VC2 Chapter 33-Espionage

Sector 2100

Planet 2116

December 1, 2052

Wicker flew his Talon frigate towards Jaime's Talon frigate flying in orbit next to the brown gaseous planet.

“Glad you made it in time.” Jaimes transmitted.

“Sorry I'm late. Antonopoulos was showing me his progress on his venoms. Still skeptical of how they fare in combat. Nonetheless, what did I miss?” Wicker spoke to his comms.

“Just waiting for Olsen to near the targeted planet.” Jaimes replied.

“Any luck?” Wicker looked at the empty space.

“Before you arrived, there were some local folks flying around. They seemed to be scared when they saw the NB on my ship in this area.” Jaimes pointed at the planet.

“That's not good. I mean we're supposed to be the good guys right?” Wicker crossed his arms at the devastation Olsen had done to NB.

“Oh snap! Here he comes!” Jaimes watched as five Fury battleships became visible in the distant space heading towards planet 2115.

“Quick! Use this planet for cover so we won't get spotted.” Wicker took over the controls of his ship and quickly strafed to the side into the planet's shadow.

Jaimes reacted quickly enough and out of the Fury battleships' view into the planet's shadow. Olsen's fleet arrived at planet 2115 and began firing at the local mining bases.

“What the hell?” Jaimes watched angrily.

“Unprovoked attack and raiding the bases for resources.” Wicker watched his battle screen with long range scanners.

“We need to go and stop him now!” Jaimes turned on his engines.

“As much as I have to say this, we are here to collect evidence and bring it to Paul. If we act now, his fleets would wipe us out if he wanted to.” Wicker reasoned.

“Are you serious? Innocent people are being slaughtered!” Jaimes clenched his fists.

“You're right. Screw the mission objective. We have to protect them.” Wicker activated his engines.

“Let me call for backup!” Jaimes switched comms changes and began contacting for assistance.

Wicker had already began speeding towards the battle with Jaimes' in the chase.

“What the hell are you doing Commander Olsen?” Wicker transmitted to Olsen's ships.

“Dude hit my supply ships. I'm taking back what's mine.” Olsen replied withing ceasing fire on the fiery base.

“I'm telling you to stand down now!” Wicker shouted as he flew his Talon closer towards Olsen' main ship.

“I only listen to Charlie. Now get out of my way.” Olsen steered his ship and continued firing.

“Bullshit! You are hitting them because you have nothing better to do. We know what you are doing Olsen. Stop this madness now!” Wicker flew his frigate into the line of fire and charged his weapons.

 “No.” Olsen replied and fired his weapons.

VC2 Chapter 32-Suspicious Activities

Sector 2100

Planet 2102

November 31, 2052

Paul is seated in a dark room facing Wicker and Jaimes with a hologram displaying vessel routes.

“This is classified intel we received from reliable sources. We have reason to believe that one of our senior commander is creating chaos and unnecessary attention to NB.” Paul pointed at the hologram.

“Hitting others in sector?” Wicker studied the routes.

“Not just hitting others in sector. Hitting with no reason.” Paul pointed at the bases displayed in the hologram marked neutral.

“That's violation of the NB code.” Jaimes interrupted.

“Exactly. Which is why we need to find out who that person is.” Paul crossed his arms.

“Any info on who it is?” Wicker asked calmly.

“We got to keep this between ourselves okay? We need to have sufficient evidence to prove the person is guilty of violating the NB rules.” Paul looked at both of them squarely.

“Understandable.” Wicker nodded.

“Of course.” Jaimes spoke quietly.

“Heard of Space Dad? Or the fleet Space Dad?” Paul attempted to be ambiguous.

“Stanley?” Wicker quickly responded.

“You talking about Commander Stanley Olsen?” Jaimes looked at Wicker.

“You know something that I don't Wicker?” Paul amused by Wicker's quick response.

“No...not at all. I just don't talk to that guy often. He's a lone wolf in NB. Just putting two and two together.” Wicker shrugged displaying his innocence.

“Yeah, that guy doesn't fit with the group well. He's very quiet...” Jaimes agreed.

“Quiet or not, he's stirring up trouble for NB down in the south. Sooner or later we will have another war.” Paul interjected.

“Damn man. Another war? I'm exhausted of fleets.” Jaimes whined at the thought of his fleet getting smashed again.

“We all are. Hence we need to stop the inevitable.” Paul pressed some buttons on the hologram and displayed a sector chart.

“What do we need to do?” Wicker gazed at the chart.

“Gather evidence of Commander Olsen's violation of NB rules and bring it to me. Then we will vote for his dismissal from the group.” Paul pointed at planet 2115 on the map.

 “Understood.” the pair replied in unison.

