MEICH)( TWO
In the past the planet Teirsa glowed like a great giant orb, a shining jewel in the coldness of space. She was home; she was hope; she was beauty, but she was not peace. In normal circumstances a feeling of warmth would overcome any Starfighter crew when she came into sight.
But not this dehil, not this dial.
The Red Star was elite among her peers. She was a large tri-engine Starfighter of omega class. She had two side track landing bays and four flow launch tubes. She carried over four hundred crew, men and women who were the best of their class. There were two score in pilots to make up the vistar squadrons and another hundred to keep the large craft in optimum working order. She was the best there was. But even the best was not fast enough.
As the great ship cleared the Teron belt and the planet Terisa came into veiw, the silence of the crew was near deafening. The ruins of the orbiting space station hovered like a broken angel over the planet, debris floated like grendal flies around a corpse. This destruction alone stood as testimony to what they all feared awaited them on the planet.
Odin ignored the station, sensors had all ready told them that the damage was beyond surviving. Life signs were searched for; none were found. Everyone on board now knew of the attack. As the sensors focused on the heart of the Alliance and the ruins that was once the great city of Calodonie appeared on the viewer, reports continued to filter through the ship.
"We have reports coming in from all sectors."
The scenes of devastation rocked the crew of the Red Star as they began to scramble to their posts, ready to do battle against the enemy who had destroyed their home. The silence of their anger and pain was unbreakable. Odin took in the devastation, it was dis-heartening to think that the city which stood as the center of the Alliance could fall so easily. Anyone who had survived the initial attack would now be facing the Sadow warriors that had surely been sent to clean up.
"Ready a patrol. I want a vistar squad on that planet before we reach orbit! Send two squadrons down to the surface and a shuttle with two legions of ground fighters." Odin ordered as he began to formulate his attack plan.
De'mon looked at his console. "We have two legions ready for launch."
"Launch!" Odin watched the last of the reports roll from the static of the com and made a firm choice. The dark forces would know that they were there to defend themselves now. "Wipe those dark hoards from our door!"
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The area around the Teirsan corridor was filled with vistars. The stars were dwarfed by the gleam of their white skins, as the fighter ships flew in line formation toward the planet most called home. It was a dark time for the pilots who had no idea the horror they would find once they cleared the upper atmosphere and got their first good look at the city.
"This is Satray leader to Detra Squadron, I'm going to land at the pre-set co-ordinates and check in with our ground recon. Make sure that all the Sadow ground troops know we're here, boys."
"Copy that, Satray leader, we're going to blow those dark mag-raiders all the way back to the Empire!"
"Good Luck, my friends, Satray Leader out."
The vistar legion began to divide into several smaller groups as they covered the city. Reports had indicated that the dark forces were making a methodical sweep of the ruins, searching out and eradication any who may have survived the attack.
(O)(O)(O)
Treize had pulled up all the files he could find on the Maxwell family. Prominent barely scratched the surface of the families' place in Teirsan society. The current family lead, Sella Ormandra Maxwell, had been Zahr Rect of the Science Guild and the creator of the Alliance's current power source, tridian. Little is known of her familiar history but it was speculated that her blood line was of royal Teirsan blood. However that had paled when she had tested higher in the academics than anyone ever had before her. She had been offered full and open ranking, choosing to take on the science realm and becoming a seeker of knowledge.
Her mate, Willyah Drest Pormeorhn, was a high ranking Gov Council member. His current status listed him just below Prim Fresha, the elected leadership Guide of the planet. He had been among the elite in his classes during training and had been groomed from birth to be among the heads of GovCore. Their union had been, like most on Teirsa, arranged by parental or Gov Core and once they had been formally introduced at an attending conference, the date for their joining was set.
After two thyerox they sought tidings of birthing and were given a specific time table. Their son was born first and named Duo Regant Maxwell, after the ancient tribal leader of Bren Drech. Their second child, a daughter, was born a thyerox later and given the name of Terra Relena Maxwell.
Treize was surprised when he ran into a level alert on the children's names. It wasn't unusual for high ranks to be protective of their children but the wall built around the Maxwell siblings was almost impenetrable. There had to be something more but he was interrupted before he could ask for the clearance to search further.
