Has it really been four years since I started this? Wow...Time flies I guess. Well, this is it? Isn't it? The end of Earth Bound, and the end of the Nightmares of the Past series of stories. Its been a hell of journey for me, and it was while working on all of this that I realized how much I love writing, even if I'm not the best at it. So, before I let you into it, I have just a few quick things to say. First off, there is a much larger authors note at the bottom, and secondly, this chapter most likely pushes the T rating that this story carries, if anybody feels I've gone too far, let me know and I'll change it to M.
Right, For better or worse, this is it, I leave you with:
- RaC Nightmares Series: Earth Bound - Chapter 31: The End -
-Marcadia-
"So...This is how it ends." his rough voice told of how torn up his throat was.
A gentle breeze blew through the cemetery, ruffling the leaves in the trees. The sound creating a backdrop to the trio who stood underneath. The setting sun stretched their shadows across the grounds, creating an eerie feeling for the group. The one in the center knelt down in front of the grave stone. "I tried. I tried so hard."
The one to his left dropped a hand on his shoulder, her voice was gentle as she spoke. "We all tried, there was nothing we could do." Cupped in the crook of her left arm, a small bundle of blankets shifted gently as the child inside kicked softly against its cocoon. The woman brought the baby closer to her face to rub her nose against the child's. "Its okay little one." her voice was quiet to try and lure the infant back into her nap.
The one on the right scoffed "If I had known, I wouldn't have been so rigid in trying to end this peacefully." His voice was a low growl through the calm that cloaked them as the sun continued its decent downwards.
The one on the left spoke up again. "Stop that, you know she wouldn't like us talking like that." she paused "Still, it was a cruel stab of fate. But at least we got to spend these past few months with her."
The one in the middle balled up a bunch of dirt and grass in his fists as tears dropped from his face.
-Five and a Half months ago-
Ratchet stood on the bridge as the bright lights of warp faded from his view to reveal the blue and green marble in front of him. He stared out into the space for a minute before he blinked and turned towards his command center behind him. He walked over and pressed a button to start a scan of local space, as the computer ran its program he called out. "I need a link to the Creations Cannon."
Before long a screen behind him fizzed into life and Stella's face appeared inside the display. "Sir, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Ratchet turned to face her display. "I believe I am, I'm running a second scan to be sure, but so far, the results seem to match with the initial scans."
Stella glanced behind her at one of her bridge crew who handed her a small display. She glanced at it for a moment before returning it to the crew member and facing Ratchet. "I just got the same thing back, and my deep space scans don't show anything behind any of the planets behind either. I honestly think that this is all hes got." she paused "If he does have something else, its really well hidden, or so far away that by the time they could jump here to help Earth, it will be too late." Stella paused again, she looked down at her wrist gauntlet. "Sir, I just got a message from Commander Sky, he has secured the help of a local rebel group. He sent a picture of an image, apparently if these people have this symbol on them, they are to be considered non-hostile."
Ratchet glanced at an aide who ran up with a tablet to show Ratchet. "I just got the same thing I think." he took the tablet and looked through the message. "I see the image, looks like an inverted basic A with an S through it. I'll let the Rangers know." he paused as he kept reading. "Hes infiltrating the White House right now, with the help of the local resistance leaders, apparently Zen has some sort of secret lab bunker underneath the White House."
Ratchet looked back as one of sensor operator called out. "Sir! The enemy fleet is moving into a holding position just outside of the gravity well! Their weapons are charging and they have raised shields."
Ratchet rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "This will be an even fight after all, at least in space." he said quietly to himself. He spoke louder for his next words. "Deploy our fighter nets, move the Long-Bow Cruisers into position and tell them to wait for my mark to fire. Arrange the rest of the cruisers into the siege pattern and begin charging weapons and shields, have the frigates move into siege support positions and to deploy their own fighters and bombers." he started walking back towards the over look as his crew started issuing his orders. "Order the Creations Cannon and the Shadow of Commandos into the middle of the pattern. Link all firing computers to Creations Cannon and have Shadows of Commandos stand by in stealth mode for hit and run openings." he paused as his orders were carried out.
Out in space, the two Long-Bow Cruisers fell back to behind the rest of the fleet, turning so that their broadsides were facing the enemy fleet. There was a small shimmer as their shields deployed across the ships. Their prototype weapons were designed to deal out long range damage for space battles, allowing them to strike from out of range of normal energy weapons. In front of the two cruisers, the other five cruisers in Ratchets fleet spread out in a small star formation with their inner shields overlapping to create a stronger shield in that area. The eleven frigates spread out in these protected areas of the star formation, two in each of the back areas and three spread out in the front area, the frigates own shields deployed, further increasing the shield strength in the overlap. Ratchets capital ship, the Iron Shell was inside this formation along with Creations Cannon and Shadow of Commandos.
As the ships took formation, so did Zens last fleet. They were arranged in a wall in front of the planet they were protecting. Seven Cruisers, twenty-one Frigates and at least a hundred fighters swarmed in the space above Earth. Normally being out numbered would be something to worry about, but thanks to Stella's discovery of Zens tech, their shields were configured to block any frequency of laser Zen might try. Their own weapons had been programmed in a flashing pulse, allowing Ratchets fleet to fire in multiple frequencies, allowing them to null out any changes Zen might have ordered to his own fleets shields. The targeting computers were programmed so that when the beams hit on a frequency that allowed for a solid hit on the shields to change all of the ships weapons to the same frequency.
When his fleet was in position Ratchet spoke up again. "Status?"
Another officer from below answered him. "The fleet is in position, all weapons are fully charged and our shields are at one hundred percent with the overlap areas holding up as well. The Long-Bow Cruisers report ready status for their first rounds and are waiting on your orders to fire. All ships are linked into Creations Cannon and have received their targeting data. Standing by to begin attack."
Ratchet inhaled and closed his eyes for a count of three, the crew around him fell silent, and for him, everything went even quieter until there was no sound at all. He opened his eyes as he exhaled, his emerald orbs were cold and hard with his own pent up emotions. Tonight though, they would finally be free, once and for all. He glanced down to where his bridge crew sat in their seats, all of them looking up at him in silence. Ratchet turned his gaze back to space "Fire all." he said quietly into the silence. A split second later his crew jumped back to life, he briefly heard his command repeated as his communicators relayed the orders.
Outside, space lit up with flashing lances of light as each of the weapons in Ratchets fleet sparked to life and began spraying their deadly beams across Zens fleet. Only a few hundred miles separated the two fleets and Ratchet watched as the beams flashed across Zen's shields. A few of them dissipated across the shields similar to how they acted when Zen first attacked over Marcadia, but others just hit the shields as they were supposed to. Below him his operators spoke up, passing information back to each other.
"Frigate Nylon is reporting a weakness at frequency 48.5 on target ship B-3"
"Cruiser Outer Distance has a weakness for targeted ship A-2, 42.7"
"Frigate Regent Down has reported target D-5..."
Ratchet let their voices flow over him as he turned and walked back over to his command center which was displaying a holographic version of the battle outside. He watched as the colors on various ships of Zens fleet turned from a bright red to yellow, he studied the data for a moment before he frowned and spoke up. "Is the enemy fleet firing back at all?"
A answer was quick in coming. "No sir. We have detected charged weapons but so far no firing has been registered."
Ratchet frowned and turned towards a communications officer behind him. "Link up to Creations Cannon."
The cezar nodded and turned to type as his keyboard, a few moments later Stella's head appeared. "I'm already running detailed scans Admiral. I noticed that the ships don't appear to be firing anything back at us. But our scanners are set to detect energy weapons, so if they are using something else, there is a good chance it won't show up until too late."
Ratchet frowned "What else would they be using?"
Stella shrugged "I don't know the limits of their tech sir, they could be using anything from air power to rail tech." she paused and glanced down at the small computer in front of her. She frowned suddenly and jerked her gaze back to Ratchet. "Order all ships to be on the lookout for small black objects moving through space, one of our fighters just clipped what appears to be a mine."
As she finished talking another operator from his crew shouted out. "Admiral Ratchet! Cruiser Hopes Regret has reported a significant detonation against its shields on the left side."
