Revelations Discovery Anthology Volume 1

by Rick Graham

  With food and other resources in short supply a number of towns and cities had groups of raiders begin to form out of necessity for survival, and they began to raid other groups. In some strange way unwritten rules became the new norm. It became clear that it was wrong to rob other establishments on Destiny since they were all in the same boat, so they looked to the stars. Under the guise of being shipping or transporting companies’ raiders would go out to other worlds and colonies to raid them for needed supplies. It wasn’t too long after the financial depression fell that Mikhail found himself involved with other newly joined pirates. After a failed mission on the Only Hope, the previous captain got killed for being too trusting of the people they were robbing. Mikhail took control and helped his crew to escape. He was chosen to be the next captain from then on.

  Hours passed until Nina spoke up, “Captain, scanners have picked up the shuttle. Looks like it is a large personal spacecraft, luxury model. Database says it is a newer Hyrda design.”

  The Captain brought his hand up to his chin as he slumped over in his chair. “Nina, does it look like they have spotted us?”

  “No. They are maintaining same speed and direction.”

  “Alright, Hernando, let me know when we are in range. I want you to fire a shot at a nearby asteroid to get their attention.”

  “Aye Captain” the ship’s gunner said as he checked his display and readouts. He flipped a series of switches on his console that activated systems which flipped and rotated multiple weapons out of the “hull” of the Only Hope. The model of transport that the raiders used had at one point just been an ordinary spacecraft meant to haul cargo around. In order to more easily slip by government patrols, it was decided to mount weaker weaponry than have properly fixed weapons on the hull that could be seen miles away. Of course, this meant it would be wise to avoid larger more dangerous raids, but it also meant that they were less likely to get caught if they did things right.

  Mikhail turned to Nina on his right. “Tell Riko to be ready in his WarMech. And have the launcher powered up. I don’t want this one to get away.”

  As Nina pressed her headset mic Hernando called out. “We will be within weapons range in 3…2…1…”

  Mikhail brought his fingers together as he got one more idea. “Nina, I want you send a recording just moments after we get their attention.”

  “I am ready when you are Captain.”

  The tall man took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. He motioned with his hand to Nina while he made eye contact with the camera positioned just above the main view screen. “This is Captain Tarvus. Out of necessity we are going to board your vessel. If you and your crew want to be able to walk away from this encounter, then you need to power down and bring everyone together on your bridge. If you do something stupid then I swear to you, every single one of you are going to be shot in the head.” He made a cut motion with his hand and Nina cut the recording.

  “Hernando, fire.”

  The gunner nodded and pressed a glowing key on his screen that fired the large cannon on top of the Only Hope. A large puff of fire and smoke was quickly snuffed out in the vacuum of space as the slug was propelled forward.

  Completely oblivious to the initial shot the Hydra continued on its path until its crew was shaken by the sight of one of the nearby asteroids exploding.

  “Nina?” Captain Tarvus asked.

  “Message delivered, Captain.”

  Mikhail held his breath for a brief moment as he waited to know the response of the Hydra’s crew. This was the part of this madness he always hated.

  “Don’t run, don’t run…” he said in his head as he waited.

  As if she could feel her captain’s anxiousness, Nina shook her head in disappointment as she reported, “The Hydra is altering course and has increased its speed. Riko is ready to be launched.”

  The Captain let out a grunt and hung his head. He looked back up at the screen with anger in his eyes. “Standby to launch Riko. Hernando, arm an overloader.”

  After pressing two keys the gunner looked up and said, “Armed sir.”

  Unlike most transport class spacecraft, the Goto was designed to take cargo through large bay doors in the bow (front) of the ship. When Only Hope had been initially stolen and upgraded it was modified to house a large magnetic accelerator that could launch a WarMech at a very high speed as to not need to spend as much fuel in the initial launch. This helped to get Riko out very rapidly to chase down the target while in space.

  Captain Tarvus clenched his jaw. “Fire.”

  Located on the bottom of the Only Hope were two missile tubes. The overloader missile fired out the left tube and the raider’s bridge crew watched as the missile raced out to meet the Hydra ship. It twisted and twirled as it gracefully dodged asteroids in its path.

  “Launch Riko!” Mikhail shouted as he steadily got angrier for having to use the expensive overloader missile on such a small target.

  Nina pressed her mic and spoke directly to the pilot on standby. “Riko, prepare to launch.”

  “Riko here, launching.” the WarMech pilot tightened his grip on his joysticks as the powerful magnetic slinger launched his modified Goblin WarMech forward at high speed. Just as the Goblin was free of the Only Hope’s hull the Goblin automatically fired its own thrusters on its back.

  Typically, a WarMech was only armed for ground combat. Depending on the mission a WarMech could be upgraded to carry extra fuel and gear to allow it to “fly” through the emptiness of space. Captain Tarvus preferred a WarMech over housing a winged fighter or two because the uses of a WarMech could heavily outweigh the maneuverability of fighters in a number of scenarios. Since they normally employed the hit-and-run tactic using the Goblin was a far easier task.

