17-11-1999 21:20									#61
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"The universe is made up of more than just atoms and matter, for an invisible and intelligent God created it; and the universe is more than just feelings and emotions, for what we feel does not ever alter the truth that God exists."

Reading The Collected Sermons by Sister Miriam always helped remind Sean of the foundations of his faith whenever his thoughts and feelings were out of control.

"Now it's time to get to business," Sean said outloud to himself, casting the demons out of his soul. He sat in the probe team control center, in the underground section of the Cathedral. He could feel his hands tremble. It sure is cold in here... he thought.. or was he thinking of Elizabeth's safety?
He flipped the radio switch.

*static* "Sean. Sean, I read you loud and clear." Liz's beautiful voice.

"Allright Liz, you know where you need to go. Straight ahead."

"Roger."
On the left side of the screen, Sean saw what Liz saw from the probe infrared camera over her left eye. On the right side, he could see the surrounding areas for any signs of other factions or mindworms.

Mindworms... he thought. A chill ran up his spine.. Ever since the Believers had reached Planet, it seemed like Satan began calling forth these creatures to expel them from their destiny. Like the Caananites in the Promised Land... he mused.

He closed his eyes. Ten years ago... he was still in secondary school at the time... he remembered a piercing scream from the outside of his house. This isn't a dream he thought. Completely awake in the middle of the night, Sean hurried down the stairs, bare feet touching the cold floor.

That scream he thought. Suddenly... another scream. This time, more anguish than fright.. and this time Sean felt a degree of familiarity with this voice..

"OH GOD!!!.." followed by sobs. A sense of shock and horror pierced Sean's heart and froze him in his steps. That voice... Sean thought.. Mother...

As he opened the front door, his fear was confirmed. There, lying on the front lawn, was his mother, writhing in silent agony, mindworms boring into her neck and spine.

earthbeing... earthbeinglandplanetnotearth... promisedtonoone... earthbeing earthbeing earthbeing Voices and thoughts attacked Sean's mind, rebounding off the walls of his soul. It seemed almost real, invisible tendrils reaching out and choking his heart.. choking his throat that he couldn't even cry...

"NOOOOOOOOOO"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! His mind burst forth, as if gasping for air, and suddenly his thoughts exploded, and he could feel his anger, his holy wrath, being poured out in pure mental force at those hideous demonic creatures...

Suddenly, Sean heard a popping sound. Actually, several popping sounds, like firecrackers.. and each mindworm exploded in rapid succession, bursting into blue and green florescent entrails. But it was too late. His mother was dead.

You will paaaayyy... Sean seemed to hear in his mind... a mental phrase much more coherent and almost human-like compared to the earlier barrage of incomprehensible voices...

"Sean! I've reached destination A. Now where to?" Sean heard in the speaker. He was daydreaming again.. Liz had gone through safe territory, and now he had to concentrate.

	18-11-1999 03:24									#62
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Location: Hive's Communal Nexus

Premier Lieutenant Manuel Cormora takes a very slow peek around the corner of the last intersection. Upon approach he has already seen two Hive units zoom past, on their way somewhere deeper into the base. Right now, however, the coast is clear. He is supposed to make a left turn, and follow a tunnel that slightly curves to the right as it heads for the surface. He pulls back his head, and signals to sergeant Storgard to take the lead. The other point is ceing carried by two privates, his legs gone below the knees. Their advance is, as always, utterly silent. Manuel signals for Koecker to join him.

"Koecker, we are the last team to exit this base. Why is there still gunfire coming from below us?"
"I don't know. Maybe the residents aren't that happy to see the Hive again?"
"Could be, but I doubt it. How's your friend?"
"Still unconscious. Why did you tie him up and gag him? Returning to the Hive would mean certain death for him as well as me."
"Because he might be unclear about his situation when he comes around. Allright, return to McDougal."

This corridor is about fifteen meters wide, and ten meters high. There are no arches supporting the roof; there is no place to hide. The group is almost running through it; no-one wants to get caught in a gunfight in here. About five hudndred meters down the tunnel Storgard realizes that he can see the red light from the emergency exit-sign, then the airlock is revealed around the slight curve of the wall. Storgard immediately quickens his pace, eager to return to the outside world. He hears quiet exclamations of joy from his fellow soldiers. He runs up to the control panel and hits the big blue button with considerable force.

He is awarded with several alarms going off.

"Don your breathers and blast that bloody door to pieces!"
Manuel readies his own rifle as well, and lets loose a swarm of shots. The door shatters, and the atmosphere of the Planet starts to enter the base. When Manuel's team has scrambled up to the surface, the wind from the opening is already blowing at hurricane speeds. Manuel is convinced that no Hive infantry can access this tunnel without considerable risk of injury, and he nods happily to himself.

His smile is gone when two Chaos Rovers virtually leap out of the hole. As they land with a loud crash Manuel's team is already down on the ground, crawling for cover. The rovers immediately open fire, and orange beams stab at the ground around the team. Manuel sees how the team's medic is hit in the neck; the beam burns a hole through him, and the body surrounding the hole bursts from the immense heat.

Manuel has found cover behind a large boulder. He hears a sharp crack, and sees a hole punched cleanly through the rock, missing him by centimeters. More cracks follow as the boulder tears itself to pieces when the spreading heat causes it to expand. Those rovers are armed with gatling lasers.. how odd; they can't be part of the Hive's standard army.

McDougal radioes him with the answer; "Koecker says those are engineering teams! That's gatling laser drills they are armed with!"

"Thanks, that means poor armor. On my mark, team.. FIRE!"
Several streaks of blue make contact with the rovers. Some ricochet off the front armor, but the majority manage to penetrate. One rover stops unceremoniously, the other explodes violently, and is flipped over. Manuel is already up and running.

"Let's get away while we still can." He fiddles with his comm-unit. "King, this is Soldier Four at coordinates 46-27-00. Requesting immediate pickup and tactical update."

Ten seconds later the comm-unit crackles into life.

"Soldier Four, this is King One. No pickup available. Downloading tactical data now."

The new information shows several Hive and Peacekeeper units on their way. It is unclear who will reach the team first. There is also a notice informing Manuel that an airdrop of equipment is on the way.

"Scan the skies, people. We have both friendlies and hostiles incoming."
"Behind us!"

A Hive needlejet is aligning itself for a strafing run. Everybody drops to the ground. An instant later the needlejet lets loose with it's chaos gun, and the air is filled with shrapnel. A bolt scores a direct hit on McDougal, and his personal shield doesn't stand a chance. When Manuel again manages to focus on where McDougal was only a crater remains. Koecker is quickly crawling away from it, dragging his friend who now is conscious again and regretting it.

The needlejet swoops away and starts to turn around for another go. At the same time, three more tailflames appear in the sky. These belong to the Peacekeepers. Two start to pursuit the Hive needlejet while another heads for the team. As it flies over, it drops something. A low platform on threads lands with a boom; it's an infantry crawler, outfitted with a chaos gun and vehicle-strength photon shields. Everybody quickly scrambles onto the vehicle, and Manuel grabs the controls. He floors the throttle, and the crawler rips into fifty kilometers per hour. He drives on until the sounds of battle can't be heard.

"Allright, Koecker. Untie your friend." Manuel nods gravely to both of them. "You are now officially POW:s, with all the rights assigned to such by our military law. It's not much, but it's a start I guess. Welcome to the Peacekeepers!"

	18-11-1999 08:45									#63
	Inflate your Upload Space

M.Y. 2235
Port Svensgaard, Nautilus Pirates Psi Corps

earthvincent.

Greetings, Voice.

question we. earthvincent link with we again. reason?

I have something to ask of you, Voice. We need you to tell us how we can control Mindworms and Isles of the Deep.

not certain we. PlanetDenizens together think with Planet. think control PlanetDenizens not possible we.

Oh? Is there no way at all?

not certain we. flower synapse, worm synapse one with Planet. link present since hatchling. cannot be removed.

Very well, it's been nice talking to you, Voice.

question we earthvincent. why humans request control of PlanetDenizens?

Your Isles of the Deep act as transports for the Mindworm boils, don't they? We think that if we could control Isles of the Deep, they can also act as transports for out land troops. The military potential of this cannot be overemphasized.

ah. can help you we.

Oh? How can you do that?

earthvincent friend we. from humans learn we much, especially earthvincent. earthvincent live in ocean. no boreholes. no mines. no condensors. no roads. earthvincent friend of Planet. help you we.

Thank you, Voice. I shall talk to you again.

Vincent severed the mental link. His head was pounding.

****************

CONFIDENTIAL

To: Admiral Harold Briggs, Nautilus Pirates 2nd Fleet
From: Doctor Lukas, Director of Operations, Nautilus Pirates Psi Corps

Admiral Briggs:

From Subject #18's recent conversations with Planet, we have discovered that each and every Mindworm and Isle of the Deep, even those bred in captivity, has a strong mental link with the Planetmind. This makes it very unlikely that we can assert strong controls over the Mindworms and Isles of the Deep.

However, I believe that if a suitable empath is bonded to a nascent boil, before the mental link has sufficiently developed, making the empath an extension of the boil itself. If this is possible, chances that we can control of the boil is very high.

From Subject #18's most recent conversation with the Planetmind, it appears that the Planetmind has agreed to assist us. We shall conduct experiments to determine the carrying capacity and speed of an Isle of the Deep immediately.

Datalinks Item 490-PC-2235

	18-11-1999 08:54									#64
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M.Y. 2235
Nautilus Pirates 3rd Fleet Command Prometheus
Free Drone Borders

"Incoming transmission from the Mercury, Rear-Admiral. They report that two Peacekeeper cruisers have been sighted within Free Drone territory."

"Peacekeepers? What are they doing here?"

"The cruisers seem to be docked off the coast of the Free Drone land mass. Initiate contact, Sir?"

"No! Send an encoded transmission back to Safe Haven at once. Order the Mercury to withdraw."

****************

Safe Haven, The Maritime Control Center

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard stroked his chin as he studied the transmission from the Prometheus.

Svensgaard had not expected the Peacekeepers to be at the scene. Now he had to make new considerations for the two Peacekeeper cruisers, which would probably be on the side of the Free Drones.

****************

Nautilus Pirates 3rd Fleet Command Prometheus
Free Drone Borders

"Another incoming transmission, Rear-Admiral de Bilde. It appears to be from the Cyborgs. Patching them through."

"Sigma Leader to Prometheus. Your forces will proceed to sector 3918. You will meet up with two Cyborg transports there. The transports contain Chaos Shock Troops and are lightly armored. We expect your forces to provide escort as well as defend them from air assaults by the Drones. Sigma Squadron shall lead a aerial assault on the Free Drone base Living Standard. Sigma Leader out."

Rear-Admiral Thomas de Bilde was very annoyed. The Cyborgs were commanding him around as if he was a mere Ensign.

"Transmit the co-ordinates to the other ships at once, Ensign. We shall move to sector 3918 to rendezvous with the Cyborg transports and then move towards the Free Drone bases."

****************

Safe Haven, The Maritime Control Center

Svensgaard re-read the letter he had prepared. He was pleased with what he has written.

*****

To: Commissioner Pravin Lal, Peacekeeping Forces
From: Captain Ulrik Svensgaard, Nautilus Pirates

Greetings, Commissioner Lal. I see you and your minions have flourished on this unforgiving world.

I understand that you have come into contact with the new faction styling themselves as the Free Drones. You should also have received reports of the Cyborg attacks on the Free Drone bases and the Cloudbase Academy. Due to an unfortunate turn of events, the Cyborgs have coerced my faction into jointly attacking the Free Drones.

The Cyborgs have threatened to reveal the location of our seabases to all the factions on Planet. As a result of our raids on the transports of the other factions, the other factions will not take this lying down. You will understand that these raids are totally unsanctioned by the government.

We hence request you, in your position as Commissioner of the Peacekeeping Forces, to pacify the other factions. If you agree, we will pay reparations to the other factions in energy credits. The raids on the transports of the other factions will cease at once. If you wish, The Nautilus Pirates will also sign a Treaty of Friendship with the Peacekeeping Forces.

As a sign of our goodwill and friendship, we shall allow the Cyborgs to initiate the attack on the Free Drone holdings. Our forces will then neutralize the Cyborgs transports carrying their Chaos Shock Troops and retreat to beyond Free Drone borders.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard

*****

Svensgaard smiled inwardly to himself. Not only would he neutralize the threat of the Cyborgs if the Peacekeepers agree to his request, he would also have revenge on the Cyborgs for coercing him into a war he did not want to fight.

"Ensign! Encode this message and send it to the Peacekeepers."

"Yes, Sir."

"Recall all naval officers at once. All leave has been cancelled. Also, prepare our base defences." Svensgaard didn't want to do this, but they had to be ready in case the Peacekeepers rejected his peace offering.

****************

Nautilus Pirates AAA Missile Foil Scorpion

"But they're our allies! We're supposed to on their side!"

"Orders are orders, Lieutenant Commander Ward. Either you abide by them, or I shall find someone who will to replace you."

"Orders received, Rear-Admiral de Bilde. We shall comply."

"Good. Rear-Admiral de Bilde out."
[This message has been edited by dante^ (edited November 17, 1999).]

	18-11-1999 23:50									#65
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

Location: U.N. Headquarters, Commissioner Pravin Lal's office.

Lal sighs. "What are we to make of this?"

Juhani Makela smiles slightly. "As the Believers would say, they have seen the error of their ways, and wish to repent."

"No. The Believers would never see an error in their ways. But I see your point."

Lieutenant-General Zhu leans forward in his seat. "This talk about the raids not being government-sanctioned is obvious bull; they were too specific for that. My operatives inform me that heavily guarded naval transports of alien artifacts were frequently targeted in favor of lightly-defended supply transports."

Captain-General Steppleton turns to him. "Of course, as they style themselves 'pirates' we cannot rule out the possibility that the ships were showing off by raiding those targets."

"Possible, but they still had to be supported by their government; they didn't idly cruise the coastlines, they went straight for their targets."

Lal speaks again. "Allright, so it's probably an attempted coverup, nothing new in that. But I still need to know how I'm supposed to deal with this request. On one side, Can I trust these Pirates to keep their word? What if they are merely trying to divert the 'Delhi' and the 'Calcutta' so that they won't be able to stop this invasion? And on the other side, If they ARE trustworthy, how will the other factions react?"

Lady Jane speaks. "Our cruisers are currently manned by skeleton crews; everybody is on shore-leave and celebrating. Several hours will pass before they are ready for battle. And it sounds like the Pirate fleet is quite close already. Actually, I would guess this message was sent after they spotted our ships."

Zhu nods. "If that's true, then Captain Svensgaard's request might be sincere. We can certainly predict how the other factions would react if the locations of the pirate bases were suddenly revealed to them; we would have a crusade on our hands, and the Cyborgs would be greeted as the heroes of the day. On the other hand, If we intervene on the Pirates' behalf and explain to the planetary council that the Cyborgs were forcing them, the situation would be different. Nobody would be really convinced by their explanation of the raids, but an apology and energy-credits would go a long way towards establishing neutral relations. And, of course, if we form a treaty with this faction their words would carry more weight. We, of course, would lose from the treaty in the long run if the Pirates turn out to be untrustworthy after all."

Once again Lal is deep in thought. Everybody waits politely until he again focuses on here and now. "Thank you, people, for your thoughts. I wish to consider this further, so this meeting is adjourned. I'll see you all tomorrow at the advisors' council."

When they are gone Lal thinks for a long time. Then he operates his comm-panel. "Adams, prepare to send a message to the 'Calcutta', for Admiral Paulos' eyes only. Ready? Allright." Lal clears his throat, and pauses for a moment.

"Admiral, we have reasons to believe that the Free Drones will be the target of a hostile military action involving the Cyborgs and the Pirates, as the new faction wishes to be called. This manoeuver might well be underway as you receive this message. Your task will be, together with senior diplomat Alosar Bodinsky, to try and convince the Free Drones not to target the Pirates. I have reasons to believe that they are preparing to switch allegiances, and wish to give them every opportunity to do so. If and when they do abandon the Cyborgs, you will send the following message to them. If they do not switch sides you are ordered to assist the Free Drones in defending their territory by any means necessary."

