This is story is loosely based on the Alpha Centauri game but which I hope to evolve into something much bigger. At this stage I just want to see if this beginning generates any interest. Comments much appreciated and thanks for reading.
Brief Timeline Prior to Stories beginning
1992- Morningstar is born in the UK
2010- Morningstar publishes his first book "Our Albion", he uses the funds to invest in his first company.
2015- The two month Chinese/Indian War causes international panic and an increased drive for peace.
2019- Allied forces launch an invasion of unprecedented swiftness using Morningstar Aviation's new Liberator class Airship, 40 of these craft combined with other planes carry some 60,000 soldiers and tanks to key strategic areas in Iran surrounding every major city in a day.
2020- With all traces of nuclear technology removed, Allied forces withdraw resolving to use money not lives to support the new Iranian government.
2025- Morningstar brings his companies under the banner of Morningstar Industries, making him the 9th richest man in the world.
2026- Morningstar is made Person of the Year in Time magazine for his constant and successful investments in some of the world's poorest countries particularly Africa.
2028- 5 separate major incidents between world powers occur in this year, this pattern remains constant for the next few years.
2030- Morningstar lobby's for an international increase in funding for an advanced colonisation program, after one of his scientists Dr.Iblis makes a breakthrough in engine technology.
2031- Construction on UNS Unity begins
2035- Colony ship Unity begins voyage to Alpha Centauri
-----------------------
UNS Unity, Pod Chamber 3, 2075
Cordios Jay Morningstar woke suddenly from his chemically induced stasis unused eyes blinked fitfully against even the dim emergency lighting which was spaced at intervals along the Walls of the long chamber filled with pods and their slumbering residents. The deep thrum of UNS Unity's nuclear engines pervaded the otherwise total silence.
He pushed open the door of his pod and sat up his newly adjusted eyes looking down both sides of the hall, he appeared to be alone for the moment. The last thing he remembered was settling back into the cushioned embrace of the pod. It had been after the initial excitement of blasting away from Earths orbit, those first few hours of knowing they were headed for a new world being at the begining of a new odyessy of unparelled scale.
Being awake should mean they had reached their destination, Alpha Centauri, but were where the attending crew members and physicians? 'something is defenitley wrong' he thought as a tingle ran down his spine at the implications. Any kind of engineering fault might doom them, there would be no aid or rescue available to them, not light years away from Earth.
Around him his fellow passengers, colonists and last hopes of humanity stirred, some pushing open there pods bleary eyes reminiscent of his
own awakening moments earlier.A siren blared and the room was suddenly illuminated by flashing red lights and full power wall lights. The siren continued to assault the senses people clapped hands to their heads wincing after so long in total silence.
Solid steel doors slid open at either end of the room revealing darkened corridors. Above him he heard more passengers awakening, someone jumped down from up above almost falling on legs unused to standing, despite stasis and chemical stimulants, after 40 years laying down.
He clambered out of his own pod, unzipping the matte black jump suit to reveal the clothes he had worn on his last day on Earth; black skinny jeans with waistcoat and shirt. Cordios pulled on converses, vintage from Earth, straightening as he tucked his laces into the side.
Last Hope
Moderator: LadyTevar
-
Morningstar
- Redshirt
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 2010-05-14 05:17pm
- Contact:
Last Hope
Last edited by Morningstar on 2010-05-25 05:36pm, edited 3 times in total.
-
Morningstar
- Redshirt
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 2010-05-14 05:17pm
- Contact:
Re: Last Hope
Sirens continued to wail as he heard running footsteps, dark
shapes dashed past the open doors. 'something is very very wrong'. Suddenly there was a thunderous boom as the ship shook violently throwing those around him to the floor. The noise of the explosion faded to be replaced by a creaking of metal and the cries of the wounded. Cordios leaned against the pod post he'd held onto for support his ears ringing painfully. A thin sliver of fear surfaced momentarily but he ignored now was not the time to lose control of his emotions as had happened to others around him. However as he glanced around he saw most of his fellow passengers were already on there feet a pink haired girl was examining a console screen on the far side of
the room.
He strode towards his natural retience against running holding even here. As he moved Morgan Dube fell in beside him making Cordios glad that he had arranged for them to be in the same pod bay "you ready for this?" Cordios asked smiling at the unecessary nature of his own question.
"what kinda question is that? Damn you always did talk some serious shit"
Cordios raised an eyebrow "how did you once refer to yourself Crazier than a bag of angel dust?
Morgan laughed, that same slightly mad laugh that he'd possessed his whole life but at least he could take things seriously when it counted which was a contrast to James who was incapable of being serious even for a moment. 'Wonderwhere he is now...' he looked down at the pink haired girl who's fingers were a blur moving around the touch screen
fast as only the best hackers could. He regonised her now Zara Newborn she'd been a rogue hacker for years before being offered a deal she couldn't refuse by MI5. "Whats going on? Where are we?"she didn't reply and he began to repeat himself "wha..."
