Spacewolf

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

The caracter I have come to like even more than the heros is The Krajician ambassador whom I have forgotten the name for (Drats brain has memory dumped it to allow space for my Flash animation Class) which is in the throne room scene. As I have discussed the developments of the Krajician Empire in this story with Isolder74 I am very pleased with how this character has developed in this part of the story.

[Isolder74]

The caracter I have come to like even more than the heros is The Krajician ambassador whom I have forgotten the name for (Drats brain has memory dumped it to allow space for my Flash animation Class) which is in the throne room scene. As I have discussed the developments of the Krajician Empire in this story with Isolder74 I am very pleased with how this character has developed in this part of the story.

That is about as far as you had better go with your comments about Patrovitch. I have plans for this man and don't want you spoiling the surprise.

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

From Isolder74
Of all of the new characters I introduced in this chapter which ones did you like the best? Which ones did you like the least?

The person I like least right now is Tuiton for his uncontrolled emotions in the throne room. This guy gives me the creeps. if I was the King i would keep a close eye on him only because I know he knows he is immune to demotion because his leadership is nesesitated. That is the ultimate show of power how needed you are and how valuble your knowledge is the more power you can exersise in the controll of that knowledge and he knows it.

[Isolder74]

From Isolder74
Of all of the new characters I introduced in this chapter which ones did you like the best? Which ones did you like the least?

The person I like least right now is Tuiton for his uncontrolled emotions in the throne room. This guy gives me the creeps. if I was the King i would keep a close eye on him only because I know he knows he is immune to demotion because his leadership is nesesitated. That is the ultimate show of power how needed you are and how valuble your knowledge is the more power you can exersise in the controll of that knowledge and he knows it.

He is suppost to give you the creeps. There is nothing worse than an ambitious noble who knows he can't be touched

[Peregrin Toker]

He is suppost to give you the creeps. There is nothing worse than an ambitious noble who knows he can't be touched

He struck me as more angry than frightening.

Just a question - did you base him upon any existing fictional characters or real-life dramatis personae?

BTW - if Spacewolf ever gets adapted as a movie, have you thought of which actors you would use for which characters`?

[Isolder74]

He is suppost to give you the creeps. There is nothing worse than an ambitious noble who knows he can't be touched

He struck me as more angry than frightening.

Just a question - did you base him upon any existing fictional characters or real-life dramatis personae?

BTW - if Spacewolf ever gets adapted as a movie, have you thought of which actors you would use for which characters`?

No not really other than many nobles from the middle ages.

Never thought of that before. I have no Idea what actors would fit the parts the best. I suppose Sean Connery would make an excellent King Max but other than that I have no idea

[Peregrin Toker]

Never thought of that before. I have no Idea what actors would fit the parts the best. I suppose Sean Connery would make an excellent King Max but other than that I have no idea

I think Patrick Stewart might make an OK Lord Patrovitch, though that is just a shot in the fog.

[SHAMELESS PLUG]

I asked about it because I already have plans for if my original fic, The Wormhole War, gets adapted. (it would probably have to be made as a miniseries)

It should be made as a 100% animated movie (CGI or ink-and-paper), and for the voice-acting talents I've picked various somewhat A-list actors. (though the only one I think I might have a chance of getting is Clancy Brown for the voice of Txaxil)

[/SHAMELESS PLUG]

[Isolder74]

Never thought of that before. I have no Idea what actors would fit the parts the best. I suppose Sean Connery would make an excellent King Max but other than that I have no idea

I think Patrick Stewart might make an OK Lord Patrovitch, though that is just a shot in the fog.

Not unless he wears a wig!

I think he would better fit for James Woodbury. Woodbury is loosly from england though I haven't established it yet.

[Peregrin Toker]

Never thought of that before. I have no Idea what actors would fit the parts the best. I suppose Sean Connery would make an excellent King Max but other than that I have no idea

I think Patrick Stewart might make an OK Lord Patrovitch, though that is just a shot in the fog.

Not unless he wears a wig!

Donning a wig is nothing compared to all the weight Vincent D'Orfio gained in order to portray Gomer Pyle in "Full Metal Jacket".