VC2 Chapter 31-Ascended

Sector 2100

Planet 2101

November 30, 2052

A big asian man with black hair buttoned his NB dress shirt as he looked in the mirror. He inspected the markings on his shirt of a Commodore and straightened his name tag labelled “Wesley Paul”.

“Today's the day.” Paul took a deep breath and exhaled.

“Commodore Paul, we're ready in five.” an officer knocked on his door.

“Alright, got it. Thanks.” Paul nodded and then grabbed his officer's cap.

As Paul walked down the corridor escorted by ceremonial guards, he couldn't help but think the burden everyone has to endure with Owen's death and Charlie's current coma status. Rear Admiral Richard Tarbuck has now taken the place in NB as Vice Admiral and now it was his turn to take his position as Rear Admiral.

“Congrats.” a soldier saluted as Paul walked pass him.

“Thanks.” Paul saluted back.

As Paul walked into the meeting room, he was immediately greeted by Captain Wicker and Captain McClelland. Tarbuck was busy giving out a service medal to some officers and then waved at Paul to come over once he was done.

“Alright ladies and gents. On behalf of Northern Base, I hereby promote Wesley Paul to Rear Admiral.” Tarbuck clapped as Paul took the stage.

Captain Antonopoulos walked to the stage and presented the rank pin and new attire to Tarbuck.

“For continued service and loyalty to NB, we are honoured to have you continuous support.” Tarbuck took the items from Antonopoulos and handed it over to Paul's welcoming arms.

“Thanks pal.” Paul shook Tarbuck's hand and then Antonopoulos'.

Paul turned to face the crowd of senior officers applauding him and looked at the microphone.

“Thank you all for your support. I will continue to offer my support to NB any way I can.” Paul waved.

Paul walked off the stage and Tarbuck took the microphone to end the meeting.

“Suits you.” Antonopoulos patted Paul on the back and left.

“Congrats.” a Caucasian man with a moustache approached Paul and shook his hand.

“Thanks Commander Jaimes. Next time will be you.” Paul winked.

“Haha we shall see.” Jaimes laughed and walked off.

“Count on it.” Paul shouted at the distant Jaimes.

Jaimes smiled and gave a thumbs up instead of hollering over a bunch of people.

“Come Paul. Come walk with me.” Tarbuck placed his arm around Paul's shoulders and whispered.

“Yes?” Paul raised an eyebrow.

 “Privately. We have a disturbance within the ranks.” Tarbuck whispered into Paul's ear and slowly walked out of the room waiting for Paul to follow.

VC2 Chapter 30-Galactic Gangsters

Galactic Gangsters

Sector 2400

Planet 2420

November 28, 2052

Jake piloted his ship towards a tightly guarded base next to a blue planet.

“You are entering Galactic Gangsters airspace. Prepare to die.” a soldier transmitted.

“Tell my old friend Cyber Joel that Jake is here to see him. We were friends during MOB.” Jake transmitted back.

“Standby and shut off your engines. We will summon Lord Cyber Joel.” the soldier ordered.

“Understood.” Jake nodded and switched off his engines as he watched three Revelation cruisers lift off from the base and fly towards him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you here?” a masked man dressed in a black tunic and red trim and red cape appeared on the screen.

“Joel. I'm joining you guys. CMD sacked me for something stupid. I figured I find my old pals back from the old days.” Jake smiled hoping it would work in his favour.

“Interesting...come to my base. Let us talk...business.” Joel flashed a smile and then shut off his comms.

* * *

“For the last time, we need to be making cost-efficient venoms.” Antonopoulos explained his blueprints to Wicker.

Wicker studied the blueprints and scratched his head.

“I don't know man... They look like weak.” Wicker flipped through the pages.

“And cheap and heavy hitting.” Antonopoulos pointed at the phased projectiles add-on.

“On stock speed engines? That's a sitting duck.” Wicker debated.

“In a fleet of six, you can cover your blinds much easier. Think about it man, a battleship is like a battle station. Charlie and I discussed about it before, but we never got to actually test the ideas out.” Antonopoulos explained as he grabbed a pen beside him and started drawing.

“Go on...” Wicker rubbed his chin as Antonopoulos continued to draw the firing arcs.

“Look, it will work!” Antonopoulos pointed at the overlapping firing arcs.

“And a waste of time and money if it's not what you hoped it to be.” Wicker reasoned.

“I know we are low on finances after the war with CMD. But this could be the cannon fodder for our larger ships. We can keep bigger ships alive man!” Antonopoulos replied enthusiastically.

“Alright, alright. What do you need?” Wicker gave up.

“Give me six of your venoms. I will get my team to refit them based on these blueprints. That way it will save me time constructing the venoms from scratch.” Antonopoulos pointed at Wicker's fleet in the ship bay.

“Sure, it's not like I use Venoms a lot lately. How much time do you need?” Wickers shrugged at the thought of giving away his ships for free.