"alright alright chill the fuck out Jesus pretty obvious there's been an explosion as for where we are" she tapped the screen again "we are currently ten minutes away from Alpha Centauri" a wave of relief washed a away the tension he'd not even been aware he was feeling, they were not stranded in the void they had done it. The future awaited them now. Another explosion rocked the ship and the tension
returned. "what the hell is going on? Where's the bloody crew?" Zara tapped the screen for a few moments and what she read cause her face to turn White "the internal engines are failing, external conduits are already overloading there responsible for the explosion and the two hull breaches, I estimate we've got maybe 15 minutes before the ship explodes"
He paused only moment mind racing "Zara I need you to download everything you can from the ships records, Morgan round everyone up get them moving towards the nearest colony pod" Morgan nodded moving towards the nearest colonists
"what am I meant to download to!" he grinned inwardly by puzzling her she accepted his instructions "here" he said pulling an omni phone from a secret compartment in the sole of his shoe "use this it's not even a prototype it's designed just for me so have fun" her eyes widened as she made the obvious conclusion but she turned right back to the screen as Cordios walked away "I always knew this would be my greatest challenge, I just didn't know it'd be this exciting".
------------------
UNS Unity, Pod Chamber 7, 2075
Colonel Santagia was a resolute woman. Stronger, faster and tougher than any man or woman shed ever encountered. She had been born to lead and now was an oppourtunity to leave behind the patriachal shackles of Earth's decadent past and forge a new world in her own image but first to get off this ship.
"Captain take a squad and secure second colony pod 3, using the engineering tunnel it is the closest" Captain Valair saluted sharply and headed off down the corridor towards his objective 'It is good to see some discipline has been retained, I will make these men and women an army to make the Spartans themselves proud."
UNS Unity, Outside of Colony Pod 3, 2075
Cordios Morningstar was never aggressive. Never confrontational. However those who had experienced his anger unleashed had judged it a primal thing. So when confronted by security officers of the UNS Unity demanding that he allow them access to the colony pod 3 his initial reaction was to pacify them.
"Gentlemen, your presence is necessary and we have no time to waste arguing the ship will explode any minute now I do not intend to be on it when that happens. You are welcome to join the other passengers but that is your only option" One part of him questioned what he was doing why argue with security officers wasn't this part of their jobs? But something about there demeanour suggested ulterior and every fibre of his being screamed at him not to allow them control of the colony pod or this situation.
"Stand aside. I am a Captain here under orders from chief security officer Colonel Santiago." he took a step forward, his men following "You will let us pass or I will have no option but to use force" Morgan chuckled at these words a slow grin spreading across his face, Cordios realised the inevitable outcome of this confrontation and head butted the guard in front of him. Simultaneously Morgan slammed his fist into a guards jaw knocking him out cold, laughing and with adrenaline pumping in their veins they surged into the middle of there new enemies.
UNS Unity, Inside Colony Pod 3, 2075
Zara was trying to maintain her calm. It was difficult to maintain her concentration under this kind of pressure, in two minutes Unity would explode along with all 50,000 of its passengers and crew. She had to activate the colony pod and disengage it from the main ship right now. The power bars raised and she sighed in relief, she tapped her com badge "Cordios, Morgan get on now!!"
shapes dashed past the open doors. 'something is very very wrong'. Suddenly there was a thunderous boom as the ship shook violently throwing those around him to the floor. The noise of the explosion faded to be replaced by a creaking of metal and the cries of the wounded. Cordios leaned against the pod post he'd held onto for support his ears ringing painfully. A thin sliver of fear surfaced momentarily but he ignored now was not the time to lose control of his emotions as had happened to others around him. However as he glanced around he saw most of his fellow passengers were already on there feet a pink haired girl was examining a console screen on the far side of
the room.
He strode towards his natural retience against running holding even here. As he moved Morgan Dube fell in beside him making Cordios glad that he had arranged for them to be in the same pod bay "you ready for this?" Cordios asked smiling at the unecessary nature of his own question.
"what kinda question is that? Damn you always did talk some serious shit"
Cordios raised an eyebrow "how did you once refer to yourself Crazier than a bag of angel dust?
Morgan laughed, that same slightly mad laugh that he'd possessed his whole life but at least he could take things seriously when it counted which was a contrast to James who was incapable of being serious even for a moment. 'Wonderwhere he is now...' he looked down at the pink haired girl who's fingers were a blur moving around the touch screen
fast as only the best hackers could. He regonised her now Zara Newborn she'd been a rogue hacker for years before being offered a deal she couldn't refuse by MI5. "Whats going on? Where are we?"she didn't reply and he began to repeat himself "wha..."
"alright alright chill the fuck out Jesus pretty obvious there's been an explosion as for where we are" she tapped the screen again "we are currently ten minutes away from Alpha Centauri" a wave of relief washed a away the tension he'd not even been aware he was feeling, they were not stranded in the void they had done it. The future awaited them now. Another explosion rocked the ship and the tension
returned. "what the hell is going on? Where's the bloody crew?" Zara tapped the screen for a few moments and what she read cause her face to turn White "the internal engines are failing, external conduits are already overloading there responsible for the explosion and the two hull breaches, I estimate we've got maybe 15 minutes before the ship explodes"
He paused only moment mind racing "Zara I need you to download everything you can from the ships records, Morgan round everyone up get them moving towards the nearest colony pod" Morgan nodded moving towards the nearest colonists
"what am I meant to download to!" he grinned inwardly by puzzling her she accepted his instructions "here" he said pulling an omni phone from a secret compartment in the sole of his shoe "use this it's not even a prototype it's designed just for me so have fun" her eyes widened as she made the obvious conclusion but she turned right back to the screen as Cordios walked away "I always knew this would be my greatest challenge, I just didn't know it'd be this exciting".