BTW - how would Christopher Walken do as Lord Tuiton?

[Isolder74]

Donning a wig is nothing compared to all the weight Vincent D'Orfio gained in order to portray Gomer Pyle in "Full Metal Jacket".

BTW - how would Christopher Walken do as Lord Tuiton?

Christopher Lee would be better!

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

Donning a wig is nothing compared to all the weight Vincent D'Orfio gained in order to portray Gomer Pyle in "Full Metal Jacket".

BTW - how would Christopher Walken do as Lord Tuiton?

Christopher Lee would be better!

Yes
He would make a great Tuiton

and have Ian Mckellen be Patrovich

[Peregrin Toker]

Yes
(Christopher Lee) would make a great Tuiton

Heh, when you think of it, he kinda has the ability to portray arrogant noblemen. (isn't that what he usually plays?)

and have Ian Mckellen be Patrovich

Neither a bad choice, though I haven't seen him in other roles than Gandalf. But since McKellen IIRC also has played Magneto and other characters vastly different from Gandalf, I can easily imagine him pulling it off as well.

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

Yes
(Christopher Lee) would make a great Tuiton

Heh, when you think of it, he kinda has the ability to portray arrogant noblemen. (isn't that what he usually plays?)

and have Ian Mckellen be Patrovich

Neither a bad choice, though I haven't seen him in other roles than Gandalf. But since McKellen IIRC also has played Magneto and other characters vastly different from Gandalf, I can easily imagine him pulling it off as well.

yes as gandalf he was great but as the arch villian in X men he went head to head with Patrick Stewart very well I thought.

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

What would be a Trio of actors which would make a great team for our heros?
Any Suggestions?

[Isolder74]

What would be a Trio of actors which would make a great team for our heros?
Any Suggestions?

Tom Cruise as Ace
Harrison Ford as the twin brothers?

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

What would be a Trio of actors which would make a great team for our heros?
Any Suggestions?

Tom Cruise as Ace
Harrison Ford as the twin brothers?

Tom Cruise and Harrison Ford that does make a interesting combination of actors as well as names Cruise & Ford
This is becomming a big budget picture with some icons of the acting industry to slug it out together.

[Isolder74]

Well I was also thinking Orland Bloom as Ace
Farimr as the twins

[Isolder74]

I have posted Chapter 4 in the Writer's Guild and after its had a chance to be proofread I will post it here

[Isolder74]

Chapter 4
For King And Country

"These are interesting developments, Lord Jenathore." King Tumadoras said to his minister. "How many of our freighter captains were observed visiting Lord Tuiton?"

"At least two dozen, your majesty." Lord Jenathore replied. "They came to see him about one hour after his arrest. What the meetings were about we do not know, but they were all quickly identified as very loyal to Lord Tuiton's house and are captains of ships that regularly make runs to Vega and Krajick. He is definitely up to something, your majesty, and I don't like the looks of it."

"Hopefully he will try nothing stupid." The king replied. "Have the guard doubled, nonetheless, just in case."

"The Terran Tri-Star Cruise Liner has just docked at the starport." Jenathore replied with haste, putting his hand to his ear. "We need to get you there so the ship can disembark."

"Then have them prepare my arrival." The king replied. "You have my permission to tap all Tuiton's transmissions."

The king climbed into his personal hovorlimo and the chauffeur closed the door. The limo rose into the air and flew off. It flew over the courtyard and past the topmost tower. Soon it was out of sight.

Inside the grand stables of the castle, Lord Jenathore stood scratching his chin. "What can James be up to?" He thought to himself out loud. "It cannot be an invasion of Vega, too obvious, not his style. He does have the resources to try something much more dangerous if he wanted to. I just hope my days as an ambassador to Vega will pay in helping me defuse this situation."

At that he turn swiftly and headed for the main hallway. Since the attack, the castle has become a bustle of activity. It even more busy with preparations for the victory banquet and awards ceremony coming up. As he entered the hall, a chef past him wheeling a large cake made to resemble the castle. Others past carrying various other dishes from all around the galaxy. The large imported turkey stood out from among the other dishes.

