Author's Note
Please excuse any errors you do come across; Not entirely focused on grammatical errors, I mean the ones made with ranks for all I can assume in space combat it's similar to nautical combat. If I made an idiot of myself please let me know so I can correct it...or let me keep it and make fun of me.
If you guys enjoyed this short story and wish for me to continue it past the two chapters I'm writing; please comment it bellow!
Have a great day guys!
P.S. -
Chapter 6 is coming along after a long break I'm getting back into writing.
War
War and Madness
By Austin L. (Fusion)
With,
John (Flutters Ze' Medic)
The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
George S. Patton
Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.
Herbert Hoover
The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.
John F. Kennedy
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"What'll ya’ have?" The barkeep looks at me intently.
"Straight Scotch." I grumble he turns and gets to work on my request.
"So are ya' a war veteran?" He slides the glass over to me, I grab the shot glass in my hand and quickly slam it ignoring the burning pain in my throat that ensues.
“That any of your damn business?” I stare cold daggers at him as I push the glass back to him. Quietly he shrugs as he gets me a refill. He walks over to me and pours another glass.
“No, but I rarely get any old guys with that medal on his shoulder.” He points at my jacket that bears the Celestial Golden Star; the symbol of being injured in-service. Of course he wasn’t wrong I had been in many countless battles in my service span. Some of which ended better than others; alas none were above the other, the countless amounts of life lost in wars on both sides; be it in battles or skirmishes they were never worth it in the long run.
Quietly I stare at the hardwood counter in front of me as another scotch slides into view. This time, however, I don’t slam it, nor did I sip it; without a word I look up at the young barkeep staring at me intently hoping for me to tell him a story. Eventually I get the nerve and look him in the eye.
I down the small glass of scotch he set in front of me. “Yea… I am a veteran,” I finally say, “I’ve been in more battles than I wanna talk about including the one that earned me this,” I reach under the jacket and release the Golden Star's clamp putting it on the counter in front of him.
“I was given an “honorable” discharge from service after I took a plasma round from an angry griffin; the bastard nearly killed me, any closer he would have sliced a major artery. I got lucky to get hit in the shoulder and loose partial feeling, it sure as hell beats losing my life," I inhale sharply, the smell of alcohol and sweat lingers in the air.
"For twenty years I served under Celestia's command, I followed her every order for what this medal is worth I mounted it as a cruel reminder.” He looks at the medal closely in admiration and sorrow.
The bartender refills my glass as he searches for words. “I'm so sorry to hear that...That’s a hell of a sacrifice-” I raise my hand to stop him.
“It cost me my job," I breathe out slowly but I cough from lingering alcohol.
"If anything good came out of it, it was that in the long run I had enough money saved all those years to still dedicate my time to defending this nation.” The barkeep is now beginning to figure out who I am. He stops short of what he was going to say as reality sinks in.
“Y-you’re Blackened Flare!,” He seems to have turned slightly pale. "The soldier turned admiral that fought wave after wave of enemies! Equestria's greatest hero in my b-bar.. IN MY BAR!" He slightly bounces in excitement.
“Yeah… The “Great” Blackened Flare, the “Great” fleet admiral,” I sarcastically. As I stare down into my second glass of scotch, I exhale slowly. I just wanted to be another guy, unrecognized… I just wanted to forget it all.
"Look the stories always sound great, but the battles at the time are never easy for anyone... there are many things I wish I could forget, decisions I wish I could go back and change. But I can't...” I down the second glass of scotch.
“Would it be too much to ask if ya’ could talk about your last battle… That is if you don't mind of course, if you don’t want to it’s ok, I mean-." He stammers somewhat reassuringly. “He-here,” he says, refilling my glass again, “Drinks are on me.”
“You mean the battle of Crystallite Field?” He nods promptly as he comes around the bar sitting a Barstool away. Sitting there with the scotch in my hand I swirl it and look over my shoulder at the other bar patrons now staring at me with a similar looks of interest.
Hesitantly I sigh in defeat.
“Fine,” I take a slow sip of the scotch that is still spinning in the glass.