------------------
UNS Unity, Pod Chamber 7, 2075
Colonel Santagia was a resolute woman. Stronger, faster and tougher than any man or woman shed ever encountered. She had been born to lead and now was an oppourtunity to leave behind the patriachal shackles of Earth's decadent past and forge a new world in her own image but first to get off this ship.
"Captain take a squad and secure second colony pod 3, using the engineering tunnel it is the closest" Captain Valair saluted sharply and headed off down the corridor towards his objective 'It is good to see some discipline has been retained, I will make these men and women an army to make the Spartans themselves proud."
UNS Unity, Outside of Colony Pod 3, 2075
Cordios Morningstar was never aggressive. Never confrontational. However those who had experienced his anger unleashed had judged it a primal thing. So when confronted by security officers of the UNS Unity demanding that he allow them access to the colony pod 3 his initial reaction was to pacify them.
"Gentlemen, your presence is necessary and we have no time to waste arguing the ship will explode any minute now I do not intend to be on it when that happens. You are welcome to join the other passengers but that is your only option" One part of him questioned what he was doing why argue with security officers wasn't this part of their jobs? But something about there demeanour suggested ulterior and every fibre of his being screamed at him not to allow them control of the colony pod or this situation.
"Stand aside. I am a Captain here under orders from chief security officer Colonel Santiago." he took a step forward, his men following "You will let us pass or I will have no option but to use force" Morgan chuckled at these words a slow grin spreading across his face, Cordios realised the inevitable outcome of this confrontation and head butted the guard in front of him. Simultaneously Morgan slammed his fist into a guards jaw knocking him out cold, laughing and with adrenaline pumping in their veins they surged into the middle of there new enemies.
UNS Unity, Inside Colony Pod 3, 2075
Zara was trying to maintain her calm. It was difficult to maintain her concentration under this kind of pressure, in two minutes Unity would explode along with all 50,000 of its passengers and crew. She had to activate the colony pod and disengage it from the main ship right now. The power bars raised and she sighed in relief, she tapped her com badge "Cordios, Morgan get on now!!"
-
Morningstar
- Redshirt
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 2010-05-14 05:17pm
- Contact:
Re: Last Hope
Cordios released his grip from around the security officers neck letting him collapse on the steel floor with a sickening thud.
"Morgan, come on its time to go." Morgan looked up from the mans face he had reduced to a bloody pulp "You may as well leave him, they'll all be atoms soon enough." He shrugged in acquiescence before following Cordios into the airlock.
"So" Morgan grinned "look's like we've got opponents already. Guess we weren't the only people to have special plans for this mission"
"True. Though I suppose they could have been there legitimately, it's possible that the chief security officer was concerned for our well being." He paused. "It makes no difference of course I have no intention of letting this colony pod fall into anyone else's hand's. Something has gone very wrong with this mission but all that means is my plans are accelerated, we shall have to take control of this colony pod immediately as for the other six I fear that they too will fall under the influence of the individual, rather then remembering the mission."
"Thats what you want to happen here though right?" said Morgan
"Doesn't mean I'm jumping up and down with excitement at the prospect of dealing with a potential six opponents." he said as they stepped inside the colony pod. He pressed a button in the wall and the airlock door closed behind them.
Morgan tapped his com badge "Zara take off when your ready." Cordios felt the pod shudder as it pulled away from the ship and he began to walk to the front of the pod where Zara was piloting them towards the planet.
Stepping inside the control pit he greeted Zara cheerily " Well looks like we made it with plen..." The pod shook violently and looking back towards were they had left the UNS Unity he saw only a miniature sun as the entire ship disappeared in a violent explosion that when the light faded left nothing in tact. Falling away from where the ship had once been were what he recognised as the resource pods filled with supplies, technology and transportation for the colonization of the planet below, they quickly overtook the much larger colony pods which were only now accelerating towards the planet propelled by the shockwave of Unity's destruction.
"Hold on!!!" yelled Zara "were about to enter the atmosphere!!" The relief Cordios had felt at escaping the fate the ship disappeared as a wall of fire engulfed the the ship as they entered the virgin atmosphere of Alpha Centauri. He gripped the sides of his chair hard, he could hear his heart beat thunder loudly even over the shaking of the colony pod.
Morgan yelled in delight behind him "Wooohhoooooo!!! Hell yeah! This is the mother fucking shit right here!! Wohooo!!!" Cordios grinned and joined in, as if this was nothing more than an exciting roller-coaster back on Earth. Zara looked at them both as if they were crazy and kept her mouth firmly shut, he guessed she was trying not to be sick.
They cleared the upper atmosphere and the wall of fire disappeared moments before they flew into a sea of cloud and out the other side revealing the landscape below. 'We've really done it. Were actually going to live on a totally new world.' he thought. It had never really hit home before 'Though if I dont start paying attention we might not actually land alive'. He turned to Zara who was staring frantically at the mind boggling amount of controls.
"I don't know what to do!" she squeaked "Oh my god were going to die aren't we?" Cordios shook his head gently.