Lord Jenathore in his haste nearly knocked the cake off of its cart which elicited a very mean look from the chef pushing it. Turning down the hallway, he bumped into a man dressed in an opulent police uniform. The man was standing next to a similarly dressed woman. She was holding a computer holographic disk and they both looked very worried. The man raised his hand motioning for Lord Jenathore to stop.

"Sir, can I speak to you in private." Rex Fantoone, Chief of Local Security said in a worried tone. "I doubled the guard as you asked but when I tapped his holo-com, ... I really need to see you in private."

"My office is just down the hall, we can talk in there." Jenathore replied.


–


A large grandstand had been erected at the main entrance to the Langworthy International Starport. The broad majestic structure rose behind it. Attached to it was a grand starship. The luxury transport had been fashioned to resemble a majestic ocean liner from days past, a large portion of the dock was designed to support several of the massive 300 meter long starships. The sides of the vessel towered ten stories into the air obscuring the expansive landing field for the starplanes behind the terminal, the roar of the starplanes engines could be heard as ships rose into the air behind it. Several gangplanks ran from the ship down into the building their glass walls shimmering in the setting sun. Next to the terminal stood a sausage shaped vessel, its wide stubby landing struts forming a tripod beneath it. The markings on the side read; GNN Transmission Studio–Broadcast Ship, Walter Kronkite BTU#12. From the front a boarding hatch had been lowered and many hovervans were going in and out.

The king, dressed in his finest, approached the grandstand's podium. "I am pleased, on this momentous occasion, to welcome three Terrans who showed forth valor in battle not seen in over a century, but the great heroes of the past ages never had the pressure these men have." The king began with a great booming voice. "These men fight alone knowing they have no one coming to help them. Our heroes only died fighting for their own homes and families. They risked their lives saving our planet from almost certain destruction(with disregard for their own safety). For their valor and great fighting skill I am pleased to welcome ... Knight Errants; Stardust, Supernova, and Nova."

The king paused for the roar of a spaceplane before continuing, every few seconds he was forced to do so. "For centuries mistrust and misinformation have blinded us to the virtues of outsiders. Then we met the Terrans. They showed us that the first response to problems does not have to be hostility. Now they are the only force standing between us and destruction."

"This has been a momentous day which has seen many new landmarks in history including the unexpected military help from Vega. Truly this is a crossroads in our history. The dawn of a great stellar alliance is upon us. With the Terrans to guide us, let us push forward to a new tomorrow."

"It will take time for us to heal the wounds left by centuries of war and mistrust yet if we can bind them up, new strength can be found. This strength will lead our people into grand horizons yet unimagined."

Following the king's remarks, doors behind the grandstand opened. A loud cheer reverberated from the crowd obscuring even the noise from spaceport. Three men dressed in simple military uniforms stepped onto the grandstand, they looked out at the crowd and paused for a second. "Did he just call us 'knights.' " Jonathan whispered into Ace's ear. "Or was I hearing things?"

"Yep, must be their term for what we do." Ace whispered back. Looking out at the crowd, he added, "Wow, they really went all out for this thing, we were met by the king himself even!"

"Enjoy the fun while it lasts." George replied. "We may not get many more of these if you keep pulling stunts like the last one."

"As long as I can walk away from a stunt, I am happy." Ace replied. "I suppose they want us to give a speech or something."

"I think that would be only natural." George replied.

After the noise from crowd died down, the king spoke again. "Welcome to you for whom we all owe our lives. For your great courage we wish to give you a token of our gratitude." After saying this three women placed a golden wreath around their necks, which resembled the mane of a lion. Three men dressed in impressive military uniforms, their red and gold colors shining in the camera lights, handed the men a short golden spear.

"Now come with us and enjoy the fruits of victory." The king continued. "Your thoughts on this grand occasion, would be appreciated."

After a few moments, Ace walked up to the podium, his movements looked forced as he tried to get used to his new ornamentation. "This was my first opportunity to look upon the grand sights of your magnificent planet. The views I saw as we came in to land made me appreciate what it was that we had saved. Our actions were guided by population, but your world truly is magnificent!"

