Terra - The Beginning
Chapter 1
Strat stared out of the now murky Glarestorium window, almost 800 feet above the ground it gave way to quite a view. He looked out over the land, strange tree's grew on the horizon, the ocean could be seen lapping a golden beach and just below where he looked from a modern city was sprawling in all directions, constructions continuing each day.
He was pulled from the view by the paws of a flack of young cubs, all of them pulling him along the corridor to a flight of stairs.
"C'mon Strat we want to hear a story!"
"Yeah a real good one!"
He gave a smile, and nodded lightly, leading them up the flight of stairs slowly, leaning on a wooden walking stick as he spoke.
"Alright alright. Just remember to be polite"
All of the cubs nodded quickly as the followed behind him, peering around at the slightly rusty walls of the metal corridor. Strat indicated for them to wait a while, before he tapped on a heavy metal door.
Quietly, a voice came from the other side, it sounded old, and slightly frail.
"Who's there?"
"Sir, It's Stratos. I have a group of cubs hear, they want to know if you could tell them a story?"
There was a small shuffling from the other side of the door, then it was flung open as if it didn't even weigh a thing. Standing in the opening was an aged looking wolf, a came made from a dark green wood was clutched in one paw, a pair of glasses parched on his muzzle seemed to enlarge his eyes slightly. But despite his age he seemed to be in a relative fit condition, slowly he peered around the corner of the door, his eyes resting on the gaggle of cubs.
"Ah, hello there young ones... now what's this about wanting to hear a story?"
"Yeah, we wanna hear a real good story. About space ships and good guys and bad guys!"
The old Wolf tilted his head a little, then resting a hand on Strat's shoulder he slowly crouched down in front of the cubs, speaking quietly.
"I have just the story. It's full of space ships, it has many great battles and great hero's and villains!"
The cubs all watched him with wide eyes before the old once slowly pulled himself to his feet, and with the help of Strat walked back into the chamber he had come from, indicating for the cubs to follow.
He slowly slumped down into a large padded chair, and indicated another for Strat to take seat in as the cubs instantly sat on the floor with there legs crossed in front him, waiting. The wolf grinned at Strat though a set of old teeth.
"Careful when you sit, Stratos. You're an oldie now!"
The Wolf gave a smile, then leant towards the cubs a little as he began his story.
"It was about forty years ago... and the EDEN 7 was near the centre of the galaxy exploring......"
Chapter 2
The EDEN 7 ploughed though the great void of space, always searching for habitable planets. Once it found a planed that could support life one of the ships in the fleet would enter the atmosphere and land on the surface where it would establish a colony within ten years, and a further ten years later it could construct a space port and then construct ships and build it's own fleet.
The EDEN 7 had been the first ship built on the planet ZX473-J6, or as it was now called, Macbeth.
The Captain of the EDEN 7 stood on the bridge, looking out though the spotless viewing window, he loved to take in the view of the stars when the lead radiation shield was not lowered into place, he knew he wouldn't have long to look since they where approaching a new star system. It made him proud when he though of how far the planet earth had come.
The inhabitants had realised that in order to survive they would have to take to the stars, the Third World War had devastated the climate, nuclear blasts, chemical and biological weapons, orbital lasers, each weapon fired had killed the planet. And so, it had been stripped of all it's resources, and great fleets left to Sol, heading into the unknown. Over the years technology advanced, Fission Reactors had been been discarded in favour of Nuclear Pulse Power, and just recently the First Demi-Light engines.
The captain turned, walking back to his command chair, he was not that old, no more than 40 years of age, and in command of one of the great fleets. He tilted his head to the side, nodding to one of the navigators.
"Close all Radiation shields and bring us into a High Orbit around the outermost planet, then start the system scan to look for a planet"
The Officer nodded, flipping a few switched before opening a comm channel to the fleet, as well as the EDEN 7 crew.
"All ships, close all Radiation shields and prepare for light turbulence as we enter Orbit of the outermost planet"
Slowly the EDEN 7 descended towards the planet, it's massive hulk dipping lazily before levelling out high above the violent looking red world. The EDEN 7 was one of the larder Flag Ships ever built. It came in at over eight miles in length, Five thousand meters tall and over seven thousand meters wide. It was powered by one Hydrogen Ram drive, two demi-light engines and twelve Pulse Power turbine drivers.