Another officer shouted out "Sir, Frigate Nylon has confirmed the presence of mines and just detonated two from in front of it, a third floated into its shield and the explosion lowered its shield power to 73%! the overlap shields are also getting hit, whatever they are using is powerful and if it keeps up for too long, outer defense shields will fail."
Ratchet frowned. "Deploy fighter nets to face the front of the attack group, they're to strafe the space in front of us and attack any objects they come across." he turned to Stella "Commander, find out what those explosives are and if there is a way to track them."
He turned back to his display as another officer cried out "Sir, the enemy fleet is firing!"
Ratchet glanced out into space. "Brace for Impact!" he gripped the edge of his display as the laser from the enemy fleet lanced out and splashed against the shields of his ships, the first volley had only just ended when another volley began, then a third, and forth, finally the enemy fleet paused to recharge their weapons. Ratchet glanced at the display in front of him, noting how some of his ships had changed from a light blue to yellow. He called out over his shoulder "Status!"
"Our front line ships are holding, overlapping shields have fallen to 65%, more mine detonations confirmed. The enemy fighters are now crossing the distance and are on a fast approach."
Ratchet sighed, "Time to play the trump card, Tell the Long-Bow Cruisers to lock their weapons on the two enemy Cruisers in the center. Keep half the fighter net searching for mines and send the other half out to meet the enemy fighters."
"Sir, the Long-Bow Cruisers report locks and are requesting permission to fire."
Ratchet turned to his view screens that showed a close up of the enemy fleet "Permission granted. Shake em down!"
Out in space,both of the Long-Bow Cruisers had the panels on the side of their ships sliding on top of one another to reveal a series of large cannons that folded out from their hidden positions and take aim at the center of the enemy fleet. Thrusters arranged on the opposite side of the ships flared to life and the cruisers started moving forward slowly, only to be move back as the Thunder Cannons all opened fire, sending out large pulsing beams of energy towards Zens Ships. Ten beams in all arced from around Ratchets fleet and crossed the space quickly.
As the beams connected with the enemy ships, they dissipated across the shields. A few moments later however massive explosions began detonating against the side of the enemy cruisers, these massive explosions ripped apart the hulls of two of the cruisers, ripping the massive ships into halves then another series of explosions ripped them into even more parts. Broken and forced apart by the shockwave of the shells that were hidden inside the beams, parts started drifting back towards Earth, getting sucked into the gravity well and beginning their descent down to the surface, most of them would burn up, but quite a few would strike the surface, causing havoc.
Ratchet grinned in satisfaction at the hole he created. "How long till the Long-Bow Cruisers can fire again?"
"Ten minutes sir!"
Ratchet nodded to himself, he turned back to the display where Stella was still on. "Commander, I'll stay here and lead the space battle until I'm sure Zen's fleet is defeated. I'm going to widen that hole in their fleet with the Long-Bows, then I want you to start sending drop ships down through it. When a landing zone has been secured, I want you down there. You'll be in charge of the ground assault when you land. Your goal is take Washington D.C, and the White House, find Zen and...detain him, if he puts up a fight, you have permission to use lethal force. You are to be on the look out for Commander Sky as well."
Stella nodded and saluted "Yes sir, I'll prepare the drop ships and pods now." her face disappeared from view and Ratchet glanced at his communications officer before turning back to the battle display behind him. "Get me the Shadow of Commandos."
A few moments later Ratchet turned back to the view screen when he heard Bouncers voice. "Sr. Admiral Sir, do you have a target for us?"
Ratchet shook his head. "Your orders have changed Lt. Captain. We just made a small hole in the fleets pattern, I want you to go stealth and try to slip through unnoticed and start preparing a landing zone for the Rangers." Ratchet paused and tapped a button on the console in front of him. "I'm sending you coordinates for a place just outside the city they call Washington D.C. Secure it before I launch the Rangers." he glanced back up at Bouncer "You have twenty minutes tops Lt. Captain, I suggest you get moving."
"Yes sir!" Bouncer saluted and the connection closed, Ratchet turned back to the battle display and watched as the ship that represented Bouncers leave position and start to journey across the empty space in front of them.
Ratchet turned back to the bridge "Keep firing as often as possible, I want their attention on us." he paused and glanced at the battle display. "Status on the fighting for the star fighters?"
"We've taken down about 32 fighters, but have lost 20 of our own. Scans show two groups breaking off towards the Long-Bows."
"How many in each squad?" he asked as he turned back to the display.
"20, Sir."
Ratchet nodded to himself with a frown, he reached up and touched his hand to the side of his helmet. "CR-3?"
"Yes Sir?"
Ratchet glanced at the display one last time. "We have two squads of enemy fighters heading for the Long-Bows, I want them removed before they reach the ships, Send out squads to intercept, and I want you leading one of them."
"Yes Sir!" CR-3 cut the link on his end and Ratchet turned back to the display just in time to watch the Shadow of Commandos sneak through the hole he had made in Zens fleet.
He glanced over his shoulder. "How long until the Long-Bows can fire again?"
"Six minutes sir!"
Ratchet turned back to the display with a frown, he hoped that Sky's team could land and hold out until there was a big enough hole punched through for the rest of the drop ships.
"Sarash! Watch for incoming fire from the flak cannons. We stand out against the sky right now." Bouncers voice was tight as he gave out orders to his two crew members. "Tess, divert power from the stealth systems to the shields until we land."
They were coming down on the outskirts of the large city only to find a surprising number of low-orbit flak cannons spraying fire into the sky. The ship shook as Sarash managed to avoid a burst that would have hit them right on normally. She leaned back in her pilots seat, her hands gripped tight around the control sticks. "We're going to need to do something about these cannons! There is no way a normal drop ship will be able to avoid all of this!" Sarash cursed as she dodged another set of rounds, pulling the ship through a violent barrel-roll that had Bouncer holding his stomach for a moment.
"Focus on getting to the landing zone for now Sarash, it looks like the cannons can only aim into the air, so if we can get below their arc of fire, we can land and report."
An impact alarm wailed as the ship shook. "Watch those Flak Cannons Sarash!" Bouncers called out as Sarash put the ship through another roll.
Sarash called out as she worked the pedals beneath her feet and pulled hard on her flight sticks "You want to come fly this thing Bouncer?!" She waited a moment as she put the ship through a loop "No!? Then shut the fuck up! I'll get us to the ground." she took a hand off one her flight sticks to tap on the display hovering in front of her. "We got Terran's at the landing zone!"
Bouncer walked over as the ship steadied out now that they were below the Flak cannons arcs. He watched her screen for a moment. "Look, The Terran's are fighting each other. Think those are some of the rebels we were told about?"
Sarash shrugged "They all look alike to me, but they're going to get over ran soon."
Bouncer moved back to the captain seat. "Sarash, why don't you thin out the herd a bit before we land?"
Sarash grinned, reaching a hand up to touch the brim of her hat "Would be my pleasure." she reached forward and activated the weapons systems. "Tess, watch the power balance I'm using the front cannons."
Tess called out from the back of the ship. "You're good Sarash, pour it on em."
Sarash grinned as she lined up a shot on the line of Terran's that were now shooting at the ship. "You guys better not dent my ship, or I'll come down and personally gut every one of ya!" she called out as she opened fire on their lines, sending streaks of blue energy to scythe through the ranks of Zens men, vaporizing those who were hit directly and the impacts of those that missed throwing the soldiers to and fro. Sarash flew over them and brought the ship around for two more passes before she brought it to a hover over the small group of Terran's who were holding up small pieces of cloth with a symbol painted on them.
Bouncer walked over to Sarash "Their on our side, give em a wave." Bouncer walked back to the commanders chair as Sarash wiggled the ships wings. "Tess, raise the Iron Shell." Tess nodded and a few moments later Ratchets face appeared on the display in front of Bouncer. "Sir, we're at the landing zone, but the air is too hot to bring down normal drop ships. Do you want us to remove some of them?"
Ratchet was silent for a second. "No, I need you guys guarding that area, find a clear spot to land a beacon, we'll send some demolition squads down in Commander Rain's drop pods. Hold there until back up arrive, then provide cover for the demo team while they take out some more of those flak cannons."
Ratchet glanced behind him as a voice spoke up "Commander, the Long-Bows are ready to fire again!"
