I think so, they totally look down on Earth force as even more primitive than the league, though they are slightly cautious after hearing of some of the EA early battles with other races. They get a nasty shock, and although they learn quick and fight back hard Earth force has the tactical edge and neve rloses initiative in the war, and those factors probably are decisive.
Lighting_Count Another beautiful update. You bring across Jahdurs Sadististic thoughts on life and death VERY clearly, For a while there I thought I was reading something about NAZI's in space...Very Well Done. As for What the Dilgar thought about Earthforce; I believe they did think them even more inferior than the League. However Earthforce ships though Generaly inferior in overal tech had several destincted advantages over the Dilgar. 1. the Interceptor/E-WEB grid alowed the EA ships to reduce the effectiveness of the Dilgar Weapons. This is something No ships in the League possesed. 2. Thick Armor, This alowed the EA ships to withstand Direct hits from Digar weaponry and keep fighting unlike the reletively thin skinned League ships. 3. Although the Dilgar fighters were superior than the Starfuries they were not decisively enough to make a major difference. Hope this helps, Also some links on the said subjects, even though I Know they're not Cannon. http://efni.org/armor.htm http://efni.org/Interceptors_EWeb.htm http://efni.org/Dilgar_War.htm
Well, LC, if you wanted me to almost retch at the Mengele mindset and experimentation on children, that will be quite enough, thank-you.
There is a definite Nazi theme to the story, maybe a suggestion that what the Nazis did was far from a single event, it happens everywhere. Deathwalker is both the very best and the very worst of her kind, depending on your point of view. On one hand she is a superbly gifted General and could earn the respect of even her enemies, but this is balanced by the pure black evil of her heart. Its important in my view to show that her victims had lifes and names that all added up into statistics, like the other great murderer said 'one death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic' Anyway, when Earthforce finds out about the genocide it will encourage certain elements to want to do something. Some in the government want to help, others want to establish the EA as a regional power, but in both cases they would support a war.
Thanks for the info I'm also working up some tactics for the EA to use, Dilgar like to use high speed slashing attacks or ranged bombardment, they cant afford a drawn out slugging match. EA ships on the other hand are well suited to getting in close and bludgeoning enemies with their masses of short and medium range guns, so thats what the EA fleet will be trying to do. they are aided in this by the fact the Dilgar as a warrior race don't back down from fights a lot and will fight even when they don't need to if challenged. The EA can use this pride against them, which should be fun
Chapter 3 part II Balos, high orbit. Later that day. “I’m sorry sir, can you repeat that?” Supreme Warmaster Gar’shan frowned, he was not used to repeating himself but Jha’dur was one of his ablest commanders and something of a protégé of his, so he would forebear this time. “I said the invasion of the League worlds is being postponed.” “But sir, our forces are ready! This is the perfect time! We can beat them!” Jha’dur stated emphatically. She was stood in the private quarters she used on the Dreadnought Dominator, one of the fleets flagships, staring at the holographic transmission from Omelos. The room was opulently furnished in browns and golds but not particularly large, she did have her own customised Dreadnought being built but it was still over a year from completion, she half expected the war to be over by the time it was built. That expectation was now evaporating. “The League has stepped up its defences, and this is a concern to us.” The Supreme Warmaster said. “However our intelligence sources tll us that the League is lazy and in a few months they will return to their lack of readiness. They will return their fleets to standby and dismiss their reserves, then we attack.” “Master, every month we delay brings our world closer to death!” Jha’dur pleaded. “You must attack!” “If we attack without favourable conditions then our destruction will be brought about sooner, and not at the hands of our sun but by the aliens.” He stated. “My orders are to wait and prepare.” “Master, whatever opposition waits us now we can overcome, I am positive that…” “Are you questioning me?” Gar’shan said icily. “No sir.” Jha’dur lowered her head. “Not at all.” “Good.” He said, then sighed. “Listen Jha’dur, I know you are a good officer and I know you want to take your revenge on the Drazi, and when the tie comes I will unleash you myself, but not yet. There is more to consider than just the League, there are three other powers who can affect the course of the war and we must time our actions with them.” “Three powers?” she frowned. “I understand the Narn and Centauri, but what is the third? Minbari?” “Humans.” Gar’shan said. “They live beyond the league, they are new but may pose an obstacle. Apparently they are on good terms with the League and it is important to make sure our plans consider them.” “I’ve heard of them.” Jha’dur recollected. “The Centauri consider them primitive, weak barbarians.” “The Centauri say that about everyone.” The Supreme Warmaster cackled, his aged throat weary from decades of barking orders. “But they handled the Narns very easily in a few skirmishes before treaties were signed, they may be an obstacle which slows our attack, and as you know once it begins we cannot slow down for any reason.” “I understand Warmaster.” Jha’dur nodded. The invasion was perfectly choreographed, a sweeping assault that would crush the League in less than a year, her own task was to de-populate the billions of inhabitants on the primary League worlds to make way for the Dilgar civilians, but without totally wrecking the planetary infrastructures through orbital bombardment or prolonged ground invasion, which meant a biological