It had been several weeks since Sheiya Dacey had become, what MonStar calls, an honored guest of the infamous ship known as the Necrosis. The exact amount of time shed been there was unclear since there was no reference to time in space and there were no clocks around that she could see.
Sheiyas time on the Necrosis was horrible. She was made to watch as countless ships were destroyed by both the Necrosis and, from time to time, MonStar in his fighter. If that wasnt enough, the pilots he didnt leave to die in the vacuum of space were tractored in, tortured, and killed in front of her. The madmans laughter was deafening throughout it all and had taken the effect of making her sick to her stomach whenever she heard it.
Sheiya could do nothing but scream and cry as it all unfolded before her. Her attempts at escape were rewarded with electric shock from the Necrosis' robotic crew or from the metallic arm of MonStar himself. Aside from the shockings, Sheiya was left unharmed. Not even a malicious look was thrown her way from her psychotic host.
The combination of a cold metal floor, a complete lack of clothes, the seemingly constant destruction, and the nauseating laughter that followed made sleep all but attainable. She would drift off for unknown periods only to be awoken by some violent scene all around her.
She felt, on numerous occasions, that she was going to go out of her mind. An one-day not long ago she nearly did, until she spotted a gleam of hope. She noticed a pattern in the non-combat functions of the robots working on the bridge. During their normal routines there was about a thirty three second period where one of the communication consoles was left unattended. She had been watching for days to confirm the pattern and even went as far, while her capture was on one of his forays in his fighter, as to touch the edge of the panel without notice.
She knew this was her only chance of escape and she had to act upon it. She had worked the communication console while working with Doyle and knew how to scramble the signal so that it would be picked up only by who she wanted to receive it. There was only one person that she wanted to reach; her old friend Tom. A veteran of the bounty hunter guild whom Sheiya knew from her childhood. She knew he was the best choice if she had any hope of escaping.
Well it would seem we have some fighters inbound, MonStar said gleefully, PSI-Borg, would you care to join me in a little two on seven fighter dance?
If you so desire master came a monotone voice over the speakers.
Desire, yes if that is what you want to call it then so be it. he chuckled, Fear not Sheiya, we wont be long. Before you even ask, yes Ill bring plenty offriendsback to keep you company.HAHAHAHAHA!
Sheiyas nausea slowly faded with the fading laughter as MonStar walked down the corridor. It was immediately replaced with excitement and fear. This was it, this was her chance. She watched the robots movements from her elevated perch. A few minutes went by until she noticed where they were in their routine. Her heart jumped into her throat, it was close.
Just like clockwork, the robot turned and walked down the short aisle to the next console and began working.
Sheiya slowly made her way to the console. Her heart was racing; she took a deep breath to steady herself, made one last look at the sentries around her, and began typing.
Sheiya Dacey sat on her elevated platform quietly, her knees drawn against her chest in an effort to try to stay warm as well as to hide her naked form. The past few days hadnt been that bad for her, she had been alone for the most of it. Only the constant presence of MonStars robotic crew were there to keep her company. She had grown to, for the most part, ignore them as much as they ignored her. The only time they acknowledged her was when she approached the invisible edge of the space she was allowed to roam freely in, which wasnt much. She had however succeeded in finding a hole in her guards barrier. Thinking back on her success in reaching her friend Tom Talice brought a wide smile and a feeling of excitement to her that she hadnt felt in what seemed like ages.
Luckily she had been without the presence of her host for the last few days. She had no clue where he was and didnt care. His absence was a blessing, she still was haunted by the horrific images that MonStar had been showing her but they seemed to have diminished somewhat with the lack of his constant reinforcement. This brought a sigh of relief from Sheiya. She hoped Tom would find her before she had to witness anymore of MonStars hobbies.
Her mind snapped back to her communication with Tom. The very brief answer she received after sending the Necrosis sensor logs to her friend made Sheiya almost scream with joy.
96 hours the response read.
Thats four days she kept telling herself. Four days until she was free. Sheiya was almost certain it had been about three days since that response was sent. Goosebumps ran across her body in excitement. Her freedom was close at hand at last. She could only hope that MonStar was here when her rescuers arrived so an end could be put to that monstrosity.