Ratchet turned back to Bouncer "And watch for falling debris Lt. Captain. We'll be sending some more of Zens fleet down to join you."
Bouncer nodded "Roger that sir." he called out as Ratchet's face vanished "Sarash, find us a empty place to land a beacon."
"Roger that, I see one just ahead."
Sarash moved the frigate over an empty field and launched a small beacon from the underbelly of the ship. She moved away as she activated the beacon, Tess spoke up after a moment. "Drop Pods inbound, stand by for impact."
The three of them waited for a minute or two then suddenly with a great cloud of dirt being raised, a series of drop pods smashed into the empty field. Their hulls glowing from their entry into the atmosphere. After a few moments the hatches popped open and out stepped a squad of Galactic Rangers. Bouncer walked over to Tess. "Find us the nearest Flak Cannon, we're going to escort those guys there." he glanced over his shoulder "Sarash, stick with them, stand by on the main guns, you see a Terran aiming a weapon at our bots, you blast em first, ask questions later."
Sarash gave a thumbs up as the Galactic Rangers moved out towards the coordinates that Tess has sent down. Bouncer turned back to Tess "How many of the Flak Cannons are we going to need to destroy to provide a good chance for the drop ships?"
Tess ran some quick calculations. "Lowest number: five, would be better if we could take all eight out in this area though. The rest of them won't matter so long as we fly low."
Sarash called up from the pilots seat "Why can't we just strafe the things from below their firing arcs in the ship?"
Tess tapped a few buttons before sending a display to Sarash "They have other anti air defenses set up through out the city, and around the Flak Cannons. We might be able to withstand punishment from them for a few minutes, but I would rather not test it. But if we can remove the larger Flak Cannons, the drop ships can land in this area and we can march on the White House."
Sarash snorted "What a stupid name for a presidential compound." she said softly as she kept a low hover over the Rangers that were planting charges on the base of the Flak Cannon they were next too.
Bouncer went back to the commanders chair "Any activity from the Terran's Sarash?"
She shook her head "Nothing, I dunno if they just don't know what we're doing, or if they don't want to risk exposure to our guns again."
"Inbound rocket!"
Sarash cursed as she boosted forward at Tess's words. She came to a stop just a few seconds later only to hear Tess call out again. "Its turning! Keep going! I'll see if I can figure out what kind of lock it has!"
Sarash groaned as she shot the ship forward again, arcing it around the empty planes they were in and staying away from the city. After a few minutes of this, Tess called out "There's some sort of laser trace on our hull! We need to find out who has the beam on us and take them out to stop the rocket!"
Bouncer walked over to Tess, bracing himself on her seat as Sarash put the ship through another sharp turn. "Where did the rocket come from?"
Tess pulled up a map, pointing to a small building on the outskirts of the city. "There." she said, her finger resting on a window three stories up.
Bouncer thought quickly. "Sarash! We need to strafe this building, bring us around and I'll use the side cannons on the building."
Sarash pulled another hard turn, bringing the ship around towards the city outskirts. "Gladly."
Bouncer walked over to another chair and sat down in, calling up the display, he charged the guns as Tess spoke up. "Wait for it!"
Bouncer narrowed his eyes, focusing on the display.
"Now!"
Bouncer pressed the button for the guns and the ship shook slightly as the charged beams smashed into the side of the building and blew out the whole left side. The rocket that had been following them kept going straight when Sarash pulled the ship around again. The rocket kept going, eventually striking the side of one of the flak cannons and bringing the building down with its heavy explosive. The crew watched the flak cannon tip over as the building to their right collapsed in on itself.
"Handy." Sarash muttered as she brought the ship back around the cover the Rangers.
"Commander! Demo teams report five flak towers down!"
Ratchet nodded "Very good, Send the order to Commander Rain to begin landing units. Have we intercepted the fighters heading for the Long-Bows?"
"We destroyed one group before it could reach the cruiser, but one made it there and managed to run a bombing run against the ship before they could be taken out."
Ratchet sighed "Damage?"
"Long Reach reports that they had to withdraw their thunder cannons to keep them safe, but now the outer panels are jammed. They have still full function over normal long ranged lasers and torpedoes though."
Ratchet thought for a moment. "Have Long Reach slave their targeting computers to the Creations Cannon, Noble Blast is to keep targeting enemy cruisers with their cannons until they run out of ammo. How many shells do they have left?"
"Three rounds sir."
Ratchet nodded as an officer called out "Sir, I have a hail from Commander Rain."
Ratchet turned to his display "Put it through."
Stella appeared, still dressed in her armor, her face was completely covered with matching metal and it looked like a filter was in place. She had one hand hanging onto to a hook above her as she swayed gently. "Sir" her voice had the mechanically sound of being passed through her filter "We're inbound to the planet's surface. My team and I are in a smaller shuttle following the Ranger drop-ships. Does the enemy fleet still have a window in it?"
Ratchet glanced back at the display, his fleet had brought down five of Zens cruisers and eight of his frigates, all without loosing one of their own. "The hole is still there Commander, and its getting bigger all the time. When you get to the landing zone, you are to help secure it, and then move into the city. Remember, your target is the White House, and Zen. If you need back up, you can request the help of Commander Sky's team. They should be finishing up their runs against the flak cannons."
Stella nodded "Have you received any word from Commander Sky?"
Ratchet shook his head "Not yet, keep an eye out for him, he may have been captured."
"Yes sir." Stella closed the link on her end and glanced over her shoulder at Rass, Jason, and Reck. "You guys ready?" She turned about swapping her grip on the hook, her custom rifle swaying gently in its harness. Rass nodded and raised one of her arms, the hand sliding inside and a blue glow lit the small space. Jason didn't say anything he just looked at Stella and gave a quick jerk of his head. Reck drew his small swords off the sheaths on his hips and grinned at her.
Stella nodded herself "Alright, this is for everything, Marc1 and all the ships and pilots who gave their lives defending it, all the people on Marcadia, all the planets that have been attacked." Stella paused and whispered "for my mother, and my fiance." she continued in her normal voice. "We're hitting the Terran's where they live, just like they did us. But we're going to make sure that they don't ever get the ability to do something like this again. So, for Solona, lets end this."
Her team nodded again and the ship shifted slightly as it came to a hover at the landing zone. Stella slapped a switch on the wall, and the floor dropped out from underneath them. Stella hit the ground in a crouch and looked up to see that the Ranger dropships had formed a box around the landing zone and she could hear the sound of gunfire. She looked towards one of the dropships and spotted a blue Teralite manning a Ranger turret and spraying fire down. Stella turned to her team. "Spread out and push back the Terran's. Then move into the city and meet up at the coordinates I gave you earlier."
Her team spread out, each one choosing a ship and running over to the ladders to climb over to help suppress the Terran's. Stella turned backed to the one that had the Teralite and ran forward, jumping into the air and using her big toe to trigger to the boosters in her boots. She quickly rocketed upwards and flipped through the air, landing gracefully behind the Teralite. She pulled her custom rifle off its sling and aimed down its scope at the Terran's who were sitting behind cover, occasionally poking out to throw shots up at the Teralite.
Stella frowned before touching the side of her scope, the view changed and she could see the Terran's through the walls they were cowering behind. She aimed at one and pulled the trigger, a thin blue beam lanced out, when it made contact with the wall it turned green and tripled in size, punching a hole through the Terran on the other side and sending his body spinning away for several feet.
"You must be Stella!" the shouted voice drew Stella's attention to the Teralite on the gun. Stella aimed an another Terran and pulled the trigger, this time, the blue beam hit the Terran who fell over in pain as the green beam erupted out of his back, tearing it open and killing him instantly.
Stella turned her attention to the Teralite "I am, how did you know?"
Stella watched the Teralite grin "Sky always said I would know because you use long range weapons that always had interesting abilities." The Teralite released the trigger for a moment and reached a hand out to Stella. "Captain Sarash, I serve under Commander Sky."
Stella shook Sarash's hand quickly before bringing it back up to brace her rifle as she fired another shot. "Commander Rain." Sarash went back to firing the Ranger gun emplacement with Stella giving covering fire when ever she had a shot. After only a few minutes they heard a shout and the Terran's retreated back towards the city. As they retreated Stella slung her rifle back onto her shoulder and dropped a holoshield in front of the Sarash so she could step away from the gun. Sarash turned to Stella "Welcome to Earth Commander Rain." Sarash folded her arms "Whats next?"
