David Foss
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Posts posted by David Foss
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Sorry, sir. Got held back by several school projects. I'm working on an early draft of the DBG icon you wanted. I'll upload it to you as soon as I'm finished the good copy. Anyhow, I'm back and reporting for duty. I'm assuming that this is where the call is for active members now, right?
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Commander David Foss,
ORION FLEET
Flag Officer, Deterrence Battle Group
DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP
GCV - DETERRENCE
"War is dangerous. Seek to prevent it, lest we step in."
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Who knows, Steve? Maybe sensor technology has improved to the point where they can detect a threat that's 200 + years away?
Best of luck, Stone. Can't wait to see it! I'm planning something similar, though I'm a ways farther behind than you. I'll be sure to contact you when I'm ready, though
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Commander David Foss,
ORION FLEET
Flag Officer, Deterrence Battle Group
DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP
GCV - DETERRENCE
"War is dangerous. Seek to prevent it, lest we step in."
[This message has been edited by David Foss (edited 03-09-2000).]
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Ready and waiting, sir.
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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The strike is over, and I'm back for now. They reached a "tentative settlement." We could be back to square one tomorrow, but I'm here for now. Will keep you posted.
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Hope I'm not out of line. I figured Gambit should bid our find young friend McKendrick farewell.
(RP on)
I heard a weak voice from behind. "I'm sorry. I only wanted to be a fighter pilot. I wish I could have done better."
A small gasp sounded behind us, and I turned to see one more casualty. I slowly stepped forward and bowed my head.
"You did better than any pilot could ever hope for, Ken." It took all my effort to choke out the words without faltering.
We'd all done our parts in this terrible incident. It wasn't fair that so many of this crew had been forced to pay the ultimate price.
There was at least one battlecruiser still out there. At least one battlecruiser that would one day hear the name Chikuma again. It would be in the message that they would receive mere moments before going up in an explosion as bright as any star.
Too quick, as far as I was concerned, but it would happen. It would happen!
Log entry for Gambit, IC-2 copilot, GCV Chikuma, entered.
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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It's on the way to you now, Blades. Can you reply to the address of the sender so that I know you have received it?
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Thank you, sir! Given the problems with your e-mail, I think I can safely assume that you did not receive the outline. If this is the case, let me know and I will re-send it. Anyways, got classes now. Catch you on the flip side.
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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(RP on)
Impact T ÔÇô 14 minutes
Nine minutes since the insane order to go to battlestations.
The Chikuma was bearing down on the renegade fleet like a bat out of hell. Granted, this bat only had half a wing, a barely functional ear, and had somehow lost all but one tooth. To put it simply, we could barely fly, she was about as responsive as a man trapped in ice, and TacOps was scratchy at best. I didn't even want to think about the weapons.
But I had to. I was the one manning the station. Just my luck.
I never touched capital ships aside from crew quarters or when landing the IC. It was for a very good reason. IC's were SIMPLE. This thing was crazy! The lieutenant didn't know it, but I had been mumbling my way through the operation of the TacOps system for a full two minutes before remembering how the system worked. Best bluff of my life. The real miracle of it all was... I was right.
While I was thinking about this seemingly simple idea, something caught my eye. A sudden and large change in the TacOps display.
"Neen... Er... Sir! We have a problem. Interceptors from the enemy fleet are breaking off their attack and heading for the support craft! Also, one of the BC's are heading in this direction. I don't think they can see us, but they are definitely looking."
(RP off)
Hmm... hope I summarized it right. Any suggestions or problems?
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Hmm... shot without a chance to defend myself. Can't complain. I haven't exactly been contributing lately. Any chance of changing that now?
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
[This message has been edited by David Foss (edited 01-08-2000).]
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I don't know why I didn't bother to check this section of the forums before. I'm definately going to be paying more attention to it, though.
Blades, I am almost finished the outline for Foss, but I need to check with you on a couple of chronological issues. I mentioned them in my last e-mail. Did you receive it?
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Given the fact that I haven't been around a whole lot lately, I hope I'm allowed to toss in a vote here somewhere. The first one definately caught my eye as being the better version, and still does. The second version, as was mentioned, looks too much like a screen interface rather than a VR hookup. The information on the first pic is better placed, in my opinion. It doesn't interfere with any of the other readouts.
Meanwhile, if you look at the second shot, it seems to me that all the info on the left hand side of the screen would end up taking up that entire section of the screen (maybe the larger text size is messing with my head, but smaller is better when you're trying to maximize viewing space).
I vote for the first version.
Just as a curiosity, I noticed the HUD info reflects the border graphic (with the menus and such). Am I correct in assuming that changing the color of the HUD will not affect the border color?
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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I leave for two weeks and I come back to THIS! This is... SC... I want those ships in my xmas sock! It's big enough for it, trust me
Maybe I'll just stay home this summer and save every penny for a new computer!
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Youch! Okay, I am definately going to have to get I-net access from home. I just miss too much with the rate that I am able to log on at the College!
At least that's my excuse for not being on here lately
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Woah! I've been unavailable for a week and look what happens! Yikes! I try to get caught up and I have to do it twice over for half the time! Blades, is there any way you can send me a summary of what's happened?
By the way, just so you know... I will be starting up a new First Command thread in the next day or so. I mean it this time. It WILL be there. And GCV Chikuma's IC2 pilot and co-pilot will be making another appearance as well. Once I figure out what's going on
Thanks!
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
[This message has been edited by David Foss (edited 09-22-1999).]