The crowd cheered forcing Ace to pause his remarks, after the noise died down, he continued. "I pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate yesterdays victory with you. We are greatly honored by the gifts we have received and hope that the events of the past few days will help to cement the friendship of our two nations. Thank you for wonderful and most spectacular welcome." He ended bowing to the king.

A hovorlimo pulled up next to the side of the grandstand. A chauffeur stepped out, opened the door and then bowed. Taking the cue, Ace and his friends stepped into the limo and were followed by the king. A group of four swept-forward fighter jets flew over the grandstand and then flew upward separating to the four corners of the compass then coming back and crossing over the crowd to then disappearing off into the distance. Slowly and ceremoniously the limo pulled away from grandstand with four police cars pulling up behind and in front of the grand flying limousine their orange and purple lights flashing brightly, soon the five vehicles soared out of sight, the cheers from the crowd drowning out the sounds of their engines.

Back at the castle, Chief Fantoone and Lord Jenathore exited his office. "I will inform the king about this encrypted transmission. The real mystery is where he obtained an Extra-Tauren encryption protocol."

"Yes, I'm sure Tuiton knows it will take us an unknown period in order to break the intercepted signal." Chief Fantoone added. "None of his other calls used this encryption method."

"The location is what troubles me." Lord Jenathore answers. "The first mystery I want you to solve, is who did Tuiton call on Bernard's Star?" He adds scratching his chin. "Our guests will be here soon, we need to get to our places. Lieutenant, I want your best people working on cracking that code, understand." He finishes turning to the woman that came with the chief. The two men then head for the main ballroom, soon the king's procession would arrive.

Inside the Grand Ballroom, chefs and servants were rushing about doing last minute tasks to ensure everything was ready. When they saw the Prime Minister they hurried to finish their preparations. One chef placed the cake in the center of main table while another two placed turkeys on either side of it. They then picked up a large knife and metal fork. The chefs seemed quite pleased with the feast they had put together.

At this moment, almost as if on cue, the royal family entered the ballroom. Trumpets blared and music announced the arrival of the guests of honor.

“All hail the King!” The announcer’s voice echoed throughout the room. “All rise to honor the heroes of the hour! Simon Skyhawk, Jonathan and George Star!”

The king raised his hands to quiet the applause and then lead the heroes to the center of the table in front of the ballroom. Nametags on the settings indicated where everyone was to sit. Once the king had sat down, the chefs began to carve the turkeys. Servants approached the table bearing three gilded boxes. The king turned to face them and they opened the boxes. He took the center pin and held it up. The red-painted gold starburst. The pin sparkled with the diamonds in its center. “For your acts of great valor and bravery we present you with the Denavore Starburst. The highest honor that can be bestowed by our people.” He then pin it onto Ace’s uniform. He repeats this with the other two medals and then turn to face the assembled dignitaries. “Ladies and gentleman, we have just witnessed a momentous occurrence! We have just seen awarded the first Denavore Starbursts awarded in almost 100 years. We must humble ourselves to the fact that we are giving those medals to member of the military of a foreign power. Their great courage and disregard for their own safety was more one would expect from a any man in combat. As part of our gratitude we invite you to join us in the feast of celebration.” The King then sits back down.

At this point the chefs and servants began to serve the multi-course banquet. First they set a dish of battered fried crustaceans. Soon before Ace was a array of fine foods to the likes that he couldn’t possible imagine. Food from all corners of the galaxy were featured and soon Ace did not know what to try first. Wines and beverages of all variety tempted the tastes of the guests.

“Your Majesty, I do not wish to spoil the festivities but there is something I must tell you.” Lord Jenathore whispered into the king’s ear. “Lord Tuiton has made a highly encrypted holo-conference to an unknown location on the moon of Powell, the homeworld of the Bernard’s Star Co-op.”

The King’s face went dark after this and though Ace did not know what was going on he could sense there was something wrong. “Is there anything the matter, your majesty?”

