Nova Sky- Titan Rising

by Eden Blue

  Evan connected his control implant to his E-pack, funneling everything into the terminal. Codes and diagrams filled his vision as he began to set up for repairs. Pris did the same, moving at the speed of light to identify damaged systems and set up repairs.

  “AI core is at 72% functionally. To fire the main cannon, the core will have to be at 90% functionally,” Pris said.

  “Begin repair procedures,” Evan said as he dived into the code.

  Outside the AI core, Bruiser scanned from left to right. The auto cannons swept across in the same fashion. The Arc Light trembled again. The sound of marching machines came from all around them. As soon as an exo-suit leg came into view, the auto cannons centered on it and blazed plasma fire. Dumon soldiers spilled into the corridor and were immediately cut down. Shields flared and collapsed before a stream of bolts blasted through their armor.

  ***

  Nyn circled the Arc Light while Venna watched the Battle Net scans.

  Krekken Forces

  Battleship Volor: 43%

  Battleship Kreec: 16%

  Dumon Fighters: 989/3,000

  Dumon Drop Ships: 26/50

  Dumon Exo-suits: 399

  Crimson Blades

  Crimson Blade Ships: 70/100

  Crimson Blade Exo-suits: 290/400

  Ryan’s Forces

  Black Dagger: 39%

  Ryan’s Raptor Fleet: 5/12

  Exo-Suit Forces: 19/40

  Arc Light Shields: 0%

  Arc Light Hull: 82%

  Arc Light Defenses: 45%

  Arc Light Drones: 0/1,000

  Shield Maiden: 33%

  Hera: 90%

  Bruiser: 100%

  Pris: 88%

  On screen, Venna gazed at the immense crystal as it cracked straight down the middle. Something inside thrashed and the crystal split open in two. The Shri-Ka kept her composure despite the creeping dread filling her. Nyn’s skin turned orange as she maneuvered the Shield Maiden through plasma fire.

  A horrific worm-like monster writhed in space, the gas giant glowing behind it. Rows of insect like eyes circled around its open mouth. Building sized teeth filled the titans gaping maw. An armored segmented body undulated as the titan writhed through space.

  Venna checked the scans and somehow the titan was able to move freely with no signs of propulsion. It writhed along, moving toward the Arc Light with black eyes glistening to flashes of plasma fire. The titan let out a pulse and a visible wave came toward the Arc Light and the raging battle.

  Venna watched as the wave hit everything in its wake. The Battle Net surged and went dark. Ship consoles burst with sparks as scanners were overloaded. For a long second, all systems went dark before flickering back on.

  Ryan’s crews tried to get the Battle Net working again, but the systems had taken too much damage. With the battle raging on, there wouldn’t be enough time to repair the damage. The Soldier leaned back in his chair as all his forces were no longer connected, fighting blind amid the storm.

  ***

  Hera folded her metal wings around her as dozens of plasma bolts filled the corridor. In a thin space between her wings, she fired into the incoming Dumon. It took two high powered shots to take down each Dumon exo-suit. One was a dead shot to their chest, collapsing their shields and another shot to the lighter armored section where the shoulder met the head. Lydia’s targeting was perfect as she double shot each one that slowly advanced.

  Vickers looked down as silver-gray liquid repaired the last of the cable, “By the Code! It’s fixed!”

  Lydia smiled as she continued to fire, “Why do you say ‘By the Code’ so much?”

  Vickers backed off from the cable and moved behind Hera, “You’re asking me this now?”

  “Why not? It’s like shooting fish in a barrel with these Dumon shock troops. They can’t maneuver very well. It’s almost like they’re walking straight into plasma fire,” Lydia said as Hera fired again and again.

  Vickers peeked around Hera to see the Dumon advancing even as they fell, “It looks like they’re gaining ground.”

  “Tell me and I’ll get us out of here,” Lydia said sternly.

  Vickers stayed low as the exchanging plasma fire continued, “Nano Weavers follow the Code of Control. It is built into our nano-drones. The Code is all. Now, get us out of here!”

  Hera turned around while spreading out her wings. The Dumon fired as she scooped up the Doctor and activated her thrusters. Hovering a foot off the ground, the exo-suit blasted forward as metallic wings deflected plasma fire.