She laid her head down on her folded knees and let the images of peace and happiness that her freedom would bring engulf her. Sheiya smiled and closed her eyes.
Sheiya averted her eyes and cried as she tried to hide herself from the spectacle of MonStar torturing his latest batch of victims. Waves of nausea swept over her as the madmans laughter reached deafening levels.
The screams of the last victim fell silent and with that the laughter slowly came to and end. Sheiya kept her eyes shut; she knew the sight of the scene in front of her was nothing she wanted to see.
She remained sitting on her platform; knees bent and brought to her chest. Her legs secured in place by her arms wrapped around them. She had her head resting on her knees, refusing to look at the gore in front of her. This was her only outlet for defiance; she didnt want to give MonStar the pleasure of having an audience. Though this small act didnt seem to affect her host in the least. He seemed to bask in the slaughter as much as he ever did.
All was quiet now except for the light clanks of the robots feet as they began their normal clean up routine. Sheiya couldnt help but wonder how the robots received commands. She realized a few days into her captivity that she hadnt heard MonStar speak a word to them, yet they seemed to respond immediately to his needs.
Sheiya was brought out of her quiet contemplation by the feeling of a hand stroking the hair of her head. She jerked up in shock; MonStar had never laid a finger on her before. She could only fear that something horrible was about to happen.
As she looked to see the source of the touch, she saw MonStar withdrawing the hand that had been stroking her hair. It took her a second or two the realized that the hand was not his but he was holding the arm of one of his recent victims severed at the elbow. She gasp and looked back at MonStars face, with a look of complete glee he held the arm up and shook it so that the limp wrist of the appendage made the hand flip up and down rapidly in a pseudo waving motion.
Sheiya screamed at the sight and fell to the platform floor trying to crawl away from the horror of it all. The sound of MonStar hideous laughter resumed its previous thunderous tone.
In an instant the laughter stopped as if something had caught the madmans attention. Sheiya looked at him. He had an odd distant look on his face but only after a few seconds his typical wide sinister smile returned.
It would seem that a fleet of warships have tracked us down my dear, MonStar said coolly, hmm now how could they have found us so far out here in the outer ring I wonder? He cut his eyes toward Sheiya almost as if he was insinuating that he knew something that she didnt.
He turned and walked to the door leading out of the bridge. Ill turn the monitors on so you can watch my darling. Please enjoy the show.
She didnt watch MonStar leave; her attention was turned to the large front monitor that had turned on at MonStars request.
Sheiyas heart felt as if it was about to leap right out of her chest. She could see at least half a dozen capital ships approaching the Necrosis. They were approaching slowly as the navigated through what Sheiya now realized was an asteroid field that the Necrosis had parked in.
MonStar, a voice over the intercom sounded, this is the bounty hunter ship Vaster. You are to power down your ship and surrender immediately or you will be destroyed.
The Vaster, Sheiya knew, was Toms ship. Known for having a near flawless reputation in battle she knew the Necrosis had no chance of escape, especially with all the other ships. MonStar had been too pre-occupied with his victims to notice their approach. Now that he knew he was caught the coward left and was going to try to flee his captures. Sheiya leaped to her feet in excitement, finally the time for her freedom had come. Sheiyas tears of horror were now replaced with tears of joy. Her smile was wide and brightened her beautiful face. She couldnt wait to be far away from this horrible ship.
Sheiyas eyes were fixed to the monitors that lined the wall in front of her. The bounty hunter ships had halted their approach a short distance from the Necrosis and continued their calls for MonStars surrender.
This is your last warning MonStar, the voice over the intercom stated plainly, you have no escape, surrender or die.
Almost on cue Sheiya saw blaster fire out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see MonStars fighter zooming toward the bounty hunters ships. The fighter was holding its own surprisingly against its much bigger and more numerable opponents. Showing great skill the fighter pitched right then left, letting loose volleys of blaster fire and missiles.
Sheiya was watching in heightened anticipation. Every near miss of the bounty hunters weapons brought a near silent gasp from her.
