The Magellan Project

[AlaskanPilot]

Level the playing field

Another short installment

“Zach, this is Jake. Interference has lifted. Please repeat your last message.” The interference had indeed dropped to low enough levels that people could be understood over the comm net.

“We have five inbound bogies, two Asp and three Vultures. We have been spotted and returned the scan. These guys have several kill warrants on them. I think it is safe to assume their bandits. It's also a good bet we are outgunned up here."

Roderick answered first. “What is there ETA?”

“Just under three minutes.”

“Zach, you all better plan on bugging out.” There was quiet on the comm for a second while Roderick’s words registered.

“Bug out? And leave you down there with no top cover?” It was clear Zach was having trouble wrapping his head around the directive.

Miriam cut in, “Sir, we would abandon you!”

“Miriam, Zach. They’ve seen you, but not us. I doubt they came here looking for us. There is probably another reason their here and just happened to find you. If we lie low, they may pass us over without noticing.”

“I hate to rain on the parade but that won’t work.” Akio was now the one that stopped conversation. She continued, “With all due respect the Fer De Lance has fuel scoops, but the fighters don’t. If they are followed out of system they will be hunted until they run our of fuel and picked off. Also the Asps likely have better jump ranges than our ships. None of them could get away faster than they could catch up.”

Again quiet and the gravity of the situation continued to sink in. Only Roderick, Rand and and Akio kept moving at top speed gathering the precious raw materials that was their one hope to get the Zenith off this planet. Their situation was horribly cliché, they couldn't run and they couldn’t hide. Except the Zenith and Tanaka. But if they didn't get both airborne soon, the fleet above was facing very unfavorable odds.
Roderick finally spoke, “The situation looks bad but maybe we can level the playing field some. Zach, there is a good bet they don’t know why you’re here, break your top cover and keep the planet between you and them. If it comes to it dive to the planet surface and use the terrain to even the playing field. We will keep pushing repairs and get up as soon as we can.”

“We’er about to find out if they know why were here. We’re being hailed.”

“Talk to them, maybe you can talk your way out of this.”

“Speaking of talking,” Jake said, “There is a good bet they can tell we are talking to each other. They don’t need to decrypt our messages to know you up there are talking to us down here. Our position is likely comprised. But I have been analyzing the interference and I have an idea that may level the playing field in a different way.”

 

[CMDR Stallan]

Hello all!

The next installment is nearly ready for posting. In the mean time I have also been having fun with the Elite Dangerous: Horizons - Commanders Beta 2.3. I was fooling around with the Holo Me feature creating different commander profiles when I had the idea to create characters for each of the main people in my story. I wasn't able to get people to look exactly like they appeared in my minds eye, but these are close. Enjoy!

(and yes I noticed I have been spelling Roderick's name wrong. I'll fix this in future story line posts. At least I got it right in his picture!)

View attachment 116721

This is brilliant! I like how they all have unique features and hairstyles.
I'm definitely going to test out Holo-Me when 2.3 goes live.

Will read the rest while exploring!

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Transmission

“So, we come looking for our delivery partner and what do we find?”

“Your delivery partner appears to be late.” Miriam’s response was cool, almost bored.

“They are never late.”

Miriam didn't respond.

“And what are you all doing here?” This was not a casual question. There was a clear note of both arrogance and menace in the voice of the pilot who addressed them.
Miriam continued in her distracted, bored sounding voice, pretending to not hear the veiled threat in the others voice.

“I don't recall asking you what your business here was.”

“That’s because I have you out-gunned, not the other way around.”

Miriam again didn't answer.

“I asked you why you’re here.”

“I know.” Miriam said dismissively.
There was a stunned silence before one of the other inbound pilots commented to his friends. “She don't know how to pick her fights does she?”

Another pilot chimed in, “Do we want to bother? Cargo scan shows them as empty.”

Miriam, “He’s right. We’re not holding anything.”

“My last question to you is why you were here, not what your opinion was on if we should blow you out of the stars,” the lead pilot growled. “Now, I am going to ask you why you’re here one more time…”

“Let me ask you something,” Miriam interrupted, “do you plan to come shoot at us no matter what my answer is?”

Again, the lead pilot seemed taken aback for a moment. “Probably.”

“So, there’s really no reason I should tell you why I’m here if you just going to fight us anyway.”

There were a couple snorts from pilots in the pack while the lead pilot tried to formulate a retort.
Miriam didn’t give him a chance to respond. “Miriam to flight, I’ve found what were after, everyone drop at my location.” Miriam dropped from orbital cruse to normal flight. She watched as the other sidewinders started to appear on her radar screen.

“I thought you were supposed to talk your way out of a fight!” Zach burst out. “Those guys are sure to follow us!”

“Maybe,” Miriam said coolly. “Alright everyone, kill your jets while we have a look around.” Miriam keyed a button on her virtual display and her screen was filled with a three-dimensional heat map of the space around her. “Let’s see if we can level the playing field.” Miriam turned and twisted her ship. Patches of warmer blobs floated past their view along with stars and the planet below in harmony with the ships maneuvers. Finally, Miriam found what she was looking for. Almost directly behind them was a bright plume in space only a few hundred yards away. “Everyone, I found a bright patch. Deploy weapons and maneuver to the far side. If our friends decide to follow us they are in for a nasty surprise.”
Miriam and her wing-men carefully flew around the bright blob on their displays regrouping about 300 meters on the far side putting the bright spot between them and where they had dropped from cruise. Now they just had to wait, and hope that the bright spot didn’t fade.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Hey all! Sorry to keep everyone waiting for the next installment of the story. I am in the middle of relocating my family from Alaska to southern Idaho and have had my hands full. I promise that I have more to come as soon as I am through this move!

 

[Jermus]

Thanks for notifying, although when I saw that this thread contained a new post I was immediately like: "Yes! A new installment!" ... .

Good luck with the relocation. Take your time, that is far more important than supplying next installments (but I don't need to tell you that, I think). This thread won't walk away.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Out of time

Whew! I was able to fit in some writing time this week and got the next installment finished. Enjoy!

Roderick took up position in the Tanaka feeding materials into the service hatch of the AMF as Rand and Akio finished bringing the last of the materials. Jake had laid out his plan to everyone and Miriam was already putting it to use high above them although with no small degree of consternation from Zach. Even Roderick weighed in his disapproval.

“Miriam! You're out numbered, outmatched, and outgunned! Why did you practically invite them to a fight!?”

“Mr. Jasc, sir, I know two of their pilots. They would have come for me anyway.”

“What do you mean ‘come for you’?”

There was a sigh over the comm. “Mr. Jasc, do you remember when we were delivering Sothis Crystalline Gold to the Alioth system?”