  ***

  Evan and Pris repaired the AI core one percent at a time. Pris did most of the heavy lifting, but with the two of them working together, it speeded up the process. The sounds of plasma fire continued in the corridor. Evan checked Bruiser’s vision and watched as Dumon exo-suits moved down the corridor despite being blasted from the auto cannons.

  “AI core is at 88%,” Pris said as she worked.

  Evan connected with Bruiser, “We need to get down that corridor when we’re done. Engage and clear the way.”

  Bruiser nodded as the exo-suit crossed his thick oversized arms and hands. Thrusters firing, the power suit tilted forward. Bruiser activated full thrust and the suit barreled down the corridor. Shields up, they took the brunt of incoming fire. The Dumon didn’t even brace themselves as Bruiser crashed into them head on. Large hands unfolded and took hold of heads, pulling them off.

  The auto cannons continued to fire, missing the large exo-suit by inches as they helped clear up the falling Dumon. The carnage stormed on as the gorilla shaped exo-suit crashed and bashed at the Dumon. Bruiser’s shields collapsed, but the suit fought on. The silver coating over his metal body redirected glancing plasma bolts and in several long moments, the corridor was filled with dead Dumon, Bruiser standing above them.

  Pris pulled her hand back, disengaging from the terminal, “AI core is at 90%. I have control over targeting and firing the main cannon.”

  Evan pulled his cord from the terminal and moved to Pris’s side, “We are heading to Bay 4, target and fire when you have a shot.

  Evan connected to his fellow crewmates, “We are moving to Bay 4. Venna, pick us up.”

  “We will be there,” Venna said over coms.

  Evan and Pris exited the room to see Bruiser waiting. The armor smoked and black blast marks covered its body, but he was functional. The exo-suit knelt down and its back bloomed open. Evan climbed into the suit and snaked his body into the cockpit. Metal sheets closed down over him and the thruster pack slid into place.

  Evan assumed control as he scooped Pris up. Thrusters flaring, Bruiser was up and streaking down the corridor.

  ***

  Nyn moved the Shield Maiden closer to Landing Bay 4. Plasma bolts still filled space. The Arc Light took heavy damage as defense cannons blinked out and sections blazed with fires.

  Venna looked on as the titan snaked its body up, all monstrous eyes on the Arc Light as it took heavy damage. The captain tried to get as much data as she could from the battle. Multiple explosions rocked one of the Krekken ships. Crimson Blade ships centered their fire on the Kreec. Plasma streams and bolts riddled the battleship before it cracked in half and exploded.

  The shockwave knocked ships around as the remaining battleship retreated from the explosion. Venna continued to man the remaining cannons of the Maiden. They had taken heavy damage with most weapon systems down. With the battle fierce, Venna lost contact of the Black Dagger. The remaining ships were picking up any crew who made it to the bays and taking off when they were full. Warp tunnels appeared and they blinked out of the battle.

  Nyn brought the ship close to Bay 4 when red exo-suits fired upon them. Nyn’s skin turned black as she pulled away, gun turrets turning and firing into the red cloud of power suits. The Shield Maiden veered to the side and was pushed back as an army of red power suits came at them.

  ***

  Bruiser powered through to one side of the bay. Landing
, he caught sight of Hera and the Doctor at the other side of the bay. Hearts soared as they saw each other. Bruiser and Hera took a step into the bay as red exo-suits poured in. The Crimson Blade power suits landed, aimed their oversized plasma rifles and fired. Hera’s wings encircled her body as she shielded the doctor, stumbling back from the line of fire. Bruiser stepped back and turned to protect Pris. A dozen enemy power suits stalked in, blasting away anything that moved.

  “The titan will be upon us in several minutes,” Pris said without emotion.

  “Take the shot!” Evan shouted over the roar of plasma fire.

  Pris’s vision filled the ships sensors. A target painting the incoming monster glowed as the titan slithered through space. The tempest crystals hummed as the main cannon extended. Plasma writhed before the oval barrel for a long moment before Pris activated the fire command. The cannon surged and a plasma stream burst forth. It streaked across the sky as the titan roared. The beam struck it along the side, burning across the armored body. Rapid pulses burst from the monster as if screaming silently in space. The beam died and the titan continued its path toward the Arc Light.