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Sorry for being so silent, guys. I've been busy getting things organized for College. I won't be around as often, but I'll be damned if I ever STOP posting
I'll need some time to get back in the loop, and I'll have to finish off the First Command thread. Once that's done, I'll be back with a vengeance Post again soon.------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Hehe... Sorry, guys. A watch running slow is supposed to mean behind time, not running slower than time! A few hours indeed!
(RP on)
ÔÇ£We are gathered here today to pay final respects to our honored dead.ÔÇØ I said tightly. ÔÇ£Crewmen Sandy Shields, Colin Vester, Nancy Becker, Jacob Windslow, Jonathan Carp, Peter Jenson, Jennifer Lowden, Nicholas Hanson, George Lost, Gregory Bestow, Wendy Fendow, Ben Restis. Flight engineers Jack Kars, Charles Vance, Jessica Sevkes, Bell Choves, Kevin Hand. Marines Christen Hand, Sarah Victory, Xavier Vandenburg, Lace Anderson, Harry Dodger, France Ingles, Jose Baron, Chris Berringston, Eric Vance, Carl Wessel, and John Locke all made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties. They have given the greatest of gifts to the human race, gifts that can only be given once by any of us. They are to be remembered from this day forth with reverence and honor. Their sacrifices were not in vain, and they shall never be forgotten. They will be sorely missed. We therefore commit these bodies to the void of space.ÔÇØ
The master at arms saluted, the remaining crew of the Deterrence following suit. The Honor guard followed instructions from McKay.
Ready aim fire!
Bang!
Aim fire!
Bang!
Aim fire!
Bang!
The assembled crowd lowered their arms to again stand at attention as the coffins drifted away from Galcom HQ, to be forever lost in the great void of space. I turned away from the window, heading back to my quarters to finish the dreadful job ahead of me.
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To: Victor and Eve Shields
From: Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
Subject: Sandy
By now, you have heard of your daughterÔÇÖs untimely and unfortunate death aboard the GCV Deterrence. Standard protocol directs me to send you the following letter:
ÔÇ£We regret to inform you that your daughter was killed during the performance of her duties in the service of Galcom and all mankind.ÔÇØ And so on and so on. The cycle continues.
I will write no such letter. I would gladly face a court martial to bring her back, but I canÔÇÖt. So I risk a court martial by sending you this, instead.
This is written to you from what little heart I have left. My orders alone are responsible for your daughter being killed light years away from the place she so lovingly called home. She died in the service of Galcom, under the command of a foolish officer who believed that saving the life of a friend was more important than saving his crew. This foolish officer was none other than Commander David Foss. The very person who writes this letter you will shortly be reading. It was my order to take the Deterrence behind enemy lines, and it was my order to engage the enemy that resulted in your sorrow, as well as the sorrow of twenty-seven other families and countless others who knew these people as friends. I can never undo what has been done. I can only hope that someday, when this is all over, and no more lives must be lost to this undeclared war, that you and your family, as well as her friends can forgive the officer responsible for SandyÔÇÖs death.
Yours with greatest sorrow,
Commander David Eugene Foss
...
I sent twenty-seven variants of that letter. IÔÇÖd made it a point to memorize the life histories of every crewmember killed in that awful battle. With the last letter sent off to John LockeÔÇÖs family, I turned my attention to the object that Janice had given me in her death throes.
It was a recorded message. I inserted the disk into the reader and hit the playback button.
The painfully familiar face of Janice Errintha stared back at me.
ÔÇ£Hi there, Davie. If youÔÇÖre seeing this message, it means that IÔÇÖm dead. I carried this message because I knew you would come after me. But at the same time, I knew that I wouldnÔÇÖt be getting out of there alive. I know I told you that I was just snooping along the border. The truth is, I was asked by an outside source to check out a military installation on Gamma 2 in the Gammula system. I am sorry that I couldnÔÇÖt make it back with you, but you have to understand that I did it for a reason. There is the very real danger that the Gammulans will attack Sol again. This time, it wonÔÇÖt be for some obscure reason surrounded in mystery. It will be for domination. Whatever they were after, they now consider us a threat, and you know what that means.ÔÇØ
Her face still held that astonishing determination behind it. She was a transport captain, but she could have been a great Commander.
ÔÇ£Listen, Davie. I donÔÇÖt know what happened out there, but you have got to go on. I know youÔÇÖre hurting inside, but you have to let me go. Otherwise, you will follow me. I donÔÇÖt want that, my friend. YouÔÇÖve always been like a brother to me. Let me protect you in the afterlife. If you join me anytime soon, IÔÇÖll boot your sorry ass right back onto that ship where you belong. Always remember, David Eugene Foss, that in order to value peace, you must truly understand the hardships and costs of war. Goodbye, my friend. May you find the wisdom in my death that I could not teach you in my life.ÔÇØ
Her image winked off, and I sat back in the chair, her words weighing heavily upon me. ÔÇ£Goodbye, my sister.ÔÇØ I whispered gently. I hadnÔÇÖt realized it before, but IÔÇÖd also thought of her as family. I looked over at the closet, all of my uniforms hanging neatly. All except for one, that is. A family is related by blood, after all, isnÔÇÖt it?
By blood.
...
I left my quarters wearing the one uniform that was different from the others. The one uniform that still had some semblance of family within. The uniform that still held the bloodstains on the shoulder from my friendÔÇÖs last inspiring speech to me.
I ignored the questioning glances from the crew around me, heading for the bridge.
