Book 2 – Chapter 10

Book 2 – Chapter 10

 

                “The ISS Atlas, the first capital ship of the Imperium. The first ship built from the home dimension. The ship was retired and can be seen now on the Capital planet of Korhal. During the conquering of the Koprulu Sector, the Atlas was instrumental in the defeat of the Terran Dominion. As such when it was decommissioned, it stands as a living testament of the might of the Grey Imperium.”

                                -excerpt from History of Imperial Spaceships chapter 1

 

Paul and his team were waiting for replicators to swell in number before taking over the ship. As they rested they stayed ready in the little room they were holed up in. Thanks to the replicators on board the ships’ sensors were being jammed and we’re having difficulty finding them. For the next few minutes, they waited until they finally got word that the replicators were ready to move.

 

It was time.

 

Sweeping the halls any raider they ran into was killed. Paul wasn’t the type of person who liked to hurt innocent people but the people on this ship were anything but.

 

“Replicators are reporting they’re beginning to attack the engines.”

 

“Ok, let’s double time it to the bridge.” Paul ordered.

 

Running through the halls and fighting their way through to the bridge was actually pretty quiet. Once they reached the bridge they opened it up ready to attack who was there. To their surprise though it seemed as if everyone was unconscious.

 

“What in the world?” Paul said out loud.

 

“I may not be from this universe but something tells me this ain’t right.” One of the marines commented.

 

“Agreed, but let’s disarm everyone before we wake em’ up.”  Paul ordered.

 

Moving to check if they had weapons or not, they heard a notification come up.

 

“Exiting warp in 10 seconds’

 

“Crap ok everyone man a station and put in coordinates to Deadman’s Port. Looks like these guys are out cold so it won’t matter.”

 

With a scurry of activity, the marines weren’t officers but had a basic understanding of ship operations. As the ship exited warp to find the other pirates and raiders would soon be behind them.

 

As they received a notification of someone hailing them, the marines were able to lock in deadman’s port and prepare to warp.

 

“Sir, the enemy ships have noticed our engines. They’re opening fire!”

 

“How long until we head to warp?”

 

“This ship is utter crap sir, it’ll take a minute to charge.”
“Shit. Will we survive a minute of fire?”

 

“I don’t know but we can turn on their automated defense. It’ll buy us some time from their missiles.”

 

“Do it!”

 

Olympus

 

“Ok, you got the green light. Once you get over there though you have one week to report back or I’m sending Nathaniel after you.” Leo said.

 

“Understood sir. See you in a week.”

 

Leo closed the comms to the Atlas as it was preparing its first solo jump. They would be jumping to the Terminator galaxy in order to attain schematics and a possible new production base. Leo would have loved to go and see it himself but he had a bigger problem. With the constant mining and new raw resources, there was an issue that arose that demanded his attention.

 

Currently there we’re several small cities being built on Olympus and things were going good. With the now established communities and having the cities grow, cultures were beginning to clash between the people of earth and the refugees. The refugees wanted jobs, production jobs like factory or farmers. Meanwhile the people of earth wanted to establish an automated production and have people focus solely on intellectual pursuits. Leaning on both sides of the fence, Leo considered the options.

 

After much consulting, simulations, and research. Leo finally made a decision, that they would go and become an automated production, all while those who wanted to do those sorts of jobs would be given a chance to learn the machines and with their experience and skill, optimize and improve those systems. Those who wanted to pursue intellectual issues were for the most part allowed to do what they will. Although as a contingency, Leo made it a mandate that being the intellectuals they were that they had to learn basic production knowledge.

 

After this he was faced with his second daunting task. Food. How was he going to feed his citizens with their current rate of growth? In simplicity Leo ordered that every town be self-sufficient in two things, food and defense. With the small cities slowly expanding he had to decide how he was going to determine the future of his people. With the coming of Amon he knew that they weren’t safe as the outer colonies were easy targets for the Zerg and the coming of Mobieus Corp, slaves of the fallen Xel’Naga Amon.

 

The solution was to be able to have a nomadic population until it was time to settle. For that he turned to the Ancient technology of city building. To create cities that could take off and defend itself as well. It would be the day they began production of city-ships.

 

Leo put his datapad down and rubbed his temples, recently he’d been having migraines and his stress levels had been steadily rising. His saving grace only being that he got to see Sadia every night. Things between them were steady and he was content but with Sara’s constant pestering of him, he was about to cross the line soon. Things were going to happen in a month and with any luck everyone would be there to attend.

 

As he relished his moment of silence and reassurance he felt something shift. His head immediately began splintering in massive pain. Clutching his head and thrashing around in pain, he felt as if his skull was being ripped apart. Finding himself on the floor and the room with an alarm blazing with a green alarm light he felt a darkness take him..

 

–Prometheus–

 

Nathaniel bit his lip as he awaited the return of his men. It had been almost an hour since the end of the battle and with each passing second his worries only grew and grew.

 

“Nathaniel, calm your tits. Paul will make sure they get back.” Ira said.

 

“Yeah well, forgive me. I’m used to being the one who has to get back, not the one who’s waiting for someone to get back.”

 

“I understand but really stop. You’re making the rest of us nervous.” Ira informed him.

 

“Sorry.” Nathaniel said as he looked up.

 

After several more minutes of frustration they finally got a hit.

 

“Incoming transmission sir.”

 

“Who is it?”

 

“Security Code shows Lieutenant Paul, sir.”

 

“Put it up.”

 

Paul wasn’t on the screen when it came up. Instead it was a man with a black haired ponytail and the most signature armor ever. The man was wearing Ghost armor.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“You asked for one of us. Maybe you should explain yourself.” The man said.

 

“So you’re a ghost?”

 

“Don’t act coy with me!” The man yelled. “I may know much about you but I don’t know enough so if you want ghost help then you’re going to need me so cut the crap. Your men are alive, just temporary unconscious. I know your ship’s capabilities so just scan the bridge and you’ll find your squad. Then Beam us over so we can talk, I’ve worn my welcome on this ship.”

 

Nodding to his helmsman who reported the scan results which confirmed the details that the ghost reported Nathaniel relaxed.

 

“Ok I’ve confirmed your details. Prepare to be beamed over.” Nathaniel said.

 

“Good.” The ghost said.

 

As they closed the com and then beamed them over, the Ghost found himself surrounded by a squad of marines with their rifles pointed at him. The ghost however wasn’t worried as he let out a breath of fresh air.

 

“That’s some nice air you got here. A good life support system make me feel better already.” The ghost said with a stoic face.

 

“This way Ghost. The commander would like to see you.” A guard said.

 

“Then by all means lets go.”  The ghost said.

 

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