Stargaze: Shining Will, Illusive Mind
0
Room101
Waifu Collector
So after a while, writing, crossovering my older ideas and some brain wrecking I've finally decided to write my own fiction work.
A note of advice: Fakku hates my Word's formatting.
It is a sci-fi novel, with military, political, spy and even romantic elements. At least that's what I'm planning.
It is set in the farther future (2442), with mankind having hundreds of colonies united under Solar Federation, based on Earth. However, the Federation is becoming increasingly corrupted, and it's military, the Solarian Federate Authority, increasingly despotic; which prompts numerous insurgencies to sprang up. The further chapters will reveal more of this, as well as the underlying reason for the impending collapse. And of course, how the "bad" guys fit into it.
For now, I have established a basic prologue, that reveals main heroine, the bad (or are they?) guys and is 20% conspiracy and 60% fighting and 20% other.
I hope you will enjoy it and (even more importantly) be hungry for more.
[spoil]Stargaze: Shining Will, Illusive Mind
“The night is darkest just before the dawn” – Harvey Dent, Batman: The Dark Knight
“…And in other news today, the fighting between SFA and Norther Lights Confederacy “insurgents” continues. After what appears to have been a major NLC victory, SFA troops made a surprise attack on planet of Alstreim, with intention of “rooting out dangerous terrorist and anti-government threat”. Number of unaligned worlds and even Solarian Federation members have condemned this move, calling SFA’s action as arbitrary and increasingly despotic. The spokesman for Solar Parliament’s High Council had this to say…”
“Sire, they are waiting.” A soft, polite feminine voice had reached his ears. With a snap of the fingers, the holo-news board had disappeared. With another, the windows darkened, blocking out the silhouette or a reddish sun that shone through the massive window.
“…Very well, make the necessary arrangements.” The woman bowed at the commanding tone and left, just as the floor begun to emit a soft, silverish glow. Not soon later, a number of holo-monitors had appeared in the mid air. The men seated in the room smiled slightly. It was finally the time.
-“Welcome ladies and gentlemen; It is finally the time for pre-Phase One. While I understand that it is somewhat premature in it’s coming, we have no choice by now.” A chorus of nods have answered him.
After a brief pause, a posh voice spoke up from one of the monitors. It was a woman, or at least “she” sounded like one.
“The increasing autonomy of SFA and collapse of Federation’s central government is progressing faster than we anticipated. Then again, we have already prepared for such possibility…there should be few problems from here on out”.
-“Maybe” A new voice interjected. This time it was a low, masculine one. “However, I’m concerned about Vandenberg. He is starting to grasp at out strings.” The other feminine voice snorted.
-“Vandenberg is a child in the fog. We’re monitoring all his communications and aides. I’m well aware that he might try to interrupt the pre-Phase One, but even at our worst, his efforts will yield minimal results…”
-“I do wonder about that…” Another voice, another female. “You should not underestimate him. At the same time, all of his possible moves have been limited to a number that is predictable, and their outcomes even more so. Furthermore, even if they do something unexpected, we should have enough time to appropriately alter our strategy to avoid any substantial interruptions. All I’m saying is that we should keep our guard up, but not succumb to paranoia.”
The remaining voices voiced their affirmation. The man was not surprised. After all they have came so far…they all had their reasons, some purely idealistic, some more practical. But they all shared at least one thing in common – they were committed to their goal, and would without a heartbeat sacrifice thousands for it. Even themselves if it had to be.
-“Enough” He spoke “We all know what is at stake here…in the mankind’s darkest hour we shall guide it’s ashes to eternity and beyond…or perish and be swept up by the sands of history…Make no mistake. There is no turning back. No time for second thoughts. We succeed or we fail, utterly and definitely.”
And so, the discussion that will shape the upcoming future had begun.
The sky was on fire.
That was the only thought in head of Harold Jenson, resident of San Senzeia city on planet Alstriem. Looking up from the cockpit of his mid-sized mech, he could see how the sky of his homeworld was marred by streaks of missiles and trails of fighter jet engines. Even higher, one could notice sporadic flashes of light across the sky. No doubt the last battlestations and ships were trying to hold off invading forces. Which was a moot point anyway, Jenson mused, as enemy dropships have already reached the surface, and a wide stream of enemy infantry, tanks, airplanes and mechs flowed on, drowning his precious world in fire and destruction. Very effectively too – no less than two hours after the first landing the enemy has broken the back of planetary army, after enemy forces have made a surprise drop into the middle of capital. Having its forces split between main enemy beachhead and the said capital, the Alstreim Defense Force was pounded from all sides with repeated air, ground and space assaults. Most of its divisions were either destroyed or forced to withdraw. One of such divisions withdrew to San Senzeia, where along with local militia it tried to re-establish defensive front.
