Gabatrix: Darin and the Frontier

Prologue

 

“There is no doubt that my time will reach its inevitable conclusion. We move away from Earth, perhaps one day even from Mars. Yet, the people of Earth have never given up. Even as I live on Cebravis, I sometimes think back to everyone here, my choice to venture to the stars for us to survive. For the people of Earth, you must take up the mantle and venture out to the stars. Stand up for yourselves, for we have long abandoned you, leaving you to clean up for our past mistakes…..,” Gabatrix’s Final Visit to Waterville DC, 2327 AD.

 

…….Earth is alone. The United Worlds Alliance has relinquished her to the T’rintar clan. The Itreans promise to revitalize Earth under her “original” name, "Itrea," and to protect mankind from the other Itrean clans…

 

…….While it may seem well-intentioned, the grim reality remains. The wasteland survivors of Earth are forced to face that their land, their homes, are now in the hands of the T’rintar clan. The times seem unsteady. People either welcome the countless alien women with open arms or dismiss them, promising that their culture, their identity, is never lost…..

 

…….Every Earther is given a choice to make: to stand against it or ride the wave of fate. The CEO of Darin Industries has made his own choice. The cowboy is to venture to the stars, placing everything he has on the line in hopes of making Earth better. It’ll be up to him and his closest of allies to make that slim hope a reality… 

Chapter 1: Hitchin’ A Ride

 

Sometime near the very end of 2349 AD

 

In the darkness of space, Earth remains in the great void of darkness as the sun glows brightly. Through the lit surface of the planet, the orange oceans of Earth remain for all to see. The harsh gray clouds threaten to smother much of the wasteland landscape. North America, Central America, and South America seem altered in shape. The abundance of orbital debris further hinders visibility.

A single UHN battleship is on patrol. The cylindrical frame, ventral and dorsal railguns, spinning centripetal ring near the rear, and navigation lights would blink and flash occasionally in the vacuum of nothingness. The hint of distant stars would flicker, the only visible signs of activity countless light-years away.

It’s like watching a sentry protecting a world that seems to hold little value. Nonetheless, the human warship and her crew have their orders. They are to safeguard the remaining survivors that still call Earth their home..... 

Slowly, a large green ship comes into view. Coming from behind, it is one of the T’rintar clan dreadnoughts. It’s a large blocky cylindrical object that easily dwarfs the smaller UHN battleship. The forward port and starboard sides consist of forward-mounted thrusters with stubby wings connected to them. Consisting of two spinning centripetal rings near the rear, it houses a larger crew complement. It slips forward, slowly moving toward the planet, while the ship’s engines give a faint blue glow from the rear. 

However, the dreadnought appears to be lightly armed. It is an older ship, perhaps near the end of its prime. The UHN battleship easily passes and lets the alien ship approach Earth. Perhaps the Itrean ship is on a wayward mission. A series of green boxes and makeshift probe launchers can be seen along the frame. They do not appear to be a normal part of the warship’s design or construction. 

It is not long after the first mission launched by the UWA to establish peaceful relations with the race known as the Itreans. The long war with one of the clans has come to an end. 

A deal is a deal… signed on paper, Earth will have new ownership. Most of her recent inhabitants have surrendered, both willingly, hesitantly, and with the hint of hope. 

Regardless, the last few weeks have been apprehensive at best. Much work remains to be done to restore Earth to its former glory. 

Another Itrean ship slowly appears in view. It is another dreadnought of a similar design and construction. Traveling slowly toward Earth, it seems that the ships will still take several minutes to reach a lower orbit. In less than a few seconds, a smaller green warship can be seen, perhaps escorting the larger warship. Unlike the dreadnoughts, this ship is more heavily armed. Being thin and rectangular in appearance, the ship has a series of large CIWS and small missile launchers mounted on the forward dorsal and ventral sides. Two small autoguns and light railgun turrets are slapped in the center portion of the vessel. A series of torpedo tubes can be depicted on its frontal port and starboard sides. In the midsection, on the port and starboard sides, are engine thrusters pointed forward.

More ships are sure to come in time…..It’s all but expected….

Instead, the true destination lies elsewhere. We leave the wasteland Earth behind. It doesn’t take long to see as Earth shrinks in the distance at an ever-growing pace. As we leave the planet behind, we see the hint of the moon as the stars shift. With nothing but the void all around us, our nearest stop is not far. With the best technology from conventional drives, what would take a month of travel can now be done in an instant, thanks to gate-folding technology.

The neighboring planet of Mars comes into view. Here, much of the human race has moved and called it its home. The red planet still serves as the capital of the United Worlds Alliance, the center of human administration, and the heart of the Sol System. Unlike Earth, there is order. As we close in on Mars, the countless dots of flickering lights can be seen. Warships and civilian traffic are all but common. Despite the lack of a quantifiable atmosphere, industrial centers, domed cities, and other human infrastructures have been established so that mankind can flourish here. Hydration plants in the ice caps, small cities established along the sides of the great Olympus Mons, the largest, almost dormant volcano in the entire solar system. It’s so enormous that its peak touches the thin atmosphere of the planet. 

One of the most populous regions of Mars, the great Valles Marineris serves as the central hub of activity. As the planet slowly spins, much of the darkened portions are being lit by a vast array of artificial lights. The region is an enormous canyon, larger than the size of North America. From here, the countless buildings have been carved into the mountainsides, serving as a natural barrier against radiation and the ever-present but calm Martian dust storms. 

One hundred years ago, Mars had served as the refugee planet, the place for all humanity to flee as Earth became uninhabitable. The deadly bacterial outbreak of 23-9 could not survive on the red planet, where the water is purer than on Earth. With vaporators that extract water from the air, drills that dig deep within the planet, or materials mined from the polar regions, millions, if not billions, of people survived here for some time before the great Gabatrix experiment would allow humanity to transition away from the red prison planet and into the other solar systems beyond.

