Legend of the Skulls

[Darth Fanboy]

Legend of the Skulls, Prologue

"It's a good thing space is a vacuum, or my eardrums would be long gone.

The thought passed from the pilot's mind as quickly as it had entered, and any chance to reflect on that thought was shattered as the bright flares of missiles streaking toward his ship caused him to snap roll his ship out of the way. Never taking his thumb off the firing trigger, he squeezed off a missile of his own at the lead ship, which subsequently exploded into a smoldering wreck in the void. He flicked the switch on his communicator to broadcast the word to his men.

"This is Leader, all fighters form up with your wingmen and fire at will. Man with the most kills drinks on the house tonight."

"You hear that Seven? You'd better stay alive then because I'm going to work up one hell of a thirst out here."

"Shut up six, this from the guy who can't tell the yoke from the ejector switch."

"Cut the chatter and engage!"

Six pairs of fighters, emblazoned with the infamous skull and crossbones on the tail, commenced their attack. A dozen soldiers who just moments ago traded insults like immature academy students suddenly became all business. Executing maneuvers with the precision of a surgeon and the ferocity of a pack of wolves closing in on its prey, six pairs of fighters weaving a tapestry of destruction

The lead fighter who had begun the battle lost his pursuers and emerged again behind him with a dazzling series of loops that pushed his seatbelts to the limit, the enemy craft left his sight in a plume of fire and scattering metal. He wheeled around again, a 180-degree turn taking him back into the thick of the conflict. Suddenly, two, three, and four more enemy ships had fallen to his guns. He wasn't alone; the other pilots had begun carving their way into the enemy's numbers with great haste. Things had been going well, when the squadron's frequency suddenly sounded its first distress signal.

"Damn it, Leader this is eight, we have a new enemy squadron inbound on vector nine-five-oh."

"This is ten, I'm hit on my right rear tail, and this guy is good!"

So the enemy had an ace pilot, this complicated things greatly and someone in high command was going to get a angry few words when they got back to the ship.

"Ten, send the data to me and get your wingman to light him up with a marker. Set the marker to proximity detonation to guarantee a hit."

Nine quickly shook his attacker to help his beleaguered wingmate, and fired the marker round. The marker dispersed a cloud of highly adhesive paint laced with radioactive particles guaranteed to make a special target show up easily on scanners. In a cloud of dogfights this think the markers were absolute necessary for dealing with highly skilled opponents.

"Nine here I got your target leader but...shit now two of his guys are on me and Ten is getting eaten alive."

"Do your best Nine, I'm coming."

The pilot kicked his engines to full power, nearly plowing through several craft on his route. But at the end of his tunnel vision he could see his quarry. His trained eyes doing a far better job than the marker as he watched the alien craft navigate a series of maneuvers that induced nausea in those who followed.


"Ten was right, this guy is good. Now let's find out if I am."

He made his presence known by firing a burst into the path of the enemy ace, the enemy was slightly dazed for a moment and his flying became erratic.

"He probably didn't think that anyone we could throw at him could track his crazy path. Now he's going to die for his arrogance."

The momentary distraction was enough to give Leader the advantage he needed, with his engines churning out speed and on the verge of overheating he swung his craft behind the enemy pilot and began mirroring his every move. The enemy swung left then back to the right in a swift motion. Not to be outdone though Leader cut the engines and hit another 180-degree U turn that put him right back behind his prey.

"It's been fun!"

One last missile was fired, striking the unknown enemy in the rear fuselage and detonating, leaving nothing salvageable.

"Leader I think you scared them with that last move, the bad guys have tucked their tails between their legs and are bugging out."

Tired, hungry, and eager to get out of his flight gear, the lead pilot gave the "Dinner Bell" signal to head back to the ship.

This was supposed to be a routine anti-patrol mission to cut enemy reconnaissance ability in this sector and to prevent enemy incursions into this sector. Of course that did not mean 5-1 odds but since when did the people on top of the ladder realize what was going on out here on the frontier? Of course, eventually those who would watch the data from today's battle would say that there was a good reason that those brave pilots were the first choice for the job.

It was missions like these, and results like these, that added to the legacy of humanity's most celebrated warriors. It was just another story, in the Legend of Skull Squadron.

[Kuja]

Pretty good dogfight scene.

[Darth Fanboy]

SDF-Vigilant, Captain’s Private Office

“Commander, please enter, I’ll admit I’m a little thrown off by your request for a meeting so soon after your last mission. Usually you’re down in the pilot’s lounge trying to drink your comrades under the table and chasing every piece of tail that happens to come by.”

“Normally, I would, but I’ve got too much on my mind right now. Care to answer a few questions? Or would I be imposing on such a busy man who has put himself in danger so many times for the good of humanity…”

“Stuff it commander, if you didn’t just cement your legacy with that last battle then I’d have you carted off by the MP’s.”

