Prologue – Helios
Starfall
By: King Julius I
Prologue – Helios
Its been three weeks. Three weeks since “The Cutthroat” was ambushed. The Federation had set a trap, a stranded arms transport in the middle of nowhere. The captain thought it was an easy target but soon after arriving the ship was caught off guard by “The Paladin”, the federations pride and joy. It didn't take long for it to overpower The Cutthroat and get a boarding party inside. Despite the crews tenacity, the Federations troops were just to many, and to well armed. The crew lasted about an hour before Captain Scarlet surrendered. Three days later she was executed and the remainder of the crew was imprisoned. But unlike the rest, Jay, the youngest of the crew was chose to be send to a “reeducation center” instead of life imprisonment. Given that he is only 21 while the rest were 35 or older, they believed allowing him a second chance would lead him to become a more “productive” citizen. But it was all a stunt, they were afraid of how the population will react to the imprisonment of someone who they believe never had the chance to become a law abiding citizen, but with his technical skills and knowledge of A.I. programing they cant just let him run free, so they decided to dump him on a frozen world on the fringe of known space.
Luckily the transport he was on had “technical issues” and was forced to make an emergency stop at the Helios shipyard. As “luck” would have it The Paladin was also there for resupply and repair. And after a very awkward run in with its Captain, Edmond Voss, who made it very clear that the young pirate should be in a hole with the rest or his crew. He was escorted to the stations brig to await departure. After the guards left him in a cell he was able to pry loose a wall panel and rewire the force field controls. He's managed to make it to a security station without raising any alarms which is where he now finds himself.
Jay removes the storage unit of his A.I. and friend, Seven, from a concealed pocket in the leg of his pants and plugs her into the main security terminal.
After a few moments her voice comes from the terminal. “Beginning interface...Bypassing security.....Bypass complete. Jay, why are we on a Federation station?”
“Its a long story seven. I need a layout of the station and a way off.”
“One moment,” Seven pulls up a number of blueprints and docking manifests along the screen. “According to the manifests there are only three ships docked at the moment. A short range federation transport.”
“Its not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“The Paladin.”
“Like Hell!”
“And a ship I cant identify. It appears to be under construction but it may be spaceworthy.”
“Can you tell me its progress?”
“One moment.....The propulsion, Core and shields seem to be completed. The weapons and supplies are still in progress.”
“Where's the ship?”
“You'll have to go up one level and get to the outer ring to board the ship. Just plug me in when you get to the bridge.”
“Is there an armory close by?”
“Got it, straight to the ship then. Wish me luck,” Jay disconnects Seven and starts for the ship.
Taking an elevator to the next floor and avoiding several guard patrols, He finds himself on the stations docking ring. He rounds a corner to find the bulkhead leading to the ships umbilical. Unfortunately two guards stand at the entrance. “Damn.” Backtracking to a terminal he had found moments ago, He plugs Seven in, “Seven, guards are blocking entry to the ship. Can you create a distraction?”
After a minute Seven replies, “Distraction successful. The guards have been sent to investigate a disturbance. You only have a few minutes before they realize its.... Oh no, They've discovered you've escaped, hurry.”
Disconnecting Seven he runs to the now unguarded hatch and boards the ship. Making his way through the umbilical he can see the hull of the ship through viewing ports, Across it in large white letters is written “STARFALL”.
Once he boards the ship he sneaks past a handful of engineers and finds the bridge. He finds an engineering terminal and connects Seven . “We've made it aboard.”
“Understood, Bypassing ships A.I.....Thats it, the ship is ours.”
“We need to do something about the engineers on-board.”
“Understood,” Seconds later a warning alarms begin to sound and a voice comes over the intercom, “WARNING! WARNING! CORE BREACH DETECTED, EVACUATE! EVACUATE!”
“Nice.”
“Evacuation in progress.”
“Good job Seven. Warm up the engines. As soon as we leave, The Paladin will be on top of us.”
As the last engineer leaves, the docking clamps and umbilical detach and the ship pulls away from the station, making its way into space. As the ship moves further The Paladin disembarks and begins pursuit.
“Jay, It appears The Paladin is giving chase. Shields are on-line but we wont survive long without weapons.”
Jay finds one of the helm terminals, “Put as much power into the engines as you can, can you get the hyper-drive working?”