We close in on the surface of the red planet. With the encroaching darkness of Mars, the surface is difficult to see. Valles Marineris will be at night soon. It doesn’t take long to zoom in on one side of the canyon, where the lights form a natural chain through its veins, illuminating the lifeless red, orange, and brown sands. In the vast canyon, we close in on the large portion south, in the area known as the Oudeman’s crater. A massive meteorite ages ago, over 4 kilometers long, blasted the region, carving a valley over 90 kilometers long and forming the southern section of Valles Marineris. Its vast openness serves as one of many areas where the Martian military, and ultimately the UHN, operates, one primarily for the UHN Officer’s Training Academy.

Against the large wall of sand and rock, the artificial wall highlights the lights as they switch on. Upon penetrating it, we begin to see the countless enclosed structures near the second floor that house the vast tunnels dug into the very rock, forming an artificial environment in which humanity can live. Amid the endless array of classrooms, barracks, galleys, offices, gyms, and other centers for training future military officers, there is a breathable atmosphere. Regardless of any military, the strength of the UHN is only through its weakest link. The officers must undergo the same strict form of military training as any other enlisted personnel. From one of the hallways, the red and blue flags of Earth and Mars are strewn on the side walls as a class of six men and women in light training gear are running in step together, with a lead OTO, Officer Training Official, ahead of them, giving a Martian song and cadence as the men and women run past. 

Through the great hallway, a series of doors leads to various offices. A thick, sealed see-through window on the other side offers a vast view of Mars's deadly, external environment. The hint of fine aerial dust can be seen in the air itself, with Mars's gravity being 1/3 of Earth’s. 

A lone human comes into view. Dressed in the fine red-and-blue uniform is a man in his thirties with a pale complexion, short brown hair, and a clean-shaven appearance to military standards. Standing by one of the doors at attention, the future officer, the officer-recruit in training, is still dressed well, although there is no rank insignia on the uniform. In his left hand, pressed to his left hip, is the officer’s garrison cover, consisting of the same red and blue lines as his uniform. A particular red-and-gold eagle and anchor pin, lined with a series of chains wrapped around it, is donned on the hat itself. His black boots shone to perfection, catching the glimmers of the overhead lights. 

There is a partially stern look on the man's face, knowing what’s in store for him. Despite it all, he remains unfazed, ready to face what’s going to happen to him. He ignores all the activity around him, including those engaged in physical training, the constant berating of the OTOs by the new officer recruits, and so forth.

The door ahead of the man slid open as the man stood ready.

“Enter and state your name!” a harsh and even sterner voice could be heard inside the office. 

The recruit entered the room. Inside the office was a laid-out scene. Two officers, one a commander and the other a lieutenant commander, both in similar-dressed uniforms, sat by a wooden table. There was an empty wooden single chair that faced the table and the two officers. An overlay counter and a single UWA flag could be seen behind the two officers. The marble floor echoed footfalls as the recruit’s boots properly slapped the tiles in step, coming to a standing halt ahead of the two sitting officers, behind the chair. 

The man saluted with his free hand. “Officer Recruit Darin,” the recruit said in a North American Western accent. “Reporting as ordered….” He held his salute.

The commander, with the name tag “Enle,” had a bald look to him. Stern, rigid, carrying a look of reserved anger on his face. His pale facial features and small black mustache were reminiscent of the Chinese on former Earth. The lieutenant commander, a man with a pale complexion and blonde hair, was more reminiscent of a Cebravin, most likely a Frenchman from former Earth. Briefly, he looked at the commander before the higher-ranking officer gestured to the seat.

“Christopher Darin….,” the commander addressed him with an aggravated return salute. “My name is Commander Enle, Lead OTO of the UHN academy.”

“And I’m Lieutenant Commander Clovis,” the other officer addressed him with a similar salute. “I’m sure you’re aware of why you’ve been called here….” The man’s voice carried a less harsh tone than Enle's. 

With that, all three men dropped their salutes. Darin was not allowed to speak yet as he remained firm in his stance. However, he knew where this was going and why he reported to the academy’s prime room, where this particular non-judiciary meeting would be handled.

“Officer Recruit Darin,” Enle explained to him. “You’re fortunate that Captain Hayfield isn’t here. Instead, I’ll be carrying out your Captain’s Mast in his stead. Clovis has taken my place to ensure that there are two officers for your hearing. However, understand that I will carry out all disciplinary actions with due diligence,” The officer gestured to the chair. “Now,….sit…..”

Darin wasn’t going to hesitate any further. A point needed to be made, knowing there would be only one inevitable outcome to all of this. 

The man sat down in his chair, legs up, his boots practically slapping and resting on the wooden table with a proverbial thump. Darin tossed his garrison cover onto his lap as he rested his hands on the back of his head. The look of a smile could be seen on Darin’s face.

The result and lack of professionalism didn’t impress the two officers. Elne’s face grew from reserved contempt to outright anger. Even Clovis seemed insulted by the gesture, seeing the bottom of Darin’s boots facing him directly. 

“How dare you!” Enle yelled out. 

“Hombre,” Darin said as the Texan accent grew stronger. “I know why I’m called here….”

“Get your boots off the table, recruit…NOW!”

Darin remained unfazed. His smile slowly left his face as he remained firm with the stoic display on his part. 

“Darin….,” Clovis tried to reason with him in a calm, stern manner. “….Take your boots off the table. You’re already in serious trouble as it is. Don’t push us any further than we have to…”

Clovis’s words seemed to carry more weight. Darin lifted his boots off the table and pressed them to the floor. He resumed a firmer sitting arrangement to get to the main matter at hand. The commander’s anger was subdued but only to a point.

“Darin….,” Enle angrily explained. “This is the second time you’ve been called here before. Captain Hayfield gave you swift punishment for your last stunt at the academy and a warning if you ever came back.”

“And here I am again, Commander,” Darin replied, giving a sly look at Enle. 

“And so you are….”

Enle looked over to Clovis to let the other officer explain to Darin. Clovis pulled out a tablet from his pocket and rested it on the table. He turned it on and quickly pulled up a list of legal rules pertaining to the base. It was projected in a 3d display so that Darin could clearly see it. Clovis did his best to remain as professional as possible as the others looked on.

