Part 1
Chapter 1: Like Father….
Jack sat in class and listened to his mother telling them about time, and space and the connection between them. He was bored to tears and he looked across to his cousin, and smiled. Sam was his same age, more or less and they loved a good time and the good times were just starting for them. They were the first generation after the Swarm and they were just finishing up their official training. Argon Graduation was coming and they both were all ready for their new lives. Sam was already in the Colonial Reserves, as an Ensign and he begged Jack a hundred times to join too, but it wasn’t in him to do it. He had his own plans, after all he was the future King of Brennans World, and he had a future all in place. He was going to be the best at what he did, just like his father, and he would have the entire world eating out of his hand before he was done. With his fathers daring and skill and his mothers mental power, he had the best of both worlds and was going to prove it soon enough.
Jack looked across and said to Sam, mentally, “Are we going to do some flying after this?” and Sams eyes popped open. He was trying to finish the lesson before Jackie got mad at them, again, but Jack wasn’t in the mood to be quiet enough for him to do it.
“You’re getting us in trouble again.” Sam whispered back but not in time, as a shrill whistle was heard, and it was loud enough to make his eyes water. “I told you!” he said as Jack looked up at his mother standing giving him the evil eye from the front desk.
“Jack, we are in the middle of one of your final lessons, if you cant be civilized enough to wait till I’m through here, then no, you wont be flying tonight!” she said mentally and half the class chuckled. It was tough trying to get a word in with a parent as a teacher, not to mention using her obviously superior mental abilities to listen in on him. It wasn’t hard, heck he did it himself to others, and got caught more than once. It was rude to listen in, but it was so easy, he didn’t get the problem. If they all could do it, what did they expect?
“This class will be through in 10 minutes and 20 seconds, after that Jack stay behind to answer further questions.” She said and he dropped his head on his hands, not again, but he asked for it, and she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
The class ended and Jack just sat there, arms folded and waited. The room emptied and they sat staring at each other for a minute till she spoke to him.
“You know, you make me feel so bad sometimes, I have given you and your father so much, and you embarrass me at every turn.” She said and Jack rolled his eyes, here it comes again, “I gave you life and mental powers above all the others” she did this speech every time he did something she disagreed with, and that was a lot. He knew he was an improvement over the “Old” argons, hell, it wasn’t hard to tell. He had the stature of a body builder and the mental powers of one of the Others themselves, well, almost. He didn’t understand what she expected from him, he’s only 18, and she thought he should act like he was 100 or something, she just doesn’t get it.
“And I get tired hearing you say I don’t get it…what does that mean exactly? I understand you’re a lot like your father, but this isn’t about macho heroics, or stubbornness, it about survival, and we know more about that than he ever did, so don’t you roll your eyes at me if you ever expect to see a ship again.” She said seriously and pointed towards the door. Jack nodded and thanked her for her compassion and she gave him a stern look once more as he walked away.
Jack went straight to the docks, where Sam was still waiting, he nodded and smiled, and they each got a small fighter and went riding. The little ships were fast, very fast, but not well armed, and they were forbidden from leaving the sector with them.
The Swarm was still active, by now in small groups and hidden areas, but they still surprised a traveler from time to time. They seemed to have been changed somewhat by their ordeal, but they survived. If that’s what you want to call it. Every time a swarm was seen they were attacked and destroyed, they were getting fewer all the time, and Jake had said on the news channel that there would be a big celebration the day the last was killed. Jack couldn’t wait, any reason to party was a good one, and he had a few ideas about that too. Now if he could only keep his mother from finding out he was watching girls, but he smiled to himself, he knew that was long ago given away, but he didn’t care. It was all about survival after all, and what else was more natural then a guy looking at girls?
Jack heard a quiet “Pfft” in the back of his mind and he smiled, this was just getting silly, and he tried really, really hard not to think that out loud, but barely managed it.
“Lets race to the moon and back, loser buys the drinks.” Jack said as Sam smiled and nodded, the flight was very quick, and as almost always, Jack won, but this time just by a hair.
“I almost got you that time,” Sam said and Jack just nodded, it was hard to get a good concentration going on anything when he knew his mother was watching his every move. She hadn’t been this bad before, but for some reason she was being really stern the last few weeks and he was starting to wear down from it, if only he knew what was going on he’d feel a lot better, but she didn’t say a word and he just walked with Sam into a small establishment and got a drink. He didn’t even have time to finish it when he was told his father was finishing up in the office for the day, and he was expected home for dinner. Jack just shook his head and smiled, someday he’d be able to do what he wanted, but this obviously wasn’t the day.
Jake was in the living room watching the news channel when Jack walked in, he smiled, and they both laughed as Jake asked him about his day.
“Same old, same old,” Jack said and Jake laughed, that probably meant he was in trouble with his mother again, no surprise.
“He embarrassed me again, in class.” She called from the kitchen as Jake just shook his head laughing.
“You never learn, do you? Your mother has more abilities in her little finger than you have in that big ego of yours, and don’t you forget it.” Jake said as Jack rolled his eyes again and sat down on the sofa with a thump.
“I hate when he does that.” She called and Jake and Jack both turned to look towards the kitchen, she wasn’t in sight at all, how did she know?
“I’m your mother, I’m supposed to know.” Was the only explanation they both got, and Jake just shrugged his shoulders and smiled as Jack made a few funny faces and they both laughed again.
“Isn’t it about time for his speech?” Jake heard in his mind and he said no, that graduation was still a week away, it could wait till then. She didn’t agree, but that too wasn’t unusual and Jake refused, saying it was his right as father, and he was waiting. It took a little while to get her to ok it, but he was being stubborn, again, and there was a certain ceremony that had to go with being a new Argon adult, and it was for AFTER the graduation. She sniffed loudly and Jake laughed, she was worried already about Jack being on his own, and what he was going to do with that freedom, but Jake knew he was ok, he’d do a few dumb things for sure, but that’s what growing up is all about, and he had a certain reputation to hold up to.
“And who’s fault is that?” he heard again, and he started laughing, even as Jack smiled and shook his head, they were talking about him again, and as hard as he tried, he couldn’t hear, it was true, his mother had a huge advantage, but he was learning, for sure.
Chapter 2: Graduation Day
The next week drug on, Jack was sticking close to home, after all, he had a new ship in his future, he was sure, and being a Brennan, there was a certain understanding that he was in line for the leadership of the colony. He smiled a lot and threw his weight around just to see how it felt, but he was careful not to abuse his power, as he was sure his father wouldn’t approve. His mother had been watching him like a hawk for weeks and Jack saw something coming and smiled. His father was obviously planning something his mother didn’t completely approve of, but that was her problem, Jack just hoped that his dad didn’t make it too easy for him, after all, he had a reputation to think of, and being a Brennan he would be expected to be front and center for the well being of the colony, just as his dad had been all these years.
The ceremony was well planned and very official, the graduates each got their diplomas, and the final list of grades was read. Jack was well into the top of the class, Sam beat him out by just a little for number one, and his mother, Helena was thrilled. He had already entered the military and was assigned to the cruiser “Gigantic” right after graduation. She was both thrilled to have a son at her age, and happy he saw the wisdom in following his mothers’ footsteps. Now if Jack could just do as well, then the family would be very happy. All the younger Brennans were waiting and watching to see what these first two to graduate got, or did, and the whole family knew it.
Jack sat quietly through the ceremony, sitting rigidly straight, in his best possible posture while the whole room watched and waited for the final moments. The lists were read and the speeches given and the crowd jumped to their feet applauding, the first graduating class of the new colony was officially adults today and the world was watching closely to see them take a more serious role in their future. Jack and his class stood and bowed to their parents and their honored guests, and it was done. The two crowds rushed together and there were hugs and kisses and hands being shook. Jack was very happy and everyone there knew he was well on his way, now all he had to do was have the ceremonial talk with his father and mother and get his first new ship and “paycheck.” Jack smiled wide, he was going to use that to buy a lot of drinks this evening, it wasn’t like he needed it, he was a Brennan, and his father was the President and a member of the Most High, he had everything he ever wanted up till now, and he couldn’t see that changing any time soon.
All the friends came and went and Jake and his family went home to do the honors, Helena watched as Jack and Jake walked away together and smiled. Jack had been babied for a long while and she wandered how much Jackie was planning on helping him now, but she didn’t asked right out and apologized just in case she was listening to her thoughts, it was her family and she and Jake had something planned for sure, and she was just curious.
They entered the penthouse and went into Jakes office, before he gave his speech he played the recording of Julian that they had brought back from old Argon space and Jack dropped his eyes and smiled. His family had a huge legend for him to follow, and his father was making sure that today of all days, he remembered.
“Jack, you’ve made me proud of you so far, please don’t stop now. We are Brennans and we alone talk to the Ancients. It was we who helped Argon in all their wars and it will be we that finish this, the last war. I know you are expecting something grand , and I understand why, but we have a family tradition, and in this new place we are going to carry it on into a new generation, and I expect you to do the same for your children someday.” Jake said as Jack was starting to get a little confused, he had never heard any of this, until now.
“Please don’t do this,” Jake heard as Jackie stepped in at the last minute, but he continued on.
“Now that you have graduated, we need to see if you too are a good Brennan. We have always been independent, and wise and careful in what we did. My father gave me a similar speech when I graduated and now I give it to you. Here you will find the codes to a new ship, usually a medium fighter for graduation, but in these times things are still bad, so that was adjusted to suit. And also your first “paycheck” as a new adult, don’t waste it, it will not last too long if you do, and running back home is frowned on at least for a reasonable amount of time, so be careful, and show us you can make it alone just as all of us have in the past. When you have proven yourself, then your place will be here, but until then, you’re on your own, good luck, son.” Jake said and handed Jack an envelope and gave him a last hug, in the distance Jackie could be heard sobbing and Jack was nearly ready to himself. He was being thrown out by his father, and he had to prove himself worthy of his own NAME?? How strange it all sounded, but he knew his dad was being serious, and he now felt the weight of his families’ legacy for the first time in his life. He turned slowly and went into his room to gather a few things, and went down to the docks. The codes were for a corvette class ship with a small apartment already set up in it, his new home, and he shook his head. It was smaller than the game room in the high rise, and now he knew that he had to show his father that he was more than just blood, he was a Brennan, and he knew his every move would be watched by everyone who knew him.
