The Meteor Man?
Almost a century from now, our hero must do battle with a big chunk of Africa as well as the estranged wit of his own unit as he attempts to de-mystify an unusual construction project in this comedic science fiction-adventure.
Science fact creates the scenario in which Lieutenant James Keaton must solve then resolve the dilemmas of his time. In this ‘world’ satellites rule and the Lunar surface provides the economic basis for our first colonizations of inner space, otherwise known as the ‘Outworld’. This is the new frontier or ‘wild west’ of the era. Here the Troopers reign as the autonomous servants of the collective whole and the world voice of fair play. As the evolutionary culmination of the Warrior Class, Troopers are the highly trained and well-funded bulwark against the Corporations and Cartels who jockey for power in this post-collapse environment.
With the governments weakened by the ‘Great Collapse’, many Corporations feel the need to maneuver on a more literal sense. These business entities, largely stripped of their ability to wage secrets and to consolidate power, must resort to subversion and guerilla tactics to advance their will beyond reason. The only counter to this is creative thinking and a wry sense of humor, both of which those of the Trooper Program excel at. The story is told largely through the eyes of Lieutenant (later Captain) Keaton.
Katamma Reach. The first book begins with Keaton as he participates in the introductory course for the Trooper Program which indoctrinates him (and us all) into the setting of the situation. This takes place an approximate four years prior to the main body of the text and lasts only a chapter. The next several chapters take place in ‘present time’ and they focus on events leading up to the main conflict. These scenes take place on two of the ‘basestations’ orbiting the earth, the Aries and the Orion. The remainder of this volume centers around the plains of Nigeria where this strange construction is taking place. The day is won, and a reasonable resolve is achieved. But the resolution raises as many questions as it answers, namely the discovery of a nameless organization that will need to be disabled. Hence the need for volume two.
Lagos High. This book begins on the basestation ‘Orion’. This is where this Trooper unit is based, as well as the spaceborne command of the Trooper Program. Here the problems left over from the last volume are clarified and enhanced, giving rise to the need to return to Nigeria, specifically Lagos. The bulk of the action takes place here as the Troopers accomplish their task (a prisoner snatch) amidst much uproar but we all learn early on that there will be a need for volume three.
Tranquility Badlands. Number three begins on the Orion but quickly gravitates to Switzerland and then to the Cayman Islands for a snatch on two more prisoners, both believed to have information crucial to exposing the intentions of the organization the Troopers have now dubbed the ‘Mechanism’. Upon the return of the Troopers to the Orion, they discover the main goal of the ‘Mechanism’ is to capture the Lunar resources. Undermanned because of their activities on the Earth, this unit must now thwart the Lunar assault. A surprise ending proves the need for volume four…
So sit back ladies and gentlemen, relax and hearken to the truths these tales represent for the stories you are about to witness are true; only the timeline has been changed to protect the innocent.
THE
METEOR
MEN
Delta Rise
E. PLURIBUS UNUM
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JARGONARY
A
AD-84 – a small anti-drone missile that comes in a case of twelve which will deploy automatically directly from the case with the case lid providing the target receptor.
aerial mine – a fragmentation/concussion weapon with a rudimentary video feed; disk shaped, and controlled usually by a command set unless put to automatic or pre-programmed to fly to a specific location to be detonated by contact or command.
AGM – Air to Ground Missile; the primary munition utilized by assault aircraft to engage ground targets.
Armed Force – the bureaucratic entity responsible for liaison between Space Command and the Trooper Program as well as any outside element wishing communication with either organization; being purely a communication ‘hub’, it has no authority of its own.
B
basestation – a manmade structure/spacecraft usually placed in a geosynchronis orbit about the Earth allowing for the docking and maintenance of transient spacecraft as well as production facilities for items best suited for manufacture in space.
batt; batts – battery; batteries.
bell; bells – time; actually referring to a series of short tones broadcast throughout a basestation counted to the time at the hour up to twelve thereby informing all of the local time used by that basestation and giving rise to slang phrases such as ‘bells to twelve’-noon, ‘bells on’-on time.
bolter – sl. common term for the plasma emission weapon.
boost – the act of ascending from any planet surface that requires the temporary suspension of the law of gravity (name one planet that doesn’t)
bulkhead – wall. (being a Fleet thing, there is no conceivable explanation as to why this is.)
