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Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 11-22-2010
This story is the tale of a young mans dream to either follow in his parents glory or become part of the dark path that has been set in motion.
RE: Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 08-22-2013
Introduction:
My name is Charlie Howitzer, I come from a well to do family on Planet Manhattan. My family owned and ran several small corporations on Planet Manhattan. They had a green thumb when it came to business sense, in fact they were paid by bigger corporations to help sort out their financial woes in order to help them grow. This wealth they acquired came with a huge burden, many times are house was rob and my father came close to being killed twice by a mugger outside of his work. Fearing for my safety I was sent away to a private pilots school on New London. This is where I would spend the majority of my adolescence and soon discovery a dark secret that was hidden from me for so long...
RE: Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 08-22-2013
Chapter 1: Early Days
"Come on Charlie, catch me if you can. I've seen better flying from newborns."
"Oh I got you this time.."
"Are you sure Charlie, I mean you haven't beaten me yet. Is it cause I'm a girl?"
"You wish Sarah, I've been going easy on you to help you out."
"Oh really, well lets just see. Try and get your way out of this."
*Missiles incoming, CMs deploying."
"Gotta do better that that Sarah, if you wanna beat me."
"Oh I'm just getting warmed up."
*Missiles incoming, Countermeasure failure, shields down. Survival probability 10%*
"Well you got me this time."
"I will always have you every time Charlie."
*Simulation over, you have been killed*
As the hood of the simulator slid open, I noticed Sarah had wasted little time coming over to gloat. She stood about 5'5" on a good day her beautiful red hair tied back into a ponytail feel just on her left shoulder, she had these greenish blue eyes that were just stunning and her face that was covered in freckles of all size.
"Well Charlie it looks like I win again."
I begin to turn up my nose to her but soon smirk when she begins to pull me out of the simulator.
"Yeah yeah, well I don't have the combat skills like you do."
She stopped and stared and seemed a bit upset, her parents both decorated military pilots had been killed on a routine escort mission by a raiding party of Molly bombers, She had just been sent to this school shortly before their untimely deaths. When she arrived she was already a leg up on most of the fourteen year olds in the school. I had watched her fly several times in live field exercises and was impressed by her skills. Over the last four years we have pushed each other to the top of our class and both are in competition for top ace in our class, whoever gets it will be transferred to the Armed Forces. Though we both are determined to take first, she knows she has to do it, to fill the shoes of her parents and to prove to herself she can.
As we walked back to the dorms she gives me a little bump with her hips, her way of telling me she is okay and we will talk later. I opened the door to my room and gave her a hug and proceeded to flop onto my bed. I was laying there staring up at the ceiling when it was interrupted with an alert on my neural band. I pressed the button and saw it was an official document from the Liberty Police. I opened it up and it began downloading, once it finished I clicked it again and saw it was in reference to my parents.
Dear Mr. Howitzer,
It has come to our attention that you have been sent to the New London Pilot Academy. We have checked into your records to prove you have been there the entire time. Your parents are currently being held in Sugarland where they await criminal charges for embezzlement, fraud, tampering with witness, bribing an official, and several other small charges. It would appear they have been working with an unknown group and funding them with stolen funds from several corporations. You are not required to do anything or speak on their behalf. We have transferred funds to your new account as your parents have left you a small fortune that we have back checked to make sure it was all legal credits. The information will be provided at the end of this message. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused.
Sincerely Lt. Horner.
Account Number 4112-24423-1231
I closed the letter and just stared into space knowing my whole life was a lie, my parents who had taught me the value of money and respect and to obey the law, were now nothing more then common criminals. For the next hour I sat there contemplating if I should stay or head back to Liberty to talk to my parents. Suddenly the door open and Sarah stood in the doorway and motioned me to follow. I stood up and followed her, we took the elevator down to the maintenance floor, which we had done several times in the past when we wanted to hid out and share our secrets. Once we got to our secret area, I blurted out everything I had just found out. She hugged me and told me that I wasn't alone and that she had to tell me something that would change everything.
RE: Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 08-22-2013
Chapter 2: Fate isn't always funny
-Later that night-
As I sat eating dinner I kept having flashbacks to what Sarah had told me..
-Flashback One-
You see Charlie, my parents didn't die.
I kept trying to remain calm and not draw any attention to myself, I stood up grab my tray and walked past the rest of my classmates. I approached the hallway doors when Sarah caught up to me.
-Flashback Two-
Charlie, they did it for the greater good, we can continue what they started.