Jack put the few things away he had brought, his favorite flight suit, and his sidearm, and helmet, and went to the local bar for a drink with his friends. It was his big night, and he would not tell anyone how his life had suddenly changed, just that he got his own new corvette class, that sounded good enough, the details were for him and his father alone, and he was going to be very careful to show him he could be everything that was expected, and he smiled a solemn smile and shook a few more hands and started wandering what he’d have to do to stretch this paycheck and make it last.
Jack was sitting a while later, nursing his drink, and listening to all the people around him and their problems. It made him feel less slighted to hear that some of his friends had gotten a similar speech themselves. Some were surprised, some not, and a few were actually warned that it was coming. He smiled to himself, that would have been nice then the shock wouldn’t have been so great, at least. He was listening to a few workers complaining about the mines when something caught his attention.
“Not everyone knows, yet, the copper seam is played out, and we’re in the middle of a electronics shortage, so if you know where you can find any old electronics, any at all, take it too the recycling center. The price for recycled electrical equipment is going through the roof until we find a new seam, and that doesn’t seem too likely.”
It was one of the engineers talking to his second and Jack smiled. If things were getting that tight for electronics, then maybe, just maybe he had found a way to make some extras money until something better comes along. He finished his drink and went back to his ship, there he called across, and asked about the price of recycling electronics, and sure enough, they were paying huge for anything they could get. He made up his mind then and there to do a little scouting around. The swarm was very weak now, with large areas where they have not been seen for months, so maybe some of the old stations and mines were worth checking, after all, they were destroyed already, so anything there was free salvage, and with some luck, he could double this check in a few days, and somewhere in his mind he had a dejvu’ feeling and shook it off and backed away from the station.
Jack smiled to himself and turned his ship away from the base. In a second the drive kicked in and he jumped, in his mind he felt a small tightness, and knew his mother was watching, silently, and he smiled and said he’d be fine and the feeling stopped. It was obvious that she wasn’t ready to give up just yet, but she was being as supportive of Jakes wishes as she could bear. Jack entered the outer system next to the old jump gate and looked around. There weren’t any swarms nearby and he started into the old sector at full speed. He found an old asteroid mine and scanned it for equipment and went on board to retrieve whatever was there. He got an antique computer system, and several large fans used to circulate air, they had a large amount of copper wire in them and he felt they could help a little at least. He loaded his treasure into his ship and immediately got cleaned up. He had never had to get dirty before and it bothered him a little, but that’s what was expected, and he moved on looking for more old stations and more equipment for salvage.
The Way It Could Be, Part 5
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Like Father....!
Ah! Nice.. so Jake is going to scavenge a fortune for himself and become a scrap dealer: 'Brennan's Breakers'?
Ha ha ha
Good way to introduce the idle 'think they are rich' to having to make something of themselves instead of living off 'Others' hard work.
Keep on scribing Sir.
Ha ha ha
Good way to introduce the idle 'think they are rich' to having to make something of themselves instead of living off 'Others' hard work.Keep on scribing Sir.
veneratio supernus omni
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KRM398
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Chapter 3: Making it Last
In a day Jack had a small load of electronics he had salvaged. It wasn’t what he’d hoped and this work seemed beneath him, but he was doing ok. He was three sectors away from home when he saw a derelict in the distance. He made a dash for it and docked. It was all ripped to pieces from the swarm and he shook his head. In good times, they were a powerful creature, for sure, and he swallowed to think they might still be nearby.
The good news was this was an old TL class ship from before the swarm. It was big, and there were miles of cables and fans and every kind of electronics imaginable on board. He was happy to see it, even though it meant a lot of hard work, but hey, he was built for it and he’d show everyone he could handle himself. He started looking through the ship for whatever there might be and found that it contained a small load of silicon and even had an old, antique freighter docked inside. Obviously no one had a chance to escape, and he shook his head and went to see the old ship.
It was in surprisingly good condition, and Jack checked to see if anyone was still on board. He saw no one, but he knew they had been in the big ship somewhere, once, and he felt kind of bad they didn’t make it like the rest. It was the first time he had been forced to see the world from a different perspective, it had always been about him and his family, but here he could almost hear the screams of the crew when the swarm came, and it bothered him badly. He took control of the old ship and sent it back to Brennans World be fore getting into the salvage business. He was sure there would be a few people at home that might want it, and he smiled. It was a little easier than stripping cables and computer systems, but he’d still need everything he could get to keep going. He started to feel something, an eerie feeling and he decided that he’d better go for now, and he grabbed the mass of wires and other equipment and went back to his ship. He had loaded everything in the cargo hold and backed away from the old wreck when a dark shadow went screaming by, and he almost wet himself in fright, the swarm had caught him unawares and they were right there, waiting when he undocked.
Jack had no choice he opened fire and went to full speed, he made a fast turn as one went past and missed him. He did it again and the rear turret finished it. He was smiling to think they had snuck up on him, he thought he was better than that, but they were good at what they did, and he was earning his salvage by the minute. He saw there were three and one was dead, so he got a lock and dropped one of his few missiles and kept turning and sliding and got the other in his sights. He fired a heavy blast into it and it died too, and in a second he could feel the shock from the explosion and the last swarm dropped far behind. He started at full speed back towards Brennans World and made his first ever report of swarm activity.
Helena was surprised any were so close and sent a team to investigate. She was worried, and made sure to ask multiple times if he was ok, and he started to laugh, she was as bad as his mother. She wasn’t psychic but she saw that look and left him know that family is still family, and she worried about him as well as all the others and he nodded and she said that as soon as the swarm kills were properly recorded he’d be getting a bounty, it was the set price for killing swarm, but she reminded him that if there were more than the three he saw, he probably wouldn’t be around to claim it, and he swallowed hard and agreed. She waved goodbye and the link closed. He had done a few things today he didn’t planned on a month ago. He had walked through a dead ship, and claimed an old freighter, and he had seen the swarm first hand, and survived. He remembered that eerie feeling right before he left the wreck and decided to watch for that again. It had stopped him from being inside the old ship when they came, and it had saved him.
Jackie stomped into Jakes office with flames coming out of her eyes and slammed her fist on his desk. Jake looked up slowly from his work as he saw her rage grow.
“Three,” she screamed, ”Three swarm almost had him, and he had to fight his way out on his FIRST day!” she screamed and Jake sat back and looked her right in the eye and said.
“Yes, and he survived, as I knew he would, as WE knew he would.” He said matter of factly, and she screamed again.
“He’s our son, cant he be given the benefit of all we have learned, just let him come home and never have to see them again.” She begged and Jake rose up from his seat and leaned over the desk towards her.
“He’s my son too, and I knew he could do it, the ship I gave him had the best of everything, and if he didn’t survive with that, then he wasn’t MY son.” He said as Jackie slowed way down and gave him a serious stare.
“If he dies out there because of this damned Brennan test, then I won’t be here to see the next family member die.” She said and stormed out of the room, and Jake sat back down, with a small smile.
“If you think your upset, you should have seen my mother the day she found out I saw hunting pirates alone for a living.” He thought out loud and she just growled back at him and he went back to work.
Jack slid to a stop at the station and literally sat back in relief. He had done a good days work, and he was sure he’d made some money too , and he went and had the electronics unloaded and got paid, not bad, that helped a lot, and he went to get a drink that he needed really badly right now. He would see about the old ship later, but for now it felt good to say he had gotten his first real ship all by himself on his first day out, and he knew the swarm story was going to get him a few free drinks too.
Chapter 4: A Chip off the old Block
Jake sat and looked at the salvage report, Jack had done pretty well, for his first day, by now he’d be seeing that having a pretty body doesn’t mean crap if you’ve never worked and he smiled to think he’d wake up this morning a stiff and sore young man. He had been paid well for his work, a little overpaid actually, and he smiled and decided to make sure he got a few more missiles cheap too, and he heard in his mind,
“It’s about time,” and he laughed for a second, and even Jackie got a chuckle.
“He still has a lot to learn but he’s doing ok so far.” Jake said and she agreed, a real turn around right there, and he tried hard not to let that thought get out.
Jack was up and moving this morning in the little apartment, he was beginning to see that working for a living was a painful experience, and he smiled. He had always looked like he worked out a lot, but it really wasn’t necessary, and yes, he could do a lot of lifting and his health was excellent, but he never had to prove it before and he smiled to think his dad had probably known this was going to happen. If he was to learn about making it on his own, then he was ready, after he got some breakfast, and he laughed to see he could barely lift his arm to drink his coffee this morning. He could just imagine what he’d feel like tomorrow; he thought and chuckled as he sat down to eat.
Jack returned to the old TL and scanned the area. There weren’t any swarms around now and he saw a military corvette in the distance, they were watching the sector and he was happy about it. He got a call from the corvette and the Lt. said he was sent to see if they returned and Jack said he was going to finish his salvage work, so if they saw anything just yell and they agreed. Jack went back inside and started cutting and pulling cables and all the wiring and electrical things he could find, he was sure happy he had found this and it gave him a head start on what he was sure was going to be a long time being on his own. He loaded up everything he could get to easily and then started a more thorough search.
There were dozens of rooms where things could be stored, and he was working his way down the hall going through them when he found something new. He opened a door and went inside, showing his light all around, on the one wall was a rack full of guns, rifles, and heavy blasters, and he smiled. These were worth a good penny themselves and he called over to the corvette and told them what he found. In a few minutes they came over and he loaded them up for them and they left him know that he was going to be well paid. Good quality weapons are always needed and he knew sooner or later that Helena would be giving him a call too. He watched as the corvette waved and went back to his patrol then Jack walked back and got the biggest rifle he had saved for himself. If he was going to make a living walking through old ships, he didn’t know what he might find someday, and he wanted one of these, and he smiled at the size and weight of it.
“Guns,” Jake heard loudly in his mind,”He’s found a load of guns, a lot of them in an old ship.” Jake heard and he dropped his head smiling.