Neilson looked over at me from what was left of the Tactical station. ÔÇ£Sir, good news. We should have this ship up and running in a few days.ÔÇØ He said, then cast a curious glance at the shoulder of my uniform, then nodded in silent understanding. Somehow, he knew whose blood had stained this uniformÔÇöand my lifeÔÇöforever. Later on, Dr. Daron treated the uniform, allowing me to clean it freely without losing anymore blood than I already had.
I walked slowly down the corridors of the Deterrence, not noticing the crew who walked past me. The empty blackness of space hung outside each window as I slowly walked every square inch of the vessel. The souls of all those IÔÇÖd killed swam around me. Visions of the crew scattering in all directions, their voices echoing in the corridors. The only reason they werenÔÇÖt here now was because of my order to save a friend only so she could die six days later.
She didnÔÇÖt die alone, at least, I thought. But what comfort was that? Brand new crewmembers, fresh out of the academy, none of them older than twenty, had died for that reason. Some of them had probably died in exactly the way that she hadnÔÇÖt. Alone.
Two days later, the repairs were completed. I thought something was missing, though...
...
Sanders walked through the observation deck near the docking bay of the Deterrence. The BC's hull glistened thanks to the recently completed repairs.
(RP off)
Crap! I'll have to finish this later. I'll edit it when I get home in about 45.
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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IC2 pilot; Chris "Shodan" VanCise
Mission +2 days 6 hours 30 minutes
Three things happened in sequence: the hatch to the sim opened and Logan, the diplomat's daughter, poked her head through and announced her presense with a cheery "Hi!" Then the missile streaked past to detonate right in front of the IC. The simulator went blank, displaying the damage to the fighter. The canopy would have shattered, and the IC would have been destroyed a moment later.
"Damn it!" I shouted. "Damn it, Gambit, you son of a..."
The damned jerk started laughing! I don't mean chuckling. No, he laughed hard enough to double over. He went into hysterics to the point where he couldn't even breathe. He managed to lift his head up, having laughed so hard that his eyes were red, two tears streaking down his face.
It was the girl that saved me a trip to the medibay. I would likely have had to go there for surgery on my fist after ramming it through his face.
She had invited me to dinner, supposedly in gratitude for saving her in the corridors.
Great. The daughter of a diplomat (and an annoying diplomat at that) was asking me to dinner. Oh, I could just smellp the court martial brewing.
Needless to say, I accepted. Not so much for her intentions, but simple courtesy and the absolute freedom I would have from my pain-in-the-ass copilot! She was beautiful, but a little too young for me.
The evening went off without a hitch. No copilot... no stalking father with a court martial summons... no eighteen year old trying to get me into trouble.
It was a dinner of conversation. She wondered what it was like out there during combat, and I told her as best I could. Her response, consisting of "that would be so fun!" told me that she didn't get it, so I gave up.
She caught a shuttle back to Galcom HQ where her father was staying. I went back to my folks in Scotland.
Mission + 19 days 8 hours 21 minutes
What the hell happened? We've been floating around here with nothing to do for five days. We've been ordered to stay on station for a while now. Somethings up.
The loudspeaker blared a warning, then the Commander came on. At last! Maybe we'd get some orders!
It was not to be so. What I heard next was so terrifying that it took me a full minute to realize the implication. I only clearly remember three sections of the message.
"...During important, and until recently, top secret negotiations between our representatives and members of the Kandorian and Credian governments, a Gammulan strike team boarded and assaulted GalCom HQ from a cloaked cruiser in orbit. The raid was thorough and utterly brutal, making way from their initial beam in location and directly to where the conference was being held...
"It is with deepest regrets that I must inform you that the entire diplomatic party and military representatives from all sides were killed in the ensuing firefight.
"...In effect, there now exists an open state of war between GalCom and the murderous Gammulans. Be aware, Fleet Command suspects that the Gammulan assault team was aided and abetted by renegade elements within GalCom. Several as yet unidentified Battle Cruisers and support craft are believed to be supporting the Gammulans...
"...GCV Chikuma and several other fleet ships will be involved in TOP SECRET military efforts against the Gammulans. As such, all communication off ship have been halted for the duration of the emergency. Battle readiness will be maintained at all times. Any crewmembers found attempting to communicate outside of the ship will be executed for treason..."
After the Commander was finished, I could do nothing but bow my head. The entire commanding body of Galcom was most likely at that meeting, or at least a good portion of it. The Supreme Commander was most likely present as well. The absense of names from the broadcast suggested hope. However, I thought it was more likely because the Commander simply couldn't stomach reading the names.
An aggressive military causing more than one incident, and it takes the decapitation of our high command before anyone on our side declares on them what they declared on us a long time ago!
One way or another, the Gams would pay in blood before this was over. Lots and lots and lots of Gammulan blood. With this strike, they had sealed their fates. Whether it be a fate of victory or defeat remained to be seen. But if victory it was... it would cost them everything they held dear!
(RP off)
Hehe... I'm back
Hope it still works in with the story.------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Well, looks like I get to remedy that short post with a longer one now.
It's going to bring me one huge step closer to finishing this section.(RP on)
McKay vaulted over the side of the cockpit and landed in the pilotÔÇÖs seat. The canopy closed around her and Neilson as she checked her communications first with the War Hammer, then with her wingman.
