Last Hope

by CCpone

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Dark, Human, Romance
Length: 6665

Humanity's last hope for survival rest's in the hands of a small team of seven. With fuel running out they are forced to search one more planet before heading home.

Humans In Equestria

Earth… my beloved home, now almost 1,500 light years away. The situation that people upon its back face is dire. When we left, the sun was just entering its red giant phase. It will grow past earths orbit at 1 AU and continue till 1.2 AU, pushing the earth into a further orbit. As the sun expands it also starts to lose mass, drawing the earth closer… I fear that by the time I return home, my race, my family and my old life will of perished.

The rimworld I now look down upon holds the key to survival. Its thin blue skin trapping breathable oxygen, while keeping the frigid temperature of space at bay. This is humanity only option as our ship is passing bingo fuel. Us five are humanity's last hope…

Warning spoilers might be in the comments.
I also suggest that you don't take anything I say in this story as fact. This is a si-fi story so I am bound to make mess up somewhere.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-03 03:30:36 UTC

Astral Sovereign

* note the italicizing that is supposed to be his thoughts are left out of this chapter due to transfer errors. Will be fixed soon.

Sometimes I contemplate why it was me that was chosen over everyone else. The person that would lead our people to a new haven, a new land. The human to take the risk for a grater cause, but most importantly the man that would lay down his life and surrender his family so others didn't have to. Then I realize why they chose me... Why they picked me and the rest of the crew... and it burns me inside... it really does.

Many years ago today, I and my team of four were taking our first seats in the new 'Astral Sovereign'. A monstrous ship that spanned over five football fields in length and one in width. A feat that most of human kind thought to be impossible.

"Such a ship should not be able to escape earth's gravity." was a common comment among the people.

They were right to think so. After many past failures they were entitled to such an opinion; The grate crashes of Horizon, Frontier and the ominous Resolution. Every launch held more hope, but none held as much as this one. For this ship was the last shot at survival, the beacon of light in this dark time. If this ship were to crash the companies that supported the project would not have enough time to build another one.

It seems so sad to say that even at times like this, money still drives the world. You would think that at the worlds end people would work for free just to have a chance at escape. Sadly that ideal was thrown away when the sun started to grow.

At first it was like nothing was happening, day in and day out would be like any other day. Then slight changes started to be seen, global temperatures started to climb, Animals started to die off and plant withered. Years passed and pretty soon the normal temperature outside was above a hundred degrees Celsius.

Obviously by then we adapted, we created suits and homes to withstand the harsh temperatures. However there was one thing we couldn't stop and that was the water boiling. Oceans were starting to drain and water started to become a luxury. At times like these we feared that it was the end of our existence. That god himself had thrown in the towel and given up all hope.

It's funny really when you think about it, how our solution to this problem is running away from it. When I was young I remember traveling through the crowded streets of new London after the crash of Resolution, people everywhere were in panic yelling "this is the end!" I can remember it so clearly, my parents clinging onto me like I was a rare diamond as the multitude of people ran by. We all thought that we had time, we thought that someone else would figure out a solution to our own problems. We believed so much of what science fiction and religion had told us that we didn't bother questioning any of it.

Truth be told in the end no one ever saw the expatiation coming, we all thought it would take millions of years. Little did we know that the universe was a harsh mistress that threw curve balls when ever something was going right. Instead of 5 billion years that the scientists thought we had left before the sun started to expand, took only 2 hundred years.

Nevertheless we didn't start off with this plan, no we were to stubborn to leave our precious planet behind. The first initiative was to push the earth steadily into a higher orbit so the earth would move with the sun keeping it safe and sound. Sadly that idea was scraped after they ran hundreds of simulation on what would happen to us if we did follow through.

Another idea was to colonize Mars so we would have another couple of years to figure out some more ideas. Once again the idea was scrapped as we realized we didn't have the materials nor time to transform the icy planet.

After countless more ideas and even more failed attempts you come across the 'Lunar Eclipse inishitive'. An operation held and funded by many organisations in order to block out the sun in the only way knew how. Since we couldn't block it out in the conventional way we set out to run away from it hoping that the stars would be our only salvation. Sadly as you know, all of the rockets didn't achieve orbit.