“Christopher Darin,” Clovis explained. “You reside in the Captain’s Mast for the UHN Officer Academy once again. The first time you were sent to here, you were responsible for placing a….”

“Let’s cut to the chase,” Darin interrupted the officers. “I know what you're going to say.”

“You’re going to keep interrupting us….,” Enle practically slapped the table in anger. “You realize that you’re going to be removed from the officer training academy for this?”

“Relax your britches, Commander, sir….No matter what, the dusty trail runs out tonight….the horses lay dyin, and only the driver has himself to blame. I’m not going to pretend anymore. Let’s drop with the military formalities.” 

“You’re in a military environment, Darin!” Enle tried to yell at him.

“Commander,” Clovis gestured to him before looking at Darin. “I’ll explain everything to him so that he understands.” He looked at Darin, pressing his hands on the table. “Christopher Darin,…you reside in the UHN Academy. Over five weeks ago, you signed up to join the officer academy, become an ensign….possibly even jump to a Junior Lieutenant under the field promotion plan we have in place. According to your recruitment papers, you signed up because you wanted to fight for Earth. Is that correct?”

“Yes, sir, I did,” Darin replied.

“Clovis….,” the commander looked at him. “I’m trying to give him one last chance. We have strict guidelines in how we train our future officers. Military professionalism must remain as we are….”

“You’re the CEO of Darin Industries,” Clovis said, practically ignoring the commander. “You put so much effort into this decision in joining us, training to become a future officer. A week ago, you were brought up for disciplinary charges. For some reason….Hayfield decided to go easy on you.”

“I’m inclined to disagree with that, sir,” Darin replied. “But it doesn’t matter to me.”

“And now? Last night you were caught bribing the duty officers to look away, actually brought in a stripper into the base to show off in Barracks Room three, having some sort of….” He paused as he searched for the word. “….A ‘hootenanny.’”

“That’s right…,” Darin said with a gesture of pride in his voice. “Barracks room 3, the guys were graduatin in about a few days. I figure that I gave them a good going-away gift before they were going to go out and give their lives for mankind. Although, I’m still curious on the one that snitched. One can’t deny a good thrill before leavin now, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Barracks Room 2 could hear the music from there, Darin,” Enle countered and narrowed his eyes at him. “I hardly call it a secret party. Besides, you didn’t even consider the female recruits…..how you brought shame and insult upon them by your actions alone. We treat sexual harassment as a serious charge.”

Darin lightly shrugged his shoulders. “You’re right, Enle. I admit, I didn’t know that Barracks Room 3 had female recruits. Besides, I think one of the male recruits might have been gay. My mistake was that I didn’t have a male stripper brought in for all of them, too.”

“Engh…..This isn’t your company, Darin! We don’t care how much money you have. Rich or poor, this is the gateway to the UHN, the United Human Naval Force, the military might of the human race. Everyone is the same here. We have standards here…..rules, uniformity, regulations that we have to abide by.”

“You want us to be down to your level, fine,” Clovis added. “But understand that this will likely have you expelled from the UHN academy. The commander is correct. We all have rules. I can understand that you’re used to operating a company in the way that you think will work, but it doesn’t work that way in the military environment. We follow the rules, the chain of command….although, I’m sure you already know that by now….”

Darin nodded. “I do, plenty…..”

Clovis sighed and shook his head before leaning back on his chair. “You’ve had a good record since you were here. So what happened?”

Darin paused for a moment. “….Is it true?” he asked them. “About Earth?”

“Is what true?” Enle asked him.

“I’ve heard the rumors about Earth….that they’re giving her to the Itreans. Is it true?”

“We’re not allowed to disclose outside information while you’re conducting training. Even we only allow new recruits limited access to the outside events. The training is more important.”

Darin’s attention seemed focused on Clovis. The gaze he gave off was strong, a man determined to find out the truth.

“I think it’s rather important to know,” Darin told them. “I’m not continuing this tomfoolery until I know here and now.”

Clovis finally nodded his head. “Your resource gathering on this base is better than we give you credit for,” the lieutenant commander relented. “Yes, Earth is supposedly the Itreans' true homeworld. It’s being relinquished to the T’rintar clan in return for the new alliance….at least that’s how the story goes.”

For the first time, Darin seemed momentarily shaken. His head turned low, almost as if someone had tried to rip his soul out. Clovis seemed taken aback as Enle only scowled.

“Just like that, ain’t it?” Darin remarked, looking at the two men. “You didn’t think to tell me about it?”

“Tell you what?” Enle replied. “We aren’t your butlers. You work for us!”

“Nah,” Darin almost angrily dismissed him. “I pour my guts for you, put aside my life to go fight against the Itreans, leave my company behind. Meanwhile, you sell the floorboards underneath me. The UHN, no more than a bunch of snake oil salesmen…..”

“We will not tolerate this!” Enle said.

“When did you hear about this rumor?” Clovis asked him.

“I’m not givin the specifics,….sir,” Darin explained. “Let’s just say a little over a week ago, the word finally reached me.”

“And that’s when you started to misbehave…..I see….” Clovis took a deep breath as Enle was catching on to the events that transpired. “Yes, Darin. Everything you heard was absolutely true. I can’t speak for what’s going to happen to Earth, but….”

“It’s exactly what’s going to happen. How about I hand over your home to the enemy? How do you think you'd feel about it?”

“They aren’t the enemy….,” Enle replied.

“Heh….you too, Commander? You been withholdin that information from everyone? How about I start telling every Earther on Mars that the UWA ditched Earth? And to think….I was ready to lick your boots more than a harlot on a Saturday.”

“I beg your pardon.”

Clovis interjected. “So that’s it then?” he asked Darin. “You feel hatred towards us now? Is that it? You had a good record since you were here. According to your OTO, he really thought that you didn’t take it seriously in the first week since you got here, but you were among the top 10 recruits of the barracks. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of a CEO of a company actually wanting to serve in the military at all.”