“Yes, we were ambushed by that wolf pack of a pirate’s fleet two hops short of getting there. I remember some excellent dog fighting got us through.”

“Two of the pirates who survived were brother and sister.” There was a pause before Miriam continued. “One pirate who didn't was their brother.”

There was another pause while everyone digested this. Roderick completed the train of thought, “And the surviving brother and sister are in bound with our group of Inbound bandits?”

“Yes sir. It wouldn't matter what I said. Once they completed their scan of my ship I saw their course change slightly. Their coming for revenge.”

“Then you’re about to have a real fight on your hands.”

“Yes sir. I’m banking on Jake’s discovery to level the playing field for us. The best shot we have a surviving this.”

Jake came over the comm, “How is your read out looking?”

“Colorful.” Miriam replied with a tone of cool caution in her voice. She sounded a little less that confident.

“Well it’s just like any heat map. The brighter the color the higher the danger. Anything in the yellow or white range should be avoided.”

“Except by our enemy,” one of the escort fighter pilots added.

“Yes,” Miriam replied, “that will be the whole idea. Use standard dog fight tactics with the added objective of getting them to fly one of these bright patches. Do you all have the heat map on your displays?” All wings confirmed.
Back at the Tanaka Rand interrupted his father with another batch of minerals. “Akio is bringing the last pieces now.” The two of the injected the pieces into the ships AMF maintenance panel. Rand addressed Jake while they worked. “Jake, how exactly does this map of your work? I kind of missed that part.”

“Well, I can‘t figure out the cause of the interference, but I have been able to figure out that it is appears to be coming from multiple sources. The sources by itself is nearly harmless, but where sources intersect they stack up in intensity, like waves that intersect. I the combined interference is high enough ships explode.”

“How does the interference cause ships to blow up?” Aiko asked as she brought up the last batch of needed materials.

“It doesn’t. The interference seems to just be a symptom or side effect of what is really causing ships to detonate. What is really causing it, I haven’t been able to figure out. I’m not sure we have the sensors on the Zenith to be able to.”
“For now, that isn’t important.” Roderick interrupted. “Getting out of here alive is what we need to focus on. Keep your eyes on that map and use it to your advantage. Akio and Armanda will need it to get us off the surface. We can examine the data once we’re back to Allied space.”

Rand announced that all the minerals were loaded as Akio headed back to the bridge to begin the ship start up and the fabrication process. Commander Armanda started prepping the Zenith for receiving fuel. She called over the comm, “Miriam, how long until company shows up?”

“Three minutes, forty seconds.”

“Akio, how long until the transfer conduit is ready?”

“About four minutes.” Akio reported.

“So now we wait.” Rand muttered.

“It would seem so.” His father responded.

Miriam let out a long sigh. A wait could be an opportunity for people to ready themselves, or for tension to build. She scanned all her readouts to make sure she was ready for the pirates when they arrived. She turned he eyes back to the view outside and the heat map overlay on the space beyond. The bubble of converging interference was still holding in front of them. Now that she had a moment to study it more closely she could see that these hazards in space were more unstable than she has first realized. Its edges moved in unpredictable ripples and waves. Other colors trimmed it edges and after a short while she thought she could detect where the different disturbances were coming together to create this patch of deadly energy. Or whatever it was.

The pulsing and movement had her in nearly a trace like state until she notices a change in the patterns she had been watching. Their convergent point was becoming increasingly unstable, and it was on the move. Zach also noticed a change. “Is that thing moving toward…”

He never got to finish. Miriam was on the comm shouting at the other fighters. “All wings full reverse and break!” The bright white patch in the sky had started rolling toward them as is edges tore and pulled apart. Miriam and the other ships reversed at their best speed and broke, Miraim to the left, the others to the right. Shortly after it has passed through where they had been the interference concentration fell apart. Once source seems to fade to nothing. The rest moved apart, changing in strength and directions but each of them being too weak on their own to pose a threat to the ships. They had move just in time but were now without cover just as they needed it. Five flashes of white light appeared offer her left. The Pirates has arrived.

 

[Jermus]

Thanks! I enjoyed this installment .

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Showdown part 1

“So, you thought you could just ignore us?” The lead pirates voice came clear over the comm system speakers. Miriam was ignoring him. She did what she was well known for, sizing up the enemy and planning her attack. “That’s wasn’t smart running like..”
One of the fighter pilots, and younger female pilot named Katran, interrupted his pending taunt. “Commander! I’ve found what we're looking for. 8 o’clock 30% down from your position.”
The private fell silent and this strange announcement. For him and his fellow pilots they would have seen empty space. But Miriam and the other pilots saw what they could not. Filaments of color were converging into a irregular patch of layered interference patterns that grew in brightness until it was filled with yellow and white. The pilots vector call pointed at a patch of dark space between the pirates and the new patch of silent death. “Good work. All wings form up and follow me.”
“What are you all playing at?” The pirate was both confused and annoyed at again being dismissed and at this apparent inexplicable move. There were others in his pack that didn’t care.
“Miriam.” A cold female voice came over the comm next. “Remember me?”
“Yes,” Miriam replied almost dismissively, “your one of those pirates you attacked one of our convoys a few months back.”
“You spaced our brother.”
“Yep. And I would have spaced you and your other brother if you two hadn’t run away like the cowards you are.” It was hard to tell what part of Miram’s reply caused greater surprise for the others listening, Miriam's cold response or the fact that she delivered it with the same nonchalant, almost bored, voice. Almost as an afterthought she added, “I would have chased you but I had a delivery to get to its destination. Too bad you showed up at another inconvenient time or I would dispatch you now.”
The female’s response was pure acid. He voice quavered as she tried to form her words. “You filthy piece…I’m a coward!?” She carried on spouting profanity and curses as her ship began to bear down on Miriam. Miriam cracked a small satisfied smile, there was blood in the water and these sharks had the scent. Their anger would diminish their tactics which would increase their likely hood of making mistakes.
But the lead pirate pilot was suddenly more cautions. “Hold on, she's playing us. There’s something else up her sleeve.”
“What'd ya mean mate? We got her out gunned?” The second Asp pilot asked.
The lead pirate didn’t answer his wingman but spoke directly to Miriam. “I’ve heard of you Miriam, you're no fool. You either know something or your playing us for fools!”
“If I am then two of you have fallen for it.”
The two vultures with brother and sister were already rocketing straight at them. Miriam could tell that by the time they got within the average firing range they would be just short of the space disturbance. Miraim’s fleet would be positioned behind it with the only direct flight path taking the oncoming ships right through a trap they couldn’t see, their first, and likely last mistake.
“Hold back you two, something's wrong. Form up! We take Miraim together!” But the two siblings refused to listen. They were seeing red. Boosters flared as their ships hit their top speed sill aiming straight for Miriam's Fer de Lance. Miriam watched as the distance between the unsuspecting Vultures and the space disturbance closed. The pirate siblings keep up their threats and descriptions of the fate they would inflict upon Miriam, the lead pilot shouting for their return, Miriam waiting to give the order to her fleet to turn and engage. 200 meters, 100 meters, 50.
Miriam finally gave the order, “All fighters, attack pattern Delta, target Bogey 3!” The fighters broke around back toward the lone Vulture with the Asps in a vector that would take them around the disturbance field. Miriam started the same maneuver around the other side of the field aiming for the lead Asp. A move that made sense if the two Asps and the one Vulture were the only enemy ships in the area but that exposed their flanks to the oncoming Vultures.
“What are they doin!?” The second Asp pilot exclaimed. The pirate siblings gasped in surprise at the seeming stupid move of their enemy, but they made not reply. Their ships suddenly flared into mini suns as their load of fuel detonated. Stunned silence filled the airways as the surviving pirates looked on in complete disbelief at what they were seeing. In their distracted shock they didn’t notice the three fighters and Fer de Lance screaming toward them.