“How am I supposed to get work done when you keep doing this?” he asked smiling.
“And you didn’t set this all up for him then?” she asked.
“No not a bit, he’s on his own and that’s it, its bad enough I have to help him with inflated prices for his salvage, there’s a lot of stuff out there that really does need brought in, and he can make a lot doing it without our help, so now if you don’t mind…” he said smiling, and she put a picture of them being together in his mind, and he laughed,
“And that’s not helping either,” he said laughing and she chuckled, asking if anything needed done so badly, and he just threw up his hands and quit for the day.
Jack checked the charge and turned and fired a shot into a door at the end of the hall, the blaster didn’t penetrate, but it made a big dent and the door looked red hot. He was mildly impressed by what was obviously many times more powerful than his sidearm. He threw the strap over his shoulder and continued searching. He was near the far end of the big ship when he had that feeling again, and he ran at best speed down the hall and around into the dock. He undocked as the military corvette was calling for him to run, they had a small swarm patrol inbound, and Jake saw they might not be able to handle them alone. He sent a few well placed missiles their way and called for them to jump too, but it was their job to be here, not his, and he laughed and said ‘bet me’ and together they stood against the swarm and guns fired and missiles flew and in a few minutes the sector was clear again.
“That was some good shooting,” the Lt. called over as Jack sat back with a smile.
“Damn right, I might have my mothers’ brainpower, but when it comes to flying, I’m all Brennan.” Jack said as they both got a laugh together. To his immediate surprise he heard nothing in his mind and he smiled again. He truly was on his own, at least for the moment, and he started looking around other stations and places to salvage. It was early, and he wasn’t ready to go back just yet. The other corvette was still on patrol and Jack went into the old trading station to look around.
The station was huge, even all tore up, and jack walked around looking at all the old shops and stores and found that hardly anyone had ever been here. The place had tons of stuff from cloths, to alcohol all neatly lined up on shelves and in boxes. He smiled and grabbed all he could carry and loaded it on his ship. He didn’t know what some of this stuff was worth, but he would see. The alcohol they all drank at home was a mix that they had made themselves, roughly copying the old formulas, but he was really serious to see what the difference was when he got back. He loaded many cases of drinks on board and all the supplies that he had room for. He undocked and called he was done for the day, and the military corvette thanked him for the assistance, and he started back.
He was only a couple sectors out so he decided to do a little sightseeing. He started back using the gates instead of jumping straight in. He was just entering the last sector when he saw another ship traveling through, also.
“Hello, Xenon, on patrol I see,” he called over as the small carrier chuckled.
“Not today, I am on a quest, it’s my first major E test, and I’m on the hunt.” Said a decidedly female voice, Jack smiled, the xenon were evolving very fast, and a few were now very close to the others, but not quite. If this ship was on an E quest then she was ready to evolve up to the next step, and he wished her well, and she thanked him.
“You should go, we have seen swarm activity nearby, and I am here to eliminate them for my quest.” She said seriously and Jack smiled and said he helped a military corvette kill a small swarm patrol a few sectors over.
“NO, how many?” she asked and he took a guess and said 6 and she seemed upset.
“That might have been the swarm I am hunting, I jumped in and went the wrong way!” she said sadly and Jack tried hard not to smile too widely.
“I have seen several in that sector, they seem to be gravitating to it for some reason, and maybe you can still find some there.” He said and she seemed to feel better, it was worth a try, and she turned and past him going the other way. In a minute she jumped through the gate and Jack swung around and jumped himself back home. He was hoping his friend found what she was looking for. She had far more firepower than the two corvettes together, and he knew she would be alright.
Jake stopped kissing his wife for a second and she smiled, “He’s impressed someone new.” Jake said and she looked at him very seriously.
“When did you learn to do that from this distance?” she asked and chuckled.
“It’s not like you haven’t been watching his every move.” He reminded her and she smiled and said not the last hour or so, and they both chuckled. “I just get flashes, like maybe something really good or bad is happening, not like you, watching to see if he baths, or changes cloths.” He said laughing and she gave him a serious look.
“I still have to tell you to do those things; I don’t see how you human males can live without females to watch over you.” She said and he held her close,
“That’s why you’re here,” Jake said and kissed her again. “But definitely not the best reason,” And they held each other close and Jack was forgotten for a while, at least.
In a day Jack had a small load of electronics he had salvaged. It wasn’t what he’d hoped and this work seemed beneath him, but he was doing ok. He was three sectors away from home when he saw a derelict in the distance. He made a dash for it and docked. It was all ripped to pieces from the swarm and he shook his head. In good times, they were a powerful creature, for sure, and he swallowed to think they might still be nearby.
The good news was this was an old TL class ship from before the swarm. It was big, and there were miles of cables and fans and every kind of electronics imaginable on board. He was happy to see it, even though it meant a lot of hard work, but hey, he was built for it and he’d show everyone he could handle himself. He started looking through the ship for whatever there might be and found that it contained a small load of silicon and even had an old, antique freighter docked inside. Obviously no one had a chance to escape, and he shook his head and went to see the old ship.
It was in surprisingly good condition, and Jack checked to see if anyone was still on board. He saw no one, but he knew they had been in the big ship somewhere, once, and he felt kind of bad they didn’t make it like the rest. It was the first time he had been forced to see the world from a different perspective, it had always been about him and his family, but here he could almost hear the screams of the crew when the swarm came, and it bothered him badly. He took control of the old ship and sent it back to Brennans World be fore getting into the salvage business. He was sure there would be a few people at home that might want it, and he smiled. It was a little easier than stripping cables and computer systems, but he’d still need everything he could get to keep going. He started to feel something, an eerie feeling and he decided that he’d better go for now, and he grabbed the mass of wires and other equipment and went back to his ship. He had loaded everything in the cargo hold and backed away from the old wreck when a dark shadow went screaming by, and he almost wet himself in fright, the swarm had caught him unawares and they were right there, waiting when he undocked.
Jack had no choice he opened fire and went to full speed, he made a fast turn as one went past and missed him. He did it again and the rear turret finished it. He was smiling to think they had snuck up on him, he thought he was better than that, but they were good at what they did, and he was earning his salvage by the minute. He saw there were three and one was dead, so he got a lock and dropped one of his few missiles and kept turning and sliding and got the other in his sights. He fired a heavy blast into it and it died too, and in a second he could feel the shock from the explosion and the last swarm dropped far behind. He started at full speed back towards Brennans World and made his first ever report of swarm activity.
Helena was surprised any were so close and sent a team to investigate. She was worried, and made sure to ask multiple times if he was ok, and he started to laugh, she was as bad as his mother. She wasn’t psychic but she saw that look and left him know that family is still family, and she worried about him as well as all the others and he nodded and she said that as soon as the swarm kills were properly recorded he’d be getting a bounty, it was the set price for killing swarm, but she reminded him that if there were more than the three he saw, he probably wouldn’t be around to claim it, and he swallowed hard and agreed. She waved goodbye and the link closed. He had done a few things today he didn’t planned on a month ago. He had walked through a dead ship, and claimed an old freighter, and he had seen the swarm first hand, and survived. He remembered that eerie feeling right before he left the wreck and decided to watch for that again. It had stopped him from being inside the old ship when they came, and it had saved him.
Jackie stomped into Jakes office with flames coming out of her eyes and slammed her fist on his desk. Jake looked up slowly from his work as he saw her rage grow.
“Three,” she screamed, ”Three swarm almost had him, and he had to fight his way out on his FIRST day!” she screamed and Jake sat back and looked her right in the eye and said.
“Yes, and he survived, as I knew he would, as WE knew he would.” He said matter of factly, and she screamed again.
“He’s our son, cant he be given the benefit of all we have learned, just let him come home and never have to see them again.” She begged and Jake rose up from his seat and leaned over the desk towards her.
“He’s my son too, and I knew he could do it, the ship I gave him had the best of everything, and if he didn’t survive with that, then he wasn’t MY son.” He said as Jackie slowed way down and gave him a serious stare.
“If he dies out there because of this damned Brennan test, then I won’t be here to see the next family member die.” She said and stormed out of the room, and Jake sat back down, with a small smile.
“If you think your upset, you should have seen my mother the day she found out I saw hunting pirates alone for a living.” He thought out loud and she just growled back at him and he went back to work.
Jack slid to a stop at the station and literally sat back in relief. He had done a good days work, and he was sure he’d made some money too , and he went and had the electronics unloaded and got paid, not bad, that helped a lot, and he went to get a drink that he needed really badly right now. He would see about the old ship later, but for now it felt good to say he had gotten his first real ship all by himself on his first day out, and he knew the swarm story was going to get him a few free drinks too.
Chapter 4: A Chip off the old Block
Jake sat and looked at the salvage report, Jack had done pretty well, for his first day, by now he’d be seeing that having a pretty body doesn’t mean crap if you’ve never worked and he smiled to think he’d wake up this morning a stiff and sore young man. He had been paid well for his work, a little overpaid actually, and he smiled and decided to make sure he got a few more missiles cheap too, and he heard in his mind,
“It’s about time,” and he laughed for a second, and even Jackie got a chuckle.
“He still has a lot to learn but he’s doing ok so far.” Jake said and she agreed, a real turn around right there, and he tried hard not to let that thought get out.
Jack was up and moving this morning in the little apartment, he was beginning to see that working for a living was a painful experience, and he smiled. He had always looked like he worked out a lot, but it really wasn’t necessary, and yes, he could do a lot of lifting and his health was excellent, but he never had to prove it before and he smiled to think his dad had probably known this was going to happen. If he was to learn about making it on his own, then he was ready, after he got some breakfast, and he laughed to see he could barely lift his arm to drink his coffee this morning. He could just imagine what he’d feel like tomorrow; he thought and chuckled as he sat down to eat.
Jack returned to the old TL and scanned the area. There weren’t any swarms around now and he saw a military corvette in the distance, they were watching the sector and he was happy about it. He got a call from the corvette and the Lt. said he was sent to see if they returned and Jack said he was going to finish his salvage work, so if they saw anything just yell and they agreed. Jack went back inside and started cutting and pulling cables and all the wiring and electrical things he could find, he was sure happy he had found this and it gave him a head start on what he was sure was going to be a long time being on his own. He loaded up everything he could get to easily and then started a more thorough search.