The old man sighed and sat down at his desk, turning the chair away from his angry counterpart.

“You get three questions, whether I decide to answer them or not is my own business and though you may be a hero I still outrank you. Start now.”

“It’s nice to know that after all this time you can still look me in the eye Captain. Are you so spineless a man that you cannot even show your face from that ivory tower of yours? Wait, you’d better not answer that, I’ll be wasting a question, because its obvious you can’t.”

The captain remained motionless in the chair, the reflection of the Commander in the view-port hung over him like a ghost, a ghost with pair of ice blue eyes demonstrating a cold fury.

“Did you have any knowledge about the enemy presence in this sector before we got here?”

“No.”

“Did you send out my squadron alone even though you knew there was an enemy presence?”

“No.”

“Does your wife know about that nice piece of ass over in stellar navigation you’ve been banging on the side ever since you got assigned to the frontier?”

“Watch your tone captain, threatening a superior officer...”

“Is a court martial offense, blah blah blah, Relax Captain I don’t have any plans on revealing your little secret to your spouse, hell she probably has someone on the side herself.”

“Watch your tongue commander!”

“Then you had better watch your ass, because you’ve been lying out of it this entire time.”

“As much as your suspicions intrigue me you’ve been lacking one little thing that might ensure some cooperation, evidence.”

“Evidence! It doesn’t take a military genius to realize that five squadrons of alien fighter craft in the middle of nowhere had to come from a carrier. There are no major bases in this system; there are no inhabited or inhabitable worlds, so there must be a carrier! If these guys are sending out five squadrons for simple reconnaissance then there has to be at least three, possibly four enemy ships probably with an escort group armed to the teeth. With that kind of firepower we’ll be done for if they find us.”

“Get out.”

“I’m already leaving, captain. Just so you know though just because we have a reputation for invincibility there is no way my squadron is going to be able to repel that kind of firepower, there’s no way all the strength this ship and crew can muster. I’ll let you sit back and ponder whether or not you’d like a few thousand deaths on your hands.”

[Darth Fanboy]

SDF-Vigilant, Pilot’s Lounge

“There he is! The man himself! All right you guys time to pony up for the guy who saved MY ASS out there!”

“Stuff the drinks Ten and make it black coffee all around, as of right now this squadron is going dry until further notice.”

“He called me Ten But the battle is over! Good one Commander, you make it sounds as if we’re on duty! Don’t you forget! We get twenty-four hours of down time after every mission before we’re on call again! Live it up!”[/b]

Two of the pilots who had not taken part in the festivities emerged from a darkened corner of the room, any semblance of excitement not present on their faces.

“Commander, you just saw the Captain didn’t you.”

“That’s right Six, you and Seven report to the briefing room in thirty minutes. The rest of you are confined to quarters until you sober up. We’ve got to talk now while we still have some time to think.”

A half hour later the three men had sealed off the briefing room.

“You were right Hangman, the Captain knew the system was dirty. I don’t think he realized how dirty the system was though.”

“You think Intelligence dropped the ball?”

“If they or if they didn’t is going to change the situation. But if we’re right then this ship is a sitting duck.”

“Boss, if we’re right, then we’re the first line of defense against an invasion, and we’re so far out in the frontier that we can’t even warn home!”

“You don’t think I know that? Listen, we need to think of something fast though, no one else on this ship except for the Captain’s senior staff and us have any idea what the hell is going on out here.”

“Sir we can’t just run around the ship spreading the word or we’ll have an even bigger rift between the officers and enlisted than there already is and we can’t risk that at a time like this.”

“That’s exactly what I’m proposing gentlemen. Unless something Important happens within the next twenty four hours, Skull Squadron will be taking over the Vigilant.”

“Aw geez, then we’ll be heading back for our own territory right?”

“No Frenzy, we can’t risk that, we’d all be executed for treason no matter how talented we are at piloting. Gentlemen we’ve been forced into a conflict, and by the time we leave this sector we’ll have to beat every single enemy here.”

“You know sir just once I’d like to see one of these missions end with a week of shore leave, extra hazard pay, and some strippers.”

“So would I, so would I.”

[Crazedwraith]

very good story. But i still dont know if it's spposed to be in a recognizable universe such as star Wars or if you are creating your own here. Could you explain or is that the point??

[Darth Fanboy]

very good story. But i still dont know if it's spposed to be in a recognizable universe such as star Wars or if you are creating your own here. Could you explain or is that the point??

Well fans of a fairly popular television series know what the hell im talking about, the terms "SDF" and "Skull Squadron" give that away.

[Sokar]

Nice work Fanboy, though mutiny is a bit on the extreme side for a Squadron Commander to pull off, especially on something the size of a UN SPACY SDF. Unless of course, the XO and CAG are in on it too....