It even worked for a while – using river Crescene that flowed on city’s outskirts, the defenders forced the attackers to pass through only several bridges and crossings. All of which were mined and guarded by artillery, tanks, mechs and makeshift bunkers.
But then the enemy used the cities extensive subway system – using tunnels from nearby small city to move commando teams straight behind the lines. Their precision attacks have shattered the command structure and cut off all communications in the city, causing enough chaos on all passes so that their main force could dash to the other side. By the time anyone realized as to what was going on, most defenders were dead, and enemy troop columns were pouring into the city, leading to the hopeless situation.
“T-this is Alpha-3!” a panicked voice from Harold’s radio systems screamed. “We’re pinned down by…Jesus! They just took out half of our squadron!! We’re requesting back up!”
Inputting a short sequence on his machine’s computer, Harold started to pin down the source of the transmission. After several moments, the map of his helmet’s HUD lit up as it updated, with bright marker pointing at a position no less than 5 km from Harold’s own position. At least they didn’t down all the satellites. Harold thought bitterly. He knew that it was futile – even if he did reach position on time and saved his allies, the survival of one-two squads would be insignificant in this war. But he was a soldier, and he was sure as hell that he wouldn’t leave his comrades behind. Not to those bastards.
It was at that point that his luck had ran out.
“New target acquired” the synthesized voice of Harold’s mech computer rang out. At the same time, the enemy walked out from behind a crumbled skyscraper. Unlike Harold’s unit, which was somewhat short with hammer-head like top, the enemy was more humanoid. It had sleek, almost elegant legs and a torso that looked like a widened arrow. Its head reassembled ancient helmet, with a single, glowing slit, which Harold guessed to be its main sensor suite. One of its arms carried what looked like a machine gun or a rifle, another was empty. It was blood-red in color, with black elements and golden visor. In short, it looked more like a knight then a mech.
Harold breathed a sigh of relief when the machine didn’t open fire in his direction. The bastard must’ve missed me He though. Not letting such a chance slip away, he armed his vehicles back and shoulder missile launchers. As the lock on signal changed from a series of beeps into a wail, he fired.
A wall of 12 missiles flew directly into the air and curved its flight, falling like hungry talon at the enemy. It’s visor instantly looked up at the impending projectiles watching what would be its final moments. In theory.
Just as the missiles were to hit, the machine’s back glowed. And it moved. It wasn’t a sidestep or jump. The machine just moved at a speed that shouldn’t be possible for a several tones heavy machine. Harold cursed as each missile fell of target by mere meters, showering the road with explosions. He had heard about mechs with “boosters”, but he had never fought one before. Wasting no time, he changed weapon to heavy railgun. One of his machines barrels (which dubbed for its hands) rose up and fired. A massive silvery bolt surged forward, dispersing the air and smashing the ruins in front of Harold. Flying with velocity much greater than the speed of sound, it went straight for enemy’s torso…only that the red machine managed to side-step it. The shot flew centimeters off target and smashed into building behind it, finally detonating, blowing off a significant portion of a shopping mall.
Cursing again, Harold switched his weapons to a combo of a gattling gun on the other hand and 20mm autocannons on each side of his cabin. Emerging like an angry juggernaut from behind the ruins, Harold’s mech opened up at the enemy. The red machine tried to dodge, no longer using it’s boost, but several bullets still reached it. It did little damage. Or at least, that’s how Harold view it.
“Fuck you!” He screamed on open channel “Come here and get some, you son-of-a-bitch!” As if to taunt him, the enemy responded by rolling out of his field of fire, and firing off several bullets from his rifle. Harold felt how enemy bullets impacted his own mech, bouncing off or breaking the armor, and damaging the interior. One of them reached his gattling’s ammunition belt – setting off a chain of detonations that blew it off his machine. That didn’t matter though. If I’m going down, I’m taking one with me Harold thought, charging up his railgun for another shot. He then forced to move his machine, in spite of incoming fire, and run head into the enemy.