After several long moments a missile from the Vaster detonated right in front of MonStar, knocking his ship into a backward end over end flip. The fighters forward velocity and the blast of the well aimed missile negated each other and left the fighter spinning in place, making it an easy target for the bounty hunters. A few shots from several of the ships made quick work of the madman as his ship exploded in a brilliant flash of light.
Sheiya felt as if the world had been lifted off of her shoulders. She stood awestruck, she was free. Her captivity at the hands of MonStar was finally over. She was lost in a wave of emotion staring through tear filled eyes at the monitors. She wiped her eyes to confirm what she thought was an incoming ship. The ship had just undocked from the Vaster and was heading toward the Necrosis.
Sheiya stood for several long moments staring at the viewing monitors. She was lost, deep in her thoughts of things to come. A warm bed with a large fluffy pillow to rest her head on. She had decided that she would sleep for two days straight; nothing would have the power to get her out of bed. She chuckled to herself as she looked down upon her naked form; at the moment even a simple article of clothing would be like winning the Liberty National Lottery.
She nearly leaped out of her skin when the door behind her slid open. She knelt down immediately to hide her exposed areas. She was relieved to see three well-armed and well-armored people come busting into the bridge diving and rolling in all directions. The robots stationed on the bridge turned and charged the new intruders. The three opened fire on the robots before their advance really even began. Loud machine gun fire resounded as they laid the robots down with ease
After on a few moments the short fight was over, the only sound Sheiya heard was the ringing in her ears from the gunfire. She watched as one of the armed men motioned for the others to leave him alone with her. The two nodded and walked out the bridge door that closed behind them.
The remaining gunmen approached Sheiya while taking a blanket from his backpack. Placing the blanket around Sheiya, the man moved back a bit a removed his helmet.
Tom! Sheiya squealed in glee. She threw her arms around Tom in an embrace that wouldve cut off the mans air had it not been for the armor suit.
Hey girl, Tom said softly, Im so sorry it took me so long to get to ya. With MonStars reputation I didnt want to take any chances so I had to gather up plenty of reinforcements.
Dont worry about it, Sheiya said pulling away from Tom to look him in the face, all that matters is that youre here now.
Tom just smiled at Sheiya and readjusted the blanket around her as they both stood up and slowly began to walk toward the bridge exit.
You know, Tom said with a chuckle, I expected to hear from you at some point, but I didnt expect this.
Sheiya sniffed back the mucus from all the recent crying and laughed, Yeah, I figured Id call you after
Sheiya was cut off as both of their attention was drawn to the bright flashes of light coming from the monitors. They both turned to see one of the bounty hunter ships exploding from a storm of blaster fire and missiles coming from all directions. Sheiya gasped out loud, both of them were wide-eyed and speechless.
Sheiya Tom move beside her but didnt think anything of it until she heard a small grunt from him. She turned just in time to see Tom get picked up from behind, lifted completely off the floor, and thrown into the ceiling. Tom hit the ground hard enough for him to grunt a second time, this time though it was much louder. The impact caused Tom to drop his gun though before Sheiya could react she watched a foot kick it across the room. Sheiyas eyes followed the foot up to see who it was that had just tossed her savior around like a rag doll. Sheiya screamed in terror when her eyes came to rest on the face of MonStar himself.
MonStars smile was wide as he watched Sheiya fall away from him in horror. She landed in a sprawled out sitting position staring up at him in denial. MonStar merely offered her a wink before focusing on the now rising Tom.
Tom Talice, MonStar said plainly, oh how long I have waited to be face to face with you. Tom dexterously pulled out his side arm, the movement was fast and he had hidden most of it from view as he was standing up. Tom swung the pistol around trying to take aim at MonStar. As if almost expecting it, MonStar reached out with his cybernetic arm and grabbed Toms wrist just before he could align his aim. The sound of crunching metal could be heard only a split second before Toms screams of pain drowned it out. With a powerful uppercut, MonStar both stopped the screaming and returned Tom to his back.
MonStar motioned to the viewing monitors with a slow broad wave. Oh what a marvelous trap you seem to have found yourself in Tommy boy. MonStar jerked down into a squatting position right beside a now kneeling Tom. Whats that Tom? He said putting a hand up to his ear, this trap was for you? MonStar stood up and drove his knee into the side of Toms head putting him on his back again.