Stella pointed towards the city the Terran's had retreated too. "We need to get underground before the Terran's get the chance to lock onto our location. Then, we get inside the city and look for Commander Sky."
Sarash nodded "Okay, now its a big city, do you know where Sky is?"
Stella shook her head "Not currently, last time I pinged his communicator it looked like he was at the White House. He sent me a message that said something about an underground lab of some sort. I assume that's where hes at right now since I can't ping him currently."
Sarash nodded "So hes in some sort of hidden lab?"
Stella shrugged "That's my guess." she tapped a button on the side of her helmet and called up a scan of the planet. "But it appears that he spent several days in a warehouse of sorts not to far from the White House. So, I'm going to head there."
Stella focused her gaze back on Sarash "You stay here an-"
Sarash raised a hand. "Sorry Commander, I only take orders from Sky and a Sr. Admiral. Until they tell me otherwise, I'm tagging along with you."
Stella frowned at Sarash who just folded her arms and frowned back. Stella's frown deepened, then she thought about some of the notes in Sky's file. After a full minute Stella shook her head "Fine, but try to keep up." With that Stella flipped off the side of the ship and ran towards the city edge, Sarash frowned before taking off after her.
"Status?!" Ratchet grabbed the side of his console as the ship shook from another barrage of lasers.
"We've lost the front shields and frigates, two of them were able to pull back. Regent Down was destroyed, but scans show all of the life boats launched before its core went critical. The Earth fleet is down to two Cruisers and three frigates. Their fighters are falling back to protect the last of their ships. Our fighters are in pursuit and two bombing wings are heading to the cruisers."
Ratchet thought for a moment. "Break formation! Move towards the planet, overwhelm the last ships and set up in bombing locations. Prepare all drop ships for deployment." Ratchet turned and walked off the bridge. "XO, your in charge now, I'm going down to assist in the ground assault on Washington."
"Yes sir."
Ratchet turned to face the bridge once more as he entered the elevator that would take him down the bridge. "Good luck to us all, and remember those we have lost." the elevator doors slid shut and Ratchet tapped the button that would take him down to the hanger. As the elevator reached the hanger and the doors slid open Ratchet touched the side of his helmet. "CR-3, I'm heading for my ship to provide cover for the dropships. Whats your status?"
"I'm watching the bombing wing finish one last strafe across Earths last cruiser. All that's left is one frigate and the advancing fleet will overwhelm it quickly."
Ratchet jumped into his fighter "Good job, fall back to help protect the fleet."
"Roger that Sarge, good luck down there."
"Thanks CR-3, you too." Ratchet tapped the side of his helmet again as his canopy closed and he lifted his fighter off the deck, spinning it around and shooting down the hole that led to the exit.
"How are you holding up?"
Sky glanced to his left, Sasha had an arm draped across his shoulders and was leaning on him for support. His mind was still reeling from the discovery of his mother strapped to the table. He had been quick to free her, but while in the process of freeing his mother, two guards had walked in. Sky had been quick to dispatch the two burly Terran's, but not before one of them had managed to grab the small button on his belt that raised alarms through out the building.
Sasha smiled weakly at her son. "Better...now that you're here." Sasha stumbled in her slow steps and Sky braced himself against her weight. "Okay..." she gasped out "I lied, I feel horrible. What ever they injected me with hurts. Your nanites helped though."
Sky patted his belt where he kept the small tube of nanites. "I just wish I had more, sorry Mom."
Sasha reached up and tapped him gently on the side of his face. "Don't worry about it Sky...I'm sure I'm the last person you expected to find here."
Sky glanced around him "You can say that again." he stopped moving for a moment, tightening his grip on the weapon he took from one of the Terran guards. He blinked and raised his arm, pulling the trigger twice on his borrowed weapon as another guard came around the corner. The guard slumped back, two dark holes with a circle of red spreading out across his shirt.
Sky shook his wrist to recover from the force of the weapon, he was still shaking his arm when Sasha tapped him gently on the shoulder. He set her down gently on the ground and listened to her labored breathing. "Are you sure you're up for this Mom? I can find something to transport you in."
Sasha gave him a small smile. "I'm okay Sky." she paused and grimaced. "So, I'm not okay Sky, I'm far from it. But I am happy your here. That fact that I got to see you one last time."
Sky reached forward, putting a hand on his mothers cheek. "Don't talk like that Mom, we're getting out of here." he paused "Both of us."
Sasha just let her smile get bigger and reached out her own hand to put on his cheek. "I'm fine Sky." she frowned slightly as her gaze drifted behind Sky.
Sky turned to see what she was staring at. It was a door, A giant silver door with large bolts set into the wall "Whoa, that is some door." he turned his gaze back to his Sasha "What do you think is behind it?"
Sasha was quiet for a moment "Dunno." she glanced at the dead guard and the small card he had on his chest. "Want to find out?"
Sky followed her gaze, he walked over and yanked the card off the guard. He went to stick it into the slot on the door. He glanced at the pistol in his hand then back at his mom. "There's probably more guards inside, and I have no idea how many shots are left in this thing."
"Eight."
Sky looked over at Sasha when she spoke up so quickly. She just gave a weak grin. "I studied up on their technology when I came here with Ratchet, god what was it, almost 25 years ago." she gestured to the gun. "The slid will lock back when its empty."
Sly looked down at the pistol then back up at his mom. "Thanks." he said with a small grin. He turned back to the door. "I got this now." he jammed the card into its slot and watched as the bolts retracted into the door. He took a step back and held the pistol loosely in his left hand, then he concentrated on his right arm and felt the beads activate. There was a slight sting as they left the skin of his arm and formed into the glowing outline of a blade. He glanced one more time at his mom before he faced the door as it swung slowly inward.
There were four guards dressed in thick armor standing in the small hallway. Each one had a large assault rifle cradled in their arms, and when they saw Sky standing there, they immediately brought them to bear on him. Sky fingered the grip on his pistol. "Now, before we do anything stupid here, I just want you all to realize something: I just found my mother, who I thought was dead these past months. Because of that, any sympathy I have is now dried up. You can beg if you want, but it won't stop me."
The guard near the door to his frowned "To hell with you! Open fire!"
As soon as the guard started talking, Sky brought up his pistol and sank three rounds into the guard closest to him on the left, two of the bullets were caught in his vest, while the third found a home in his neck. He went down with his hand to his throat. Sky dashed into the room, slicing down on the first guards weapon with his energy beads, they sawed through the gun in one smooth motion, dropping the front half to the ground. Sky then ducked behind the guard and kicked his legs out from underneath him. Sky then snaked an arm around his throat, using him as a shield from the last two guards who opened fire on the guard instead of Sky.
As soon as he heard the clicking sound of an empty weapon Sky released his arm and let the dead guard flop forward, he quickly popped off the last four shots, each one aimed at a guards next. The last two guards fell down to the ground, gurgles coming from their ruined throats.
Sky dropped his borrowed weapon and stepped over to the last two guards, snatching the keys from their belts. He slid the cards through the reader next to the door and stepped back as it opened. When no weapons fired, he peaked around to see who was inside. He saw two Terran's, one was a tall man, minus his shirt, with lanky pitch black hair running down to his chest. His eyes were a vividly deep blue, faded scars crisscrossed his chest and he looked a little thin, but still managed to show some muscle. He was wearing a ragged pair of pants that bunched around his ankles.
The second was a female, who was chained to the wall by a short chain, she was completely naked, minus a shirt that looked like it came from her fellow prisoner. All of her hair was missing and she looked extremely malnourished, scars covered the majority of her visible skin, including several on her face that looked fresh.
Sky blinked and took another step into the room. There was something about the man.
"Who are you?"
Sky raised an eyearch at the mans rough voice. "I don't think you're in a position to be asking questions." Sky paused and looked around. "Zen had some neat security set up to keep you two in here." he turned his gaze back to the man. "What did you do to piss him off?"
The man was silent for a moment "I survived his attempts to see me dead, so now he keeps me here. To let me know that he won."