 

[Jermus]

Vrep+1, as I am out of official rep . Nice action.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Thank you sir!

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Refuel, part 1

“Any chance of speeding this up?” Rand knew the answer before he asked it, but the question gave voice to his anxiety. Pirates were due to show up any second overhead and the manufactured fuel line was still a minute from completion.
His father answered him. “You know the answer to that.” Roderick grabbed hm by the arm. “Come on, we need to be ready to get that line hooked up as soon as it's done.” They both ran down to the exit hatch. Once the line was done they still needed to connect it to one of the Tanaka’s fuel dump vents. They banked on the low planetary gravity to make the hook up possible. They reached the hatch just as the pirates dropped to normal space above them.
“Come on, give a green light,” Rand muttered.
“Any second now.” Rodrick quietly responded. “Commander Tomika, how is the Zenith?”
“Systems are ready for fuel transfer. We’re in fighting condition as well. Once we're off this rock we can even the odds up there.”
“Good. Mr. Burr, keep us all on secure channel. We want the element of surprise when we go skyward. Akio, status?”
“20 seconds.”
Everyone fell silent. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the last seconds ticked down. Suddenly the comm system crackled to life with the first transmissions from the inbound pirates.
“So, you thought you could just ignore us?” The lead pirates voice sounded in everyone’s ears. The battle in the sky had begun. Miriam and the pirates verbal exchange, the tension of the inevitable fight building with each passing second. Rand felt his heart pounding in his chest. Every second that passed Miriam and her crew had to fight an uneven battle. A battle they were drawn into because of him.
Akio, came back over the comm. “Conduit is done! It should be on the ground in 5 seconds!”
They both dropped through the open hatch and turned towards the underbelly of the ship. There just ahead was the long tubular conduit snaking down from the ship. Roderick and Rand both ran toward the end and started dragging it toward the starboard side of the ship.
“Akio,if the skies are clear get the Tanaka powered up! We want to move as soon as we have this thing connected!” Roderick yelled.
“Akio, this is Jake, my sensors are showing all clear. I’ll watch for interference while you fly.”
Rand felt the slight tremor of the Tanaka powering up through the soil underfoot. There was no sound in this airless world the powerful engines on the ship could make themselves know through other means.
Rand and Roderick reached the flank of the ship. One of the fuel ports could be seen a few meters above their heads. “Start pulling in the slack!” Roderick called as he began pulling additional lengths of conduit. Rand grabbed the fuel line and started pulling hand-over-hand as fast as he could. Rand turned to his father just in time to see Roderick jump straight up with the connecting end of the fuel line. Even in the low gravity the weight of the line slowed his accent.

“Dad! What are you doing!?”

He didn’t answer. As approached the hull of the ship he reached up with is free hand to grab on to a small outcropping. Rand saw him slowing in his accent and quickly grabbed the line that was still on the ground. Tossing it into the air he hoped to reduce the drag from the weight of the line. Roderick reached limit of his accent. With one last read he grabbed a handhold on the ship. He now hung by one hand from the ship with the conduit in the other. Roderick checked his surroundings until he spotted one of the fuel vents in the ship, 2 meters out of reach.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Refuel, part 2

Overhead Miriam watched in satisfaction as yellow blossoms burst into bloom across the front on the lead Asp as her rounds found their target. Almost in unison, the three fighters opened up on the surviving Vulture, jinking on the way. The Pirates were caught off guard while trying to comprehend what had happened to their two Vultures. The airwaves erupted with their cries of confusion and fury. Miriam allowed a small smile at having evened the odds somewhat. The smile didn’t last long. The pirates recovered quickly and began heir counter attack.

“Zach, give me a status on the Vulture!” She barked while pulling the ship through maneuvers.

“The vulture shields are at 10%.”

The Asp she has hit also had its shields stripped to almost nothing.

Zach continued, “The Vulture an the damaged Asp are vectoring toward our fighters! The second Asp is tracking us.” Warnings sounded as fire from the perusing Asp hit their shields. Miriam pulled another hard evasive move to throw off the attackers aim. The pirates appeared to have mostly direct fire beam and projectile weapons, sacrificing auto targeting for greater punch. Miriam knew that the fighters would have the advantage of greater maneuverability but would not survive long if the pirates were able to land hits.
Comprehension of what Miriam was doing dawned on Zach. “Why are we turning tail on the oncoming Asp!?”

“Zach, our fighters won’t last long against their firepower. We need to disable one of their craft while their shields are down.”

“While getting our shields chewed!?”

“We can recover easier that they can.”

“Our shields are at 65%!”

Miriam continued her jinking as she lined up on the other Asp. An interference patch had formed in the path of the fighters causing them to break in unorthodox pattern. The Asp had given chase to a lone fighter and started firing. Blue flashed appeared on its shields the Asp worked out a firming solution. It’s course however put it in Miriam’s line of fire. She stoped her erratic maneuvers, lined up on her target and unloaded on the Asp. Her beam weapons revoked the remainder of the ships shields while her follow up volley of protection weapons did punishing internal damage. The perusing Asp broke off its pursuit of the fighter as Miriam continued her volley.

“Shields at 12%!” Zach yelled. Miriam squeezed off another second of fire before breaking and resuming erratic maneuvers. When she was done the fleeing Asp was at 63% hull integrity and clearly showing sings of power loss and thruster damage.