“Only a domestic matter.” The King replies with a frown. “It is none of your concern. Enjoy your party.”.The King’s frown made Ace feel very nervous and a chill went up his spine.

The cutting of the cake drew Ace’s attention as he marveled to watch the masterpiece being cut to pieces. He almost was reluctant to accept the top of the cake when the Chef brought it over to him. He was overwhelmed by the beauty and spectacle of the entire banquet. It will be something he was sure he would never forget. “If only they would let us bring our wives, they would have loved this.” He thought to himself.

Ace looked over the dignitaries that had assembled for the occasion and he noticed that at least one chair was empty, Others of the dignitaries looked like they were not happy to be seeing the award being given to foreigner. Many other looked at them as if they were some type of heroic savior. “What a mixed assembly.” Ace thought to himself. “To some it seems like we are their salvation to others, its like we are usurpers. I always did hate politics!” The rest of the evening went fairly smoothly as after the meal was over the dignitaries mingled with the heros. Ace notice that only certain people would dare even address the king. He then started to finally understand what an honor had been bestowed upon him.

[Sarevok]

Excellent chapter.

[Isolder74]

Thanks. I did get an reply notification from the cleaned up version. I wonder who posted there.

I just fixed a couple of typos and return stops to the Chapter I didn't notice.

[Isolder74]

Chapter 5
More bugs than a bait store


Charlie looked at pile of parts scattered about the deck. "Not as bad as I had imagined. Of course this sets back the Philadelphia by at least a day." He thought to himself as he looked at them, then he looked at his PDA. "Lets see, deflector control circuitry; out, like I didn't know that already, wing coolant pump port side; out, all laser weapons but port #1; destroyed, missile launcher; destroyed; and starboard gunner's control console; shorted out by vomit. Not bad really. We only need to replace a few dozen small parts and most of the hull plates other than that everything is in pretty good shape."

"Ok, men, lets get this put back together ASAP!"

From the cargo elevator, forklifts were delivering stacks of hull plates and large crates of parts. The piles of stuff arriving made the bay start to look like a large parts store. All about the repair deck, people were running about their tool belts jingling. Cargo cranes were bringing the massive Heavy Amplified Laser Cannons, which measured almost half the length of the ship, into position and workers were preparing to attach them onto the exposed superstructure of the ship's wings. Another crane was moving a new missile launcher into position. A sea of hover platforms and repair decks had risen out of the floor to surround the now skeletal ship. Matter Transducer generated supports appeared under the platforms now hiding the ship from view. Slowly cranes brought the smaller Spacewolf-class Laser Units into position to be installed. On the decks and platforms, men stood with tools ready and began to install parts as soon as they were delivered.

"It's almost as if we are putting it together for the first time, only rushed." Charlie said as he helped open crates. "Lets hope everything still works when we are done, there may not be time to test everything!"

"I have no idea how we can get it all put back together by tomorrow morning." He adds with a sigh.

Sparks started to fly in all directions as workers started to attach the massive laser cannons onto the wings. Others could be seen moving around inside the ship installing modules. People had now started to swarm all over it like flies on a carcass.

"Faster!" Charlie urged as he picked up a box of parts and moved towards the entry ramp, the sounds of his feet clanking on the gangplank. "We have no time to spare. I wish we had at least one more of these now that it has come to this point. Then they would at still have something to fly."

If things couldn't get any more chaotic, a metallic shrill echoed throughout the large hall from one of the cranes, the large Laser Cannon it was moving starting to swing in wider and wider arcs. The crane was moving faster than normal and as it did sparks started to fly from its mounting track. As it moved closer to the Spacewolf its attempts to slow were received with a new flurry of sparks. Like ants, men scattered all over the place, trying desperately to avoid being hit by the metal monster, all but one managed to find safety. The cannon slammed into his chest knocking him off of the platform. Hanging from his safety line he cried out in terror. After securing the cannon to stop it from swinging the crew turned their attention to their fallen colleague. He hung limp at the end of his cable in obvious trouble. Below Charlie had already begin shouting orders, his booming voice echoing about the room. “Who is driving that crane!? When will you people ever learn how follow safety protocols. Hurry does not mean exceed your equipment’s safety ratings.” Sparks were flying from the crane above as the problem became obvious, the crane had slipped off of the track and was hanging by some safety cables.