Sky nodded "Zen wants you dead? That's good enough for me." He turned around and went to one of the dead guards, he pulled another key off a ring, this one made of metal, he walked over chained female and looked for a hole to stick the key into. He found the keyhole and wiggled the key in, twisting it sharply so that her shackles opened and dropped to the ground. She rubbed her wrists gingerly. "Thanks."
Sky nodded and left the cell, he walked down the hallway and out to where Sasha still sat propped up against the wall. He leaned down and helped pick her up. "Come on, we need to get moving." he said softly as he started leading her down the hallways again.
"Who was in there?"
Sky glanced at her, "Just some people that Zen wanted dead, so I let the loose. Figured it couldn't hurt."
Sasha glanced down the hallway as they passed the large door. "Slade?!"
Sky turned to look at Slade as he walked out with one arm supporting the female, in the other he carried one of the large rifles that guards had. He had also stripped one of them of their flak vest and put it on. He glanced at Sasha "I'm sorry, do I know yo-" he cut off as he saw her tail shifting gently behind her "My...god...What has Zen done to you Commander?"
Sasha glanced at the female "I imagine the same thing he did your friend."
Sky glanced between them "So you two know each other?"
Sasha nodded weakly "Say hello to President Slade, Sky, he was the one your father and I met with when we came scouting this planet." she turned to stare at Slade "When Zen first attacked us, and after I got captured, I just assumed that you were too much of a coward to face me. But you've been locked up here all this time?"
Slade nodded "I have. Zen betrayed me right after got back from your ship." he glanced at the female again "He locked Audrey up with me a few months ago, some sort of twisted torture I think, he's been forcing me to watch her waste away."
Sasha and Sky continued down the hallway, Slade and his friend following them "Ratchet and I came back to find the shuttle. We heard Zen saying that we had killed you."
Slade scoffed "He was the one who tried to kill me, almost broke my neck when he stomped on my head."
Sky grunted softly "So, it looks like we have a common enemy Slade." he glanced behind him "I don't suppose you know the way out of here? I came down from a vent."
Slade shook his head "Not for sure, when I was brought in, they had a sack over my head. But they took it off before I reached my cell, we came through a hallway that's not to far away, we could always head there and see if we can find a back entrance."
Sky nodded "Lead on then Mr. President."
Stella pushed gently on the door that was marked with the symbol Sky had sent her. When it didn't budge she looked around the hallway. They were in the basement of the warehouse that Sky had spent a few nights in, and according to her date, Sky had spent it in the room beyond this door. She sighed and stepped back from the door, charging forward and hitting the door with her shoulder, breaking the frame and sending the heavy door slamming into the ground. She stumbled forward into the room and raised her gaze to see two Terrans pointing weapons at her.
Stella was ready to reach for her quick select watch when she the female spoke up. "Zack wait, she looks like Sky."
Stella blinked and spoke up. "If either of you know where my brother is. You better start talking." she took a step forward. "Right, now!"
The female held up her hands "Relax, I'm Chessa, this is Zack, and we covered Sky as he made his way into the White House. There's some sort of bunker underneath that he was trying to get into. I thought he said he was going to send some signal to his army so that you would know not to attack us."
Stella paused "I saw guns, and I put you down as a threat, simple as that." Stella tapped her helmet "Sarash, has my team shown up yet?"
Sarash's voice sounded in her ear "Yep, last one just now. Did you find any clue about where Commander Sky is?"
Stella turned her back on the two humans "Yea, hes at the White House, Zen does have some sort of bunker underneath. I'll head up stairs and we can move out as a group. You and I can look for Zen and Sky while everybody else covers us."
"Alright, see you in a bit."
Stella turned back when Chessa spoke up "Wait, you're going after Zen?"
Stella nodded "I am, I'm here to make sure he sees justice."
Chessa glanced at Zack, she spoke up as she made eye contact with Stella again "Then we're coming with you."
Stella sighed loudly "No, I've already got one tag along, I don't need another two."
Zack snorted "You need us lady, We know where all the blockades between here and the White House are set up. Plus all the guards barracks and the buildings they've taken over and made into command posts."
Stella snorted. "Gods, who else is going to join this little party next?"
As if in answer to her question, her comlink beeped again she answered ."Commander Rain."
"Commander, I'm coming down to join you on your attack on the White House, stay there." Ratchet cut the link as he finished speak and Stella sighed again. "Great." she said softly.
She turned back to the Terran's "Fine, you can tag along, but I'm not going to slow down for you, and I sure as hell am not risking my team for your lives." with that Stella turned around and jogged out the door, Chessa and Zack exchanging another glance with each other before running out after Stella.
As they reached the top floor of the warehouse and made their way towards the doors outside. Zack called out. "So, do we call you Commander Rain? Or do you have another name?"
Stella glanced over her shoulder "Still sticking around huh? Fine." she turned her back towards the doors "Just call me Stella." She put on a burst of speed as she reached the street level to get to the cover of the building across the street. She made her way along the side of several buildings until she met up with Sarash and her team a few blocks away. Shortly after Ratchets starfighter blasted down and landed inside the rubble of a destroyed building. He jogged over and nodded at Stella who gave him a quick salute.
Ratchet gestured towards Chessa and Zack. "And they are?"
Stella frowned at them "They helped Sky sneak into the White House apparently. They want to tag along and I guess make sure we take care of Zen." she turned back to Ratchet "I told them I wouldn't go out of my way to keep them safe, but other wise they could come."
Ratchet nodded "So whats the plan then?"
Chessa spoke up "I might be able to help with that."
Ratchet turned to face her "How so?"
Chessa gestured to Zack who pulled a tube off his shoulder and opened the top, easing out the blue paper and laying it out on the ground. Chessa stood over and started talking. "Sky went in through a vent on the side of the White House, but after studying these blue prints and ones of the city, we found out that there is a tunnel that leads underneath the city to a building not to far from here. If we head there, we'll have a straight shot to the underground bunker that Zen is in."
Stella spoke up "How do you know he'll be there?"
Chessa grinned and pointed to the sky, where Ratchets fleet could be seen. "With all this going on? He knows hes the target, and he still thinks nobody knows about his underground bunker. I guarantee you that he went there to oversee his troops."
Stella glanced down at the blueprints. "How far away is this building?"
Zack took over "Its a small blue building about twenty-five blocks down the street here." he pointed behind him as he finished speaking. "Given the size of the tunnel, most likely there is a large door somewhere in the basement."
Sarash walked over to them, she turned to face Ratchet. "Sir, unless you give me orders otherwise I would like to go ahead."
Ratchet glanced at Stella who nodded, Ratchet focused back on Sarash. "Go ahead Captain, we'll catch up." Ratchet paused. "Good luck."
Sarash gave a salute and tore off down the street.
Ratchet turned to the rest of them "Move out." he glanced at the Terran's "What are your names?"
Chessa was helping Zack roll up the blueprints "I'm Chessa, and this is Zack."
Ratchet nodded "Thank you for your help. But I'm with Commander Rain on this, stay out of the way. We'll handle any fighting."
Ratchet and the rest of his group moved slowly down the street, eyes peeled for any signs of movement. They made it a few blocks before the loud crack of a gunshot sent Rass stumbling to the ground, a dent in her armor. Rass kicked herself up off her back and charged her cannon "I just buffed my armor!" she cried as she started firing in the direction of the bullet.
While Rass and Jason drew fire from the squad of Zens goons, the rest of the group found cover in the destroyed store fronts that they found themselves in. Ratchet and Stella dived for cover inside a single story clothing store, while the rest ran over to a two story department store.
Ratchet and Stella made their way to the back of the store where a pile of rubble reveled a hole to the roof. Ratchet threw a holoshield up to the roof while Stella activated the thrusters in her boots and shot up to the roof. She landed roughly behind the shield and watched as rounds started impacting on the shield. She grinned as Ratchet boosted up to stand next to her, a large tube on his shoulder. "Give me a target Stella." he stuck the front end of the barrel through the shield and waited while Stella panned through her scope.
"I see em, squad of five in the left building, second floor, five blocks down ten of them are set up in the building across the street from us."