"Don't worry. Being rich has it's advantages, I can actually fly this thing." Zara's relief was palpable and he laughed "Kind of." She blanched again." Morgan see if there's an actual pilot in this pod" Morgan nodded and left the control pit. Cordios turned back to the controls and grabbing the joystick pulled it up gently, causing the colony pod to level out slightly instead of nose diving towards the ground. Cordios was qualified to fly the fastest fighter jets around and even large commercial planes trouble was the colony pod was at least ten times the size of the biggest air bus back on earth. It would be since it carried seven thousand people. He frowned as he tried to decide how he was going to land this thing.
"Need any help?" a voice he didn't recognise said behind, the accent was British but with a faint middle eastern sound to it. "Excuse me miss" he said to Zara she stood up straight away and the man sat down. " Name's Vania. Let's see if I can land this thing" He flicked a couple of switches and Cordios recognised a true expert at work as he gently eased the joystick to the right level. He pressed the intercom button "All passengers insure you are properly secured we are about to land and its going to be rough." He released the intercom and took a deep breath as he pressed a large blue button while at the same time yanking the joystick upwards. Suddenly the angle changed completely as Cordios found himself staring back into the sky, Vania pressed another button and giant parachutes obscured Cordios' view of the cloud's. He felt the pod slow its descent considerably as outside metal wings extended to further slow there journey towards to the ground. Vania sighed in relief "Well thank God that worked huh? All every experimental that stuff but seems everything is within normal parameters well land in approximately twenty seconds." At these words Cordios felt him self coming down from his natural adrenaline based high and he grinned weakly at there pilot.
He extended a hand "Cordios Morningstar pleasure to meet you." Vania's eyebrows raised up at this.
"The Cordios Morningstar? Head of Morningstar Industries and international womaniser?" Cordios laughed and nodded in agreement.
"I suppose so. Though that's not really very important here, this is a whole new world." And with those words seven thousand human being's from every nation on Earth landed on the surface of Alpha Centauri.
"Morgan, come on its time to go." Morgan looked up from the mans face he had reduced to a bloody pulp "You may as well leave him, they'll all be atoms soon enough." He shrugged in acquiescence before following Cordios into the airlock.
"So" Morgan grinned "look's like we've got opponents already. Guess we weren't the only people to have special plans for this mission"
"True. Though I suppose they could have been there legitimately, it's possible that the chief security officer was concerned for our well being." He paused. "It makes no difference of course I have no intention of letting this colony pod fall into anyone else's hand's. Something has gone very wrong with this mission but all that means is my plans are accelerated, we shall have to take control of this colony pod immediately as for the other six I fear that they too will fall under the influence of the individual, rather then remembering the mission."
"Thats what you want to happen here though right?" said Morgan
"Doesn't mean I'm jumping up and down with excitement at the prospect of dealing with a potential six opponents." he said as they stepped inside the colony pod. He pressed a button in the wall and the airlock door closed behind them.
Morgan tapped his com badge "Zara take off when your ready." Cordios felt the pod shudder as it pulled away from the ship and he began to walk to the front of the pod where Zara was piloting them towards the planet.
Stepping inside the control pit he greeted Zara cheerily " Well looks like we made it with plen..." The pod shook violently and looking back towards were they had left the UNS Unity he saw only a miniature sun as the entire ship disappeared in a violent explosion that when the light faded left nothing in tact. Falling away from where the ship had once been were what he recognised as the resource pods filled with supplies, technology and transportation for the colonization of the planet below, they quickly overtook the much larger colony pods which were only now accelerating towards the planet propelled by the shockwave of Unity's destruction.
"Hold on!!!" yelled Zara "were about to enter the atmosphere!!" The relief Cordios had felt at escaping the fate the ship disappeared as a wall of fire engulfed the the ship as they entered the virgin atmosphere of Alpha Centauri. He gripped the sides of his chair hard, he could hear his heart beat thunder loudly even over the shaking of the colony pod.
Morgan yelled in delight behind him "Wooohhoooooo!!! Hell yeah! This is the mother fucking shit right here!! Wohooo!!!" Cordios grinned and joined in, as if this was nothing more than an exciting roller-coaster back on Earth. Zara looked at them both as if they were crazy and kept her mouth firmly shut, he guessed she was trying not to be sick.
They cleared the upper atmosphere and the wall of fire disappeared moments before they flew into a sea of cloud and out the other side revealing the landscape below. 'We've really done it. Were actually going to live on a totally new world.' he thought. It had never really hit home before 'Though if I dont start paying attention we might not actually land alive'. He turned to Zara who was staring frantically at the mind boggling amount of controls.
"I don't know what to do!" she squeaked "Oh my god were going to die aren't we?" Cordios shook his head gently.
"Don't worry. Being rich has it's advantages, I can actually fly this thing." Zara's relief was palpable and he laughed "Kind of." She blanched again." Morgan see if there's an actual pilot in this pod" Morgan nodded and left the control pit. Cordios turned back to the controls and grabbing the joystick pulled it up gently, causing the colony pod to level out slightly instead of nose diving towards the ground. Cordios was qualified to fly the fastest fighter jets around and even large commercial planes trouble was the colony pod was at least ten times the size of the biggest air bus back on earth. It would be since it carried seven thousand people. He frowned as he tried to decide how he was going to land this thing.