  Just before the overloader collided with the Hydra it detonated and created a massive electromagnetic wave that consumed the ship. Immediately its engines powered down and the ship began to glide through space. The crew braced themselves as an asteroid slowly floated into the Hydra’s trajectory and they could do nothing but watch as it slammed into the starboard (right) side of the ship.

  Riko and his Goblin darted forward as the Only Hope inched closer.

  Tarvus’ face popped up on small monitor to the WarMech pilots’ right. “Riko, slow down their momentum so we can catch up.”

  “Aye, Captain” he said as he closed the distance.

  Suddenly something caught Riko’s eye. He pressed a button on his console that zoomed in on the powered down shuttle. A blue light began to flash.

  “Captain, they are getting the power back up. How do you want me to proceed?”

  Nina and Hernando looked at their captain as he rubbed his chin with his left hand. He stood up and put his hands on his hips. Everyone knew how valuable the engine would be if they could get their hands on it. They were out of overloaders so it all fell on Riko being able to slow them down. Allowing the Hydra to escape now would just bring the authorities down on them. It had to be done.

  “Riko, destroy their engines. Then slow them down.”

  “Captain!” Hernando couldn’t help himself.

  Tarvus twisted his gaze on the gunner inhumanly fast. His harsh stare made the other man literally quiver inside. He knew if he spoke out of turn further he would be given the task of inspecting the outside of the airlock without a suit. While the previous Captain would tolerate his crew being outspoken, Mikhail was not a fan. When on a mission rank and order came first.

  Riko hesitated for a moment but knew that the Captain was correct. “Engaging target.” He reached over and pressed the “Weapons-Safe” key to “Weapons-Live”. The plasma slingers housed on both of the WarMech’s forearms extended their barrels into the combat position and warmed up.

  “I am heading down to get my suit. Nina you have the bridge” Mikhail said as he exited the bridge. He glared one more time at Hernando who did his best to avert making eye contact.

  As the Goblin came within weapons range the Hydr
a’s engines lit back up. The blue glow showed that their power had been restored.

  The WarMech pilot guided his Goblin around an asteroid and lined up behind the drifting vessel. A faded red crosshair symbol turned bright signaling a lock. He squeezed both triggers sending two bursts of blue plasma globs forward. The engine couldn’t take the attack and exploded in a flash sending the Hydra into a slight spiral.

  Riko throttled the Goblin forward and finally caught up to the Hydra. He retracted the plasma slinger barrels and pushed his joysticks forward to reach his WarMech’s arms out. The Goblin reached around the spinning ship and grabbed hold with its armored fingers. Riko fired his jets to slow and counter the momentum of the ship and ease it out of its spiraling.

  “Errrrrrr…” He struggled against the controls to maintain the grasp until it got easier as he was able to slow the Hydra down. The Goblin released the shuttle and used its jets to position itself in front of the disabled ship.

  He changed his communication frequency to an open channel hoping that the Hydra’s crew would hear him.

  “Alright, you’re done. You have no engine. Play nice and maybe this will turn out good for everyone.”

  A laser turret on top of the ship twisted up aimed at the raider.

  “Oh slag!” Riko shouted as he pressed the pedal activating his jets to twist his body in a barrel roll. A stream of red lasers filled the space the WarMech just occupied.

  In a flash Riko reactivated his Plasma Slingers and fired several globs into the turret destroying it instantly. The remains of the turret melted for a moment before they cooled from the freezing temperature of space.

  “You bastards! Why I ought to…” the WarMech pilot snarled.

  “Steady Riko” Captain Tarvus said over the same open frequency as the Only Hope pulled up alongside the Hydra. The smaller luxury shuttle was overshadowed by the transport ship as it moved into position.

  “Did you get hit?”

  “No sir.”

  “Good. We are about to board. If anything happens to us…” he paused purposefully for dramatic effect. “…blow it up.”

  “Aye, Captain” Riko said as he maintained position in front of Hydra.

  Mikhail looked over at the boarding team which consisted of five other raiders dressed head-to-toe in their space suits carrying standard Republic issued carbines. While they were considered to be pirates, they still had to make use of mostly civilian gear. The suits were cycles old and a little bulky, but they got the job done. They had added some much-needed flair to the suits though, all cosmetic to make them appear more intimidating. The thought being that if you look scarier then maybe you will get more cooperation, so no one had to die.

  The Captain pressed a button that extended the tube to the Hydra. To allow personnel to enter and leave a ship easily while in space, a tube could magnetically connect to another ship or docking station. Seeing as how it did not have artificial gravity the tube had interlocking rails on both sides along with a retractable metal walkway if the crew wore magnetic boots to walk safely. The tube shook slightly as it made contact with the other ship’s hull.

  Jax, who was the Only Hope’s system overrider, entered the tube.

  Wanting to avoid further conflict, Tarvus contacted the other ship. “This is Captain Tarvus again. We are coming aboard. I want all of your crew and passengers to be on your knees on the bridge. Anyone not complying will be shot on the spot. I don’t want anyone to get hurt but will not tolerate further aggression.”

  Using his magnetic boots Jax walked right up to the blast door of the Hydra and attached a device. Once connection was made a holographic screen above his left forearm appeared. Using his right hand, he “pulled” the screen in front of him and began to work. He launched a program that quickly scrolled through key codes until it finally hacked the door and another program that would access the condition of the ship.