There were dozens of rooms where things could be stored, and he was working his way down the hall going through them when he found something new. He opened a door and went inside, showing his light all around, on the one wall was a rack full of guns, rifles, and heavy blasters, and he smiled. These were worth a good penny themselves and he called over to the corvette and told them what he found. In a few minutes they came over and he loaded them up for them and they left him know that he was going to be well paid. Good quality weapons are always needed and he knew sooner or later that Helena would be giving him a call too. He watched as the corvette waved and went back to his patrol then Jack walked back and got the biggest rifle he had saved for himself. If he was going to make a living walking through old ships, he didn’t know what he might find someday, and he wanted one of these, and he smiled at the size and weight of it.
“Guns,” Jake heard loudly in his mind,”He’s found a load of guns, a lot of them in an old ship.” Jake heard and he dropped his head smiling.
“How am I supposed to get work done when you keep doing this?” he asked smiling.
“And you didn’t set this all up for him then?” she asked.
“No not a bit, he’s on his own and that’s it, its bad enough I have to help him with inflated prices for his salvage, there’s a lot of stuff out there that really does need brought in, and he can make a lot doing it without our help, so now if you don’t mind…” he said smiling, and she put a picture of them being together in his mind, and he laughed,
“And that’s not helping either,” he said laughing and she chuckled, asking if anything needed done so badly, and he just threw up his hands and quit for the day.
Jack checked the charge and turned and fired a shot into a door at the end of the hall, the blaster didn’t penetrate, but it made a big dent and the door looked red hot. He was mildly impressed by what was obviously many times more powerful than his sidearm. He threw the strap over his shoulder and continued searching. He was near the far end of the big ship when he had that feeling again, and he ran at best speed down the hall and around into the dock. He undocked as the military corvette was calling for him to run, they had a small swarm patrol inbound, and Jake saw they might not be able to handle them alone. He sent a few well placed missiles their way and called for them to jump too, but it was their job to be here, not his, and he laughed and said ‘bet me’ and together they stood against the swarm and guns fired and missiles flew and in a few minutes the sector was clear again.
“That was some good shooting,” the Lt. called over as Jack sat back with a smile.
“Damn right, I might have my mothers’ brainpower, but when it comes to flying, I’m all Brennan.” Jack said as they both got a laugh together. To his immediate surprise he heard nothing in his mind and he smiled again. He truly was on his own, at least for the moment, and he started looking around other stations and places to salvage. It was early, and he wasn’t ready to go back just yet. The other corvette was still on patrol and Jack went into the old trading station to look around.
The station was huge, even all tore up, and jack walked around looking at all the old shops and stores and found that hardly anyone had ever been here. The place had tons of stuff from cloths, to alcohol all neatly lined up on shelves and in boxes. He smiled and grabbed all he could carry and loaded it on his ship. He didn’t know what some of this stuff was worth, but he would see. The alcohol they all drank at home was a mix that they had made themselves, roughly copying the old formulas, but he was really serious to see what the difference was when he got back. He loaded many cases of drinks on board and all the supplies that he had room for. He undocked and called he was done for the day, and the military corvette thanked him for the assistance, and he started back.
He was only a couple sectors out so he decided to do a little sightseeing. He started back using the gates instead of jumping straight in. He was just entering the last sector when he saw another ship traveling through, also.
“Hello, Xenon, on patrol I see,” he called over as the small carrier chuckled.
“Not today, I am on a quest, it’s my first major E test, and I’m on the hunt.” Said a decidedly female voice, Jack smiled, the xenon were evolving very fast, and a few were now very close to the others, but not quite. If this ship was on an E quest then she was ready to evolve up to the next step, and he wished her well, and she thanked him.
“You should go, we have seen swarm activity nearby, and I am here to eliminate them for my quest.” She said seriously and Jack smiled and said he helped a military corvette kill a small swarm patrol a few sectors over.
“NO, how many?” she asked and he took a guess and said 6 and she seemed upset.
“That might have been the swarm I am hunting, I jumped in and went the wrong way!” she said sadly and Jack tried hard not to smile too widely.
“I have seen several in that sector, they seem to be gravitating to it for some reason, and maybe you can still find some there.” He said and she seemed to feel better, it was worth a try, and she turned and past him going the other way. In a minute she jumped through the gate and Jack swung around and jumped himself back home. He was hoping his friend found what she was looking for. She had far more firepower than the two corvettes together, and he knew she would be alright.
Jake stopped kissing his wife for a second and she smiled, “He’s impressed someone new.” Jake said and she looked at him very seriously.
“When did you learn to do that from this distance?” she asked and chuckled.
“It’s not like you haven’t been watching his every move.” He reminded her and she smiled and said not the last hour or so, and they both chuckled. “I just get flashes, like maybe something really good or bad is happening, not like you, watching to see if he baths, or changes cloths.” He said laughing and she gave him a serious look.
“I still have to tell you to do those things; I don’t see how you human males can live without females to watch over you.” She said and he held her close,
“That’s why you’re here,” Jake said and kissed her again. “But definitely not the best reason,” And they held each other close and Jack was forgotten for a while, at least.
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The Brennan Quest... ( for salvage:) )
Okay! Brennan Quest... At least Jack is learning fast. It's a wonder he didn't stop the Xenon ship to chat it up, especially as it is evolving... and makes a mistake like jumping to the wrong place. Thats life!
Worth waiting for!
Worth waiting for!
veneratio supernus omni
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KRM398
- Posts: 1556
- Joined: Wed, 6. Nov 02, 20:31
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KRM398
- Posts: 1556
- Joined: Wed, 6. Nov 02, 20:31
Chapter 5: The Daily Grind
Jack was up and around a few days later and He was surprised that with all the work he had been doing, he wasn’t as sore now. It seemed that he was getting more used to it and as time went on he could work harder and hurt less. It was a small blessing, he decided and smiled and pulled away from the station and started back out.
He had made some deals for his salvage, and the local bar was excited that he brought in some really good cases of alcohol from time to time. It wasn’t a lot of money, but it made everyone’s time off a little better, and with that, Jack got some good tips from both locals and the military about places to look. Of course there were stories about huge fortunes just lying around waiting to be found and Jack smiled. He had found a few extra credits on some ships, almost enough to pay for his weapons, but certainly no major fortune, and he started telling people he was a Treasure Hunter, instead of a salvager, it seemed to impress people more and it sounded both exciting and dangerous at the same time.
He made it a point to check trading stations, and had found enough stuff in one or two to keep him busy for a while. The fashions were selling well to colonists, and a few small shops gave him good money for certain things he found. The military got nearly all the guns, except for one or two he kept, and a nice rifle he gave Sam, but he didn’t do too badly. He was moving along when he saw something on radar and slowed down. There was a single swarm creature, and it looked like it was coming out of an old mine. If this was true, it might explain how they seemed to pop up in some sectors. Maybe they needed to get away from the sunlight from time to time, and he held back and watched from max range. It seemed to hang around there and a second came out, and he called for backup. If there were two, then maybe there were even more, and he didn’t want to take the risk.
In a minute a cruiser jumped in behind him and he said he was watching the swarm creatures slowly coming out of an old mine. They were impressed, it had never occurred to them they needed to rest or hide for some reason, and they asked him to stay back while they investigated. They moved in and were attacked immediately, but two swarms did nothing against a new cruiser. They moved into position and fired a shot into the old mine and waited and nothing happened, and they tried again. No other swarms came running out so they decided that they got them all, but sent in a small scout ship to see if anything was still there. Jack was a little worried about that, if they were hiding there, that pilot was toast. He’d never get a chance in such a small ship, but then, it was very fast and could out fly most swarms, so maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
It was gone a few minutes but when it came out it came out FAST. Jack started to wander and moved in closer. The scout was yelling to destroy the roid and the cruiser didn’t ask questions, it opened fire with everything it had, and Jack saw real firepower at work for the first time. The roid didn’t last but a few minutes and when the dust cleared there was nothing left. He smiled, thinking those swarms wouldn’t be getting anyone and the cruiser called across.
“Mr. Brennan, its important that you say nothing about this incident, you’ll have a military spokesperson get hold of you and explain, but PLEASE, don’t repeat what happened here today, its very important!” the captain said and Jack swallowed hard and gave his word. The big ship jumped away and Jack started scanning for anything left worth salvaging but nothing of value, but there in the middle of the small rocks and metal pieces left from the mine was several swarm creatures that were dead. They were tiny by comparison to the ones he had killed and in a second he understood. They had changed and were breeding here, the swarm were having young in the old stations, and he looked away and started to sweat.
In less than an hour the coms buzzed and he wasn’t surprised. On screen was Helena and he smiled and nodded as she was definitely being serious.
“Hello, Jack, it’s been a while since we talked last, it appears you have your fathers knack for finding things of interest.” She said slowly and he smiled wide, that was a compliment and he took it as such. “I am asking you, begging you actually, not to repeat what you saw today. Its very important that we keep this quiet until we see if the swarm truly are using the old stations for resting grounds and hiding from us.” She said seriously and Jack chuckled to himself right on the open air, and she was not pleased.
“I promise that your…target practice will go unreported, this I vow.” He said out loud, but in his mind he focused as hard as he could and said,’ I saw the young’ and her eyes popped open and he again said he’d keep it quiet, and she thanked him on the open coms.
“You may want to talk to my mother as well,” he hinted and she smiled and shook her head and said she would take care of it personally, and the link went dead.
The word was out, and Jack was warned, no surprise to him, and he was going to be as good as his word, and that rifle was going absolutely everywhere he went from now on. He went back to work with a fresh look on things. He walked and gathered through old stations and the swarm were hiding and nesting in some. He decided to see if there was any connection and spent a few days traveling and scanning, but he soon found that his, ‘senses’ helped him more than any other. If he was close to a swarm, he could feel it, almost smell it, and it was not a good feeling. He found a few hiding and reported them and they killed a few small swarms because he felt them coming in time, and in a week he was getting paid more from spotting swarms than from salvaging, and he didn’t mind. If he was given a gift to help, besides his flying ability, then he would do his best for the colony and for everyone that had survived, it was the least he could do.
