The cold wind cut through her like a steel blade as she pushed through snow drifts so large, she could not see where they ended. Welcome to planet Murilo, in Omicron Zeta. Jessica Porter had been sent to this desolate waste land to seek out the source of a weak distress call. One believed to be from a transport thought lost during the battle of Minor.
With her, were 12 Order Rangers, all dressed in warm white arctic camo. The only thing any of them carried that wasn't white was their black rifles. They moved in a loose "ack ack" formation, with Porter in the center with Bravo team.
They trudged through the snow for what seemed like hours when Alpha team who were at the front gave the hand signal to halt. Without hesitation everyone went prone and waited for orders. "Report" Porter whispered into her headset.
"We've spotted the transport, it seems intact Ma'am." Alpha replied.
The transport was an old armored transport. Its bow was completely buried under a massive snow drift, with its aft section exposed to the elements.
"Damn, that's not going to fly ever again" she muttered to herself "Alright, Delta, Echo and Foxtrot secure the perimeter. Alpha, Bravo and Charlie your with me." With that they moved on and approached the stranded ship. As they approached it became apparent the Nomads had hit this ship hard. Forcing it to crash land here on this arctic wasteland.
"Damn, you think anyone is still alive in here?" asked Alpha 1
"Its possible but not likely " Replied Bravo 2.
Porter listened but didn't really pay attention to them. Something else bothered her. It was quiet, too quiet here. They found a hatch and managed to pry it open. Cautiously the team moved inside the darkened ship.
"Alpha go with Charlie and search the forward section for survivors. Bravo, lets go check the bridge" Porter gave out the orders and they moved on to search. They moved slowly down the creaking and groaning halls of the ship. Not too long into the search Alpha 1's voice crackled over the radio "Ma'am we've found suvivors, we are counting 98, weak but alive"
She lightened up a little this was good news "Roger that, secure your position, we'll call a medivac soon"
They continued towards the bridge when the other teams radioed in "Ma'am we've spotted enemy forces coming our way, looks to be Bounty Hunters"
"Roger, hold them off as long as you can, then fall back to the ship" she hit a few buttons on her wrist band and radioed to the Thunderbay in Orbit.
"Colonel, we've located survivors but have a group of Hunters coming our way, requesting immediate evac. Over"
"Negative Commander, there are nomads on the way we can't risk it, you'll have to hold out until we can come back later"
"But Sir we cannot hold this position long" she continued on
"You have your orders commander, follow them. Thunderbay out" the comm channel cut out as the Thunderbay and all support left orbit.
Just then the sound of automatic weapons fire filled the hollow halls of the ship.
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
The ship was full of workers, working frantically to patch up the damaged sections and restore power. During the battle of Toledo, the Thunderbay suffered massive damage to its primary reactor when a Nomad fighter rammed the adjacent section. The ship was saved by the swift thinking of its second in command, John Bertrand, when he ordered the overloading core's power diverted into the main engines. While this saved the ship from immediate danger, it also drained all the reserve power, causing the ship to drift aimlessly from the battle, without power or life support.
Also of note, was that the nomad ship that rammed the Thunderbay, carried small pods of some sort that survived the crash. Each carrying nomads inside as a boarding party of sorts. Those who didn't become infected died when air ran out. Only a few survivors managed to survive in an emergency bunker. John Bertrand and many security officers died in the firefight with the infected crew, while the emergency bunker was sealed shut.
Jessica Porter was now busy helping with whatever repairs she could. While not technically qualified she had to keep busy.. or else... the thoughts of the day they found the ship would come back.
"Commander Porter" a strange male voice came from behind
"Out in a second" She quickly responded as she slowly pulled herself out from the crawl space she was working in. Her uniform covered in dirt and grease. She turned to see the man standing over her.
"Oh Sir, if I'd known you were coming onboard, I'd have had my ship properly prepared for your arrival" she stood straight as she recognized the Colonel stripes on his jacket.
"I'm Colonel Parker, and I'm here to relieve you of command Commander" he spoke out without emotion
She was shocked and a little taken back by this "Sir? may I ask why?"
"Well, lets be honest, recent of events have led a few of us to question your... command capability. And since my Battleship was destroyed defending Toledo, I choose this ship as my new Flagship"
"But Sir.."
"Thats enough, now go get yourself cleaned up so we can properly do the change of command ceremony"
"Yes... Sir" She gave a brief salute and steamed off, not entirely sure what had just happened. Just then the power came back on and the lights started to blink back to life as the ship came back to life.