“Where do I start this story…?”
<><><><><><><><><><>One Year Ago - Prior.<><><><><><><><><><>
"Shit, it was nearly a year ago, that year was quite pesky for the crew and myself; and I can positively say that most of Equestria will agree with me when I say it wasn’t an easy feat for anyone,"
"The Battle of Crystallite Station was something that took place months later, but the reason it happens was actually because of what happened in the Battle of Crystallite Field. It's called that due to the debris from a fleet we were sent to intercept."
"As you know, I have a fleet of ships that are above us to protect Equestria from extraterrestrial threats from attacking us without leaving the front door wide open. At the time of when everything really started, I was on board my flagship The Solaris. At the time it was just us as the rest of my fleet was above the Northernmost area waiting. My flagship had received word of Crystallite and Changeling cruisers that had entered our airspace not far from Canterlot; Solaris was destined for a course to intercept these guys; initially we were hoping it was just a neutral ship from that region on a merchant run, however, when we had come out of FTL, we quickly found they weren't neutral by any means, instead they were fully armed cruisers directed to attack anything they found. They did just that; immediately coming out of FTL they adjusted their heading and began to open fire on us the second it was an option."
<><><><><><><><>Battle of Crystallite Field<><><><><><><><>
<><><><><><><><><><>8 Months ago.<><><><><><><><><><>
“SITUATION REPORT” I shout at the top of my lungs as a massive energy beam causes the ship to jolt left. Frantically the damage control officer is moving rapidly between stations as he tries to find damaged systems.
“We have been breached on the port side. We lost pressure in rooms 65 through 78.” Immediately he pulls a lever activating an alarm.
“Seal that area, get gunners to their stations; open fire immediately!" He moves to a nearby phone as the lights turn from white to red signaling the ship is in full combat.
“Sir! Another battle group just came out of FTL!” A radar operator looks at me from his seat.
“Assume Defensive position 5; bring us down to half speed, and turn hard to starboard. When the guns come around unleash all main batteries on the port side. I want AP shells on the first volley followed by HE once their shields are down.”
“Aye, aye Sir!” I walk towards the bridge command window to see the three cruisers now turning towards us to aid their allies against us.
“I also want-” Suddenly, one of the ship's turns bright green and fires a large blast of energy.
“BRACE!” the beam impacts the port side once more causing the ship to slight lurch once more.
“SHIELDS DOWN 65% SIR!” at that moment, every gun on the port side begins to fire, letting loose a hail of 25 cm shells and plasma towards them.
“Good hits, 2 cruisers just lost power.”
"Successful ion hit?"
"Aye sir, two of their ships just went dark."
"Good; continue to focus fire on the bridge of the nearest cruiser!"
“Shields are still down 65%, they are stable for now. Working on getting them back up!” a damage control officer shouts over the commotion.
“Anything else?” I walk over to his station.
“Negative Sir.” Another barrage is heard causing the ship to lurch from the recoil.
“INCOMING!!!” A gunnery officer shouts, as a massive purple beam tears into the ship, causing everyone to fall face first to the floor.
“What. The. Fuck. Was THAT?! Situation Report- NOW! I NEED answered and I need them NOW! I move my hair aside to feel my head is moist; I move my fingers into view which they are now covered with blood.
“Shields down! Massive de-pressurization in the port side,” his eyes turn to pinpricks. “If that beam had gotten any closer it would’ve traveled to the aft munitions cache.”
“Thank Celestia the armor of this ship is still stronger.” Most of the crew quickly return to their stations.
“Your orders, sir?” I look out the observation windows of the bridge quietly trying to cobble together a half-assed strategy.
“Sir?” The officer asks again as the bridge falls silent minus the alarm still blaring.
“Retreat. Allow one more barrage to cover our retreat...All ahead to flank speed.” The crew nods as another wave of shells flies from port as the ship tilts in full power attempting to flee; the whine of the FTL drive is heard with the heading set the start’s to a colored blur as we jump to safety of friendly airspace.