Jake was at his desk when he felt something, something he had felt often before and he sat back and waited. The swirling energy hailed the approach of another Ancient, and Jake was worried, he had called for them from time to time and they came, but not today. This was all their idea and he didn’t see that as a good thing. The form solidified and he smiled and welcomed them and he smiled back.
“The next generation has accepted their place,” he said as Jakes eyes popped.
“What do you mean, accepted?” he asked and they smiled back,
“He has been given an ability to help you with your quest, an ability that is both good, and terrifying at once, and he knows now what it is and has accepted it, you should be very proud.” It said and started away.
“Wait! What have you done to him, what have you given him, I need to know!” he demanded as the form vaporized again and was gone.
Jake sat back down and stared into blank space, ‘what have you done it him?’ he asked in his mind and in a second Jackie was there asking what he meant and in a second she knew. He felt her terror, and it was nothing compared to his fear, Jack was more than another Brennan, he was given something to help, something both good and awful, and Jake had to find out what.
“Call him,” he said quickly and Jackie said she was trying, believe me, and Jake sat back to wait, if Jack was still alive then she could find him, he hoped, and in an hour she came to him and said that she didn’t hear his thoughts, and Jake swore. He knew he was out there, but for some reason she couldn’t contact him, and he wandered if that meant his mind had changed so much, or if the signals were being blocked.
Jack flew on, it was getting late, but he had no intention of going back just yet, something was happening and he demanded to know what it was. He was seeing more clearly, or sensing more clearly, as time went on. He was sitting around a small group of mines, when radar saw something coming and he turned to see.
“You are far from home, Brennan, why are you out here?” she asked as Jack smiled and saw his friend from the other day.
“I’m looking for swarms,” is all Jack would say and she was strangely quiet.
“I also hunt the swarm, I missed my chance the other day and the elders told me to search until I find my quest, and I have seen none, have you seen any nearby?” she asked and he smiled, no he could feel none were nearby, and he said so.
“Feel?” she asked and he smiled, “It is YOU, isn’t it, the elders said that the Ancients have declared the swarm to die and one would come to lead us to them. It is you, Brennan, isn’t it, that will lead us?” she asked and he just shook his head.
“I don’t know, all I know is that I feel them when they are near, and it’s a terrifying feeling.” He said and she was very quiet. “If you seek the swarm I’ll help you.” Jack said and she agreed, saying she was reporting this to her home world. The Elders would want to know, and she was happy she had found him.
Chapter 6: A Quest
Jake felt something good was happening and he sat back and smiled. Jack was alright, he was sure of it, but he had help now and in a second Jackie jumped in.
“This is good to know, but I still can’t find him, how is it you can?” she asked and Jake smiled more,
“I haven’t found him, I just know he’s safe and his Xenon friend is with him.” Jake said and she smiled, the Xenon were good friends and soon they would be Ones too, their evolution was nearly complete, and that meant he was in good hands, at least.
“Can you tell what he’s doing, or what this new ability is?” she asked and Jakes eyes dropped.
“I haven’t a clue,” he said and she smiled a small smile and went away again, leaving him to keep watch for more news.
Jack and his friend started into a new sector and they talked back and forth.
“So, tell me about your quest, Xenon, how does this work?” Jack asked as they flew along.
“I am ready to evolve into a new person, a single entity with a new body, and the Elders told me that only the swarm can help me to do it.” she said and Jack smiled, obviously she needed to prove herself, just like him, and he was glad they were together. If he could sense swarms near, perhaps she could get the kills she needed and he would be glad to see her evolve into a more independent person. They traveled from station to station and Jack saw nothing, so they moved on. The next sector was full of old mines and Jack could feel their presence almost immediately.
“Their here,” he said and she moved ahead and started scanning the system. The nearest swarms came running out of their hideouts and attacked, but she launched no fighters in her defense, instead she dove right in and they started to attack her with great determination. Jack ran in and fired several missiles and the swarms were finally defeated, even as she called across.
“What are you doing?? This is MY quest, not yours!” she screamed and he said he thought she had a breakdown, she wasn’t fighting the swarm at all, but she stopped to explain that she wasn’t there to fight them it was their job to destroy the old body, so she would get a new, evolved one and he stopped dead.
“You must die to win this quest?” he asked sadly and she stopped for a moment, and he could feel her smile.
“I will not die, I will evolve, and then I will be much better, the pain of losing this body is temporary, the new life I will get will be for all time, and I’ll be much like those who saved you and your family.” She explained and he felt badly, she was asking him to find swarms to kill her, and he wasn’t sure he could do it.
“I think my quest is to kill the swarms, to see their end, not to see friends die.” He explained and she smiled some more.
“Just because we have different quests doesn’t mean we can’t help each other, I will assist you with yours, and when the time is right, you will assist me.” She said and he said he wasn’t sure he could and she thanked him for his concern, but reminded him she would be better after, and he agreed and they started on.
They traveled across the system and killed several more swarms, Jack said the sector was now empty and she agreed and they moved on. The next few sectors were already empty and Jack had sent back a signal saying what mines the swarms had been in, and he was sure that Helena had people looking. They went from system to system and many more small swarms were destroyed and they talked more and she laughed at his fears.
“You are special, Brennan, and I am glad to have met you, together we will both finish our quests, and maybe someday we will meet again, in my new life.” She said and he smiled widely, she was a good friend and he said he would be honored, and onward they flew.
By now Jack was nearing exhaustion, and he said he needed to stop to eat and get some rest. She offered to let him dock with her and he accepted, she stood guard while he ate and got some sleep, and they talked about what the new universe would be like and they were both thrilled by the possibilities. Finally Jack fell asleep and she watched over him and kept him safe. She felt a special bond with him and she smiled to think in some future life they could be even better friends and she decided that his quest was her quest and she would help him until the end.
The next day Jack was up and got a good breakfast. He called and Xenon was there asking if he slept well, and he smiled, saying he had no choice with a good friend watching over him. She thanked him for his compliments and they started on again. They flew from sector to sector and destroyed a few small swarms and she reminded him he had promised to help her and he said it wasn’t time yet. She smiled and they traveled far, into Paranid space and up through the old argon federation. They saw many swarms and killed them and she took even more damage, but she fought on and he said he was very proud of her. They moved through the old sector of Argon Prime and he stopped to see the planet. It was the home of humanity long ago, but now it was just another planet, and she said she was sorry for their loss, but he smiled and said it was needed and they went on.
On into the Wall and into Presidents End and no swarm were found and she said perhaps his quest was nearly over, and he shook his head no, there were others, many others he could feel them waiting, he just didn’t know where. They flew up threw Atreas’s Clouds and through the Boron Kingdom, killing a few here and there, and then they started down, through Bala Gi’s Joy and into Brennans Triumph. Jack entered the sector and immediately felt the swarm and said so, but this was different, this was stronger than he had ever felt yet and he called for assistance even as Xenon asks him not to. She dove into the center of the sector and a black cloud attacked from all sides, she launched all fighters and Jack launched all missiles he had left. The fight went on for a few minutes and finally a cruiser jumped in, and Jack smiled. It wasn’t over yet, and the fight continued until the last swarm was killed. Jack moved in next to his friend as she sat, smoking from the damages, he wanted to help her, to repair the damage and save her, but she smiled and said she was fine, her speed was far below what they started with and he was worried for her but she laughed and said they were doing well, his quest was nearly over, she could feel it, and so was hers. Jack was sad to think he would see her die but he was happy she would get her reward, and he said so, and she thanked him.
“When I am reborn I will ask to see you,” she offered and he smiled and said he would look forward to it, and she laughed and they moved, slowly into Danna’s Chance. They saw a few and killed them quickly, but none big enough to finish her quest and Jack was silently glad. They were flying towards the east gate when she pulled away from him and started south. He turned and followed, and she stopped at the south gate and smiled warmly.
“My quest is here, can’t you feel it?” she asked and Jack swallowed hard. He could feel their presence and even from here, outside the gate. The swarms there must be huge for this and she laughed a funny little laugh and said that their quests were nearly over. This was the last sector to see and her quest would end here. Jack tried to convince her to stop till help came, but she smiled and said he was her best friend, now and always, and as he called for reinforcements, she flew through, and he started to cry.
It took minutes for Jack to explain what was happening and that a single cruiser wasn’t going to be enough, in a minute the fleet jumped in with several cruisers and the small carrier and Jack looked at the screen as Helena saw his face and he told her this was it, the last big swarm in the galaxy and she nodded and they all went in to see a black cloud as far as the eyes could see. He opened fire and so did everyone else, the cloud thinned out and soon saw just small bits running from side to side through the asteroids, it took a while and Jacks ship took damage but he fought on, and in a while he drifted to a stop in a pile of rubble near the center of the sector.
“You should have waited,” he said to himself but off in the distance he could hear her chuckle and he smiled. Helena called over that it was done and asked if he was sure and he said yes. He showed her their travel logs and she was more impressed than she could say. She asked him if that was his friend and he said yes and she looked sad, but she told him maybe she had done it, and he might still see her again, and he smiled and said he hoped so. They had lost a lot, a cruiser with a full crew, and many fighters, but the swarm were gone, even Jack could feel it, and Helena called and said it was time to go, and he said he’d be along, and he turned and started out the gate, slowly going home.
Jack was up and around a few days later and He was surprised that with all the work he had been doing, he wasn’t as sore now. It seemed that he was getting more used to it and as time went on he could work harder and hurt less. It was a small blessing, he decided and smiled and pulled away from the station and started back out.
He had made some deals for his salvage, and the local bar was excited that he brought in some really good cases of alcohol from time to time. It wasn’t a lot of money, but it made everyone’s time off a little better, and with that, Jack got some good tips from both locals and the military about places to look. Of course there were stories about huge fortunes just lying around waiting to be found and Jack smiled. He had found a few extra credits on some ships, almost enough to pay for his weapons, but certainly no major fortune, and he started telling people he was a Treasure Hunter, instead of a salvager, it seemed to impress people more and it sounded both exciting and dangerous at the same time.