plague. Wiping out billions was easy, the problem she faced was engineering a plague deadly to the target species but safe for the following Dilgar. “The Narn are a concern, they are predatory and may attack us as we launch the invasion. I have opened talks with them aimed at making sure this does not happen.” Gar’shan said absently. “We’ll probably give them some League worlds we don’t want so they can profit from the war.” “And the Centauri?” “Well that’s the real issue isn’t it?” Gar’shan said seemingly to himself, as if his student wasn’t present. “The Centauri fear us, and that fear may cause them to act irrationally, to attack us while we are overstretched. However, there is something going in our favour, an example of fate smiling on us and encouraging us to take our destiny.” “And that is sir?” “The Centauri Emperor is dying.” Gar’shan smiled. “And when he dies there will be the usual squabbling among the noble houses before the successor takes charge, most likely a Lord Turhan, reportedly something of a pacifist.” “A man not likely to start a war with us.” Jha’dur nodded. “Especially if has to calm down the Centarum and establish a solid power base.” “Exactly, a foreign war would be impossible for him to wage within a year of ascending the throne, and of course by then we would have conquered all we need.” The Supreme Warmaster explained. “And naturally his position would be even more precarious if the Narn were to attack during the transitional period, I hear they have ships already massing near Gorash.” Jha’dur grinned widely, the old Warmaster could still weave a rich tapestry of deception. She didn’t know how much of a hand he had in matters but it would only need one or two nudges from him to convince the Narns that the death of the Emperor was a perfect time to exact a measure of revenge, and at the same time keep both governments out of the Dilgar plans. “My compliments sir,” Jha’dur said. “And my apologies, I should not have questioned your strategy.” “You are my best student Jha’dur.” The old man smiled. “Of all the Warmasters you are the most gifted, the most determined, the most pure. It is in you the future of the Dilgar rests, you are what we should all aspire to, the prime example of our race.” Jha’dur was stunned into silence, Gar’shan was a legend, the most successful of all Dilgar commanders and a man as hard as iron plates. He never said more than a few words and even the tiniest praise from him could make an officers career. To see him smile and hear him speaking so frankly and openly was totally unexpected, it took all her effort just to keep her jaw closed. “I have followed your progress intently Warmaster Jha’dur.” He continued. “And I do not say these things lightly, I have considered you a daughter in many ways, and my natural successor when the time comes.” “Master, I do not know what to say.” She gasped. “Say nothing, I am merely explaining the facts. When this war comes I will rely greatly on you, I can trust you not to fail me. Contine your research, be ready. We invade when the Centauri Emperor dies, and not before.” “Understood sir.” Jha’dur stood to attention. “You are my chosen, Warmaster Jha’dur.” Gar’shan said. “The Chosen of the Dilgar, do not forget that.” “I won’t sir. I will earn that title.” “You already have.” He smiled again, Jha’dur thought probably only for the second time in his entire life. Then the image disappeared leaving her breathless. She had known Gar’shan for years, but he had never once taken her into his confidence as he did now, perhaps she really was as important as he thought. The realisation was nerve wracking but also deeply exciting, she was being lined up to rule her people, to command the great empire they were about to forge and oversee the resurgence of her race. It was a great honour and a high destiny, and she knew that it was something she could handle. Ten years ago it had been different. “Commander Jha’dur!” the haughty voice had said, causing her to swivel quickly in her chair. The bright white walls of the research centre still dazzled her from time to time especially if she was interrupted. “Oh, technician Nar’ken, what can I do for you?” she smiled pleasantly. He slammed a stack of papers down on the young womans desk with a face like thunder, and rapidly her smile vanished. Nar’ken was at least forty years older than her and a formidable personality. Jha’dur may well have been in charge of the research facility in name but it was this old technician who really ran things. “What the hell is this!” “Work schedules.” She squeaked, cowed by the mans fury. “I can see that.” He snarled. “But why am I pulling a double shift in D-lab?” “Because you are the expert in Cyborganics, and we need that element of research completed before we can proceed with anything else. So it needs working on quickly.” “I am not working a double shift.” He sneered. “But you have to!” she said. “We must get this work done quickly!” “Why? Why the hell should we, what’s the rush?” he folded his arms and glared at her. Jha’dur had been sworn to tell nobody about the approaching disaster, not even her staff in the research facility. “You should do it because I told you to.” She replied with no conviction in her wavering voice. The old technician snorted and walked away, telling her where she could shove the work schedules. She stayed in her chair, ashamed at herself for being dominated by someone who supposedly worked for her. She had only been here a few weeks and already the stress of the work was getting to her, she was too young for this, too young to run a hundred staff for the military, she just wasn’t a born leader. She knew that tears were beginning to well in her eyes as her mind screamed at her, telling her to just quit and save herself further embarrassment. But there was another voice, a cool calm reminder that unless she got a grip the planet would die. It seemed such an extreme thing to say to herself, but the more she repeated it the more it mattered, and the more it drowned out her doubts and convinced her to do something. With a burst of energy and rage she grabbed the work sheets and tore off after