[Darth Fanboy]

Nice work Fanboy, though mutiny is a bit on the extreme side for a Squadron Commander to pull off, especially on something the size of a UN SPACY SDF. Unless of course, the XO and CAG are in on it too....

I dont want to give away too much but yeah, The Commander is not the only one on the ship sick of being given orders with no background information.

I should have given a little more background on him too, but heres a certified Hero throughout UN SPACY controlled territory. So people would follow his orders regardless of wether it was the right reason or not.

Its not certain wether they will or not, or wether the entire crewwill, or just the pilots maybe. Also, if you were on a ship being steered into certaindoom by a captain who wasmerely an intermediary and not actually in command wouldnt u do something?

more soon....

[Darth Fanboy]

SDF-Vigilant, Captain’s Private Office, 16 hours to Mutiny Deadline

“Captain Miller, congratulations on your recent success. I trust our orders were followed to the letter?”

“They were Admiral, but there have been some complications.”

“Skull Squadron? They may like to party a little bit after a battle Captain but they are the best and I can assure you that they…”

“He knows Admiral.”

A long pause built up between the two men.

“Is the line secure then?”

“Yes it is Admiral, he does not know of our connection through the Stealth-SAT system.”

“Then how does he know then, you haven’t been leaking have you?”

“With all due respect Admiral, Commander Allen is no idiot. He’s been through more combat from the cockpit of a fighter than anyone since the Macross War. Knowing him and the fanatical loyalty he has to his troops I’m guessing he’s already told them. Sir, if word gets out to the rest of the ship…”

“We’ll have to advance our timetable forward a bit that’s understandable, although I don’t see how you could possibly lose control of this ship, the staff I provided you is giving you their full support.”

“Yes sir, your orders?”

“Hold steady for now and continue reconnaissance but decrease the range of your recon missions by half, you do understand Captain that the target in question must be destroyed correct?”

“Yes sir, if I may ask…”

“No I cannot spare reinforcements, if you do fail I’ll need every ship back here at the population centers. In the larger scope of things the Vigilant is expendable.”

“But sir, with just three or four SDF-class ships we could chisel away at their forces gradually.”

“There’s no time for gradual, intelligence says that they will begin their invasion within the next seven days if they feel that they have the material in place at that hub, and if that happens now I can assure they will make the Invid pale by comparison. HQ out.”

The Captain resigned himself to his desk and pulled the bottle of scotch from his desk drawer, he looked at the shot glass on his desk considered it, then put it away. As he drank from the bottle and the liquid ran down his throat his thoughts forced him to rummage through the top drawer of his desk. His sidearm was there as well as a half empty box of bullets. He pressed the gun to his temple, clicked the rigger a few times, and began loading it. A chime over the communicator though interrupted his work.

“Sir, Commander Nichols here, the staff is assembled to go over the data from Skull Squadron’s last mission.”

“I’ll be down shortly.”

The Captain put the scotch and the gun away in his desk and then locked the drawer. He would have to escape from his thoughts later.

[Darth Fanboy]

SDF Vigilant, Central Communications, 12 Hours to Mutiny Deadline

Hangman waved the other two in. Leader and Frenzy made thie rway in silently so as not to alert any gaurds patrolling the area. Central COmmunications was not a busy place and the time to act was indeed now.

“Hangman, is the tap going?”

“Sure is boss, you sure the Captain won’t notice?”

“That drunk never notices anything, this is what he gets for turning his back on me anyway. Frenzy you make sure no one who leaves that room is out of our surveillance. Hold on my personal line is ringing…Allen speaking. Which of you pilots wins the prize for shortest hangover.”

“Sir this is Highwind, what in the seven Zentraedi hells is going on out there.”

“We’ll let you know in a minute, first, go down to the armory and bring me four sidearms, if you’re questioned by MPs just call here and I’ll be down to pick you up.”

“Sir? What would we be needing guns for?”

“Hopefully we won’t.”

SDF Vigilant, War Room, 12 Hours to Mutiny Deadline

Three men sat in the War room, reviewing the plans set in motion by their controllers.

“Captain we’ve been debating this for hours, this is the wrong time to be having doubts about this operation. UN SPACY has declared this system to be of vital importance to heading off the invasion.”

The man in the long black coat stood up from his seat and dropped the files in front of the besieged captain. The scent of alcohol not entirely off his breath as he contemplated the meaning of the documents in front of him. Another man, this one in a military outfit bearing unique insignia stood in front of the large map detailing the system.