I ignored her as I kept walking down the hall, she stayed on my heels asking me to stop and talk.
-Flashback Three-
My parents sent up the raid, and turned on the convoy they were protecting.
I turn to her and scream out. "I don't care who or what anyone did I will not make the same mistakes."
"Charlie, listen to me! This is why you were sent here, my parents had been in contact with yours when they first made a business trip to Leeds. My parents were their escort, it had long been planned out before we were old enough to make a difference. Our parents knew that if we could make it here, we could be under the radar and become plants for them...."
-Flashback Three-
It didn't go according to plan they weren't suppose to be caught, but they won't be for long.
"Charlie! Charlie!, are you even paying attention. We have to work together at least for right now, afterwards you never have to speak to me again."
-Flashback Four-
Charlie, in three days time your parents are going to be transported to an unknown location we do know the ship will make its way into the New York System.
I started walking away again, again she followed but with less persistence. I made it to the elevator and when I went to go press the dorm button I noticed Sarah had just vanished. As the elevator moved I let out a sigh and leaned up against the wall.
-Flashback Five-
They will be killed Charlie, and my parents will be exposed.
I proceeded to my room which was on the first hallway to the left of the elevators, as I turned the corner I noticed several people standing by my room. I ducked back towards the elevators and ran smack into Sarah.
"We have to leave now Charlie, those men are the secret police. If they catch you they are going to take you with them and ask you about everything you know."
"Why? What use to them am I? I know absolutely nothing. Up until a few hours ago I assumed your parents were dead mine were just arrested for fraud, but NO now everything changes and I'm being chased by secret police. Either tell me everything now or I will turn myself in and confess to everything I know."
-Flashback Six-
I can't tell you everything, but you just have to trust me. I just wish we could have been friends because we liked each other and not cause it was just part of the plan.
"The money you received is... a payoff in case your parents were caught it would look to appear normal and that was just a way of them protecting you when or if they had been captured. The money is gonna be used to acquire a black market vessel, well two of them so we can take extract your parents from the prison ship they are going to be on. We than will meet up with my parents where your parents will be taken to safety. Once this is done we can go our separate ways.."
Silence overcame us, as I looked back then looked down I nodded slightly and followed behind as we walked to her room to begin the planning.
RE: Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 08-22-2013
Chapter 3: Where Art Thou My Love
The past twenty-four hours have been the most traumatic I think it could be, my parents are part of some big illegal scheme the girl that I have been infatuated with is working with her parents who are traitors to Bretonia, and I was just part of the bigger picture for her. Now I have to decide do I help her and free my parents or do I just take off into hiding. Sarah is expecting me to meet up with her outside the academy to go meet with the blackmarket ship dealer so we can begin our journey to Liberty. I have to save my family no matter what they did, they are still my family.
I take the elevator up to the main floor and slip past a few more of the secret police as I head towards the front door, I see Sarah just walking outside as I get there. Before I even open the door, I'm snagged from behind and I watch as Sarah is grab as well but not by the secret police but by the Bretonian Police. I kick and flail about trying to free myself from my captor but its to no avail.
"Calm down Mr. Howitzer, if I let you out there you will be arrested like your friend. Do you really want that?"
I shuffle a bit more before giving in and calming down.
"Much better, now if you will kindly follow me I will be happy to explain what is going on."
I follow the gentleman who as I look on is not dressed like the secret police neither, in fact he isn't dressed in any type of uniform I can recognize. We get to a locked door just inside left hallway of the main entrance. We enter the room and its locked behind us by a guard standing watch. The room itself was a bit dark, and it had a huge monitor relay with several pictures showing on them. Three of the five people I knew, My parents and Sarah, the other two had to be her parents. I was motioned to come closer and I proceeded to do so. The gentleman who captured me pointed at the screen and spoke.
Melissa Howitzer: Age 39, Height 5'7", Hair Brown, Eye Color Brown.
Alan Howitzer: Age 42, Height 5'9", Hair Blonde, Eye Color Hazel.
Sarah O'Day: Age 18, Height 5'5", Hair Red, Eye Color Blue-Green.
These three you are familiar with, and these two;
David O'Day: Age 41, Height 5'6", Hair Bald, Eye Color Blue-Green.