Nar’ken. She found him up in D-lab where he was alone having a snack in the secure area behind thick glass walls where . Food was strictly regulated on the facility because of the risk of disrupting a sterile environment, Nar’kens actions were blatantly flaunting the rules. He didn’t even acknowledge her presence. “Technician Nar’ken, it is customary to stand when a superior officer enters the room.” Jha’dur said sharply. “Who said you were superior?” She tried to ignore the remark, and put the papers on his desk. “You will work on these shifts.” “No, I won’t.” “If not I will be forced to have you arrested for insubordination.” She stated firmly. “I’m not one of your soldiers, beside you need me here, so why don’t you get lost and play with your school friends?” he smiled maliciously and shovelled in more food. “Stop eating!” she shouted. “No.” he grinned and ate some more. “Dammit I order you to stop!” Jha’dur shrieked, losing all composure. “I’m warning you!” Nar’ken rocketed to his fight and stood directly in front of Jha’dur, he was at least six inches taller than her and far larger. With a thin smile he leered down at her. “You want to warn me?” “This is intimidation.” She said, keeping her voice even despite her sudden fear. “Warmaster Gar’shan put me in charge!” “Yeah, guess you’re his new pet.” The large technician continued looking down on her. “So why would our greatest leader put a whiny, snivelling little girl in charge of this place?” he chuckled “Maybe he and your mom got really well acquainted say twenty something years ago?” Jha’dur gave him a powerful slap across the face, surprising even herself. She stood with her mouth wide in shock as she registered her actions, she couldn’t remember the last time she had lost her temper, certainly not since childhood. Her wide eyes met those of Nar’ken who stared at her with cold anger. “You stupid little girl.” He shook his head. “You are so far out of your depth, this is my lab, my facility. I’ve been working here for years, I was all set up to run this place before you came along. You just walk in and get handed everything I worked long and hard for. I hate you little girl, I suggest you resign and let someone more capable take over, like me.” “Never,” sh snarled, her own anger taking charge of her thoughts, she wasn’t going to be bullied by this primitive male who thought intimidation was the way to earn command. “I am in charge because I am better than you, so deal with it.” “Deal with it?” he growled. “Fine, I’ll show you how I deal with it.” With vicious speed he pushed Jha’dur backwards, the force lifting her off her feet and hurling her out of the lab. She hit a console on the outside with a yelp, her head banging the control panel and activating the lock down sequence. Yellow lights blinked on as the doors to D-lab slammed shut, trapping Nar’ken inside the secured analysis room. The lights turned a sickly yellow and warning sirens began to sound. “Jha’dur!” he banged on the glass. “Get up! Get up!” She rolled on the floor, stunned from the impact and blinked her eyes. The side of her head was pounding with pain, and the screaming sirens weren’t helping. She stared up at the white roof now toned yellow in the light and gradually regained her focus, enough to hear the muffled shouting from the lab beside her. She slowly turned her head and saw her attacker banging on the glass with a look of terror on his face. “Hurry!” he yelled. “The room is sealed, I’ll suffocate!” Even in her groggy state Jha’dur knew he had hours before he asphyxiated. She picked her self up, lifting herself onto a chair beside the control panel and slumped back, closing her eyes and nursing the pain in her head. The attack had left her in a state of shock, even now she was having a hard time grasping what had happened, her brain seemed to be processing information at a snails pace, like an overloaded computer which she guessed it was in a way. “Commander, the door!” the voice continued. She noted absently that now he wanted something he was giving her some respect. “First of all, I want your word that you will obey my orders.” She said slowly, trying not to stumble over her words. The sides of her head were still stabbing with pain. “Anything, I can’t stand being locked in here!” “Second, you’re going to face charges for assault.” “What?” he squealed. “Come on, it was only a push! It was nothing!” She felt her anger growing and with it the pain in her head. “You deliberately attacked me!” she accused. “You will answer for your crime!” “They’ll kick me out of the facility! I’ll be destitute, I have a family to feed!” “You should have considered that earlier, before assaulting your facility leader.” She said coldly. “You can’t do that! this is my life!” She felt a wave of revulsion for the man, he was nothing now and she couldn’t believe she had been worried about him. He was a bully, a shallow and self obsessed bully who was now pleading like a slave to be allowed to continue his ways. Like hell. Now it was Jha’dur who had the power and she would see him begging on the streets before the day was over. It had been a lesson in power, one she now understood, he only had power if she allowed him to have it, if she gave it away. It was something she must always remember, that power could not be taken from her, only given away. She leaned over the panel and found the door opening control. “Come on girl, I haven’t got all day!” he called, and Jha’dur stopped. “Girl?” she said softly. “You do not call me ‘girl’ you call me Commander. Is that clear?” “Yes, of course it is.” “I don’t think so, in fact I think you’ll just go back to the way you were once I let you out, that you will once again try to dominate me and the other workers.” “No, no I won’t, I swear it!” he banged on the glass. “Just get me out!” “No.” she said. “No, you are scum, you are nothing!” she spat. “I have read your reports, seen you work, all you do is take advantge of others, and try to do the same to me!” all her rage began to well up, the frustration at not only his treatment but of everything, of the academy council belittling her, at the sun preparing to snuff out