As the EDEN dropped into the upper atmosphere there was momentary power loss as the systems switched from the Hydrogen drive. There was a slight shaking and then a humming noise seemed to emit from every corner of the bridge before the twelve Turbine engines powered up. Huge Saturn bell rockets roared into life, powering the ship into orbit before powering down again after a few seconds. Slowly the fleet behind followed in the wake of the EDEN, each ship running scans of the systems six planets.
Around thirty-thousand light years away in a remote nine planet system a fierce storm was battling over the third. The storm had started over five thousand years previous, and still showed no signs of letting up.
On the surface out of control gravity gales swept over a barren wasteland, broken only now and then by the rusting carcass of a huge building or the skeleton of an old star ship. some ware beyond the horizon a demonic roar echoed over the surface of the Earth, before a beam of white light shot into the stars, shattering an ancient earth space-station.
Chapter 3
Nine days had passed since the space station had shattered from the strange attack, but before it had been destroyed it also sent a signal to all the old Earth fleets. The message was simple, it told of a celebration of success for all. And that they should make there way back to the Sol for an event none would ever forget.
The first ship to arrive in the Sol was the Asus, and it's crew would never forget. It was a small ship, and now it lay in a twisted mess on the dried out sea bed of the Atlantic. The crew where hold up in the mess hall, all the doors allowing entry where barricaded and every surviving member was clutching some sort of weapon, Harpoon guns, mining lasers, demolition charges.
Each of them would flinch every time there was the faintest sound on the hull above them, lowering there heads or screaming out in desperation for rescue. Over all the sounds inside and outside the ship there came a demonic roar, the sound of hundreds of claws could be heard moving over the hull, and every so often there would be a groaning of metal as a chunk of the hull was ripped free. This was usually followed by the sound of weapons fire, and then a horrific scream as the crew member had been ripped apart.
The second in command of the ship crouched behind a table that was forming a barrier in a corner of the room, his mining laser aimed at the door on the right hand wall.
No one dared to speak as the sound of claws tearing chunks of metal apart rang though the ship, all the while getting closer to the mess half. The noise only broken by an explosion or the scream of death from a crew member. The CO looked around at the few that remained in the room with him, then slumped down behind the table, resting his back against what would have been the underside before lifting the laser in his paws, the Lapin looked around quickly, the levelled the weapon with his head, and pulled the trigger.
The beam killed him instantly, cutting though his skull and the table, the laser falling from his paws and landing in his lap, the beam moved with the weapon, cutting across the room and severing the lock on the far side wall door.
With an un matched rage the door was hammered inwards from the other side. Then the strange winged creatures that had been ripping at the hull forced there way into the mess hall. Launching at the crew and savaging them with the claws, ripping out throats and organs, driven by a need to punish.
Far from the Earth and the doomed ship, the EDEN 7 was running on all engines to head back to the Sol, it was estimated to be at least another week off since they where not running all engines at 100%, it was an un written rule that any fleet would run at the maximum speed of the slowest ship.
Being a week off would make the EDEN 7's fleet probably the last to reach the Sol, however it gave time for those on board to prepare for the festivals. From what they had heard, it would be half a year of celebration, giving everyone a chance to mingle with the others and dock the fleets together to make a massive space colony.
On the EDEN 7 things had started early, all the crew where now on leave, only tending to the ship when it needed repairs or servicing.
Most of the crew where either out at the bars, sleeping or eating, since it was such a huge ship it also had to double as a city, with everything a city would have. Bars, clubs, cinemas, parks, everything.
However, there where those that found the best company was in those like them, and this was the same for the Space Fleet Marines, or the SFM.
Chapter 4
There had always been a rivalry between the SFM and the EDEN 7 fighter
pilots. No one really knew why there where marines or fighters pilots since
there was no need for them anymore, most guessed it was more of a ceremonial
thing.
But despite this, it seemed the rivalry never died off with there use.
Every years at the Fleet 7 celebration the SFM and the EFC (EDEN Fighter
Core) would try and out class the other in everything to do with their part
of the show. The pilots would hurtle their fighters though the docked
fleet, narrowly missing pylons and docking clamps, and either scaring or
exciting cubs that watched along with everyone else. Then the SFM would run
though the EDEN 7, pretending to re-take the ship from aliens while dishing
out sweets to the cubs they passed.