Oh course it was Tom, please allow me to explain. A while back I was a proud member of the Outcasts. I had a wonderful life, had just had a childhood dream achieved of being a pilot, I was young, drop dead gorgeous, and full of spunk. But one fateful day my space patrol ran across a bounty hunter ambush of which I was the only survivor. Lucky me you say Tom? Most would think so yes, until I was tractored in and sold to some science types to become a regular guinea pig.
Tom rose up on one elbow and spit out a large wad of blood, What does this have to do with me maniac?
Oh tons Tom, MonStar giggled, you see not too long ago I came across some information about that ambush. It had the time and place it happened, the casualty list, heck it even had the operation leaders name on it. You guessed it my boy, read it right there in cyber space in all its confidential bold letter glory. TOM TALICE.
Tom just stared defiantly from his laying position with a look of disgust written on his face. So this whole thing, the capture of Sheiya, the encrypted messageall of it was to get at me?
MonStar held up a hand signaling for Tom to be quiet, and then he pointed at the monitor. During their encounter on the bridge all the bounty hunter ships had been destroyed by the weapon platforms trap except for one. Tom looked at the screen to see the Vaster heavily damaged and trying its best to maneuver through the tight asteroid maze it was trapped in.
Tom jumped as the weapons of the Necrosis sprang to life firing volley after volley into the Vaster. No.. Tom said in almost a whisper as the Vaster broke apart under the weight of the Necrosis barrage and disappeared in a bright flash.
Yes it was all to get at you. MonStar said turning back toward Tom Talice. Although my dear Sheiya here did send the message. Oh you shouldve seen how happy she was when she thought she had pulled it offHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA. The laughter was deafening and brought chills up Toms spine.
Alas, MonStar continued, during my life as a lab rat, you moved up in the world. By the time I found out about you, you were captain of the Vaster. With such a formidable ship at your command I could go at you directly, hence why such a elaborate trap was in order.
Tom spit out another wad of blood, And what of the fighter that was destroyed?
Oh that? MonStar laughed, just a remote to solidify the ruse my boy.
Tom slowly rose to his feet, So what now, you plan on torturing me to death for my past transgressions toward you?
Oh most certainly, MonStar grinned proudly, but first I wanted to give you a parting gift. Behold! MonStar motioned to the monitors again as the video changed.
Tom watched them in horror as he recognized the people being tortured, mutilated, and killed on the monitors in front of him. His wife.his children.his family.his friends. The scene brought waves of nausea upon Tom and he fell to his knees.
MonStar bent over in front of the weeping Tom Talice, Ill take that as a thank you then.
With that Tom rose up in a fury and came at the monster that killed everything he had ever loved. Tom swung wildly with his good arm only to find air in front of him. MonStar stepped under the blow, reached around, grabbed Toms head and twisted it around 270 degrees.
Toms dead body fell with a thud on the floor in front of Sheiya. She hadnt moved or made a sound during the whole exchange between her friend Tom and MonStar. She didnt know what to think, what to feel, and felt as if she wasnt even real.
Sheiya didnt even register the approach of MonStar until he was kneeling in front of her.
As for you my dear, MonStar said in a cheerful voice, I believe Ill hold onto you for a while longer. You have served your usefulness, but I do so love your company. He stood and walked past her. Nothing like home sweet homeHAHAHAHAAHHAAAHAHHAHAAHAAA.
Sheiya sat staring at Toms corpse until the robots came and took it away and continued staring long past that as well.
*A page out of a young Outcast girls diary living on planet Malta*
Ill spare you the boring everyday routine stuff that is a typical day in my life. Rest assured that I have been fed, Im not thirsty, I learned something, and I am in reasonable health. Aside from that only a couple of things happened today that are worth writing about.
The first is that Anthony Alverez finally asked me to the harvest celebration dance. Boys are so weird, it took everything short of me actually coming out and saying I liked him to his face for him to get the hint. Mother is making me a dress that, in her own words, will knock their socks off. I cant wait, I just wish it wasnt 3 weeks away.