the world, at the forces who killed her parents, at the whole damn universe. It opened like floodgates of pain and anger and she slammed her hand on the control console, not activating the door mechanism but the labs emergency purge function. Through fierce tears she watched the lab being doused in intense radiation and that flash burned up to thousands of degrees, nothing inside could have survived and in her fury she did not care. For those moments she was not in control, she gave herself totally to emotion and when she came around she realised the terrible consequences of doing so. She had taken a life. The inquiry was a whitewash of course, Jha’dur was too valuable to go to prison for murder. Officially she had been concussed by a fall and accidently pressed the wrong btton, a tragic accident for which no blame was assigned. It seemed she had friends in very high places. But in the facility the rumours were quietly circling, whispers said she had killed Nar’ken for not obeying her orders and that despite her age she was a stone cold killer. Jha’dur did nothing to dispel the rumours, it seemed to help them meet and exceed their targets and she even began to enjoy the fear she caused in others. But dep down she was badly shaken, a life had been taken because she lost control. She resolved never again to give in to emotion, never to act on impulse but instead to treat life like science, with clinical observations and distance. From that moment on she didn’t listen anymore to her heart, until she barely even remembered it was there. The warmth of compassion was gone forever and she didn’t care, her mind told her it was a weakness, that pity and sorrow were wasted emotions and that the mind could more than replace the heart as her sole measure of conscience. It was a way to be stronger so she would never be a victim and instead could serve her people to the best of her abilities. From then on she would do whatever was necessary and feel nothing for it, the youthful exuberance was gone and the new Jha’dur was born, the person who would one day become infamous as Deathwalker. And she didn’t give a damn. Returning her thoughts to the present she frowned, Gar’shan had always been her protected and he would not allow her or the Dilgar race fail. His strategy was sound and delayin the war was necessary. If he could ponce when the Centauri were weak and perhaps even set them and the Narns on a collision course it would lead the Galaxy’s great powers too busy to interfere in the coming slaughter, and then only the fractured League would oppose them. A single thought came to her mind, it told her not to forget the humans. She considered it for a moment, then laughed it off. The humans were no concern of hers, if anything thy were merely future slaves, or future victims. She turned to her bed and prepared for sleep, the following day would be busy, she must immerse herself in her research and monitor the progress of her latest test subjects, the future required it and her mind demanded it. Underlining everything was the one constant in her life, the anti-agapic, and secretly she was anxious to examine Balosian biology and see if it could yield the final missing clue to the formula. She entered sleep with a smile, while on the planet below the death she had brought did its murderous work.
we'll be back in the EA next about a year later, we'll examine the Earth president and governments stance and do some more with Garibaldi senior
Thanks we're coming soon to the first real battle of the war, the storming of the Abbai world of Utriel and the attack on the Dilgar at Latig 4, where Deathwalker comes to the galaxy's attention.
Excelent update. It looks like the Supreme Warmaster at the least has some concern about humans. But it's likely only a minor one. Interesting to see the course of events unford. Keep up the good work.
I should also mention that one of the DIlgar leadership has a certain attachment on their neck, a little Drakh hitch hiker...
Maybe, maybe not... could be the Intel chief, could be the brother, could be anyone Could be Jha'dur herself!
Excellent, LC. Your characters are certainly very well defined--setting them apart from a lot of the stories in this forum. Another great thing about this is that you know how to weave politics and intrigue together well enough to make for a viable reason why events transpire. Anybody can write up senseless battles but it takes real talent to make them seem necessary.
True, but the Supreme Warmaster playing host has the right ring to it, even if it is obvious. Guess we'll all have to wait to see.
Chapter 4 One year later, September 2230 Earth dome, Geneva. President Hauser marched into his office, entering through the rich dark wood doors and acknowledging each of the half dozen Generals, ministers and advisors who stood up from their comfortable leather chairs as he entered. Briskly he crossed to the dark oak table and settled do, finding a large collection of folders set out in front of him. “Well then gentlemen, what’s the cause of this meting?” Hauser said in English but with a thick German accent. In the days since the formation of the Earth Alliance it had been one of the earliest decisions that English would be the universal language of government and commerce to make a global senate and united military a workable option. There had been vast opposition, mainly from China and the French, but by then the various Anglo nations headed by the USA and UK in the North along with Australia and New Zealand to the south had established themselves as leaders in the space race and first contact with the Centauri had been in English, therefore the language had stuck. “Mr President,” Minister or State Harry Brogan, a middle aged man from the American bible belt he had a thick southern accent but was a powerful speaker and firm believer in Earths place at the forefront of the local alien governments. “Thirty five minutes ago Emperor Deraini of the Centauri Republic died.” The President nodded. “I see, not entirely unexpected though, yes?” “Correct Mr President.” This time it was Carl Durban who spoke. A native of Sydney Australia Mr Durban