HikerÔÇÖs voice responded. ÔÇ£Well, Lieutenant, I guess weÔÇÖre going in together. Hope you can follow me through the maneuvers. After all, the one with the better flying skills takes the lead.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖll see about that, mister. Believe it or not, I did learn a few things at the academy.ÔÇØ A moment later, she received the all clear, and was thrown back in her seat as the Interceptor shot into space, Hiker and Runt in IC-2 only a couple of seconds behind her.

I stood quickly, grabbing JaniceÔÇÖs weapon and mine, then walked toward the dead carcass of the first soldier. I fired two shots from each rifle into the body of the Gammulan that had killed my dearest friend. It was not at all the justice she deserved, but I had other plans for the remaining charge in these weapons. Namely, wiping out every Gammulan on this base.
Six Gammulans rounded the corner at the far end of the hallway from which the first Gammulan had emerged. Six Gammulans fell soon after, only two managing to fire, both of which missed. I continued down the hall, rounding the corner to find three more Gammulans to the left. I fired without thinking, hitting one in the chest, another in the face, and two shots slamming into the thirdÔÇÖs chest and head.
Four shots lanced past me from behind, and I turned to see two more Gammulans. I fired two shots into each Gamm chest.
I turned again, jolting slightly as one Gammulan officer got off a pathetic shot with a pistol, hitting my right shoulder. I answered in kind with two shots to the face, one from each rifle.
The carnage continued for five minutes. The rifles ran dry, so I dropped them. With them went the rage that had consumed me only a moment before. In five minutes over fifty Gammulans had been killed by my hand. I blinked, desperately trying to figure out where I was as I drew my pistol from the holster. I was now feeling the pain in my right arm, and I had no choice but to draw the weapon with my left hand.
I turned back the way IÔÇÖd come, running down the corridors. I found my way back to JaniceÔÇÖs body and (painfully) passed her by, running down the corridor that would eventually take me to the hangar bays.
Fate was with me! Amidst the hundreds of fighters in the hangar, I found one single Solarian Interceptor not unlike those of Galcom. In fact, the markings showed her to have once belonged to pilots Tuck ÔÇ£VicksÔÇØ Conner and Joe ÔÇ£HangmanÔÇØ Salley of the GCV Nancy. I remembered hearing a report of one of their Interceptors disappearing. This was a hell of a way to find it again!
I climbed into the IC, the pain in my arm once again forgotten thanks to a surge of pure adrenaline, and sat in the co-pilotÔÇÖs seat. At least there, I could access every system with ease. I ran a systems check, and for the first time since landing on this mud ball, I smiled. Despite the fighterÔÇÖs aged appearance and scorch marks from the battle that had no doubt been her last, every system was 100% operational. I fired up the engines and hit the afterburners, making a bid for space and, God willing, freedom.

McKay rolled her fighter to port, blasting another fighter into nonexistence. ÔÇ£Hiker, youÔÇÖve got one on your tail!ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Roger, McKay.ÔÇØ Hiker said, spinning the fighter in order to shake the bandit.
Six fighters had entered the region a few minutes ago. Two had been shot down, both my McKay. She was quite pleasantly impressed by her apparently natural ability. Better flying skills my arse! She thought.
She brought the IC around, lining up a perfect shot on the P-21. The Vandal banked, following Hiker, but not before McKay collapsed the shields with several well placed shots. She continued to close, firing burst after deadly burst into the small craft. The fighter tumbled, out of control, then exploded in a spectacular fireball.
Then, she saw something that could only be a Godsend. A lone Interceptor shot up from the surface of Crystar. The IFF showed it as a Terran Military fighter. But then she remembered the America, and her hopes dwindled.
The face of Commander Foss appeared on her screen, again lifting her spirits high.
ÔÇ£Lieutenant McKay, I never would have thought to find you here! I ordered you to leave! What the hell are you doing in an IC?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£You went AWOL, sir. I had to find you. We have to get out of here quickly before they send reinforcements!ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£I agree wholeheartedly, Lieutenant.ÔÇØ He said. ÔÇ£LetÔÇÖs make tracks. IÔÇÖll help you mop up those remaining bandits, then we can get out of here.ÔÇØ

I severed the link, hitting the afterburners and lining up on a Vandal. McKay followed on my wing, loosing a missile that went straight up the tailpipe of the fighter. The engine peeled away as I fired three rapid shots into the P-21, finishing it off. The pilot didnÔÇÖt even have time to eject.
Good.
The remaining two fighters were dispatched quickly between the three of us, then we made tracks for home.
We didnÔÇÖt get very far. Three Violon carriers entered through a jumpgate as we entered the Otura-9 region and launched four vipers each. The twelve fighters swept in as we turned and ran for the jumpgate to LV-184.
Lasers flew past as I rolled the craft. One blast slammed into the shields, but it wasnÔÇÖt a serious hit; the shields held. McKay and the other IC were both evading enemy fire as well, and doing a much better job of it than I was. Well, why not? I had twice the work to do! They hit their afterburners, accelerating toward the gate. Five seconds later, they vanished through the pulsating circle of red fire. I passed through as well, the universe exploding around me. I emerged from the gate and hurriedly matched course with the other two ICÔÇÖs, the Gammulan fighters only moments behind me.
We set course for the wormhole to the Regulus system and jumped, passing through the wormhole and emerging near Regis IV.
...
That was where Murphy tossed another wrench. Just after the wormhole, my engines gave out. The reactor had just died on me.
ÔÇ£Get out of here, Lieutenant. ThatÔÇÖs an order!ÔÇØ I said insistently.