C
calc; calcs – calculation; calculations; the best guess after doing the math.
cell – in spaceship or basestation design, the individual unit or room which can either be one or many, occupying the space of a compartment. (see compartment)
‘chass; ‘chyass – Get your ass, as in (git ‘cher ass) e.g. ‘Chass on down the damn road there, boay’.
class A uniform – the uniform used for a formal event by officers and enlisted alike; the only difference being the rank insignia and ribbons worn.
class B uniform – the uniform used for everyday work situations in any environment where a bathrobe or swim trunks are not appropriate.
C.O. – commanding officer; the officer commanding a unit specific; i.e. the poor fool designated to look stupid when one of the Troops does something stupid.
comm; comm unit – small electronic device developed for communication to other devices via microwave; operating in conjunction with an imperceptible earpiece and mouthpiece, it is used primarily for the transfer of bullshit, and on occasion, pertinent information.
command set – a briefcase sized supercomputer designed to accommodate a wide array of battlefield implements as well as communication gear.
compartment; compartmentalized – the concept of building a spaceship or basestation as a series of compartments; the idea being that if a compartment begins to leak atmosphere, the neighboring compartments are automatically ‘locked out’ so that the entire ship does not bleed out all it’s atmosphere.
control arm – an operating unit’s liaison to the outside world during a mission providing amenities such as intelligence, procurement, bad advice and verbal abuse.
corp – a business entity designed to make a selected few individuals prosperous while at the same time allowing deniability to same said individuals.
D
dirtside – planetside; Terra Firma; Earth.
drone – a disc shaped, unmanned, propelled vehicle with a sophisticated optics and control package.
drop – 1) the process of attaining a planet surface from its outer extremes of gravity in a ship of any kind. 2) the process of attaining a planet surface from a ‘dropship’ (usually in
a combat mission) by means of a jump harness or other apparatus – as opposed to a ‘splat’, which incorporates failed equipment or no equipment at all.
‘duly noted’ – the standard reprisal for information that has just been shit-canned.
E
E-23 – an explosive that retains the consistency of wet clay and while containing no shrapnel in itself, its effectiveness relies on the impact of force alone; shrapnel may be added, or the material can be shaped to provide direction to the blast. It is packaged in blocks about the size of a loaf of bread, and is basically inert until the effects of a detonator are applied. Used primarily for – well, blowing things up.
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival; the best guess and baseline for determining how late one actually is.
ETD – Estimated Time of Departure; the best guess and baseline for determining how late one will be for their next ETA.
F
FOF – Field Of Fire; the area in which one is able to, or is restricted to fire a weapon of any kind.
frag – 1)an explosive fragmentation munition that can range from a common hand grenade or tube launched rocket to a full sized artillery round. 2) the act of dispensing such a device.
freek; freek signal – frequency. The specific portion of signal wavelength utilized on a comm set to allow miscommunication.
H
HALO – High Altitude Low Open; a drop (see…drop) made in which the egress is attained from the jumpship at high altitude utilizing a jump harness which doesn’t engage until a low altitude is reached.
head – restroom; bathroom; lavatory; john; powder room; men’s room; ladies room. It’s a Fleet thing – nobody understands; a term originating from the days of sailing ships where one would utilize the bow, or ‘head’ of the craft to perform such functions that would normally occur while the rest of us are using the bathroom, as generally this area is located downwind.
HUD – Heads Up Display. a display method provided by two or more laser planes intersecting which allow complex imagery to be displayed in an empty space allowing an image to be changed or removed as desired.
I
Intel – the organization that pretends to know what is going on in the world around us usually via a subtle technique known as recta-cranial observation, often enhanced by the use of Braille.
ITTSP – International Troop Transfer Signal Protocol; the unspoken hand signal communication utilized by Troopers to silently confuse each other as well as anyone looking on.
J
jump harness – a computer controlled, rocket powered device worn outside a Trooper’s armor allowing him to jump from altitude or maintain flight for short periods of time.
K
klik – a unit of measurement loosely based on the kilometer; whereas a kilometer is a kilometer, the klik is about a kilometer.