had risen through the murky world of Intelligence to become direct of the Earth Intelligence Agency, commonly known as the EIA. “Centauri news agencies have been bemoaning his ill health for years now, most of us are surprised he held on as long as he did. Apparently he died peacefully in his sleep.” “Which means he was poisoned.” Brogan huffed. “Well, there’s no evidence of that, and I would certainly advise all members of Government to keep such ideas to themselves.” Durban stated. “I agree, we don’t want to upset the Centauri.” Hauser said. “Still, its probably true.” Brogan continued, his attitude to the Centauri was well known in government circles, he considered them decadent fools who had no sense of duty or morality. “The main course of advancing is through treachery and assassination.” “Well lets keep those views under our hats.” Hauser said. “Assassination is no way to become leader of an interstellar Empire, although I guess it cuts down on election campaigns!” The assembled group laughed politely, all except Durbans aide, a young man named Morgan Clark who kept respectfully quiet. “Anyway, who do we think will succeed him?” “Our sources say a Lord Turhan.” Director Durban flicked open his folder. “Page five of the dossier sir.” The President opened a folder on his desk and found a picture and quick description of Turhan. He already looked rather old, perhaps in his fifties or even sixties with grey hair. For a few minutes there was silence as the room read through the summary notes and waited for the President to finish. English wasn’t his natural tongue so it took him a few minutes longer to read through but eventually he sat back up. “Looks fine to me.” He shrugged. “I think we can continue our cordial relationship with the Centauri under his rule.” “We agree.” Said Durban. “He has the support of most of the major Centauri houses, although as always there are challenges we do not expect it to turn into a civil war or any sort of fighting for that matter. However Mr President the process of installing a new Emperor can be time consuming, especially with a challenger, it could be months before Turhan formally ascends to the Throne.” “During that time there will be a vacuum of power,” Brogan said. “The Centauri will turn inwards and their influence on galactic politics will cease until Turhan establishes himself. We’re concerned this period of instability may encourage some of the more aggressive races to broaden their horizons as it were.” “The Narns?” Hauser queried, he was well aware of the expansionist tendencies of that race and their glee at making the Centauri suffer. A suddenly weakened Centauri Republic could give them enough opportunity to restart their expansion. “Yes sir.” Answered Durban. “But also the Dilgar, You remember them from you inaugural briefing and the events of last year?” “I remember.” President Hauser had been sworn in just a month before the Dilgar attacked and conquered Alaca, and he had feared an interstellar war would break out before he could even warm his seat as President. Thankfully it hadn’t and the fall of Balos last year had been equally limited. “You think they will attack the Centauri?” “Unlikely sir, but they may feel more confident about attacking others if they don’t have to worry about their borders.” Brogan pointed out. “We’ve seen how aggressive they are and reports from Balosan refugees are frankly too disturbing for widespread release.” “But I can’t see them attacking the Narns or the League, they are just one fairly small empire correct?” “Yes Mr President.” Durban said. “But we should be cautious, the next few months may be particularly difficult for interstellar politics until the Centauri get sorted out. We believe there is a very high chance of Narn aggression and should be prepared.” “Does State agree?” President Hauser asked. “Yes sir, we do.” Brogan nodded. “While we don’t expect anything major we should watch for raids on or border.” “Very well, secretary take a note.” The President addressed his aide. “Inform Earth force command to set DefCon 4 for all units on the border worlds and step up patrols until the Centauri leadership returns to normal.” “Yes Mr President.” The aide scribbled down the note, then set of to transmit it. As the doors swung shut behind him the President relaxed, he’d made a big decision without having to worry or stress about it, this was how a Presidency should be. “So gentlemen, anything else to discuss?” “Just one thing sir, kind of relates to our earlier topic.” Brogan said conversationally. “There’s a motion in the Senate for us to send observers to Balos, check up on how the civilian population are doing.” “What’s that got to do with us?” the President asked. “I thought that blew over a year ago?” “Yes sir it did.” Brogan agreed. “But since then we haven’t heard anything from the planet beyond the initial reports, which were not pleasant. Senator Santiago and a few others are concerned for the population under the Dilgar occupation, apparently a lot of League worlds feel the same way.” The President frowned and rubbed his forehead. A number of Balosians had escaped the occupation and formed a resistance group operating from Abbai space, they were constantly asking for help and telling lurid stories of torture and death, which naturally the Dilgar denied. Hauser didn’t really believe them but Dilgar space was a long way away and it served the Earth Alliance little to go nosing into the affairs of other races. “I’d be willing to look at sending Aid shipments, though I doubt the Dilgar would allow it, but I don’t want to send our people into a hostile situation uninvited.” “I agree Mr President.” Diector Durban echoed. “Too much of a risk for too little gain.” “I believe Senator Santiago would disagree, he’d say there are Billions of sentients in peril on Alaca and Balos.” Brogan said. “Is State saying we should intervene?” Durban said plainly. Brogan shook his head and grimaced. “I don’t know, I think we have a duty to the galaxy and its inhabitants as we have to all living things in Gods creation, but at the same time we don’t want a confrontation with the Dilgar. I advise