  “The titan is damaged but it is still alive,” Pris said.

  “Can you take another shot?”

  Pris nodded, “The cannon is recharging. I should be able to make another shot in two minutes.”

  Bruiser stepped back as red power suits stalked forward, “We don’t have any more time!”

  The bay flashed with plasma light until something black came speeding toward it. One of the Crimson Blade exo-suits turned to see a black ship coming at full speed into the bay. Ryan let out a triumphant holler as the damaged Black Dagger crashed into the bay and turned sideways. Players turned just in time to see the hull of the ship slam into them, shattering their exo-suits to pieces before they were forced offline from Nova Sky.

  Bruiser and Hera stepped out to see Ryan with a breathing mask on and a plasma turret rifle in his hands. The Soldier stepped out of the wreck and laid down a stream of suppressing fire. The remaining red power suits fired back as the lone soldier cut into them, shouting with glee the entire time.

  Hera pulled her rifle as she set the doctor down. Swinging the plasma rifle up, she assisted, firing into the remaining suits. Bruiser let Pris down and joined in the fray. The large exo-suit slammed his shoulder into a red suit, knocking it down. Plasma edge fingers dug into the downed suit, cutting sensitive controls and making it inoperable.

  Bruiser turned to take down another suit when there was a flash. A large plasma bolt stuck Bruiser on the side as his arm was lifted. The force caused it to stumble before another bolt struck him in the head. Evan gritted his teeth as his screens cracked before his eyes and sparks flew up. Bruiser tried to regain his footing when another blast hit him on the side of his head. Sensors blew and smoke filled the suit. Bruiser fell to one knee as his back bloomed open.

  A red Exo-suit flew in, forearm cannon blasting over and over. Pris was firing at the suit while several red suits exchanged fire with Hera. Evan gasped for air as smoke billowed from the damaged Bruiser. Ryan pressed forward, a stream of plasma bolts spraying the air. The red suit turned and fired at the Soldier. Ryan moved while maintaining fire. Leaping over a flaming suit, he landed and held down the trigger. A stray bolt hit his plasma turret and it shattered in the soldier’s hands.

  Evan watched as Ryan went up and fell on his back, burns covering half his body. Pris fired at the red suit. Its shields flared as it turned and fired at the android. Pris dodged the incoming bolts as she fired back and darted toward Evan. The android was nearly to him when a bolt struck her leg and blew it off.

  Evan stared in horror as Pris went down, her leg flying in another direction. Pris landed on her stomach and pulled herself forward with one arm. Another bolt struck her back and her body bounced a few feet, plasma rifle spinning away.

  The Engineer was down and running to Pris when a blast scorched the metal floor before him. Evan looked up to the red exo-suit as the metal folded away from the head to reveal Nika’s smiling face.

  “What a day! I get to kill so many of you before we take control of the system,” Nika grinned as she aimed at Evan’s chest.

  “Nika…” Evan was cut off.

  “No, not this time, you’re all dead and I’m going to start with your brother and then you and finally that irritating cousin of yours!” Nika spat.

  Ryan stirred and groaned. Nika turned her forearm cannon toward Ryan as his eyes slowly opened. Evan looked down at Pris’s rifle lying not far from him. Time slowed down as the player gazed on the weapon. A twinge pulled at his heart and a tremor filled his soul. He resisted the maddening urges, trying to be a better player in game where so many tried to kill each other. Eyes glancing up, Nika’s arm moved slowly as she targeted his brother. Gritting his teeth, hands dove down and grabbed the rifle. Picking it up, memories of holding that ancient gun filled his mind. The player screamed as he hoisted it up and aimed at Nika before she could pull the trigger. Eyes closing, a part of Evan’s spirit died when his finger touched the trigger, but before he could pull it, explosions filled his ears and his eyes opened to a spectacle of carnage.

  The Shield Maiden hovered in, several quad cannons firing in all directions. The ship filled up part of the bay as it blasted away the remaining red exo-suits. Metal closed down over Nika’s face as she fired at Ryan. The Soldier barely opened his eyes and turned away, a plasma bolt blasting debris a foot away from him. Nika continued to fire until several bolts from the Shield Maiden struck her suit and blasted away her shields.