And as the EDEN 7 headed for Earth both forces where on leave from there
usual duty operations, and what better time to spend your leave than playing
cards with the opposition.
Strat flicked his eyes about lightly before looking back down to his cards,
and then his wrist watch that was laying atop the pile of items thrown into
the stakes.
There was only him and one other left in this game, and the watch had been
his final asset to keep going, but, as far as he could see things where
looking good, There was a pair of tens in his paw along with a five and two
kings down on the table, he flicked his eyes back up the one sat opposite
him, a Racoon.
Pinky, also though that he was going to win the round, holding a king and
ace and a seven in his paw, with the cards down on the table, how could he
lose.
That was the thing about playing Rouse, what you bet with decided the
outcome of the game.
Finally, both slammed their cards down onto the table top, glaring at each
other, then each smiled lightly as they both came to the conclusion they
where the winner. Two sets of paws reaching out for the winning, before a
cane slammed into the pile, causing both to jump and pull back, the SFM
drill sergeant grinned at the both.
"Pinky for gods sake you're a marine, don't flinch from a cane!.... And you,
Stratos, you're a pilot, you should have seen that coming ten minuets ago!"
He lifted the cane free, then picked up a small electric pad that contained
the ever-changing rules of Rouse, his eyes flicking the pile now and then.
"Right, Pinky is the winner"
Declared the Sergeant not even bothering to hide the pride that his side had
won. A small growl emanated from Strat's throat as he watched Pinky slowly
pick up the watch, look over it, then give him a wink before putting it on.
"Perfect fit as well"
Without warning Strat launched himself over the table, the two of them rolling to the floor, both throwing a few punches before members of there own squads pulled them apart.
Both Pinky and Strat stared at each other for a few seconds, before both pulled free of the grip of there friends. Strat gave one last glare before turning to the door.
"It's a very nice watch" He heard a voice call, He stopped, thinking for a second, before continuing on out the door, and into the corridor. He walked slowly over to one of the huge windows, tapping the substance lightly before looking out into the dark, jumping lightly as a paw was placed on his shoulder.
"Come on Strat, you can get the watch back later, lets go get some food!"
Strat tilted his head some, before smiling lightly and looking to his wrist, then back up. "What time is it?"
The feline beside him chuckled lightly for a few seconds, before slapping a hand on his back, leading him away and down the corridor.
"Time for food"
Chapter 5
Slowly space seemed to distort on the far side of Earths moon, before erupting a huge explosions in colours that had no meaning to the eye, and suddenly a mighty fleet emerged from the rip in space, there hulls shining with massive gold and silver sails that suddenly seemed to tare and burn away, before compartments under then closed the armoured hull's of every ship.
On the Bridge of the EDEN 7 the computer stoke in flat voice, nether male or female.
"Demi light jump complete. Destination, Earth 14:54 hours Sol time"
"Excellent. Helm, bring us round the horizon of the moon, we should have contact with the other fleets any moment now"
Said the captain with a smile on his muzzle, before flicking a switch for fleet-wide communication.
"This is the Captain of the Fleet, All ships power down Demi-Light engines and main propulsion, thrusters only from now on. Out"
Slowly the great ship drifted around the horizon of the moon, the sun glinting off it's hull as if it where a mirror, the many other ships following like ducklings behind there mother. The captain gave another small smile, then pointed to the viewing window.
"Raise all lead shields, lets get a look at the party"
slowly the great lead shields retracted upwards with a groaning of metal on metal. The sign was awesome. There where millions of ships in orbit around the planet, some in low orbit, others in high orbit, many with docking pylons and walkways attached. All around and in-between anti-matter fire works where exploding in bright flares with white lights shooting between all the ships.
It wasn't until the fleet was able to use there super zoom lenses on the other ships they realised something had gone hideously wrong. those where not fire works, they where ships exploding and imploding.
Rockets and missiles where howling though the ships, hitting hulls and shattering walkways in a series of explosions. Beam weapons where cutting deep into ships hulls and cutting outer sections free from there ships.
The Captain stared out of the viewing window, all eyes on the bridge where looking as well, mouth hanging open in shock.