Me, I was a sun baby. A child born after the start of the red giant phase. I never got to feel the outside wind on my face, I never got to see the water glisten in the young sun's rays, and most of all I never got to see what real snow looked liked when it was falling from the sky. It must of be amazing living back then, to see millions of snowflakes fall gently down to cover the ground with a thin layer of cold white fluffiness.

Nonetheless being a child by the time the Astral Sovereign was completed proven to be a requirement. Since the journey would take many years if not centuries to complete, they needed to make sure the pilots would not die from age. Their solution to this was to hand pick five of the most promising children and strap them into a rocket whether they liked it or not.

Then during the flight the children would be forced to learn all of the subjects an astronaut would need to know such as; History, Science, Math, English, Gym and many more. Once at a appropriate age and state of mind, the children would be allowed to take full control of the ship and have access to all its facilities.

It's not till many years later I myself am typing this down in my small one person room. The only objects that the room comes with is a bed, table, clothes and computer. Each of which were only loaded with windows 45 and its basic programs. Things get boring around here pretty fast, but we manage to stay entertained.

Erik's POV:

Date: June, 12, 2264  Time: 08:00

"Hay Erik! Come join us on the bridge I think you'll want to see this!" A female voice cheerfully yells out over the intercom. Some days you really wish the company put a lock on the dam thing, ever since Lora found it she's been using it nonstop. You would think that she would of gotten bored of it by now but she always finds a new way to piss everyone off.

Getting up from your seat you trudge over to the speaker and press the reply button. "Bridge speaking, how can we assist you?" Lora's voice once again speaks up.

"Oh shut up with the chit chat Lora and tell me what's so important you need me there for?" You question, letting go of the reply button. You swear if it's another one of her false alarms you're going to blow your top. The hull breach alarm last week was hell and you don't want another one any time soon.

Riane and Janie took it so seriously that they jumped into an escape pod and ejected. It took us a good two days to get them back and when they arrived they were none too pleased. Arms flailing in anger and yelling till their throats were dry. You think it's safe to say that Lora got the message loud and clear.

"We have the planet in sight!" Dony the last member of the team speaks up. His statement drenched in so much excitement it could lighten the mood during a meteor storm with the shields off. Let's just say that's not a phrase you just say because it sounds nice.

However Dony's words spark hope into your soul and you slam the door button and bolt it down the metal corridors. Since you lived on this ship since you were six years old you memorized every inch of it. You even managed to sneak into the launch bay where they stored the M.E.C.H's as they call them, Mechanically Enhanced Cybernetic Humanoid.

All of the crew members were put through a vigorous M.E.C.H training course. Once we reach the planet we're supposed to hop in and make planet-fall. Nevertheless you were still awestruck when you saw the sheer size of it. Standing at 18 feet fitted with all the latest weapons it was a walking death-machine. You were six foot and even then you only came up to its shins.

Thinking about using one of them sent shivers up your spine in pure pleasure and now that the planet is in sight you have the chance. You run like you never ran before, the artificial gravity enabling you to touch the ground as you do so. The bridge was not far from your quarters -100m to be exact and yes we have a lot of time on our hands-, but on this particular journey it seemed to last forever.

The corridors seemed to continue endlessly, what felt like hours were merely seconds. At last you come across the door and slam the button. The doors slid open with a cool swoosh and you slid inside stopping dead in your tracks. Every day you would dream of seeing the planet, but no amount of planning nor dreaming cold prepare you for what you gaze upon now.

"A beauty isn't she." Riane claims as you stare slacked jawed at the spinning green planet below. It's thin blue skin keeping out the harshness of space. You're utterly speechless as you slowly walk towards the glass of the bridge. Out of all the years traveling you have never been this close to a planet and you make sure to absorbed every moment of it now.

Time passes and you finally find your voice and speak up. "This isn't good enough." You state tearing your head away from the mesmerizing view. Your words jolting the others from their gazing as well, each one of them looks at you with an expression like you just slapped them and insulted their mothers.

"We spent our entire lives traveling to this planet and you're just going to say its 'It's not good enough'! This is our only hope Erik! How can you be so pessimistic!" Janie responds, her face looking like it's about to explode.

All you can do is offer a smile and a simple phrase in return. "This view may be Dony's personality in a meteor storm" You claim making Dony smile in the process ", but I for one would like to go down there myself and see it with my own eyes."