"The Council wants you to reassure the Gov Tem of Teirsa that we offer any needed assistance." said Duke Dermail, the current Unian security head.
Treize nodded absently as Dermail's imaged flickered over the com. "I'm sure that will make them feel all the better about our re-calling our ships from the search grid."
Dermail blanched, his gray hair making his paled face seem almost white as he searched for the right words. "We had a very good reason for that recall. The Council . . ."
With an angry sigh, Treize closed the board he'd been reading and gave Dermail his full attention. "I'm well aware that the Council is a bunch of frightened old men seeking only to protect themselves."
"Com Kushrenada!"
Ignoring Dermail's shocked exclamation, Treize continued. "They recalled the ships that could even now be helping in the search for our dark enemy. Instead they forced us into a position of fear and cowardice that I must now make seem brave and logical. I just hope that the Teirsan Council is willing to understand their position in this matter."
Turning the board back on, he purposely ignored Dermail as he finished. "I will, however, endeavor to placate them and offer our full resources to their aid after the danger has passed." So saying he ended the com and closed the signal on Dermail's sputtering face.
"I just received word regarding my homeworld."
Treize looked up as Rashid sat down in the chair across from him. They had opted to travel together when orders had reached Treize about his trip to Teirsa.
"And?"
Rashid looked haggard as he rubbed a hand over his face. "The Sadow troops are under control and shuttles have done recon of several areas. A Starfighter is entering the grid and will deploy vistars as soon as they are able."
Treize looked down for a moment, silently offering sympathy. It was hard to see your world break when it could have been prevented.
"Reports are bad. The palza has been completely destroyed as well as several cathedrals. The dome is un-repairable." Rashid stopped and looked down at his folded hands.
Treize could sense that there was something else; something that Rashid was hesitant to speak about. Hoping to reassure him, Treize spoke his next words carefully. "Rashid, unlike the Unian Council, I really want to help you, but if you aren't completely forthcoming I'm limited by what I can do."
Rashid eyed the man and with a sigh nodded. He'd always known Treize to be fair and honest and knew the man wanted to help. "Teirsa's Gov Council has been cut." Swallowing hard, Rashid fought the angry tears down. "There was a meeting being held in Calodonie's Gov Centra, most of the high ranking heads were there. The Centra has been completely destroyed."
Treize quickly masked the shock at the crippling blow dealt the Alliance Center. "How many lost?"
Rashid gathered his composure before finally turning his eyes to meet those of the young Unian Commander. "The Terisan Council was fifteen; they are now six. The city of Calodonie's body was twelve; none survived. I also received word that the meeting was to include the Alliance Council."
"What?!"
Rashid sighed, stood, and turned away from Treize. "No one has heard from them since before the attack."
Treize Kushrenada knew what it meant for the Alliance Council to be in the midst of that battle. It would seriously cripple the whole of the Unified Systems for the Council to be taken out. Reaching for his internal com, he shouted, "Captain, set engines to max! We need to reach Terisa within the dial!"
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Once they'd reached the hidden alcove in the rubble, Duo fell to the ground next to the wounded Naijor. He tried to determine the warrior's wounds, but his armored body suit and hood made that next to impossible.
"We will be safe here for a few triax." The Naijor could feel his life's blood seeping from the wound in his chest as he faced the young cadet. The boy had more than proven himself and there was so little time left.
"I am the last of my clan. There are no others to take my place once I am gone." He could feel the youth's concern and suspicion as he whispered the words meant to give him fair warning of what was to come. "In my passing there will be no one to stand in my stead. The lives I have vowed to protect will be lost. I called and you answered. Would I wish it were not so, but you are the Chosen."
"I don't understand, you're going to be fine. There's bound to be a shuttle doing recon through here at any moment." Duo tried to hold his panic at bay. It was the first time in his entire life that he'd felt this kind of fear and it truly had nothing to do with the Sadow. No, this fear steamed from the fact that if the Naijor died no one would know where the Alliance Council was or if they were still alive.