waiting at least until the Centauri situation stabilises, then perhaps make discreet enquiries.” “Your suggestion is noted.” President Hauser said. “Now if you’ll excuse me gentlemen the Vice President has challenged my to a game of Racquet ball, and I owe him a good thrashing.” Erwin Rommel Barracks, Mars Garibaldi rocked on the balls of his feet as he stood in line outside the communications building. Well not exactly outside, he corrected, after all everything on Mars was in some sort of dome or underground bunker and as he looked up he could see the familiar red and orange sky through the metal and glass above. He’d been born in Boston back on Earth, the son of two Police officers who met on city force and clicked together. He considered his parents a perfect example of what a relationship should be, sure they fought and argued but in the end they always made up because they knew they were better off together than apart. “Next one!” a voice called from the building and the man in front of Garibaldi went in, leaving Alfredo next in line. A few hours ago Colonel Longstreet had informed the Regiment they were being redeployed to the outer colonies and as soon as he was done the entire base had run for the Communication buildings to place calls to their relatives and friends telling them the bad news. Garibaldi himself had been in line for over two hours and was finally at the head of the line, his credit chit shaking in his hand as he shuffled back and forth with nervous energy. “Next!” the call game and Garibaldi eagerly bounded forward and into the building. A bored looking Lieutenant met him the door, ran his credit chit and nodded as it cleared through. “Booth ten,” he said. “Five minutes only.” Garibaldi felt like arguing, but it wouldn’t make a difference it would just waste his highly valuable time. He quick timed down to the end booth, on his way he could hear laughter and sobs from the other booths as the soldiers and family took the news differently. He himself found it deeply depressing, the deployment could last for months and he’d wanted to spend Christmas at home this year. The army didn’t pay him enough for this. He reached the booth and settled down, closing the thin door behind him. He placed his card into the slot below the screen and activated the dialling sequence, a more local number than some of the other guys in the unit. The military logo blinked off to reveal a warmly lit room with some modest furniture in the background, the top of a dark haired head was just visible on the screen. “Hi Michael!” Alfredo laughed at the sight. “How you doing little fella?” “Daddy!” he shouted in excitement. “Hiya Daddy!” “What have you been doing today? You watching those cartoons?” “Yeah.” The young garibaldi answered. “Daffy duck got shot by hunters.” “No kidding? How’s he doing?” “He got shot full of holes, but he’ll be okay, he’s going into space next.” “You see, you can’t stop Daffy.” Alfredo laughed. “Where’s your Mom?” “Making dinner, hey mom!” the kid yelled with a startlingly loud voice. “Daddy’s on the vid!” “You watch out for the Duck Dodgers show, it’ll be on soon. I remember seeing them when I was a kid with my dad.” Alfredo grinned. “You coming back soon?” “Soon, but not for a while yet.” Alfredo smiled with more sincerity than warmth. “I’ve got a few jobs to do first, but we’re still on for Christmas okay?” “Sure thing dad, hey moms here!” The child was replaced by his mother Sophia, her long dark hair and blue eyes always made his heart jump a little, even after thirteen years of marriage she was still quite the sight for sore eyes. “Hi there Sweetheart.” He grinned like a schoolboy. “How’s things?” “Pretty good, I wasn’t expecting a call until later on, has something happened?” she said concernedly, there was no hiding things from the wife. “We’ve got orders to move out, we go in two days.” “Where?” she asked “Orion colony.” He said. “I can’t say a lot more but its just garrison duty, I’ll be able to call you every day.” “From the other side of the Alliance?” she sighed. “Dammit Freddy you’ll be lightyears away!” “Sophia, sweetie I can’t help where they send me, I’m pretty damn annoyed about it too.” In fact he felt a lot more strongly about it but was careful to watch his language with his son in earshot. “Will you be back for Christmas?” she demanded. “I don’t know honey, I hope so but you know what the army’s like.” “You going into battle?” Sophia asked, a waver in her voice. “No honey, absolutely not, don’t worry about that.” he smiled reassuringly. “We have no enemies, and Orion is perfectly safe. Look, they haven’t cancelled our leave so I’m still on for Christmas, even if I have to hitch hike back on a Pak’ma’ra garbage ship I’ll be home for the party, that’s a promise.” “You swear it Freddy?” she asked solemnly holding in her emotion. “You swear you’ll be back here for your son?” Garibaldi had no hesitation. “I Swear it, whatever happens I’ll be back for Chistmas. Hey Mikey, you hear that? I’ll see you at Christmas!” The young child cheered, causing a shared smile from his parents. “Look Sweetheart I gotta go, there are a thousand other guys need to call home, I’ll call you from Orion colony, look after things okay?” “We’ll be here waiting.” She smiled sadly. “Keep safe Freddy.” “Love to you both.” He touched the screen, and Sophia did the same. “Love to you.” “Bye daddy!” called little Michael, then the transmission ended. Alfredo sat for a while, just smiling. He was proud of his family, more so than anything else in the universe and they kept him going. His bond with the guys in his squad was something unique and unbreakable, they were like brothers to him but his feelings for family were something on a whole different level. Whatever happened he would keep his promise. “Five minutes are up Private Garibaldi.” A voice said, accompanied with a bang on the door. “Move along.” He left the building, walking past the anxious line waiting their own turn to speak to home and family. He shook hands with Tucker on the way past and asked him to say hi to his kids for him, both their children went to the same school and were good friends