2 Months before Gladiators
Racones Battle Station 3
The PeaceKeeper tech and lieutenant both stared at the screen. They were
using all their mental discipline to focus on the screen, and not on the
distractions at hand. "This is Peace Keeper broadcasting, up next is the
news, then Peace Keeper most wanted, this weeks feature is Human terrorist
John Chrichton, then it's Peace Keeper history with The Second Scarren War,
and finally, its xenobiology with the Hunter", said a female Sebacean
voice. Next an ad came on. "Hello, I am Jonis, owner and operator of
Reeghammond Arena". "I would like to announce my 25 annual tournament of
champions". "Fights to the death between mercs, fugitives, soldiers, and
bounty hunters" "And, this is the first time that we are available to Peace
Keeper forces through pay-per-view" he said.
A beeping sound got their attention. The tech turned in his chair and faced
the communication's console. The screen was covered with static. "I am Lt.
Jaram of the frigate Brumen," he said. "I request permission to dock," he
added. "Permission granted", said the tech.
The small, sleek, black capital ship flew towards the huge, heavily armed
station. The planet was surrounded by 2 more stations, 2 command carriers,
several capital ships, and several Self-Tracking Pulse cannons.
Jaram looked around the small bridge. The crew all laid dead, all covered
with blisters and lesions some had pulse burns from a pulse pistol. A
figure in a black robe and hood stood behind the pistol wielding Jaram.
They both looked at the station. "Their planning against you", said the
hooded figure in a deep voice. "I know", said Jaram. "And what do you do to
traitors?" asked the man looking around the room. "Kill them", said Jaram.
"That's right, they gave you the virus", he said pointing to the station.
The frigate sped up and raised its D.S. it's pair of frag cannons fired at
the station, striking the comm. room. The explosion of flame and
decompression sent armor flying everywhere. The frigate shot off a few more
shots and rammed into one of the station's blades, breaking it off. The
D.S. collapsed and the frigate spun out of control. The satellite weapons
began to fire on the stalled frigate. Its armor began to peal and crumble.
A huge cannon on the station targeted the frigate and fired, shattering the
hull into a billion pieces. A body floated in space.
Sebacea, the Peace Keeper Home World, 2 days later
Rain poured down on the drab urban sprawl of Cerasai City, the capital of
Sebacea. There was no vegetation, only black buildings stretched up from
horizon to horizon. Banners with the PeaceKeeper symbol decorated the
streets. A wanted beacon had a hologram of the PeaceKeeper symbol wrapped
in a golden snake. "If you know a traitor or suspect one, please report
them to the Serpent Order, you will be rewarded", said a female voice. This
was normal weather for Sebacea. It was almost completely temperate all over
the world. The tallest building of all was PeaceKeeper Central Command.
6 older PeaceKeepers and middle aged one, sat around a round table. The
roof was a clear dome, and the rain ran off like a waterfall. A member got
up and handed electronic pads to each member. "The Space Fairer's Death has
killed 8 million troops and subjects in 2 months!" "8 million in 2 frelling
months!" he exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how it can be stopped?" asked
Commodore Ashton. "No, it has a 100% mortality rate and a 100%
comunitablilty rate" replied the man, Dr. Inek. "And now it's spreading to
the home systems", he added. "That, and we have lost over 150 ships to the
virus, including 11 command carriers", said Ashton. "What's the status of
the Serpent Order's, I mean the Special Directorate's forces Proconsul
Hasaran?" asked Grand Admiral Gormon, head of the council. "No losses yet",
said the youngest man in the room. He had a gold ring on his right ring
finger, which identified him as a member of the Serpent Order, the secret
police and intelligence branch of the PeaceKeepers. It acted independently
from the military government. "The Order is dead, we are now Special
Directorate", said Hasaran.
"The Order will never die" came a voice from the doorway. A man with brown
hair in a pony tail like Crais'. He wore a combat uniform, and a golden
ring. His piercing, evil blue eyes scanned the room.