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“So what happened after that?” someone shouts from the back of the bar; by now I have a crowd around me listening intently to my story and more entering the bar quietly taking a seat staring at me. Slowly I exhale as I continue my story.
“We turned tail IF we continued to fight directly on our own; we surely would have been destroyed. Once we entered the safety of our fleet, We temporarily moored the ship and began to inspect the damages. As it turns out the damages where just about as extensive as we had anticipated. We had taken three massive power strikes near the stern, which knocked out three main line reactors; luckily it didn’t trip a chain-reaction and cause us to explode instantly, we had also found we had five midshipmen unaccounted for within the depressurized area’s simple storage compartments that sucked em’ into the void of space.” Everyone is now staring at me with a look of shock.
“I was up later that night, having to write letters home addressing the losses. We of course couldn’t find the bodies to return them home.” I swivel my glass of scotch in the glass and sip some more of it down.
“So what happened when you found Solaris was that damaged?” Someone in the back of the bar speaks up.
“To put it simply, we sent an EVA crew out to get the reactors restarted and stabilized. I ordered the damage control crew to have the reactor room pressurized again; it took the better part of an hour to get the reactors back online, and by that time we had received reinforcements from Celestia herself; at first we were curious as to why she had sent us extra units, something that would come as a shock to all of us later.”
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“What do you mean we are putting the rest of the fleet at risk...” I look at my damage control officer practically staring daggers at him.
“Aye. If we go in with Solaris to engage those cruisers we risk how exposed our reactors are. For all we know they could score a lucky hit there and destroy half the fleet instantly.” He gives me a look of true concern.
“Look son, I’ve got faith in my battleship. We need her for the primary weapon systems, none of these small frigates have the power that we currently posses. We don’t have a choice. Get the repairs under way as quickly as possible. We must be ready for battle.” He hesitantly nods in defeat; turning on his heel he returns to his station where his co-workers talk to him probably about how he got denied. I hear footsteps behind me, I turn to face the radio man approaching me he salutes quietly. I look at him and return it.
“What is it Chief Petty Officer?” I cross my arms. “Seriously hope it isn’t bad news… that is the last thing we need right now.” The young radioman opens his mouth, but no words come forth. As if trying but failing horribly to formulate a sentence he scratches his head and speaks up.
“We are being hailed by the a Royals of Canterlot,” he stops quietly until he sputters out. “Sir.”
“Patch it through to my personal intercom I’ll deal with it in my quarters.” I leave the bridge saluting guards protecting it; without a word I pass down the top gunnery deck to see some men cleaning the gun’s loading mechanisms, some loading shells into the weapons a row beside the next, beside a group of men is the gunnery officer spotting me staring at him the gunnery officer shouts out.
“Captain on deck!” instantly everyone snaps to attention saluting me.
“At ease.” I continue my walk down the length of the top gun deck eventually leading to the midsection of the ship where the crew quarters are housed. Passing a few guards on patrol down the central corridor, they stand aside allowing me to pass through they salute respectfully, with equal respect for my crew I return the gesture. The one total downside of being on board one of the largest warships in Equestria is that its crew capacity is over 60,000 strong. Meaning multiple levels of crew space alone. Slowly but surely I make my way to the end of the 2nd level crew quarters, I approach my living area at the end. Silently I swipe my card in the ID scanner with a resounding high pitch beeping noise followed by a thud of the door unlocking I pull the door open and enter the room sealing the door behind me. Promptly I turn on my communicator which covers the room in an ominous dark blue color.
“Speak.” I sit down in a chair near the device waiting for a reply.
“Captain Blackened Flare; I presume.” A familiar feminine voice can be heard.
“It’s good to hear from you once again, Princess Celestia.”
“No need for formalities my old friend.” Her voice is slightly shaky as if highly disturbed by something.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” quite suddenly her professionalism fails as I can hear her exhale.
“I come to you in the most dire of circumstances. We received reports of a fleet of ships attacking your flagship, It became more evident this wasn’t just a normal attack on you but a diversion. They sent a much larger fleet the ships I have sent you are all that remains of the 3rd Fleet that protects the skies near Ponyville and Canterlot.” She pauses for a moment.