The second thing is an odd one. I walked into the house today and saw father watching a recording of a Liberty news report. He didnt hear me enter the room and father usually doesnt watch videos so of course I was intrigued. The story was about someone named MonStar. Apparently this guy has been rampaging throughout Sirius killing everything that moved. The news woman called for everyone to avoid at all cost.well DUH! I thought, why would anyone not run from someone with that sort of reputation. Then they displayed a picture of him and I gasped, it was my cousin Tyrian. At first I couldnt believe it, growing up he was such a kind person almost like a brother to me. Now hes some sort of terrorist psychopath? Father must have heard my gasp because he immediately turned off the monitor and pretended like nothing was wrong. The look on his face told me enough, he thought it was true. Why would Tyrian do such things? Sure we outcast are known to kill people but the things they were describing were horrible. It cant be true. The Tyrian I know wouldnt do such thingshe cant be this MonStar they talk about.Could he?
The view is of a laboratory; the hum of numerous machines running through their cycles and several technicians dressed in the typical garb working on various terminals across the rather large room. In the background, taking up nearly the entire wall was a large viewing window. The only view seen outside of the window was the image of a star, it was obvious that the laboratory shown was built to study the star due to the close proximity it had with it.
The camera view panned across the lab until it settled onto a rather short balding man standing stiffly with his hands behind his back in an effort to both seem more dignified than he actually was and to try to offset his obvious physical short comings. He stared at the star through the tinted glass of the viewing window like a proud parent would at an award ceremony for their child.
Beautiful isnt it? The man said taking in a few more seconds of the sight before turning toward the camera. Hello, my name is Dr. Sadayuki Endo. I am the chief scientist here at Kishiro Technologies low orbit star lab Akura, in the Kyushu system.
Dr. Endo moved to a small terminal strategically placed close to the camera. Several years ago it was learned that the star here in the Kyushu system was at risk for releasing a Gamma Ray Burst, due to time restraints Ill unfortunately have to refrain from defining exactly what a gamma ray burst is. Fortunately though, we did discovered the possible threat early enough to devise a counter to the burst.
The Dr. touched the screen to starting an animation, As you can see the star has an increase in hydrogen fusions, in these rare cases the star creates more fuel than it can burn thereby increasing the pressure at the stars core. The increased pressure causes a backfire in the form of a gamma ray burst. What we have come up.
Excuse me Dr. Endo, one of the technicians interrupted, its time.
Dr. Endo obviously flustered by the interruption, looked back and forth between several terminals, the viewing window, and a couple technicians before finally focusing back onto the camera. He pulled out a small remote from his pocket aimed it at the camera and pushed a button. Putting the remote back into his pocket the Dr. walked toward what looked like the main control console. The camera moved to follow the doctor.
What we came up with to combat the increased pressure was to create very small vents in the star to relieve some of the pressure. A continuous opening and closing of several vents is needed due to the nature of the star itself. Which is just exactly the process we are about to begin.
Are the Bisector Beams ready? Dr. Endo asked
Beams are fully charged sir. Came a response from off the camera view.
Initiate the target sequence. The doctor said rubbing his hands together in excitement.
The viewing window began showing four red target sights on random spots of the star. The sights would only stay on that one spot for a few seconds before to another random location.
Prepare to make history ladies and gentlemen, the doctor said in almost a childlike giddy tone, initiate bisector beams!
On cue the beams began firing at the target sights displayed on the viewing window. As the sights moved from one location to the other, so did the beams. Starting and stopping as the target sights moved to each random spot.
Status report, Dr. Endo asked, nearly shouting in anticipation.
Its working sir, came a voice from off camera, the stars internal mass as decreased by a thousandth of a percent already!
The lab erupted into shouts of joy and applause, with the doctor leaping onto the technician beside him causing the unaware technician and the doctor to both fall to the floor.
<The video freezes>
It never ceases to amaze me what tender morsels of knowledge some of these vessels we come across hold in their mainframes. MonStar said as he stared at the viewing monitor from his bone throne on the bridge of the Necrosis. Tell me Borgy, are you certain your calculations are correct?
Master, need I remind you that when it comes to mathematics, I am incapable of error. PSI-Borgs monotone voice echoed across the speakers of the bridge.