This gets Lora's attention. "Hell yeah that's what I'm talking about Erik, Put 'er there!" Lora pulls out her hand and gestures you to high-five it. You return the gesture with gusto only to make the rest of the team sigh at your shenanigans. "So what're we waiting for let's get suited and launch." She states, her smile never faltering.

"Hold your horses Lora, we can't just land on that planet without some background knowledge first." Riane lectures walking up to one of the bridge computers. "I say we scan the planet first. If we find nothing upon it that could cause harm to our M.E.C.H's we send two people down."

"But we already have background knowledge on it! I can tell you everything about this planet right now. 4879 Noctae I is a rim-world Terran planet that orbits the young star Iris, which lays in the Horsehead nebula 1.5 thousand light years away from our own planet earth, founded in 1888 by a female named Whilliamina Fleming." Lora lets in a large gulp of air and then exhales.

Riane sighs at Lora's actions. "Yes we all were forced to watch the same lecture. What I'm trying to say is that we know nothing about the inhabitants of this planet." This gets everyone on the ship to sigh.

"What's the possibility that we will find any sentient beings upon this planet? Even if we did, what is the possibility that they'll be as technologically advanced as we are. Seeing as we're the closest habitable planet you would think they would of checked us out by now if they were farther along than us." You question Riane.

"I know my math Erik. While the possibility of finding dangerous life forms on the planet are slim, we still need to eliminate the possibility of surprise." You knew that Riane was right and so did all of the other crew members abroad the Astral Souvenir. The only reason you sided with Lora is the fact that your inching to get down there.

Pleased with no further arising arguments Riane walked back to the bridge computer. "Lora and Erik I want you two to get ready for planet-fall. I know how eager the two of you are to step foot on the new planet so I won't hold you back. This is not a command to board the M.E.C.H's you hear, I just want you to get the equipment you need loaded on them. OK?"

Riane looked at you with a stern expression upon his face. So many times have you gone against his word, but this time you're sure if you did he would toss you out the airlock. His gaze only stayed for a couple seconds before switching to Lora. "Yes Sir!" Lora nodded in agreement and turned away towards the rooms with you following in toe.

"So you excited for planet-fall?" Lora asked as you both walked calmly down the steel corridor. You knew that the question's answer was quite obvious, but you appreciate her willingness to start up a conversation.

You nod in response. "However I'm more exited to get a go at piloting my  M.E.C.H." You state truthfully. Every M.E.C.H was different and you felt yours had the best ability. Temporal light distortion, Increase fuel injection speed and to top it all off it was painted black. Well when you first saw it, it was painted an army green. That didn't last very long when you gained access to the launch bay.

"Sometimes I think that you care more about 'Night Stalker' then anyone else on this ship." Lora claims as she enters her own room. You follow her up until the door and lean up against the frame, you had no need to enter the room seeing as you can see everything from the doorway.

Smiling at Lora's response you reply. "Well I could say I cared about you guys more, but then I would be lying." You state with a sly grin making its way onto your face. Lora's only response is to huff and continue to rummage through her locker. "Oh don't give me that attitude, you and I both know that 'Dawn Breaker' means as much to you as 'Night Stalker' does to me."

Lora stops for a moment and you can tell even when her back is faced towards you that she's smiling and who wouldn't! 'Dawn Breaker' Is one of the two tanks amongst the five M.E.C.H's. With an extra generator to boost the shields to almost impenetrable levels, 14 inches more of pure structure, and one experimental antimatter cannon. Now that you think about it 'tank' is in understatement, this thing was more like a walking battleship!

"I still think that we're getting to attached to our M.E.C.H's..." Lora states, her volume lowering showing you that she knows what she said was true, but that she also doesn't want to follow her own advice. The irony in her statement once again makes you chuckle.

"Anyways hurry up! We don't got all day!" You bark out as you turn to leave. The only response you get is for Lora to throw her helmet at you. Luckily the helmet misses by a hair and hits the wall across from you. "I don't think that's how you use a helmet Lora." You comment, this time you book it down the corridor knowing all too well that if you stayed she would of thrown something bigger.

Seconds soon pass by with the non-existent wind and you arrive at your room once again. The bed was made neatly and the desk was organized. Stepping into your room you walk over to your closet where you kept your M.E.C.H suit.