“Thanks Miriam!”

“Form up and get after that Vulture!”

“Shields gone!” Zach’s announcement was followed by the sound of metallic impacts on her ships hull.

*

Roderick looked at any other way he could hold onto the ship that would get him close enough to the fuel vent to attach the fuel line. In the middle of his search Rand appeared floating up directly at the fuel vent. He grabbed hold of the lip of the vent.

“Dad! Throw me the line!” Roderick nodded in understanding and started to swing himself in Rand’s direction. He let go and floated toward Rand. Rand reached out for the conduit win his free hand as Roderick threw it to him as he passed. Rand examined the vent realizing that the only way to connect the conduit would be to release his grip on the vent. With the low gravity on the planet he may have a shot at pulling himself up to the ship and letting go, using the few seconds it would take for gravity to pull him out of reach to connect the line.

Rand took a breath then pulled him self up flush with the hull of the ship. He brought the conduit up as close as he could to the vent. Rand l go of the vent and pushed the conduit end into place. The alignment was off. Rand wriggled the connection as he began to float downward carefully conscious that every push upward on the conduit forced him downward at a faster rate. At the last second the conduit aligned and the auto clasps engaged. Rand was about to call out that he had made the connection when his fathers voice interjected.

“We’re connected! Akio, go!”

“Wait! What?!” But Rand had barely gotten the words out when the flare of thrusters burst from the Tanaka. Rand grabbed hold of the fuel line as the upward thrust of the ship threatened to pull him loose. Sand and dust billowed up and around Rand with a violet intensity as the ships thrusters lifted the Tanaka skyward. Rand fought to maintain his grip Rand as he looked down finding his father gripping the fuel line further down, the ground quickly falling away beneath them. Suddenly he was swung out away from the ship as Akio moved the Tanaka toward the Zenith. Roderick was swung even farther away from the ship as they veered sideways. “Dad!” Rand called through the comm. Roderick didn’t answer.

Suddenly the mass of the Zenith slid into view beneath them. Akio had brought them over the other ship with only a meter or two clearance. She brought the ships to a sudden stop and began a careful decent tow at the top of the other ship. Roderick now began to swing back toward the hull of the Tanaka.

“Dad! Look out!” Low gravity did not negate the force of impacts and Roderick was moving fast. Suddenly, Roderick released his grip on the fuel line, falling gently hitting the Zenith at a low angle. With a single roll Roderick slid across the Zenith to a stop just short of falling off the other side. He rose and began dashing back toward the fuel line.

“Rand, get down here!”

Recovering from seeing his father nearly hit the side of the Tanaka at break neck speed, and then nearly falling off the Zenith pushed up hard on the fuel line to speed his drop to the roof of the Zenith. The shouting above had intensified as the dogfight commenced between their forces and the pirates. They needed to move things along and quickly. Akio had set down on top of the great Anaconda, her ships thrusters going silent.

“Over the side!” Roderick ordered Rand thrusting the other end of the conduit at him. “Signal once it’s hooked up and we’ll start the fuel transfer, then get aboard the Tanaka.”

Rand turned and his father pushed him hard, propelling him over the side.

“What the…! What are you doing!” Rand yelled as he flew out over the side.

“Miriam and the others are fighting for our lives and theirs up there. We don’t have the luxury of taking this slow.”

The line in Rand’s hand went tight as he reached the end of its length. He then began to fall down toward the planet surface. The line came in contact with the edge of the Zenith and slowly began to swing Rand back up toward the underside of the Of the ship. He knew he only had one shot at getting right or they would have to start again, a move that would cost them several minutes.

Rand saw on of the Zenith’s vents come into view nearly in his path of travel. He readied the end of the fuel line getting ready to slam it into place once he was close enough. Rand could faintly hear the sounds of the fighting above, the others chattering away about fuel transfer, reading for flight, and interference. He tuned it all out keeping his focus on the fuel vent ahead and the need to connect with it. People’s lives depended on it. The last few seconds passed. As Rand came within reach he thrust the end of the conduit toward the fuel vent of the Zenith. The two came together perfectly, auto clasps engaging and securing the connection.

“We’re connected!” He yelled triumphantly.

Cheers erupted from those on the Tanaka and Zenith. “Good work Rand! Now get aboard the Tanaka, I’m boarding the Zenith now. Akio, start venting fuel!”

Rand climbed back up the fuel line as the four fuel vents of the Tanaka began spilling fuel into space. All but one. Fuel flowed from the one connected vent through the conduit into the Zenith.

Commander Tomika came over the line, “We’re showing positive fuel flow, Akio, I’ll signal when we have enough.”

Rand was now cresting the edge of the Zenith and bolting for the airlock of the Fer de Lance. Soon they would be blasting off this accursed rock. He only hoped it wouldn’t be too late for Miriam.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Tripple feature

I got some extra writing time in on a trip I recently took. Here is a triple feature!

Hold the Line

“I’m taking hits!”
“E2, vector 3, 3, 1 for cover fire.”

Both sides in the conflict dodged, circled, and angled to gain firing solutions on each other. The sounds of pilots straining against violent maneuvers and cries for help pierced the airwaves punctuating the ferocity of the battle. Both sides clawed to gain the advantage, and both suffered for it.

“Damage report!” Miriam called to Zach.

Zachary hesitated as Miriam pulled them through a sharp and twisting evasive maneuver, narrowly missing oncoming fire.

“Shields nearly back online. Hull integrity at 96%, light damage to power plant and FSD.”

Miriam slammed the flight controls through another gut wrenching sliding turn to take advantage of a shot at the Vulture. Half her fire missed because of the range and erratic movements of the two craft, but it was enough to tear down the recently recovered shields exposing it to the direct fire of the escort fighters.

“Shields back online!” Zachary called from next to her. He barely got the word out before being slammed back in his seat as Miriam again pulled a hard turn to avoid a brightening patch of interference looming in front of them. The move exposed them to fire from an Asp. Again, Their shields dropped under a rain of shells and beam energy. This was the third time she has lost an opportunity or taken damage because of this accursed space interference. The escort fighters fared no better and all were now had low shields or internal damage.

In the fray, the Vulture had picked up another fighter escort and was jockeying hard for a good shot while making itself a hard target for the other fighters. They were in hot pursuit trying to protect the third fighter when an interference patch began forming between the pursuing fighters and the Vulture forcing them to break off. The Vulture took advantage of this reprieve and hammer away at its target.

“I’m taking hits! Shields down, taking internals!”

The lead fighter called over the comm. “E4, vector 10, 10, 2!”

“Too late!! I’ve lost fire control and half my power!”

“E4, this is Miriam, punch out!”