The enemy realized this, and his mechs free hand reached behind its back, pulling out a smooth, black line…which Harold promptly realized was a sword. The red mech then raced at him, bring the sword forward.
Metal hit metal as both mechs collided. The force rattled Harold’s machine, it’s gyro-stabilizers failing to fully compensate for force of impact, which was suddenly increased by a blade smashing through cockpit. The stabilizers gave out, and Harold’s mech (being in position of half-step) fell on it back, tripping on ever present rubble. One of the legs twisted and broke, sending machine flying onto one of the smaller buildings on the street’s side.
Yet Harold Jenson was still alive. He lied in his cockpit, viewing how falling rubble was slowly crushing his mech. Sparks flew from cut cables, and distorted computer voice warned of “imminent reactor leak”. He smiled sadly as he felt a small gust of wind flowing through enormous gash in the cockpit, the reminder of sword that nearly crushed his body as it pierced his machine’s torso. He was going to die. But at least…at least he wasn’t going on alone. His machines railgun, still functioning by some miracle, raised up, pointing at enemy’s machine.
It was the last sight that Harold Jenson saw, just as hypersonic, anti-mech round flew inches off enemy’s arm and hit his cockpit. The round instantly detonated, with massive explosion ripping him apart, and burying under the rubble of building that collapsed on top of the mech.
-“…What the hell was that supposed to be Four?” The voice of one slightly irritated Commander Karen Azethborough, 114th Irregular Division (“Ouroboros”), Solarian Federal Authority Intelligence Department rang out on Ouroboros team’s internal comm.
-“Thank you too m’am~” A cheerful voice rang out in his head, and Karen felt a headache coming up.
-“Don’t †˜Thank you’ me Sergeant Major Shinkai. If you had a time to do a dynamic room entry at the last moment, while missing my shoulder exactly by 10.9 cm, then you could’ve taken him out earlier! Understood? Or do I need to have you run naked through firing drills?”
-“Yes m’am!” The voice was now quieter and less enthusiastic, and Karen nodded in satisfaction. “Not that I’m not glad for that firing support. But she doesn’t need to know that” She thought, as she moved her personalized mech down the street, while opening the mission-designated comm. channel.
-“This is Ouroboros Leader. Districts 5 through 7 have been captured. Encountered only mediocre resistance.”
The world of Alstreim prided itself on its stalwart military, which formed a large part of Northern Lights Confederation, the insurgent group that was in direct conflict with Karen’s employers. But as of several days ago, the local military was withdrawn when NLC’s frontline troops requested reinforcements to keep up its offensive after Solarian forces apparently started retreating. The Planetary Governor had no idea that it was a set-up: The day after surveillance confirmed the departure of main units, Solarian 7th Fleet dropped out in Alstreim’s orbit, guns blazing. Caught by complete surprise, the capitol fell in a day, which to Karen must’ve been a campaign record. Now the SFA’s ground troops and assorted divisions begun “clean up” of less important locations, such as Sans Senzeia.
-“Azethborough? This is McDowell”. The voice of her fellow Commander, Rachel McDowell spoke up into her head. “The city’s ours. 5th Mechanized and your squads had swept up the other areas. Beautiful job you magnificent bastards, the maggots didn’t know what hit them. Over and out.”
Karen just smiled “Yeah, yeah, keep flattering me, but the drink’s still on you. See ya back on Theismann’s lounge Dowwy.” Before the other Commander had a chance to reply, Karen cut the connection. Damn, I love this job.
The outskirts of the city was turned into a provisional landing pad, with numerous prefab shelters deployed to serve as temporary barracks and hangars. Massive dropships continuously landed and departed, shuffling the troops between havens and ground.
Karen relaxed her shoulders, as the technicians pulled her out of her mech through the hatch. The new humanoid fighting machines were a miracle of technology – machines built in human image, with metallic “bones” and nano-material “muscles”. And 360 degree virtual cockpits that were notoriously difficult to get out from. Sitting down on a supply crate, she let out a sigh, as technicians swarmed over her machine in their makeshift hangar, preparing it for lift off to Theismann, the ship on which the Ourboros Division was based. Leaning back, she raised her hand to block out the rays from the setting pale blue sun, that peeked through open bay doors. While doing so, she could not help but notice faint platinum lines, grafted under her skin and glowing in the shade.