L
‘lock and load’ – there is no such thing, other than a term similar given to new recruits at the practice range; ‘load and lock’ is a command given to mean ‘chamber a round and engage the safety mechanism’.
longarm – a plasmabolt weapon sized equivalent to a rifle.
LZ – Landing Zone; a flat space dedicated to the landing and takeoff of aerial vehicles.
M
merc – mercenary; a trained soldier hired by a corporation or government usually on a temporary basis when the given entity does not want to waste their own soldiers.
micrad – Microwave Ranging And Detection.
mule – a service vehicle issued to the Trooper units beginning at the platoon level, consisting of a flat slab framework with four large, independently driven tires attached to a massive ‘puter controlled hydraulic assisted suspension and featuring such amenities as a steering wheel and two seats up front; it is utilized mainly for the transfer of cargo in a defensive position or for picking up chics (mostly in a third world scenario).
N
Navcom – Navigational Communications; interputer communication page devoted to navigation details.
O
OP – observation post. 1) a position forward of the main line or body of troops usually for observation of the enemy. 2) a position forward of the main line or body of troops often used for the rally point of a retreat when a C.O. is really, really pissed.
outland – space– the final frontier– anything that isn’t Rock or air; a term generally meant for a basestation or the moon, it can actually mean anywhere in the inner space between the Earth’s atmosphere and the Lunar orbit, even points beyond.
outworld – the same as the above only spelled a little differently.
P
paperwork – sl. The phrase used for decades to describe the fine art of shoveling bullshit in the form of electrons.
Plasbolt –Trade name taken to common usage for the plasma-bolt emission weapon developed for individual operation. sl. bolter
plasmabolt – plasma-bolt emission weapon designed to emit a plasma/electron projectile at a high rate of speed toward a target; the size can range from the smaller sidearm, carbine, longarm, crew served portable, to large cannon. sl. bolter2) the projectile emission from such a weapon.
‘puter – contemporary version of what has evolved from the old-timey computer.
R
rally point – the predetermined location designated for soldiers to gather after an operation in order to regroup for the next phase of the operation.
regular – regular soldier employed by a Corp or Government; usually without the benefit of armor, plasma weapons, contemporary training or IQ.
RO – Ranking Officer; the officer with rank and responsibility for any given situation.
Rock – planet; Terra Firma; Earth.
S
SatCom – Satellite Communications; the agency responsible for converging all satellite information into an unintelligible mass of useless data usually on a belated basis.
SAM – Surface to Air Missile; the ground-based rocket propelled munition that is used on aerial targets.
satchel charge – an explosive device sized and styled like a backpack; complete with straps for easy carry and attachment.
sitrep – situation report; the series of fabrications offered to explain a situation until one can actually figure out what is going on.
skinny – 1)the fine art of presenting as small a target as possible to enemy fire or the physical element being utilized for such an endeavor. 2) the briefest possible synopsis of information or gossip exchange.
SOP – Standard Operating Procedure; the procedure utilized when all attempts at improvisation fail.
Space Command – sl. Fleet – the armed entity responsible for security of vast expanses of space; outer space, inner space, air space, and ocean space.
spark – the ‘puter enhanced color differential (usually red/yellow) given to a living body as displayed on a HUD or viewscreen.
spiderhole – a camouflaged hole in the earth just large enough to accommodate a human and is used either as cover and concealment for an individual or access to a larger tunnel complex.
stick – a squad of Troopers, usually around ten men depending on how many have been shot off, in addition to the Sergeant.
T
Trooper – the soldier consist of the Trooper Program; officer and enlisted personnel alike.
Trooper Program – the armed entity responsible for the security of all habitable or uninhabitable locations where a human intervention is required.
V
VTOL – Vertical Take Off and Landing: straight up – straight down; or very nearly so.
W
W.B. – World Body; the organization inaugurated to contain the conglomeration of confusion that entails when every nation on Earth gathers together to have an opinion about something that they all know absolutely nothing about.
X
XO – sl. Exxo. Executive Officer; second in command; the HE under the RO; the one to make sure everything gets done to satisfaction and the guy who should top any list.
The Meteor Men - Delta Rise Page 1