He made it a point to check trading stations, and had found enough stuff in one or two to keep him busy for a while. The fashions were selling well to colonists, and a few small shops gave him good money for certain things he found. The military got nearly all the guns, except for one or two he kept, and a nice rifle he gave Sam, but he didn’t do too badly. He was moving along when he saw something on radar and slowed down. There was a single swarm creature, and it looked like it was coming out of an old mine. If this was true, it might explain how they seemed to pop up in some sectors. Maybe they needed to get away from the sunlight from time to time, and he held back and watched from max range. It seemed to hang around there and a second came out, and he called for backup. If there were two, then maybe there were even more, and he didn’t want to take the risk.
In a minute a cruiser jumped in behind him and he said he was watching the swarm creatures slowly coming out of an old mine. They were impressed, it had never occurred to them they needed to rest or hide for some reason, and they asked him to stay back while they investigated. They moved in and were attacked immediately, but two swarms did nothing against a new cruiser. They moved into position and fired a shot into the old mine and waited and nothing happened, and they tried again. No other swarms came running out so they decided that they got them all, but sent in a small scout ship to see if anything was still there. Jack was a little worried about that, if they were hiding there, that pilot was toast. He’d never get a chance in such a small ship, but then, it was very fast and could out fly most swarms, so maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
It was gone a few minutes but when it came out it came out FAST. Jack started to wander and moved in closer. The scout was yelling to destroy the roid and the cruiser didn’t ask questions, it opened fire with everything it had, and Jack saw real firepower at work for the first time. The roid didn’t last but a few minutes and when the dust cleared there was nothing left. He smiled, thinking those swarms wouldn’t be getting anyone and the cruiser called across.
“Mr. Brennan, its important that you say nothing about this incident, you’ll have a military spokesperson get hold of you and explain, but PLEASE, don’t repeat what happened here today, its very important!” the captain said and Jack swallowed hard and gave his word. The big ship jumped away and Jack started scanning for anything left worth salvaging but nothing of value, but there in the middle of the small rocks and metal pieces left from the mine was several swarm creatures that were dead. They were tiny by comparison to the ones he had killed and in a second he understood. They had changed and were breeding here, the swarm were having young in the old stations, and he looked away and started to sweat.
In less than an hour the coms buzzed and he wasn’t surprised. On screen was Helena and he smiled and nodded as she was definitely being serious.
“Hello, Jack, it’s been a while since we talked last, it appears you have your fathers knack for finding things of interest.” She said slowly and he smiled wide, that was a compliment and he took it as such. “I am asking you, begging you actually, not to repeat what you saw today. Its very important that we keep this quiet until we see if the swarm truly are using the old stations for resting grounds and hiding from us.” She said seriously and Jack chuckled to himself right on the open air, and she was not pleased.
“I promise that your…target practice will go unreported, this I vow.” He said out loud, but in his mind he focused as hard as he could and said,’ I saw the young’ and her eyes popped open and he again said he’d keep it quiet, and she thanked him on the open coms.
“You may want to talk to my mother as well,” he hinted and she smiled and shook her head and said she would take care of it personally, and the link went dead.
The word was out, and Jack was warned, no surprise to him, and he was going to be as good as his word, and that rifle was going absolutely everywhere he went from now on. He went back to work with a fresh look on things. He walked and gathered through old stations and the swarm were hiding and nesting in some. He decided to see if there was any connection and spent a few days traveling and scanning, but he soon found that his, ‘senses’ helped him more than any other. If he was close to a swarm, he could feel it, almost smell it, and it was not a good feeling. He found a few hiding and reported them and they killed a few small swarms because he felt them coming in time, and in a week he was getting paid more from spotting swarms than from salvaging, and he didn’t mind. If he was given a gift to help, besides his flying ability, then he would do his best for the colony and for everyone that had survived, it was the least he could do.
Jake was at his desk when he felt something, something he had felt often before and he sat back and waited. The swirling energy hailed the approach of another Ancient, and Jake was worried, he had called for them from time to time and they came, but not today. This was all their idea and he didn’t see that as a good thing. The form solidified and he smiled and welcomed them and he smiled back.
“The next generation has accepted their place,” he said as Jakes eyes popped.
“What do you mean, accepted?” he asked and they smiled back,
“He has been given an ability to help you with your quest, an ability that is both good, and terrifying at once, and he knows now what it is and has accepted it, you should be very proud.” It said and started away.
“Wait! What have you done to him, what have you given him, I need to know!” he demanded as the form vaporized again and was gone.
Jake sat back down and stared into blank space, ‘what have you done it him?’ he asked in his mind and in a second Jackie was there asking what he meant and in a second she knew. He felt her terror, and it was nothing compared to his fear, Jack was more than another Brennan, he was given something to help, something both good and awful, and Jake had to find out what.
“Call him,” he said quickly and Jackie said she was trying, believe me, and Jake sat back to wait, if Jack was still alive then she could find him, he hoped, and in an hour she came to him and said that she didn’t hear his thoughts, and Jake swore. He knew he was out there, but for some reason she couldn’t contact him, and he wandered if that meant his mind had changed so much, or if the signals were being blocked.
Jack flew on, it was getting late, but he had no intention of going back just yet, something was happening and he demanded to know what it was. He was seeing more clearly, or sensing more clearly, as time went on. He was sitting around a small group of mines, when radar saw something coming and he turned to see.
“You are far from home, Brennan, why are you out here?” she asked as Jack smiled and saw his friend from the other day.
“I’m looking for swarms,” is all Jack would say and she was strangely quiet.
“I also hunt the swarm, I missed my chance the other day and the elders told me to search until I find my quest, and I have seen none, have you seen any nearby?” she asked and he smiled, no he could feel none were nearby, and he said so.
“Feel?” she asked and he smiled, “It is YOU, isn’t it, the elders said that the Ancients have declared the swarm to die and one would come to lead us to them. It is you, Brennan, isn’t it, that will lead us?” she asked and he just shook his head.
“I don’t know, all I know is that I feel them when they are near, and it’s a terrifying feeling.” He said and she was very quiet. “If you seek the swarm I’ll help you.” Jack said and she agreed, saying she was reporting this to her home world. The Elders would want to know, and she was happy she had found him.
Chapter 6: A Quest
Jake felt something good was happening and he sat back and smiled. Jack was alright, he was sure of it, but he had help now and in a second Jackie jumped in.
“This is good to know, but I still can’t find him, how is it you can?” she asked and Jake smiled more,
“I haven’t found him, I just know he’s safe and his Xenon friend is with him.” Jake said and she smiled, the Xenon were good friends and soon they would be Ones too, their evolution was nearly complete, and that meant he was in good hands, at least.
“Can you tell what he’s doing, or what this new ability is?” she asked and Jakes eyes dropped.
“I haven’t a clue,” he said and she smiled a small smile and went away again, leaving him to keep watch for more news.
Jack and his friend started into a new sector and they talked back and forth.
“So, tell me about your quest, Xenon, how does this work?” Jack asked as they flew along.
“I am ready to evolve into a new person, a single entity with a new body, and the Elders told me that only the swarm can help me to do it.” she said and Jack smiled, obviously she needed to prove herself, just like him, and he was glad they were together. If he could sense swarms near, perhaps she could get the kills she needed and he would be glad to see her evolve into a more independent person. They traveled from station to station and Jack saw nothing, so they moved on. The next sector was full of old mines and Jack could feel their presence almost immediately.
“Their here,” he said and she moved ahead and started scanning the system. The nearest swarms came running out of their hideouts and attacked, but she launched no fighters in her defense, instead she dove right in and they started to attack her with great determination. Jack ran in and fired several missiles and the swarms were finally defeated, even as she called across.
“What are you doing?? This is MY quest, not yours!” she screamed and he said he thought she had a breakdown, she wasn’t fighting the swarm at all, but she stopped to explain that she wasn’t there to fight them it was their job to destroy the old body, so she would get a new, evolved one and he stopped dead.
“You must die to win this quest?” he asked sadly and she stopped for a moment, and he could feel her smile.
“I will not die, I will evolve, and then I will be much better, the pain of losing this body is temporary, the new life I will get will be for all time, and I’ll be much like those who saved you and your family.” She explained and he felt badly, she was asking him to find swarms to kill her, and he wasn’t sure he could do it.
“I think my quest is to kill the swarms, to see their end, not to see friends die.” He explained and she smiled some more.
“Just because we have different quests doesn’t mean we can’t help each other, I will assist you with yours, and when the time is right, you will assist me.” She said and he said he wasn’t sure he could and she thanked him for his concern, but reminded him she would be better after, and he agreed and they started on.
They traveled across the system and killed several more swarms, Jack said the sector was now empty and she agreed and they moved on. The next few sectors were already empty and Jack had sent back a signal saying what mines the swarms had been in, and he was sure that Helena had people looking. They went from system to system and many more small swarms were destroyed and they talked more and she laughed at his fears.
“You are special, Brennan, and I am glad to have met you, together we will both finish our quests, and maybe someday we will meet again, in my new life.” She said and he smiled widely, she was a good friend and he said he would be honored, and onward they flew.
By now Jack was nearing exhaustion, and he said he needed to stop to eat and get some rest. She offered to let him dock with her and he accepted, she stood guard while he ate and got some sleep, and they talked about what the new universe would be like and they were both thrilled by the possibilities. Finally Jack fell asleep and she watched over him and kept him safe. She felt a special bond with him and she smiled to think in some future life they could be even better friends and she decided that his quest was her quest and she would help him until the end.
The next day Jack was up and got a good breakfast. He called and Xenon was there asking if he slept well, and he smiled, saying he had no choice with a good friend watching over him. She thanked him for his compliments and they started on again. They flew from sector to sector and destroyed a few small swarms and she reminded him he had promised to help her and he said it wasn’t time yet. She smiled and they traveled far, into Paranid space and up through the old argon federation. They saw many swarms and killed them and she took even more damage, but she fought on and he said he was very proud of her. They moved through the old sector of Argon Prime and he stopped to see the planet. It was the home of humanity long ago, but now it was just another planet, and she said she was sorry for their loss, but he smiled and said it was needed and they went on.
