NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC:This thread is a place for me to post short stories that I write developing characters and my tech. So OOC comments and tags are welcome but please no IC stuff folks. I'm working on the first story now and should be up within the month, I'm not good with timelines so that's the best I can do.

As for planned technology I intend to indroduce here are:

1) Neutronium armor and related technologies
2) EM Primary cannons that are more efficient, smaller, and more powerful than beams and wedges of equivalent size.
3) Copperhead fighter squadron
4) SPARTAN commandoes (so sue me, I like Halo)
5) "Ripstar" reactors, using "Ripstar" fuel with an energy density of 5x10^45 J/kg
6) Vector shields.
7) Ground assault battle droids.

That's all I can think of for now.

I'm still working on this. I just keep on getting distracted. But I WILL get the first chapter up before Monday.

Twilight

The fighter streaked by, dodging the heavy LinAc fire erupting from the battleship. I swung my turret around tracing the path of the attacking fighter. I brought the reticle over the projected lead assistant on my helmet up display. I grinned and squeezed the triggers and let a lance of invisible laser death fly. The beam struck in the center of mass of the fighter and violently exploded as its ammunition cooked off.

I let out a small whoop of victory as I saw the expanding cloud of plasma. I flicked my eyes looking for another target and the deck rocked under me shaking me in my seat. My display went dark except for the red words “You have been killed.”

I cursed as the view switched to a real time display of the simulated battle. The gunner station I had been manning had been vaporized. It wasn’t even my station, I was in the Naval Corps of Engineers, I had taken control of the turret when the gunner had been “killed” by shrapnel.

I sighed and consigned myself to watching the rest of the war game on the display. It didn’t last much longer, my ship was one of the last of the “attackers” and the “defenders” soon destroyed the remaining ships.

The all clear alarm rang and I got up. I took off my helmet and nodded to the “killed” gunner I had replaced. I checked my watch, it read 0235. I silently swore, the drill had eaten up most of my sleep cycle. I had to report for duty in under three hours.

Grumbling I worked my way to the small quarters I shared with three other officers. It wasn’t the most private, but it was better than hot-bunking like the enlisted sailors. I opened the hatch and stopped in my tracks as I saw the two armed MP’s waiting for me. “Lieutenant JG Andrew Gale. You will come with us.”

I stared at them quizzically for a split second, “And why do I have to come with you?”

“We can’t tell you that sir.” The MP on the right said with a stern face.

I sighed, “Very well. Lead on.”

They took up positions in front of me and behind me. Like I was going to run when I had two men with battle rifles watching me I thought sarcastically. They marched me towards the command deck in complete silence leaving me to wonder what I had done to piss off the captain enough to merit an armed escort.

I had just thought that it may have something to do with the not-so-authorized changes I had made to the port missile batteries when my escort stopped outside the captain’s briefing room and opened the door, “You are needed inside.” The same MP who had spoken before said dryly.



I stepped through and opened my mouth to say that the changes to the battery had improved reload time by sixteen seconds, the first words never got out as my jaw dropped to low for me to speak. Waiting for me wasn’t the captain, but Fleet Admiral Armishaw himself.

I stared for a few more seconds before finally coming out of shock. It took me another second to actually remember to snap to attention and solute. “Sir. I’m sorry for my pause but I was very shocked to se you sir.” I rushed out.

Armishaw returned the salute and motioned to a chair, “Take a seat son we have a lot to discuss.”

I felt my way towards the indicated seat and plopped into it, “No offense sir but what can we possibly have to discuss?”

Armishaw chuckled softly, “Close the hatch for me will you Sergeant.” He said to the MP who nodded and quickly complied leaving myself alone with the Fleet Admiral. He leaned back in his chair, “Well lets start with your record shall we.”

I gulped, “What about my record sir?”

Armishaw grabbed a datapad off of the desk, “You have a history of insubordination, a lack of regard for procedure, failure to follow orders and even more that you know all to well. It’s only your sheer talent as an engineer that barely keeps you in the Navy at all.”

I nodded, “Yes sir, I’m very lucky sir.” I immediately winced as I realized how scared I must have sounded.

Armishaw continued, “By all means you don’t deserve to remain in that uniform. Your attitude is completely unsuited for life as an officer in the Xessmithian Navy.” My heart sunk, I was going to be dishonorably discharged. Armishaw saw my face and grinned, “It is however perfect for what I’m here to recruit you for.” My jaw dropped even lower than when I had first seen the Admiral.

I struggled to get my mouth working again, “Uh, what might that be sir?”

“Twilight son. I need you for Twilight.”

I was confused, “Beg your pardon sir.” God I sounded stupid, “But that doesn’t answer my question.”

“No I suppose not.” He paused, “I can’t go into complete detail here. However I can say that we are in need with people like you Gale. People with a strong independent streak, a flair for getting out of trouble as you’ve certainly displayed by not only remaining in the navy but by climbing to Lieutenant JG, and last but not least an extremely impressive set of skills.”


I was even more confused than before. What would the Navy want with people like me? On the other hand they were asking, and saying my curiosity could kill a cat was a huge understatement. Armishaw went on before I could respond, “This job will be dangerous, very dangerous. Of course it comes with close to seven times your current annual salary pay.”

I whistled slowly, “That’s one hell of a pay hike.” I paused, “But you don’t honestly think I’m going agree to a highly dangerous job without knowing what it is do you?”

Armishaw chuckled again, “As a matter of fact I do. I’ve read your record and your psych profile. I’m near one hundred percent certain you’ll jump on this.”

I was shocked that the Admiral had said that. He was right of course, but I was still shocked. “All right I’m in.” I said. “Now when do I start?”

“Immediately. We have a shuttle waiting for you in the boat bay. It leaves in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes! Sir, I can’t be ready in ten minutes. I have to pack my equipment, I have to...”

Armishaw cut me off, “It’s already been done.” Armishaw rose from his seat and I followed. He held out his hand and I shook it. “You’ve made the right choice today Gale. I promise you won’t regret it.”

OOC: Bump for feedback. Tell me what you liked, what you didn't and so on. And more is coming for those who actually want it.