Lal stops the recording, and thinks for a while. Then he continues. "Message begins: To Captain Svensgaard. If you receive this message then you have kept your word and your fleet has assisted in the defense of Free Drone territory. Know then, that the Peacekeepers are prepared to sign a treaty of friendship immediately after you have announced your existence to the council of Planet and offered compensation to every faction your ships have raided. We will then see to it that you receive a seat on the council, as every nation on Planet is entitled to one."

Lal takes a deep breath. "There are two conditions. One: You must not reveal the existence of the Free Drones to the council. Their survival depends on remaining unnoticed for some time, and it is my wish to help them in this. You probably understand, as your bases must also be actively hiding in order to evade detection by our satellites. Two: You must reveal your data on the Cyborgs to me. This will aid in our attempts at finding this new faction, and determining their main intentions. I welcome you to the nations on Planet. May our friendship be strong and enduring. Message ends."

Lal closes the comm-channel and sighs. It would, of course, only be a matter of time before the Hive detects the Free Drones. But Lal is determined not to let that happen anytime soon. He again contacts his secretary. "Adams, make sure nobody disturbs the advisors' council tomorrow. We have much to discuss."

	19-11-1999 05:19									#66
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Free Drone Central
Domai's War Room


Malcolm said at Domai, "They're all here, sir."

Domai looked out at the room. His main council members were all present, plus the University Commander Achenar and Alosar Bodinsky of the Peacekeeper diplomatic team, and a handful of technicians squinting into real-time monitors and messing with holo-displays of forces. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Living Standard was in trouble once more.

"All right. From what Diplomat Bodinksy here tells us, the Pirates are going to break off attack on the Peacekeeper cruisers and do what they can against the rest of the Cyborg forces. Is that correct?"

Bodinksy nodded, "Yes, if we can believe that they will keep their word."

Domai continued, "Jeffred, what is the state of the defenses at Free Drone Central?"

"We have 1 penetrator group, 1 interceptor group, and 2 conventional missiles, Foreman."

"Right. I want the conventional missiles armed and ready. Their targets are the two largest Pirate Cruisers. Do not fire until they fire on any of our forces. Supreme Commander Rockmore, what is the state of the needlejets at Living Standard?"

Rockmore was frowning, "Talon Group has seven jets and Razor group has six. Replacements will not be ready for quite some time yet. The new Blade bomber group and Falcon interceptor groups are in range, but we must launch them now."

Domai sighed, "Launch them. But keep the damaged groups grounded until they are needed. Captain Sheldon has reported that the Pirates have at least five ships coming our way, and there are at least two cruisers. Both cruisers are AAA protected, so we must not attack them from the air."

He went on, "Commander Achenar, you said that you have men in that area. Will they be much help to us?"

Achenar looked upset, "No. They're not answering my calls anymore. I think they got picked up by a University transport in the area."

Domai nodded to him, and stopped to look around. Jeffred, Malcolm, and Rockmore had left to carry out their orders. "Well then, if there's nothing else to discuss, I end this meeting. Let's move."

************

Cloudbase Academy, still near Living Standard


"Welcome back, Talon Four crew. Your actions may have cost you your jet, but it saved this base. With great honor I give you the new call sign of Talon On---"

"CAPTAIN SHELDON!!"

Sheldon was annoyed. He made a mental note to instruct that com officer to stick to protocol and not yell while on duty, especially to a superior officer. Still, it might be important.

"Yes, what is it officer?"

"We have two Cyborg needlejet groups coming our way. One group, scanned as Sigma Group, seems to be ready to make an aerial assault on Living Standard. The other group, Alpha Group, is hanging back with two transports, the cargo of which we can not scan."

"… did you say two needlejet groups?"

"Yes sir. Sigma and Alpha. We know that Sigma group is fairly good, and since alpha the first Greek letter, I can only assume that they are the elite of the Cyborg air forces."

Sheldon cursed. The briefing from Malcolm said that the Peacekeepers had heard about one incoming group. Now they had two, and the new one was probably the best. This is NOT good!

"Roger that com officer. Send that back to Free Drone Central, and inform Living Standard that their AAA guns had better be ready."


************

Living Standard


The AAA guns were indeed ready, and had already opened fire on the swirling mass of Sigma jets bombing and blasting the base. The battle was going well for the Drones, and Cyborg losses were high.

"Sir, we're inflicting heavy damage, but our losses are almost nothing. It almost seems like they aren't even trying to kill us."

The officer on duty scratched his head. He was a police chief, not a tactician. Still, the evidence seemed clear.

"Scan the coast. I want to know what's going on out at sea."

The com officer gasped in surprise, but the officer already knew what he had found.


************

Coast, near Living Standard

There was no way they could have been seen. The Cyborg transports had been hiding in the fungus with the two large Pirate cruisers. Alpha Group was circling around some large scan-blocks, which the Drones had taken for the ships. The Pirate foils were slowly closing in on the Peacekeeper ships docked out at sea. Cyborgs were landing on the beach. Two Chaos shock troop squads had disembarked, and the other transport was approaching, flanked by the Pirate cruisers.

That's when it happened. The Pirates rained onto both sides of the Cyborg transport. Within minutes, the transport's crew had been neutralized and the Pirates now had a full ship of POWs.

As it sailed off back to Safe Haven, the Cyborgs realized that they had been double-crossed. Alpha Group closed in on the weak transport while the larger AAA ships tried to intercept them. Little did they know that there were five entire Cyborg needlejet groups approaching their location, to arrive in fifteen minutes.

The Pirates had kept their word, but it was doubtful they were going to live to tell about it.

************

Free Drone Central
Domai's War Room


The council let out a whoop when they heard of the Pirates' betrayal. But they quickly quieted down as the face of Captain Svensgaard came up on the largest screen.

"Ahh… Foreman Domai. I know you are aware of what's happened right now, and have been aware for some time. Indeed, this war between our peoples is completely undesired by both our factions."

Domai became serious, "Yes. Our people deserve better. Tell me, why did you declare vendetta at all?"

Svensgaard's face hardened, "The Cyborgs threatened to transmit the location of my bases to all the factions on Planet. I know they would have came to get revenge on me for my 'acquisition' of their cargo. I did it to save my people."

Domai lightened up, "Well, any action that saves our people is one worth while. Won't you pledge a blood truce so our people don't need to face war?"

"I will. In fact, I'll even sign a treaty to ensure lasting peace. Normally this includes trade, but since you don't know where you're trading with, let's forget about that for now, yes?"

Domai smiled, "Whatever you want, Captain."

Svensgaard nodded, "Good. Now, my ships report that several entire squads of Cyborg needlejets are approaching. I require assistance in defending my ships."

Domai paused. It would be only fair to aid them after they had disabled a transport, but two Cyborg squads would bee too much for the damaged Living Standard garrison. "I will send my finest Interceptor squad to aid you. It should be very effective against the slower Cyborg jets."

Svensgaard almost smiled, "My thanks. We will talk again. Svensgaard out."

Domai let loose a sigh of relief. The Pirates were their allies now.
[This message has been edited by Jasonian (edited November 18, 1999).]

	19-11-1999 10:19									#67
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M.Y. 2235
Nautilus Pirates 3rd Fleet Command
AAA Chaos Cruiser Prometheus

The Cyborg needlejet exploded into a rolling inferno above the Prometheus, as wreckage rained down into the water.

"Ensign, order the Wyvern and the Scourge to retreat and take out the remaining Cyborg transport. They're not AAA equipped and they will only get in the way here."

"At once, Rear-Admiral."

Beside the Prometheus, the Onslaught was not having as much luck. It was only equipped with AAA missiles, which only managed to dent the fuselage of the Cyborg needlejets.

The 3rd Fleet had been prepared for a assault on land, with AAA capabilities to support the Cyborg fighters. Now that the only targets were needlejets in the skies, half of the fleet had been rendered helpless, like lambs to the slaughter.

"Order the Scorpion to take up defensive positions next to the captured Cyborg transport to escort it back to base. We'll need all the AAA power we have. Oh, and any sign of the Mercury?"

"No, Rear-Admiral. The Cyborgs saw that our Recon Foil was unarmored and took it out in the early stages of fighting."

"Cyborg bastards! Our only consolation is that their Alpha Squadron has been completely wiped out."

As Rear-Admiral Thomas de Bilde spoke, the Prometheus blasted another Cyborg needlejet out of the sky and into the burning sea below.

"There goes the last of the Cyborg Alpha Squadron. Ensign, order the 3rd Fleet to withdraw and move back to base. Our job here is done."

The young Ensign did not answer, his eyes glued to the sensor screen. Rear-Admiral de Bilde moved quickly to his side. In a way, he knew what to expect, but what he saw stunned him.

Five needlejet groups! Five! Each comprising of 10 needlejets meaning 50 needlejets in all. de Bilde suddenly found that he could not swallow, the lump in his throat was too big.

"Ensign." de Bilde managed to find his voice, but the sound that came out was barely audible. "Order all Nautilus Pirate ships to retreat. Open up a data feed to the Maritime Control Center so that Svensgaard can see the battle. That is all we can do now." He closed his eyes.

****************

Nautilus Pirates AAA Missile Foil Scorpion

Lieutenant Commander Phelan Ward let out a whoop as he saw the Prometheus take out the last of the Cyborg planes. Around him, the crew of the Scorpion let out a collective cheer.

"Yes!" Phelan pumped his fist. His first taste of victory. Granted, it had been mostly the credit of the cruisers, but Phelan's Scorpion had taken out two Cyborg needlejets in their defence of the captured Cyborg transport.

"Lieutenant Commander Ward. I think you'd better have a look at this." The commtech's voice beside him faltered a little.

Phelan peered at the sensor screen in front of the commtech. He saw an array of dots, moving rapidly towards them in tight formation. The sensors marked their squadron designation as Beta, Epsilon, Kappa, Mu and Pi.

"They're Cyborg needlejets, aren't they?" Phelan tried to keep his voice steady, but failed.

The commtech nodded, his face a deathly shade of pale. "Cyborg reinforcements, Sir. 50 of them."

The celebrations in the control room of the Scorpion had dissolved into a stunned silence as realization struck the crew.

"Incoming orders from the Prometheus, Lieutenant Commander Ward. We are to retreat immediately."

"Do it, Ensign."

Phelan saw the Cyborg needlejets as a dark cloud on the horizon. The cloud grew larger as the needlejets neared.

Almost in slow-motion, just as the needlejets reached the Pirate ships. Their formation broke, and they descended on the ships like locusts.

Phelan saw the Scourge and the Wyvern, both attacking the Cyborg transport, explode in massive balls of flame. No chance for the crews to flee. I can only hope that their deaths were swift.

The Scorpion's AAA missiles, sped through the air. Most missed but those that hit caused the most damage. Phelan saw a Cyborg needlejet, wing clipped off by a lucky hit, crash into its comrade, both exploding in a sphere of flame and shrapnel.

Not far from the Scorpion, Phelan saw the Onslaught, beset upon by three Cyborg needlejets, take a hole in its hull and slowly sinking into the ocean.

The Cyborg needlejets were clearly holding back from the Scorpion, probably because it was guarding the captured Cyborg transport in close proximity.

"Take out the lead needlejet! The one sensors mark as Epsilon leader!" Phelan yelled above the din of the explosions all around him.

The Scorpion's AAA missiles realigned themselves and prepared to fire. Phelan looked at the sensor screen and saw that the dot representing the Prometheus had disappeared. He looked out of the window of the control room and saw the once majestic Prometheus, its hull riddled with holes and melted armor, slowly collapse onto its side. On the sensor screen, only a mass of red dots representing the Cyborg needlejets remained.

"Sir! Sensors have picked up Free Drone Interceptors on a vector heading straight for our position!"

Phelan shook his head sadly. "It's too late, Ensign. The 3rd Fleet has been completely destroyed. We are all that is left of it now. It shall be our turn next."

The Scorpion shook violently, throwing Phelan to the ground.

"They've got us, Lieutenant Commander! One more hit like that and we go down!"

"Targeting systems down, Sir! Our AAA missiles are no good now!"

They were sitting ducks now. There was no doubt about that. Phelan picked himself up from the floor.

"Very well. Ensign, order an immediate evacuation of the Scorpion at once in the lifeboats."

"Aren't you coming, Sir?"

"I'm afraid not, Ensign. The captain must go down with the ship. That's the way it is. Now go. This is an order."

Phelan could hardly believe what he was saying. He heard the little voice inside him. What the hell do you think you are doing? You are no hero. Think of your mother. What would she do if she knows you are dead? Run to the lifeboat. You can still make it.

Through a tremendous force of will, he supressed the insistent little voice. Phelan walked out of the control room and to the front of the ship. He screamed at the Cyborg needlejets in the skies, knowing that they could not hear him.

"Cyborg scum! Here I am! Come and get me if you can, you bastards!" Phelan screamed until his voice was hoarse, salty tears streaming down his cheeks.

A Cyborg needlejet, fatally damaged by a Free Drone interceptor, spiralled lazily through the sky and crashed into the Scorpion's control room. The detonation of the needlejet's engine threw Phelan against the railing of the ship.

Phelan could taste the warm blood in his mouth. The force of the explosion caused him to topple over the railing, to fall towards the sea below.

In a sudden moment of lucidity, he could see the sea growing larger and larger before his eyes. Is this what death feels like? Phelan felt himself hit the water and darkness surrounded him.

****************

Safe Haven, The Maritime Control Center

Svensgaard slammed his fist onto the table in front of him.

Five! Five groups of needlejets! The Cyborgs did not need his help to attack the Free Drones at all. They could have done it by themselves all along. The Cyborgs had planned to use the Pirates to distract the Free Drones while they launched their own attack.

"Damage report coming in now, Sir."

*****

*** Nautilus Pirates 3rd Fleet ***
Damage Report

Prometheus AAA Chaos Cruiser
Status: Destroyed
Commander: Rear-Admiral Thomas de Bilde
Status: KIA

Onslaught AAA Missile Destroyer
Status: Destroyed
Commander: Commodore Alexander Smith
Status: KIA

Scorpion AAA Missile Foil
Status: Destroyed
Commander: Lieutenant Commander Phelan Ward
Status: MIA

Scourge Missile Foil
Status: Destroyed
Commander: Captain Heinrich Wittig
Status: KIA

Wyvern Missile Foil
Status: Destroyed
Commander: Captain Susan Detloff
Status: KIA

Mercury Recon Foil
Status: Destroyed
Commander: Lieutenant Commander Gerald Templer
Status: MIA

*****

Svensgaard clenched his teeth together in his fury. An entire fleet, decimated. And Rear-Admiral Thomas de Bilde had been his friend, right from their old Navy days back on the old Earth. The Cyborgs had used him.

"Ensign. Prepare our 1st Fleet. We shall move to Free Drone territories at once."

And they were going to pay.

	20-11-1999 03:25									#68
	Support Apolyton

"I've reached the first checkpoint, Sean. Now where to?" Liz asked through her radio.

"That Sean's got his head in the clouds all the time," a memeber of her probe team quipped.

Liz turned around. "Stop it, Don. I know he can be a dreamer sometimes but if you had half of his depth and maturity you'd be much more of a man." Other team members snickered, but Don knew she wasn't serious.

He walked up close to her. "Awww, come on... I just don't know why you're friends with that guy. He totally freaks me out when he looks at me. I don't know what that guy's thinking." He gave her a peck on the cheek.

Liz sighed. Don would never understand their lifelong friendship... how she grew up totally infatuated with him in secondary school, but later turned off by his aloofness during seminary. Yet she still liked Sean, a lot, never understanding her real feelings toward him since they grew up so close together.

Then she met Don Kimball. Tall, good-looking, all the girls at the Neuroscience Academy were after him. And he chose her. His faith wasn't as strong as Sean's, but he did know how to have fun. Unlike Sean, he was direct and outspoken. They dated for years, off and on, but he never could really appreciate Elizabeth for who she was like Sean could.

And Sean didn't know about him.

"Don, I thought we had an agreement," Liz reminded him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know..." Don replied, backing off. No physical touching, they had agreed.