"ALL SHIP'S POWER UP ROTATION ENGINES AND MAKE AN EMERGENCY BRAKE AWAY!"
The wolf turned to the engineering officer on the bridge, speaking quickly.
"How long will it take to bring the nuclear engines back online?"
The mid aged raccoon looked down to his controls, pulling several levers and pushing twelve buttons down in fast succession. The lights in the bridge dimmed for a brief second before a distant hum began to rise in pitch slowly.
"At this rate, all twelve reactors will be running at 100% in just under three minuets sir"
However, the ship was fast drifting towards the great battle taking place ahead of them, and they would reach it in under forty seconds, unlike the rest of the fleet witch had managed to break off and U-turn back towards the moons dark side. the captain though for a few seconds, then looked to the helm officer a young female husky.
"Fire the forward and forward-port solid fuel thrusters, fast!"
On the outer hull of the EDEN 7 hundreds of lights started to flash in red as massive sheets of armour slid back slowly, exposing seven bell rocket engines that moved forwards a little on contortion buffers before coming to rest 20 meters out from the hull.
"Sir, firing solid thrusters at this speed is not recommended, the moons gravity is still pushing us, as is the Demi-light jump power, the Thrusters could backfire, as well, they have not been used in years, or serviced... I recommend using compressed air thrusters"
"Normally I would, but we have to act quickly.... Fire thrusters"
There was a mighty shudder as the seven bell rockets fired into life, the contortion buffers pushed to there limit instantly. almost every fur on the ship who was not sitting lurched forward or fell to the deck. The noise was horrible, metal groaning on metal sending ripples though the ship as many covered there ears. Then came the explosion, one of the thrusters had back fired, a mighty red and yellow mushroom burned forwards of the ship, followed by to more as several more thrusters followed the example of the first.
The ship shook violently, sending everyone face first into the deck, some groaning in pain with broken limbs before someone in thruster control severed the fuel supply to the rockets. Suddenly the great jets of flame died, and everything was quiet.
The captain pulled himself back into his chair, a bone protruding from his right thigh, his uniform soaked with blood already. then his eyes met the scene ahead. It was to late, the EDEN 7 had already drifted into the battle field.
Chapter 6
Down in the forward sections of the EDEN 7 furs where running around clad in heavy flame retardant suits, sirens where blaring out constantly as huge fires raged across the lower decks and forward thruster control, flooding the corridors with smoke.
"Fire control to the thruster assembly!"
"Where are the fire door controls?!"
"Move the MPBM's from the forward launch hanger, we don't want them to become unstable"
"This is thruster control, we're burning solid fuel down hear and the tanks are going to rupture if we don't get it under control"
"This is fire control, evacuate the thruster control sections, we'll flood them with suppression foam"
On the bridge things where out of control also, the captain was looking at damage report from the ship, most forward section badly damaged with three destroyed from the thruster explosions, not to mention for forward contortion buffers, now part of the hull. He gritted his teeth, sucking in air as a medic went to work on his broken leg before turning to one of the officers.
"Casualty report?"
"Coming though now sir. Two thousand four hundred and twelve killed, over four thousand wounded"
He nodded grimly, falling silent for a few seconds before barking out orders again.
"Engineering, Helm. Report!"
"Nuclear engines are about to come back online sir, power output will be 100%" Said the Raccoon looking round before the Husky spoke.
"Manoeuvring thrusters are damaged sir, and when the pulse power engines come back online we just going to be pushed further into the battle field"
The wolf nodded, then turned his attention on both of the crew members, the Raccoon first.
"Alright, I want you to push each reactor to 150% power output for as long as possible, understood?" The captain then quickly spoke with the husky.
"I want you to pull the ship away from hear as fast as possible with all the power we can use, thrusters, docking thrusters, anything and everything, just try to turn us clear, I don't care if some have to get out and push"
In the engines rooms furs dropped what they where doing, and ran for all exits as sirens blared and blast doors began to lower into place. The reactors shook violently and hummed louder than ever before the EDEN 7 suddenly lurched forward, accelerating at once.
A long haul cargo ship passed over the EDEN's nose and was smashed into dust and hull plates from the great power of the ship.
then came the attack, missiles began to rain down on the ship, pummelling the hull but doing little or no damage, beam weapons burned along the armour, cutting two meter gashes into the hull as well as scorching the metal.