On into the Wall and into Presidents End and no swarm were found and she said perhaps his quest was nearly over, and he shook his head no, there were others, many others he could feel them waiting, he just didn’t know where. They flew up threw Atreas’s Clouds and through the Boron Kingdom, killing a few here and there, and then they started down, through Bala Gi’s Joy and into Brennans Triumph. Jack entered the sector and immediately felt the swarm and said so, but this was different, this was stronger than he had ever felt yet and he called for assistance even as Xenon asks him not to. She dove into the center of the sector and a black cloud attacked from all sides, she launched all fighters and Jack launched all missiles he had left. The fight went on for a few minutes and finally a cruiser jumped in, and Jack smiled. It wasn’t over yet, and the fight continued until the last swarm was killed. Jack moved in next to his friend as she sat, smoking from the damages, he wanted to help her, to repair the damage and save her, but she smiled and said she was fine, her speed was far below what they started with and he was worried for her but she laughed and said they were doing well, his quest was nearly over, she could feel it, and so was hers. Jack was sad to think he would see her die but he was happy she would get her reward, and he said so, and she thanked him.
“When I am reborn I will ask to see you,” she offered and he smiled and said he would look forward to it, and she laughed and they moved, slowly into Danna’s Chance. They saw a few and killed them quickly, but none big enough to finish her quest and Jack was silently glad. They were flying towards the east gate when she pulled away from him and started south. He turned and followed, and she stopped at the south gate and smiled warmly.
“My quest is here, can’t you feel it?” she asked and Jack swallowed hard. He could feel their presence and even from here, outside the gate. The swarms there must be huge for this and she laughed a funny little laugh and said that their quests were nearly over. This was the last sector to see and her quest would end here. Jack tried to convince her to stop till help came, but she smiled and said he was her best friend, now and always, and as he called for reinforcements, she flew through, and he started to cry.
It took minutes for Jack to explain what was happening and that a single cruiser wasn’t going to be enough, in a minute the fleet jumped in with several cruisers and the small carrier and Jack looked at the screen as Helena saw his face and he told her this was it, the last big swarm in the galaxy and she nodded and they all went in to see a black cloud as far as the eyes could see. He opened fire and so did everyone else, the cloud thinned out and soon saw just small bits running from side to side through the asteroids, it took a while and Jacks ship took damage but he fought on, and in a while he drifted to a stop in a pile of rubble near the center of the sector.
“You should have waited,” he said to himself but off in the distance he could hear her chuckle and he smiled. Helena called over that it was done and asked if he was sure and he said yes. He showed her their travel logs and she was more impressed than she could say. She asked him if that was his friend and he said yes and she looked sad, but she told him maybe she had done it, and he might still see her again, and he smiled and said he hoped so. They had lost a lot, a cruiser with a full crew, and many fighters, but the swarm were gone, even Jack could feel it, and Helena called and said it was time to go, and he said he’d be along, and he turned and started out the gate, slowly going home.
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The Quest
Well! That was gripping. In answer to your previous about others reading your story/idea's etc, I think a lot of people just browse these forum posts without logging on or bothering to reply. It does not mean you have no fans or have failed to impress those that count at Egosoft. This is the Creative side of the forums and, as such, will be seen as a 'breeding ground' for new ideas. The only other way to address the Ego types would be to become a member of the Dev-Net group, lay out a sample scenario for them to digest.
veneratio supernus omni
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KRM398
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Quest
Tried sending this reply 10 minutes ago...! Been back into DevNet and the item I saw that gave me the crazy notion of you submitting a story was in the top item listing subjects etc. Namely 'Gameplay'.
Oh well, was worth a try!
Oh well, was worth a try!
veneratio supernus omni
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KRM398
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KRM398
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Chapter 7: The Rewards
Helena took the fleet home and told everyone what had happened. Jackie still tried to get threw to him, but it wasn’t possible anymore. He had changed, and she knew it. He was now more a new species than even they had expected. Jake was more proud of him than he could even say, and they waited on him to return. He had some mourning to do, but he’d be back. His quest was over and even Jake could feel the happiness the galaxy felt from it. The Ancients appeared to him and he asked if it was truly over and they agreed, he had found the last big swarm and they had defeated it together, as was written in their scriptures, and Jake looked at him seriously. They weren’t Gods after all, but an advanced species, and it was they that started this all for their own reasons.
“We saw this day, and your family, and we saw to it that you were started on this path, all the way back to Kyle Brennan and his experimental ship and all the way to Jack Brennan and his ability to see and feel the swarm around him. The Brennans have fulfilled their destiny, and we see a brilliant future ahead of you in this new universe. Go freely out and recolonize the worlds. They are clean now, and restart your civilization everywhere you go, you have earned It.” he said and Jake waved as he disappeared and Jake turned to see the whole family standing together watching the last report. There was a cheer and everyone hugged and kissed and their was a great party planned, all that held it back was Jack. He was still out there, slowly working his way home but he had some healing to do, and Jake and his mother smiled to think he had done this huge thing and helped a friend to finish her quest as well.
Jack was flying along, remembering her smile and her laugh. He had done it, when she asked he turned his back on her and just left her die. He couldn’t believe he was so cruel, but even as he thought that he was slapped into awareness.
“I asked for your help and you gave it to me.” He heard, and he looked around. She was not there, of course, but he swore he had heard her in his mind. “Of course you do, you silly, I have done it, my quest is over, and my new life begins, the Elders are very happy I helped you with your quest and the great holocaust is over. By happy for me as I am for you, and go home, a party is being planned for you, and it is only right you don’t keep them waiting.” She said and Jack smiled. After all this he could use a party, and she smiled in his mind and he thanked her for being there for him, even now, and she nodded and went away.
Jack turned the ship and started the drive. His mother hadn’t been in his mind for weeks and she would be worried and he smiled and called to her he was coming home. The drive went active and he jumped and in a few minutes he was docking.
“He’s coming,” Jackie said and Jake smiled and said,
“See its over and now you can hear him again,” but she just smiled and said no, he called her to say so, and she smiled the widest smile and gave her husband a big hug. They went quickly to the docks and Jacks ship came drifting in. It was badly beaten and had claw marks all over it, and Jackie swallowed hard to see it, but he opened the hatch and walked out to cheers and hugs from the family and friends. He didn’t brag about his trip, and he didn’t ask for a lot for doing it, just repairs for his ship and they all smiled. He had grown up a lot in the last few weeks and he had his own floor in the high-rise now, for the future, and he smiled and said maybe soon. The party was planned and he stayed on his ship instead of moving back in. He explained to his father he wasn’t ready yet, he’d know when, and he just nodded and smiled.
The ship was repaired better than new, and the party time came. Jack was the center of attention, right where he liked to be, but it wasn’t the same. He was cordial, and friendly, but he wasn’t the crazy kid that had left. He stopped from time to time to talk about his trip, and to explain to his father and mother about his senses, and how they helped him corner the swarm. Jake was more proud than ever and he gave him a hug that made the room laugh, as Jack was smiling and trying hard to get away. Jackie laughed and she asked if he minded her giving him a hug too. And he smiled and said, never. She walked up to him with a big smile and gave him a quick hug, but he gave her a big one back and in her mind he thanked her for being so hard on him. He didn’t understand until now how important that was, and she started to cry and he smiled.
“Do I get a hug too?” he heard as his mother stepped away and they turned to see the new person coming in the door, fairly floating along the floor. Jack looked at her with the biggest smile he had ever had, she was beautiful beyond compare, and his father and a few other men smiled widely and at least one “wow” was heard. Jack opened his arms and she floated in and he held her and smiled and told her he missed her already, and she was happy to hear it. Jack was the first to say he had some serious things to ask her and she laughed out loud, saying she certainly hoped so, she wasn’t going to live with him until they did, and the room laughed and Jack ask her name now and she smiled and said to call her Eve, and Jack thought that was both beautiful and appropriate, and she agreed. The party took a hard turn right there, and in another hour it became a wedding celebration. They had found each other under the worst of circumstances, but they had learned to love each other through it all. Jack was never happier, and his mother went on teaching, using him as a good, and bad, example, as everyone in her many classes laughed and agreed.
Eve became his wife, best friend, and constant companion, and Jack was a happy man. He accepted work with his father and they finally moved into their place in the high-rise, and Eve was everyone’s friend. The months rolled by and the people on Brennans World were told they could stay or leave, it was up to them and a few left, going out to see old places and resettle old worlds. The majority stayed and had their children and in another few years the wormhole closed, and they all wandered if it would ever open again. The swarm was gone forever, but their was a huge universe out there and someday they would be ready to go see it. But for now there were friends, and family and children galore and everyone lived a happy life in the new universe.
Helena took the fleet home and told everyone what had happened. Jackie still tried to get threw to him, but it wasn’t possible anymore. He had changed, and she knew it. He was now more a new species than even they had expected. Jake was more proud of him than he could even say, and they waited on him to return. He had some mourning to do, but he’d be back. His quest was over and even Jake could feel the happiness the galaxy felt from it. The Ancients appeared to him and he asked if it was truly over and they agreed, he had found the last big swarm and they had defeated it together, as was written in their scriptures, and Jake looked at him seriously. They weren’t Gods after all, but an advanced species, and it was they that started this all for their own reasons.
“We saw this day, and your family, and we saw to it that you were started on this path, all the way back to Kyle Brennan and his experimental ship and all the way to Jack Brennan and his ability to see and feel the swarm around him. The Brennans have fulfilled their destiny, and we see a brilliant future ahead of you in this new universe. Go freely out and recolonize the worlds. They are clean now, and restart your civilization everywhere you go, you have earned It.” he said and Jake waved as he disappeared and Jake turned to see the whole family standing together watching the last report. There was a cheer and everyone hugged and kissed and their was a great party planned, all that held it back was Jack. He was still out there, slowly working his way home but he had some healing to do, and Jake and his mother smiled to think he had done this huge thing and helped a friend to finish her quest as well.
Jack was flying along, remembering her smile and her laugh. He had done it, when she asked he turned his back on her and just left her die. He couldn’t believe he was so cruel, but even as he thought that he was slapped into awareness.