"Liz, you there? You need to turn south, toward the xenofungus," Sean said through the radio.

"All right team. Move out." Xenofungus always made Elizabeth nervous.

******************************************
Top Floor, Main Cathedral, New Jeruselum.

"Sister Miriam, in no way do I mean to question God's will, but may I ask what convinced you to appoint Minister Sean Yang to the Lord's Council?" asked Matthew Levtin, economic advisor.

"I know he doesn't have the necessary qualities of a leader, but the Holy Spirit moved me to appoint him. I have a strong feeling that he will be of special importance to us," Miriam replied. "Have faith."

Matthew nodded. That was enough to convince him. Reason and logic, man-made worldly wisdom, melted in the presence of faith.

Miriam then addressed the council. "Recently the number of mindworm attacks have risen, especially in our outer bases. Our soldiers are weary... their faith is weak." She turned to Peter Herriott, her trusted advisor.
"Order the governors of the 3 outer bases to recruit more trance and empath soldiers and to build a command center in each base."

Matthew spoke up. "Sister, I feel that the mindworms seem to purposely target our faction. Even moreso than the Morganites at times. I've been observing the economic behavior of the Gaians, and maybe if we try to emulate their system, it will curb the mindworm attacks."

Miriam did not like imitating others, looking to others, especially unbelievers, for guidance, for the only guidance should come from God. Nevertheless, she was curious. "Matthew, explain this system to me."

"Certainly. If we adopted this system, we would take full advantage of the recycling tanks, remodelling them to better adapt to the environment. Our bases would run much more efficiently, and given our sprawling kingdom, it seems fit to model this system."

"Intriguing," Miriam replied. She thought for a moment. "It seemed idolatrous to me at first to conform to this environment, succumbing to the pagan gods the Gaians worship. But all creation comes from God. We should respect it and attempt to live in harmony with it. We should not abuse our Promised Land."

Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. Any remarks close to idolatry in Miriam's eyes could result in probation. "I will restructure the economy at once."

"Wait," Miriam replied. "As economic advisor, I would have expected you to notice one flaw. By adopting this... Green system, mothers and fathers will desire to protect the environment. Instead of taking it for granted, they will grow to enjoy it. As they see the supposed 'ravages' upon our Promised Land, they will be repulsed at how humans, made in the image of God, have ruined this Planet." The Council stared at Miriam as she paced back and forth, eyes glowing and the gears of her mind turning, creating different scenarios and dissecting them with uncanny precision. It was times like these that Council members knew not to interrupt, for Miriam's God-given ability to psychoanalyze humans was at work.

"They will see the growth and reproduction of humans, obedience to God's command to be fruitful and increase in number, as a sin. A sin to Planet. Family planning and abortion clinics will arise--- hideous agencies designed to murder unborn babies. Of course, we can easily outlaw such facilities, but how can our followers understand such a policy when they see the hypocrisy in our Green, Planet-worshipping economics at odds with our Biblical social policies?" The holy fire in her eyes burned.

"Matthew, thank you for your suggestion. I certainly appreciate your initiative, but at the moment I must say it would be a dreadful sin to carry out this measure." Miriam spoke with a finality in her voice that Matthew dared not question.

"The command centers will be built right away," Peter remarked.

	20-11-1999 03:25									#69
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"I've reached the first checkpoint, Sean. Now where to?" Liz asked through her radio.

"That Sean's got his head in the clouds all the time," a memeber of her probe team quipped.

Liz turned around. "Stop it, Don. I know he can be a dreamer sometimes but if you had half of his depth and maturity you'd be much more of a man." Other team members snickered, but Don knew she wasn't serious.

He walked up close to her. "Awww, come on... I just don't know why you're friends with that guy. He totally freaks me out when he looks at me. I don't know what that guy's thinking." He gave her a peck on the cheek.

Liz sighed. Don would never understand their lifelong friendship... how she grew up totally infatuated with him in secondary school, but later turned off by his aloofness during seminary. Yet she still liked Sean, a lot, never understanding her real feelings toward him since they grew up so close together.

Then she met Don Kimball. Tall, good-looking, all the girls at the Neuroscience Academy were after him. And he chose her. His faith wasn't as strong as Sean's, but he did know how to have fun. Unlike Sean, he was direct and outspoken. They dated for years, off and on, but he never could really appreciate Elizabeth for who she was like Sean could.

And Sean didn't know about him.

"Don, I thought we had an agreement," Liz reminded him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know..." Don replied, backing off. No physical touching, they had agreed.

"Liz, you there? You need to turn south, toward the xenofungus," Sean said through the radio.

"All right team. Move out." Xenofungus always made Elizabeth nervous.

******************************************
Top Floor, Main Cathedral, New Jeruselum.

"Sister Miriam, in no way do I mean to question God's will, but may I ask what convinced you to appoint Minister Sean Yang to the Lord's Council?" asked Matthew Levtin, economic advisor.

"I know he doesn't have the necessary qualities of a leader, but the Holy Spirit moved me to appoint him. I have a strong feeling that he will be of special importance to us," Miriam replied. "Have faith."

Matthew nodded. That was enough to convince him. Reason and logic, man-made worldly wisdom, melted in the presence of faith.

Miriam then addressed the council. "Recently the number of mindworm attacks have risen, especially in our outer bases. Our soldiers are weary... their faith is weak." She turned to Peter Herriott, her trusted advisor.
"Order the governors of the 3 outer bases to recruit more trance and empath soldiers and to build a command center in each base."

Matthew spoke up. "Sister, I feel that the mindworms seem to purposely target our faction. Even moreso than the Morganites at times. I've been observing the economic behavior of the Gaians, and maybe if we try to emulate their system, it will curb the mindworm attacks."

Miriam did not like imitating others, looking to others, especially unbelievers, for guidance, for the only guidance should come from God. Nevertheless, she was curious. "Matthew, explain this system to me."

"Certainly. If we adopted this system, we would take full advantage of the recycling tanks, remodelling them to better adapt to the environment. Our bases would run much more efficiently, and given our sprawling kingdom, it seems fit to model this system."

"Intriguing," Miriam replied. She thought for a moment. "It seemed idolatrous to me at first to conform to this environment, succumbing to the pagan gods the Gaians worship. But all creation comes from God. We should respect it and attempt to live in harmony with it. We should not abuse our Promised Land."

Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. Any remarks close to idolatry in Miriam's eyes could result in probation. "I will restructure the economy at once."

"Wait," Miriam replied. "As economic advisor, I would have expected you to notice one flaw. By adopting this... Green system, mothers and fathers will desire to protect the environment. Instead of taking it for granted, they will grow to enjoy it. As they see the supposed 'ravages' upon our Promised Land, they will be repulsed at how humans, made in the image of God, have ruined this Planet." The Council stared at Miriam as she paced back and forth, eyes glowing and the gears of her mind turning, creating different scenarios and dissecting them with uncanny precision. It was times like these that Council members knew not to interrupt, for Miriam's God-given ability to psychoanalyze humans was at work.

"They will see the growth and reproduction of humans, obedience to God's command to be fruitful and increase in number, as a sin. A sin to Planet. Family planning and abortion clinics will arise--- hideous agencies designed to murder unborn babies. Of course, we can easily outlaw such facilities, but how can our followers understand such a policy when they see the hypocrisy in our Green, Planet-worshipping economics at odds with our Biblical social policies?" The holy fire in her eyes burned.

"Matthew, thank you for your suggestion. I certainly appreciate your initiative, but at the moment I must say it would be a dreadful sin to carry out this measure." Miriam spoke with a finality in her voice that Matthew dared not question.

"The command centers will be built right away," Peter said.

	20-11-1999 10:10									#70
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0430 hours
Temporary Command Center, Secret Hallow

“I’m sorry for the lack of a better facility then this tent, but a lavish headquarter facility is not our first priority.” Sinder said as she addressed the council in the morning of their fifth day at the Borehole Cluster. “I thought it would be good to have a council meeting, to help solidify our short term and long term goals.”

The council members nodded their heads in agreement, although they despised waking up this early. Zebra had refused to go to sleep last night until the network was up and running and he especially hated the idea of an important meeting before sunrise.

“First, Raptor, please brief us on your findings inside Borehole A’s surrounding building. Hopefully you have something for us, after three days of searching.” Sinder asked Raptor, who inserted a small micro disc into the holo-projector that was crudely installed on top of the table.

Apparently, most of the command and control equipment that the council was using, was pulled from the Messiah’s command room. Even, the temporary housing for the base was made up of parts of the aircraft’s fuselage.

Raptor touched his datapad, causing a three-dimensional picture of the building’s interior to form on the holo-projector.

“Apparently the building around Borehole A was not the University’s main research focus. Preliminary reports on the computers left by the University, have showed that they allocated most of their resources to Borehole B’s building. Which is close to twice the size of A’s. We are planning on scouting out B’s building this evening. It will take some time, but I’m sure we will have it debugged of any University traps within a few days.” Raptor finished and turned to Sinder, waiting for her obvious question.

But, to Raptor’s amazement, the next question came from the groggy Zebra who had his head on the table, almost sleeping.

“Have you fully checked the University files for any useful information. I was hoping I could get some preliminary information of the exact mineral and structural makeup of each Borehole. All we have is few indications of raw Chiron stone.” Zebra said as he drank some cold water, which unfortunately didn’t produce the effect that he wanted.

“Actually I’m glad you asked, this data file was downloaded from the central University computer in the building. It took us a whole day to brake into their systems, but we have quite substantial readings on this particular Borehole. Hopefully, Borehole B’s building will have the full file on all their observations, if they didn’t erase the files in the rush to leave here.” Zebra seemed satisfied as Raptor handed him a micro disk.

“I’m sure you gentlemen can talk further on the subject during the day, so lets move on.” Sinder paused to take sip of coffee, she had been saving for such a day. “What should we do about relationships between other factions. Is it wise for us to make contact, no one but Tomahawk and perhaps Morgan, know about our whereabouts. The University is also aware of the Borehole Cluster, but they don’t know we are here. Any suggestions?” Sinder sat down in an apparently uncomfortable metal chair.

“Perhaps we should contact Domai, his industrial might may be an asset to us now that we have an almost unlimited amount of resources.” Virus suggested as she shifted back and forth on her hard metal seat.

“You may be forgetting something Virus…. We have no way to get resources or people to Domai and his little drones. If you haven’t noticed, our only means of leaving, the Messiah, is nothing more than a piece of Swiss cheese, with all the salvaging we have done.” Beetle responded to Virus’s suggestion.

“But Beetle, Virus may have a good idea, we need to reopen comlinks with the drones. In the future we may need their help, and they ours. I have heard from the few operatives within the other factions that we still have loyal to us, that new forces are attacking the drones. We must correct this lack of information. If I remember correctly, our original faction goal was to know all secrets and all knowledge. I feel as if we have reverted to the Stone Age.” Sinder’s allusion to primitive man gave Zebra a small bit of a laugh.

“Then perhaps I better get out my bone horn and communicate with the Drones through different howls.” Zebra comically responded to Sinder. “We must remember that hijacking satellite communication is very easy to trace, and I suggest the bear minimum of transmissions until we have solidified our defenses and industry.” The council agreed to Zebra’s answer, and they decided they wouldn’t contact outsides until they were secure in their new residents.

“Next foreign affairs topic…. is Tomahawk. I hear he has eliminated his fellow council members and runs the Data DeCentral by himself. I’m also aware of a plot to attack Data DeCentral by the other factions, lead by the University.” Sinder said as she stood up and walked to the wall of the tent, remembering the beautiful landscape of Data DeCentral.

“We can not do anything for them. Even though it pains me to say so, I believe the other factions don’t understand what exactly they’re going to be dealing with. Tomahawk is a brilliant tactician, and is respected by his troops. Perhaps Data DeCentral has repaired the damage from the civil war and is ready for them.” Beetle said to Sinder’s back, as she continued to stand facing the wall.

She finally turned around, with a tear in her eye. She wiped her face, trying to hide her tears from the others, but her facial expression told a thousand words.

She finally spoke, “Raptor I want you to accelerate your scouting of the Boreholes and I want you Zebra, to scan that disk front to back, I need ways to help our friends in Data DeCentral, that we left behind. I had originally planned to take the city back from Tomahawk when we were a power to be dealt with, but apparently we must help Tomahawk in a fight against the other factions. Don’t do it for Tomahawk or his ideals, do it for the friends and family we left behind. We originally left the old factions to be free, we must stop them from retaking control or letting them take vengeance for my mistake. Virus and Beetle, I want you to contact Domai and get data on their plans to attack Data DeCentral. I don’t care about the risks.” Sinder hated the feeling of letting her former citizens fight for their freedom, without her. She had promised to protect them, but running and hiding was not protecting them. “Oh, I almost forgot, Zebra, after the hap complexes are built, start work on retrofitting the Messiah back to flight status. I think the old bird may have some flight still in her.”

Sinder ended the meeting and walked out the back of the tent alone, to contemplate her next move.

	20-11-1999 20:37									#71
	Support Apolyton

Location: U.N. Headquarters

"...And therefore, we can expect no assistance from the Gaians. Although they wish to encourage our efforts against the Hive, they have chosen to adopt a strictly neutral position in this conflict. They have, as they are frequent to remind us, problems of their own. Personally I believe that we are witnessing the effects of a strengthening move towards isolationism on the part of the Gaians. Only on the issue of the environment do they participate actively in world politics; and then mainly to shout down any proposal by the Morgans in the council."

The senior diplomat nods to Lal, and returns to his chair. I let my gaze slide across the room again; this is the third time I have been inside it. Officially, it is room 2631. Unofficially, this is Lal's favoured conference room; it is never reserved for any other use. There are seven people present currently. Three of us represent the government: Myself, as a science advisor, Captain-General Steppleton as a military advisor and Lieutenant-General Zhu as an intelligence advisor. Three other persons represent the civilian administration: mr. Makela, the senior diplomat (Lal insists that decisions on external affairs belong to the civilian administration. In reality Lal does all the deciding), miss Etienne of energy and trade, and mr. Khotar of Industry.

It is unusual for all six of Lal's advisors to be present simultaneously; last time, we were planning operation 'tunnel fire', in the beginning of the war with the Hive. This time, we have yet to decide a suitable name. Zhu's suggestion of 'D-day' was voted down as sounding too megalomanic.

Lal is resting his chin in his left palm. He is obviously unhappy with what he has just heard. "I suppose we couldn't bargain with them, as we did with the Free Drones?"

At this, Etienne stirs. "Well, we could trade technology for energy, but I am having difficulties evaluating our knowledge, since professor Kropotkin is unwilling to help."

I give an involuntary shudder. "Commisioner, It is my opinion that information should only be exchanged with information. Anyway, The market values for technology, as determined by Morgan Exchange, are grossly underestimated. We would never get a fair deal."

Zhu nods in agreement. "Knowledge is power, Commissioner. We should not trade power for a short-term gain."

Etienne turns towards zhu. "Nevertheless, we must replenish our energy reserves from somewhere; otherwise several civilian projects will suffer." Khotar nods. "Hear, hear."

Zhu's forehead wrinkles, and he turns to Lal. "My probe-teams could, of course, pay off themselves. If we were to drain some of Yang's energy resources-" Lal interrupts him. "Never. Those probe-operatives' lives won't be risked for a few megajoules."

Steppleton clears her throat. "Maybe we could hunt some mindworms? We know that their brains produce this weird pearl when they die, that stores massive amounts of energy."

Lal shakes his head. "That would hurt our relationships with the Gaians. They insist we shouldn't attack mindworm boils unless someone's life is in danger."

Suddenly, Khotar stands up. "Commissioner, I have a suggestion. As the factories of our capital have just recently finished another batch of military equipment, I propose that we now commence construction on this little idea that Etienne and I have been toying around with. I -that is, we- call it the Merchant Exchange. It would dramatically increase energy production in all areas."

This sounds interesting, so Khotar and Etienne are given the floor for almost eighty minutes as they explain their plan. In the end, everybody is extremely impressed. Khotar finishes: "I realize that this immense project will require a staggering amount of resources. In fact, we estimate about equal consumption to the Human Genome Project. I can tell you, I was far from pleased when I calculated the final cost of that project. But now U.N. Headquarters is much bigger; it could handle the construction in a significantly shorter time. So I think it is entirely possible to accomplish."