A smile widened across MonStars face, Then it would seem Dr. Endo is about to acquire a new patient.HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAAA!
*Planet New Tokyo*
*Kusari Naval Forces Administration Office*
Admiral Hirohita sat behind his desk silently as he looked through the contents of a folder that had just been handed to him from the tall but slender man standing at ease in front of him.
The folder contained reports accompanied by pictures of a recent string of attacks across Kusari space. He stopped on a picture of a mans face below it read the mans name.
Dr. Sadayuki Endo, the admiral spoke aloud, I had the opportunity to hear him speak last year on the technology that he and his team used to stop the gamma ray burst in Kyushu. The Admiral took a deep breath and took one last look at the doctors picture before closing the folder and laying it on the desk in front of him.
So, lets have it captain, what do we know so far?
The slender man responded immediately, Sir! the captain bowed to honor his superior before continuing, Kishiros Akura base was destroyed seven days ago. Our intelligence indicates the perpetrator was after the doctor and his research. After sifting through the wreckage of the base, Kishiro reported that one of the four bisector beams was missing along with some various related equipment. Fortunately Dr. Endo wasnt present at the time of the attack, he had left a few days before to visit family on Honshu.
And apparently the attacker learned of this and followed him there. The admiral added.
The captain bowed again, Yes sir, the doctor narrowly escaped his attackers there, thanks to the intervention of the local police branch whom the doctor had called once he heard of the Akura incident.
The admiral interrupted, The report says that there were no witness accounts on the planet, but the pictures show evidence of a large scale conflict. Surely there had to be at least one witness that saw something?
The captain lowered his head shamefully, Im afraid not sir, the entire police squad and the reinforcements sent after the fighting started were found massacred. No bodies other than the police and several civilians were found.
The admiral sat back into his chair and frowned in concentration, So, currently we have no evidence of who the doctors attacker could be?
No sir.
This doesnt sound like anything weve seen before from either the Blood Dragons or the Golden Chrysanthemums. The admiral thought aloud.
Intelligence points toward an outside source, the captain added, the brutality of the attack and absence of bodies lends more toward the Phantoms, but the small arms fire found in the bodies of the victims doesnt match reports of known Phantom attacks.
This is most troubling, the admiral sighed deeply, Where is Dr. Endo now?
He and his family are currently on Battleship Myoko in the Shikoku system. It was decided that they would be better protected there, but with several fighter patrols missing between Honshu and Shikoku it would seem likely that the doctors location might be compromised yet again.
Then we dont have much time, the admiral said lending forward in his chair once again, captain I want you to take a small fleet to escort the doctor and his family out of Kusari space and into Liberty.
Sir? the captain wore a surprised look on his face.
The attackers, whom ever they might be, most likely expect to find the doctor the battleship. Realistically the battleship is most likely the safest place in Sirius for the doctor, but to the nature of the attacks so far Im not willing to take the risk of losing one of Kusaris brightest minds.
Admiral Hirohito took out a document from a drawer in his desk and began writing as he continued, Ill contact the LSF personally and ask them for Libertys help in protecting the doctor. He finished writing on the piece of paper, folded it, and began putting it into an envelope. This will allow two outcomes, both being in our favor. Either these unknown attackers will be destroyed by Myotos might or by the time they figure out the doctor isnt on the Myoto hell be hidden safely deep in Liberty.
Admiral Hirohito handed the captain the sealed envelope, Here are your orders captain, make sure the doctor and his family make it safely to Liberty. In the meantime Ill put notify the fleets, seems we have a hunt on our hands.
Hai! the captains feet slammed together and he bowed deeply before taking the envelope containing Admiral Hirohitos orders and turning to leave.
The admiral didnt watch the captain leave; he instead turned his attention back to the folder. He opened it and began looking through the pictures of the destruction left by these unknown attackers. He could only shake his head slowly in disbelief.
All has been quiet in the last few days since Dr. Sadayuki Endo and his family were secretly snuck off the Myoko and ushered safely away.
The crew hadnt been notified of the doctors departure due to fears that there could be spies present. So the ship itself ran the same, increased fighter patrols, extra security personnel on watch at ever checkpoint across the ship, and most importantly extensive scanner sweeps of the nearby area.