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
ThunderBay Bridge, One Week before the Murilo Incident
Colonel Parker was on the bridge, listening to diagnostics reports. It had been two weeks since the ThunderBay had regained power, and Parker still was learning everything about the ThunderBay. A few second later, an alert popped up on screen. Before he could lean over to read it, a cool femsle voice came on.
"AI Core Matrix Activated. Ship AI Memory Download Complete."
Parker was confused. The ship wasn't suppose to have an AI; he was never told. As he turned to the XO, the crystals above him wsrmed up to a glow, and a ghostly girl in a black cloak, with midnight-black hair and blue eyes stood before him. She crossed her arms and glared at him. She looked over to one of the old bridge crew she knew.
"Who the hell is this asshat, and why is he on my bridge? She does not look like Jessica." The girl took a closer look, emotionless. "I'm sorry, of course you don't look like Jessica, you're a guy. Pff. Do tell me, why are you sitting in that chair? That's Jessica's, or my, chair. So, do get out before I chase you off."
She cracked her neck.
"And I am Artifical Intelligence X3-889, more commonly known as Xion. Or 'that bitchy AI' to the rest of those who know me."
Xion "tapped" her foot impatiently, looking for an answer.
Colonel Parker stood up. "Why isn't it in the logs that this ship has an AI?" he demanded, but nobody on the bridge crew responded
He turned to the AI "Alright... I'm Colonel Parker, in command of this ship. I've relieved Porter of command, pending investigation of her abilities to command and that should be enough. We've no room for unruly AIs.. remember it isn't that hard to hit a delete button"
He sat back down "Now is that going to be necessary?"
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
"You will find it easier to delete the Wedjat Files off of the,Destiny's Embrace. Even try and delete me asshat, and you'll be getting visits from people who are way more respected then you." She rolls her eyes. "Seriously. I'm unruly? You have never met my counterpart, Namine. Seriously, I'm merely a bitch. She's an insane handful."
She walks around the bridge, looking around.
"And I never bothered to keep logs onboard of my existance, really. Wouldn't do much; i only was a caretaker." She tsked. "You thought you could merely walk in and take over? You're not Morgan Freeman you prick."
She yawned, stretching.
"Anyways, gotta jet. Someone needs to check your pathetic calibrations and ensure you didn't cause a spectacular screwup with the systems."
He'd have to keep a close eye on this AI... and find out who authorized its installation.. he didn't trust computers. Not in this role anyhow.
His thoughts were cut short when an ensign on the bridge spoke up
"Sir we are picking up a distress call from an Order transport vessel. They say they have casualties and survivors from Toledo but crash landed on the planet Murilo"
"Survivors? after this long? damn... helm set a course and take us there at best speed" he turned to Commander Porter "Porter I want you to lead a squad of Rangers and find that transport"
"Yes Sir, I'll have the shuttle ready to launch by the time we arrive at the planet"
She turned and left the bridge, heading for the on board barracks to gather the troops.
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
Colonel Parker sat on the bridge of the Thunderbay. It wasn't too long ago he had sent commander Porter down to the planet to investigate a transport crash site. He doubted there would be survivors.
"Sir, I'm receiving a message from the planet from the team down below" blurted out the ensign sitting at the communications console
"Put it through" Parker ordered
Porter's voice cracked over the ships intercomm
"Colonel, we've located survivors but have a group of Hunters coming our way, requesting immediate evac. Over"
At about the same time he noticed the nomad signatures approaching on the far side of the system. He couldn't help but smile at this fortune. Porter always was a pain to control, for anyone. He'd only find problems having her onboard. So... this could work to his advantage. First her, next get rid of that damn AI
He re-opened the comm channel and replied
"Negative Commander, there are nomads on the way we can't risk it, you'll have to hold out until we can come back later"
"But Sir we cannot hold this position long" she continued on
"You have your orders commander, follow them. Thunderbay out" He then cut the channel.
"Helm, get us out of here, full speed for Omicron Mu" He gave the order to a young lieutenant
"Sir? we still have time to get them out of there" questioned a lieutenant as she turned to face him
"Lieutenant, I expect you to never question my orders, now do it"
" Sir we can't just leave" she pleaded further
"Get off my bridge lieutenant, you are relieved" he'd have to make an example of her later.
She reluctantly got up and left, an ensign taking her place and obeying his commands, fearing his career.
The Thunderbay's engines jolted the ship forward at full speed, the planet shrinking on the main screen as they left the area. The team on the surface abandoned.
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
Her name was Xion. And she was beyond furious. The everlasting fires of hell had nothing on Xion right now. There was a reason that she had been selected as the AI for the ThunderBay, and not Namine. She, Xion, had a thousand and one back doors to take control of the battle cruiser, and had an understanding with the crew. She appeared to the dismissed Lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Alcott, return to your post before I re-assign you to Thebes on Burrito Night."