Lal nods. "Very impressive. I assume you will need the assistance of professor Kropotkin and his staff?"

"Only initially; to work out a design for the actual facility, and for some quick consultation during construction. But the main effort will come from our industry. Of course, everything would be much quicker if only you would authorise the use of one of the alien artifacts-"

I jump out of my chair. "NEVER! Those artifacts' capabilities are beyond our wildest dreams. To just unceremoniously use their abilities as building material would approach madness, and would certainly qualify as stupidity!"

Lal is amused by my outburst. "Calm down, professor. Your precious artifacts are safe. No need to get upset." He turns to Khotar. "You can, however, use a reasonable amount of energy to expedite construction in the later stages. The facility should not take long to repay itself."

Khotar and Etienne both signal their agreement, and Lal continues. "I wish to spend the rest of this meeting planning our continued military strategies, so you of the civilian branch are free to leave. Thank you."

Khotar, Etienne and and Makela leave. Steppleton rises from her seat and turns to face Lal, Zhu and me. "Now that our first batch of new units have been completed, it is time to discuss strategies. Commissioner, I know you have a strong desire to avoid military campaigns that probably cost a lot of lives, but in order to actually accomplish the goals you have set up -namely, drawing enough of Yang's men to our borders to give the Free Drones a chance- such a campaign is unavoidable. I want to make sure you understand this."

Lal nods. "Yes. You have to understand something, general. Once our goal becomes something else than merely keeping Yang at bay at our borders, I operate by different standards. As I have said before, it would be a great moral victory on my part if the Free Drones would survive and prosper; I could claim with renewed strength that Yang's social system is an insult to everything the U.N. stands for, and that it is highly susceptible to entropy. Also, I cannot imagine what Yang would do to a rebellious city; I'd prefer not to find out. I recognize that the only tool I have left is to wage intense war against the Hive; there is no more room for negotiations as it would only serve Yang." He sighs. "It is still with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the need for more aggressive military action."

Lady Jane nods. "With that in mind, I have drafted a plan. I want to replace all the infantry being scheduled for production in the second batch. Let's breed some mindworm boils instead."

Nobody is particularly happy about the suggestion. Zhu seems especially disturbed; I remember that he has actually survived a close encounter with a boil of mindworms. Steppleton sees this, and continues.

"I understand that you feel nervous thinking about those mindworms crawling around on our roads. Actually, after studying the Gaian technique I think they wouldn't use the roads very often; they are better at moving in xenofungus. Also, think how nervous the enemy will feel once those boils come swarming at them! Lal, it would spare a lot of men; one boil is easily as effective as an entire unit of infantry, and requires only three people, as a minimum, to manage."

Lal doesn't look convinced, but he is deep in thought. Eventually he nods. "What are you planning to use them for?"

"I intend to launch a full-scale assault on Communal Nexus with my normal units; needlejets, missiles, artillery, rovers and prototype chaos drop troops. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Freshwater Sea, I will form a strong defensive line consisting of garrison units with the prototype chaos 'copters as backup. If I guess right, Yang will pound on that defensive line for a while, and then relocate an ever increasing number of his military units to the defense -or, if we are lucky, recapture- of Communal Nexus. When that happens, our mindworm units will travel to Paradise Swarming, using the xenofungus as cover, and mount a surprise attack on the base. Once we have at least one of these bases it is unlikely that Yang will spend resources trying to eradicate -or even find- the Free Drones; he'll be much too busy with us."

Lal nods. "And the longer we keep one or more of his bases, the bigger the chances of the Free Drones, and the bigger initial advantage we have once the time is again ripe for negotiations. Very good. I approve of your plan, general. Let's follow it -until events force us to reconsider."

The meeting is over.

	21-11-1999 06:02									#72
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University Base - Temporary Headquarters

With a sigh the leader of the University of Planet set aside another damage report. He shook his head and picked up the second datapad left sitting atop his inbox. After quickly scanning its contents, he set it aside and pushed back from his desk. Academician Prokhor Zakharov swiveled around and took up a glass from the bar that sat directly behind him. He filled it with water, eyeing the vodka right next to the pitcher but decided against indulging knowing that today he would need a clear mind. Repairs were underway at his beloved University Base; the chemical weapons attack did little physical damage, but left a few building on unsteady ground. The worst part of the attack was the fact that hundreds of citizen’s lay everywhere; frozen visages of pain and bodies twisted into agonizing positions were the only real evidence that anything serious had happened at all. Removal of the bodies was the hardest part of the clean up, the deadly weapons turned flesh to putty, some people had to literally be scooped up with shovels; this did nothing for moral. Chemical residue covered everything and had to be scrubbed off by workers in sealed encounter suits before scientists could return to their offices. The latest statistics put the job at two months before things could go back to being semi-normal at the base. Zakharov slammed his fist down on the table as he took a sip of cold water. He had already made up his mind; the criminal or criminals responsible would pay dearly for such a devastating and unprovoked assault.

The door chimed and the University leader struck a button on the flatpanel display aside his desk reflexively. Zakharov had little time for titles; he thought them a waste of time, time that could be used for research. As such, the student entering his office walked swiftly to the desk and addressed him by his first name.

“Prokhor, one of our satellites picked up a slight distortion near the Bole Hole Cluster we were studying. The next time the unit passes by that area during its orbit I can have it perform a more detailed analysis. It may be nothing, but I felt it should be brought to your attention.”

He slid a datapad across the desk for the Academician to review before standing at attention in an almost militaristic fashion. Zakharov scanned its contents before holding it out for the student to take.

“Monitor that area closely, use two satellites if you need. I spent too many resources studying the cluster to let anything happen to it.” With a scowl he set his glass on the desk and leaned forward. “I will speak with Colonel Santiago about this too … I do not want any further misunderstandings to hurt our relationship. Report back to me when the satellites have made their pass.”

“The report will be on your desk by tomorrow evening.” With that the man turned on his heels and strode out the door, back to the satellite monitoring station.

Zakharov shook his head as he ran the new information through his mind. His list of things gone wrong was growing faster and faster as the week progressed. He adjusted his mechanical spectacles, pulled another report from the pile and finished off his water as he read.

	21-11-1999 07:53									#73
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Free Drone Central
Domai’s War Room


The reports had come in from Living Standard over a minute ago, and the arguing of the council members filled the room. The Cyborg needlejet cloud had totally destroyed the pirate’s fleet, and was moving on Free Drone Central. Although Falcon group had taken no damage, they had to stop and refuel at Living Standard. The Cloudbase was slowly following, but was falling more behind by the minute.

Domai fought for control, “Stop this! STOP AT ONCE!” Eventually the members quieted down and looked toward Domai.

Domai continued, “This changes nothing. The pirates did their part by disabling the transports and taking out the air cover. They did that, although at a great price. Now-“

Rockmore could be quiet no longer, “NOW we have 37 enemy jets and two shock troop squads on our soil!”

“The floor is NOT open to discussion right now, Rockmore!” Domai roared, suprising even Rockmore himself.

“As I was saying, now we need to stop those jets. Newman, are the Blade group bombers ready to launch?” Domai went on.

“Yes, foreman. Also, both Talon and Razor group are at 80%. If we time it right, we can catch the Cyborgs in the middle and attack them from both sides. That should give the Cloudbase time enough to catch up and join the fight.”

Domai nodded, “Right. Will the Falcon interceptors be any more use of us, Jeffred?

Jeffred checked his reports, “They are nearly done refueling. If we launch them several minutes after the other bombers, they should arrive there at the same time.”

“Yes… that’s 26 bombers and 10 interceptors against 37 jets. 36 to 37, with ten of ours being made for this. The odds favor us again. Lauch them, now.”

A com officer keyed in the orders. Rockmore waited to be acknowledged by Domai, and then said, “Sir, even with those odds, damage to our forces will be very high. Any faction that would want to carve us up could, very easily.”

Domai sighed, “I know. I know! But we aren’t doing this to stop them. We’re doing this to slow them down. Short attacks. Little damage to us, more to them. They’ll eventually follow us, and we’ll lead them right into the Cloudbase’s guns.”

Rockmore shook his head; “Eventually they’ll give up and just head straight for us here. It will buy us no more then five minutes, at the cost of Free Drone lives!”

Domai roared again, “I KNOW that Rockmore! Do you think I have any choice!? I don’t want to risk my people, yet we have to save the base! It’s the only way!”

Rockmore was clearly not happy with the plan, but before he could protest, a com officer reported, “Sir, the needlejets are closing in on the Cyborg fighters. ETA in one minute. Changing display to large screen… now.”

The seventy-some colored dots popped up on the display. Thirty-seven teal ones with 10 brown approaching from one side and 26 on the other.

	21-11-1999 07:53									#74
	Increase Your PM Length

Double post.
[This message has been edited by Jasonian (edited November 20, 1999).]

	21-11-1999 08:25									#75
	Increase the size of your Attachments

1430 hours
Sinder’s personal tent, Secret Hollow

“You weren’t yourself this morning.” Beetle said as he walked into Sinder’s tent.

“Perhaps, I’m not cut out to be your leader. I have made so many foolish decisions in the past, which has cost people their lives.” Sinder said as she looked at an old picture in her hands.

“Don’t be harsh, we didn’t make it this far without your careful decisions. But there are topics we must discuss.” Beetle put his hand on Sinder’s shoulder almost as if he were her father.

“Yes, you’re right, please take a seat.” Sinder lifted his hand off her shoulder gently, and motioned for Beetle to join her at the table next to her bed.

“We are not as secure as you let the others think.” Beetle said as he took a seat opposing to Sinder’s chair.

“You have a point. I’m sure the University is watching this plot of land very closely, especially as the tension between them and the Spartans eases. They will want their territory back.” Sinder responded as she looked Beetle strait in the eyes.

“How do you suggest we stop them. Is it also wise to put resources into a feeble defense of our old home, even if they are our friends. I’m sure they wouldn’t want us to risk this.” Beetle turned away, unable to hold the strict stare.

“That is true, we wouldn’t be able to physically help them. But, perhaps we can save some lives, or try to evacuate some civilians to safe factions, like the drones if they’re willing to harbor them.” Sinder stood up and walked to a portable mini-kitchen she had in her tent.

“When they attack Data DeCentral, Tomahawk may tell every one about our location and the truth about the chemical incident, if they haven’t already found out.” Beetle suggested as he stretched his arms out.

“It does look grim old friend, but we have survived harsher times. Remember the Believer probe crackdowns when we were still working for Morgan.” She said as she handed Beetle a glass of water and an old picture.

Beetle uttered a small laugh, over the sight of the picture.

“When and who took this picture? I’m sure Raptor would like to take a glare at this.” Beetle had a large smile over his face, as his mind filled with past memories.

The picture showed Sinder, Beetle, Raptor and Richmond in black plasma suits sitting on top of a believer statue of Moses in New Jerusalem Square. Richmond was hanging from Moses’ stretched arm, with his pants down near his ankles.

“Well, I don’t actually remember who took the picture. Oh yes….Virus did. Those were dangerous times….but good times none the less.” Sinder answered as she sipped out of her own glass of water.

“Well old friend, we still don’t have a defense or plan for the inevitable horde to come. I would hate to see all that we worked for go down the drain.” Beetle stood up from his chair and leaned against the chair as he waited for Sinder to respond.

“All will work out in the end…. You must have faith in our mission.”

“You sound like a Believer Sinder, I’ll go get you some ordained robes.” Beetle said as he let loose a bit of a chuckle, but Sinder didn’t laugh. “Well I do have some good news. We are ready to have our first elections. What made you go back to a full democratic system like Lal, especially in such a weird time.”

“Perhaps it’s my regret for my decisions in the past. But, I feel that freedom and the exchange of ideas and feelings is the only true way to live. Perhaps, It’s my time to leave.” Sinder walked Beetle to the door and stopped. “Who is running against me?”

“If I remember clearly, no one is, Sinder. Like I said before, we all still trust you, and we understand you make wrong decisions. You are human after all.” Beetle finished and walked out the door.

*********************************************

1500 hours
Borehole B’s Surrounding Building

“Herc what do you got on your scanner, anything coming up?” Raptor was following behind Mongoose at point, with Jacobs and Herc behind him.

“Raptor… I’m reading a large room coming up, about two hundred meters along our current route. Some strange magnetic fields are surrounding the room, it could be what we are looking for.” Herc said as he looked at his strange readings on his datapad.

“That’s good news, but lets be heads up gentleman, I’m sure the University left some welcome gifts to visitors.” Raptor said to the whole group as they walked slowly in the middle of the hallway.

Borehole B’s surrounding building was strange, compared to the other buildings at the cluster site, besides the obvious size difference. B building, as they referred to it, was covered with strange text along its walls, obviously different then any tongue they had ever heard of.

“Do you hear that Raptor?” Mongoose asked as he placed his head against the floor.

“What is it Mongoose, nothings on my scanner? Herc, check yours.” Raptor walked closer to Mongoose, as he un-strapped his rifle from his back.

“Something is coming, there may be two….no….. shoot.… three people incoming.” Mongoose jumped up, un-strapped his rifle and dived for the cover of a nearby bulkhead which protruded from the wall.

A buzzing sound was coming from the pitch black hallway ahead, then suddenly Raptor and Herc, who were still standing in the hallway, turned to see Jacob explode into pieces the size of human hairs. Herc threw up from the site, but Raptor quickly pushed Herc to the cover of a bulkhead across the hallway.

Three large droids came rolling down the hallway, with one droid’s weapon still fuming from its discharge.

“Mongoose, cover me. Herc, help him.” Raptor yelled across the hallway, to where Herc and Mongoose were hiding.

Mongoose, without even looking stuck his gun out into the hallway and started firing, not sure where exactly he was shooting. Herc, who was still was throwing up, just sat there with his hand holding his stomach in agony.

Mongoose’s impact shots just bounced off the robot’s photon armor, as they slowly advanced on the small group of humans.

“What the hell are you doing Raptor, we need to combine our fire.” Mongoose who was still firing blind from his bulkhead, screamed over to Raptor.

“Hold them… I need one second.” Raptor responded as he went through his backpack.

Three shots crashed into Mongoose’s bulkhead, almost ripping apart the structure. Then a shockwave of energy ran through the hallway, and the shooting stopped.

“Darn we got lucky. I wonder why my EMP shut down those robots down? I thought the University had learned their lesson a while back.” Raptor said as he stuck his head out from his own bulkhead, seeing the three droids standing their, motionless.

“I guess I’ll write the letter. I hate when I get to know these kids.” Mongoose suggested as he turned to what was left of Jacob.

	21-11-1999 12:52									#76
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

After days of trudging through the xenofungus, the Believer probe team finally caught a glimpse of the destination in the horizon.

Redemption base… Liz said to herself. This was one of her favorite bases. She remembered back in seminary when her and Sean spent a weekend retreat there. To get to Redemption Base, they rode the newly-built Planetary Transit System. The primary means of transportation, it consisted of galvanized tracks interwoven throughout the Believer empire. Fill the earth… God had commanded. This wonder would help them do just that. She remembered looking out the window at the rolling hills, clear blue sky, with her drowsy head rested lazily on Sean's firm shoulder…

Now the former tracks were corroded and dilapidated.

"Put on your neural helmets," Sean commanded the probe team over the radio. "Liz, this is it. Countless lives are at stake, and the fate of our kingdom rests upon you… But no pressure," Sean joked.

"Thanks," Elizabeth replied, smiling. She heard Don groan in the background. The moved on.

When they had reached the outskirts of Redemption Base, Elizabeth froze in her tracks when she saw what used to be a Believer base… Sacred churches that lined the streets were being bulldozed by University formers. Crosses and angles that graced the buildings were skinned off by unforgiving chisels and hammers. The statue of Father Abraham at the entrance was replaced with a statue of a man with frizzy hair and a moustache, no doubt some famous scientist that used to live on Earth. The central cathedral was wrapped in scaffolding, used to strip the outer walls of anything holy, and a giant observatory was being installed at the top. And to the side, at the end of a quaint cobble-stoned street, lay the rubble of what used to be a wooden chapel. It was there that Sean prayed for me and comforted me when I found out my father died…Liz remembered.