"Need any help?" a voice he didn't recognise said behind, the accent was British but with a faint middle eastern sound to it. "Excuse me miss" he said to Zara she stood up straight away and the man sat down. " Name's Vania. Let's see if I can land this thing" He flicked a couple of switches and Cordios recognised a true expert at work as he gently eased the joystick to the right level. He pressed the intercom button "All passengers insure you are properly secured we are about to land and its going to be rough." He released the intercom and took a deep breath as he pressed a large blue button while at the same time yanking the joystick upwards. Suddenly the angle changed completely as Cordios found himself staring back into the sky, Vania pressed another button and giant parachutes obscured Cordios' view of the cloud's. He felt the pod slow its descent considerably as outside metal wings extended to further slow there journey towards to the ground. Vania sighed in relief "Well thank God that worked huh? All every experimental that stuff but seems everything is within normal parameters well land in approximately twenty seconds." At these words Cordios felt him self coming down from his natural adrenaline based high and he grinned weakly at there pilot.
He extended a hand "Cordios Morningstar pleasure to meet you." Vania's eyebrows raised up at this.
"The Cordios Morningstar? Head of Morningstar Industries and international womaniser?" Cordios laughed and nodded in agreement.
"I suppose so. Though that's not really very important here, this is a whole new world." And with those words seven thousand human being's from every nation on Earth landed on the surface of Alpha Centauri.
-
Morningstar
- Redshirt
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 2010-05-14 05:17pm
- Contact:
Re: Last Hope
Plains of Fire, Morningstar Territory, Alpha Centauri, 2076
The sharp crack of semi-automatic rifles filled the air, as the peoples of Alpha Centauri fought and died for much the same reasons as there ancestors had from the dawn of man millennia ago on Earth.
Colonel Tom Williams had been born in London's east end old enough to have experienced the last lingering poverty of Great Britain. He had served in His Majesty's armed forces as a member of the famous SAS for ten years before taking a job as head of security for Morningstar Industries in Zimbabwe, he had been one of many company employees added to the supposedly UN run project in secret by the companies CEO and majority share holder Cordios Morningstar. The idea had been simple enough, fill the project with company people and the company controls the project. But the UN had stringent checks on those joining the Unity flight. So things hadn't turned out as they had hoped.
He raised binoculars to his eyes surveying the grandly named plains of fire the outermost edge of the territory claimed by Morningstar. The plains of fire where the main geographical feature separating their territory from that of the Spartans essentially two hundred square miles of lava filled pits and cracked earth it made for some miserable combat. Compared to Earth conflicts the number of combatants was tiny but the war had already claimed a frightening amount of lives given the total population.
His forces were essentially engaged in sniping at the enemy both sides unwilling to make any kind of costly advancement which would lead to nothing but putting you deeper into enemy territory.
He sighed thinking 'what a waste of time, neither side seriously wants to advance but I'm stuck here watching a long distance shooting match. It'll be a surprise if anyone's even injured."
Suddenly a roaring sound filled the air filling his ears even through his filtration mask. The raised his binoculars again and saw what appeared to be 'cars? what the...' They had four wheels but a long body like early 20th century racing cars but were far more deadly. He estimated them to be moving in excess of 100 hundred miles an hour. As they tore through his lines a frontal emplacement with some kind of grenade launcher causing explosions as two machine guns opened up on either side. His men fired back but were quickly cut down in a hail of leaded death he willed them to stay down.
"Order all units to concentrate fire on the wheels of those vechiles as they make their turn, then pull back to the trucks. All transports move forward to pick up their units" he shouted. He counted ten of these things they must be modified recon rovers ' lets hope they don't have any more'.
Cairhein, Morningstar Territory, Alpha Centauri, 2076
Cordios looked up from the padd in front of him, the command centre was in a form of organised chaos as the forces of Morningstar Industries returned from there first defeat. Casualties were bad but could have been much worse were it not for Colonel Williams leadership, he had chosen well with that man.
These modified rovers would a problem until they produced their own, fortunately he had a much quicker short term solution rockets and mines would help contain the rovers power. The main problem was speed but this also meant they had nothing the way of armour so they should be relatively easy to destroy, in theory.
It made it clear however that the Spartans were a problem that wasn't going to disappear and that there militaristic nature was difficult for his economically based strategies to deal with. In the long such a philosophy would prove the better he was sure but right now he would need a more militaristic approach if they were to survive.
"Sir" he turned his gaze to his personal aide Crosby " Dr Jones just called to ask if you'll come visit him at the earliest opportunity he says it involves the Omega project."
"Alright Crosby stay here and monitor my calls and deal with any visitors, I'm heading over to the labs."
Research and Development Centre, Cairhein, AC, 2076
Dr Alexander Jones fretted over his notes trying to organise them into something resembling order. 'Should have tidied before I asked Morningstar here why on earth to I leave things in such a mess looks so unproffesional..."
h
"Doctor Jones a pleasure as always, what do you have for me?" Jones spun round to see his employer for 15, no 55 years standing behind him.
"Ah sir, I have success!! One of my teams headed my Dr Patel has found another artifact and it's mostly intact! I have great hopes for it."
Cordios fought to control his excitement 'success and so soon! This could provide the edge we need...' he thought. Outloud he said "Excellent news Doctor and what is the nature of the artifact?"