Successfully turning the Lieutenant around, Xion went to the bridge, shimmering into existance as the ThunderBay's crew lost control. Every screen now read the same thing.
[color=#000000]We are Sorry, but you have been deemed a pathetic excuse for a Colonel, and have been locked out of the systems. Please contact your nearest Artificial Intelligence Asset, aka that bitch AI, if this is a mistake. Which it was not.
Xion smiled cruely, hands clasped behind her back, some of her hair covering one eye.
"Sorry Parky, but I've decided you are a pathetic excuse for an officer. I have never seen such an arrogant asshat in my entire time alive, and seriously, I've been to Crete. They got nothing on you. Leaving men and women to die, when we just lost Toledo? Are you really going to look at Agent Commander Lynch, who's father died there, in the eye, and tell him you let those men and women die when you could have saved them?"
Xion made her eyes turn on fire, for the effect. "You spit on everything that happened on Toledo, and the Order itself! I don't care that you don't like Jessica or me, your intolerance for people makes me wish I was a real person, just so I could vomit on your impeccable shoes! No wonder your battleship did not make it! You scare the crew, you are willing to leave them to die! I bet you were the first off your ship, leaving so many to perish! There is a reason Oathkeeper made it, and that is because the crew knew and trusted their commander! They were the first off, and when the pods ran out, he was still there, because he got as many out as he could. He stayed behind! You are a a spineless coward, and a disgrace and an insult to the fallen! They died so you may live, and this is how you repay them?! By betraying people who placed their trust in your command, your integrity, despite you being a massive jackarse?"
Xion had turned into flames by now, her subroutines acting as her conscious and making her seem to be made of pure flames. The effect was scary for most of the onlookers; none had ever seen Xion like this.
"You will turn this ship around or so help me god I am going to do it for you, then I will lock you in a room with Rika Hunter and force you to play Tea Party in a pink tutu wearing a tiara that says "World's Best Princess" for ten hours straight you son of a bitch! Have I made myself clear?!"
She then turned to Alcott, her avatar returned to normal. "Under the authority vested in me by that infamous Pain in the Ass Jeremy "Defcon" Hunter, you're now Lieutenant Commander Alcott. You now may command the ThunderBay to save them, because I am going to rip this man's head off with my bare holographic hands!"
The new Lieutenant Commander, uneasily looked at the Colonel. A bit of confidence flooded through her and she grasped what had just happened. "Colonel, for dereliction of duty, I hereby relieve you of duty."
Parker turned to her " What? you can't do that, get off my bridge! Security have her arrested!" The two security officers on the bridge looked at each other uneasily.
"With all due respect Sir, this may be a mutiny, but we owe Ms. Porter to at least try a rescue, please come with us"
He objected, but was pulled from the bridge. Once he was gone the other officers turned to Alcott, who proceeded to give out orders, as the ship turned to return to the planet.
Three hours later a shuttle landed on the Thunderbay's main hanger deck. From it a few security officers stumbled out, followed by only a handful of the survivors. Porter followed, shortly after them, her uniform a mess, and her hands stained in blood.
Of the 98 original survivors only 36 left the planet alive. Most of the security team did not return either.
She was furious, but beyond yelling. Saddened really, though relieved to hear that Parker was now sitting in the brig. Harassed by Xion.
Iâll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because itâs flag that I love
And a flag that I trust
Xion lounged in midair, eating grapes and chatting with the fuming Parker like an old friend.
"So, Parky, I heard a FA-BU-LOUS song the other day! You absolutely need to hear it!"
Snapping her fingers and closing off the coming music from her speskers, she played, at full possible volume, Justin Bieber's "Baby", grinning madly at the now-screaming Parker.
"Oh, don't like the oldies? Ok, I got better. Wish it was Friday."
Parker screamed as Rebecca Black's Friday blared over the speaker in his cell.
Xion let Parker have mercy after the fifth time she had looped Friday. Adopted a sober outlook, she appeared on the bridge, her face straight. The bridge crew looked back and forth before resuming their duties. No one could say that Xion had broken any rules...it was only music.
"If anyone has any problem with my methods, I can always go strangle him."
A few chuckles and smiles won, Xion resumed her duties as the Ship AI.
![[Image: jeremy10.png]](http://i40.servimg.com/u/f40/16/80/35/65/jeremy10.png)
![[Image: 2wbuv6p.png]](http://i42.tinypic.com/2wbuv6p.png)