The M.E.C.H suite is a one-piece made out of a thin, flexible carbon fiber material, which is excellent if the M.E.C.H were to ever catch fire. Along with the sleek black look of the carbon fiber, the suite had energy channels that flowed in patterns down the length of the suite. The energy channels connected multiple sensors that lay within the material of the suite.

Without the M.E.C.H suite there is no other possible way that you can control the M.E.C.H. While entering the M.E.C.H you attach a large 4 inch diameter cord to the back of the suite right bellow your neck. During the setup sequence the suite is powered by the M.E.C.H causing the energy channels to glow. So much energy is pushed through the suit that even after hours of being disconnected the channels still glow.

This energy that the suite still contains can be stored in a battery attached to the waist. When outside of the M.E.C.H but still wearing the suit you can call upon this energy to perform basic survival needs such as; lighting a fire, communication, and enhanced strength. Above all else is that in dire situation you may expel all of the stored up energy in one go, which in turn could be used as a weapon or a speedy get away.

Long story short, while in the M.E.C.H suite you were practically a god. With the time finally coming upon you to use the suit to its fullest, you strip down and strap on the suit. The one thing that made each suit different was the patterns, each suite had different energy channels for the different M.E.C.H's.

All dressed up and ready to roll you grab the four large bags that were pre-packed at the back of your closet. Each one containing the basic necessities for survival if your M.E.C.H were to get destroyed. While every pilot dreaded the time where his/her M.E.C.H would be destroyed they had to still pack for such an occasion.

Turning back towards the door you realize that it's already open and standing beneath the door frame is Lora. "How long have you been standing there?!" You yell out surprised a small blush making its way onto your face. 'She got ready so fast.' Usually the girl M.E.C.H pilots take longer, not to be sexist or anything it's a fact! Their suites are harder to get on.

"Long enough." She states with a small smile. "Anyways let's get these bags hooked onto the M.E.C.H's and see if the rest of the crew is done scanning the planet." Lora says letting her excitement clearly show.

"Sounds like a plan." You reply following her in tow to the back of the ship where the M.E.C.H's are stored. "You think they found any life worth looking at down there?" You ask breaking the silence. While you spent a lot of time by yourself you didn't mind having a little conversation here and there.

Lora keeps walking down the hall, the black suit look rather stunning on her. "I hope so, it will give us the chance to use our M.E.C.H's to the fullest. I just hope that we don't kill something were not supposed to." You know that she was just joking around, but for a second there you thought she was serious.

The rest of the walk was uneventful, the only things that you looked at were the metal walls of the ships corridors. Their bland coloring dampening your mood just a bit, however when the M.E.C.H bay doors came into view your mood shot right back up. Knowing that the just beyond those doors is your ticket to see a planet how it's meant to be seen makes you smile.

You know that sometimes you act like a child around the other crew members, but when it comes to piloting something as expensive and rare as this, you're personality changes significantly. The feeling of responsibility comes into play and you once again realize why they chose you... It is this feeling that proves the scientists back home right, you are the best choice for this mission.

However you're not the only one that feels this feeling. You can see by the way Lora walks and talks that she too has the same thoughts. You will admit that her feelings are correct. Even though you knew no other humans other than your crew, you knew that back on earth they picked wisely.

As suspense to once again see your beloved 'Night Stalker' rises, Lora walks up to the key pad. Standing there with your four bags you wait patiently as Lora enters the key. The sound of each button being pressed makes your heart skip a beat. It isn't until you see the red light on the number pad switch to green that you start to breathe again.

Lora stands back as the blast doors unlock themselves from the inside. The click and turning of the pins can be clearly heard from where you stand. Then suddenly the rhythmic clicking stops and the two heavy doors slide open revealing the interior of the launch bay.

As the name intends the launch bay is where you make planet-fall. Once suited into a M.E.C.H you walk it over to the drop bay. Once ready the bay doors open and the artificial gravity shoots you towards the planet bellow. Since the scientists back on earth didn't know how we would of reacted to high G's at this age they made the M.E.C.H's to counter it.

While the M.E.C.H would be falling at the speed of sound if not faster and being subjected to large amounts of G forces, the pilot inside would feel nothing. This arouse the second problem. How would the M.E.C.H's survive such a fall and at such speed. The answer was quite simple and that was to add an extra heavy battery pack to the M.E.C.H right before opening the doors.