Ratchet adjusted his aim briefly. "Nice knowing ya." he said softly as he pulled the trigger and the golden Devastator rocket flew down the street to impact on a Terran right as he stood up to take another shot. The rocket blew up, blowing the Terran into pieces, the two smaller rockets spread out and struck support columns of the building, bringing down the roof on the rest of the squad.
Stella meanwhile was busy passing shots through the shield, turning the thin blue beam into its bigger green beam of destruction. Each shot found one of the Terran's in the building across the street, pulsing through them and sending their body flying until it hit something and flopped to the ground.
In a matter of a few minutes the gun fire died down and Ratchet waited a breath as the holoshield faded. He walked to the edge of the building and looked down at Rass and Jason who were gazing into the department store at the rest of the squad.
"Everybody okay?" Ratchet called out to the two robots below
Jason looked up at Ratchet and gave a thumbs up. "We're all set down here, how did you two fair?"
Stella walked up to stand next to Ratchet. "We fared just fine." she stepped off the roof and landed lightly on her feet. "Thank you very much."
Ratchet copied her, dropping to the ground, although he hit the ground just a bit harder then she did. He brushed the loose dust off his armor then jerked his head back down the street. "Come on, we need to catch up to Sarash."
Sky stared at the door in front of them "What is it with Zen and overly large doors? At least in Solona we have a reason for them."
Slade glanced at Sky while Audrey bent over the gutted panel next to the door. "Almost got it." she said quietly.
Sky walked over to the wall and dropped down next to Sasha. "How are you holding up?"
Sasha waved a hand weakly at him. "Stop hovering, I'll be fine." she paused "You know, in like a year or two."
Sky shook his head as a heavy thud came from the door baring their exit. "Got it." Audrey announced unnecessarily, as the door started to slowly sink into the ground. Sky stood up as light started to crawl over the ceiling of the hallway and he turned to help his mother out when a voice spoke up.
"Well. Isn't this convenient. All my little problems in one nice area to be solved."
Sky turned slowly to stare out into the light, he realized the light came from the dozens of floodlights pointed at the tunnel door. He could make out the shapes of several Terran's standing around, each one looking like the held a weapon in their hands.
Slade spoke up "Zen, you're crazy, this is over. You lost."
A cold chuckle answered Slade, after a few moments Zen spoke again "Actually Slade, you lost. The aliens may have attacked Earth, and you may have gotten free. But in the end, you'll still be dead, and I won't."
Sky took a step forward, he heard the sounds of several bolts clicking into ready positions. "Really Zen? You think you can win with my fleet in orbit? I gave you a chance to surrender, and you didn't take it. Now countless people have died."
Again, the dry cold chuckle. "What makes you think you're fleet is in orbit, you haven't been able to see the sky since you broke into my jail a few hours ago." he paused "Maybe your fleet wasn't enough to beat mine, all it took was a few thermo mines and those ships of yours fell quickly."
Sky watched as a dark figure ran by the floodlights. "Oh yea? What if I say you're lying?"
He watched one of the shadows shake his head. "Commander, if you're fleet had won, do you really think I would be here?"
Sky shook his own head slowly "You've bought your own tripe Zen. You've lost, and yet, you still think that you'll come out on top of this. I've seen your prison and freed your captives. Let me tell you this, you will pay for what you've done, and that reckoning is coming soon."
Zen laughed again. "Oh, and how do you know?"
Sky grinned and glanced at Slade and Audrey, motioning them to take cover behind the door frame. He turned back to Zen. "Because." he announced boldly "Of this." Then he raised a hand and snapped his finger. As he snapped his finger explosions blew out every single flood light, freeing Sky's eyes from their bright glare. He grinned at Zen who glanced behind him at the destroyed flood lights. He turned back to Sky. "Open fire!" he cried as he backed away towards a small bunker.
Sky stood his ground as Zens guards opened fire, none of their bullets found their mark however. Instead, each one found purchase inside the holoshield that had dropped in front of Sky's feet a moment before. One of the guards was quicker on the uptake the the others, he reached for a grenade on his combat harness, as he pulled the pin and drew his arm back, a blue beam struck him in the chest, turning into a green blast that ripped his back open. The guard dropped to the ground, his hand releasing the grenade next to his body. It exploded a few seconds later, scattering the guards who were still shooting at Sky.
As soon as they stopped, Sky darted forward, summoning the energy bead blade as he did. Before the guards had recovered, Sky had already slit two throats and disemboweled another, he cut one guard down at the knees and finished the last one with a stab through the heart. "Gun!" he called out as he ran back towards cover as more guards busted into the warehouse.
As he slid behind a thick wall with bullets impacting all around him, a N60 landed next to his feet. He grinned and snatched it. "Thanks!" he called out as he leaned around and returned fire on the guards, knocking several to the ground.
A new batch of guards rushed in from another door but only made it a few feet before a large flail cut through the wall behind them, ripping two of the guards in half and its shockwave knocking the other five down. Before they could even think about getting up, Rass dropped down in the middle of them and opened fire with one hand while swinging her sword about with the other hand. Two more guards fell to her cannon blasts, while the other three quickly found themselves missing limbs before being stabbed through the gut. The last guard Rass jammed her blade into his chest before kicking him backwards into the ground. She moved on to help Reck, who was darting in between guards, slicing a throat here, and cutting the tendons of a leg there. Jason dropped down from the rafters above and ejected his blade into the gut of one guard while using his arm cannon to blast another three.
Sky turned around as a shadow let him know of a guard sneaking up behind him, before he could his weapon though, the man spun around, grabbing at his neck, and Sky realized that one of the gun shots that filled the warehouse was louder then the others. He heard it again and watched another guard drop to the ground, a hand over her belly.
The fighting continued for another ten minutes at least, although it felt like a few hours to Sky. Eventually though, the last guard fell, his head caved from the force of two omni-wrenches striking at the same time. Ratchet and Stella stood behind him, their face were cold and they turned to face Zen as Sky walked up besides them.
Zen was standing inside his reinforced bunker, staring through the glass at the group. "So, what now?" Stella eventually asked.
Zen glanced between the three of them for once not speaking. Ratchet was quiet for a moment. "We did come to arrest him and bring him to trial in Solona."
Zen appeared to relax slightly.
Sky glanced between the two of them surprised. He turned back to face Zen. "Agreed." he said softly, his fists clenching.
Ratchet took a step forward. "President Wa Zen. My name is Ratchet, I'm a Senior Admiral in the Solona Galactic Army. I hear by offer you one chance to surrender peacefully and answer for your crimes in Solona."
Zen was silent for a full minute, Ratchet spoke up again. "My offer expires in a matter of moment President."
Zen sighed, and he seemed to slump inwards on himself. He realized now that he had lost. But...he straightened as a thought came to him. If he could buy just a few more weeks of time.
Zen stepped forward and opened the door to the bunker, he held his hands out in front of him. "I surrender." he said softly.
Stella took a step forward to restrain him, but before she could, Sky darted forward, his energy blade humming into life on his wrist. Before Stella or Ratchet could react, Sky brought his fist down low and up into Zen's gut. Zen gasped out in pain as he felt the hot blade cut through his skin, only for the burning pain to turn cold a moment later. He gasped again as Sky moved the blade further up his chest. Zen slumped over Sky's form, bringing them both to the ground.
He heard Sky's quiet voice as he spoke, his words chilling Zen. "Do you feel that Zen?" Sky paused and moved his mouth next to Zen's ear. "That cold feeling in your gut as my blade cuts through it. That is the reckoning I warned you about." Sky brought the blade a little higher in Zen's chest bringing another gasp from the impaled president. "for everything you've done. To my mother, to my home, to Solona." Sky paused again "Consider this your trial Zen, I've found you guilty, and I sentence you to death, and damn the consequences." Sky pulled the blade out of his chest, causing the president to gasp in pain again.
Zen surprised Sky when he laughed wetly, red liquid running out of his mouth "You've damned" he paused and drew in another wet breath. "yourself Comm...Commander." he gave that wet laugh again, cutting off into a series of harsh coughs. "Can you live with what comes of this?"