Grabbing the boy's arm, he pulled the cadet to kneel before him. He knew with each breath that his time was growing shorter and the Sadow were getting closer. His clan had died nobly, their duty done, but he had yet to finish his. There was no other choice.
Duo felt the cold rise up again from behind him. He couldn't be certain if the Naijor felt it or not, but there was no time to determine if he did. Reaching down to the warrior's waist, he removed two stargs; before the Naijor could react. Duo whirled and threw the stars into the chest of an approaching Sadow warrior, it's death scream filling the air as it fell.
"We have to get out of here. That's going to bring another legion here and we need to get the Council to safety before that happens." Duo tried to stand, but the Naijor would not release his hold on his shoulders.
Slowly removing the glove from his right hand, the Naijor pulled the boy closer. The roar of an approaching squadron could be heard as the light of the sun touched the jewel of the Naijor Order embedded in his palm.
"Alliance forces." Duo cast his eyes skyward in hopes of seeing the ships as they approached. "They're driving back the Sadow. Now is the time to get the Council to safety."
When he tried to stand again the Naijor held him in place and moved his hand before Duo's face. The jewel glowed, it's power reaching out and captivating the boy.
Trying to ignore the jewel's call, Duo tried once more to move out of the Naijor's grip. "They'll start running attack vectors soon. We have to get the Council and get out of here."
"My life force is fading. There are no others to whom I can let my duty fall. You have proven worthy of my clan, Duo Maxwell cadet." The Naijor breathed heavily as he struggled to remain standing. He had to pass on his power and duty before his last breath came. "My duty must be fulfilled."
"Your duty can be fulfilled if we leave now and get the Alliance to safety. The doctors can patch you up in no time and then. . ."
The Naijor understood what the young cadet was trying to do, but he also knew the reality of the situation. His wounds were far worse than the boy knew and his life force was fading fast, but he was right in that his duty would be full filled. With the last of his strength he gripped Duo's left hand and pressed it hard to his right one. Palm to palm, he forced the jewel into the soft flesh of the boy's hand as he locked his gaze with him. Taking a deep breath, he recited the words of continuance.
"My duty done, I pass along to a chosen warrior the power endowed to me by the Sacred Order of the Naijor."
Duo tried to pull away but the Naijor held tight. He could feel the heat from the Protector's jewel begin to burn into his palm. A loud buzz filled his head and his vision began to darken as his heightened New born senses screamed. The burning sensations increased, as the Naijor Protector gave over his power and meshed his life force with Duo's own. For several mirax they were one; no secrets, no past. They embraced mentally, the Naijor passing his knowledge before releasing them. When the deed was done, the Protector breathed his last breath and passed on to the realm of the Father. His soul at peace with the choice he'd made in the young warrior.
Duo stumbled back as the Naijor's powers fused with his own new born abilities. Images swam in his head of long training sessions and the dials spent mastering the intricate skills of the secret Naijor fighting methods. Secrets sacred to the Order of the Naijor, told to no outsider, given to no other but their own, became clear to him. Somewhere, deep in his mind, he could see the High Authors of the Naijor raising their jeweled palms to acknowledge his becoming.
Shaking his head to clear it, Duo looked down at his own palm. He knew he would not see what he'd been given. The jewel, which all Naijor warriors received upon the completion of their training, was only a symbol; a mark of honor. His would be secret and silent, but none-the-less a part of him.
Stripping the Protector's shell of it's weapons, he readied the body for the pyre. Hiding the small pulse gun and laser stars in his boots, Duo folder the Naijor's arms across his chest and fired. The body flared in flame before vanishing into dust. From here on, he would journey alone fulfilling the duty given to him.
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"By all reports, Commander Lowe, we have four legions heading toward the surface of the planet. The Black Star and the Andrometha are both scanning their areas for Spectronian ships, but so far we have no indication that . . ." Major Karl Normbruex was practically running to keep up with the Commander's long strides as they headed for the Ops room one level below the bridge. He was trying to give his report as he had always done, accurately and throughly, but he knew that the Commander was only partially listening to him.