The battery would immobilize the M.E.C.H but give it enough electrical energy to boost the shields below the M.E.C.H to levels that would withstand the impact. Once on the ground the heavy battery pack would be unhooked from the M.E.C.H enabling it to move once again. However if the M.E.C.H's relied solely on the shields for re-entry it would still fail. At such speeds the M.E.C.H experiences any amount of shields would break, thus the reason why every M.E.C.H is equipped with retrograde thrusters to soften the landing.

Taking a step into the launch bay you look over to Lora. "Your heart racing to?" You ask looking back over the five M.E.C.H's that lined the launch bay walls. Each one looking different yet just as terrifying as the other.

"You bet it is." Lora states walking up to 'Dawn Breaker'. Her M.E.C.H was colored a dirty white as if to emphasize its own name. The sight of it gave you chills and you pondered what it would be like going up against such a monster. You doubt that any creature on the planet bellow would even attempt to engage such a machine.

"Remember what Riane said, we're not here to make planet-fall just yet. Let's attach these bags and head back over to the bridge." Lora pouts at your response, but follows the orders nevertheless. With Lora already attending to her own M.E.C.H you walk down the line to do the same to yours.

As you pass by two other M.E.C.H's you come across your own. It's black paint refusing to reflect the light from the launch bay. The whole machine looked ominous like it was not meant to be seen by anyone, for if it were it would surly kill them. It was a feeling that you hope to bring to light, down on the planet you planned to stay out of sight and out of mind.

Grabbing the railing on the arm of the M.E.C.H you launch yourself up on top. Reaching down you unlock the cargo door hatch. The cargo space on 'Night Stalker' was small due to its enhanced systems but you managed to fit all four of your bags in nicely. Once the bags were loaded you closed the hatch, locked it and hopped off 'Night Stalker'.

With the simple and mundane task done you walk over to 'Dawn Breaker'. "Need any help slow poke?!" You yell up towards the top of the M.E.C.H. If there was one thing that Lora hated it was someone asking to help her. This trait reminded you a lot about yourself, for you to hate when people ask to lend a hand. While it's rude to turn down help it's even more so to use the person as a tool.

"You know the answer to that question better than anyone else on this ship!" Lora yells out, you can see bags being tossed out of the M.E.C.H's cargo hatch as she speaks. "What was I thinking last year! When would I ever need this!" She yells out once again tossing more bags out of Dawn Breaker.

"Sometimes I like to think there's hope for you on this new planet. However now that I'm watching you now I find myself thinking it over." You comment. You can't help but smile at your own statement.

"Love you too Erik!" Lora claims slamming the cargo door shut and hopping down to the ground. "You should really learn how to treat a girl." She states flipping her nice bronze hair. "Maybe if you did I wouldn't mind dating you."

"Oh no! I just lost my one chance to date the beautiful and amazing Lora." You stat dramatically yet make sure to drench your statement in sarcasm. "Anyway, let's get going I want to see this planet today."

Lora jabs you in the shoulder. "You would be lucky to date a woman like me, and don't you forget it." She lectures with a smile. With that being said the two of you exit the launch bay making sure to lock the door behind you. The idea of locking the door in your mind is useless seeing as no one you don't trust is on the ship. Then again there is always the possibility that something can sneak onboard, once again that possibility is highly unlikely, but Riane likes to deal with the problem before it happens.

Once again the walk back to the bridge was uneventful, the metal walls were still being... well metal walls. Arriving on deck you and Lora come to see the rest of the crew surrounding the main bridge computer. The main computer was a touch screen table in the middle of the room. While it was very cool to use it had only a couple features that it could do.

"Lora and Erik great your here! The computer is just finishing up scanning the planet, we're almost able to see the planets continents and islands." With that sentence sparking your curiosity you fall in with the rest of the crew. Looking down at the table you can see the image of a blank sphere that has yet to be mapped out. In the middle of the sphere was a loading bar that was at 98%.

"How long will this two percent take?" You ask however your thoughts are put to rest as it quickly switches to 99 then to 100. The bar in the middle then disappears and the sphere starts to fill in. Within a couple of seconds the sphere is completely filled in showing you all the major land masses. "Never mind" You state as you spin the sphere around to where the ship is right now in orbit over.