Sarah O'Day: Age 40, Height 5'5". Hair Red, Eye Color Blue
Sarah's Parents, both of whom she has been in contact with for the last four years. They have been working with your parents on a plan we now believe was to aid the Mollies to acquire new technology in their efforts to free Dublin. As you know one of the companies your parents helped was the BMM, during which time they nearly destroyed the BMM efforts in Dublin by trying to fudge numbers that lead to believe profit over time spent was not worth it. However that would backfire because they received a notice stating you were deathly sick and was being rushed to the hospital. They left Dublin immediately to return to Planet Manhattan. After going back over the numbers BMM detected that the numbers were indeed fudged but assumed at the time it was an honest oversight. It wasn't until Planetform made notice of several millions of credits had gone missing, when they made their report several other high name corporations all reported losses as well. Once Planetform made its announcement your parents shipped you here to keep you out of danger. We know what you planned on doing and we should turn you over as a terrorist, but you can maybe help us out here. When she contacts you, which she will. You will do everything she wants, you will not come back with them and just place the tracker on your parents and we will take care of the rest. I stared at the pictures of my parents and knew my freedom and theirs came at hefty price. "Okay, I'll do it."
RE: Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 08-22-2013
Chapter 4: A Meeting of Equal Minds
After getting my new mission I left the academy and waited outside I sat around for an hour before Sarah finally showed up.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine they wanted to ask me if I would be willing to join the Bretonian Police, if I didn't get a spot with the Armed Forces."
"Well that is quite an offer I guess."
"Not really, they wanna keep an eye on me is what its really about. My parents death is being uncovered and are starting to suspect things."
"Well lets go to the dealer and go get us some wings shall we?"
"Okay, follow me its not far from here."
We walked for an hour having very little conversation. we arrived at the ship dealer.
"This is the place, we are buying two of his Wasupu they are fast, and very slim, plus they can pack a powerful punch."
"Sounds good, I think I flew one in a simulation exercise."
"We both did, which is why I want us to use them, you flew it very well."
We walk in and the dealer met us almost immediately.
"Welcome friends, I've been expecting you. Have we decided on which ships we are getting today?"
"We have, we will take the Wasupus fully armed and stocked."
"Ahhh the Wasupu, yes...yes.. very good. Last two I have in stock actually. I will have them stocked and loaded and waiting for you at my launch depot on the north end of town. Now as for the payment, Two Wasupus fully stocked and loaded, with your discount it will be ten million credits."
I nearly collapse at the price for the ships, I look at Sarah who is already looking at me with a smile.
"Really, ten million credit. Surely you must be joking."
"No sir, we offer a service to get you off the planet with everything you need to pass inspections as well as provide you with a ship you would not be able to purchase out right."
"That is still a little much but fine, here is my account number transfer the funds."
The man opens the account and transfers the funds.
"Not sure why you are complaining you still have fifty million credits left on your account."
"Fifty million!"
How could they have left me with that much money, either way I wont be using any more of it after I finish this. We walk out and leave catching a ride to the launch depot. On the way Sarah kept looking at me like she wanted to tell me something but couldn't find the words. Finally after the third look I spoke.
"I just wanna say, I will not be returning with you guys I will be staying in Liberty and starting my life there."
"I... I understand, look Charlie, I know this seems so sudden and I wish us being friends would have been under better circumstances. Its just... No matter what was suppose to be it didn't stop me from liking you. Before I knew it was you, I saw you for the first time and was just draw to you. As we got older you became this handsome young man who was my best friend, the girls were jealous. Its why none of them talked to you, they assumed we were together always spending time with each other always eating together. The truth is I love you Charlie, and if we could have another chance at a do over I would take it..."
I sat there dumbfounded the girl I've been friends with for four years, tells me shes working for her parents who were suppose to be dead, and gonna help me free my parents because it was a plan already set in motion, and now she loves me. I just have to remember I don't want that life, I want to be able to pursue my own dreams and my own goals. I will not let her cloud that. We sat quiet until we arrived at the depot. We walked over to our ships and began boarding them. I looked over at her once last time before we departed and whispered. I love you too Sarah.
RE: Red Dawn-Charlie Howitzer - Darth_Icy - 08-23-2013
Chapter 5: A Not-So Family Reunion
We both launched into space and I began reading the note that was in the ship,
Thank-you for your purchase, everything you need is aboard this ship as well as your transponder being up-to-date, your callsign is Red Dawn so be alert to any pilots trying to reach you.
I linked to her navigational computer as she began setting our waypoints it was going to be a long trip and it was going to be a quiet one at that. we shared a few words about the view and everything but it wasn't until we made it to Magellan that we started really talking.