“And look where it gets ya? You wonder why the billionaires never want to serve their country, don’t you? Maybe that’s why they let the common folk go and do the lord’s bidding instead. I’m not some lazy cowpoke as the carpetbaggers come to play in my backyard. And you know what? I actually really did want to command a ship….lead men to battle. Saw how desperate the UHN was, knowing our backsides were to the wall as the Itreans ate us up piece by piece. Sounds to me that the UWA grew yella…..gave it all up….”

“You’re willing to throw this all away?”

“You mean like they did with Earth? Sure….why not?”

Clovis leaned over and began to whisper in Enle’s ear. The two men discussed things quietly with one another for a moment as Darin stared on. Finally, both men seemed to be ready to give up on the recruit before him.

“He should be arrested,” Enle pulled away from Clovis. “The insubordination is making us look like fools.”

“And you know my lawyers would be on your ass in a minute, Commander,” Darin replied. 

Clovis remained reasonable. “We have a couple of final questions for you, Darin, and after that, we’re ready to proceed with our final judgment. I can sympathize with your plight, but I’m left wondering about your little charades, the stunts you performed. If you heard the rumor, why didn’t you discuss this with your chain of command earlier? If you felt that this wasn’t going to work for you, then why perform the stunts in the first place? You can always quit at any time…..”

“Hmmm….,” Darin remarked. “I’ll be fair….I wasn’t completely sure of it at first, but as it sat in my mind, that little feeling you get grows louder. I was naive to think the UWA wouldn’t sink to that level of debauchery. Then, after a while, I started thinkin, ‘Yeah, they’d do it.’ Not even a fight. I thought to myself that….in the end, I’d graduate and still find myself in the same predicament as I was before the truth hit me. I’d command a ship. Meanwhile, my friends, my family are tossed into the ravine, unlike the rest of you. I can’t sell my soul to the devil, Clovis. It ain’t worth it.” The man stood up and tossed his garrison cover to Enle. “I’m not going to be your whippin boy anymore, ya hear, hombre?”

Enle angrily grabbed the garrison cover and almost threw it from the table. Clovis disappointedly nodded his head in agreement. Darin was well aware of the scene laid out, expecting everything to fall into a single outcome. Clovis could see it too as Enle begrudgingly fell along. Nothing could be done about the outside forces influencing the current moment. 

“Very well…,” Clovis said, gesturing to Enle.

“Christopher Darin,” Enle remarked firmly. “It’s under our jurisdiction that we find you guilty of insubordination, a clear violation of the articles of the UHN code of conduct. You defiled the UHN and its meanings. You’re hereby removed from the UHN and given a dishonorable discharge. Under my recommendations, you will never be allowed to become an officer at the UWA again.”

Clovis nodded. “….As do I agree with this verdict,” he said with a hint of hesitation in his voice. 

Darin shrugged lightly, unfazed at first as he began to turn around. He was on the verge of heading out when he stopped at the door.

“You know?” Darin remarked. “I wonder how busy your base is going to become with the number of Earthers that are going to drop out in the next few weeks. Then…..I wonder how long it’s going to be before they hand Mars over to the T’rintar….”

“That’s none of our concern,” Enle replied.

“Nah, I reckon you were going to say that. In the end, Commander, you’ve only made me more powerful. One day, I may thank you for this, and one day, I might have you lick my boots instead. Wouldn’t that be something…..”

“Get out….,” Enle directed, pressing the button to open the door. 

“Godspeed, Darin,” Clovis said to him.

Darin turned his head lightly and used his two fingers to lightly salute, saying his farewell to Clovis. 

With that, Darin left the room and stood in the hallway of the academy base before the door closed behind the man.

For a moment, Darin was left to his own thoughts. Finally free from military service, the man was left to reconsider his prior life choices. There was a sense of relief in him, but only to a point.

The man walked over to the heavy, thick, see-through window. His vision wasn’t directed to the Martian surface, but the stars above. The nighttime sky over the Martian surface was dark and bleak, but not without its notable sights. 

Darin closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he envisioned his future, but it would only be for a short moment.

“I came as directed,” another man said. “How are you, my friend?” 

Darin recognized that voice. It caused the man to open his eyes and smile almost instantly.

Darin turned to look at the other person. He was a taller man around the same age as he. Darin quickly recognized him, a fellow civilian who was given permission to enter the base and help retrieve his closest friend. His facial features were reminiscent of a Native American from former Earth. He wore a long-sleeved blue shirt and brown coveralls, pants that slipped over his boots. This individual had short black hair, a muscular frame, no facial hair except for his left eyebrow, and a somewhat tanned complexion. His right eye, the top portion of his ear, and his head were visible mechanical augmentations, suggesting a glowing mechanical red eye. On top of his head was a black cowboy hat. In his hand was something pressed to his side.

“Natch!” Darin remarked as he came and gave a hard handshake to him. His friend’s grip was hard and solid as the two broke their handshake to face one another.

“I trust that everything went as expected, Darin?” Natch replied to him, his voice polite and friendly.

“About as good as you imagine. Their loss, though….” He gestured to his friend to follow him as they began walking down the hallway.

“Your star yacht is ready to take you back to New Houston.”

“Ah….the Pony Express,” Darin remarked. “Been almost six weeks since I’ve seen everybody. How's the staff been faring?”

“Ready to see their manager once again.”

Darin shook his head. “The bastards really did it, didn’t they? President didn’t make one peep of protest, right?”

“Hmm….,” Natch remarked, shaking his head.

“And the company?” Darin paused his walk as he turned to look at him. Natch halted his walk.

“Genisen is…..pulling out of the mutual contract with Darin Industries.”

“Of course, they are. The moment Earth is handed over, the partnership is dropped. We lose Earth, and they try to sink our company in the process. I reckon that a lot of people are disheartened right now, even if they think it was done in good faith.”

“Many will appear to have lost their souls in these final days. So intense will the nature of the changes be that those who are weak in spiritual awareness will go insane, for we are nothing without our spirit….." His friend nodded to him. "Plan B, Darin?”

Natch handed the object in his hand over to Darin. It was a white cowboy hat. Darin quickly took the hat, spun it vertically before he put it on. Using his fingers, he slid them over the brim to angle it perfectly over his head and brow. The moment he did so, he felt like he was in his true element again.