"Can we fire back with anything, use something as a decoy?"
"Nothing sir, we have no offensive weapons. We could activate the Electrosphear but that means shunting power from the engines"
"No, I want to move out of hear as fast as possible, close all indoor blast doors and structural supports"
Finally with a mighty roar the engines managed to reach 150% power output, sending the ship forward though the explosions and debris, its hull smashing anything that stood in it's way as it pulled away from Earth orbit bound for Venus.
"Contact the rest of Fleet 7 stationed behind the moon, tell them to meet up with us in Venus orbit to formulate a plan of some sort... And get everything you can on this ships construction, it must have had some weapons!" Barked the captain once the EDEN was clear of beams weapons and missiles.
Chapter 7
Fleet Seven hung in a low orbit around Venus, it had taken over a week for the rest of the fleet to meet with the EDEN, the intense solar radiation would shield them from enemy sensors, but right now, no one had a clue what the hell was going on. Even though no one knew though, everyone was preparing for a battle, taking anything they could and converting it into a deadly weapon.
Bridge - 09:23 hours
The captain was limping around the bridge, his leg in plaster as everyone spoke of weapons they could use.
"Obviously we have the fleet and the Destroyers, Torpedo frigates and Gun boats"
"We have managed to locate two weapons built into the hull, Aurora Beam Cannons, or Glaives as they where called when constructed, we're still trying to dig up what they actually do"
"Our team are stripping all safety features from the MPBM's. They should make quite a bang if we use them"
"We can fuel the MPBM's in the launchers, but we will have to extend the launchers out of the ship to place the warheads on, to dangerous to do it in a gravity environment"
"My team has managed to over-ride the Sweepers safety futures, they will come in useful in close range combat, but we cannot target anything with them. Still omni-directional you see"
"The Emergency section Purge has been brought back online.... just in case"
Marine ferry dock - 09:49 hours
the marine commander was seated high on the hull of the command ferry, looking down at the Marines and soldiers he had been assigned, stood next to him on the hull, Pinky, the Raccoon from the card game with Strat. Both looked down before the commander spoke.
"Right, we don't have allot of time, Our part in this will be to board damaged ships and bring back survivors, all 200 ferrys will be used so we can take 200 ships at a time. Pinky"
The Raccoon Stepped forward a little, addressing the furs assembled below.
"We have to do everything as fast and efficient as possible, we will receive cover from the Fighter Core one we are space born, but inside the ships it will be up to us. It will be Cold, Hot, Dangerous and you could die a million different ways. But, if we do things right, we will all get very old and live very happy lives. All of you, check your gear and get ready to move out!"
Hanger Bay - 10:12 hours
Strat Paced up and down one of the launch struts, the feline from earlier, who's name was Sach following behind. Both of them looking down at over 5000 recruits crowded into the hanger, all wanting a bit of action. Sach spoke first.
"My name, is Sach, but you will call me sir! Now, your all about to get a crash course on our new Fighters, there are Three variations. Interceptor, code name Wildfire. Bomber, code name Saint. Fast Attack Craft, code name Salvation. Now, the three questions you want to know most. Yes, you can choose what craft you pilot, No, you will not get any Training, Yes, you can paint a name on it."
Strat walked forward lightly so he was level with Sach, and grinned a little before speaking up:
"Now, are there any questions?"
Instantly over 4000 paws shot into the air, and Strat and Sach stared blankly for a few seconds, before Sach pointed to a Panda in the front row.
"You!"
"How long until we launch, sir?"
Strat went to check his watch, then mentally kicked himself. Sach to the rescue as he spoke up.
"Just under twenty-four hours... Next.... You"
"Will the craft be able to handle violent manoeuvres?"
Strat clenched a fist slightly, everyone asked that for gods sake.
"You have to be gentle, treat them like you would your mate"
A sarcastic voice chirped up from some ware.
"What, take it home to meet your mother?"
Sach, never one to back down from sarcasm retorted in a split second
"No you idiot, he means get inside it five times a day and take it heaven and back!"
The captain looked out of the viewing window, sighing softly to himself. soon it would begin, the Fleet 7 would head back into the battle zone to rescue survivors from damaged ships, and fight off any that attacked them or weaker ships. He wished now that he would have ignored the celebration message and continued with the planet search. at least that way thousands would not have been killed already. And thousands would probably die very shortly also.