Sky paused "I guess we'll find out." he blinked. "See you in hell." then he drove the blade into Zens heart with a quick jab. As Zen gasped one more time, Sky stepped back and let him fall to the ground, then Sky cried out in rage as he drove the blade one final time into the back of Zen's head. Sky stayed that way, panting heavily for a moment before he relaxed and the blade vanished. He stood up and walked past his sister and his dad, each one of them staring at Sky as he headed for the tunnel.
Stella recovered first, chasing after Sky and grabbing him by the shoulders, spinning him roughly around. "What the hell Sky!?" she cried into his face "What happened to sparing him!? What changed?!"
Sky blinked tears out of his eyes, then he pointed down to the tunnel where Slade and Audrey were helping Sasha out of the tunnel. "That." he said softly.
Stella narrowed her eyes and frowned before facing the tunnel. Sky felt her grip on him weaken as the blood drained from her face. "...Mom..." she whispered, her eyes landing on Sasha. "...But..."
"SASHA!" Ratchets shout startled both of them as he tore past them and wrapped his wife in a hug, spinning her around while she laughed softly. Stella was silent as she walked towards Ratchet and Sasha, still not willing to believe her eyes. Ratchet set Sasha down gently, once again happy. Zen was dead, and Sasha was standing in front of him. He ran a hand over her face "I can't believe it. I thought I had lost you." Ratchet wrapped her in a hug. "Don't ever leave me again. Please." he sobbed suddenly "I didn't know what to do without you."
Sasha laughed again "Obviously you did, you led the fleet here and managed to take down Zen." Sasha glanced at Sky. "Or rather our son did." she turned back to Ratchet "I never gave up on you." She placed a weak hand on Ratchets wrist and guided it down to her belly "Neither of us."
Ratchet smiled again suddenly, his tears of joy starting again. He picked her and spun her again. When he set her down again, Sasha turned around in his grip to face Stella who was still staring at her mother, silent. Sasha smiled, tears in her eyes, reaching a hand out to stroke Stella's face, her finger running along the scar on her face.
That was when Stella started to cry, she broke down right there and buried her face into her mothers neck. After a few minutes of holding her mother, Stella spoke up. "He's gone Mom, Tran is gone. I..." she paused "I thought I lost you both."
Sasha patted Stella gently on the back. "Shh, its okay baby, I'm here." she paused "I'm sorry about Tran, I didn't get to know him very well, but I know he would be proud of you."
Stella looked up at her mother "How do you know that?" she asked softly
Sasha just grinned "I know what you wanted to do to Zen, I could see it from the tunnel, yet you still spared him. Tran would be so proud of you." she paused "I'm proud of you."
"What about me then?"
Sasha turned to face Sky, who continued "I just killed him out of anger. Can you say your proud of me while congratulating Stella on holding in her anger?"
Sasha reached an arm out for Sky, who stepped into the one armed hug "I'm proud of both of you, you did what you felt was right. That. That is what matters to me. As long as you do what you feel is right." Sasha paused. "Now...not to sound needy or anything, but can we please go home?"
Ratchet nodded "Of course." he tapped the side of his helmet. "CR-3, I need a drop ship at my coordinates now, make sure its staffed with a medic." He cut the link before CR-3 could respond, he then leaned past his kids and kissed Sasha deeply. "Your ride is on its way, I just need to wrap up a few things before it gets here."
Sasha nodded as Ratchet stepped away from his family and walked over to where Slade had folded Chessa into a hug. Ratchet waited until Slade stepped away from his daughter. He turned to face Ratchet. "So...What now?"
Ratchet paused "There will be an investigation of course. A lot of people in Solona want to see Earth burn. You'll have to deal with our military presence for now. There is no way around that."
Slade nodded "I figured as much, although right now, I suppose I'm not in any position to agreed to anything. The world still thinks I'm dead, there is no guarantee that I'll even get my old job back."
Ratchet nodded "Then you better offer advice to your replacement if that happens."
Slade glanced out through the busted doors of the warehouse. "There will be violence, Zen may be dead, but a lot of people thought he had it right. They believed his lies and his stories." he turned back to face Ratchet. "It won't end any time soon I'm sorry to say, but a blow has been struck, one that will hopefully end this war peacefully. God knows that's what I want."
Ratchet held out a hand "You and me both."
Slade took it and gave a quick shake. Ratchet spoke up as they dropped each others hand "I'll leave some of my squad here to watch out for you and escort you to wherever you need to go. I'm also leaving my fleet in orbit and my Rangers on the ground on patrols." he paused and glanced at his family. "I'll be in touch. For now thought." he turned back to face Slade. "I'm taking my family home, I suggest you do that same."
Slade nodded and Ratchet walked back towards his family.
- Five Months later – Marcadia -
"There is nothing you can do? You're sure?" his voice was desperate, pleading. His fears were happening all over again.
Angela Cross sighed and glanced through the window where Sasha laid in bed, the small pink cradle next to her holding the new born. She turned back to face Ratchet. "I'm sorry Ratchet, maybe if we had caught it sooner, I would have been able to do something." she sighed "I don't know what this is, but its eating away at her flesh even now." she glanced into Ratchets face, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry." she placed a hand on Ratchet's shoulder "Just be glad that you get to spend time with her, and that the baby checked out."
Ratchet turned away from Angela, letting her hand drop from his shoulder. He paced the hallway for a minute before he tilted his head back and screamed his rage to the ceiling. He punched the wall once, twice, then he kept going until there was a red sheen and a dent where he had been hitting. Angela just watched, shocked. He turned to face her, tears darkening the fur around his face. "Its not fair!" he cried out as he dropped to his knees and sobbed. "Not fair." he repeated
Angela took a step forward and put a hand under his arm and lifted him up. He leaned against her, crying softly, his rage burned out. Angela spoke up. "Should I tell her?"
Ratchet shook his head, his voice muffled by her chest. "No, I'll do it." He pulled away from Angela and walked into the hospital room. He walked over to the pink crib and ran a finger over the head of the sleeping infant. Sasha opened her eyes and glanced around the room, finding Ratchet. She grinned weakly. "So, whats the bad-" she cut off with a hiss as pain tore up her legs, she relaxed a moment later "bad news." she finished.
Ratchet sighed. She held out a hand and he took it. She still had that weak grin on her face "I heard you yell. I know its not good. Just get it over with."
Ratchet blinked and tears started flowing again. His voice was broken and quiet when he spoke "Angela says you have a week to live, if that."
Sasha blinked then glanced over at the crib. "And..." she swallowed hard "Arcina?"
Ratchet patted her hand "Shes fine, healthy as Sky and Stella were when they were born."
Sasha sighed, sinking into the sheets. "That's good. I'm glad." she gave a small tug on Ratchets hand and he sat down on the bed next to her.
"I'm sorry. I tried so hard to protect you before, and now I got you back and it still wasn't enough." he leaned down and buried his head in her chest. "Please don't leave me."
Sasha frowned, not telling Ratchet that the pressure of his head was causing even more pain "I don't think its my choice at this point." she said softly "I wish I could see Arcina grow up." Ratchet lifted his head to meet her eyes, she smiled sadly. "I know you'll do an amazing job, you've had practice after all." Sasha winced "Promise me one thing Ratchet."
"Anything."
"Don't let anger claim you again, promise me you won't let this affect how you treat Earth or anybody else." she glanced over at Arcina "You need to be a good role model after all."
Ratchet glanced at the crib, then back at his wife. "I promise."
Sasha nodded "Make sure Sky and Stella stay safe as well."
Ratchet sighed and gave a quick nod. "I will."
Sasha smiled. "One last thing?"
"Whats that?"
She pulled on his wrist again, pulling him down into a kiss. "I want to spend on last night with my husband."
Ratchet gave a sad smile of his own. "I can do that." he said softly.
Sasha Phyronix died in her sleep a week later, quietly, and with her husband and her children besides her. The funeral was a week later. The entire galaxy watched and mourned the loss of a great hero.
- Marcadia - Cemetery -
Ratchet let the dirt fall from his hands as he read the tombstone once again.
"Here lays Sasha Phyronix, beloved Mother, taken from us too soon."
He felt the tears build up again, he lowered his head. Stella's hand was still on his shoulder as he cried. Sky walked away to meet up with his 'guards'. He was on suspension for what he did to Zen, and his old crew was now assigned as his escort wherever he went to make sure he couldn't escape his court date. Stella watched their shuttle fly off, knowing that there was no way they would lock Sky up. But she knew what he had planned. All she could do was wish him luck.