“That’s the thing about a good single malt scotch, Miller. You can smell a good one from a ways away. Face it captain the only reason you’re still in command, still eligible for your pension, still able to support your wife, your mistress, and your other vices is because we needed a patsy, a captain who would disregard the normal obligations to a crew. “

The black-coated man flanked his partner, their eyes hidden behind glasses designed to enhance their obscurity.

“Look at it at this way Captain, you’ll either live a hero, or die a hero and we wont have to bring up those serious misconduct charges that have been dogging you ever since you stepped aboard Vigilant.”

Miller looked up at the two, thinking about the pistol in his drawer.

“I…won’t back down. But Commander Allen knows, he’ll blow the lid on the whole thing.”

“I wouldn’t worry about Skull Squadron. The new orders you’re about to send out will take care of that little problem.”

“How so?”

“We need to find that enemy Hub before they can get an exact fix on that ship. Once we spot that Hub we need to do as much damage as possible with as little loss to our own forces as well. Skull Squadron will patrol the areas on the map marked in red, they will undoubtedly find the Hub and then kill everything they can before being annihilated. The shadow eye recon units under my command will be deployed to relay the data to the Vigilant.”

The military man took over speaking for his counterpart, who wore a smug grin on his face as if he was ready to send the good news back to Earth.

“Vigilant will then move in from maximum range of the main weapon, we hit the Hub and hopefully catch their carriers in the resulting explosion. From there we go into mop up duty. An SDF ship will be more than enough firepower at that point.”

“And as good as that sounds gentlemen, I’d rather not go down in a blaze of glory just yet.”

“Allen! You are not cleared to be in here! Put that weapon down now or…”

“Or you’ll what? You aren’t even wearing Naval insignia and I’m damn sure that guy in the coat doesn’t hold any official rank here.”

Frenzy, Highwind, and Hangman rushed in pointing their weapons at the three conspirators.

“Now if either of you tries to leave here we’ll call you an enemy spy and space you.”

Allen turned a hard stare over towards Captain Miller. Who remained unmoving and had no expression on his face.

“You should have shot yourself back in your office Captain. At least that way you wouldn’t have to be a part of all this. Damn it you used to be a brilliant tactician too! What happened man?”

“You think because you’ve got guns you’re in total control? Listen I can get MP units from anywhere on the ship! You’re going up on insubordination…no even better...treason charges! Bet you weren’t counting on that blaze of glory being your final battle.”

Allen clenched his teeth

“If you lay one finger on that call button I swear I’ll kill you.”

Miller walked steadily in front of the pilots, Allen drew his gun and trained it on the old man as well.

“And would you kill me? Would you kill the man who got you where you were right now? Remember the only reason you’re in a Veritech squadron is because I sponsored your application to flight school. Plus the fact i was your father's wingmate up until The Battle of Orange.”

Miller pushed the button. Allen silently cursed as his men began exchanging looks in anticipation of a firefight.

“Security to the War Room, I need you to make some arrests.”

[Micheal Ryans, Beta pilot]

Pretty good, although even Skull Squadron wouldn't pull off something as extreme as mutiny.

Usually.

[Darth Fanboy]

I already addressed that.

[Micheal Ryans, Beta pilot]

I already addressed that.

Thats why I said usually.

[Darth Fanboy]

And since I alreayd addressed the problem, why do you feel the need to bring it up? Could it be the author has something in mind for himself? Gee i'm so fucking sorry that I went out on a limb, maybe next time I'll stick to low quality Halo crossovers like the shit you write.

[Rob Wilson]

And since I alreayd addressed the problem, why do you feel the need to bring it up? Could it be the author has something in mind for himself? Gee i'm so fucking sorry that I went out on a limb, maybe next time I'll stick to low quality Halo crossovers like the shit you write.

OK guys, lets play nice in here, it's not like you're fighting for an audience, there's more than enough readers to go around. So lets have a bit more civility in here.

Now onto the story : Could you stop the Bold of every single spoken line please? It's a nice gimmick for the radio chatter, but is tiring on the eyes when there's large blocks of normal speech.

Could you break up the blocks of speech with something denoting whose talking? IN the 16 hours to mutiny chapter especially it's almost 90% speech blocks and no descriptive text.

Not everyone knows who or what Skull squadron are, could you add a [A Macross Fanfic] to the thread title, so people know what it's about, rather than maybe erroneously thinking it's a SW piece.

I take it these aren't the same Guys as the Mecha Maniacs Skull Squadron, as I'm sure Six has the callsign Viper.

Keep it going, I'd like to see what happens next.

[Darth Fanboy]

Next time I post a new chapter I'll switch "Viper" over to your callsing, same as I did with Typhonis who was formerly known as "Skunk"

The bold format has in fact already been taken out of the equation forthe next chapter, which is nearly finished.

[Asdeed]

Maybe I missed something here, has there been any indication yet of who the enemy is this time? More Zentraedi or something new perhaps??