along with many others who had mothers and fathers at the base. They called Mars home now and Garibaldi had met Sophia on his first visit to the red planet. Originally Alfredo had tried to join the Police on Earth, but in high school the young Alfredo had been arrested for brawling in the street, and even though it was totally justified the Police couldn’t take him on in his native Boston, despite his parents excellent service. So instead he went to Mars and tried again with similar results, eventually he took a job with a private security firm, and there he met Sophia. Thirteen years later they were still together and just as happy, although they had been tested five years ago when Alfredo’s job had dried up and he’d found himself unemployed, ultimately joining the army to provide for his family. It tuned out to be his second best decision so far, he fell right into the military life and despite being in his late twenties he made a good Private and got on well with the younger guys and taking responsibility for the squads welfare which saw him get his first stripe. Sometimes the Army messed him about, like today, but all in all it was a good life and a good future. He strolled into his particular barrack and dropped on his bed, he held the picture of his family for a few moments with a warm grin, then started to sort out what kit was going with him on deployment. Two days later, Olympus Mons Military Spaceport. “Good morning ladies and gentlemen.” Colonel Longstreet drawled. “Now that we’re all paced and ready to go I can reveal our particular postings.” The departure room of the port was crammed with green clad troops from the 99th, each was hauling their kit in a huge pack and carryall while stacks of crates further down the hall held their various weapons and hardware. The 99th was a little different from most Earth force regiments being specialists in hostile environments and conducting warfare on worlds that would kill most life forms in seconds. As such they didn’t operate much heavy equipment like a mechanised division but did have the very cutting edge of technology the Army could provide, including sentry guns, fully integrated re-breather units for long term deployments to hostile environments and brand new PPG rifles. “The higher ups have decreed that we will be assigned fleet protection duty.” Longstreet continued, the announcement was met with groans. Fleet protection meant the Regiment would be split up assigned as security details to warships in Earth Alliance service. Technically it was the job of the Marines but there was a grey area between light infantry duties like the 99th performed and the duties the rest of the Army performed which often saw Light infantry doing the same jobs as Marines, which no one liked. Supposedly it was explained as cross training the units for different roles, but in truth it was because there weren’t enough Marines to go around so the Army took up the slack, the consequence of most Earth Government funding going into warship construction instead of ground force recruitment. “First Battalion, first Company, listen up.” The Colonel read of a list. “When we arrive these will be your assignments, Red Platoon, EAS Persephone, White Platoon, EAS Hyperion, Blue Platoon, EAS Aegea.” Garibaldi grinned with the rest of red platoon, the Persephone sounded like a cruiser, which was the most desired posting besides a starbase for space deployment. Cruisers were fairly spacious and designed for crew comfort on long missions unlike Dreadnoughts which had most of their space occupied by weapons, fighters and spare parts. The worst assignment was Corvettes or Frigates, short range vessels with barely enough space to move and constant noise as the little ships power plants tried to keep it moving. A Cruiser assignment was just fine. Garibaldi heard a few more names as the Colonel read out the rest of the Regiments assignments, he recognized the Lexington, Brooklyn and Prometheus as cruisers, and sympathised when Charlie Company was assigned to the warships Churchill, Patton and Bismarck, which sounded like Dreadnoughts. Still the lack of fortune for his comrades didn’t dampen his mood as and he the company were dismissed and went to the departure lounge to wait for their turn to takeoff. Three hours later they were still waiting, sat with a beautiful panoramic view of the launching pads and runways of the port with the towering volcano of Olympus Mons itself in the distance Garibaldi was happy just to take in the view, however the rest of the Company was less easily pleased and Lieutenant Sanchez, Garibaldi’s Platoon commander, started a little quiz to keep them busy. “Private Garibaldi,” he said. “Why don’t you answer this one?” “Sir?” he blinked and focused on the officer. Sanchez was a good man and respected, but sometimes a little too enthusiastic. “The question was what is the range on a CPPG unit?” the officer said kindly, the rest of the platoon turned their eyes to watch him. “Nine hundred metres in standard atmosphere sir.” “Very good, how about rate of fire and ammunition capacity?” “Rate of fire can be varied, but basic setting is a thousand rounds per minute. Standard fusion batteries on the Sentry mounting provide for twenty five thousand rounds, but the weapon can also use fifty round caps if it needs to be carried by its operator sir.” “You see Sergeant Sosobowski, Garibaldi has all the answers!” Sanchez grinned at the Platoon sergeant who simply nodded. “Now, what’s the weight of a Baldur IFV?” he asked the whole group, and a few raised their hands. Garibaldi however returned to the view, the stark beauty of Mars had captivated him almost as much as Sophia, he often felt like some sort of frontiersman out here, like the pioneers of the old west or the first space explorers and it made him respect them. His gaze was centred on a team of well insulated ground crew directing a menacing looking Battle tank into the hold of a landing craft, apparently a delay with the previous battalion had bumped the whole schedule, but as the tank was finally loaded the heavy figure of Captain Richard Franklin stalked powerfully towards the