Two more cranes were lumbering to the scene. One to secure the cannon the other to save the crane. Alarms had started to sound on the deck and workers were clearing the entire area. Men were scrambling onto catwalks above the crane hooking extra cable onto the Crane via magnetic clasps. Others were lowering cables onto the precious Laser Cannon. Both were being secured to the gracefully curved roof of the complex.

"Delays, more delays." Charlie said shaking his head. "Its always something! Its not like I have enough problems for one day already! For the last time secure that crane before more people get hurt!"

“Sir!” A technician cried out. “We have reinstalled the main deflector array, reattaching the other interior equipment is proceeding ahead of schedule. We are having problem matching up the new parts with the old parts though.”

"Do what you need to make it work." Charlie fired back. "If I am correct you will need to splice two parts together manually. This will allow everything to work. I just have one fear, that it might make the ship less able to sustain damage. The best solution to the problem may be to simply replace everything. If only we had time for that."

Charlie stormed into the interior of the ship and then stopped. Looking down he saw a set of wrenches laid out on the floor. One or two of the set was missing. A fire suddenly came to his eyes. He put down the crate he was carrying and grumbling under his breathe he picked up the wrenches and put them into the tool box sitting on the deck next to them and picked up his crate again and stomped into the main cockpit. His footsteps echoed about the ship followed by the sounds of panels being opened inside the cockpit.

A few minutes later, a technician popped up and looked at the bare floor scratching his head. Shrugging he started to look around for where his tools went. He looked perplexed when he found them neatly put away in his toolbox. Tossing the wrenches he was using inside, he picked up some more and disappeared back to his work.

–


"Jonathan, that was really quite grand!" Ace said leaning over in his chair. "I've never been to a royal function before! I hope I did everything right."

"Hopefully they didn't expect perfection from us." Jonathan replied as he buckled on his safety belt. In the background a flight attendant was giving her usual speech. "I think we did ok for being foreigners. I still think it's funny you thought it would a meeting in disguise! My question is why couldn't they get us a starplane for the trip over? It would have been cheaper and we could have taken a tour of the castle or something."

"I think they wanted to get rid of us." George replies to his brother. "I got the impression from the brass that they were not too happy with us."

"What do you expect!" Ace replied. "I'm a rebel! And we all gave the brass quite a scare saving this world. But you guys keep a low profile. I have no wishes to be asked for autographs right now. Nor do I want to end up piloting this tub." He adds whispering.

The plane's large engines now rumbled to life behind them. After a few minutes, the craft climbed into orbit. When Ace looked out the window, he saw the plane was being escorted by a silver painted Attack Shuttle. He rolled his eyes and then looked at the others. They were straining to see out of the window. Out of it he could see Vegan starfreighters deploying defense satellites. Behind that, ships flew about picking up the spinning twisted pieces of debris.

"The place outside looks like a huge mess." Ace said with a look of guilt. "I wish we had done more than we did. If only our ship wasn't broken."

"Its not our fault." George replied. "Most of the damage was done before we got here. Though we might not have gotten our medals if everything worked like it was suppose to."

"Jonathan, I have a bad feeling about all of this." Ace said. "The Vegans are putting up a defense screen to help but I worry about what the Taurusan people will think of it. I have extreme worries about one of the nobles in particular, the one who was not at the party."

"You mean the defense minister?" Jonathan replies. "I assumed that he was simply too busy to attend."

"I'm afraid not." Ace replies grimly. "I talked to Lord Lexillion after the dinner and he told me he was under house arrest."

"House arrest!" George cries out. "How in the name of heaven did that happen?"

"I don't know he wouldn't tell me." Ace replied. "Both of those nation's attitudes make me nervous."

"I couldn't help but overhear you." A voice from behind interrupted. "I was at the session of the king's court when the unthinkable happened. Lord Tuiton showed the king an insult so grave, that barring immediate execution, he was placed under house arrest."