"Celestia...cut to the chase. What happened." For the longest time it is completely silent.
“They have kidnapped Luna.” My eyes widen in shock.
“How did they get her so easily Canterlot Airspace is closely guarded there is well over 5 battalions of guards to protect you! and you mean to tell me that she is in enemy hands?!” At this rate all I can hear is Celestia is crying on the other end of the transmission.
“P-please, bring her home to me. I beg you! I will pay you anything!” her distress clearly heard as her voice comes less and less coherent.
“I must get those ships out of your nations orbit first. So far they haven’t followed us out of FTL yet. I will make it my first and only priority to find her. You have my word.”
“T-thank you!” the transmission cuts out.
‘I REALLY DIDN’T NEED THIS TODAY.’ I frown and put my hands on my face pulling my eyelids down as I exhale sharply trying to piece the situation together.
"The fuck am I gonna’ do now..."
"Sir?" the intercom rings to life.
"What is it?" I reply harshly as I remove my hands from my face and look at the intercom.
“Reactors five, nine, and 15 are online, However the final reactor isn't restarting; nor complying with any attempts to restart the reaction. However if we were to move now Solaris has enough power to survive without one reactor. For lack of better words, we are ready to proceed whenever you give the order.”
“Very good lieutenant, see to it the fleet is notified. Afraid some heavy news has arrived that explains the Frigates Celestia sent us.” I turn the desk lamp off and walk over to the window looking down on Equestria moving slowly below. Without a word I leave my quarters heading back to the bridge following the same procedure as before.
Unlike the first time I passed through these halls there isn’t one crew member even on patrol. However, when I enter the top gun deck level I find them all standing at attention giving me glares that could make even the best poker face shiver in fear. As I stroll down the gunnery stations I notice that almost every man standing there had a specific look on their face; not one of eagerness for battle; but a look of fear and uncertainty. Without a word I continue on my path to the bridge, climbing a set of stairs I approach the doors open with a hiss as everyone snaps to attention.
“Captain on the Bridge!” a nearby O.O.D (Officer Of The Deck) shout’s as everyone turns to face me.
“At ease.” I exhale and the crew continues to work continuously monitoring various systems plastered across hundreds of screens.
“Alright everyone,” I pause briefly trying to find out the best way to put the situation into words. “It’s time to address the situation at hand.” I fold my arms behind my back as everyone clears a path for me to the very front of the bridge. I turn around on my heel I blink as I now see everyone is staring at me intently, some of the men are from various parts of the ship joining to listen first hand at what I have to say. I spot the communications officer standing at the back of the bridge next to his transmitter.
“Patch me through to fleet command.” He nods and promptly begins switching over to open frequency broadcasts, momentarily he gives me a thumbs up indicating I'm ready to speak to them. Slowly I close my eyes and exhale.
“I just received word from Princess Celestia from Canterlot. It appears that the fleet we encountered earlier today, was just a diversion to keep their actions hidden. It appears- as of current that Princess Luna, has been kidnapped we aren’t sure where she’s being held.” I pause for a moment to let the reality of the situation sink in before getting glances from the now worried crew.
“One thing is clear; this is an act of aggression, Equestria will not stand for such heinous crimes and it will be handled as such. We will get her back safe and sound. But first… we must handle the fleet that sent us packing. It’s time to push back the enemy that has diverted us; they may have started this, but we will sure as hell end it. FOR EQUESTRIA!”
Immediately the crew begins to jeer in agreement as fists raise into the air in approval. Outside the ship multiple flares can be seen from the rest of the fleet; a clear sign of agreement in the situation. I step from the front of the bridge to the navigator who flashes me a half decent smile.
“Y’all always know how to inspire the crew.” He looks up at me.
“Set coordinates and transmit them to the rest of the fleet.” I write down the X, Y, and Z coordinates and hand them to him.
“The computer needs verification for this order, sir.” I swipe my card into the computer scanner authorizing the order, almost Immediately the ship begins to tilt beginning a large turn from where it came; all other ships follow suit. some of the smaller ships turning faster are already waiting with their engines turning brighter from the FTL drives being spooled up and ready to jump. Eventually after a grueling 5 minutes Solaris is in line with the other ships ready to jump with the rest of the fleet.