“Good ol Natch,” Darin answered. “Shame that the UHN doesn’t let us wear the red, white, and blue…..Plan B it is, but I might prefer a little bit of Plan F as well.”

“Plan F?” Natch remarked. “You believe it would reach that point?” 

Darin put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and guided him down the hallway as they continued their conversation. 

“Natch, if they’re willing to give Earth away, we have to be prepared for the worst. Everything is at stake now, ya hear?” 

“Yes, it is.”

“Then, when we get back, the Pony Express will be the first thing that’s going to be sold off. Besides, I’m thinking of something much better. It’s time Darin Industries makes itself truly known throughout the US, the entire world. We start gathering all our friends, every partner we got left, every man and woman out there we can trust, and we can help each other. It’s all we got, Natch. We might be on the Itrean’s food platter, but we aren’t alone in this fight.”

“Yes,” Natch replied.

“Good, I’m going to need you to head to Waterville, DC as soon as possible and start reaching out to everyone…..that fundraiser isn’t going to start itself.”

“Of course,” Natch replied.

“Me? It’s time to pull every ounce of savings the company has to offer. It ain’t over yet….”

Both men continued to walk down the passageway. Darin had a promise to keep, regardless of what the future held for everybody. The determination was strong, one that Natch was all too used to hearing…..

 

*******

 

April 1st, 2351 AD

 

 

In almost 13 months of time, in a different part of the galaxy, the void of space lies ahead. The three-dimensional apex defines the entire scene. To the right is the galactic core of the Milky Way galaxy. Countless stars fill every spectrum that the eye can see. The blackness resides, serving as the forever backdrop.

However, ahead lies a large nebula-like filament. The remains of a great supernova persist. Most of the remaining dust had expanded into one portion of space, forming a large area of lit dust. The formation of red, orange, yellow, and black gases is prevalent. With the death of the great ancient star, the ejected material had long faded into the galaxy before being caught in the spiral arm of the galaxy, forming a great trail. Through the long road of dust are a series of stars, birthed in the vast array of hydrogen fuel available.

From far above, a single ship comes into view. The gray cylindrical shape is partially illuminated by the interstellar material so much that it almost gives a reddish hue along the hull. The bow is simple in design, consisting of an enclosed hangar bay. Below it is a moderate-sized railgun, mounted and pointed ahead. Behind are two flags, one painted with the Earth flag of blue and white. The one below it is the Jolly Roger flag, the skull and crossbones. On the dorsal section of the hull is a large turreted cannon. As the ship continues to drift forward, the midsection becomes prevalent.

It’s like nothing ever before seen on an Earth ship. It is almost a mutated artificial construction. Located above the main bridge is a triple-turreted heavy cannon. Four turrets in all are strapped to the dorsal, starboard side, and ventral section where the ventral secondary bridge resides. Near the forward-mounted thrusters are four smaller five-inch gun turrets. On the port side is a series of portside thrusters with a hatch and an autogun mount. As the ship continues to move ahead in space, the spinning centripetal ring comes into view. Behind it is a series of small cargo containers that eventually connect to the rear engine and power module. All in all, the ship measures a little over 250 meters in length. The ship's symbolic name on the hull is seen as it continued to drift forward in space. It is written in fantastic red cursive paint.

The Rampage…..

The galactic core gives its radiant glow, almost like a giant star in the vast expanse of space. Before long, we zoom in one last time, directly into the spinning ring of the ship.

It doesn’t take long to penetrate the hull to reorient ourselves into a spinning, central, enclosed hallway. Inside, the induced artificial gravity presses the people to the deck. As the ship drifts forward, everyone is at ease. The massive array of space ensures that there is no active change in direction as the personnel and crew are safely planted to the deck.

It is no typical UHN warship, but perhaps it was intended to become one. The interior is a different shade of gray with blue and black stripes. There is less lighting, but enough to still illuminate much of the interior. Each closed door connects to a room of some sort on both sides of the hallway. The passageway proceeds forward till it fully wraps around the entire ring strata. Unlike the central passageway of today's UHN battleships, pipes, makeshift panels, and slung metal sheets in different colors can be seen on the walls. It is more reminiscent of older spaceships of Earth’s past.

It is much different than the UHN. Crew members from all walks of life, dressed in civilian clothes, can be seen speaking with one another and doing their work. It should also be noted that many appear to be from a particular world.

The Earthers were a different breed from most humans out there. Wastelanders, survivors, the everyday man, the occasional woman, all raised from inside the great domes of Earth. Every person is unique and stands out. There is no uniformity but one singular goal of ensuring the ship’s operation. Some men have different augmentations: an artificial arm, an augmented eye, a fake hand, hair or no hair, or skin partly ravaged by Earth’s dangerous elements. Not every augment is alike, ranging from as pure as artificial technology can reach to as robotic and clunky in appearance. It does not faze these individuals.

Among the men walking was a somewhat muscular individual with facial features reminiscent of Eastern Europe, yet with endurance and heavy physical training to fit his frame. He has a pale complexion and short, crude-cut blonde hair. His clothing is much like the others, consisting of a brown T-shirt, brown camouflaged pants, and magnetic boots. His arms are covered in tattoos, including a large cross. 

He seemed to be more curious, perhaps a newcomer to the ship. On his back is a military duffel bag, filled with his belongings.

As the man walked, he looked around, noting much of the interior of the ship. Among the individuals walking down the hallway was a muscular woman. She was beautiful, as she was strong in physical appearance. Her blonde hair naturally fell over her shoulders, over her green shirt. However, the moment she saw the man walking by her, she was ready to scold him.

“Ah, our new rookie,” the woman said in a typical North American accent. 

“Rookie?” the man playfully replied in a light Polish accent. “What’s this? Our local Amazon jockey? Heh….I wonder if the drapes match the carpet.”

The woman lightly punched the man in the arm when she passed him. The man, unfazed by the hit, continued his walk, keeping his smile going as he headed forward.

As the man continued forward, he could hear the sounds of music in the area. A flickering light bulb could be seen as the man walked past it. He noticed an Itrean walk past him that quickly grabbed his attention.