Nanobots. Karen could not remember the time when she was without them, when she was what one would call “fully” human. She had received her implants rather early on, already in her teenage years.
She vaguely remembered the procedure – something about being put to sleep and put in a tank full of silvery, opaque fluid; but she remembered the pain when the living metal merged with bones, skin, muscles, neurons and brain. The agony…she wasn’t sure if she had felt anything so intense before or after. And then came the moment of awareness, so clear and perfect that it was almost eternal. The augmented people called it “Awakening”, the moment when man’s mind merged with the nanites. Or at least, that was the theory. Nobody knew what exactly happened when nanites integrated with the brain, other than performing the designated function of improving reaction time and information processing.
To Karen, that wasn’t really important. What was, was what followed after his surgery – the enlistment in Solarian Federal Authority. She had spent years in training facility, practicing day after day, honing herself to be the perfect killing machine she was considered today. Karen spent years on battlefields and in the labs, working for infamous Intelligence Division, until someone noticed her apparent “amplitude” for unit commanding. Form a solo operative she was made an officer, drilled through modern military strategies and placed in command of an increasingly important divisions, until he ended up as commander-in-chief of Ouroboros Irregular Team. That was almost 5 years ago.
And all that time was spent on battlefields, fighting the increasingly dangerous enemies of Solarian Federation. Did she regretted it? She couldn’t tell, not now. But she had never felt more at home then now, with her comrades. And she had sacrificed too much to go back now to…a peaceful life? Or towards a better tomorrow?
Karen frowned. She had always got sentimental whenever she completed a mission or mused about her…augmentations. Her aide always talked about how “you think too much” and hers best friend from I.D even suggested pills for it. In retrospect, she should’ve taken it, regardless if that man was dressed in ridiculous fedora at the time or not.
-“Did I ever told you think too much m’am?” her senior aide spoke up from behind him. Karen felt like faceplaming.
-“Did I ever told you to stop giving me useless advice Sheryl?”. They both smiled as they passed their little lame insider joke between each other.
Sheryl Vaubon was one of her oldest friends, and by sheer coincidence, the Team’s XO and intelligence officer. She was a well-endowed young woman, around 26 years of age and with long, orange-blond hair and azure eyes that contrasted with her red and silver uniform.
-“I thought you stayed back on Theismann?”
-“I did, but Executive Command had issued new orders for us specifically, and I thought I’d give you the news first hand.” She paused. “And of course, there’s a matter on inventory and losses that we sustained. I know, I know, you will be making a report later, but I always feel better when I get at least some information first hand”.
Karen blinked at her reply “Orders? Already? The pacification had just begun, what possibly could they want?”
-“No idea. They will be relaying orders once they get secured channel or quantum comm. on line.”
Karen nodded to her reply, getting up from his crate. It seemed that the break time is over. “Then I suppose that I can help you out. As long as I don’t fill out paperwork or request carpet bombings, I’m pretty useless. And besides, the rest of our merry team should’ve hauled their asses back by now. Good time as any for shoulder-slapping and “Job well done” speech.”
-“Another planet, another glorious victory for the Federation?” Sheryl laughed.
-“Oh Lieutenant, where is thou enthusiasm for the Cause?” Karen mocked back as the pair head out into the field from the hangar, heading towards approaching column of soldiers and vehicles.[spoil]
A note of advice: Fakku hates my Word's formatting.
It is a sci-fi novel, with military, political, spy and even romantic elements. At least that's what I'm planning.
It is set in the farther future (2442), with mankind having hundreds of colonies united under Solar Federation, based on Earth. However, the Federation is becoming increasingly corrupted, and it's military, the Solarian Federate Authority, increasingly despotic; which prompts numerous insurgencies to sprang up. The further chapters will reveal more of this, as well as the underlying reason for the impending collapse. And of course, how the "bad" guys fit into it.
For now, I have established a basic prologue, that reveals main heroine, the bad (or are they?) guys and is 20% conspiracy and 60% fighting and 20% other.
I hope you will enjoy it and (even more importantly) be hungry for more.