ÔÇ£Negative, sir. We came to get you home, and thatÔÇÖs exactly what weÔÇÖre going to do.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£We donÔÇÖt have time to debate this, McKay! Get out of here!ÔÇØ
Too late.
The fighters, along with all three carriers, emerged from the wormhole and hovered right on top of us.
ÔÇ£What now?ÔÇØ Hiker asked desperately.
McKay appeared on the screen momentarily. ÔÇ£They think theyÔÇÖve got us. I think otherwise.ÔÇØ She switched over to another channel, her face still on the screen, and I heard her transmission. ÔÇ£Commander Teron, now!ÔÇØ
The Violons didnÔÇÖt have time to realize their mistake. The Galactan class Battlecruiser War Hammer decloaked, the remaining two fighters launching one after the other. The two ICÔÇÖs approached the enemy fighters rapidly as the War Hammer closed on the Violons. Simultaneously, as if in a concert performance, missiles flew from both the War HammerÔÇÖs launch tubes and the ICÔÇÖs 3 and 4, targeting the enemy fighters. Hiker and McKay launched their remaining missiles at the Violons as the War HammerÔÇÖs PTA system collapsed the shields. The missiles impacted, creating an impressive flower of destruction and debris, exploding outward from the hangars of both ships. The fighters simply ceased to exist, clouds of debris occupying their previous positions.
Commander Teron appeared on my screen. ÔÇ£The Violons are retreating. Stand by, Commander Foss. We will bring you aboard now. Hiker and McKay, dock for rearming and repairs, then launch immediately.ÔÇØ
The Interceptors curved toward the War Hammer as the impressive ship hovered over me. The tractor beam locked on, and I felt the fighter jolt beneath me. I turned my head to the side, content to finally rest.
I didnt even notice my blood covering the controls on my right side
(RP off)
Okay, not as long as I thought. Nevertheless, it is there. There will be more up in a matter of hours.
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Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
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Thank you, sir! I was hoping I got your reaction right. Judging from your response, I can only assume that I did
Time to get the show on the road, I guess
(RP on)
I woke up at the crack of dawn. Damn it, IÔÇÖd actually allowed myself to fall asleep during my watch. It was clear that no Gammulans had found us yet. That was good.
I shook Janice, awaking her from what I could tell had been a very interesting dream.
ÔÇ£Time to go, eh?ÔÇØ She said groggily.
ÔÇ£Yes, it is. ItÔÇÖs time we left this hellish world.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Huh?ÔÇØ She asked, confused. She brought one hand up to scratch the back of her hand, then blinked twice, looking around the small alcove. Realization dawned on her as she realized again where we were.
She had yet to wake up without thinking we were somewhere else. Back home, on the JÔÇÖs Pride, on the shuttle, on the Deterrence, anywhere but the cave. I couldnÔÇÖt blame her. I wanted to get out of here as much to get away from the Gammulans as to get away from this annoying ritual.
She got up, zipping the top portion of her jumpsuit and fastening her armor on. She holstered her pistol and grabbed one of the rifles that weÔÇÖd retrieved from the Gammulan soldiers that had been killed a few days earlier.
I did the same, then we set out, leaving our alcove for the last time and heading down to the Gammulan base. For better or worse now, we were committed to getting out of here.
We breached the perimeter with no problems. The guards switched shifts at precisely the right time, and we slipped in without so much as a whisper from the security system. We worked our way slowly through three minimal security buildings and two moderately defended facilities before closing in on the hangar. It was the perfect place to launch an assault, as we found out the hard way.
ÔÇ£Be careful.ÔÇØ I whispered back to her. She had taken up position behind me, yet she kept forgetting to watch behind us. That was the whole reason for my warning. We were only a few hundred meters from the hangar.
ÔÇ£What do you think IÔÇÖm doing, dancing?ÔÇØ She spat back.
I turned around to give a stern warning then saw the Gammulan soldier taking aim further down the corridor.
I raised my weapon to fire just as the Gammulan fired a burst of plasma into JaniceÔÇÖs back. She didnÔÇÖt scream, but instead, fell silently to the ground, a look of tremendous shock and pain on her face. My shot echoed only a fraction of a second later, slamming into the soldierÔÇÖs chest and throwing him back against the wall as Janice hit the deck.
I turned her over, stripping the armor. The shot had penetrated, searing flesh and bone and blood. It had blown out her back, destroying any chance of survival. She pressed something into my hands, then tried to speak. She was only able to mouth the words ÔÇ£go.ÔÇØ Then, her eyes closed for the last time and she fell limp in my arms. Her eyes had closed for the last time, never to open again. Never to let anyone see the crystal purity that radiated within them.
I remembered once when I was a child, her and I were playing in a forest. SheÔÇÖd broken her ankle while chasing me down. As always, she was unable to catch me. I helped her back to her family and they took her to the medical facility. It was a bad break, and trying to walk on it hadnÔÇÖt helped the situation. They said it was likely she wouldnÔÇÖt be able to walk without severe pain for the rest of her life. Even so, her ankle eventually healed, and to our surprise, she was able to walk without any problems. She hadnÔÇÖt cried at all during the entire time. Not even when it had first happened or when she was walking on it. Not one tear.
Just as she had not shed a tear after being fatally wounded.
I set her back down, gently letting her head rest on the cold floor, numbly pocketed the object sheÔÇÖd given me without looking at it, then grabbed her rifle.
First my parents and now her. I had said before that they would pay, and it was long past time to collect. With this death, the payment would be even more.