Platoon. “Lieutenant Sanchez, report to bay ten, we’re moving out.” “Yes Captain.” He saluted and turned to the men. “Alright guys, get your gear and lets move, quickly now, lets lead the way.” “Lead the way.” Private ‘Bugs’ Malone grinned. “Lead the way to the departure terminal! Woo-yaa.” “Did you say something there Private?” Sanchez raised an eyebrow. “No sir, just clearing my throat sir.” He replied quickly. “Glad to hear it, if that throat thing keeps up I might have to assign you extra PT to try and sort it out.” He smiled wickedly. “Feeling much better sir, thank you sir.” He darted forward with his pack under the amused eyes of the platoon. “Follow Bugsy then.” Sanchez nodded, and as one they headed for the launch bay. The launch was spectacular, Garibaldi had managed to get a seat next to Sanchez almost at the front of the shuttle, and the pilots weren’t in a sealed enclosure allowing him an almost unobstructed view through the cockpit windows. He watched in pure wonder as the orange sky first paled and then darkened into the black of space as the craft effortlessly broke out of Martian gravity and eased into orbit. Far ahead of them he could see the blinking lights of another shuttle, probably the HQ platoon and Captain Franklin following the same vector as Garibaldi’s own ride, and he expected the rest of the Company was following on behind him. “That’s our destination,” Sanchez pointed out helpfully. “The Tampa bay.” Garibaldi and a few other guys leaned forward and glimpsed the massive grey troop ship, one of the Tantalus class, which were common sights near bases. He was immediately greatful it was an official troop ship and not some commandeered freighter, he’d had nightmares about being crammed solid in some spluttering freighter like a sardine under attack from raiders. As he saw more outside however he decided Raiders wouldn’t be a problem. “Wow, look at all those ships!” Bugs gasped beside him, echoing his own thoughts. “Looks like somebody noticed how important I am, ‘bout time I got a decent escort!” he said joking. Rather than a single troop ship as the shuttle got closer Garibaldi counted five, capable of carrying two full brigades of troops and armour. Scattered around them were a dozen corvettes and a pair of heavy cruisers, their lean frames prowling past the bulky troop vessels. “Looks like a major redeployment.” Sanchez nodded. “Guess that armoured Battalion is heading our way too.” “Holy crap!” Sergeant Sosobowski exclaimed, immediately huffing in embarrassment. “Sorry sir, but just look at that!” Sanchez peered in the direction his Sergeant advised, with Garibaldi craning after him, and sure enough his eyes widened at the sight. Beyond the impressive troop fleet was a squadron of the latest Dreadnoughts, the astonishingly mean looking Nova class. Usually seeing one or two of these vessels was a treat, but Garibaldi had counted twenty before the shuttles course moved them out of view, and a heavy escorting force of cruisers and corvettes with them. It was a massive gathering of firepower, more than he’d seen before and from the Sergeants reaction more than that veteran too. “Oh yeah, major redeployment.” Sanchez repeated. “I guess the Joint Chiefs want a show of strength to the alien races, there’s supposed to be a bit of trouble on the Centauri border according to ISN, guess they want to discourage someone trying the same to us.” “A division or two of battleships should send that message sir.” Sosobowski nodded. “And I guess sending reinforcements to the garrisons on the outer colonies is the same message.” “Well at least we know why were going.” Sanchez shrugged. “And it should mean a short term deployment, at least until the Centauri problems die down. That’s pretty good news.” Garibaldi smiled a little, it was good news, it meant he was a show of force and when the show was over he’d be back home, maybe in a month or two tops. As the shuttle settled into its final approach he caught a better glimpse of a passing Nova. If Earth force wanted to intimidate aliens a bunch of those ships were the perfect messengers, over a kilometre of thick armour plate and rows of huge cannons lining its length, the thing was about as subtle as brick to the face. There was no question about what those ships were built to do, they didn’t have bright glaring colours like Narn ships, or rows of spikes and mandibles like the Dilgar enjoyed using, they simply didn’t need them, they just naturally looked like they were ready to bust heads, no decoration required. Garibaldi nodded with pride, Earth Force knew how to get the most from what technology they had, and anyone who tried to tangle with one of those monsters was going to come off second best. Then the ship disappeared as the troop shuttle entered the bay and the next stage of the journey began.
We do not use the 'M' word in the presence of Nova's, we don't want to hurt their feelings But you've got to admit, those ships just look like trouble
Yeah, they are the only one ships from B5-verse that show up and you piss under yourself. If they jump out it's like a big word "DEATH" just poped out glowing in the space. Compared to them all other ships looking like toys, even Omegas. The only one to rival them is Battlecrab, but even then - BC is like "TERROR" while Nova is like "DEATH" and "WAR"
Yeah, the same way the shuttle/fighter-bay entry in the front screams "HIT ME!" "HIT ME!" "I'M A JUICY TARGET!" Or the exposed bridge-dome on the Hyperions. Just begging for a well-aimed or lucky/unlucky (depending on the perspective) shot to cripple the ship. But it's the same with most of B5-verse ships. Brain-bugged in one way or another.
They are still better then Federation ships with bridge working as bulls eye or with Klingons and bridges on big stick (look at Ktinga cruiser). And as noone in B5 is cleaver enough to shot at the hangar bay - why to bother with covering it
If you get yourself into that tactical position no amount of firepower is likely to save you. EF continued the moronic tradition of guns masking other gun mounts on the Warlock, a stupidity seen in the early Dreadnoughts but rarely after that era.