[spoil]Stargaze: Shining Will, Illusive Mind
“The night is darkest just before the dawn” – Harvey Dent, Batman: The Dark Knight
“…And in other news today, the fighting between SFA and Norther Lights Confederacy “insurgents” continues. After what appears to have been a major NLC victory, SFA troops made a surprise attack on planet of Alstreim, with intention of “rooting out dangerous terrorist and anti-government threat”. Number of unaligned worlds and even Solarian Federation members have condemned this move, calling SFA’s action as arbitrary and increasingly despotic. The spokesman for Solar Parliament’s High Council had this to say…”
“Sire, they are waiting.” A soft, polite feminine voice had reached his ears. With a snap of the fingers, the holo-news board had disappeared. With another, the windows darkened, blocking out the silhouette or a reddish sun that shone through the massive window.
“…Very well, make the necessary arrangements.” The woman bowed at the commanding tone and left, just as the floor begun to emit a soft, silverish glow. Not soon later, a number of holo-monitors had appeared in the mid air. The men seated in the room smiled slightly. It was finally the time.
-“Welcome ladies and gentlemen; It is finally the time for pre-Phase One. While I understand that it is somewhat premature in it’s coming, we have no choice by now.” A chorus of nods have answered him.
After a brief pause, a posh voice spoke up from one of the monitors. It was a woman, or at least “she” sounded like one.
“The increasing autonomy of SFA and collapse of Federation’s central government is progressing faster than we anticipated. Then again, we have already prepared for such possibility…there should be few problems from here on out”.
-“Maybe” A new voice interjected. This time it was a low, masculine one. “However, I’m concerned about Vandenberg. He is starting to grasp at out strings.” The other feminine voice snorted.
-“Vandenberg is a child in the fog. We’re monitoring all his communications and aides. I’m well aware that he might try to interrupt the pre-Phase One, but even at our worst, his efforts will yield minimal results…”
-“I do wonder about that…” Another voice, another female. “You should not underestimate him. At the same time, all of his possible moves have been limited to a number that is predictable, and their outcomes even more so. Furthermore, even if they do something unexpected, we should have enough time to appropriately alter our strategy to avoid any substantial interruptions. All I’m saying is that we should keep our guard up, but not succumb to paranoia.”
The remaining voices voiced their affirmation. The man was not surprised. After all they have came so far…they all had their reasons, some purely idealistic, some more practical. But they all shared at least one thing in common – they were committed to their goal, and would without a heartbeat sacrifice thousands for it. Even themselves if it had to be.
-“Enough” He spoke “We all know what is at stake here…in the mankind’s darkest hour we shall guide it’s ashes to eternity and beyond…or perish and be swept up by the sands of history…Make no mistake. There is no turning back. No time for second thoughts. We succeed or we fail, utterly and definitely.”
And so, the discussion that will shape the upcoming future had begun.
The sky was on fire.
That was the only thought in head of Harold Jenson, resident of San Senzeia city on planet Alstriem. Looking up from the cockpit of his mid-sized mech, he could see how the sky of his homeworld was marred by streaks of missiles and trails of fighter jet engines. Even higher, one could notice sporadic flashes of light across the sky. No doubt the last battlestations and ships were trying to hold off invading forces. Which was a moot point anyway, Jenson mused, as enemy dropships have already reached the surface, and a wide stream of enemy infantry, tanks, airplanes and mechs flowed on, drowning his precious world in fire and destruction. Very effectively too – no less than two hours after the first landing the enemy has broken the back of planetary army, after enemy forces have made a surprise drop into the middle of capital. Having its forces split between main enemy beachhead and the said capital, the Alstreim Defense Force was pounded from all sides with repeated air, ground and space assaults. Most of its divisions were either destroyed or forced to withdraw. One of such divisions withdrew to San Senzeia, where along with local militia it tried to re-establish defensive front.
It even worked for a while – using river Crescene that flowed on city’s outskirts, the defenders forced the attackers to pass through only several bridges and crossings. All of which were mined and guarded by artillery, tanks, mechs and makeshift bunkers.
But then the enemy used the cities extensive subway system – using tunnels from nearby small city to move commando teams straight behind the lines. Their precision attacks have shattered the command structure and cut off all communications in the city, causing enough chaos on all passes so that their main force could dash to the other side. By the time anyone realized as to what was going on, most defenders were dead, and enemy troop columns were pouring into the city, leading to the hopeless situation.
“T-this is Alpha-3!” a panicked voice from Harold’s radio systems screamed. “We’re pinned down by…Jesus! They just took out half of our squadron!! We’re requesting back up!”