“I asked for your help and you gave it to me.” He heard, and he looked around. She was not there, of course, but he swore he had heard her in his mind. “Of course you do, you silly, I have done it, my quest is over, and my new life begins, the Elders are very happy I helped you with your quest and the great holocaust is over. By happy for me as I am for you, and go home, a party is being planned for you, and it is only right you don’t keep them waiting.” She said and Jack smiled. After all this he could use a party, and she smiled in his mind and he thanked her for being there for him, even now, and she nodded and went away.
Jack turned the ship and started the drive. His mother hadn’t been in his mind for weeks and she would be worried and he smiled and called to her he was coming home. The drive went active and he jumped and in a few minutes he was docking.
“He’s coming,” Jackie said and Jake smiled and said,
“See its over and now you can hear him again,” but she just smiled and said no, he called her to say so, and she smiled the widest smile and gave her husband a big hug. They went quickly to the docks and Jacks ship came drifting in. It was badly beaten and had claw marks all over it, and Jackie swallowed hard to see it, but he opened the hatch and walked out to cheers and hugs from the family and friends. He didn’t brag about his trip, and he didn’t ask for a lot for doing it, just repairs for his ship and they all smiled. He had grown up a lot in the last few weeks and he had his own floor in the high-rise now, for the future, and he smiled and said maybe soon. The party was planned and he stayed on his ship instead of moving back in. He explained to his father he wasn’t ready yet, he’d know when, and he just nodded and smiled.
The ship was repaired better than new, and the party time came. Jack was the center of attention, right where he liked to be, but it wasn’t the same. He was cordial, and friendly, but he wasn’t the crazy kid that had left. He stopped from time to time to talk about his trip, and to explain to his father and mother about his senses, and how they helped him corner the swarm. Jake was more proud than ever and he gave him a hug that made the room laugh, as Jack was smiling and trying hard to get away. Jackie laughed and she asked if he minded her giving him a hug too. And he smiled and said, never. She walked up to him with a big smile and gave him a quick hug, but he gave her a big one back and in her mind he thanked her for being so hard on him. He didn’t understand until now how important that was, and she started to cry and he smiled.
“Do I get a hug too?” he heard as his mother stepped away and they turned to see the new person coming in the door, fairly floating along the floor. Jack looked at her with the biggest smile he had ever had, she was beautiful beyond compare, and his father and a few other men smiled widely and at least one “wow” was heard. Jack opened his arms and she floated in and he held her and smiled and told her he missed her already, and she was happy to hear it. Jack was the first to say he had some serious things to ask her and she laughed out loud, saying she certainly hoped so, she wasn’t going to live with him until they did, and the room laughed and Jack ask her name now and she smiled and said to call her Eve, and Jack thought that was both beautiful and appropriate, and she agreed. The party took a hard turn right there, and in another hour it became a wedding celebration. They had found each other under the worst of circumstances, but they had learned to love each other through it all. Jack was never happier, and his mother went on teaching, using him as a good, and bad, example, as everyone in her many classes laughed and agreed.
Eve became his wife, best friend, and constant companion, and Jack was a happy man. He accepted work with his father and they finally moved into their place in the high-rise, and Eve was everyone’s friend. The months rolled by and the people on Brennans World were told they could stay or leave, it was up to them and a few left, going out to see old places and resettle old worlds. The majority stayed and had their children and in another few years the wormhole closed, and they all wandered if it would ever open again. The swarm was gone forever, but their was a huge universe out there and someday they would be ready to go see it. But for now there were friends, and family and children galore and everyone lived a happy life in the new universe.
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KRM398
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Continuum
Hey! My hero!
I think the General forum should do a 'required reading' link to the Creative forum, on the grounds that it adds to the feeling of oneness with the X universe...
Ahem! Okay!, it helps to add a little more spice/interest to the main story plot of the X series game.
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Blown
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Please stop.
Every Story must have an ending, so far with each of these, the stories have become shorter, and the rational for the changes gets harder to cope with, and sadly, this thing has more plot holes than Swiss cheese, (what happened to the sister? Julian's kids, went where? why don't we hear about half this stuff? and where did the split, Paranid and Dragoon go in the leadup to the swarm???) to be honest, your stories have now reached tipping point of too much quantity, with constantly reducing quality.
Let the story die, let it die a natural death, lest it completely collapse under the pressure of forced reanimation.
Sorry if this seems blunt, but I must speak (sadly). Please kill me not.
Every Story must have an ending, so far with each of these, the stories have become shorter, and the rational for the changes gets harder to cope with, and sadly, this thing has more plot holes than Swiss cheese, (what happened to the sister? Julian's kids, went where? why don't we hear about half this stuff? and where did the split, Paranid and Dragoon go in the leadup to the swarm???) to be honest, your stories have now reached tipping point of too much quantity, with constantly reducing quality.
Let the story die, let it die a natural death, lest it completely collapse under the pressure of forced reanimation.Sorry if this seems blunt, but I must speak (sadly). Please kill me not.
Targeting and shooting Reds at every opportunity, and the occasional blue...
Thank you for your valuable assistance, we offer you a pittance in credits, and some goodwill for you covering for our incompetent defenses.
Please cease attacking our assets!
Thank you for your valuable assistance, we offer you a pittance in credits, and some goodwill for you covering for our incompetent defenses.
Please cease attacking our assets!
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KRM398
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Np Blown, everyone gets a fair hearing from me, the reason the Split,Paranid, and others arent mentioned a lot, or ever, is that they werent central to the story. They died with the Swarm and the universe was emptied. No swiss cheeze intended, they werent important enough to save. The entire story is about evolution, from the massive assorted universe to a single massive universe of humans owning and ruling over it all, the untimate story. I didnt mean to leave anyones favorites out, just concentrated on the ones I wanted to keep, sorry.
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Survival of the fittest!
That was my understanding, Blown. I realised that the swarm were intended to kill off the undeserving races. Just so happens that the human Brennan's are the Ancients 'deserving ones'! Made sense in my mind anyway. Must be the Space Fuel dehydrating my brain cells..
veneratio supernus omni
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Blown
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Mon, 3. Dec 07, 18:43
(Readies GPSG) You indicated the Swarm's strength was in numbers, the Paranid would have at least slowed them down, yet we hear NOTHING about swarms of defeated swarm in Paranid Space, nor of the hordes of Split, Paranid, and Teladi fighters that had to have thrown themselves against the swarm, nor of the Dragoon, whose Martial nature would mean that they would have mounted a defense against the Swarm.
And what of the Boron colony down the wormhole? are they going to simply sit there, and never rejoin their allies? and WHY did Terracorp never finish their gateless jumpdrive? (remembering that the drive only needed the gate network for convenience, given an accurate set of coordinates, it could jump anywhere in the universe) Too many missed threads, too many loose threads, to me, those are Swiss cheese holes. (Yes, I pick cartoons, games, and movies to pieces too)
And what of the Boron colony down the wormhole? are they going to simply sit there, and never rejoin their allies? and WHY did Terracorp never finish their gateless jumpdrive? (remembering that the drive only needed the gate network for convenience, given an accurate set of coordinates, it could jump anywhere in the universe) Too many missed threads, too many loose threads, to me, those are Swiss cheese holes. (Yes, I pick cartoons, games, and movies to pieces too)
Targeting and shooting Reds at every opportunity, and the occasional blue...
Thank you for your valuable assistance, we offer you a pittance in credits, and some goodwill for you covering for our incompetent defenses.
Please cease attacking our assets!
Thank you for your valuable assistance, we offer you a pittance in credits, and some goodwill for you covering for our incompetent defenses.
Please cease attacking our assets!
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KRM398
- Posts: 1556
- Joined: Wed, 6. Nov 02, 20:31
Ok, Blown check this out, see the swarm creatures as meat/blood hungry bats, maybe 20 feet across, then see them as countless. Pets of the Ancients used for testing or revenge. The Ancients had a plan for the universe, but their not top dog either, they talk to others above them...(giving away a bit you didnt see yet). The Paranid/Split/ Teladi and Dragoons were never warned..ever. They were too military/religious/self important to save. Yes they might have slowed them down, but wave after wave coming from their own seperate little galaxy/storage area did the trick. The Borons do get mentioned, but not as big players, it said they went there to relive there slow and easy lifestyle they gave up to travel the galaxy. They are mentioned here and there as freinds even in the latest books/chapters. And to clearify what happened to all your favorite characters.
Kyle and Elena died of old age before the swarm.
Julian and Saya were the oldest family members..around 90 and the boys negotiated with the Others so none of the older family memebrs would have to be eaten, so figure a quick, painless death.
Julia and her husband were around 70..they too were taken care of painlessly.
Kyle and his wife...the same..too old to save
Alan Sr and Cathy were saved when Julian demanded they go to Brennans World..(called Jakes World then)
Alan Jr and Jake were the main characters and got Other females for wifes, they set up and started the new city.
Kriss, Kyles daughter, Alans much younger sister was saved by the Others and make it safely to the city.
Julias Daughter, Helana..was head of argon intelligence and got an Other mate and went to the city with one small carrier from Argon as defence force.
This sets up the rest of the story, their children and grandchildren make up the core of the new world, there no cheezey facts left out, sorry it wasnt so obvious, I get into the story the details escape me..lol.
Kyle and Elena died of old age before the swarm.
Julian and Saya were the oldest family members..around 90 and the boys negotiated with the Others so none of the older family memebrs would have to be eaten, so figure a quick, painless death.
Julia and her husband were around 70..they too were taken care of painlessly.
Kyle and his wife...the same..too old to save
Alan Sr and Cathy were saved when Julian demanded they go to Brennans World..(called Jakes World then)
Alan Jr and Jake were the main characters and got Other females for wifes, they set up and started the new city.
Kriss, Kyles daughter, Alans much younger sister was saved by the Others and make it safely to the city.
Julias Daughter, Helana..was head of argon intelligence and got an Other mate and went to the city with one small carrier from Argon as defence force.
This sets up the rest of the story, their children and grandchildren make up the core of the new world, there no cheezey facts left out, sorry it wasnt so obvious, I get into the story the details escape me..lol.