“I'm working to get them functioning, but though this ship seems to be faster than The Paladin, we are out-gunned. They could destroy this ship before I can get them working, I need time.”
Running over the helm data, there appears to be a meteor belt between the station and a nearby planet, “Seven take us in there, The Paladin will be to big the maneuver.”
“Understood. Setting course.”
For nearly twenty minutes they dodge and weave, trying to avoid The Paladins continuous rail-gun fire. The shields take most of the damage but by the time the ship arrives at the meteor belt they were almost depleted.
“We've arrived at the belt, slowing to maneuver,” Sevens voice calls out over warning alarms.
“What about The Paladin?”
“They have broken of pursuit, It appears you were right.”
“Good. Now we just have to make it to the other side, activate the hyper-drive, and were home free,” suddenly the ship is thrown about by an explosion. “Seven, what was that?”
“A large electro magnetic surge from The Paladin, The ship seems to have a large mass driver. A round must have detonated close by.”
“They cant get through the meteors so their just going to keep firing blindly until they hit us.”
The ship dodges one shot after another until they finally approach the meteor belts outer edge. “Where almost out, Hows the hyper-drive?”
“Its ready, once we get clear...BRACE FOR IMPACT!
Before he can react, Jay is thrown over the terminal as another explosion sends the ship trough a group of large asteroids at the belts edge.
“Jay, Were out of the meteor belt, But we've lost shields and the hyper-drive, Impulse is still working but we cant take any more damage.
Pulling himself off the floor, Jay returns to the helm, blood pouring from a large cut on his head. “Is there.....Is there any way to get the hyper-drive working, we can't get away on impulse alone.”
“I'm sorry Jay...Theres nothing I can do.”
For minutes the only sounds were of warning alarms and popping wires. “There had to be some way, something,” Jay thought to himself, Just then something catches his eye out the bridges front view port. “Seven, what is that?”
“Whats what?”
“Off the starboard side.” Looking out he can see what appears as though some of the stars are shifting and distorted, “Looks kinda like rippling water.”
“Scanning.... It appears to be some kind of anomaly. I'm not sure to where it leads but...Warning hyperspace window opening off the port bow, it's The Paladin.”
There is a small flash as The Paladin emerges from hyperspace. Its guns coming to bear.
“Damn, Make for the singularity.”
“Not advisable, Without knowing where it leads...”
“Its better than being blown into dust.”
“....Understood, Course set.”
Pushing the engines, they reach the singularity just as The Paladin begins to bare down on them. All that can be seen before entering is a rippling of stars, Then a cascade of color, As space warps around the ship and throws it across the abyss.
Chapter 2 - Falling Stars
Starfall
by: King Julius I
Chapter I - Falling Stars
“Jay, Reserve power is at eighty percent,“ Sevens voice echoes through the ships bridge, mixing with the sounds of sparking, popping wires and warning alarms. A thin veil of smoke from electrical fires hangs in the air.
“Seven, run a diagnostic. How bad is the damage?,” Jay works his fingers hastily at the last functioning helm terminal, Trying to get the derelict ship under control.
Sevens monotone voice returns several seconds later, “Diagnostic complete. Main power is down, Hyper-drive still nonfunctional. Main propulsion is also down and life support is running off reserve power. The scanners seem to be functioning, both long and short range. Shields are down.”
“How long till life support fails?”
“If we localize it to just the bridge and cut all not essential systems it should last a little over two days.”
“What about the core?,” He unsteadily makes his way to the engineering terminal, lightheaded from his injury. “Can it be brought back on-line?”
“The core experienced a power surge while in the singularity. It appeaser to be beyond repair.”
“And propulsion?”
“Impulse can run off reserve power for a short time, But it pulls much more power than life support or scanners.”
“Well at least we aren't dead in the water. What do the scanners say?” He moves from engineering to navigation. On the screen Seven's progress can be seen as she pushes the scanners to their limits, “Can you get our location down?”
After several minutes of sifting through and cross referencing stellar cartography data, It becomes clear they exited the singularity in an uncharted region of space. “ I cant match any of the charts on recorded with any available data.”
“Damn, There goes my hope of rescue,” He brings his sleeve to his head, Trying to remove some of the blood and sweat from his face. “The smoke seems to be getting thiner but its still hot as hell in here.”