“Wait!” E4 called back. She banked hard heading right for a glowing patch of interference. The Vulture lost their firing solution for a moment but began hammering away on the crippled fighter again as E4 leveled out.
Miriam watched in confusion and horror at the fighters move. “E4 what are you doing!?”

“Come back and pick me up!” Was her last transmission as she hit the boot and then ejected into space.

The Vulture pursued the fighter tearing into the craft, missing the escape pod in the wreckage that fell from its pray. A second later both craft plunged into the invisible patch of deadly space, flared into fiery deaths, and were gone.

Throttle

“We’re down another fighter.” Communications officer Burke announced through the secure channel. Commander Tomika gave a slight nod with pursed lips. Sitting here powerless to help while her friends were shot out of space was getting to her. Losing her cool, she knew, wouldn’t help. She had been in the military. She knew that part of that work was to die. She also know part of that work was watching friends die.

Roderick burst into the bridge of the Zenith on the heels of Burke report. “Commander Tomika, how long until we are fueled?”

“20 more seconds.”

“Rand, are you aboard the Tanaka?”

Akio gave the response. “He’s coming through the airlock now.”

“Burke, do we an escape vector?”

Burke turned to face Roderick. “I wish I had better news. There are a lot of active patches in the area make it nearly impossible to take a direct path off planet. To make it worse, activity seems to be intensifying.”
Roderick was quiet a moment and studied the broiling interference patterns on the Zenith’s AR display.

Commander Tomika ended the silence. “Fueling complete! Jettisoning fuel line.”

Akio confirmed and disconnected the line from the Tanaka.

Roderick spoke again. “Okay everyone, let’s get off this rock and help our friends above. Power up the ships and keep sharp for interference!”

Jake spoke up again, “We have an interference patch developing right overhead. We may have to wait it out before bring up the ship.”

Rand entered the bridge of the Tanaka and took a seat next to Akio. Barely had he sat down when Akio drew up the landing gear and punched the engine boost rocketing their ship toward and down to hug the ground a mere meter off the surface.

“Akio!” Roderick shouted.

“I see and opening and I’m taking I sir.” Rand looked over to see Akio, her face set like stone, her words calm. It would appear that now she could see the threat, she was no longer afraid. This was the Akio hired by his father; cool, collected, and a master pilot.

It would have been nice for you to warn me first. Rand thought to himself as he straightened up in his seat.

Roderick and the others on board the Zenith watched the Tanaka scream away dodging terrain and interference until popping skyward.

“Commander Tomika, how long until we can follow?”

“I’m afraid we are pinned down for now. We’ll have to dig out of the dirt when we launch, and we are taller than Akio’s ship. We have to wait for the interference above us to clear before we can get airborne.”
“Akio, do you copy our situation?”

“I copy, sir.”

“Get up there and help Miriam and the others. We’ll follow as soon as we can.”

“Akio,” Jake broke in, “when you go to planetary cruise, be sure to look as far ahead as possible. You need a clear opening for the distance it takes to go completely to Frame Shift.”

“What about when I am in cruise mode?”

“The color overlay showing the danger spots will turn off once you go to cruise. Interference patterns would be near indiscernible at that rate of travel. Even if you could see them you wouldn’t have time to evade them.”
Akio went rigid.

Rand noticed and asked the question that was probably flashing through her mind. “Can these interference patches harm us while in cruise?"

There was a pause from Jake before he answered. “I don’t know.” He paused again. “It’s a risk we all have to take.”

Rand turned to Akio. He could see the tightness in her jaw. “Akio, it’s our only chance to get out of here.”

Akio turned to face him, a deep penetrating gaze as if she were searching for another answer. Rand held her gaze steeling himself, and hopefully her, for the risk they were taking. Going to planetary frame shift cruise may kill them. Staying here certainly would. Akio saw the answer in his eyes. She turned back ahead and pulled the Tanaka into a vertical climb weaving and angling towards the projected escape vector. Once there was a clear path forward Akio hit the FSD.
Rand sat back taking a long breath. Below him was a planet that days before seemed likely to be his final resting place. Now he was on the verge of leaving it with his rescuers, or to flame out to an unknown force. As the FSD counted down its final second Rand closed his eyes.

Desperate

Miriam and Zach we both thrown sideways as large caliber fire struck the left side of their ship. A small explosion behind them showered them with sparks and filled the cockpit with wisps of smoke. Miriam pulled her ship through more difficult maneuvers trying to evade the cross fire of the two Asps. Interference had forced her into maneuvers the gave the enemy the advantage while the pirates mated to miss the unseen threats. The remaining two fighters continued harass the Asps but the pirates seemed determined to shoot down Miriam, all but ignoring the fighters.

The lead Asp had taken light damage and was running with minimal shields while the second Asp we now at 50% hull integrity with noticeable internal damage. However, it was still able to put out considerable firepower and posed a threat to Miriam’s forces.

Zach called out the damage report to Miriam between strained grunts during high gee turns. Hull was at 50% thrusters and engines were damaged along with the power plant and distributor. Her ship was taking a pounding and she knew if things continued like this she would not survive this fight.

An opportunity presented itself as the lead Asp came into Miriam’s sights. She opened fire while performing a downward slide keeping her direction aimed to lead her target. Her rounds struck home just below and aft of the enemy canopy stripping away the last if it’s shields and tearing into its hull. Her fire stopped as her energy reserve ran dry entirely too early.

The crippled Asp appeared trying to line her up forcing her to break with her target, then the Asp suddenly vectored away finding a better opportunity with one the fighters. Both had converged on the first Asp taking advantage of its missing shields. One fighter took the brunt of a well place burst from the crippled Asp explosions erupted from its nose and upper hull.

“I’ve lost shields and my weapons! Power is at half!”

The fighter leader called in response, “Get clear E2! Join up with the Zenith when they arrive.”

The crippled fight broke away from the action while the other tried to get on the lead Asp’s six o’clock. Miriam fought controls trying to stay out of a firing solution while getting in another round on the enemy. Tracer fire started streaking past the canopy from the lead Asp. Again, she pushed the ship through erratic maneuvers trying to keep from taking fire.

“Come on Akio,” She muttered under her breath. “I could use some help.”

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Incoming

Rand opened his eyes. They weren’t dead. The drone of the ships FSD vibrated through his body as Akio vectored the ship toward the drop pint for Miriam’s position. Akio was still tense and pale as she lined up the ship with cat like precision. Seconds more and they would be dropping from planetary cruise back to normal speeds. Rand wondered if they were flying through patches of the mysterious interference or if they were simple getting lucky. At these speeds were they simply moving to fast to be affected? He may never know, and for now it didn’t matter. Getting to Miriam and the others is all that mattered. If they survived the trip they would be there in a few more seconds.