"It appears to be plasma based technology a small generator of some kind is my preliminary finding and I believe it to be capable of producing vast amounts of energy. I hope to be able to up-scale it to provide energy for the city in the future though of course the nuclear generator will serve for now. From a military aspect I am less confident, it is difficult to see exactly what kind of weapon it would be perhaps some form of mortar? If this would achieved I believe it would be capable of producing an unprecedented level of damage for a weapon it's size." he finished drawing a deep breath.
Cordios mind raced, an edge indeed! This might easily restore the balance between them and the Spartan's tip it in their favour if it could be mounted on their own version of the rover. "Keep me informed Doctor. Excellent work. Commend Dr Patel for me." The doctor nodded enthusiastically as Cordios turned to leave. 'Ha! We'll see how you like eating plasma Santiago!"
The sharp crack of semi-automatic rifles filled the air, as the peoples of Alpha Centauri fought and died for much the same reasons as there ancestors had from the dawn of man millennia ago on Earth.
Colonel Tom Williams had been born in London's east end old enough to have experienced the last lingering poverty of Great Britain. He had served in His Majesty's armed forces as a member of the famous SAS for ten years before taking a job as head of security for Morningstar Industries in Zimbabwe, he had been one of many company employees added to the supposedly UN run project in secret by the companies CEO and majority share holder Cordios Morningstar. The idea had been simple enough, fill the project with company people and the company controls the project. But the UN had stringent checks on those joining the Unity flight. So things hadn't turned out as they had hoped.
He raised binoculars to his eyes surveying the grandly named plains of fire the outermost edge of the territory claimed by Morningstar. The plains of fire where the main geographical feature separating their territory from that of the Spartans essentially two hundred square miles of lava filled pits and cracked earth it made for some miserable combat. Compared to Earth conflicts the number of combatants was tiny but the war had already claimed a frightening amount of lives given the total population.
His forces were essentially engaged in sniping at the enemy both sides unwilling to make any kind of costly advancement which would lead to nothing but putting you deeper into enemy territory.
He sighed thinking 'what a waste of time, neither side seriously wants to advance but I'm stuck here watching a long distance shooting match. It'll be a surprise if anyone's even injured."
Suddenly a roaring sound filled the air filling his ears even through his filtration mask. The raised his binoculars again and saw what appeared to be 'cars? what the...' They had four wheels but a long body like early 20th century racing cars but were far more deadly. He estimated them to be moving in excess of 100 hundred miles an hour. As they tore through his lines a frontal emplacement with some kind of grenade launcher causing explosions as two machine guns opened up on either side. His men fired back but were quickly cut down in a hail of leaded death he willed them to stay down.
"Order all units to concentrate fire on the wheels of those vechiles as they make their turn, then pull back to the trucks. All transports move forward to pick up their units" he shouted. He counted ten of these things they must be modified recon rovers ' lets hope they don't have any more'.
Cairhein, Morningstar Territory, Alpha Centauri, 2076
Cordios looked up from the padd in front of him, the command centre was in a form of organised chaos as the forces of Morningstar Industries returned from there first defeat. Casualties were bad but could have been much worse were it not for Colonel Williams leadership, he had chosen well with that man.
These modified rovers would a problem until they produced their own, fortunately he had a much quicker short term solution rockets and mines would help contain the rovers power. The main problem was speed but this also meant they had nothing the way of armour so they should be relatively easy to destroy, in theory.
It made it clear however that the Spartans were a problem that wasn't going to disappear and that there militaristic nature was difficult for his economically based strategies to deal with. In the long such a philosophy would prove the better he was sure but right now he would need a more militaristic approach if they were to survive.
"Sir" he turned his gaze to his personal aide Crosby " Dr Jones just called to ask if you'll come visit him at the earliest opportunity he says it involves the Omega project."
"Alright Crosby stay here and monitor my calls and deal with any visitors, I'm heading over to the labs."
Research and Development Centre, Cairhein, AC, 2076
Dr Alexander Jones fretted over his notes trying to organise them into something resembling order. 'Should have tidied before I asked Morningstar here why on earth to I leave things in such a mess looks so unproffesional..."
h
"Doctor Jones a pleasure as always, what do you have for me?" Jones spun round to see his employer for 15, no 55 years standing behind him.
"Ah sir, I have success!! One of my teams headed my Dr Patel has found another artifact and it's mostly intact! I have great hopes for it."
Cordios fought to control his excitement 'success and so soon! This could provide the edge we need...' he thought. Outloud he said "Excellent news Doctor and what is the nature of the artifact?"
"It appears to be plasma based technology a small generator of some kind is my preliminary finding and I believe it to be capable of producing vast amounts of energy. I hope to be able to up-scale it to provide energy for the city in the future though of course the nuclear generator will serve for now. From a military aspect I am less confident, it is difficult to see exactly what kind of weapon it would be perhaps some form of mortar? If this would achieved I believe it would be capable of producing an unprecedented level of damage for a weapon it's size." he finished drawing a deep breath.
Cordios mind raced, an edge indeed! This might easily restore the balance between them and the Spartan's tip it in their favour if it could be mounted on their own version of the rover. "Keep me informed Doctor. Excellent work. Commend Dr Patel for me." The doctor nodded enthusiastically as Cordios turned to leave. 'Ha! We'll see how you like eating plasma Santiago!"