I heard alien shouts down the corridor as the alarms sounded. At that moment all hell broke loose. It was a hell that Gammulans from one side of their space to the other would remember, a hell that they would learn to fear. It was a hell that still cannot be easily matched.
The hell of human fury
(RP off)
It's a short post, but there's more shortly.
------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
-
Okay, time to get his back on track. Commander Vauban, if you are still here, e-mail me and we'll find a way to work you into this section.
(RP on)
The War Hammer slowed to a stop deep inside the debris field. A Gammulan task force had just entered the Otura-6 region. Crystar was only two jumps away. But if they couldnÔÇÖt get there secretly, they certainly wouldnÔÇÖt be able to get out at all!
ÔÇ£I think they might have obtained a partial lock. The cloak isnÔÇÖt functioning at top efficiency yet.ÔÇØ Teron commented.
Right on cue, three jump nodes appeared around them. They were big, signifying larger ships, possibly cruisers. No fighters, though.
The silhouettes of three Starcarriers flashed into existence in front of them. They began moving slowly, scanning the area. They would be lucky to find them in the debris field, but the possibility still existed. If they didnt stop searching soon
One Starcarrier flew past the viewscreen, so close that the clearing distance from ship to ship couldnÔÇÖt have been more than a couple of meters. So close that McKay jumped and almost screamed. She stifled it, as though screaming would somehow let the enemy know where they were.
Four tense minutes later, the Starcarriers suddenly veered off, turning toward the Gammulan station and vanishing through the hyperspace anomalies.
The War HammerÔÇÖs comm officer spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper, as though it would help them avoid detection.
ÔÇ£Commander, IÔÇÖve been monitoring the stationÔÇÖs broadcasts. Their sensors are only partially operational. ThatÔÇÖs probably why they dispatched those ships. They probably think weÔÇÖre a sensor glitch and wanted to confirm. There are several ships that will be entering the area in a few minutes. They are coming through the jumpgate to Kruger.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£What do you suggest, McKay?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£If we can time it right, we could jump at the same time the convoy begins to enter the system. We can go through the jumpgate when they arrive, possibly hiding our jump.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Are you crazy?ÔÇØ The combat officer, who also doubled as the shipÔÇÖs first officer, shouted. ÔÇ£Do you have any idea how many things could go wrong with that stunt?ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£If something goes wrong, Vic, we are dead.ÔÇØ Teron replied cooly. ÔÇ£If we sit here, weÔÇÖre dead. If we jump now, weÔÇÖre dead. If nothing goes wrong, we have a chance of getting to Crystar before the cloak gives way. But the longer we wait here, the less time we have to sneak onto the planet.ÔÇØ
The logic was inescapable, even if it was a ludicrous plan. However, he was right. There was no time to argue. The first officer nodded in acquiescence. ÔÇ£Alright, letÔÇÖs do it.ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£Stand by to jump.ÔÇØ Teron said, as though he had known his first officerÔÇÖs reply.
The navigation officer calmly confirmed the order. A few seconds later, the first ship entered the region.
ÔÇ£Engage hyperdrive!ÔÇØ Teron shouted.
The War Hammer jumped, emerging near the jump point a few seconds later. There were just over six minutes left on the cloak.
Several more ships jumped in as the invisible Battlecruiser passed through the jumpgate. They emerged on the other side, narrowly missing an LRT-10, the last ship in the convoy.
ÔÇ£That was too close.ÔÇØ McKay breathed.
They were in luck. The sensors on the station orbiting Kruger were not operational at all. They entered and exited the region without incident.
ÔÇ£McKay, youÔÇÖd better get to your Interceptor. Your engineer is waiting for you in Bay 3. Hiker and Runt are in Bay 4. Get moving.ÔÇØ
McKay was already suited up in her pressure suit, ready for flight. ÔÇ£Aye, sir!ÔÇØ She gave a sketchy salute and left the bridge, running as fast as she could toward the hangar bays.
(RP off)
Hope there aren't any problems with that cross-jump idea. If there are, I'm sure I can find a way to revise the situation. I've done it a few times by accident though(almost got killed each time).
------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
-
(RP on)
Mission +0 days 19 hours 47 minutes
___
I entered the hangar bay and leapt up the ladder into the cockpit of IC-2. Gambit slapped my shoulders roughly. ÔÇ£About time you got here, skip!ÔÇØ
I nodded, securing my helmet, running through the last minute checks for a hot launch. The canopy clicked shut, cutting out the noise outside. Instantly, the mayhem in the bays was replaced by the low thrum of the reactor and the familiar whine of the engines. I stood ready, patiently awaiting the order to launch. Another violent explosion ripped through the ship. I had no idea what the hell hit us, nor did I have time to wonder. The ship stopped rocking just long enough for Gambit and I to be launched forward into space. We made an excellent team for all of his constant bickering, demanding that I stick to the regs. He was experienced as I was, but he still didnÔÇÖt know when to keep his mouth shut.
The cluttered activity of the bays gave way to the burning fury of space combat. Fighters swarmed around us, the Cap ships not far behind. I targeted the first P-21 and went after him.