 “Six days man. Then I will show you my tests.” Antonopoulos thanked Wicker and rolled up his blueprints and left.

VC2 Chapter 29-The Council

Sector 2200

Planet 2215

November 25, 2052

Jake sat on his bed inside his new ship quarters contemplating his battle loss. He was sure that he had won initially, but somehow lost in the end. Perhaps he didn't expect the NB forces to become suicidal with their ships.

“Sir, the council has requested your presence.” an officer knocked on Jake's door.

“Tell them not now.” Jake waved him off.

“They said now. They are waiting on comms two.” the officer replied.

“Leave.” Jake walked to his desk and activated the communications.

The officer nodded and hurried off leaving Jake alone with a panel of officers hidden in the shadows.

“Jake Cornthwaite.” the centre figure spoke in a feminine voice.

“Yes madam?” Jake crossed his arms.

“Your stunning defeat has rippled through the ranks of CMD. It is unacceptable.” the female spoke.

“I had them. I didn't know they were going to kamikaze our fleets.” Jake replied in protest.

“Unacceptable!” another figure spoke in a deep booming voice.

“They had help.” Jake quickly responded.

“And your ships outnumbered theirs. That is no excuse.” the female spoke.

“What do you want? I did so much for CMD and one battle loss you lose it?” Jake angrily responded.

“Doesn't matter. The council has made its decision.” the female spoke.

“What? You going to kick me out now? Good luck finding a replacement.” Jake cursed.

“You are hereby relieved of command and removed from any affiliation from CMD.” the female pointed at Jake.

“Whatever, I'm done with you guys.” Jake smashed his desk shutting the comms.

Jake sat on his chair and realized that two soldiers stood at the doorway with their weapons aimed.

“Come on...really?” Jake held his hands up in frustration.

“Council's order Jake. Pack your stuff and get ready to go.” the soldier waved his gun.

“Go where? I have no ship.” Jake stood up and grabbed his bags underneath his bed.

“The Council has provided you a Harrier frigate for your own journeys as a parting gift.” the soldier replied.

“A Harrier? The cheapest ship as a gift after all that I've done for CMD?” Jake shook his head in disbelief as he stuffed some personal items from his desk into his bag.

“It could have been worse.” the other soldier suggested.

“Hurry up. We haven't got all day.” the soldier nudged Jake with his gun.

 “Alright, alright off we go.” Jake slung the bag over his shoulder and took one last glance at his quarters before being escorted to his ship.

VC Chapter 28-Vice Admiral Owens

Sector 2100

Planet 2103

November 22, 2052

A large group of soldiers both NB and EH stood together in harmony as Tarbuck walked to the stage where a closed casket was laid by flowers and wreathes in a ship dock.

“Let us not forget Vice Admiral Stewart Owens of NB for his sacrifice so that we could all alive right now.” Tarbuck spoke solemnly.

Tarbuck looked down at the podium and then at the casket.

“Although we never recovered his body in the debris field. His soul and spirit lives on in space. It would have been what he wanted. A true NB expeditionary pioneer. A founding father of the NB community.” Tarbuck gazed into the space above him.

Captain Wicker walked over the casket holding a ceremonial wreath and laid it down beside the casket.

“Rest in peace buddy.” Wicker spoke softly.

Captain Antonopoulos was next in line to present his wreath for Owens followed by Captain McClelland.

“I know I don't speak much, but I will say this. Thank you old friend. I will not forget you.” Antonopoulos laid his wreath beside Wicker's.

“Oh Owens, we need more heroes like you. I know what Charlie would have said if he was here. You and him are much alike. You will be missed.” McClelland sighed.

One by one, officers from NB and EH paid their respects to Owens and Tarbuck concluded the ceremony with a 21 gun salute.

“Ladies and gentlemen. Friends and allies. We must not give in to our fears. We must be bold and strong. We must have faith in one another and stay united. United as one! Today we will rebuild what we have lost.” Tarbuck spoke his words of encouragement.

A Talon frigate flew into the dock carrying a huge chunk of ship debris and dropping it behind Tarbuck.

“That was Owens' ship. We will use that metal and rebuild the same ship Owens had. Let it remind us that his sacrifice continues to inspire us. Continues to shape us. And continues to strengthen us.” Tarbuck pointed at the debris.

The crowd cheered and clapped with renewed hope and energy. Tarbuck knew he had to carry the weight of NB for the time being. He waved to the crowd acknowledging their response.

“Today...” Tarbuck tried to speak over the cheering.

“Shhhh....” the crowd quietly settled.

“Today NB is making its mark in history. That we are a force to be trifled with. We will not go down easy.” Tarbuck pointed his finger at the crowd.

 “Today is a stronger and better NB!” Tarbuck shouted from his podium.

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