Two University guards approached them. "Who are you, and what business do you have here?" The first guard asked.

Liz quickly removed all signs of shock and horror from her face, then turned to face the officer. "Greetings, we have been sent by one of Prokhor's research aides to help install a new experimental security device, to prevent probe attacks in this newly acquired base. Namely, from the fanatics up north." Liz felt a twang of guilt for lying, for bearing false witness, but now was not the time to resolve moral dilemmas. She held out her ID.

The others did the same. As the guard scanned each one, he remarked, "You know, I don't understand those 'believers' at all. I don't get how they can just blindly place their faith in something they can't even prove exists. Our society discovers new truths each and every day, while they stubbornly cling to their dead traditions…" He breathed a sigh of pity. Liz, with her neural helmet on, could sense the thoughts of anger running through the minds of her probe team.

Liz, sensing the softness of his heart, replied, "Every day we discover new truths that reveal to us more and more the complexity of the universe. And the more complex the universe, the smaller we humans are. Perhaps all these truths are just part of a greater Truth, a Truth that maybe these believers have discovered." The guard mused for a bit. "Perhaps," he replied.

The second guard stepped forward. "What are you talking about? Those zealots have been brainwashed since birth! Only morons would actually accept such nonsense. And they are now paying the price for their primitive ways…" she smiled, cocking her chaos rifle.

Liz glared at her. Had she been there to subvert the base, these guards would see the error of their ways and immediately accept the Truth. However, that was not her mission. "Let's move," she told her team. Wearing pressed white lab coats, neural helmets disguised as regular headgear, and fake ID's clipped to their breast pockets, the team advanced.

New Jeruselum, Main Cathedral

"Sister Miriam, the latest update from abroad: the hackers over in Peacekeeper territory have informed me that they plan to launch an attack on the Hive," said Bartholomew Jenkins, foreign minister and oldest member of the Lord's Council.

"To quash their brutal police state, no doubt," Miriam replied. "But why now?"

Bartholomew said, "Apparently the Hive's forces have been diverted elsewhere. Other than that, data is inconclusive."

"Interesting," Miriam thought. At the moment, although the Believers were engaged in a treaty of friendship with the Peacekeepers, Miriam despised their godless and wretched "democracy." To accommodate the ideals of anyone meant to accept those that ran contrary to God's law. It was clearly an unacceptable government. Nevertheless… "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God," Miriam quoted to herself. She then remembered the times with Lal on the Unity, how they were the only ones voted against splitting, while the other faction leaders selfishly pursued their own paths…

And certainly it could not be compared to Yang's dictatorship. Miriam lost probe teams all the time, but if caught in Yang's claws, they were never allowed to die a martyr's death, but were tortured day and night. Stories of persecution and beatings were rampant. Christian missionaries were hunted for and killed. Experimental brainwashing drugs were injected oftentimes into Hive citizens, and drones who dared to riot were nerve stapled.

Miriam then reminded herself of her ultimate goal… to save the millions of souls from the evil clutches of the unbelieving faction leaders, but she couldn't take them all on at once. The University was being handled, but perhaps it was time to confront the Hive.

She responded, "Bartholomew, I worry that my contacting him will induce him to coax me into joining his entangling alliances, thinking that I have adopted his worldview. Nevertheless, he is the one I trust the most at this point. If Operation Chaos is a success, then I will pray about whether or not to contact Lal within the next few days." She hadn't talked to Lal for years. I wonder how he will react… she wondered.

Redemption Base, Research Hospital

"Come on, Liz, hurry it up," Don gently coaxed. After easily passing through layer after layer of security checkpoints, the Believer probe team finally reached their target.

"I'm doing the best I can," Liz replied, flicking switches, setting up equipment, and entering passwords at lightning speed. This speed had earned her the title of valedictorian back at the Neuroscience Academy.

"Finally." She pressed a red button, and the equipment began to hum quietly. Immediately she linked the four probe team helmets together with a special thin wire.

Sean's voice cracked through the radio. "Probe team, remember, it's important that all of you remain linked together. By operating together, you increase the effectiveness of the information transfer nearly a hundredfold. Enter the University database, find the information we need, and download it. Each step requires full concentration. May God be with you." Sean knew they could easily just download the information electronically, but the Believers recently discovered that by using the power of the brain, combined with their unwavering faith, the process was quickened considerably.

"Go," Liz commanded. Each member closed their eyes, and their neurons began firing at twice the regular rate. Mental probes dove into the University datalinks, scanning the grids for the desired theory. As probe team leader, Liz concentrated the most, clicking away with her fingers, entering fake passcodes whenever they arrived at a new network node.

In the command room of New Jeruselum, Sean faced a large screen. One side showed all the data that they were scanning; numbers, formulas, and theories flew left and right. Suddenly, it stopped.

"Sean," crackled a voice over the radio. "Is this the data we're looking for? It looks unfamiliar." Sean quickly read it, then replied, "No. Keep going; I'll let you know when we reach it." As governor for 8 years, Sean was well-versed in current Believer technology.

After a few minutes, which seemed like eternity, they hit upon something... "That's it!" exclaimed Liz, intuitively knowing they had found the buried treasure. Complex formulas, radical fifth-dimension mathematical equations, and zeno-modern theories characterized the data.

"Congratulations," Sean confirmed. "Begin the download. Please concentrate, all of you. We haven't much time."

As the probe members' brains burned, they realized that the amount of information was more than they had imagined. The Academy had not prepared them for this much data. One member felt like he was going to have a stroke. Liz concentrated the hardest, eyes squint shut and teeth clenched. Her sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Suddenly, the mental stream was reduced tenfold. Someone had stopped focusing. "Footsteps!" Don whispered to the probe team. The other two members looked up. Clip-clop, clip-clop… they could hear. These were organized footsteps, marching with the military rhythm like that of a Roman phalanx.

"We've got to get out of here!" screamed Don under his breath. "They know we're here. This mission is over. We can come back later!" The other probe members began to panic, their concentration relaxed, increasing the mental burden upon Elizabeth tenfold more.

"N..o!.. We.. must finish.. the download!" Elizabeth hissed. "If we fail, another base will be captured, and thousands of people will die. Those who survive will have their brain wiped clean of the faith that have sustained them their whole life! There is no next time!"

A voice crackled through the radio. "Liz!" Sean yelled. "They're coming! Abort the mission!" Sean knew he was operating against protocol, but Elizabeth's life was at stake, and each footstep tightened his nerves like a rope in a fierce tug-o-war.

The soldiers were coming closer, still quite a way down the hall. When Don turned around, he noticed the other probe team members had fled. He looked at Elizabeth's figure, trembling under the weight of the mental burden. "Elizabeth. For God's sake. Please stop!"

"Almost.. finished…" strained Elizabeth, feeling the last bits of data coarsing into New Jeruselum. Suddenly she heard a click. Turning around, she saw Don, shredder pistol in hand, extended toward the oncoming University soldiers.

"Noo!!" screamed Elizabeth, hitting Don's arm just as he pulled the trigger. No more death… She was too late. A soldier felt a sharp pain run through the side of his body, and he realized a shadow at the end of the hall. Intruder!

The distraction severed the mental link. Quickly, Liz turned back toward the apparatus. Only a few more seconds… Liz said, reestablishing the link.

Don knew that was it. The soldiers didn't know how many intruders there were. If he left now, they wouldn't go after him. Looking one last time at the woman he loved, he turned and abandoned her, mentally blowing her a goodbye kiss.

"LIZ!" cried Sean over the radio, tears streaming down his face. "Run!!!"

"Hold it right there," came a stern voice. Elizabeth suddenly opened her eyes. It is finished…

…On the left side of the screen, where Elizabeth's camera view was, he saw the barrel of a shredder pistol aimed at her head.

…On the right side of the screen, Sean saw the words "Download Complete."

But when he looked back upon the left side, all he could see was static.

	21-11-1999 18:36									#77
	Tired of ads?

M.Y. 2235
Nautilus Pirates First Naval Battalion Command
AAA Chaos Battleship Dreadnought

****************

BEGIN CONFERENCE LOG

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: Have the co-ordinates of the rendezvous point with the Lightning and the Star of Chiron been relayed to Port Svensgaard?

Vice Admiral Bernard Rawlings: Affirmative, Captain. The ships have departed from Port Svensgaard and will join up with the fleet at sector 3612.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: Good. Now, what of the Peacekeepers' requests?

Rear-Admiral Daniel Milstein: We have sent them whatever data we possess about the Cyborgs, not that we have much of it, anyway. We have also agreed not to reveal the existence of the Free Drone bases to the other factions on Chiron.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: What of the upgrading of our current ships and garrison troops?

Rear-Admiral Winston Osis: The production of new Chaos weapons are already underway in our bases at Safe Haven and Port Svensgaard. Deducting the energy credits we have set aside to pay the other factions as reparations, this massive upgrade of our current weapons has left our energy reserves practically empty. However, my estimate is that in 4 months, all of our ships and troops will be fully equipped with Chaos weaponry.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: Excellent. Now, gentlemen, is there anything else you would like to bring up? Admiral Jenberg?

Admiral Karl Jenberg: You will have to pardon my bluntless, Captain Svensgaard.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: Go ahead, Admiral.

Admiral Karl Jenberg: Captain, I'm sure that you realize that we have played our part in the defence of the Free Drones, and have suffered great losses, losing an entire fleet. We have made good our promise to the Peacekeepers and the Free Drones. Why, then, have you deployed our largest naval battalion to fight the Cyborgs? This is a waste of resources! More casualties will be incurred! In my opinion, we should turn this ship around and head back to base. Leave the Free Drones to their own devices!

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: I recognize your concern, Admiral Jenberg. However, you must see that this battle does not only belong to the Free Drones now. It is now also a battle which we must fight. I...

Admiral Jenberg: Captain, I know that Rear-Admiral Thomas de Bilde went down with the 3rd Fleet. I also know that he was your friend, one who landed on this planet with you. I have met Thomas on several occasions and I know him to be a good man. I am saddened by his death as well. But surely you cannot send an entire fleet to fight the Cyborgs just to avenge him! I urge you to reconsider cancelling this mission at once.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: Please, Admiral Jenberg, let me finish. I did not authorize this mission merely for revenge on the Cyborgs. It is true that I wish to crush the Cyborgs for tricking and destroying our forces. I also wish to avenge the death of my friend. However, there are other reasons as to why I ordered such a large fleet to Free Drone territories. First, the Free Drone defences will have trouble handling such a large Cyborg air force. If they fall and the Cyborgs capture the Cloudbase Academy, our faction will surely be next. We cannot allow them to capture the Cloudbase. Furthermore, I have spoken with Foreman Domai of the Free Drones and he is a reasonable man who cares about his people. He will make a good ally in times to come. Second, I realize that a fleet half the size of this is sufficient to help the Free Drones in their defence. You know that besides the Cyborgs and the Free Drones, the Peacekeepers are at the scene as well. We shall show them that we are a force to reckoned with. Now, Admiral Jenberg, do you have any more questions?

Admiral Karl Jenberg: No, Captain. I apologize for doubting your intentions.

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard: No need for apologies, Admiral Jenberg. Your worries are well founded. Gentlemen, if there are no more questions, I advise that all of you get some rest. The conflict with the Cyborg air force will not be easy. Dismissed.

END CONFERENCE LOG

Datalinks Item 835-NV-2235

****************

* * * Nautilus Pirates First Naval Battalion * * *
Status Report

Commander-In-Chief: Captain Ulrik Svensgaard
Second in Command: Admiral Karl Jenberg

AAA Chaos Battleship Dreadnought
Commander: Captain Ulrik Svensgaard

AAA Chaos Cruiser Thor
Commander: Admiral Karl Jenberg

AAA Chaos Cruiser Loki
Commander: Vice Admiral Bernard Rawlings

AAA Chaos Destroyer Meteor Strike
Commander: Rear-Admiral Winston Osis

AAA Chaos Destroyer Victorious
Commander: Rear-Admiral Daniel Milstein

AAA Missile Skimship Lightning
Commander: Captain Kenji Nakayama

AAA Missile Skimship Star of Chiron
Commander: Captain Wendy Fisher

Missile Foil Panther
Commander: Lieutenant Commander Juan Ortega

Recon Foil Lurker
Commander: Lieutenant Commander Henrik Svensson

Current Location: Sea of Mnesimache

[This message has been edited by dante^ (edited November 21, 1999).]

	21-11-1999 18:36									#78
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

M.Y. 2235
Nautilus First Naval Battalion Command
AAA Chaos Battleship Dreadnought
Location: Sea of Mnesimache

Ulrik Svensgaard leaned over the railing of the ship. The Dreadnought, named after the ship that so dramatically changed the naval arms race back on the old Earth in the 20th century. As technology progressed, so did the ships, but the name had stuck with all of the ships under Svensgaard's command.

There was almost complete silence, all except for the low hum of the ship's engines. Svensgaard savored the silence. He knew it would soon be destroyed by the explosions.

"Captain Svensgaard, you had better come take a look at this."

"What is it, Ensign?" Svensgaard turned to face the speaker.

"Sensors detect over thirty Cyborg needlejets over Free Drone airspace. Currently engaging Free Drone interceptors."

"How long before our ships get in range?"

"ETA 12 minutes, Captain. The Lurker reports that two Cyborg Chaos Shock Troops squads have landed on the Free Drone land mass and are now moving towards the Free Drone base Living Standard."

"Well done, Ensign. Keep me informed."

*****

Some of the Cyborg needlejets broke off from their engagement with the Free Drone interceptors and dived to fire upon the waiting fleet below.

"Hold our fire, Ensign. Target the needlejet the sensors mark as "Kappa Leader". Wait until it gets into range before firing." Svensgaard ordered.

Around the Dreadnought, the other ships opened fire in unison. The high-pitched whine of the ships' Chaos Guns filled the air, along with the roar of the AAA missiles.

A Cyborg needlejet, mortally wounded by the Chaos beams, fell, spinning nose over tail to crash into the ocean before exploding, littering the water with its burning wreckage.

"Hold our fire, Ensign. Let it come nearer."

"But Captain, it's already in range..."

"Do it, Ensign!"

The needlejet marked as Kappa Leader neared the Dreadnought.

"Captain?"

"Hold your fire, Ensign!"

Even closer now.

"Now Ensign! Fire with all guns!"

There was a low hum as the Dreadnought's Chaos Guns charged up, and Kappa Leader detonated into an inferno in the sky above the ship.

The ensign slumped back in his seat in relief. Nonetheless, he was impressed with Svensgaard's vision. A squadron leader was usually more heavily armored, and if the Dreadnought had fired earlier, it would not have destroyed the needlejet and allow it to take a shot at the ship.

Nearby, the Panther, the Missile Foil which had accompanied the fleet to act as support for the Free Drone land defences, had been hit hard by Cyborg fighters. Its crew was diving overboard to escape the imminent explosion.

The Free Drone interceptors were faring well against the Cyborgs. Casualties among the Free Drones were mercifully low.

The same could not be said for the Cyborg needlejet squadrons. They were dropping like flies through the combined effort of the Pirates and the Free Drones.

The skies cleared while the Free Drone interceptors mopped up the last of the Cyborg needlejets.

Svensgaard was pleased. Damage done to the Pirate fleet had been surprisingly low, much lower than the estimates.

"Ensign, order the fleet to retreat beyond Free Drone borders. Foreman Domai will be pleased with the results of the battle today."

	21-11-1999 21:01									#79
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Location: The Dream of Planet

"Michael, wake up! Come on, get out of it for Panet's sake!"

Michael can only faintly hear the pleading voice; he is surrounded by total blackness and cannot feel anything. There is only that faint, insistent voice. And something else; Michael slowly becomes aware of a presence, in the same way that a person senses someone watching. He tries to move, to search for the intruder, and the faint pleading disappears. The feeling of being observed strengthens, and suddenly there is a faint light.