___
Mission +2 days 6 hours 15 minutes
ÔÇ£That was the beginning of my sortie in that battle, kid. I had no idea just how bad it was going to be, though. Nor how close Gambit and I were going to come to buying it.ÔÇØ
___
Mission +0 days 19 hours 56 minutes
The Chikuma pulled an insane maneuver. It took me a moment to register the movement, and I had to look twice to ensure that I wasnÔÇÖt hallucinating. The BC pulled an impossibly tight turn right before our eyes, then ignited the main engines, swallowing several ships in the sudden inferno. ÔÇ£Mother of God.ÔÇØ Gambit whispered. I shook my head, unable to believe what was happening. For a moment, a crazy image flashed through my head. A cartoon BC, like the old animated movies from the 20th century, bending and twisting its way through the enemy lines. If I hadnÔÇÖt known better, I would have said that the ship was slightly bent. Several external explosions raked across the ship, consistent with the stress the ship had to be going through. For a moment, I thought we were going to lose her.
Thankfully, she held firm, maintaining structural integrity. I could tell she was pushing herself hard, yet she didnÔÇÖt give up. I would have to look up the team who built the thing and buy them a round or twenty!
A P-21 soared past me, and I turned to follow. What I didnt see was the missile on its ass. I swung directly into its path. It was close. I shouted as the missile burned a long furrow down the canopy. Big problem
The missile detonated behind the vandal right in front of my fighter. Debris slammed into the shields and sliced deep into the armor. Between the detonating fighter and the missile, we were screwed. Gambit gave me the specs. Shields gone, armor down to 20%. Several other systems were shot to hell. Life support was barely functioning. I didnt need him to tell me that. Every, and I mean every screen in my section of the cockpit had been smashed. Smoke filled the cockpit and I could barely see. Gambit, however, was still able to make out his displays.
ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm blind, Gambit! You do the Rio bit, IÔÇÖll do the pilot bit! Tell me where they are, and IÔÇÖll pop them!ÔÇØ I closed my eyes, unable to handle the intense smoke. I secured the faceplate of my helmet, but it wouldnÔÇÖt do any good for a while yet.
He relayed the info while trying to life support running again. ÔÇ£Bandit at 6:00 high heading away from us. Bring her around to the right and weÔÇÖll get the angle! IÔÇÖm gonna see what I can do with this life support system!ÔÇØ
I brought the IC around to face the P-21, then ÔÇÿburned toward it. Gambit called out the distance, then the smoke dissipated enough for me to see. I closed within weapons range, then fired six rapid shots, shredding the shields of the fighter and slicing into the armor. The last bolt must have penetrated the reactor. The fighter vanished behind a white-hot explosion. Debris scattered in all directions, but I managed to dodge all but the smallest fragments.
A pair of lasers lanced past, and I turned to see a P-21 holding tight on our tail. ÔÇ£Get those shields up, Gambit!ÔÇØ I shouted back at him.
ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm trying, skip!ÔÇØ Gambit responded quickly.
The P-21 scored a direct hit on the aft end of the craft. The tiny ship jolted violently. The wail of a missile lock shrieked in my ear. The EMD went active before I even thought to shout the command, then I kicked in the retros. The missile streaked from the Vandal, heading straight for us. I rolled the fighter and toggled the VTOL engines. I applied full vertical thrust, then switched to standard flight and hit the ÔÇÿburners, reversing the roll and banking the other direction. The missile tried to curve, but lost the lock. It detonated well behind us.
The Vandal was still behind us. Three more bolts flashed past, the fourth slamming into the engine again. IÔÇÖd had enough of this game. I twisted the stick, swinging the fighter to face him, then hit the retros. I started firing burst after burst. The pilot must have been looking at his instruments or something when I had turned. He didnÔÇÖt even see the shots melting through the canopy. The fighter exploded, the cloud of debris drifting past us as I kicked the fighter into full burn back toward the Chikuma.
That almost ended my career right there. Gambit called out the power spike just as the IC began to shudder. I killed the ÔÇÿburners while Gambit assessed the damage. ÔÇ£Engines at 20% efficiency, and the reactor is almost nil. Another burst like that and weÔÇÖll lose it.ÔÇØ
He looked back at the remains of what had been the rear section of the craft. ÔÇ£The tail stabilizers are shot up pretty badly, and one of the engines is completely useless. Looks like weÔÇÖre going to have to limp home.ÔÇØ
We watched the battle from a distance, seeing fighters disintegrating here and there. Two bright suns, probably cap ships, flared before us. Then Gambit called out the news I had been waiting to hear. ÔÇ£TheyÔÇÖre retreating back through the gate!ÔÇØ
___
Mission +1 day 2 hours 13 minutes
After that, all I could think about was getting back aboard ship. We eventually landed in the worst damned bays you ever did see. If I hadnt known better, Id have said we were dealing with a relic of a ship from the 17th century. We were patted on the back for a job well done, then I went to check on the status of the two guests we had aboard. Good thing for those marines that she was safe. Would have been hell to pay if anything had happened to her and her father would have had nothing to do with it. I take my responsibilities seriously, you see. After the celebrations, we were towed back to Galcom HQ for repairs. I had four days of R&R and no place to spend it in. So I decided to spend it here, in the bar. Not on the ship, though. The galley was still being repaired. No, this was a wonderful earth-side bar. Id always had a fondness for this place. The drinks are pure heaven! Especially after a hell like that! The bartender was an ex-pilot, so he knew what I and the other frequent flyboys wanted. Something hard to slam us on our asses before we have a second to think.