"It should never have happened, Karl." Shaking his head sadly, Odin allowed a moment for the anger to come and go. He could ill afford to let his emotions rule his head now. There was no one to truly blame but themselves for their own short sighted arrogance in thinking that such a thing could not happen. "I want all sensors in motion. They're out there somewhere planning their next move and I want to be there when they do it. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir, we have them all working as best as. . ."
"Not best Karl, I want results." Odin's voice couldn't hide the anger he felt. "I want them to pay for the lives they took! I want them to feel all the wrath of vengeance we can lay upon them!"
Karl moved aside as he and Odin stepped into the Captain's Brief. The Red Star had made good time, still several dials ahead of the Rising Star but not in time to save the Primary region of Calodonie.
"Satray leader reports that there are several survivors and that relief from the other cities is forth coming." De'mon, Odin's first officer was a large man of Ruszahrn descent. His black hair was cropped short and he wore a small beard and mustache. His deep brown eyes revealed nothing of his emotions as he pulled up the map for the planet of his birth. "Patrols flying over the city report no further Sadow activity."
The entire command staff was seated around the Ops control table awaiting their turns to give reports on the things they had learned since coming into orbit around Teirsa.
Odin sat at the head of the table facing the window that ran the length of the room. The room itself was austere, with only the long table in it's center and the Ops com center in the fore. It was a room that's sole purpose of design was for planning the strategies of war. Someday he had hoped to see this room put to a different use, but today it was needed.
"Has the Battle cruiser been located?"
All the officers exchanged looks before De'mon answered the Commander's softly spoken question.
"It's become apparent that the vipers which attacked could have traveled from outside the system under a cloak. Attacking under the order that they would not return, this would explain the severity of the attack. That theory is further enforced by the lack of a vapor trail that indicates anything bigger and the number of times the city was strafed."
Spinning around, Odin pinned his first officer with a lethal stare. "They could not have come in under their own steam and attacked as they did for the simple fact that the warning station on Bethran would have picked up their tracer, cloak or no! We've been fighting this war long enough to learn every little trick they can come up with!" Standing, he pointed a finger at each officer present, allowing them to feel the full weight of his stare. "I want to know where that Battle cruiser is and I want to know NOW! It has to be there, it has to be somewhere!"
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The lead vistar veered off from the pack and headed toward Delfin Polls where all the current com-casts were coming from. The Polls were a local space port that allowed visitors into the capital city. A series of large building that were fanned out in a five point shape, they had been a grand mark on the horizon. But now the land was scorched and the area was marred by the dark marks of war. Of the seven buildings that had made up the Polls only three now stood intact, the rest had been reduced to little more than dust while the others had received fire damage; the enemy leaving them only to pursue other more important targets.
"This is Satray leader to Delfin Polls requesting landing clearance."
"You are cleared to land, Satray leader, and we are glad to hear from you."
The docking bay at Delfin Polls had been converted into a shelter for the survivors of Calodonie. The seriously injured had been shuttled to the nearest undamaged city of Nichrehn, those who remained were the scared and the homeless. There were women clutching children; men once the city's great leaders now sat staring blankly at the people around them; while others, in a state of shock, muttered brokenly as they wondered around the area. This was the aftermath of destruction. This was what happened when a planet ignored the rumors and remained convinced they were invincible.
Satray squadron commander, Derris Rehn, walked slowly among them assessing the damage and taking note of what was needed. He was a veteran of many battles since he'd been inducted over ten thyerox ago. He'd seen his own home land suffer the wrath of the dark enemy and watch it rise again to fight, but he'd never seen this kind of destruction. The wars of the past held nothing in which to compare to the devastation brought to the heart of the Alliance.
As in the past he'd been sent ahead to see what the damage had been done and how bad the invasion was. He had been greeted by the bedraggled crew of survivors who had begun to piece together what had happened for him in quick and, sometimes, hysterical words. Their priorities were in order of food, medical, water, and shelter. Questions asked ranged from 'why' to 'is it over', standard questions in a war zone. Not meant to be spoken in a city where war was something long passed. He answered them all as best he could before asking his own questions, but none of them had any knowledge of the Alliance Council and Derris was beginning to fear the worse.