Ratchet stood up, and Stella let her hand fall from his shoulder. She followed her dad through the quiet cemetery, Arcina still nestled into the crook of her arm. "I can watch Arcina for a few more days if you need me to." she said quietly as they approached their hover car.
Ratchet shook his head as he sat down in the drivers seat. "No." he said softly as Stella buckled Arcina into a car seat in the back, then got into the passenger side. "Arcina already has one less parent to help raise her, I won't have her thinking that I'm not there for her either." he glanced over at Stella. "Thanks though."
Stella nodded as the car lifted off and drove away from the cemetery.
Do you all hate me? I wouldn't be surprised, nor could I blame you for it. After everything I still kill Sasha? I'm not exactly proud of it, but that was the whole point of the Nightmares series, was Sasha dying. That's all I really have to say on the matter currently, but if you keep reading, you'll be surprised about what's ahead.
So first off, this has been one hell of a ride for me, all my little plots and notes and what not. I don't regret a minute of it, but I do have some regrets though. They are based around you, the reader, who ever you are, be you a male or female, young or old.
I'm sorry. I should have been a better writer, I shouldn't have kept you waiting as long as you have to see this story finished. I'm sorry for all the mistakes I made while writing this, and all the plot holes inside it. I promise you that I will go back to fix them some day. But for now, I need to focus on other things.
So, a few thank you's are in order.
The first goes to all my various Beta readers for this story. I don't think any of them even read this anymore, but thank you for what you did, I appreciate it.
Second goes to one of my Best Friends, you know him on this site as Dudeman858, if it wasn't for him, Earth Bound wouldn't exist. Four years ago, I showed him the first few chapters of Nightmares of the Past, and told him they were from some author I had found. His genuine enjoyment of the work inspired me to tell him that I was the one who wrote it. He demanded that I finish it as soon as I told him. He also encouraged me to post it here on FF net. So thanks to him I discovered my love for writing, and I eventually wound up with the Nightmare Series. So, thank you Dudeman858, for putting up with all the teasing emails and texts I sent you about chapters, and for putting up with me as a friend. You're a true friend.
And lastly. You, the reader, for putting up with everything and continuing to read this story. Thank you for the time you took, and for all of you that have left me reviews in the past on this story and its series. Dudeman858 may have been the original person to push me into writing, but if it wasn't for you, I never would have kept posting.
So, with that on your mind, and with what I said earlier, enjoy a little peak at a project I started some time ago. Its not the Generations series, I don't have anything for you from that, I'm still not even sure if I'm going to do it. I'll leave that to you. But that's for after this sneak peak.
/StarCruiser Phoenix II/The Next Day/
Ratchet sat in the commanders chair of the Phoenix thinking about everything that had happened in his life. How he had gone from a rocket mechanic on a backwards dust-ball to the hero of two galaxies. He was still only a young man by Lombax standards, maybe nearing the middle of his life.
"What next?" He thought to himself "Maybe saving another two galaxies?"
Ratchet watched as the Rangers who were on the night shift of the crew went about their duties on the bridge. CR-3 was standing next to him just watching out through the view screens as they slowly left the current star system. Ratchet was counting down until the cool down finished for their next warp point. The bridge doors hissed behind him and Ratchet spun around in the chair to see Sasha walking onto the bridge. Like him she was in a dressed down state, since neither was actually on duty. He was in what most people considered his trade mark look: green cargo pants and a shirt, while Sasha was in black cargo shorts and a purple tank top.
Ratchet watched her as she walked towards him, there was only a little bit of a hint to her limp as she got closer. His eyes roamed over her legs, which were half her own and the rest were cybernetic implants. She had been exposed to a flesh eating virus while in the hands of the dirt crawler Zen. They had gotten as many nanintes in her as her system could stand, but she still couldn't walk anywhere since her legs were half eaten away. They could have been regained with repeated treatments, but Sasha would have been out of the game for a few years. Sasha had chosen the implants and said she would just be like her daughter and carry the scar of what had happened to her with her forever.
The metal started just below her hips and curved down the outsides of both legs and covering her knee caps before forming up the front of her lower legs. Her left foot was normal, but the right foot had been half eaten away as well so the metal continued down over her ankle and down the side of her foot. The result was when she chose to walk barefoot, like now, her every other step had a clink to it.
Sasha come to a stop next to him, replacing CR-3 who saluted and moved down to the control bay below them. She leaned down and gave him a kiss then sitting down on his lap.
"Couldn't sleep either?" She asked him after a while.
Ratchet brushed some of her hair idly as he thought about it. "Yea, just thinking about my life."
"Regret any of it?" she asked.
"Only a few places, none that concern you, except for the parts where I couldn't protect you."
She chuckled "I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself Ratchet."
Ratchet laughed too. "Very true."
They sat like that for another while, just enjoying each others company when Sasha spoke up again.
"I heard from Sky today."
Ratchet looked down at his wife. "Oh?"
"Yea, apparently he and Stella are heading for Bogon later tonight, to visit Angela."
Ratchet raised an eyearch. "Those two taking a vacation, something must be wrong."
Sasha chuckled "I was wondering the same thing, but if there is then Sky doesn't know."
Their peace was interrupted when a urgent beeping began at one of the consoles. CR-3 ran over to it and started pressing keys.
Ratchet craned his head to see down into the pit. "What's up CR-3?"
CR-3 turned back to them and saluted "Urgent Transmission packet from Fizzwidget in Bogon."
Sasha and Ratchet exchanged glances. "Is it live?" Sasha asked
CR-3 shook his head "No sir, its also damaged, as if the transmitter wasn't working right."
Ratchet swallowed hard, this would not be good news. "Play it." He ordered.
CR-3 saluted and turned to the console, he pressed a key and Fizzwidgets voice erupted out of the comm system.
"Ratch-sha-ogon-der atta-ething we hav-n't stop-eed hel-"
Sasha stood up off of Ratchets lap and leaned down to look at CR-3. "Anyway to clean that up?"
CR-3 nodded and pressed a few keys.
Fizzwidgets voice sounded again, still broken but understandable now.
"Ratchet...Sash-Bogon is under attack-y something we havn't seen befor-gela is at a loss, and we can't stop them.-I regret asking but we ne-help, again we need your help.-leas make for Bogon ASAP, or there may be nothing left."
CR-3 turned back to them "That's the best we can do." he replied, sounding sorry.
Ratchet stood up and walked over to Sasha, thinking hard. "Fizzwidget wouldn't joke. Not like this." He turned to Sasha.
"I'll go get dressed." She said and turned running off the bridge.
Ratchet turned to CR-3 "Get me a link to the Galactic Army HQ, I need permission to take this cruiser to Bogon. Then somebody try and raise my kids, Sky and Stella as a priority and Arcina as a secondary, if you get Stella and Sky, tell them to be on the alert, Arcina, tell her to be careful, wherever she is."
Ratchet turned and ran from the bridge heading for his quarters to get changed. "And here I was thinking that after four years, I was starting to get bored. Serves me right."
See, There is a sequel to this where Sasha lives, and if people want to see it, I'll gladly reboot this project and attempt to bring it to you with all the same glory and action that I tried to pack into Earth Bound.
I'll leave it up to you, if you want this happier ending sequel, tell me so, if you want to see the Generations Series, then let me know.
Reviews and PM's. If nobody want's to see either of them...well, I'm fine with that, I've got another Idea that I'm itching to try out. So don't worry, I'm not done in Ratchet and Clank.
I also have one last thing to ask of you, if you've read this far, please, leave a review, and let me know what your thoughts are on this story and what you would like to see from me next.
As my final note to you all, I have a facebook page set up, there is a link to it on my profile. If you want to stay up to date on what I'm working on, including any future Ratchet and Clank stories, head over there and give it a like. Simple as that, you'll now know everything you need to about what I'm up to.
I guess that's everything.
So, to my friends, to my enemies, until next time.
Let peace rule your heart.
-Emile
Fun Facts: Earth Bound is 205 pages in Open Office. The final word count is 126,151. There are 4 deleted chapters for this story.