Last edited by Morningstar on 2010-07-14 03:10pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Morningstar
- Redshirt
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 2010-05-14 05:17pm
- Contact:
Re: Last Hope
New Dawn Square, Cairhein, Eastern Continent, AC, 2076
Our first challenge is to create an entire economic infrastructure, from top to bottom, out of whole cloth. No gradual evolution from previous economic systems is possible, because there is no previous economic system. Each interdependent piece must be materialized simultaneously and in perfect working order; otherwise the system will crash out before it ever gets off the ground.
Cordios Morningstar, Orders in Council
It had been no easy task building this city here on this new world, a triumph of will not seen for over a century on Earth. Of course all those here were humanity's finest representatives selectively chosen because they were the best, the most qualified perhaps overly so. Infantrymen with degrees in humanities were not uncommon and truck drivers who were actually fully qualified engineers were too frequent. But this was a virgin society taking its first tentative steps. Everything was artificial with no possibility of the natural growth of civilisation of Earth which had slowly grown over millennia. No they were fully aware of modern values, technology and the structure of society. Thus excessive centralisation and 'government power was the result, Morningstar and his parallels at the head of the other factions had an unlimited amount power only comparative to the Tsars of Russia or the leaders of North Korea. Already unintentional and intentional cults of personality had sprung up with natural deference to a leaders decisions the norm.
Morningstar was well aware of his own cult of personality and while he might protest such deference on principle it was too convinient especially in the face of his enemies own cults to maintain and even encourage his own. He at least encouraged people to question his commands seeing a lack of debate as a debilatating weakness. Also he had formed the Primoris Lex Legis or First Laws these were not limits on his power as much as the establishment of basic human rights and laws which covered every legal circumstance humanity had yet encountered.
He paused at the Fountain of Hope, he would confess to his indulgence in grand names, thinking of what it symbolised and what he hoped to accomplish. Here on Alpha Centauri was a chance to unite one planet completely under one persons leadership that had always been his ambition since the earliest days of the Unity project. His long term hope was that they would be able to influence the nations of Earth with this solidarity and so unite all of humanity under one banner. But now these dreams seemed turned to ash.The unification of AC would undoubtedly take years or even decades if it happened at all. And what we be left by the time he finished? The population was tiny. He had grown up in a town with a larger population and a city with one 20 times as big. With modern weapons the chances for driving the population of this planet to extinction was high. But yet what was the alternative? He had not started this conflict with Colonel Santiago's Spartans but it was a very real one.
Cordios sighed inwardly this was not what he had intended but it was what he was left with. He of course had several contingency plans for this kind of thing and several advantages given that he always planned on seizing control but many of these plans made him uncomfortable. In particular Project Phoniex which would probably guarantee his victory but the moral implications of which he was not prepared to accept yet.
His revery was interrupted by the familiar voice of his Chief Engineer Locum Kane on his personal communicator "Sir" his voice was a husky gravel brought upon by a lifetime of heavy smoking " we have a... problem at the primary factory I'd appreciate it if you'd come down here."
"Whats the problem Locum?" he said trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.
"It's this request for a modified rover design that I've received from Colonel Williams."
"What about it? It seems fairly obvious that we need our own equivalent to the Spartans vehicle."
"That's the problem sir I disagree with that assessment and I've got the good Colonel here asking me the same question you are, he doesn't agree with my assessment." Cordios sighed inwardly this kind of arbitration seemed to take up most of his time but it had to be done. In truth he knew he should have talked to the Chief before signing off on the rover production order, this argument was as a direct result of that oversight.
"I'm on my way chief." he said as he began the five minute walk to the Primary Factory, the only one really, behind him his constant shadow followed discretely as possible.
The Hive, Hive Territory, Western Continent, AC, 2076
I maintain nonetheless that yin-yang dualism can be overcome. With sufficient enlightenment we can give substance to any distinction: mind without body, north without south, pleasure without pain. Remember, enlightenment is a function of willpower, not of physical strength.
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Essays on Mind and Matter"
Chairman Yang surveyed his domain in its fullness and order, looking down on the essentially 1 story settlement spread out before him. Order and obedience would be essential for survival on the just hospitable planet of Alpha Centauri. The chaos and decadence of Earths west must not be repeated here, all the colonists would be brought unto his vision and leadership. 'Opposition cannot be tolerated. Factionalism must be quashed. My leadership will lead humanity to an ideological paradise of inner peace and contentment. First the moral-less Professor Zhakarov and his decadent intellectuals, the left overs of the bourgeoisie wastefulness must be crushed. They actually dare to create a physical reality of the ivory tower metaphor!! His insidous amorality will nothing more than a footnote in the glorious history of the Hive!.' He gripped the window ledge hard and forced himself to slow his breathing. Inner peace must be maintained, how else could he make the correct decisions for the... his people.
"Chairman" his Internal Security Chief Ramanov said "we have arrested five individuals for protesting against the conditions of the living quarters. What shall we do with them?"
Yang didn't even bother to turn round "Execute the ringleader. The others are now indentured labourers. We will deal with all dissenters thus. It is only regrettable that the size of the population prevents proper justice being served. From now on kill the ringleaders and indenture any other protesters. Double patrols for the next week to make no more dissent infects the populace."