Dony zooms into the picture revealing the continent that you and Lora will be landing into. "Looks like you two will be landing in a forest, good thing the M.E.C.H's can take such a harsh landing or else we would have to wait another hour till we're over the plains." Janie states pointing to the computers launch quadrants.

"Well at least the landing area looks clear. No sign of civilization nor any scans for high tech weaponry." Riane claims zooming out so he could see the entire forest. "Let's check out the plains to the east of the forest." Once again Riane's hand touches the glass table top and he swipes to check out the fields to the left of the forest.

"Wow, wow, wow what do we have here." Dony states pointing to a small cluster of what looks to be houses. "Zoom in let's get a close look." Riane does what Dony states and zooms further into the picture. Sure enough there lay a small town, if you can even consider it one there was only four houses. Sadly there was no signs of intelligent life forms, the only thing that you managed to see was a weirdly colored horse.

"At least we know that the air down there is breathable." Janie states pointing to the horse. "For if it wasn't then this creature would surly die." Dony nods to Janie's statement, however Riane doesn't seem to convinced on what the atmosphere contains.

"That organism might of evolved with a different respiratory system. Having one living being on the planet doesn't mean that the atmosphere down there is automatically breathable." Riane lectures. "The only way we will find out is by launching the M.E.C.H's. Once they reach the surface they will do multiple experiments that will determine if it is safe to breath the air."

Riane looks over to you and Lora. "That means you're not to exit the M.E.C.H's until we're one hundred percent sure that the air down there is breathable." This gets you and Lora to roll your eyes. "Don't give me that attitude! I don't want your blood on my hands."

It's funny because Riane is not even the group leader. Sure he acts like one, but everyone one on this ship is entitled to their own opinion. This means that there was no leadership system put into place. Nevertheless we still think of Riane as the leader and hold his opinion higher than others. You guess that it's in human nature to have one person lead the group.

You and Lora nod in agreement as Riane goes back to the table. "Okay now that we got that settled, let's talk about a base of operations. I say that we set up the base here." Riane states pointing right at the landing marker. Most of the crew mull over Rianes choice in their heads while others try and find a new location.

"How about here." You state pointing to a lake nearby the landing site. "This will grant us access to the local water source. With easy access to the planets water we will be able to take samples and conduct much more experiments." Riane and the other crew members nod as your choice seems to be the best one at the moment.

Riane looks over the map for another minute or so before speaking up."Ok that seems like a good location, it maximizes out experiments and minimizes the time to complete them." Riane taps the board where you state the base should be and a icon of a flag appears there. "Once you make planet-fall you will have one month before we're once again over this position. Me and the rest of the crew will be surveying more of the planet as you conduct your experiments. We will have open com's and video feed to you at all times so make sure to tell us everything that you come across. You guys aren't the only ones wanting to see this new world up close."

Lora and you both nod, you have gone over this briefing already before you reached the planet, so all you needed was a little reminder. "Okay let's get you two suited up!" Dony claims with a smile upon his face. When no argument was heard throughout the bridge you all head out to the launch bay, save for Riane who stays behind to continue surveying.

Arriving at the launch bay for the second time today you walk up to Dawn Breaker. With her being the lady and you being the gentleman you let Lora get the first crack at piloting the M.E.C.H. It literally takes no time for Lora to open up the front hatch and jump on in. A large click is heard when Lora connects the 4inch cord to her neck.

Once the cord is connected Lora's energy channels light up to a bright blue showing that the connection was successful. Eager to continue the hatch closes and Dawn Breaker moves out of its holding pen for the first time in over sixteen years. As it moved you could hear the sound of the hydraulics and the large thump of the steps it takes.

To see Dawn Breaker in this light truly does its justice. For even a god would shed a tear at the sight of humanities ambition and creation. "All systems functioning. Ready for planet-fall" Dawn Breaker states out of its external speakers.

You, Dony, and Janie give Dawn Breaker a thumbs up. In return Dawn Breaker makes its way over the launch platform. Each step shaking the ground from its sheer weight. Once it steps onto the launch platform a large mechanical arm straps on the extra battery back. "M.E.C.H connection to battery pack established, Systems idle, M.E.C.H immobilized."

Dony and Janie give another thumbs up and turn towards you. "You're turn Erik." Janie states with a smile upon her face. Just the sight of the operation is enough to give everyone hope, hope that soon they will be able to finish this mission and return home with great news.

