters.
"Ribbon fighters, punch it! Whoever take sthat ship out gets a bonus on me!"
His ship rocketed forwards as he slamed the acceleration lever forwards. Everyone headed straight for the ship
"Anderson, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear, sir."
"Put me on the intercom."
"Yes, sir."
"Everyone, man your battle stations. You're joining the battle."
"What about Nagase, sir? Pirates are heading after her."
"F**k. Mobius squadron, on me. We're going after Nagase."
As he turned his ship around, he saw them heading towards her.
"Not again. I will not lose another squad member!"
As she sat there in her disabled ship, she wondered what would happen. Would they leave her alone, or would they kill her? As she looked around, one of the pirates ships pulled in front of her. She braced for the worst and prayed to God.