Inputting a short sequence on his machine’s computer, Harold started to pin down the source of the transmission. After several moments, the map of his helmet’s HUD lit up as it updated, with bright marker pointing at a position no less than 5 km from Harold’s own position. At least they didn’t down all the satellites. Harold thought bitterly. He knew that it was futile – even if he did reach position on time and saved his allies, the survival of one-two squads would be insignificant in this war. But he was a soldier, and he was sure as hell that he wouldn’t leave his comrades behind. Not to those bastards.
It was at that point that his luck had ran out.
“New target acquired” the synthesized voice of Harold’s mech computer rang out. At the same time, the enemy walked out from behind a crumbled skyscraper. Unlike Harold’s unit, which was somewhat short with hammer-head like top, the enemy was more humanoid. It had sleek, almost elegant legs and a torso that looked like a widened arrow. Its head reassembled ancient helmet, with a single, glowing slit, which Harold guessed to be its main sensor suite. One of its arms carried what looked like a machine gun or a rifle, another was empty. It was blood-red in color, with black elements and golden visor. In short, it looked more like a knight then a mech.
Harold breathed a sigh of relief when the machine didn’t open fire in his direction. The bastard must’ve missed me He though. Not letting such a chance slip away, he armed his vehicles back and shoulder missile launchers. As the lock on signal changed from a series of beeps into a wail, he fired.
A wall of 12 missiles flew directly into the air and curved its flight, falling like hungry talon at the enemy. It’s visor instantly looked up at the impending projectiles watching what would be its final moments. In theory.
Just as the missiles were to hit, the machine’s back glowed. And it moved. It wasn’t a sidestep or jump. The machine just moved at a speed that shouldn’t be possible for a several tones heavy machine. Harold cursed as each missile fell of target by mere meters, showering the road with explosions. He had heard about mechs with “boosters”, but he had never fought one before. Wasting no time, he changed weapon to heavy railgun. One of his machines barrels (which dubbed for its hands) rose up and fired. A massive silvery bolt surged forward, dispersing the air and smashing the ruins in front of Harold. Flying with velocity much greater than the speed of sound, it went straight for enemy’s torso…only that the red machine managed to side-step it. The shot flew centimeters off target and smashed into building behind it, finally detonating, blowing off a significant portion of a shopping mall.
Cursing again, Harold switched his weapons to a combo of a gattling gun on the other hand and 20mm autocannons on each side of his cabin. Emerging like an angry juggernaut from behind the ruins, Harold’s mech opened up at the enemy. The red machine tried to dodge, no longer using it’s boost, but several bullets still reached it. It did little damage. Or at least, that’s how Harold view it.
“Fuck you!” He screamed on open channel “Come here and get some, you son-of-a-bitch!” As if to taunt him, the enemy responded by rolling out of his field of fire, and firing off several bullets from his rifle. Harold felt how enemy bullets impacted his own mech, bouncing off or breaking the armor, and damaging the interior. One of them reached his gattling’s ammunition belt – setting off a chain of detonations that blew it off his machine. That didn’t matter though. If I’m going down, I’m taking one with me Harold thought, charging up his railgun for another shot. He then forced to move his machine, in spite of incoming fire, and run head into the enemy.
The enemy realized this, and his mechs free hand reached behind its back, pulling out a smooth, black line…which Harold promptly realized was a sword. The red mech then raced at him, bring the sword forward.
Metal hit metal as both mechs collided. The force rattled Harold’s machine, it’s gyro-stabilizers failing to fully compensate for force of impact, which was suddenly increased by a blade smashing through cockpit. The stabilizers gave out, and Harold’s mech (being in position of half-step) fell on it back, tripping on ever present rubble. One of the legs twisted and broke, sending machine flying onto one of the smaller buildings on the street’s side.
Yet Harold Jenson was still alive. He lied in his cockpit, viewing how falling rubble was slowly crushing his mech. Sparks flew from cut cables, and distorted computer voice warned of “imminent reactor leak”. He smiled sadly as he felt a small gust of wind flowing through enormous gash in the cockpit, the reminder of sword that nearly crushed his body as it pierced his machine’s torso. He was going to die. But at least…at least he wasn’t going on alone. His machines railgun, still functioning by some miracle, raised up, pointing at enemy’s machine.