Michael is looking straight up at a black, starlit sky. He is lying on a thick mass of black tentacles. They are warm and comforting, and occasionally one of them wave about in the air. He stands up and looks around: There is nothing to be seen, all around the horizon, except this gargantuan field of black. No hills, no lights; nothing. There isn't even any sign of an atmosphere: Michael can clearly see stars positioned a mere hundredth of a degree above the horizon.

The feeling of being observed is really intense now. Michael cups both hands around his mouth and shouts with as much power as he can muster:

"CAN YOU HEAR ME? WHO IS OUT THERE?"

The shout seems weak and thin, yet it produces an immediate effect. Suddenly the field of tentacles starts to ripple; concentric rings flow outward from Michael at a dizzying speed. Michael can only stare, fascinated, as the ripples disappear in the distance. Then he sees that there are ripples returning, as if travelling in reverse. He watches with mounting apprehension as the ripples get closer and closer.. until they disappear under his feet, and he is blasted by the Voice.

"PLANETMIND DREAMS ALONE. EARTHMICHAEL NOT WELCOME."

The force of the voice throws him into the air, but instead of falling back down he accelerates into the void.

Suddenly he feels as if he has hit a wall. An instant later he slams open his eyes, and sits up so fast that he head-butts Werner, who was standing over him. Then his head starts to spin, and he falls down heavily onto the bed where he was lying.

"AAAaargh, you broke my nose! Man amb I glad to see you awake, Wernder! Blasted pladet, I deed a bed-hypo for dsis bloody dose..." Werner stumbles off, holding his gushing nose. Anthony helps Michael sit up again, and smiles slightly.

"We thought for a moment that you'd be playing with the mindworms for ever after, Michael."

"Uh.. wha.. what happened?"

Anthony tells him. Michael looks around the room, and spots Affiz and Ling lying on similar beds like his.

"What about Affiz and Ling?"

"We had the autodoc inject a mindworm-neurotoxin harmless to humans that killed the foreign cells in their system. They are resting now." Anthony looks really concerned when he continues. "It's you that is the problem. We couldn't detect any of the mindworm cells in your bloodstream, but they are still there. You see, they are pumping out huge amounts of neurotransmitter-chemicals into your system; your brainwaves are totally berserk as a result. And we have given you a double dose of neurotoxins, twice, but it hasn't had any effect. The only reason you are with us now is because we pumped you full of a tranquilizer for mindworms. It's dangerous to humans only in massive quantities, so you shouldn't feel anything besides a slight groggyness."

"Are you kidding!? I feel like I hiked here from U.N. Haven City without a breather! Everything's spinning and I think I'm gonna -oh no-"

A noisy interlude later, Anthony clears his throat.

"There. Feeling better? Good. We have to get you and them two loaded onto the rover real quick, so that we can get you to the research hospital at Safe Haven before it gets worse."

"Didn't Werner say that the cells would die after two days?"

"That's what we hoped. You see, you have been unconscious -well, unconscious is as good as I can describe it- for three days now, and there's still no sign that the cells have stopped producing neurotransmitters. Wherever they might be. And we can't keep you on the tranquilizers forever."

"Well so long as we get to Haven City without any problems."

"Even during the trip we'll have to cut down on the chems; otherwise your liver might get damaged. This trip isn't going to be very nice for you."

"No sense in waiting then, is there?"

Anthony smiles. "When Werner returns he'll help me get the three of you into the rover."

Fifteen minutes later Werner closes the back door to the rover and turns to Anthony.

"Well there they are. I'll call Safe Haven and tell them you're coming. I'll say you experienced an attack by mindworms; they're still mapping the full range of effects this can have on a human, so they should believe it. Once they actually start to examine you people they will probably be too fascinated to really care about the truth."

Anthony grins mirthlessly. "Thanks. In your shoes I'd clean my face before calling them; you look like you'd have run several times into a wall. Then again, maybe not.. it might help you convince those docs."

"Right. Well, you'd better get moving. It's going to take several days and, frankly, I don't think that Michael is going to get better by himself."

Anthony climbs into the driver's seat, and closes the door. A thump is heard as the rover seals itself, followed by a loud hissing as it fills with breathable air. Werner watches as the rover speeds down into a valley between the main ridge and a lower peak. Half an hour later it passes over the lower peak and is gone.

	22-11-1999 04:27									#80
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Free Drone Central
Domai’s War Room


The final reports of the battle were in, and they were considerably better then the last. With the arrival of the AAA equipped Pirate fleet, the Free Drone jets and Pirate cruisers had swatted down the Cyborg fighters. Only three jets, Mu One, Beta One, and Kappa Two were unaccounted for. They were assumed to have retreated, because even a weak garrison wouldn’t have too much trouble with a mere three jets.

Damage reports were also encouraging. The Pirates had lost only one ship, the Panther , and had taken minor scratches to hull armor. Ten Free Drone jets were down also. Three from Blade, two from Razor, one from Talon, and two Falcon interceptors. The rest were en-route to Free Drone Central.

Foreman Domai, with a large grin on his face, took control of the council once more; “All right people. Let’s wrap this up. Rockmore, what do we do about the two chaos shock troops that have landed near Living Standard?”

Rockmore rose. He too was pleased, for this plan had worked rather well, “Well, we have two conventional missiles here on standby. If you wish, I could fire both of them and destroy the shock troops nice and cleanly.”

Domai shook his head, “No… we can’t use them both. What about the Cloudbase? Can it handle them?”

Rockmore checked his datapad, “Captain Sheldon says that they could handle them, but damage would be taken to the Cloudbase itself.”

Domai pondered this, “Hmm… fire one missile, and have the Cloudbase take care of the other shock troop squad. Peacekeeper Diplomat Bodinksy, I hear that you’re people didn’t even join into the battle. I would like to know your reasons.”

Bodinksy looked uncomfortable, but he answered, “Well, three reasons. One, we did not have to risk our ships, since the forces in the area had things under control. Two, we have never declared vendetta on the Cyborgs, for we have not been threatened. We believe that negotiation is still an option between the Drones, Pirates, and Cyborgs. A long war is unwanted by all our nations, as you say, Foreman.”


Domai seemed pleased by being quoted, but his face remained hard, “I’m sure you are aware of the loss of the Pirate’s fleet. You did nothing to help them during that battle.”

“There was nothing we could have done, Foreman. Our ships were made for ground bombardments and land troop coverage. We could not have done a thing to air threats, and would have been sunk like the Pirate fleet was.”

“I see the reasoning, but you left them to die, without even trying.” Bodinksy started to protest, but Domai went on, “No no. None of that. It’s in the past now. You can make it up by getting Lal to try put pressure on the Cyborgs to sign a truce with both us and the Pirates.”

Bodinksy seemed relived, but Domai said, “There were three reasons, sir?”

“Ah… ah yes. The third reason is the reason we’re passing through here. We’re on a joint Peacekeeper/University mission to investigate and possibly eliminate a rogue base on the Isle of Dexamenus. We have reason to believe that they, and not the Spartans, were responsible for the attack on University Base.”

Domai paused, “I see. Well, I hope you deal your justice to those atrocious fools. If you’ll excuse us, Diplomat, we have some more things to discuss.”

Bodinksy rose, “Of course, Foreman. I’ll contact you before my people leave.” He left the room.

After the door shut, Domai said, “Malcolm! Status report of the Isle of Dexamenus!”

Malcolm checked the latest map data, “Claimed by no faction, sir. Small isle in the deep south oceans. Lots of rare chemicals and elements in the soil. No known bases or outposts.”

“Deep south… yes. Makes sense. Nice and remote. Too cold for a beach resort, but warm enough for easy survival. Those elements must have been useful…” Domai mumbled.

The rest of the council just looked at Domai, “Umm… sir? What are you talking about?” Malcolm asked.

“Call up Sinder. Now. I think we’ve found where they are.”

The rest of the council seemed to mull over what Domai had just said has Malcolm entered the comlink.

~ The frequency you have entered does not exist. Please hold while you are forwarded to the new frequency. ~

Domai just stared at that message. Had something happened the Data Angels’ capital tower? Before he could think too much about it, a gruff man appeared before him.

“Huh? Who are you?”

“Ahh... this is Foreman Domai. If you will, I wish to speak to Sin --.”

“No, I will not. How did you even get this number?! . Get back to work, you slacker. We don’t have time to mess with the coms.”

The man disappeared, and the screen was filled with static.

Cloudbase Academy


The scopes showed the missile impact perfectly. One entire Cyborg troop was taken out, and the other was being pelted by both the Cloudbase’s guns and Living Standard’s garrison. The troop would not last long. Finally, all the Cyborg invaders of Free Drone Nation had been eliminated.

	22-11-1999 04:50									#81
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

University Base – Temporary Headquarters

“It is as you feared Prokhor, the Believers successfully downloaded our information on chaos gun technology. Our best projections suggest that they can have a working prototype in one months time and can upgrade existing weapons soon after.” The University advisor shifted her weight from one foot to the other uneasily, this was the third time she had to make a less than promising report to Academician Zakharov in one days time. Natalia was a respected scientist in her own right, but her eye for detail and organizational skills earned her the position of Chief Advisor.

Zakharov nodded gravely, this would top his list of bad news. His nemesis Miriam had just evened the playing field in a five-minute transaction of data. He hated war; it took so much away from his precious research. The sending of potential scientists out onto battlefields to fight disheartened him; any advantage he could give his soldiers he would.

After a long silence, the leader spoke. “Transfer some more of the newer students to the war department. The Believers will use the chaos gun against us, but it will take them time, time we can use to improve on the technology, perhaps even surpass it.” The scientist in him winced at having to do this, directing research like this was against his principles, he felt it inhibited freethinking. “Anything else to report on the situation?”

“The subject responsible is in custody and being questioned, you may interrogate her personally if you wish. So far we have learned nothing from her, she has no file and answers only with quotes from scripture. I doubt you could do better yourself.” Normally any kind of quip questioning the ability of a leader would be met with harsh retribution, but Zakharov insisted his advisors speak frankly.

“I do not think that will be necessary. She will not tell us anything, but I believe there may still be some use for her.” A small green dot flashed in the upper left hand corner of his left eyepiece. The current time and a brief reminder were projected, the numbers and letters seemed to be suspended in the air a few feet from his face, but were actually only a millimeter in size and displayed across the surface of the eyeglass.

“We shall have to discuss this later today; I have a conference with Commissioner Lal and Forman Domai in a few minutes.” Zakharov tapped a few buttons on his flatpanel display and watched as the room darkened. His advisor took a seat in the chair provided and prepared to take notes as the ceiling divided to reveal a large electronic apparatus. There was a brief flicker as the holographic projectors warmed up, but within seconds the transparent forms of Lal and Domai appeared.

“Greetings gentlemen. I know the tide of battle is close; this Cyborg faction has shown great determination at expanding their territory. Therefore I shall not waste your time. I can commit a fleet of neddlejets to the defense of your Cloudbase Academy Foreman, but I do not have many pilots to spare. My own dispute with Sister Miriam is going well, but I must continue to press my advantage less she gain the upper hand. I have been told that you can expect ten jets to arrive within two hours time, if you can hold out until then, I have no doubt the Cyborgs can be held at bay for the time being. An engineering team is accompanying the fleet and will dock with the Cloudbase, I personally selected them to help with repairs and upgrades to your existing neddlejets. Is that sufficient…?”

Domai flashed his classic stalwart smile and nodded. “Thank you for your assistance. I have no doubt that we can force the Cyborgs back, but we will be left with very little in the way of defense, your needlejets will supplement whatever we have left.”

Commissioner Lal added a nod of his own and spoke in his always-moderate tone. “Your efforts to help preserve this fledgling faction dedicated to freedom and human rights is greatly appreciated Prokhor. I have no doubt that a lasting peace between the three of us will result.”

The Academician offered a rare smile before continuing. “I am glad to hear you say so. You can count on my aid against Chairman Yang after the party responsible for the chemical weapons attack against my people has been apprehended. For now though, you two have a war to win against these Cyborgs.” The trio bid one another farewell and Zakharov slid a finger across a lit portion of his flatpanel display and ended the holo-conference. The lighting increased and he turned towards his advisor, still sitting quietly in the corner of the temporary office. “Any thoughts Natalia?”

His advisor leaned forward and pulled the chair along to move from the corner to sit in front of the desk. “The Free Drone faction may prove to be a greater ally than expected. They will no doubt provide an alternative to Morgan products if their industrial rate continues at the pace it has. Competition between the two would mean lower prices for everyone, I suggest we aid Domai in any way possible.”

“I have to agree. Mr. Morgan has a monopoly on more products than I can count, but with enough help from the Peacekeepers and us, we can even out the trade market a bit. My only concern in this mysterious Cyborg faction, what did they call themselves?”

“The Cybernetic Consciousness.”

“Right, the Cybernetic Consciousness. One of the students in the satellite monitoring station is performing sweeps around the Bore Hole Cluster, ask him to keep an eye on the area surrounding Free Drone territory while he is at it, we might be able to spot one of their bases.” Zakharov stood up and waved for Natalia to follow. “Come, I am heading in that direction anyway, I have been neglecting some research of my own, and if you happen to see David on your way, tell him I am in my lab.”
[This message has been edited by Jayk (edited November 25, 1999).]

	22-11-1999 09:55									#82
	Support Apolyton

1600 hours
Borehole B’s Surrounding Building

“We are coming up on the room… the strange readings are getting stronger.” Herc had fallen behind the group, and was still hurting over Jacob’s death, but he refused to quit.

Mongoose, who continued to lead the group, raised his hand, and brought the group to a stop right before the entrance to the room. He motioned for Raptor and Herc to get up against the wall, which they did right away.

“What do you think is in their, another trap?” Herc asked as Mongoose motioned for Herc to shut his mouth, and to listen for any approaching ambushes.

After several seconds of listening, Raptor and Mongoose loaded their impact rifles with new energy charges, and stood ready for action against the wall.

“On three….I’ll go up the right side of the room, and you take the left, remember to hug the walls. They probably are expecting people to travel strait into the room.” Mongoose whispered across the hallway to Raptor.

“One….Two….Three!” Raptor yelled and they dashed into the room, hugging the walls looking for cover. But, to their surprise, nothing attacked.

“Herc, get a flare, light this place up, it’s to dark.” Raptor said to Herc, who had followed Raptor along the left wall.

Herc took a small red stick from his jacket’s inside pocket, and rolled it into the center of the room. Both, Raptor and Mongoose held their guns in firing position waiting for Herc to turn the flare on.

“Here we go…” Herc whispered to Raptor as he touched his datapad, igniting the reddish flare.

Both combat men strained their eyes to see the center of the room, as the flare lighted up the room. Not until, a couple of seconds, did the men see how large the room had actually been.

“What the hell is that thing….it looks like a spider?” Herc said, apparently getting over his previous sickness.

“Stand back gentlemen, I don’t know what this thing is, but it doesn’t look friendly.” The always-careful Mongoose responded, as he took a step back farther against the wall.

Raptor, carefully, walked forward, still holding his gun at firing posture. Three large multi-legged metallic objects filled the large room. Apparently the center object was larger than the other two. Raptor, walked up to the behemoth, and carefully touched its metallic armor with his hands.

“Man that’s cold, this thing must have been sitting here a hell of a long time.” Raptor said as he slowly placed his gun on the ground, and took out his global to contact Sinder.

“Use the global’s onboard camera, Sinder and Zebra, will want to take a look at the object when we get back.” Herc suggested as he walked slowly to Raptor.

“Do you think the University built them, maybe for mining or something?” Mongoose asked as he walked up to the larger one in the middle of the room.

“Who knows, in all my engineering career, I haven’t seen anything like this before.” Herc responded as he took readings of its structural makeup.

“Although, I’m sure you would like to stay down here Herc, we better get back. I’m sure Sinder and Zebra will want a full scientific team down here. And quite frankly, these things scare the **** out of me.” Raptor said, as he finished taking shots with his global.

	26-11-1999 02:46									#83
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

University Base – Zakharov’s Private Laboratory

Prokhor Zakharov stood leaning over a sealed glass dish; his spectacles clicked as they digitally magnified the image. Millions of microscopic viruses floated in an incubating gel, ready to attack and destroy any living cell that came close. The master scientist raised a hand at the hushed sound of the laboratory door sliding open to silence anyone entering. His glasses clicked again returning to normal magnification and with the tap of a button, a mechanical arm extended to lift the glass dish into an isolation chamber. Glancing up, the Academician nodded and waved the newest occupant over.