She was shorter than him, dressed in a pink shirt and green shorts. The anthro-reptilian woman was completely covered in brown feathers. Her reptilian eyes briefly looked up at the man, her talon-like feet pressed against the hard, metallic floor as she quickly skated around him. Her digitigrade legs and tail consisted of pink, red, and even green colors. The man noticed her flat chest, but her dainty frame was quite reminiscent of a walking bird.

“What….the?” the man remarked, unfamiliar with this type of Itrean. He wasn’t far from his intended destination. 

The music was at its peak as the man came to a stop. It was reminiscent of country music, but of the Earth-style variety. It was played by the overhead speakers, most likely indicating the place of interest. The sealed door stood before him.

There were only two words written on the door in black marker: Council Room.

“About as ad hoc as you can get….,” the man said as he raised his knuckle and tapped the door, ignoring the panel on the right.

It didn’t take long before the door slid open. The newcomer entered the room as the door slid closed behind him.

The room itself was small and confining, a place made of metal plates slapped together in a style familiar to the main passageway. The metal table consisted of six chairs, hard-connected to the deck. A single display projector, turned off, resided in the center of the furniture.

Inside the room were two men whom the newcomer was unfamiliar with. One was most likely the man in charge of the ship, dressed in a brown coat, green shirt, brown pants, a cowboy hat, and leather boots with makeshift magnetic plates on them. He was sitting back on the table with his legs and feet resting on top of the table, the man’s hands neatly placed on the back of his neck.

Meanwhile, the other was that of a Native American figure. He wore the same blue shirt and black coverall vest, with the same shade of black hair and a glowing red eyepiece. Unlike the person in charge of the ship, the person was sitting relaxed, his attention directed to the person who entered the room. 

“Heh…,” the newbie reacted with a mocking gesture, placing his heavy duffel bag on the deck. “What a scene. Some cyborg-Indian and a wannabe cowboy working together. And here I was expecting the same shit as the air carriers.”

“Likewise, partner,” Darin said, lifting his hat up slightly to look upon him. “Of course, you’re speaking to the person in charge of this ship, along with my second in command. I’d expect a little bit more respect with whom you’re talkin to.”

The newcomer took two fingers and did an overhead salute before cutting downward in the air to him. “The name’s Czarek, Cap,” he introduced himself, holding his hands out. “Legionnaire at your service.”

“Czarek,” Darin remarked. “You’re our first jump trooper to come aboard my ship. The XO to my right is Naiche, but he prefers to be just called Natch.”

“You’re from BREECA,” Natch asked him. “Is that correct?”

“I wouldn’t be a jump trooper if I wasn’t one,” Czarek replied. 

“Where do you come from?”

“My home? I come from the Warsaw dome. We kick ass and take names, but….ehh….don’t ask me about anything else. I’m not an expert in the local politics.”

“A warrior first…..You seem to know about North American lore if you recognized me by my appearance.”

“Ehh….If it’s one thing Eastern Europe enjoys is the North American pastime. I’ve seen my share of past movies and shows. Even taught myself English with it too…..for the most part.”

“And the Wild West films?” Darin’s brow lifted.

“Yeah, but I don’t dress up in roleplay.”

The cowboy nodded. “The name’s Darin, Christopher Darin. Welcome aboard the Rampage, my prized beauty.”

“…Thanks, Cap. But what’s with this ship anyway? I was interested in volunteering for the Blue Buccaneers, but I thought the ship would be a little more…..pristine….”

“The Rampage is an old battleship,” Natch explained. “She was originally the USS Jimmy Carter, but Waterville failed to complete her.”

“Instead, we did it,” Darin told him. “She went through an entire overhaul….became our ace in the hole.”

“I saw those huge guns in the middle of the ship as the shuttle landed,” Czarek said, pointing his thumb away from himself. “Looks like you’re packing some serious firepower.”

“That would be the guns from the USS Iowa and the Missouri. 16-inch gun turrets that we salvaged off the warships before the Orange Muck claimed them. They’ve been overhauled, given new types of ammunition, new ways to load them, new ways to fire them. The rest is whatever else we could find from Earth, including a little bit of innovations from Natch.”

“You even have a nuclear flak cannon. I’ve only seen them once on Luna. You don’t fuck around, Cap. I can see why the Itreans might be a little nervous with you.”

“That’s the idea, partner. We might be limited in resources, but we use what we got. Meanwhile, we could use someone of your gunslinging abilities and not just some lame cowpoke. Are you one of them, Czarek?”

“Hey,” Czarek pridefully said, pointing to himself. “I might be the first legionnaire to come aboard your ship, but I can promise you that if you need to blow shit up, then I’m your man.”

“That’s good,” Natch said. “We need more of the air warriors on our side right now. We know the BREECA hold a strong interest in fighting for the Blue Buccaneers.”

“You plan on invading a base anytime soon?” Czarek asked, putting his hands to his hips.

“We’re hoping so.”

“Hell yeah, but…..” Czarek looked around. “I’m used to operating on the air carriers, not a spaceship. I wouldn’t even know how to fight in space.”

“We’ll figure it out as time goes along. In the meantime, it’s important that you get a chance to meet everyone on the ship.”

“Yeah,” the man frowned a little bit. “About that….did I see an Itrean on this ship a few minutes ago, or are we defeating the purpose of the Blue Buccaneers in the first place?”

“Does having the Itreans onboard bother you?”

“No,” Czarek said. “Hell, I wouldn’t even mind a little piece of….” He stopped himself before he cleared his throat. “….Ehm….Just a little surprised to see some Itreans onboard when we’re here to prove to everyone that we aren’t their slaves.”

“We have two Yutilians onboard, Czarek,” Darin told him. “Wives to the crew, busy and keep to themselves. I promise you that they’re only here to help us. It’ll be up to you to also respect that as well, ya hear?”

“….Yeah,” Czarek remarked with an affirmative nod.

“For now,” Natch told him. “You’re assigned to our security team, work with weapons, whatever schedule you had on the air carriers will be the same here. Do you understand?”