“We’re dropping.” Akio sounded as calm and cool as a mountain lake but Rand could still see the tension drawing lines across her features. He hoped she would be better once she could see the threats around her.

The ship began to shake as it dropped back to normal space. The loud bang of re-entry rocked through them as the ship stabilized and sensors started reporting the state of things around them. They had dropped far from the action. Travers and beam weapons could be seen in the distance landing out into space trying to find their targets. Akio lit the ships engine boost slamming Rand back in his seat as they rocketed toward the action. The AR HUD came alive with glowing shapes of different color showing the hidden death patches in space. Rand was relieved to see that there was less up here than on the surface below. He glanced at Akio again. Her countenance had changed. Gone was the tension, replaced with a calm readiness, steeled for the fight ahead. Rand turned back to his readouts to size up the situation.

Things were not going well for either side. Miriam was dodging fire with one fighter trying to shoot the Asps off her, while the other fighter limped away from the fray, to damaged to continue the fight. The Tanaka continued to barrel toward the fight unnoticed by any in area. Over the comm. came Miriam’s plea, “Come on Akio, I could use some help.”

“We’re here Miriam.”

Akio had lined up on the lead Asp and was watching the range close. Miriam had to make another banking turn to avoid an ill placed interference patch giving the lead Asp a clear shot. Beam weapons followed by projectiles streamed toward Miriam. Akio kept the booted lit to close the distance to optimal firing range.

“Now would be good!” Miriam yelled into the comm.

“Almost in range!” Came Akio’s reply.

Suddenly the lead Asp spun violently out of control. The last fighter had rammed the Asp as the quickest way to throw off its aim buying Akio time to close to firing range. The fighter, its front hull crushed by the impact tumble away as Akio opened up with all weapons punching deep wounds into the Asp. Rand watched as its hull integrity percentage dropped under Akio’s withering fire until it reached zero. The pirate leader continued to tumble, its lifeless form finally blowing apart in its final death throes.

Miriam was not yet out of danger however. The last Asp had gotten on her six o’clock unnoticed and began to open fire. Akio, having closed the distance at full speed overshot Miriam and would take time to circle back. Again, Miriam's ship rocked as shells hit the hull from behind.

“Taking hits! Engines failing!” Miriam jam tried to evade but her flight controls had taken such punishment that she could not get out of the line of fire. Suddenly directly ahead was a bright flash. A shadow emerged from pinpoint to the form of an Anaconda dominating her forward view, weapons emerging from their hard points.

Commander Tanaka’s voice was calm. “Miriam, flyover.”

Miriam pulled up on her controls to slide her Fer de Lance just over the top of the Zenith. Fire began to pour from the Zenith barely missing the underside of Miriam’s ship. The pursuing Asp never had time to react. Catching the full force of the Zenith’s incoming fire flame erupted from ship, its canopy collapsing and its hull coming apart, it burst out of existence.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Requiem

Rand stared at the planet below. Only yesterday he expected to die there. Now, I hung in space several hundred kilometers below. The after-action assessment had brought relief to all. Everyone had survived the encounter. The pilot that had ejected had been recovered with only minor injuries. Her rescue was delayed while the interference zone she had flown into dissipated. She was fortunate that escape pods ran on a different energy source than the standard ship fusion reactors. She remained safe during the fight surrounded by the invisible field.

The pilot who had rammed the lead Asp had fared less well. After her fighter had been recovered she was found unconscious with several fractured ribs and a broken arm. She had been stabilized and was resting in the Med bay. Rukil had regained consciousness and had been briefed on everything that had happened. He jokingly lamented that he had missed the action and that he had done such a poor job landing his ship. Miriam’s ship was deemed too damaged to make the return trip to controlled space. After Zach and Miriam made a short space walk to the Zenith, her ship was set to self-destruct.

Still, everyone had survived. Almost everyone. Rand stood on the bridge of the Tanaka with Akio facing the planet. Roderick had gathered all hands for a funeral service for Belinsky on the bridge of the Zenith. The two ships had connected via audio and video streams and rand could see even the injured pilots had assembled to pay final respects to their fellow pilot. He could hear the words of his Father speaking to the group about the brave pilot who had died trying to find him. He listened as Roderick spoke of his humble beginning, his blossoming career as a pilot, his bravery. His gratitude that everyone in his fleet had been so accepting of their fallen friend. How they helped him become who he was and counted that as a reason Belinsky was willing to fly into danger time and time again to aid people who were more than just is co-workers. His Father had always been good at giving speeches, always knowing how to reach his audience. He could tell there were those who needed to hear his words. But he was having trouble focusing. A sick feeling had been slowing penetrating his whole being since the action had died down. How was it fair that he was leaving this place while Belinsky would forever remain?They had not rescued anyone, they had merely traded a life. Was his life any more value than Belinsky’s? Rand knew what he was experiencing. Survivors guilt. It was a well know psychological condition. He had even covered it in some of his studies in school. But it was entirely different experiencing it firsthand. He knew Roderick’s words were true, Belinsky had volunteered to go look for Rand. He had often put his life on the line as an escort pilot. He knew the risks. Yet, staring down at the planet below Rand wanted to throw up. Yesterday he would have given anything to get off that planet’s surface, now he would give anything to trade places with the man they left behind.

The requiem ended and Roderick invited anyone that wanted to speak. Others came forward and spoke about Belinsky paying their final respects. When everyone that wanted to speak had finished all fell silent. Rand could tell his father was watching him. He didn’t move. He wanted to speak, wanted to get things out, and he knew as the one that everyone has risked their lives for, there were people there that wanted, maybe needed, to hear whatever he had to offer. But he didn’t know how to distill his feelings into words that would make sense. He fought an internal battle as the silence continued. He saw out of the corner of his eye Akio turn to him. Something about her gaze pushed him to speak.

Rand cleared his throat, hoping words would follow. “I’m the reason you’re here Belinsky,” Rand started. His voice was slow and soft, as though the words had a physical weight that he labored to move. “I came here of my own choice, not knowing the risk of this place. You came to find me, not knowing the danger.” Rand paused again. It seemed all noise in the ship fell silent as though even the people, the ship, and space and time itself waited, wanting to hear what he was about to say. Rand swallowed and began again, “In my mind I understand you volunteered to come. You risked your life all the time defending our fleets. I just wish…” Rand faltered. He clenched his fists grappling with what to say next. “I’m sorry.” He couldn’t sum it up any other way. He was sorry. Sorry with every fiber of his being. But that wouldn’t bring Belinsky back. “I wish you were coming back with us.”