“You are just in time David, there is now enough of the virus for testing. Natalia told you I was looking for you?”

“I was in the satellite monitoring station by chance, Leroi asked me to help identify some new fungus growths they picked up on their screens; she came in and told me.” The unusually tall assistant passed him a metal box the picked up from the far end of the lab table that he motioned for. At almost 252 centimeters (close to seven feet) in height, David Jones had to duck down to see into the isolation chamber.

Speaking into his headset, Zakharov began his experiment. “I am taking off the lid and removing a slab of reanimated human liver cells. The cells are being placed inside the entry port where they will meet with the live virus. The delivery sequence has begun, cameras are active and the timer is ready. Cells entered and virus released.” Within seconds, the liver cells started to mutate; although invisible to the naked eye, Zakharov’s enhanced glasses gave an up-close view of the carnage.

“Excellent work Prokhor! The deterioration rate is four percent faster than you expected, not a big deal, but impressive all the same.” David folded his arms across his chest grinning; he knew the University leader liked praise, even if he would never admit it. This particular project was important to Zakharov even though it was destined to never see the light of day, the scientist knew and perhaps feared what retroviral engineering could do. “Now what was it you needed to speak with me about?”

“Yes, right…” The eyepieces of Zakharov’s glasses clicked and the scientist looked away from his work. At just under five feet tall, he had to look up when speaking to his assistant. “By now you must know that our interrogators have finished questioning the Believer prisoner.” David nodded at this before Zakharov continued. “Your studies into Chairman Yang’s mind control techniques may be useful in persuading her to help. I have asked for her to be transferred to your laboratory so you could begin right away, there are four armed guards, but they have been instructed to keep out of your way unless she tries anything.”

“I was not expecting to do anything like this so soon, but I am fully prepared.” He smiled broadly; in his own way, Zakharov had just earned David some major bragging rights.

“Good, when I am finished monitoring things here, I will join you.” With that, Zakharov picked up a datapad and began to take notes on what he was observing within the isolation chamber. David simply turned and walked towards the door running the mind control procedures through his head. He tapped the wall panel that opened the door and stepped out into the hall nearly bumping into four security personnel and one special prisoner.

An ironic smile crossed the assistant’s lips as he stood towering over the Believer spy. “Welcome to University Base, this way please.” David led the group down the hall and hit the access panel to his private lab opening the door, smaller than Zakharov’s, but just as cluttered. The four guards took their prisoner to the only chair in the room, a special one with restraints of its own; she allowed herself to be tied down without resistance. The security team took up positions out of the way and let the doctor work.

“You will not feel anything more than a slight *****, otherwise it will not hurt and if you are a good patient, you may even get a lollipop. You can call me Doc Jones if you’d like, although you won’t remember me in an hour.” She looked up at him and glared, not daring to say a word, but letting her anger show through her eyes. As David injected the first of many chemicals into her bloodstream, her head bobbed as she grew tired and ultimately passed out.

“Is she dead Doctor?” David sighed at the guard’s ignorance, only those that did not make the grade in school ended up doing security service.

“She is quite alive and if everything goes correctly, she will live for a long time, provided of course she survives the bomb I am going to program her to plant in Miriam Godwinson’s headquarters.” He could not help but grin at that. It was his idea, his research that would make it all possible. As soon as the Believer Probe member was captured, a stack of proposals landed on Zakharov’s desk. It was his that won out. The whole procedure was relatively simple, David designed it that way; University scientists were very liberal with research. Anyone could have done it really, but the thrill of getting to meet and mind control a Believer spy was not wasted on anyone else.

	26-11-1999 02:48									#84
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

University Base Headquarters Public Announcement

“It began as an American tradition. Celebrated year after year by millions and hailed as the greatest holiday of human kind. Today I call for a return of this tradition, not as the holiday of a nation, but as a holiday of Planet. I declare today, now and for all time, New Thanksgiving. Our scientists have been working in secret for the past month on replicating turkey through advanced genetic engineering. The Civil Patrol has opened the Recreation Commons to all for a grand feast in the great Earth tradition. I invite one and all to join us on this day of thanks; to those factions receiving this broadcast, we have plenty to go around. Transport units have been loaded and are prepared to make deliveries. Thank you for your time and have a happy New Thanksgiving.”

The red light atop the broadcast camera turned off and the crew applauded. Prokhor Zakharov stood and bowed to his small audience. “Please, everyone, take the rest of the day off and enjoy.”

The news station staff began to shuffle off thanking the University leader as they left. When everyone had gone, Zakharov sat back down in his chair and frowned. One of his advisors had come to him after a talk with the local governor regarding the low moral of the nation after the chemical weapons attack. It took a lot of persuasion before he agreed to close his precious research labs and cancel building projects, even if it was for only one day. Zakharov knew he would have to appear at the University Base Recreation Commons before food was served, but that did not stop his from reading a handful of research reports before hand. He would also have to prepare a speech. The intricacies of such social activities were not foreign to him, but he preferred the physical sciences to those of the social realm.

Tomorrow, things would return to normal, though talk of the unexpected event would no doubt continue for days to come. Many figured their leader to be too analytical for such a thing. His advisor was right, this would do wonders for his image among the people, no matter how superficial and irrelevant he thought it was. A few number crunches projected that productivity would increase as a result, which was a definite plus. As long as it made up for giving everyone a day off, he would be satisfied.
[This message has been edited by Jayk (edited November 25, 1999).]

	26-11-1999 13:14									#85
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

*bing!* rang the elevator.
Top floor, Main Cathedral.
"Sean! You better start saying your prayers. You're about to meet Sister Miriam!"
"Snap out of it, Sean. You're so out of it all the time!"
"Escorting you to the top floor gives me an excuse to spend time with you. You're so dang busy all the time."
"Piece of cake."

Blinking his eyes, Minister Sean Yang cleared the tears that surged in his eyes. It was another meeting of the Lord's Council, and he couldn't let his grief and emotions about Liz overtake him... he had to show Miriam and the other Ministers that he had a strong and stoic faith.

This time, as he nodded to the guards, he didn't hear the usual low hum of their weaponry, but a new, barely-audible, pulsating sound of the prototyped chaos weapon. The fruits of Elizabeth's labor...

"Sean," came the resonating voice of Sister Miriam. "We know how much Agent Wivern meant to you. However, rest assured that her treasures and rewards in heaven are great, and that her soul is secure, safe from this unforgiving Planet." She smiled.

Sean returned an obviously forced and weak smile. "Thank you. Now, what business must we attend to?" Liz hates it when I change the subject so quickly...

Peter spoke up. "The governors of nearly all the bases have been trying to upgrade all of our soldiers to use the new chaos weapon. Our first prototype has already been built!" He said proudly. How ironic... Liz sacrificed her life to promote even more death... a new way of killing people, something she absolutely hated. Even tried to save the life of that University soldier from Don's shredder pistol.

"Excellent," Miriam replied, then turning to face Bartholomew. "I have been praying lately about the decision to contact Lal and join his crusade against Chairman Yang. I suddenly remembered that he is actively engaged in a friendship with Zakharov. I cannot tolerate this." The bitter feud between Miriam and Zakharov... so similar between Sean and Don. And yet Liz always tried to make them get along... Blessed are the peacemakers...

"Thus, I have come to a decision. I am unsure how successful Lal will be against Yang by himself, or whomever else he has managed to ally himself with. Nevertheless, we shall only offer our assistance against Yang if he agrees to break off the treaty of friendship with Zakharov. I certainly admire his peacekeeping efforts, but we cannot allow him to accommodate the murderous 'research' of our Provost friend." Liz was a champion against the unethical research practices of even our own Believer scientists...

Sean then introjected, fearing if he were silent any longer, his thoughts of Liz would inundate his mind, driving him insane. "Sister, might I suggest that you send a diplomatic letter electronically to Lal? I fear that if we contact him through the commlink, he will start his peacekeeping sinveling, trying to coax us into any number of entangling treaties. There's no need for us to get tangled in the same diplomatic mess he's in." Sean sounded remarkably confident and direct, qualities he had always lacked in. Qualities that Liz admired about Don...

Miriam was also impressed.. "I agree, Sean. A letter would get the point across. And Lal would have to take it or leave it. Regardless of his action, it matters little to us. I shall write this letter personally, and I would like all of you to review it in a few days."

"New order of business," piped in Andrew Rivier, Minister of the Seas. Like other Ministers, he was born of Earth. He was a former fisherman, and a quiet and reserved man. "Our efforts at colonization and exploration into other territory has been repeatedly thwarted. For years, we've wondered why our transports mysteriously disappear... The other day, however, we received a garbled message through the airwaves from our latest transport. Our ship was clearly being attacked, but we are unsure of the culprit. Other factions' ministers have told me of the same mysterious raidings on their ships..."

Miriam thought for a moment. "Peter, order Loaves and Fishes to begin construction of a probe team ship." "Sean, I'm leaving for Loaves and Fishes tomorrow. I'm so glad we ended up in seminary together; but don't worry, I just know I'll see you again soon!" But she was in New Jersulem the whole time... "I have also heard rumors of these ship raiders... Perhaps they are the reason why other faction leaders have been preoccupied. In light of the importance of this mission, I will appoint our new Head Probe Team Agent, Don, to lead the ship." "Why can't you be more like Don?" Sean's face was hard as stone.

Miriam continued, "I am anxious to colonize other lands, and I want to put our Planetary Transit System to its full use..." "Isn't this great, Sean? Check out how fast the trees are going by!" "...for the Believers shall be as numerous as the stars, and as countless as the sand on the seashore." She began speaking in the voice she used when preaching. "Let us not become discouraged, as Peter was when he saw the storms about him, but let us keep our eyes focused on the Lord, and we too shall walk on water. God bless." [i] Liz would've quoted word for word, the actual scripture being referred to.

After saying her usual benediction, the Ministers left the room.

	27-11-1999 10:14									#86
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

M.Y. 2235
Location: Unknown
Date: Unknown

Phelan Ward struggled impotently against the two men forcing him down into the steel chair. Though he had never considered himself especially large or strong, he'd not been manhandled like this before. Try as he might, he could not wrestle his wrists free from his captors' steely grips.

His captors snapped metal cuffs to his forearms, and then bound his upper arms to the chair and secured his legs. Both men moved as swiftly as medtechs securing a patient, and exited the room, the door sliding shut behind them, leaving Phelan in absolute darkness.

Phelan decided against testing his restraints. The metal cuffs holding him down were immovable, to struggle would be merely a waste of energy. Above him, recessed overhead lights glowed softly, allowing Phelan to see himself reflected in a mirrored panel that made up the middle of the wall.

Mild static crackled down at Phelan from some hiding place in the ceiling. He couldn't discern the gender of the speaker, the tinny voice almost sounded as if it was computer-generated.

"Begin log. Let the record show that this is the first interview with subject 37208M. The subject seems to have recovered from the minor injuries sustained during his capture."

Injuries? What injuries? Phelan felt a mild soreness back between his shoulder blades. Must have suffered a concussion after I fell off the Scorpion. Can't remember a thing after that.

"State your name." The voice returned, completely devoid of emotion.

"Phelan Patrick Ward." Phelan stared at his reflection in the mirror.

"Deception will not help you."

Phelan tried to remain calm. He sat back in his chair and continued to stare at his reflection. "My name is Phelan Patrick Ward."

"Very well." This surprised Phelan somewhat. Is this doubt I detect in the voice? Perhaps I am not talking to a computer after all.

"Phelan Ward, are you in the service of the Nautilus Pirates Naval Corps? Do not nod, please state your answer clearly."

"Yes, I am."

"What is your rank in the Naval Corps, Phelan Ward?

"I am a Lieutenant Commander. Before my capture, I was in the command of a AAA Missile Foil, the Scorpion, before it was destroyed by Cyborg fighters." Phelan narrowed his eyes. I can almost guess what they're going to ask me next.

"Good. It is best that you are specific in your answers. Next, we need you to tell us how many fleets the Nautilus Pirates Naval Corps possess under arms as well as the size of these fleets."

"I'm afriad that I am not privy to such information." Phelan practically spat out the words.

Silence.

The fear that he had been abandoned shot through Phelan like a laser bolt. He tried to suppress the gnawing hollowness that had appear in the pit of his stomach. Calm yourself! You've been in solitary confinement for so long that any contact seems to be a godsend.

The voice returned abruptly. "Very well, Phelan Ward. We had hoped that we would not have to resort to this."

Phelan heard a door slide open behind him. He braced himself. Although he had mentally prepared for any pain, Phelan twitched involuntarily as something sharp lanced into the vein at his elbow. And then, he felt the chemicals flood into him.

For a moment, he felt nothing. Then it began. It felt that a million fire ants were marching through his insides, tearing off choice morsels as they went. A huge disc of light flooded into his eyes from above the mirror, blinding him.

It felt like he had been gargling razor blades that way his throat hurt, not to mention that his tongue felt like an unwelcome stranger in his mouth.

"Now, Phelan Ward, we shall continue. Tell us about the project that the Pirates have just completed."

No! I will not tell them anything! Phelan shook his head to clear it, but to no avail. "I... don't know."

"Take him up to the seventy-fifth percentile, but keep him there for no more than four minutes." The voice barked out the command.

Phelan suddenly felt like his head had been seperated from his body and was floating about the room. He felt as if a ton of bricks as been laid on his chest, compressing his ribcage, crushing his heart. Not to mention that the fire ants marching through his insides had invited their friends along as well.

Phelan was brought back to reality with a jolt. He was still in the room, with the blinding light in his eyes.

"Phelan Ward, tell us about the project."

"The... the Maritime Control Center.." Phelan barely managed to choke out the words. "Improved comunications between ships and control at bases... Better port facilities at the Naval Yards. Allow... greater mobility for ships..."

"Excellent, Phelan Ward. Now you shall tell us about the size of the Pirate fleets."

They want to know about my home! Safety of my people at risk. I must not tell them anything...but it is so hard not to. The pain...so intense...but I must...hold on...

"I don't know."

"Take him up to seventy-five again."

Phelan's feet turned to ribbon, which twisted and twisted and twisted together, sending a burning pain up his thighs. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and his head slumped to the side.

As suddenly as it had started, the pain stopped.

"No! No, no, no, no, no..." Words falling meaninglessly from his lips.

"Back off to the seventieth percentile. He has no resistance, no chemo-immunity developed in him. A strong will, no more."

A soothing note entered the voice. "Phelan, we are all friends here. Tell us, or we will have to take you up to eighty. I'm sure you don't want that to happen, don't you?"

Phelan tried to hold his answer in, but cracks had started to appear in the mental dam he had built up. Please, make it stop....

"The...Navy has...four fleets. No, no, three fleets left... One destroyed totally..." Phelan sobbed unashamedly as the words came out.

"Two reserve fleets...each fleet has minimum of two cruisers...and four skimships. Depends on the commander. Fleet configuration not fixed....can call up reserves to suit needs of mission..."

"Chaos gun prototype completed...Chaos weapons will replace obsolete weapons soon..." Hot tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Very good, Phelan Ward. Now we shall start again, from the beginning, to make sure everything tallies. Work with us and we will not have to hurt you again..."

[This message has been edited by dante^ (edited November 26, 1999).]

	26-11-1999 23:25									#87
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Cloudbase Academy


“This is Captain James Sheldon to the incoming University needlejets. Welcome to Free Drone Nation. Docking control will guide you through the landing procedures on the Cloudbase.”

Captain Sheldon put down the com and wandered back over to the large window of the Cloudbase’s bridge. Up ahead, he could see the towers of Free Drone Central. The factory’s construction has been proceeding at a decent rate, and their population had rose to almost 50,000 souls.

Finally, the Cloudbase would hang above Free Drone Central again.


Free Drone Central


“Foreman Domai, the Cloudbase reports that the University jets have docked. They will be aiding in the repairs of Talon, Razor, Blade, and Falcon groups until their assistance is needed.”