"Who is this man that interrupts my council?" asked Gormon. "Colonel Seefer
Tavek, son of the late head of the Serpent Order, Evereck Tain", said
Commodore Ryken. "Yep", said Tavek. "Tavek show some respect for the
Commodore!" ordered Hasaran. "Why, he's military, and I am Serpent Order,
he has no power over me", said Tavek. "We are the same organization now
Colonel, get used to it!" exclaimed Husaran. "Sorry, your father's death
was a major loss for the Union but why do you use your mother's name and
not your father's?" asked Gormon. "He did it to protect me from his enemies
inside the Union, the same ones that blew up his Attack Ship" said Tavek.
"That was an accident", said Durom, head of the tech branch.
"Why did you disturb us?" asked Gormon. "I needed to report that our
operation on the Royal planet was a great success", said Tavek. "My deep
cover agent, Jenovian Charto, was to kill Clavor, but the Scarren took care
of that for us", said Tavek. "Mean while, I got Tyno to agree to put a
covert sensor array on the planet to spy on the Scarrens", said Tavek. "How
did you do that?" asked Hasaran. "Men will do strange things when you
threaten to kill his lover", said Tavek. "Excellent work Colonel, this
almost makes up for your frell up with Velorek two cycles ago", said
Hasaran. "How was I supposed to know that a pretty boy tech could have that
kind of tolerance to torture?" asked Tavek. "What became of Charto?" asked
Hasaran. "She is returning to Neg'vara today for debriefing", said Tavek.
Scorpious walked in.
"Agent Scorpious, Captain of the war Dragon", said Scorpious. "Thank you
for coming", said Gormon. Tavek looked at Scorpious, slapped him on the
back of the head rather hard and walked out. "May I ask why I was brought
back from my hunt for Crichton?" asked Scorpious. "As you know, the Space
Fairer's Death is raging through our ranks and planets", said Gormon. "We
have already sent a Special Forces team lead by Captain Talyn Sun to raid
Hynerian, Delvian, and Luxan research stations and came up with nothing"
said Gormon. "That leaves the uncharted territories", he added. "You know
the Uncharted Territories better than any officer we have, we need you to
form a class 3 task force and invade section 2 of the UTs", said Gormon.
"You will be the field commander, while Commodore Ryken runs things from
here", said Gormon. "The conquest of the planets will give us valuable
morale, recruits, and resources," said Ryken. "What about Crichton?" asked
Scorpious. "He is operating in the area, use your gift to him as an
advantage, he is the secondary objective", said Gormon. "I will return to
Neg'vara to plan", said Scorpious. "I want you in the Uncharted Territories
in a month and a half, and it takes 1 month to get there", said Gormon.
"Hello Lieutenant", came Tavek's voice from behind Braca. He quickly turned
from the window. "Colonel Tavek!" he exclaimed. "Glad to see you remember
me", said Tavek. "Heard you got your ass kicked by Crichton back at the
Royal Planet", said Tavek. "He's insane, Scorpious drove him nuts!" said
Braca. Scorpious and Ryken came into the waiting room. "My carrier is in
need of resupply and maintenance, can we take your Attack Ship to
Neg'vara?" asked Scorpious. "Sure", said Tavek begrudgingly. Scorpious
removed the electronic bug that Tavek had put on the back of his head.
The Serpent Order Attack Ship powered its engines. Its fuselage sat on top
of its 2 engines like ski's, each were below and separated from the main
body by a winglet. The main body ended on both the rear and the bridge like
a dagger. The bridge was a little lower than the rear. It was black and
red, with the Serpent Order symbol. It was the standard ship of the Order.
It was the size of a frigate, but was armed heavier, and was faster than a
battle cruiser. Sebacea was surrounded by 50 warships, including 10 command
carriers. About 60 automatic pulse cannons and 5 battle stations.
The attack ship sped up.