“Thank you everyone,” Roderick said. “We leave behind a friend. I think he would be grateful that we stopped to pay our respects. But I think if he could speak to us now he would encourage us to move on with life. Let us live to honor the sacrifice he made. If we do then we will not be leaving him behind.” Roderick paused to allow for one more moment of silence, then expressed thanks for all the hard work and sacrifice they had all made in rescuing his son.

He then addressed Rand. “Rand, good work on getting us out of here.” Roderick must have seen the confused look on his face. “Yes, you were the one that needed rescuing, but you also helped gather materials to build the fuel line and assisted with the fuel transfer. You also flew co-pilot to Akio. You were as much a part of the rescue team as the rest of us.”

Rand didn’t know how to respond. Commander Tomika now spoke. “Rand, everyone here knows you weren’t trying to get into trouble. Space is dangerous, and there are things out there we haven’t seen or don’t understand. You couldn’t have seen what you were stepping into. I don’t fault you for that.” She paused a moment before continuing. “If in your explorations, you need rescuing again, I will come.”

Rand was now at a complete loss of words.

His father added, “Rand, if it were Belinski stranded down there would you have come to rescue him, even at your own life’s peril?” Rand slowly nodded. “Then,” his father continued, “you know why he did what he did. What any of would do for each other.”

There were nods all the way around. All except Akio who only looked at Rand without expression. Rand noticed that she has been looking at him since he had spoken about Belinsky.

Rukil spoke next. “That right Rand. You’re a good kid,” he said with a lopsided smile, “and you’re the son of my employer.” That got a chuckle out of nearly everyone there. Only Rand and Akio didn’t laugh.

“Thank you Rukil.” Roderick said with a slight humorous note in his voice. “Everyone here has my deepest thanks for bring him back. Now, I say let’s get back to controlled space and celebrate his safe return.” There was a general murmur of approval at this news and everyone started moving off to their various stations. Rukil and the other escort pilots were invited to retire to med bay or quarters to rest. Commander Tomika and Jake Burr took their stations on the bridge with Zach. Roderick conveyed instructions to head to the primary start for refueling where Akio would be given the jump route home. Rodrick signed off and Akio and Rand were left in silence on the bridge.

There was a moment more of awkward silence between them. Akio was no longer looking at Rand, only the empty space where the holo of the Zenith has once been.

Rand finally spoke, “I guess it’s time to go.” She turned to him and their eyes met. Neither spoke for a moment. Rand wanting to say something but no words would formula in his mind. She also looked unsettled, like she was searching for words herself. Suddenly words came, “Thanks for coming to get me Akio.” His tone was both grateful and remorseful at the same time. He was grateful she and the others came. He also felt a weight for whatever burden she now carried because of it.

Akio said nothing at first. She only continued to look at him. Rand finally broke the silence again, “I’ll navigate,” he offered breaking eye contact and sliding into the co-pilots seat.

Soon Rand was watching the planet recede into the distance and thought of the one they were leaving behind. In less than a minute the planet was only a small white speck lost in the sea of stars hanging in the eternal night of space. The hum of the ships engines at super cruise added to the numb feeling washing over him as they headed to the systems primary star.

They reached the primary star a short time later. In less than a minute the Zenith and Tanaka were loaded with fuel. Akio was equally during the trip, her face tight, eyes fixed on the view ahead. Rand could tell she was wrestling with her own demons. This place had taken its toll on her as well. Space could do that. Explorers once set forth on their journeys of discovery seldom return the same as they were. Rand expected to be different, but not like this. They moved a safe distance from the star as Rand loaded the course to take them back to habited space. Akio turned to their target and engaged the hyperspace engines. As the countdown began Rand leaned his head back against his seat and closed his eyes. Space and time shuddered and they were gone.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Return to the Stars

Rand sat staring into the spectacle of stars that slowly rotated past his view, a great uncertainty weighing on him. Roderick had stayed true to his announcement of a celebration upon their return to controlled space. The party was a bitter sweet mix of remembering Belinsky and being grateful they had made it back. As time went on the mood continued to lighten, except for Rand and Akio. Rand still struggled with the weight of the risk he had put everyone through and the loss of Belinsky. Akio had stayed quiet for most of the party being polite but reserved, leaving early without a word.

Rand had been asked at the party when he planned to head back out. Commander Tomika had been the one who asked and everyone there stopped to hear his response. When he did not answer right away many there encouraged him to finish what he had started. Rand had finally agreed to head out as soon as preparations could be made. Rand was now waiting on his insurance to refurnish a replacement ship. His father had stepped in when there had been delays to Shepard things along. He was expecting his father to stop by any minute to let him know how things were proceeding.

When the chime at the door came he called for the visitor to enter, assuming it was Roderick. To his surprise Akio entered. “Akio!” Rand said in surprise coming to the door. Akio stopped just inside the door not allowing enough room for the door to slide shut behind her. “Door, I was expecting int my dad, I would have come to the door if I had…”

Rand trailed off. Akio was not looking at him she stood silent he eyes staring downward, not really looking at anything. Rand hesitated for a second before asking if she was okay. She said nothing for a few seconds.

“You’re going back out there.” It was more of a statement than a question.

Rand now hesitated. Akio was still not looking at him. “Yes.”

Her expression did not change. “When do you leave?”

Rand gave a slight shrug. “As soon as my next ship is ready.”

What Akio did next took Rand by surprise. She looked right at him and asked “Why?”

Her expression had changed. There was an intensity in her that he had never seen before. Her eyes seemed to bore into his and the tone of her voice was not a causal question. Was it confusion, anger? Perhaps both? Rand stumbled mentally. Why? To finish what he started, the others had encouraged him to go, to make new discoveries. Rand felt his answers to be both week and lacking in the face of her question.

She stood silent studying him. Rand began to feel hot, becoming increasingly uncomfortable in the awkward silence that hung in the air between them after his answer. He began to doubt the wisdom of exploring again.

“It’s a dangerous game you play, Rand.”

Is that it? Rand thought to himself. She thought he was being reckless?

“And you don’t?” He shot back. “You climb in a fighter and take fire protecting my dad’s fleets.” He let that sink in for a second. “Statistically speaking, your chosen career path has a higher fatality rate than mine.” Akio’s expression densified at this. The anger seems to fade but there was still confusion and conflict in her eyes. Rand thought that this was not the real issue however. She knew already the truth of what he just said. There was something else tormenting her.

“This isn’t about mortality rates of careers, though is it?” Rand said in a gentler voice. “You haven’t been the same since my rescue.”