Chapter 8
The Marine ferry shook lightly as it drifted slowly though the debris field, all was quiet.
No one could explain why there fighting had stopped, the EDEN 7 was holding position past the moons orbital path along with most of it's fleet. The only ships entering the debris field where Marine ferries and gunboats, the main fleet was waiting for there return, and the fighter craft where ready to launch at a moment notice.
One of the Marine ferries approached a damaged ship, its hull was black and scorched and the bridge was just a mass of twisted metal, a torpedo had smashed though the viewing window. The ferry's grappling arms reached out, and clamped down onto the hull, the marines inside pulled on there vacuum suits and armour before standing, waiting for the hatch to open. On the other side of the hatch a monomolecular cutter began to slice into the hull, cutting a gaping hole though the two meter thick steel.
As the section of hull fell away the marines piled though the gap, twenty of them in standard search pattern.
"Split up into groups of five, check Engine rooms, Escape decks, Mess halls and other key locations, move!"
In the debris field millions of pairs of golden eyes watched as the marine ferries jetted silently towards the hast hulks of dead ships, watching as they latched onto the hulls.
Then without warning, they sprung forwards into space, small thin creatures, there rugged skin was a dark brown, the eyes a brilliant gold, the hands had no fingers instead there where simply seven inch claws, the feet solid talons and from the back sprouted demonic bat wings. This was a creature born from a planet that had been killed by the ones it gave birth to.
The creatures sped though space, several latching onto one of the ferries, there claws digging into the metal like it was butter, peeling the hull back, the pressure change causing the ferry to cave in on itself.
On board the EDEN 7 one of the forty radar operators shouted into her microphone.
"We just lost a ferry, I'm reading thousands upon thousands of radar blips, but they are very weak!"
"they could be sensor ghosts, but I recommend we launch two units of Wildfires"
Down on the launch deck the lights dimmed out suddenly, replaced by the flashing purple emergence lights that indicated launch. The order came over the loud speakers.
"Units 1 and 2, Launch! All other units be ready to go!"
Strat glanced a look over at Sach, who held his thumb up with a big grin before the titanium cockpit cover was lowered over him.
Strat gripped the control of his fighter, bringing all viewing monitors on line before looking at the forward one, it showed a seemingly endless tunnel lit by purple lights.
"All pilots, launch in five seconds"
Closing his eyes he gripped the controls as tight as he could, before the fighter was hurled from the tunnel in a split second, the magnetic catapult launching it away from the ship with the others.
"Alright, form on my wing Unit 1 and stay alert"
Unit 2 peeled away from unit 1 slowly, banking around the burning hulk of a hydroponics ship, the vegetation inside its bio-domes burning, acting like odd lanterns in space.
"This is Unit 2, we can see most of commando ferries, everything seems to be normal, maybe the lost one got swiped by some debris?"
"Could be, keep sweeping the area, if a cockroach so much as farts on a ship I want it blown to bits!"
As the fighters drifted though the mess of warped ships hulls those golden eyes peered from a gash in a ship, watching the closest fighter before springing from the hole, its claws gripping into the titanium cockpit armour as it began scraping it back with a horrible screeching noise. the pilot panicked, pulling the controls to the left sharply and smashing the fighter into the wreck of a ships, crumpling it instantly.
then, the rest of the creatures pounced from the dead ships, launching themselves at Marines ferries and fighters.
Chapter 9
Slowly the sun began to rise over the dead Earth, the rays of light glinting off the dead ships that hung in orbit. Suddenly one of the star ships imploded, sending out waves of green light as it did, the sections of the ship began to drift slowly, falling into the atmosphere.
Hundreds of fighters sped between the dead ships, like angry wasps. There machine guns spitting small bursts of orange flame.
Things where looking bad, the fighter where outnumbered by roughly four hundred to one and it was showing, even the EDEN fleet was little help, not wanting to be drawn into the debris field they where firing there cannons from its perimeter but it was like trying to hit a pin head with a scatter gun.
Each fighter was fighting for its life, some of them even flying though the remains of dead ships in the hope that the creatures following them would hit something inside, but no such luck.