"Your will be done Chairman." he said as he saluted and left the room. Yang continued to stair out of the window 'Peace must be maintained.'
Our first challenge is to create an entire economic infrastructure, from top to bottom, out of whole cloth. No gradual evolution from previous economic systems is possible, because there is no previous economic system. Each interdependent piece must be materialized simultaneously and in perfect working order; otherwise the system will crash out before it ever gets off the ground.
Cordios Morningstar, Orders in Council
It had been no easy task building this city here on this new world, a triumph of will not seen for over a century on Earth. Of course all those here were humanity's finest representatives selectively chosen because they were the best, the most qualified perhaps overly so. Infantrymen with degrees in humanities were not uncommon and truck drivers who were actually fully qualified engineers were too frequent. But this was a virgin society taking its first tentative steps. Everything was artificial with no possibility of the natural growth of civilisation of Earth which had slowly grown over millennia. No they were fully aware of modern values, technology and the structure of society. Thus excessive centralisation and 'government power was the result, Morningstar and his parallels at the head of the other factions had an unlimited amount power only comparative to the Tsars of Russia or the leaders of North Korea. Already unintentional and intentional cults of personality had sprung up with natural deference to a leaders decisions the norm.
Morningstar was well aware of his own cult of personality and while he might protest such deference on principle it was too convinient especially in the face of his enemies own cults to maintain and even encourage his own. He at least encouraged people to question his commands seeing a lack of debate as a debilatating weakness. Also he had formed the Primoris Lex Legis or First Laws these were not limits on his power as much as the establishment of basic human rights and laws which covered every legal circumstance humanity had yet encountered.
He paused at the Fountain of Hope, he would confess to his indulgence in grand names, thinking of what it symbolised and what he hoped to accomplish. Here on Alpha Centauri was a chance to unite one planet completely under one persons leadership that had always been his ambition since the earliest days of the Unity project. His long term hope was that they would be able to influence the nations of Earth with this solidarity and so unite all of humanity under one banner. But now these dreams seemed turned to ash.The unification of AC would undoubtedly take years or even decades if it happened at all. And what we be left by the time he finished? The population was tiny. He had grown up in a town with a larger population and a city with one 20 times as big. With modern weapons the chances for driving the population of this planet to extinction was high. But yet what was the alternative? He had not started this conflict with Colonel Santiago's Spartans but it was a very real one.
Cordios sighed inwardly this was not what he had intended but it was what he was left with. He of course had several contingency plans for this kind of thing and several advantages given that he always planned on seizing control but many of these plans made him uncomfortable. In particular Project Phoniex which would probably guarantee his victory but the moral implications of which he was not prepared to accept yet.
His revery was interrupted by the familiar voice of his Chief Engineer Locum Kane on his personal communicator "Sir" his voice was a husky gravel brought upon by a lifetime of heavy smoking " we have a... problem at the primary factory I'd appreciate it if you'd come down here."
"Whats the problem Locum?" he said trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.
"It's this request for a modified rover design that I've received from Colonel Williams."
"What about it? It seems fairly obvious that we need our own equivalent to the Spartans vehicle."
"That's the problem sir I disagree with that assessment and I've got the good Colonel here asking me the same question you are, he doesn't agree with my assessment." Cordios sighed inwardly this kind of arbitration seemed to take up most of his time but it had to be done. In truth he knew he should have talked to the Chief before signing off on the rover production order, this argument was as a direct result of that oversight.
"I'm on my way chief." he said as he began the five minute walk to the Primary Factory, the only one really, behind him his constant shadow followed discretely as possible.
The Hive, Hive Territory, Western Continent, AC, 2076
I maintain nonetheless that yin-yang dualism can be overcome. With sufficient enlightenment we can give substance to any distinction: mind without body, north without south, pleasure without pain. Remember, enlightenment is a function of willpower, not of physical strength.
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Essays on Mind and Matter"
Chairman Yang surveyed his domain in its fullness and order, looking down on the essentially 1 story settlement spread out before him. Order and obedience would be essential for survival on the just hospitable planet of Alpha Centauri. The chaos and decadence of Earths west must not be repeated here, all the colonists would be brought unto his vision and leadership. 'Opposition cannot be tolerated. Factionalism must be quashed. My leadership will lead humanity to an ideological paradise of inner peace and contentment. First the moral-less Professor Zhakarov and his decadent intellectuals, the left overs of the bourgeoisie wastefulness must be crushed. They actually dare to create a physical reality of the ivory tower metaphor!! His insidous amorality will nothing more than a footnote in the glorious history of the Hive!.' He gripped the window ledge hard and forced himself to slow his breathing. Inner peace must be maintained, how else could he make the correct decisions for the... his people.
"Chairman" his Internal Security Chief Ramanov said "we have arrested five individuals for protesting against the conditions of the living quarters. What shall we do with them?"
Yang didn't even bother to turn round "Execute the ringleader. The others are now indentured labourers. We will deal with all dissenters thus. It is only regrettable that the size of the population prevents proper justice being served. From now on kill the ringleaders and indenture any other protesters. Double patrols for the next week to make no more dissent infects the populace."
"Your will be done Chairman." he said as he saluted and left the room. Yang continued to stair out of the window 'Peace must be maintained.'