"So we are going to meet up with a few Liberty Rogue pilots near our destination they will provide the distraction so we can focus on the freighter. Once we have the ships main engines destroyed they will eject and so will your parents escape pod, we will only have a few minutes to get into the asteroid field and out of scanner range of the backup that will arrive from there I will take your parents back to the Rogue base and await further orders and you are free to do what you want. I have a small freighter waiting to take you back to Manhattan as your ship may be flagged so the choice is yours.
"I understand, I do ask you take care of them for me. I want to see them before you take them though so I can say good-bye."
"That is fine Charlie, my parents and I will take good care of them I promise we owe them our lives. I just wish you would come back with us."
"I can't do that Sarah, I don't want this life."
"I will miss you Charlie."
"I will miss you too Sarah."
We arrived at the jump gate into California, and proceeded through. There was no turning back now, I knew what was needed to be done to save my life and start anew. it was quiet through California minus all the radio calls from different trade ships passing through. When we got to New York it was like a welcome home party without the celebration. I was finally home but not in a good way. As we past West Point it brought back memories of flying with my parents to the Pennsylvania system to visit my aunt on Planet Erie, good memories were all I had left to hold on to. Before I could snap out of it a call came over the comms.
"Attn: Red Dawn and Blue Arrow, please proceed to the new waypoint we have given you."
"That is the Liberty Rogue raiding party that will be assisting us Charlie, just stay cool and this will be over very quickly."
"Understood."
We followed the waypoint to the edge of the asteroid field and could see the trade lane from where we were, the Liberty rogue pilots proceeded to the trade lanes and told us to wait till the trade lane dropped and then come in to finish the job.
"This is Liberty 112 Police Freighter we are on our way to Sector 1414."
"That is them, now just wait till they drop the lane."
There was a huge flash as the trade lane dropped, and before the Freighter could call for help the Liberty Rogue pilots began firing on the escorts. We both rushed in flying full speed and guns at the ready once the freighter came into view we opened fire. The escorts changed targets and began firing on us.
"This is Liberty 112 Police Freighter we are under attack near the....."
"We took out their comms relay we have only a few minutes before they figure it out."
We opened up everything on the freighter than without warning the ship jettisoned two escape pods. I tractored in my parents escape pod, and we headed back towards the cloud, the Liberty Rogue ships finished off the escorts and tailed us right as back up was arriving. Once we made it to safety I set the ship to autopilot and proceeded to the back of the ship where my parents were. I opened the escape pod and their my parents stood, both in shock and happiness.
"Son, how did you? why did you? We didn't want you to get involved."
"Its to late for that, Sarah's parents have sent us to bring you back."
"So that means its begun, oh Charlie we are so happy to see you."
"We've missed you son, I can't wait till we get back to Dublin so we can catch up."
"I won't be going back with you, you will be escorted back with Sarah. I am staying here in Liberty. I don't want this life I truly am sorry."
"Oh Charlie, we love you so much. We understand I just hope you will come visit us once things have settled down."
"I will do my best mom, I promise."
I moved in to give them both hugs and slipped the tracker on my mother. you both will need to get back into the escape pod, I will jettison you and Sarah will take it from there. I hugged them again and told them I love them. They entered the escape pod and I launched them out.
"Sarah, I will miss you. Please take care of them."
"I will miss you too Charlie, just take care of yourself from now on okay."
"I always do."
"Hey Sarah, I love you too."
I closed my comms and took off back towards west point, I now had to figure out what to do from here. Before I could even get my head wrapped around on what happened I was hit with a CD.
"Attention Red Dawn, please hold still while we run a scan on your ship."
I was nearly out of my seat, when it happened, was it to late to change my mind. I'm as good as a criminal now. It came to me maybe I can do something about this.
"It appears your ship has been flagged for suspicion regarding a police freighter that was attacked and two criminals escaping."
"You are right, I was involved but I wasn't the one that did it. I was getting an escort to Texas when we were caught in the miss-fire of the Liberty Rogues I assure you I have no intention of taking on the Liberty Police."
"Reports indicate your ship not only opened up but tractored in the convicts."
I had to think quick otherwise I was a goner.
"How bout I make you a deal, I have fifty million credits that say you can make me disappear off that report."
It was silent for a few moments and than a message came up on the computer, it was an account number.
"Once I receive payment, you will be clear."
I transferred the rest of my funds into the police officers account. Once he verified it, he held up his end of the bargain and flew off. I was now a free man, I knew I had to go back to where it all began. I set my course for Manhattan and would begin my journey on this new life.