Ensign, Captain Yugasawa, the chief officer of the Myoko said from his elevated chair on the battleships bridge, have you completed the latest sensor sweep?
A young man spun in his swivel chair, stood up with a jolt, and offered a bow to the captain before speaking, Yes Captain, we just finished the last sweep and found nothing out of the usua.
The ensign stopped short as a beeping sound from his console interrupted him. The young man sat down as fast as he stood up and began working immediately. Sir, we have an unknown contact just entering scanner range.
Identification? the captain asked excitedly scooting forward until he was literally on the edge of his seat.
Unknown sir, after pushing a few buttons the ensign continued, it appears to be a fighter class vessel. He turned to face the captain, Its on an intercept course with the Myoko sir.
Are any of the fighter patrols within intercept range?
None sir. Announced a voice from the opposite side of the room.
Hail the unknown vessel and notify them this is restricted space and they are to divert immediately, The captain said rising to a standing position, scramble the remaining fighters, I want that ship surrounded and escorted to a safe distance immediately.
Hai! came two voices in unison.
Captain Yugasawa was well prepared for such an occasion but deep down inside he never thought anyone would be so foolish to actually challenge the might of the Myoko. His initial thoughts were that it must be a stray ship that simply flew off course, or was at any moment going to hail the battleship and ask for docking privileges, but none came. The captain thought of all the fighter patrols and the warning buoys that were set so that no vessel could get to where this ship is and not know it was off limits.
This thought made the captain heart start beating a bit faster. He watched as the remaining fighters launched and began their intercept course. The orders he received greatly increased the defenses of the Myoko, so the people that were after his, now non-existent, guest must be extremely dangerous. The captain took a deep breath and could only hope his suspicions were wrong.
Sir, the fighter wing is about to intercept. The wing commander says the fighter is a blood dragon bomber sir.
Put the comms on speaker ensign. The admiral announced leaning forward so his hands rested on the railing in front of him.
Hai!
Immediately the sound of engines could be heard in the background as the comms hit the speakers. This is Kusari naval fighter BC-012, you are in a restricted area. We have orders to escort you toWhoa! Target has gone hostile! Evasive maneuvers!
Captain Yugasawa pointed to the ensign running the communication terminal, I want that ship vaporized immediately!
This is the Battleship Myoko, the ensign began immediately, you are authorized to use lethal force.
Affirmative! a voice resounded over the speakers.
The captain could see off in the distance the flickering of lights as the fighters engaged the hostile ship. After only a few moments the lights ceased.
Target destroyed. The wing commanders voice announced.
The captain gave a nod to the ensign at the communications terminal. A soft pop was heard as the speakers were turned off.
Mission accomplished, the ensign spoke into his headset, return to base.
The captain couldnt help but wonder why the blood dragons would be after the Dr. Endo. The hostile ship was obviously a scout, but why would the blood dragons use a bomber as a scout? Things didnt seem to add up.
The captain moved to back to his chair and sat down. As he continued to contemplate the events that just happened he pulled down one of the swiveling monitors located around his chair. After a few quick taps on the console in the arm of his chair he could see the Myokos hanger bay. He watched the last fighter land as he continued to go over and over the details of this mysterious lone ship. He began to reason that if the ship was a scout then a larger force must be present..
The captain came out of his contemplative trance when he noticed that all the pilots had exited their ships and were already cheering their co-pilots on except for the ship that had landed last. He watched for a few more seconds, still no movement.
Sir! a voice from across the bridge shouted excitedly, Our systems are being hacked!
The captain stood and looked across the bridge. Several terminal screens were cycling through information at an incredible rate.
Captain Yugasawa sat back down in a flash a put his attention back on the monitor he was just looking at. The captain zoomed the camera view in on the cockpit of the last fighter. He gasped aloud, the pilot was dead.
The captain switched to a different camera in the hanger bay to try to get a better look at that fighter. Before he could begin to zoom in, the fighter exploded in a bright flash. The Myoko lurched to one side from the explosion throwing several bridge personnel, including the captain to the floor.
The captain sat up on his elbows and shook his head in disbelief. Not all is, as it would seem.