“You got it.”

“And,” Darin told him. “Understand, partner. This is my ship. I know you carry a record of tomfoolery back home. I might not hold the tightest saddle on the horse, but I make sure not to fall off either.”

“Yes,” Natch added. “Learn to calm your heart, Czarek. When the heart is at peace, the body is healthy. There is healing in calmness and strength in humility.”

Czarek gave a confused look at both of them. “Am I going to have to get used to these Chinese fortune cookie comments?” he asked them.

“I reckon it will if you’re going to be stirring problems,” Darin replied. “But I don’t need to tell you twice.”

“Heh…,” Czarek remarked, waving his hand in the air. “Don’t you worry, Cap. With Czarek onboard, it’s going to be even more exciting than ever before.”

Darin turned and looked at Natch, giving a nod to him.

“You’ve been assigned to quarters 13A,” Natch told him. “Your duty shift starts….in one hour after you unpack. Report to Calista. She’ll train you on ship’s operations.”

“Calista? Any idea who she is?”

“She is blonde, strong like a bear.”

It didn’t take long for Czarek to put the pieces together. The woman he was joking around with earlier was most likely her.

“Oh….,” Czarek remarked with a hint of embarrassment. “Ohh….” He said again with a hint of lust in his voice. “Yeah, you got it, Natch.”

“Good, now mosey along now, ya hear?” Darin told him.

Czarek did his little two-finger downward salute as he reached down and grabbed his belongings. The door slid open behind him.

“Going to be one of the weirdest ships to ever be on....,” Czarek said out loud as he walked out. “What’s next? I get put on a ship with an Itrean in command?”

Both Darin and Natch watched as the man left the room and the door closed behind him. With that, both men were alone in the room once again.

“Are we sure we want him on board?” Natch asked Darin.

“Yeah, he’ll be alright,” Darin replied, shifting the boots on the table. “Fit in with everyone else.”

“He’s the first person you interviewed from the arrival of new members this month.”

“Because he’s the first jump trooper. I just want to make sure that all the wheels of the wagon are spinning together….”

Natch nodded his head and stood up. “Then, it’s time for me to carry on with the duty shift, my friend.”

“Same here,” Darin remarked as he put his boots to the floor and stood up. The hint of a Colt Peacemaker could be seen holstered underneath his coat. “Time to make the errand calls back home. Make sure the comms station has the gate comm ring hitched. We got a schedule to keep this week.”

“Yes.” 

Natch briefly put his hand on Darin’s shoulder before the tall man left the room. The cowboy captain gave an affirmative nod to his friend as the door slid closed behind him.

Being alone in the room, Darin looked at his surroundings, admiring the work that had been done for well over a year. Despite the odd smells of an older ship’s interior and ad hoc construction, the Rampage seemed to be holding up, its rugged frame enduring the numerous tests that had been given to her. 

Darin’s thoughts went back to the day the UHN kicked him out of service, knowing where he stood now. It served as a constant reminder to him.

Instead, it only seemed to embolden him. The ship of war stood ready, her crew fit for the elements. It was both an overwhelming challenge in a mission that was almost hopeless, but one that Darin felt ready to prove. Each day felt like a chore, but not something that eroded the spirit. If anything, Darin appeared to enjoy it.

The man’s fist lightly tapped the table, knowing that the next few days could be busier than usual. He knew he was close to something, something that could shift the tides in his favor for not only him, but Earth itself. 

“Somewhere in that Hesik Expanse is gold,” Darin remarked to himself metaphorically. “All we have to do is find it….” 

Chapter 2: Fixin’ To Part 1

 

 

A few hours had passed. Inside another portion of the Rampage’s spinning ring was a makeshift set of quarters fit for a prince.

Darin’s room was perhaps no different than most of the rooms on the ship, but its personality was different. There was enough space for two people. One side of the room consisted of a wooden desk and chair mounted near the right wall, with a main computer and display. Darin sat on the chair, seemingly in a video call with someone else. Its camera was pointed at him, the corner, and the back wall. On that wall was a US flag with 52 stars. Sets of various guns and rifles were also mounted, highlighting different periods in Earth’s past. Almost all of the firearms seemed ancient, older than the current guns of today. On the right wall was a larger display unit, a digital TV set. 

On the other side of it was a bed, fit for two people. The comfy furniture was different from the cubbyhole alcoves most warships used, having been both rebuilt and reshaped. It was a luxury-style arrangement, fitted with straps to restrain the body in the absence of gravity. Throughout the room were various memorabilia, more specifically reminiscent of a 19th-century explorer. One corner had an enclosed safe and a bookshelf filled with ancient books. Another wall near the bed had an artificial buck head mounted, almost overlooking the room. Different pictures from an ancient submarine could be seen on one side near the door, and another showed NASCAR vehicles racing down a track somewhere in North America. There was even a photograph of an action star, one dressed similarly to Darin. 

Wrapping around the desk, away from the desk camera’s viewpoint, was a small hallway cavity that led to the bathroom itself.

On Darin’s computer screen, it showed a Shal’rein. The shark-like Itrean had light- and dark-gray skin on her face. She had a pointed snout and fin-like ears. Her purple woven hair rested over one side of her shoulder. This one in particular wore a mostly green, black, and white spandex-like suit that covered most of her body, reminiscent of that worn by a high-ranking Itrean. Unlike the typical and sometimes violent Shal’rein, Darin knew her as a T’rintar Shal’rein, more specifically, an ally. 

“I’m afraid, Veleshar, that your information was as nothing more than a lick and a promise,” Darin told her. 

“You had no success with Folta’Trak 5 and Wopj’Ha 3?” Veleshar asked back, carrying almost no accent in her voice.

“Folta’Trak 5 is about as defensible as Fort Knox. The Shal’rein have over twenty warships protecting it. Meanwhile, Wopj’Ha 3, assuming I even pronounced it right, didn’t have anything at all. The base had been abandoned and scuttled for over six months.”