It was the last sight that Harold Jenson saw, just as hypersonic, anti-mech round flew inches off enemy’s arm and hit his cockpit. The round instantly detonated, with massive explosion ripping him apart, and burying under the rubble of building that collapsed on top of the mech.
-“…What the hell was that supposed to be Four?” The voice of one slightly irritated Commander Karen Azethborough, 114th Irregular Division (“Ouroboros”), Solarian Federal Authority Intelligence Department rang out on Ouroboros team’s internal comm.
-“Thank you too m’am~” A cheerful voice rang out in his head, and Karen felt a headache coming up.
-“Don’t †˜Thank you’ me Sergeant Major Shinkai. If you had a time to do a dynamic room entry at the last moment, while missing my shoulder exactly by 10.9 cm, then you could’ve taken him out earlier! Understood? Or do I need to have you run naked through firing drills?”
-“Yes m’am!” The voice was now quieter and less enthusiastic, and Karen nodded in satisfaction. “Not that I’m not glad for that firing support. But she doesn’t need to know that” She thought, as she moved her personalized mech down the street, while opening the mission-designated comm. channel.
-“This is Ouroboros Leader. Districts 5 through 7 have been captured. Encountered only mediocre resistance.”
The world of Alstreim prided itself on its stalwart military, which formed a large part of Northern Lights Confederation, the insurgent group that was in direct conflict with Karen’s employers. But as of several days ago, the local military was withdrawn when NLC’s frontline troops requested reinforcements to keep up its offensive after Solarian forces apparently started retreating. The Planetary Governor had no idea that it was a set-up: The day after surveillance confirmed the departure of main units, Solarian 7th Fleet dropped out in Alstreim’s orbit, guns blazing. Caught by complete surprise, the capitol fell in a day, which to Karen must’ve been a campaign record. Now the SFA’s ground troops and assorted divisions begun “clean up” of less important locations, such as Sans Senzeia.
-“Azethborough? This is McDowell”. The voice of her fellow Commander, Rachel McDowell spoke up into her head. “The city’s ours. 5th Mechanized and your squads had swept up the other areas. Beautiful job you magnificent bastards, the maggots didn’t know what hit them. Over and out.”
Karen just smiled “Yeah, yeah, keep flattering me, but the drink’s still on you. See ya back on Theismann’s lounge Dowwy.” Before the other Commander had a chance to reply, Karen cut the connection. Damn, I love this job.
The outskirts of the city was turned into a provisional landing pad, with numerous prefab shelters deployed to serve as temporary barracks and hangars. Massive dropships continuously landed and departed, shuffling the troops between havens and ground.
Karen relaxed her shoulders, as the technicians pulled her out of her mech through the hatch. The new humanoid fighting machines were a miracle of technology – machines built in human image, with metallic “bones” and nano-material “muscles”. And 360 degree virtual cockpits that were notoriously difficult to get out from. Sitting down on a supply crate, she let out a sigh, as technicians swarmed over her machine in their makeshift hangar, preparing it for lift off to Theismann, the ship on which the Ourboros Division was based. Leaning back, she raised her hand to block out the rays from the setting pale blue sun, that peeked through open bay doors. While doing so, she could not help but notice faint platinum lines, grafted under her skin and glowing in the shade.
Nanobots. Karen could not remember the time when she was without them, when she was what one would call “fully” human. She had received her implants rather early on, already in her teenage years.
She vaguely remembered the procedure – something about being put to sleep and put in a tank full of silvery, opaque fluid; but she remembered the pain when the living metal merged with bones, skin, muscles, neurons and brain. The agony…she wasn’t sure if she had felt anything so intense before or after. And then came the moment of awareness, so clear and perfect that it was almost eternal. The augmented people called it “Awakening”, the moment when man’s mind merged with the nanites. Or at least, that was the theory. Nobody knew what exactly happened when nanites integrated with the brain, other than performing the designated function of improving reaction time and information processing.
To Karen, that wasn’t really important. What was, was what followed after his surgery – the enlistment in Solarian Federal Authority. She had spent years in training facility, practicing day after day, honing herself to be the perfect killing machine she was considered today. Karen spent years on battlefields and in the labs, working for infamous Intelligence Division, until someone noticed her apparent “amplitude” for unit commanding. Form a solo operative she was made an officer, drilled through modern military strategies and placed in command of an increasingly important divisions, until he ended up as commander-in-chief of Ouroboros Irregular Team. That was almost 5 years ago.