“What do you mean barring immediate execution?!” Ace cried out.

"Well he gave the king and royal family an insult so grave, that under our law, only the word of the king himself saved him from an immediate execution."

“Well that does explain why he was not at the banquet. Who do I have the pleasure to be speaking with?” Ace asked.

“I am Baron Zanzaban. My family owns a large production firm on planet. Even though the attack might mean extra profits for our company, I am with you. If it wasn't for the Vegans, I and my people would be dead right now. To top if off many of us now have heavy financial ties to the Vegan trade networks as well as the Bernard’s Star Stock Exchange that is now pivotal to our economy. I commend your people in their attempts to remind us all of this fact. We are now a galactic community whether or not some of the old timers are willing to accept it.”

“Interesting.” Ace replied. “So you are leaving Taurus for some business?”

“Yes, I am heading to a meeting on Earth regarding the leasing of Taurusan Arms factories to your government to aid in the creation of a defense force. I hope I can get a little more than just light munitions. I am very impressed by your fightercraft, I at least, found it to be quite impressive. Your piloting skills are to be commended. The best unit that size we could build would not have survived what that ship has been through.”

“It was nothing of my doing.” Ace replies shaking his head. “I'm new to this space combat stuff. Its you and the Vegans whom I admire. Without your fighters we would have been lost!”

“I'm afraid we were not able to give you the fire support that was really necessary.” The Baron responded. “Our fighters were being torn to ribbons by that attack and our ships were quite inadequate. While our particle weapons are the best in known space, our shielding systems are not as good as the those produced by the Vegans. Because of the bickering between us we have had to force you to make due with your own designs though I suspect that you have gotten, from some source on both our planets, access to technical specs on both. Your ship’s strange point defense interests me. How does such a small unit put out so many different types of weapons at that fire rate? It can't possibly be using any type of magazine.”

“Well I tell you the particulars, but it uses an technology called a Matter Transducer.” Ace replied uneasily. “It basically makes the weapon from a storage of matter on the ship just before it is launched. The missile launcher on the ship makes use of a similar system.”

“I understand.” The Baron says nodding. “If I am correct that technology has only been used in a grand scale in computer gaming arenas, is that correct?”

“Yes!” Jonathan jumps into the conversation. “I can tell you all about that since I part own Reality Games Inc., it is also used in our industry to prototype and in construction to erect things like concrete forms and scaffolding. Usually it is only used for things not meant to last for very long as the objects created lose molecular integrity over time.”

“And for a throwaway weapon, the device is perfect!” The Baron finished for him. “That is really quite ingenious! I will have to take some time to talk to the man who thought that one up once I get to Earth.”

“You may find that hard as I am sure he is quite busy right now.” Ace says chuckling.

The starplane, at this moment, enters the stargate and the ship slightly lurches forward. The space outside now took on a bluish hue.

After a few minutes, the ship lurched slightly again. Now out of the window the disk of the moon shown brightly. On the moon, the massive Farside Moon Base, which covered almost a fourth of the farside of the moon, glistened in the light. Its nearside section's, that wrapped around from the main section of the base, facets and iris-like main door shown in the sunlight. The door opened and several ships flew in and out. More ships were landing on platforms situated all over the main section of the base.

At this point the plane turned towards The massive John Marshal space station. As it did so several black and white patrol ships pulled up along side the plane. Their lights flashing, they escorted the plane into the massive docking bay, pulling away after it reached the main doors. When the plane landed thousands of reporters were there to meet it. As the three heroes exited the plane now attired with their new medals and adornment, the light of thousands of camera flashes illuminated the jetway. The President and James Woodbury met them just after they came out of the gate. Before any of the eager reporters had a chance to talk to the three men, the two whisked them away, Woodbury was whispering something into Ace’s ear.