Unfortunately, I was smarter than that. I had quit early, making sure I had a clear head in the morning. Gambit had booked some time in the simulator. We were going to run through what had happened out there. If it happens once, it could happen again. We were trying to keep that friendly fire incident from ever happening again. My reflexes for it were getting faster, but I hadnÔÇÖt beaten the scenario without sustaining significant damage. First the shields for the second time, then the engines. Then the lasers were slagged. The fourth time saw us incinerated completely. The jerk always set it up to happen at a random time. Once, just to really piss me off, he had timed the accident to occur seconds after the launch. If he hadnÔÇÖt been laughing so hard, I would have decked him!
Well, it was time to change that little losing streak. I got up, slipped on a fresh jumpsuit and headed out to meet Gambit at the base.
Mission +2 days 6 hours 30 minutes
He was waiting for me at the door. ÔÇ£Ready for the morning thrashing, skip?ÔÇØ He said, grinning. ÔÇ£YouÔÇÖll never expect the diversion I have planned for you this time!ÔÇØ
ÔÇ£YouÔÇÖve thrown everything but the sink, Gambit. You wonÔÇÖt get me this time.ÔÇØ IÔÇÖd like to think that after twenty-three years of lifeÔÇÖs little experiences, the last five being in Galcom, that I would know what he was thinking.
He started up the program and we launched. The sims are the best, simulating actual combat, stopping the experience only at the point of death. The G-forces, atmosphere, everything, is 100% real. The combat was the same as it had been before. The ships were all there, the same numbers and vectors, the comms traffic repeating exactly as it had in the battle. It was precisely as it had been when the battle had occurred.
I banked to follow the P-21s tail, but I knew what was coming next. I made ready to dodge the missile. Waiting waiting
The SOB was right. I never expected the distraction he had planned.
(RP off)
------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
-
Ben, you are a life saver! Thanks
Well, I guess that would make it about mid-september then that the Deterrence left Galcom (and got towed back to it)
------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
-
I like that post, Blades
I've got an idea for taking out those last fighters once I get to that point, but I'll leave it until then. I don't like limiting other players' options (RP on)
IC2 pilot; Chris "Shodan" VanCise
Mission +0days +19hours 42minutes
The teenager leaned against the wall, scrambling to stay out of the way as people scrambled to their battlestations. I was about to drag her down the hallway, kicking and screaming if needs be, when two marines rounded the corner.
Perfect!
I held up a hand, stopping them in their tracks. "Get this woman back to the diplomat's quarters immedately!"
"We have orders..."
I interrupted them. "She is more important than your orders. It's safe to say that in the middle of a combat situation, which you hopefully are aware that we're in, that diplomat is going to be worried sick about her! I don't know who gave her permission to run around the freaking hallways, but she needs to get to safety!"
I stepped forward, shoving my face into the lead marine's. "Take her to her quarters now!"
I didn't wait for a reply, choosing instead to bolt down the corridor toward the IC bay. "Gambit, I'm on my way!" I shouted into the comm.
"It's about freaking time! Hurry up, we're almost ready to launch!" He shouted back. He was sounding increasingly desperate. Perhaps he actually wanted to live after all.
Well, so did I. That was why I was rushing to get into that fighter and throw myself and Gambit into a hell of lasers and missiles, risking death from one second to the next. There was no way in hell that I would let him take off with a sys-engineer aboard and leave me on this tub. Why, without the right pilot, that fighter would be dust and so would the Chikuma. We couldn't have that! Maybe Gambit could handle himself, but trusting his life to a tech? I don't think so!
I rounded the corner and began a full sprint for the bays.
Mission +0days +19hours 45minutes
(RP off)
------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
-
IC2 pilot; Chris "Shodan" VanCise
Mission +0days +19hours 40minutes
(RP on)
"I know, Gambit! I'm on my way!" I said, running down the hall. The damned teenager wouldn't listen. Freaking kid, didn't she realize that we were under attack? Just my luck to find a diplomat's daughter running down the halls in the middle of a combat situation. For crying out loud, she could get herself killed doing that!
"Damn it, Shodan! We're almost ready to launch!" Gambit shouted at me. "I don't want to take a sys-engineer as my pilot, but if you aren't here when they give me the green light, so help me, I'll lock one of them in here while they do the preflight and lift off without you!"
"I don't think you want to do that, Gambit. Last I heard, you had a strong will to live. Wait on the deck until I get there. That's an order!"
Damned copilots think they know everything. Hell, the only pilot on this tub to prove himself so far was that nutso pilot, Shadow, and that was by reputation alone. He'd never actually seen the man in action. I would like to think that I know a few things. I've turned down three promotions so I could remain in the cockpit. But I didn't truly know Shadow, nor anyone else on the ship for that matter.
I had time enough to think of two options. One, escort the kid to her quarters, toss her in with her father and make for the Flight Deck like a madman escaping a brushfire, or I could leave her here and head for my ship. Where the hell was a marine when you needed one?
(RP off)
----
Blades, if there is a problem with this, let me know via e-mail. I'll revise the post if necessary.
------------------
Commander David Foss, GCV Deterrence
Deterrence Battle Group Roll Call
in Orion Fleet
Posted
Gack! Command of a Star Base? NoooooO!
Well, I'll get used to it 
Though I understand from your message that the locations of the SB's have been shuffled a bit. Can you let me know where Vanguard is when you find out? I'd hate to find myself on another backwater world 
------------------
CMDR DAVID FOSS,
ORION FLEET
COMMANDING OFFICER, DBG
DETERRENCE BATTLE GROUP
GCV - DETERRENCE
www.orion-hq.fsnet.co.uk
"War is dangerous. Seek to prevent it, lest we step in."