“Very good Malcolm. Has the University officially declared war on the Cyborgs?”

“No, sir. They are giving these jets to us, at least for the time being. That way, we get our reinforcements and they don’t have to be in another war.”

“Smart move. Keep me updated. Domai out.”

Domai shut the comlink and checked up on the reports. Upon receiving the University declaration of “New Thanksgiving,” he had decided to declare it their forth national holiday and give his people another day off. Considering the hardships they had endured increasing their power and fighting the Cyborgs, they had earned it.

It seemed the Cyborgs had heard the transmission as well. Free Drone Central found itself under heavy artillery bombardment and seizure. The garrison had been totally destroyed, and Domai was forced to use their last remaining missile to destroy the remaining invaders, leaving Free Drone Central completely defenceless. With the arrival of the Cloudbase, however, it seemed as if they had one more line of defence until the new garrison could be produced.

Domai wasn’t about to let that last line fall, and had authorised four projects to find and neutralise the Cyborg threat.

Free Drone transport foil
Off the coast of Living Standard
“Project One”


Venus never could get used to the smell of Planet, especially of the sea. The air back on the Unity had seemed so much more… pure, yet it had a stale quality to it. Here, the smell of life was everywhere.

After weeks of listening at their remote outposts, the Free Drones had concluded that they Cyborg bases were somewhere to the north, although exact location and distance were completely unknown. Blind search and aid from the second part of the project would help them find their goal.

Venus and two of her probe teams were moving along the coast of Mount Planet. Eventually, they would be exploring blind, searching for some landmass that could hold the Cyborg bases. Once there, they would subvert a Cyborg unit for transport back, and download a copy of the Cyborg map files. This knowledge would back up the third and forth projects, which would hopefully force the Cyborgs to sign peace.

Venus knew a lot was riding on her getting this project done. Without map data and a Cyborg unit to study, the rest of the projects would have no chance of success. Hopefully, their second project would be online soon, and would give them some guidance.

They left the coast, and sailed off into the murky blue.


Worker’s Paradise
Time: New Thanksgiving
“Project Two”


To most of the citizens of Worker’s Paradise, it probably just looked like a dud firework. The surprise holiday had done wonders to conceal its very existence to those who weren’t working on its development. Even the other factions wouldn’t be aware of it, at least for the moment.

After Lal had sent the Free Drones the Orbital Spaceflight technology, Domai knew the importance of launching a satellite. Not only would a sky farm boost their rather low nutrient surplus, it would be covered with sensors, monitoring equipment, cameras, and other fun spy stuff. He knew that Angels would kill to get their own satellite and be able to stop ‘borrowing’ others for their own uses.

New Thanksgiving continued, the oblivious citizens now watched from orbit.

	27-11-1999 04:09									#88
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Private Ulrich meets Lieutenant Cormora.

Location: U.N. Information Agency:s Command Center

Major O'Toole nods at Manuel. "At ease, premier lieutenant, I hope you had a nice R&R. I have read your report on the end of operation 'Tunnel Fire', and I have some information regarding it."

"Yes, sir?"

"Manuel, your leadership skills deserve recognition, as well as your courage. Know also, that taking prisoners is considered grounds for promotion. Therefore it is with pleasure that I have asked captain-general Steppleton to award you with the rank of captain. The reply came this morning, and here are your new stripes. Congratulations!"

Manuel's head spins as the major shakes his hand and hands him his stripes. O'toole continues. "You'll meet the remnants of the second company, combined into one platoon, at seventeen-hundred hours. At twenty-one-hundred hours you'll assume command over the entire second company of the 27th regiment, including the two new platoons. After that you will take your fresh company out to the supply depot where you'll get the latest airdrop equipment as well as your new chaos rifles. At zero-five-hundred hours tomorrow you will report to lieutenant-colonel Koshima for your first runs in the simulator, and by the end of the week you and your company should know all the secrets of air-drop assaults. So first thing next monday you will report back to me, and I'll brief you on your part in the upcoming operation, codenamed 'Noisemaker', and a little detour you will make before that, to test your airdrop skills for real. Got all that?"

"Got it, sir."

"Good. Know that you also have some rookies in the firt platoon, as there wasn't enough veterans to fill it. They are led by one Corporal Jan Ulrich; a promising kid but volatile. Here's his data. Take it's advice, and keep him away from any future Hive POW's that you encounter, and he'll be fine."

"Will do, sir."

"Right. There is one more thing. Koecker sends his regards. He thanks you for getting him out of Communal Nexus, and will send some of his wages as soon as he gets a job."

"Have the empaths declared him trustworthy already, sir?"

"No, but they are expected to do so this week. After that the research hospital in U.N. Headquarters will examine him one last time to see what additional info they can find out about the Hive's attempts at cloning."

"He said to me that the Hive was merely at the Retroviral Engineering stage."

"That's bad enough; ask the University if you don't believe me. Hmmm. I'm not supposed to tell you this, but no-one has specifically told me not to, either, so here goes. The docs mapping Koecker's genetics have discovered that his system is engineered to be immune to an awesome amount of potential superdiseases. It seems that the Hive is keeping genetic warfare as an option."

Manuel simply nods, looking thoughtful. Major O'toole continues, with a smile.

"I'll see if I can get you some more time off later on, 'cause rumour has it that your name is on one of the next batch of 'Exemplary Service' medals being handed out."

"That would be nice, sir." Manuel smiles broadly, salutes the Major and turns around smartly. He waits half a second to stop his head from unscrewing from all the news, and then proceeds out of the office.

	27-11-1999 11:38									#89
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

The gleaming cross around her neck glistened as she spoke. "How could they appoint you as Minister in the Lord's Council? You are hardly fit for a leader." She laughed, her mocking words piercing Sean's heart..

Elizabeth paced back and forth, eyes fixed steadily at Sean. "To think I sacrificed myself! Because of your own blunders as an inept probe team commander! The Believers' mighty probe ability... undermined by the University, known for its pathetic security! You have made God's people a laughingstock of the entire world!" Her voice was filled with anger... Sean could do nothing... say nothing.. She's right... I'm so sorry, Elizabeth...

"You're a Judas! You betrayed me. You knew you should've taken more precautions before sending us into the research hospital. You insisted on speed..." Suddenly she laughed.. not her usual teasing laugh, but an icy laugh that spewed daggers into Sean's soul.

"The fastest probe team mission in Believer history!!! Operation Chaos! Congratulations!! Hahahaha.. Do you like your new medal, 'Minister' Sean? This will get you points with Miriam, you know." She smirked. "Look at your medal. Everytime you think of it, I hope the guilt you feel for sacrificing me tortures your inner-most being with an agony comparable to that of hell itself!"

By this time, Sean was on his knees... Liz... forgive me.. tears fell from his eyes, pattering the ground...
"Ironic, isn't it? The 12th member of the Lord's Council. A perfect position for a Judas such as yourself. Judas! Judas!!" Her voice suddenly became a torrent of rushing water.. his ears were filled with sound...

"Sean."

He looked up, his vision was blurred. As he came into focus, he saw a face mixed with compassion and anger. Sister Miriam continued, "Minister Yang, we cannot have you daydreaming during the meetings of the Lord's Council. Please stay focused." Minister Thomas Sheldon sat across the table from Sean, shaking his head. Miriam claimed that God had chosen Sean to fill the post of Minister, but Thomas was the most outspoken minister arguing against the appointment of Minister Sean Yang. How could such a young person qualify for such a post?

Miriam knew how sad Sean was feeling, but she had to insist on discipline. Sean had to accept his loss, and move on with his life. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away... Perhaps she had witnessed one too many deaths in her lifetime to have any more compassion...

Sean knew Elizabeth would never say things like that. However, the guilt he'd been feeling in the past few days was unbearable. But now he must focus. I need have more confidence in myself. That's what Liz would want.

Miriam continued. "I have composed a letter to be sent to Brother Lal of the Peacekeepers. I will read it now, and I welcome any suggestions."

"To Brother Pravin Lal of the Peacekeepers, from Sister Miriam of the Believers:
Greetings.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I hope your humanitarian initiatives are proceeding to your satisfaction. It has been a long time since we last chatted, but something has come up and I would appreciate a response ASAP.
Sources tell me that you are currently engaging in a vendetta against the Hive. Although I find it a bit hypocritical that one who preaches peace is at war with another faction, I applaud your efforts in ridding the Planet of Chairman Yang's brutal dictatorship. I, too, have been offended by Yang's government for many years, and I desire to rescue the hapless Hive souls, but I have been preoccupied with the University. However, the Lord has been good to me of late, and I am willing to offer my assitance and join your crusade against the Hive, though I know our motivations are different. Our chaos weapon has recently been prototyped, and it's a matter of a week or two before all our troops are upgraded.

However, it pains me to see that you are still in friendship with the University. In the name of 'research,' many human lives have perished, with the survivors living the rest of their lives at the mercy of experimental chemicals running through their system. Truly their disregard for human life offends you, a distinguished, upright humanitarian, as it does I? You desire peace between my people and theirs, but you see it runs contrary to everything we believe in.

Therefore, I request that you cancel your treaty of friendship with the University. Only then will I offer my assistance against the Hive. Realize that I am not asking you to declare vendetta on the University; for my holy crusade need not be yours.

On a somewhat unrelated note, it pains me to see your godless and wretched democracy in action. True happiness and freedom is found only in God's love, and I implore you to repent of your sins and embrace the truth of the Lord's Scripture side by side with me.

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Sister Miriam."

The Lord's Council listened intently, foreheads wrinkled and deep in thought. Sister Miriam valued the advice of her advisors, and insisted they speak their mind. For where two or three are gathered in His name, there will the Lord and His wisdom be.

Sean was the first to speak. "Sister, I recommend that we cut out the last paragraph regarding Lal's so-called 'democracy.' As much as I have faith that God can change any heart, I feel it is best not to irritate him by criticizing his form of government; he believes in it just as much as we believe in ours... for now. It will be difficult enough to get him to break the treaty with the University, so let us focus this letter just on that issue."

Minister Peter, clearly annoyed, replied, "But surely you don't wish to compromise our values? The Truth needs to be told, and Lal cannot be led to believe we condone his godless democracy!"

"But Peter," Minister Matthew responded, "Our treaty and trade with the Peacekeepers have been lucrative for our economy. We've already implored Lal to change his government for yeras; this request may push him over the edge and cancel his treaty with us."

"We shall delete the paragraph," Sister Miriam said. She trusted Sean's instincts.
"Any further suggestions?" Silence.

"With that, I now officially send this letter to Peacekeeper territory." She clicked a button on her control panel, and the letter was sent.

Thomas shook his head. Not that he disagreed with Sean's suggestion, but he knew Sister Miriam trusted Sean more than she should. And that's what scared him.

	28-11-1999 09:23									#90
	Increase Your PM Length

0530 hours
Temporary Command Center, Secret Hollow

“Sinder, you’re making a bad habit of these early morning meetings.” Zebra said as he walked into the room with a handful of the newly elected members of the council.

Since, the last electrons two days ago, their had been a slight change in the councils makeup. Sinder, Raptor, Beetle, and Zebra maintained their status as elected council members. But unfortunately, Virus had not won a nomination and had lost to a young electronic engineer named Tomas ‘Junior’ Clark. Also, a new member named Clarence ‘Spirit’ Truman had been elected to fill the void of the former Bronco, head of production. The two spots filled previously by Lighter and Tomahawk were void as of now. The council had not made a decision to reelect a member in charge of the conventional forces or a direct mayor of Secret Hollow.

“I’m sorry about you missing your beauty sleep Zebra.” Sinder laughingly replied as she motioned for the council to sit down around the command table, or ‘round table’ as Raptor called it.

“Let’s start off with status reports on all current projects. Please start Zebra.” Sinder said as she swiveled in her chair, getting into a comfortable position facing the council.

“Well, Raptor’s discovery in the B building, has taken most of my time. We have made preliminary reports on these metalic behemoths or ogres as we scientists call them, but it is still inconclusive. Although we are certain they are not human engineered, or biologically engineered by this planet.” Zebra said as he pointed to several pictures that came up on the holo-projector showing unknown metal and energy diagrams.

“You are hinting at an interesting theory. In your scientific opinion, does this ‘theory’ posse a threat to this base.” Sinder was careful to remain general in her question, aware of the obvious doubt in many of the member’s minds about ‘little green men’.

“Well this ‘theory’, as you call it, has certainly not been on this planet for sometime. Early carbon dating and elemental analysis clearly dates these ogres older than human civilization back on Earth.” Zebra hated staying general or inconclusive, but he sensed Sinder’s nervousness about the topic.

“That’s good news, continue with your study Zebra and keep me informed. Clark, did you take over Virus’s job on refitting the Messiah?” Sinder asked, as she looked the young council member directly in the eyes, almost testing his will power.

“Yes I did Sinder, progress is preceding smoothly, although we lack many of the materials needed to complete the task. We clearly don’t have the manufacturing or industry infrastructure to fully complete this task in any brief amount of time.” Clark said resolutely, almost ignoring Sinder’s piercing eyes.

“Clark, is right about that. Although, that weakness will change in the future. We have finally brought our heavy equipment into the borehole, and are starting to mine and test the facility for strength. But that also brings up another problem. Having a population of about a thousand, does hinder our ability to fully utilize the boreholes. I remember Morgan mining teams being several thousands, not including any other service members that went along with them.” Spirit jumped into the conversation.

Sinder felt confident in the people’s choice of these two individuals, but she despised how her old friend Virus was not reelected. Perhaps she could use her in some other meaningful way.

“We can not solve that problem, but we can learn to do much with little.” Sinder said as she looked over several reports that her assistant had brought into the room a second ago.

“That’s not absolutely true.” Zebra murmured, just audible for the council to barely hear.

“Do you have something to add Zebra to this conversation.” Sinder turned her probing eyes towards Zebra.

“Cloning.” Zebra said in a much louder voice.

“Are you insane man, do we look like the Hive here.” Beetle exclaimed as he stood up from his seat.

“Beetle, sit down.” Sinder said loudly, scaring Beetle back into his seat. “Zebra, that was out of line. Although I usually don’t care much about the using of new technologies in our society, but cloning, I will clearly prohibit.”

“It was merely a suggestion.” Zebra said to the council, although he refused to make eye contact with Beetle.

“Any other projects or concerns that we must deal with today?” Sinder changed the subject quickly, seeing the obvious tension building in the room as the individual members thought of the ethicalness of their society.

“Well, we did finish our sweep of C building last evening. The place, like the other two, was clearly looted of anything special for that matter. It’s my guess that the University couldn’t evacuate the ogres, due to their weight, so they decided to leave them behind. Which means the University will be back soon. I rarely remember a University science team leaving their work prematurely.” Raptor said as he showed diagrams of building C on the holo.

“He brings up a point we have discussed much in the past. We have two choices, to prepare defenses on a perhaps futile defense, or should we abandon Secret Hollow. Perhaps a vote should be taken, but let me remind you guys about something. We have an enormous amount of resources invested in this base, and people have laid their lives down for us back at Data DeCentral, so that the Messiah could get off the ground and arrive here.” Sinder finished and bowed her head, remembering the members of the brave garrison that had protected her during the last hours. “Should we abandon this base, and all its potential blessings?”

Sinder : no
Zebra : no
Beetle : yes
Spirit : no
Junior : no
Raptor : yes

“Fine then the decision is to fight for this base, to the death if we need to. Perhaps, an adequate amount of resources should be put into the establishment of a training facility, for future troops.”

“That does seem a prudent decision, although I suggest we allocate most resources into the development of Industry and Research into the Borehole and these mysterious Ogres. I still believe we have some time before the University comes back.” Spirit said after reviewing the results of the previous decision on the holo-projector.

Sinder remembered her conversation with Beetle. She knew Tomahawk would give their position away, for a price or for his freedom, but she didn’t feel it was necessary to bring up now.

“Thank you for your time this morning. I believe we have talked about a lot of important topics, and progressed smoothly. I also feel that our hard work will pay off in the end.” Sinder said as the members stood up from their chairs and broke off into groups, to talk about there own small projects before the day’s work started.