Nodding your reply you walk up to Night Stalker and open up the front hatch manually. Every M.E.C.H has to be opened up manually for its first start up. After the first hook up is done then you will able to open it mentally while wearing the suite. You never had the chance to ask how it felt for the first hook up as you were to excited to find out for yourself.

The doors swing open and you jump inside Night Stalker for the first time. This M.E.C.H from now on will be your home and friend, if it gets hit you get hit. Having no seat you stand facing outwards the doors still open. Reaching back you grab the cord and brace yourself for what you're about to do. You will be the second one on this ship to pilot a M.E.C.H in reality.

Taking in a deep breath you plug in the cord to your neck. You're immediately taken away from your mind as the energy flows through the channels making them glow blue just like it did to Lora. However your mind quickly switches to the feeling, the feeling of the machine for now you and Night Stalker are one. You can feel the metallic mortars that control your arms and the hydraulic fluid flow through your veins.

With no physical effort at all you close the hatch in front of you much like you would close your hands into a fist. The darkened place where you stand suddenly lights up as the screens in front of you turns on. 'Systems start up in progress.' A female AI voice calls out as the screens in front of you displays the various systems that in Night Stalker has.

Fusion core: 100%

Electrical systems: online

Shields: 100%

Armor: 100%

Hull: 100%

Repair systems: online

Hydraulic fluid: 100%

Plasma cannon: online

Light distortion: offline

Quick injection system: offline

....

After the list is done the screens finally display the outside world in a wide view. 'Systems online, welcome Erik Carter my name is Night Stalker. This name was chosen on behalf of your metal state.' You're literally speechless as the machine suddenly knows everything about your existence.

"Alright then Night Stalker let's get this show on the road." You state as you move Night Stalker forwards. "Access external speakers." You state arriving next to Dawn Breaker, Dony and Janie are looking in awe as the massive M.E.C.H walks passed them.

'Access to external speakers granted. Recommended head gear.' The AI voice states as a helmet makes its way down from the roof of the control room. The helmet was a nice sleek black color and looked to be made entirely out of glass. Taking the helmet with your hands you place it upon your head. You watch in amazement as the computer upon the helmet starts up.

Electrical power: 100%

Is all the Helmet read and then faded away as your view comes back. If the helmet had no weight then you would of never of known it was on your head. "Night Stalker systems online." You state as you arrive right next to Dawn Breaker. You know that Lora is looking at Night Stalker right about now, you know this because you're looking at hers in awe.

As it did with Dawn Breaker a large mechanical arm extrudes from the launch bay ceiling and attaches the extra battery pack. 'Battery pack detected. Requires pilot consent.' The AI says as the battery pack is snapped into place. "Connect battery pack." You state and Night Stalker obliges.

'Extra power rerouted to extra storage.' Knowing that all systems are a go you turn back to the microphone. "Night Stalker extra battery back connected, ready for planet-fall." You state over the microphone. However Dony and Janie wave to you to open the hatch, following their commands you open the hatch as does Dawn Breaker.

"Just hold on a moment we need to capture this historic moment!" Janie claims running out of the launch bay. You and Lora look at each other with confused expressions then back down at Dony that sported a smile upon his face.

"You know Janie. Always needs to take pictures." He states and as if it took no time at all Janie returned with Riane. Riane had a look of annoyance upon his face, but everyone knows that when Janie takes a picture, everyone has to be there wither you like it or not.

"Ok everyone stand in front of Night Stalker and Dawn Breaker and say cheese!" Janie yells out as she sets the camera on a timer and runs to join the group. As the timer ticks down its last seconds everybody puts their best smiles on and yells "CHEESE!"

The flash goes off and Janie runs back to her camera. Since she made the camera herself while aboard the Astral Sovereign it was able to print out a copy for everyone right then and there. Smiling you take the picture and attach it to the front latch of Night Stalker so you can always see it. Waving one last time at Dony, Janie and Riane you close the hatch and prepare for the launch sequence.

Lora does the same thing as you do. Looking at the screen in front of you, you can see the rest of the crew wave as Riane walks over to the button that retracts the floor from beneath the M.E.C.H's. With one last salute from Riane he pushes the button and the floors shoot open.