And all that time was spent on battlefields, fighting the increasingly dangerous enemies of Solarian Federation. Did she regretted it? She couldn’t tell, not now. But she had never felt more at home then now, with her comrades. And she had sacrificed too much to go back now to…a peaceful life? Or towards a better tomorrow?
Karen frowned. She had always got sentimental whenever she completed a mission or mused about her…augmentations. Her aide always talked about how “you think too much” and hers best friend from I.D even suggested pills for it. In retrospect, she should’ve taken it, regardless if that man was dressed in ridiculous fedora at the time or not.
-“Did I ever told you think too much m’am?” her senior aide spoke up from behind him. Karen felt like faceplaming.
-“Did I ever told you to stop giving me useless advice Sheryl?”. They both smiled as they passed their little lame insider joke between each other.
Sheryl Vaubon was one of her oldest friends, and by sheer coincidence, the Team’s XO and intelligence officer. She was a well-endowed young woman, around 26 years of age and with long, orange-blond hair and azure eyes that contrasted with her red and silver uniform.
-“I thought you stayed back on Theismann?”
-“I did, but Executive Command had issued new orders for us specifically, and I thought I’d give you the news first hand.” She paused. “And of course, there’s a matter on inventory and losses that we sustained. I know, I know, you will be making a report later, but I always feel better when I get at least some information first hand”.
Karen blinked at her reply “Orders? Already? The pacification had just begun, what possibly could they want?”
-“No idea. They will be relaying orders once they get secured channel or quantum comm. on line.”
Karen nodded to her reply, getting up from his crate. It seemed that the break time is over. “Then I suppose that I can help you out. As long as I don’t fill out paperwork or request carpet bombings, I’m pretty useless. And besides, the rest of our merry team should’ve hauled their asses back by now. Good time as any for shoulder-slapping and “Job well done” speech.”
-“Another planet, another glorious victory for the Federation?” Sheryl laughed.
-“Oh Lieutenant, where is thou enthusiasm for the Cause?” Karen mocked back as the pair head out into the field from the hangar, heading towards approaching column of soldiers and vehicles.[spoil]
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You use a lot of futuristic + military terms and (probably) it can confuse some reader (example : me).
But considering your main topic. I guess it cannot be helped.
Perhaps you can use some space to explain terms that may be not familiar for readers in majority.
Despite all of that,
Your storytelling method is very good.
The content looks 'heavy' .. your story will be appealing much to people who prefer sci-fi, politic, and complexity.
Keep going, Roomy.
Will look forward to it.
Note :
don't spoil your readers. *i refer to your first post*
But considering your main topic. I guess it cannot be helped.
Perhaps you can use some space to explain terms that may be not familiar for readers in majority.
Despite all of that,
Your storytelling method is very good.
The content looks 'heavy' .. your story will be appealing much to people who prefer sci-fi, politic, and complexity.
Keep going, Roomy.
Will look forward to it.
Note :
don't spoil your readers. *i refer to your first post*
0
Room101
Waifu Collector
Yes, I was wondering about adding a dictionary to explain some of terms that will appear.
Some terms might be skipped, seeing how they might be explained later on.
Well, I have made a rudimentary dictionary for now. Enjoy:
Terms Dictionary:
Some terms might be skipped, seeing how they might be explained later on.
Well, I have made a rudimentary dictionary for now. Enjoy:
Terms Dictionary:
Spoiler:
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Sweet. Good job, Roommate.
Put your terms dictionary to your first post and all will be done.
Oh yeah, add 'chapter 1/2/3/4 ... n + [title of your chapter]' above your writing.
Will be much easier to navigate that way.
Put your terms dictionary to your first post and all will be done.
Oh yeah, add 'chapter 1/2/3/4 ... n + [title of your chapter]' above your writing.
Will be much easier to navigate that way.
0
Old - Jenkins wrote...
The content looks 'heavy' .. your story will be appealing much to people who prefer sci-fi, politic, and complexity.This.
I actually felt kind of alienated while reading it, since I'm not so much into mecha, complex galactic politics, or military themes so I think your target audience would have the requirement of enjoying this genre before they can really get into the story.
The writing style is really nice, I could definitely picture things going on in my head while I read.
Looking forward to more, good job Roomy~❤