"This is Maru 3, some one help me, there following me into a ship.... OH GOD!"
"Echo 34 hear, my left stabiliser's been ripped apart, I'm pulling out"
"God, its ripping though the cockpit cover, I'm losing pressure"
"This is marine ferry 82, we need cover fire, one of those things is on our hull!"
The main fleet had now assembled into a solid defence wall, all guns blazing in the black of space as the creatures tried to get in closer to the ships.
Onboard the Queen Karia things where not looking good
"Captain, we cant continue rapid fire, the Ecsta rings are developing micro fractures, if we fire another volley they'll shatter!"
"TO LATE, THE INNER RING JUST SHATTERED!"
"We've lost our contortion buffer and most of the laser lenses have shattered"
At the rear of the ship the hull ballooned outwards before ripping apart, a violent explosion belching out into the void, the ship beginning to drift slowly away from the main fleet and towards the dead Earth fleets.
"This is the captain, all hands report to escape vehicles and rescue decks. Abandon Ship!"
Slowly the ship began to fall away towards the Earth, the pull of the planet bringing it ever closer to the atmosphere. One sound coming from the damaged engine housing, Death dive.
On the Rescue Deck furs crowded into the escape pods and vehicles, each pod capable of holding one hundred and fifty crew members, the escape vehicles themselves where bigger than any jet planes invented on earth, each one holding over a thousand furs. The compliment of four waited until they where full before the engines roared into life and they shot from the ship as it started to graze the atmosphere.
The captain of the EDEN 7 watched from his console, before opening a channel to the fighters, cutting all the radio chatter.
"We're getting killed out..."
"This is the fleet captain speaking, attention pilots, those creatures are attacking the escape vehicles and escape pods, provide cove and get them on board, then we will pull back to the Sun Dock!"
Chapter 10
The Sun Dock was the largest construction operation ever undertaken in the solar system, greater that the Jupiter mining operation, more complex than the EDEN class ship project. It was a massive construction facility as well as mass power generator, however, the word massive did it little justice.
It was a huge structure that was built around the sun itself, a large section was given over to fleet construction and repairs, the rest, the structure that held it around the sun was mostly solar panels and energy converters.
The main fleet was having problems pulling away from Earth orbit, not because of engine problems but because the fighters where unable to escape from the creatures, if they tried to flee they got ripped to shreds. to every pilot the captains voice came though loud and clear
"Pilots and marines, we are unable to make a pick up on you... you will have to lay low until the fleet returns, hide your ships in the debris field and power down, we will be back for you!"
The pilots of the fighters and the marine ferries soon discovered that they could not hide in the hulls of dead ships, the creatures knew they where there. so only an hour after the fleet had left the remaining fighters and marine ferries where howling though the Earths atmosphere
Sach pulled at his control stick, his fighter had come down though a lightning storm and the engines had flamed out when he tried to level the craft out. right now he was fighting just to keep his jet in a glide while the computer calmly spoke to him.
"Rapid decent, pull up, pull up"
The flaps on the fighters wings finally gave way, and it dipped its nose, instantly death diving towards the scorching desert floor, a few seconds from impact both his paws scrabbled about at the sides of his seat, finding the eject lever and catapulting himself from the cockpit before the fighter dived into the sand, disintegrating on impact.
Strat yanked back on the control stick, trying to pull the craft out of a barrel roll as the ground got steadily closer. No one knew it but all the hips engines had burned out coming through the atmosphere, the unusual weather conditions seemed to affect the turbines and cause them to seize up instantly. Every fighter and Marine Ferry was either crashed or going down.
He pulled back again, unable to bring the craft up anymore. It slammed into the dessert nose first, tearing itself apart, flipping end over end as debris and fuel scattered and sprayed out in all directions. the carcass of the ship coming to rest twelve seconds later, an eternity when crashing.
Strat pulled himself clear from a mass of debris, having been thrown clear before the craft stopped rolling and flipping, he tried to put weight on his left foot-paw, finding that it only hurt like hell. A few minuets later he was hobbling away from crash site, a lump of metal as a walking stick, homing in on the nearest friendly beckon, a ship seventy six miles away, one that had not been destroyed in a crash, he let his eyes flick to the oxygen tank read out on his suit, under four hours of air, not enough.