Akio turned away. “No. I suppose I haven’t.” She paused for a moment. “I’m sorry Rand, I should challenge your decision to leave again.” Before he could respond she turned back toward him, hand outstretched. “Best of luck to you out there.”

Rand slowly took her hand. “Thanks Akio.”

She looked at him for a moment and then turned and was gone. Rand watched her walk down the hallway and around a corner still confused by this exchange.

Roderick suddenly appeared from a perpendicular hallway. Roderick noticed his son’s distraction and followed his gaze to the spot where Akio had disappeared. “Are you alright son?”

“I’m worried about Akio, dad. She isn’t acting like herself.” Rand related the exchange he and Akio had just had moments before.

Roderick listened quietly until Rand had finished. He drew a long breath and let it out again. “Akio is dealing with some trauma from your rescue. Something about the interference really scared her.”

“Any idea why?”

“Not so far. She is tight lipped about it. I did offer her some additional time off, but she refused. She seemed anxious to get back to flying escort.” Roderick paused sensing his son’s concern. “Let her be my worry. We’re keeping an eye on her.” Roderick clapped a hand on Rand’s back. “Your ship is ready, shall we go?”

Minutes later they stood in a docking berth a new Asp resting on the pad before them. “I took a few liberties with your new ship.”

“Dad…”

“I know. You wanted to do this all on your own. Thing of it as a gift…and a way to give me a little peace of mind.”

Rand turned to face his father. His father continued to look over the ship. Rand spoke. “I am a little surprised you didn’t try to talk me out of going again.”

His Father half smiled. “The thought had crossed my mind. But what you told Akio is true. What you are doing is less dangerous. Besides, it is what you want to do.” He paused for a moment before turning to Rand. “You’re like you mother that way. She was so passionate about her work. Mention Astrophysics and she would light up.”

Rand smiled, “I remember that. ‘Giddy as a school girl’ I think is way to describe it.”

Roderick gave a confused, humorous smile, “Where did you come up with that line?”

Rand shrugged, “It was in one of my old travelers books.”

“What’s it supposed to mean?”

“No idea.” They both laughed before Rand continued. “Mom could talk for hours, couldn’t she. I didn’t understand most of what she said.”

“Neither did I to be honest. But she loved her work so much it was hard not to listen to her talk about it. I would like to think that I was the love of her live, but I think I was secondary to astrophysics.” They were quite for a time remembering. After a time Roderick smiled and turned back to the ship. “So. I added a better shield, better fuel scoops, and packed your SRV with some extra survival gear as a just in case.” Rand slowing nodded looking over the ship. “What will you call it?”

Rand drew in a long breath and slowly let it out again. “Belinsky.”

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Epilogue

Both the nearby sun and the distant primary star hung in the dark sky over Outopps BQ-H B51-0 B1. Far off in the distance, too far to see from the planet surface, two tiny flashes of light around the system’s main star signaled the departure of ships headed back to their homes. Once again, the planet stood silent and still, bathed in the hot glow of its nearby star. Wrecked ships and SRVs littered its surface were all that remained of a human presence. Nothing moved, nothing stirred. Only stillness.

Stillness only to the unaided eye. Unseen forces, however, continued to move, bending and twisting space and time. The interference remained. Invisible it moved, formed, dissolved, touched, intensified, then faded again. If Jake Burke had time to watch the patterns on his screen more closely he would have seen that the movements of the patterns were not random or arbitrary. They would have appeared as though so things was trying to corral them together, smuggling against their unruly motions. And they were growing more intense. The strange phenomena were now being to stack together in previously unattained quantities in several points on the planet surface, in its sky, and under it surface. A shimmering was now apparent to the naked eye in those spaces.

Under the hot glow of the systems stars, on the peak of a hill, one spoke began to glow. A shimmering unstable blue white light began to flicker. More interference converged on the spot and the area flared into an intense white light. Then through the light an object emerged. Twisting and distorting as though fighting its way through and opening it was not meant to fit it came. It’s shape irregular with spikes and orb like protrusions scattered on its surface. It broke free from the light and began to glow itself. As it glowed it spun, faster and faster, giving of colored light as it did. It’s rotation started regular and controlled, but soon became unstable. It’s surface seemed to blister and distort. Pieces began to come off hurling every direction. It’s inner light grew until it was nearly as luminous as the light it had emerged from until it could no longer hold itself together. It burst into a multi-colored flash, its pieces scattering across the landscape.

The portal of light shuddered for a moment before collapsed without a sound. All interference around the entire planet stopped. Everything was silent and still once more.

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Thanks!

Well, I have reached the end of my story. At least this story, Rand has only begun his adventures and I have other plots forming that I want to put down in writing. Some other crazy things have happened in my travels and now with the Return released maybe there will be Thargoids in future plot lines...[smile]

Thank you everyone that has followed me on this writing journey. The feedback has been encouraging and helpful. I have decided to go back to the beginning of this story and rewrite it with the intent of seeing if our friends at Frontier would consider publishing it. It will need some revwork for sure... write it from he same point of view throughout, better backstory, making it flow better, and giving those poor escort pilots names. If anyone has any input please share!

As for this thread, for now I will get back to posting about my exploratory persuits, from Rands perspectice of course. I will move my creative writing to the fan fiction section of the forums. Once I have something going over there I will post a link here.

Thanks again everyone and fly safe!

 

[Tomx]

Well, I have reached the end of my story. At least this story, Rand has only begun his adventures and I have other plots forming that I want to put down in writing. Some other crazy things have happened in my travels and now with the Return released maybe there will be Thargoids in future plot lines...[smile]

Thank you everyone that has followed me on this writing journey. The feedback has been encouraging and helpful. I have decided to go back to the beginning of this story and rewrite it with the intent of seeing if our friends at Frontier would consider publishing it. It will need some revwork for sure... write it from he same point of view throughout, better backstory, making it flow better, and giving those poor escort pilots names. If anyone has any input please share!

As for this thread, for now I will get back to posting about my exploratory persuits, from Rands perspectice of course. I will move my creative writing to the fan fiction section of the forums. Once I have something going over there I will post a link here.

Thanks again everyone and fly safe!

Thanks Good story! Like the ending! Presumably Aiko knew something about the energy and whatever that thing was that came through - we'll never know! Looking forward to the link!

 

[AlaskanPilot]

Ah that would be a fun spin, Akio holding secrets...

I will say this, Akio is holding a secret, but not about the interference. As for the thing that came through, I intend that you will know (I am already outlining that story). However, there is another tale I am working on that is next chronologically (sneak peak coming in the next week or so, along with some traditional exploration information.) All told, I now have three more stories like the one I just finished that I have in mind.