The Planet Neg'vara, the Capital of the Serpent Order/Special Directorate
was surrounded by attack ships, and larger strike cruisers, automatic pulse
cannons, and 2 battle stations. A marauder left Tavek's ship for the
surface.
The Marauder landed on a landing pad outside of the Capital. The Capital
was a large black pyramid with the Order symbol on it. The pyramid was
surrounded by concrete like walls. The pyramid was just outside another
urban sprawl. Each corner had a tower with a large gattling pulse cannon
and an RPG launcher. A large platform was above the gate; it had 2 of each
weapon. Allot of agents with sniper rifles and scoped pistols (Order
standard issue) patrolled the walls. The trio entered the gate.
They went through a maze of halls and doors. They received almost unending
salutes. Suddenly, a female agent stepped in front of Tavek. "Hello
Seefer", she said. He examined her body. "Hello Jenovian", said Tavek. He
put his arms around her waist and tried to kiss her. "Not in front of your
friends", she said. Scorpious and her exchanged wary glances. "All right,
see you for debriefing in 15 minutes, conference room 3", he said. "Till
then", she said walking away. "Attractive woman", said Ryken looking at her
walk away. "You are assigned to recreate with her for children right?"
asked
Scorpious as they entered a side door. "The service said that our genes
would make our child a superior agent", said Tavek. "I remember her from
the Royal planet, she was good", said Scorpious. "I believe she helped
Crichton escape", said Scorpious.
Tavek suddenly kicked Scorpious in the chest, then the neck, then the face,
knocking him to the ground. He slammed his heel on the ground and a blade
popped out of like an ice skate on his right foot. (Now do you remember
this guy?) "Take it back you Scarren freak!" exclaimed Tavek bringing his
foot back. Someone grabbed his foot and threw him to the ground. He turned
and saw an older man in a commando uniform. "Damnit Sun, your next!" he
exclaimed. A fist came from nowhere, taking Tavek to the ground. "Enough
Seefer!" said the attacker. A huge, older man in a black trench coat stood
over him. He was slightly older than Ryken. "Don't allow your emotions to
over come your brain, how many times have I told you that?" asked the man.
"Hundreds of times father"; said Tavek as Talyn Sun helped him up.
Evereck Tain examined his son. "This bickering is pointless," said Tain.
His voice had a power over people. He had a presence. "Son, apologize to
Scorpious and Captain Sun" said Tain. "Sorry" replied Tavek.
"I am glad you all came", said Tain. "I heard the whole meeting through the
bug", he added. "Scorpious, take the best crews and ships possible from the
home systems on your invasion, I want a direct path to Sebacea", said Tain.
"How do you plan to fight command carriers, you are forbidden to have
command carriers?" asked Sun. "Simple, we have carrier Captains loyal to
me, and we have a suprise for them waiting being built in the Uncharted
Territories", said Tain. "The Serpent Order will once again be the guiding
light for the Peace Keeper Union", said Tain. "They call us Special
Directorate now", said Tavek. "Why?" asked Tain. "It brings back bad
memories and fears in the subject populace", said Tavek. "The only ones who
should fear us are traitors and enemies", said Tain. "Until now", said
Scorpious. "Yes, as you end your war, our war will begin", said Tain.
He turned to Sun and Ryken. "I want you to begin a plan of attack for both
the UTs at the home systems". "Yes Proconsul", said Ryken leaving with Sun.
"Sun doesn't seem like the type to help us", said Tavek. "He is Ryken's old
friend", said Tain. "And Ryken wants what's best for the Union", said Tain.
"He is also obsessed with finding his daughter", said Tain. "Why?" asked
Scorpious. "So he can kill her", said Tain. "Ah, my old friend Aeryn Sun",
said Tavek with an evil grin. "He also doesn't know the truth about the
virus", said Scorpious. "And he won't know until we reach our goals", said
Tain. "Gentlemen, the military government is trying to destroy the Order,
so we must destroy them first", said Tain.
Legacy of Tain Part 1: Prelude to Battle