  “No!” Evan shouted before he pulled the trigger.

  Plasma bolts flared out of the rifle muzzle, striking the red exo-suit. Evan’s entire demeanor shifted into pure focus as he held down the trigger, bolt after bolt slamming into the red armor, cracking and sending chunks of metal into the air.

  Nika took a step back and fired her thrusters as screens cracked and sparks flew into her face. The red exo-suit flew up in the air, off balance. Nyn watched as everything happened. Shifting the Shield Maiden, the wing slammed into the mid-section of Nika’s exo-suit and sliced it in half. Nika let out a quick scream before she faded from the game.

  “Nice move,” Venna smiled.

  “Thank you,” Nyn said with a neutral tone, her skin color turning bright red.

  Hera burst through the rising flames with the Doctor at her side. Ryan slowly stood up, watching his brother drop the smoking rifle and step to Pris’s aid.

  The android looked up with calm eyes as her body lay like a smashed rag doll. Evan picked her up and held her close.

  “I still function but I cannot activate the main cannon remotely. The titan will be here soon.”

  “We can reconnect on the Shield Maiden,” Evan said as his heart ached.

  Pris smiled, “There is too much damage to reconnect remotely. Plug me into a terminal and I will fire the main cannon one more time.”

  Evan’s throat closed up and he nodded. He knew this was the only way. Picking her up, he moved across the bay to a terminal. Kneeling down, he sat her up and placed her hand on the glowing terminal. Fingers and cables extended and connected. The Shield Maiden landed on the flaming bay floor while Ryan, Hera, and Vickers stepped closer to Evan.

  Pris’s eyes looked away for a moment before she looked back to Evan, “The maneuvering thrusters are not functioning. The titan is not within the targeting scope. It is off by a few degrees.”

  Ryan stepped behind his brother, “Let’s go. We can’t keep fighting.”

  Evan shook his head, “There must be a way. We can’t leave the system with a titan loose.”

  Thrusters flared. Heads turned to see Hera take flight and blast past the bay’s atmosphere shield. Evan was to his feet and connecting to Hera.

  “Lydia! Stop!” the Engineer shouted.

  “It’s just a few degrees. I can push it into place,” Lydia said calmly.

  “The ship is too massive. Even if y
ou boost, it could fry your systems!”

  “Cousin, that is a chance I’m willing to take,” Lydia said whimsically.

  Venna slithered down with a rifle in hand. Vickers moved to Ryan’s side, and placed his hand on the soldier’s shoulder, nano-drones healing his damage. Evan turned to Pris who sat against the wall, hand up and head tilted.

  “I said I would always protect you,” Pris smiled.

  “Fire the cannon and upload yourself to the Shield Maiden,” Evan commanded.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that. My systems are damaged. It has been hours since my last upload so I will not remember this moment. Please take care. My true self will always be watching over you.”

  “Evan, this ship is going to explode soon. We have to go,” Vickers said with urgency.

  Ryan wrapped an arm around his brother’s neck and pulled him with him. The crew made their way to the ramp of the Shield Maiden. Evan looked back as Pris smiled, her eyes staring into his heart. The crew made their way up the ramp as it slowly closed. Evan stared back at Pris until the last moment. The android blew him a kiss and the bay doors closed shut.

  “Nyn, all crew is aboard. Get us out of here,” Venna commanded.

  Nyn nodded and pushed the controls. The Shield Maiden’s engines roared as the ship turned. Once the nose was pointed to space, thrusters boomed and the ship slid out into space.

  Hera blazed around the damaged Arc Light. Her sensors picked up fighting on multiple levels as remaining sentries engaged invaders. A sense of calm spilled over Lydia as she moved Hera around the ship and flew down to the side of the cannon. Turning her head, she could see the monster titan making its way closer, eyes drinking in the giant damaged ship.

  Alerts blinked “Category 5 Titan” over and over again. Lydia ignored it as she raised her hands and pressed them to the side of the cannon. Removing safeties with coded thoughts, the cyborg increased power to thrusters. They fired off, glowing brighter and hotter with each passing second. The titan closed the distance, mouth yawning open. Lydia pushed on, but the Arc Light would not budge.