“Oh….,” Veleshar pressed her gray four-fingered hand to her snout. “Twenty ships at Folta? Oh, dearie, I’m so sorry that I led you astray.” She seemed partly flustered. “It seems that my absence from the Shal’rein clan is becoming astute. I remember that Folta’Trak 5 was less important as a communication post before I joined the T’rintar clan. It seems that the Shal’rein have been conducting more fleet movements through that sector in the last year. As for Wopj’Ha 3….I don’t know why they would abandon it.”

“Right now, partner. I need a target….a victory to take home back to Earth….something to impress my supporters.”

“I know,” she said as she thought about it. “Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to attack Renlar. I want to be able to repay you.”

Darin seemed to think about it. “What about another attack on Renlar? Surely we could inflict more damage onto their shipyards.”

Veleshar shook her head. “Master Adjunct Zedresh isn’t leaving Renlar behind. Even then, we barely made it out alive. It was worth it, but they would anticipate another strike.....” She sighed. “Unfortunately, even with that victory, I can’t risk both your crew and mine in another dangerous mission.”

Darin shook his head. “I need something more than that. You know why I’m out here, why I’m taking the fight to the Itreans.”

“I know, Darin. I understand your grievances with the T’rintar clan, especially with the humans giving Earth to them. I know you’re trying to prove something to everyone. I know that you and your crew are willing to put your lives on the line for anything. Unfortunately, my knowledge on the Shal’rein clan fades with each day.”

“You getting pregnant mess with your mind or something?”

Veleshar’s nostrils flared as she looked away for a moment. “….Perhaps.” She had a light chuckle on her face before she looked at him. “Maybe a part of me wants to move on, but here I am, discussing my personal life with you rather than my own daughter.”

“Maybe I should contact her.”

“…..Shira is one that you have to tread carefully when you speak with her. She’ll help you if she wants to or sees the point in it.” She sighed for a moment. “No….I have to see if there is something I can do to repay you and your crew.” She thought about it for a moment. “Where are you located right now?”

“Approximately one light year from the region known as the Hesik Expanse. We’re in the marked territory between both the T’rintar clan and the Shal’rein clan borders.”

“Yes. You’re in a border region between both the Kingdom of Gui’optre and the Gok’shinta subclan. The Hesik Expanse….hmmm….” 

“What do you know of it?” Darin asked.

She seemed to think about it. “As I recall, the Hesik Expanse doesn’t offer much between both the T’rintar clan and the Shal’rein clan. It’s why it makes a perfect natural border between both. Neither fights very much for it because there is little to gain from it.”

“No important targets?”

“Its resources were mined out almost 200,000 of your years ago, during the age of Old Space. The only known major influence of it is the Helera’Kun.”

“The Helera what now?”

“It’s what they call themselves. They’re…the Fo’mil of the Shal’rein clan, more specifically, the Shin’Fo’mil, those that reject the induced evolution that shaped the Itreans to what we appear today.”

“I’m well aware of the Fo’mil, Veleshar.”

“Oh?....” Veleshar remarked, seemingly curious.

“I have one on my ship. Where is this Helera’kun stronghold?”

“It’s called Kun, the mother world of the Helera’kun. Long ago, the Helera’kun pilgrims settled on that world, but it lies on the edge of the Hesik Expanse, marking the border between both clans. Originally, the Helera’kun Shal’rein were trying to look at the Hesik Expanse as a place to mine and harvest the resources, but they were quickly exhausted.”

“Like findin a shallow well….”

“Yes. Trying to fight the Helera’kun head-on will never work. It’s the fortress world of the Hesik Expanse. But….” She paused as she thought about it. “There is something that you might be able to do….”

“I’m listening…..”

“….There’s a reason why I fight for the T’rintar clan. Both my daughter and I may not always see eye to eye on everything, but there was one fundamental reason why I chose to leave the Shal’rein clan for good.” She patted her stomach, but it was hard for the camera angle to see all of it. But Darin understood the gesture.

“Because of Zilik’s Disease….” Darin remarked.

“Exactly. I chose to fight because I knew I could have a future. I’m sure you already understand it, but I can’t emphasize it more. Maybe I can say it strongly enough on why every Itrean fights for herself or her state, but the disease that prevents male offspring from being born again has been all but devastating for us. But the moment I saw the videos of humans and Itreans being together…..that you, humans, carried the cure….I’d fight 100 times stronger for the T’rintar clan….for my daughter….for everyone.”

Darin seemed to think about it for a few seconds. “What if there was a way to turn the Itreans against each other?....Convince the Shal’rein or the Aksren, as the T’rintar clan are trying to do now?”

“It’s through the Helera’kun where you hold a more likely chance of convincing them. I know some of their plight. Contrary to belief, not all Itreans are fully united with their clan. Some fight because they have no choice, because they don’t know, or they do know, and they don’t care, but then there’s also the fact of something else. Many of the Itrean governments outright ignore the propaganda. It becomes…..background noise to us. When your people fight in endless wars….conflicts, battles, the words of the enemy become a simple annoyance. But, with Zilik’s Disease, our ears are open, just a little….that the governments become afraid that something might be the truth about you, humans. They choose to suppress the others from learning about that fact.”

“And that was what happened with you?” Darin asked her.

“Yes. But with the Helera’kun, their history is that of suspicion with the Shal’rein clan. To them, they view themselves as the true Shal’rein, the original Shal’rein. They wanted to live on Kun to leave the Shal’rein clan behind. Sadly, they never got that wish. Within 10,000 years of them settling on their planet, Gok’shinta invaded and conquered them. They’ve lived under their…..tyranny ever since.”

Darin noticed that she had a hard time using the word “tyranny,” almost as if it seemed alien to her. The cowboy captain listened intently.

“Have they fought back against them?” the man asked.

“Yes, many times throughout history….all but failed. Unfortunately, the Helera’kun are not a powerful subclan. Even with their influence over the Hesik Expanse, they’ve never stood as a great power, but it’s also our strength as well. If there was a way to broadcast the videos that I saw to them, then maybe, the Helera’kun will rise up against the Shal’rein clan.”

Darin’s hand gestured in curiosity. “And how would that be done?” he asked. “I don’t su