  Jax smiled to himself. “Captain, I’m in. They have the proper levels of oxygen. Some systems are offline. These luxury models do kick back on pretty quickly.”

  Tarvus signaled for two of the other raiders to move into the tube. They took positions up on either side of the tube as Jax eased back behind them both.

  He pressed a red key on his holoscreen. The blast door hissed loudly as it began to open. Tarvus and the other two raiders from the boarding team made their way through the tube, their boots clanging loudly as each step attached and then disconnected awkwardly. The necessary motion made you appear as if you were walking through knee high water.

  Two of the men entered the Hydra and began to clear the rooms of the ship.

  “Jax, do you have the layout of this model of Hydra?”

  “Yes Captain, I do.”

  The Captain motioned with his head, “Then please show us the way.”

  Jax pulled up the map on his holoscreen and then “flung” it to one of the other raiders. The other raider took point, his carbine at the ready. Jax, Tarvus and the last raider followed two steps behind.

  Immediately Tarvus knew the passengers of the ship were extremely wealthy. Every single cushion and seat he passed was of the highest quality leather, amazing stone work was in places that just was not necessary on a spacecraft, and the floors were polished marble. The thing that made him stop though was the sight of a massive golden dragon chasing its own tail mounted above a holo fireplace.

  “Well would you look at that” Mikhail said as he admired the sculpture. He shook himself from his gaze and continued towards the bridge.

  “Riko, don’t blow this ship up, these people must be loaded…”

  “Captain?”

  “Oh, nothing. We are entering the bridge now” Tarvus said as Jax stopped just outside of the bridge. The Captain signaled for the two rifle carrying raiders to take either side of the door while Jax opened it.

  The door slid into the wall to reveal a well-dressed man, beautiful yet prim woman, and a cute little girl, all on their knees with their hands raised. Tears ran down their face. Long ago Mikhail became hardened by his dark deeds from crying and wasn’t even slightly impacted by the sight.

  Both of the rifle wielding raiders took a few steps in to secure the room while Jax moved past the group and began connecting to the Hydra’s flight plan.

  Mikhail stood in front of the quivering group, tears running down all of their faces. He made sure to not remove his helmet so that it was harder for them to read his own face. “Hi there. I’m Captain Tarvus” he said through the external speakers of his suit. “First, I just want to say, what a beautiful ship you have here. I mean, it is absolutely gorgeous.” Putting a gloved finger into the air, Tarvus continued, “Now I understand why you tried to run. I get it. But did you have to try and shoot at my WarMech? That wasn’t necessary. Anyhow, is this all of your crew?”

  Trying to stop from losing himself to his emotions the man said, “Yes, this is everyone left.”

  “Left?” the Captain asked.

  The woman began to cry loudly.

  “What did I say?” Tarvus asked to the man.

  Jax called out. “Captain, they left Paradiso twelve rotations ago. They were headed for the planet Starspin. Log says 4 passengers.”

  The Captain folded his arms. “Oh, does it?” he looked down at the grieving man. “I told you I wanted all of you on the bridge or they would be killed on the spot.”

  As he placed his arms around his weeping wife, the man looked back up at the pirate. “My son…” tears built up in his eyes. “…my son was the one who used the turret.”

  “So, where is he?”

  “He’s…dead.”

  “Oh…you are all a family?”

  The father nodded. “This was supposed to just be a vacation…”

  Instantly Tarvus felt compassion for the surviving members of this family before him. All he would allow himself to say was, “I’m sorry.”

  The mother began to cry out loudly and Mikhail didn’t interrupt her. He looked up at the other raiders to r
ead their composure. They were like statues, they didn’t move an inch. His own mind fought between what he knew should be done, and what needed to be done. This was always the part he hated. While he would never confess it to any of his crew, he knew that it never got easier.

  Cutting his external speakers, Tarvus opened a private channel to the Only Hope. “Nina, I want to speak with Riko.”

  “Yes Captain?” Riko said.

  “I want you to check out the damage to the engine. See if it looks like we can repair it, or if it is a total loss.”

  Riko throttled up and adjusted his position to the back of the Hydra and inspected the destruction.

  “Yeah Captain, it looks like a total loss. Only exterior damage though. Maybe the inside parts are still good.”

  “Thanks” Tarvus said as he cut the channel and switched his external speakers back on.

  Just as Tarvus opened his mouth to speak Jax abruptly cut in. “Captain, we have bad news. It seems this ship has an echo beacon on it. We probably have an hour before this ship is overrun by Republic marines.”

  “An echo beacon? Who are you people? What are your jobs?” Tarvus asked with a mix of surprise and anger.

  The family held each other while they still cried over the death of their son.

  Knowing time was short Mikhail needed answers quickly. He drew his sidearm and aimed it at the father. “What. Is. Your. Job?”

  The man held his hands up in surrender. His face however was in defiance. “I am just a timekeeper at the capital on Paradiso.”

  “No way, you couldn’t possibly afford this ship! Who is she?” he pointed the pistol at the wife.