“Sir, we are ready to jump when you are. Give the word.” A second later the lights go from white to red signifying combat is ahead.
“You may jump at will, sir.” Suddenly a loud rumbling noise is heard as the stars in front of us begin to turn to mere streaks as waves of colors fluctuate around the ship. Some of the other ships begin jumping before us due to their size.
“Successful entry to FTL, so far the temporary repairs are structurally holding so far.”
“Finally a break of good news.”
<><><><><><><><><><>5 Minutes Later<><><><><><><><><><>
“Comin’ out of FTL!” the navigator shouts out.
“Shields up to full intensity, get our main chase guns ready and open fire as soon as we come out. I don't want a Hayfly getting through!” I give the order as the ship begins to slow down from FTL.
“Contact! Six ships and two large objects coming up, port side.”
“Good they still haven’t gotten those two cruisers back online yet,” I walk over to the observation platform within the bridge to see stars returning to dots in the sky as the aura fades and multiple ships come into view.
“Charge main weapon!” I holler at the center gunner consoles. Immediately two gunners take out their keys and insert them into the console counting down and twisting them.
“Mark 1. Confirmed and ready.”
“Mark 2. Confirmed and ready.”
Over 30 seconds I look up at the screen and I can see that 40% of the ship's main power is being transferred to the main gun.
“Sir! Mass driver is nearly 60% power we are almost ready to fire!”
“Good.” I walk over to the control panel where they had inserted their keys. I flip open a lid the size of my thumb; I press my thumb to the screen, a light blue beam begins to scan my thumb for verification. It turns green moments later and the switch next to me turns green.
“Fully powered Sir!” I look at him quietly as I flip the switch immediately a loud humming noise emanates from under our feet followed immediately by a massive blue and purple beam travels from the front of the Solaris straight into the lead Crystallite ship the power on board their ship begins to falter as the lights flicker as the shields collapse and the ship is torn into two gigantic pieces. Immediately I close the thumb scanner as the two gunners remove their keys shutting down the primary weapon system. Glancing immediately the other ships near the lead ship we had destroyed had begun turning around attempting to flee.
“Gunners target their FTL drive engines. I want no escape.” Immediately the other ships in my fleet begin to fire on the now probably terrified ships. Barrage after barrage my fleet begins to tear them up one by one their engines begin to shut down till they are surrounded. Knowing they are outgunned, they stand their ground not daring to fire.
“Hail them. Order them to surrender and turn control of the ships to us or be destroyed.” Immediately I hear the radio officer begin to voice the demands to the ships that are silently waiting. For the longest period of time we wait silently allowing them to contemplate their alternatives.
“Sir… they just replied.” He walks beside me handing me a paper with their answer.
‘We will never surrender to you…’
“They have made their decision then.” I pause my voice now shaky with the decision forced upon me.
“All batteries, fire at will... Destroy them.”
Immediately the surrounding fleet opens fire on the entrapped ships, tearing them apart one by one causing debris to fly in every direction as they are destroyed. One lucky shell hits its mark on the enemy ship; causing a chain reaction. Instantly it explodes down the center keel of the ship tearing it into hundreds of pieces that drift calmly into the abyss of space. I look away as a chunk flies past the bridge quietly I return to my quarters without another word.
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“So they didn’t surrender themselves…Why?” A nearby bar patron looks at me curiously.
“To this day I still don’t know why. They sacrificed their entire crew, it’s a sight that haunts me to this day. The may still be our enemies; but to be so heartless to have such a massive loss of life is shameful to put it lightly.”
“So what happened after that battle?”
“It was onto the bigger problem of finding out where the princess had been taken. At the time we didn’t have a single lead and we sure as hell didn’t have a lot of time to spare either. For all we know they could’ve already had the locations of major bases and weaknesses and names of officers,” I look at my now empty glass.
“We needed to hurry.”
<><><><><><END MUSIC><><><><><><