–



The Emperor Sage sitting on his throne glared down at the creatures below him. Around him the destruction from the battle lay about the command center of the massive ship. Sparks still flew from power conduits in the ceiling. The Emperor Sage turned his seat to look at the body of his Advisor Sage. His eyes shimmered with anger as he looked at the beam that had impaled him through his head and his anger elevate even more. The Commander Sage limped to the base of the throne and attempted to bow but his broken body no longer worked right. All around the command center, The dead and dying lay over their consoles. The once clear dome overhead now was scorched and black. The back wall had imploded into the large room and bits if it had impaled themselves into all parts of the room. Only the large back of his throne had saved the Emperor from serious injury. Its damaged machinery no longer allowed it to rotate. The few still functioning screens and computers were displaying damage lists.

"Milord." The Commander Sage strained to communicate. "I'm afraid the ship is a total loss. We have near total casualties on all levels. ~~~~ We will not be able to repair the damage..." He then falls to the floor nearly lifeless an white sheen coming to his outer exoskeleton.

"Those creatures are far too clever!" The Emperor Sage fumed. "We played right into their hands! Well now we know that their hostilities have ended." He then looked down at the Commander Sage's lifeless body. "Sleep well, and enjoy your promotion. In a week I will have a new advisor."

"Ready my shuttle, and abandon this ship." The Emperor Sage ordered. "Teleport the ship to Falsance and ram it into their planet."

"Yes, Milord." A Minor Sage responded. Two workers entered the room, not daring to even look at the Emperor Sage, and carried out the body of Commander Sage. After they leave, the Emperor Sage descended from his throne and stately marched out of the room through a small hidden door in the back wall. A few moments later, a small hexagonal, crystal-like ship shot out off the back end of the ship and then descended towards the planet. Seconds later the burning remains of the massive ship vanished in a bright plump that looked like an explosion and then all was dark.

The small crystalline ship entered the planet’s atmosphere and dropped towards a massive towering structure ascending from the center of a large mesa. The side of the tower resembled that of a termite mound, its sides riddled with dozens of small holes which sparkled with lights; the mesa itself was surrounded by similar structures blending its base into the ground and into the massive structure on top of it. Heading away like the roots of a old gnarled tree, massive enclosed passageways connected the complex to other similar towers which dotted the massive plateau that surrounded the central structure. Thick marshland surrounded the plateau, the strange twisted trees and greenish-brown land made the dark mounds look even more striking. Off in the distance, more mounds rose out of the mists, their lights flickering in the twilight. Behind one of these a crescent moon was rising, two other moons already high in the sky each with a different phase; the highest in the sky, sparkled with a metallic sheen.

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

Ah'lright what are the bugs going to do now? Two planets have repeled them and the two planets are working together to defeat them in both attacks.

Frustrated and defeated the Orthros must be becomming more concerned with the mysterious Spacewolf craft that has been the means of turning the tide in the last battle right when the bugs were about to break the defenses of the Taursan's planet.

Realizing both planets defend each other if I was the bugs then both planets must be destroyed at the same time and that spacewolf ship must be destroyed first. I would use multiple command ships and then send them to attack while I stay back and direct the battle from home. Thus wave after wave will pound the planets until they are nothing more than ash. One command ship will be specifically dedicated to destroying the spacewolf ship.

[Isolder74]

Of course the Orthros may believe they have already destroyed the ship.


You sound like you want to run the Orthro War of Revenge!

[Frank LLoyd Wright]

With only these two planets to attack and no other targets that they know of yet the best strategy now is to take out both planets at the same time. By sending more than one command ship more fighters can be launched and by commanding from a remote site both battles can be directed at the same time in addition the battle will not breakdown when one commandship is destroyed or damaged. If the bugs believe the spacewolf is destroyed the question of where it came from will still need to be aswered. So while the battle to destroy the planets of Vega and Taurus are underway then the hunt for the world the spacewolf is from will be underway. Earth is not to feel any safer now that Taurus and Vega are defending each other because all the energy of Vega and Taurus will be channeled into defending themselves from annihilation. The bugs are relentless but not singleminded and will search for easier prey to destroy so Bernard Star and Krajick and other planets surrounding this part of space can not afford to be complacent just because a commandship has not been seen in their space yet.

It is comparable to an Island sooner or later a scout will find you and the commandship will break the defenses followed by total war only in the bugs case they are here to exterminate not occupy.