“Fortunately there does seem to be a planet within scanner range. We need to get closer for more accurate scans, but with impulse on high burn we can be within short range scanners in about 6 hours. Though the chances are almost non existent, The world might at least have a breathable atmosphere.”
He backs away from the terminal. “And life Support, How long will it last after we arrive?”
“Pushing the engines will drain reserve power. By the time we get in range of the planet I estimate there will only be enough power to keep life support going for a few hours. Three at best.”
Stepping away and passing the helm controls, He approaches the main view port at the front of the bridge. Outside he can see the blackness of space, peppered with little specks of light. Some, bright points in the black, others barley visible. Looking down, The hull of the ship can be seen. Dints and breaches from the meteor belt and The Paladins assault cover its surface. Just beyond it he can see the light of what he can assume is this systems star.
“Its a gamble, But what other choice is there than to suffocate in this ship. Alright seven I say we roll the dice. Set a course for the planet.”
The lights dim and flicker and the faint sounds of the engines can be heard humming to life. The ships maneuvering thrusters begin to burn, Bringing the ship out of its chaotic spin. “Course set, ETA six hours twenty minutes.” Seven replies as she sets a course towards the unknown world.
A thought suddenly occurs to Jay, “Seven, I don't think this ship is in any condition for a safe reentry. How exactly are we getting down to the planet?”
“Don't worry about that Jay, I have a plan.”
About six and a half hours and a trip to the med bey later, The ship comes close enough to the world for short range scanners. Jay stacks three travel bags full of supplies near the bridge exit, Upon them lies an midnight black environmental suit. Through the view port he can see the blue glow from the unknown world, “How does it look?”
“Scanning already in progress,” The screen filled with streaming data. An image of the world appears on the screen. A mix of green and blue with white on aether pole. Much like how the earth is said to have once looked, “Jay, I'm receiving mixed data, While the atmosphere does have a breathable atmosphere and there seems to be plenty of vegetation and water, Theres some field or radiation emanating from the planet that I cant identify. The scanners are having a difficult time getting through.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“I don't believe so.”
“Continue scanning, And let me know when its time,” Jay moves back to the suit he had laid on the supplies he gathered from the med bay. He removes the prisoner clothing and dawns the suits skin tight under-garment, A one piece covering the torso and legs made of woven synthetic crystal. The rest of the suit is form fitting. Just seal it up, Push a button and the torso pieces, boots, and gloves snap into place.
“With the ship in its condition the only way planet-side is a drop pod,” Seven had explained to him, “And arriving on a new world in nothing but a thin jumpsuit isn't ideal.”
“We'll be reaching the planets upper atmosphere in minutes,” Sevens voice calls from the terminal, “I've set the ship to stay in high orbit for a time, Then splash down into one of the oceans. I've also found coordinates for....”
Suddenly jay is thrown to the deck as the ship begins to violently shake, Warning lights and alarms re-activate as he picks himself up. “Seven, what the hell was that?,” He shout as another tremor lands him on the deck.
“It appears we've been caught in a meteor shower. Severe damage to the engines and hull, Our orbit is rapidly decaying. I recommend we leave... NOW!”
Quickly making his way to the engineering terminal, Jay removes Sevens' storage unit, Grabs his supplies, And hurriedly make his way off towards the drop pods.
Finally making it to the pods after several minutes of being tossed about by the ship, Jay can hear sevens voice warning him of hull breaches through his helmets com link, “Three minutes until we reach the lower atmosphere, Ive set the first pod to drop as soon as your ready.”
Throwing the supplies behind the chair of the first pod and securing himself, Jay prepares for departure unto an alien world, “Okay seven, Ready when you are.”
The pod door closes and seals with a hiss, “6 seconds till drop...5...4...3...2.”
Jays stomach is suddenly launched into his throat as the pod is released and expelled from the ship.
As he drops further and further, the extensive damage to the hull can be seen. Large chunks are missing or torn and small fires and explosions ignite briefly before they are extinguished by the vacuum of space.
Just as the ship begins to enter the lower atmosphere a large meteor strikes the starboard hanger, Tearing it from the ship with a bright explosion.
The pod begins to shake as it breaks the lower atmosphere. The heat of reentry almost blinding if not for the suits visor. “How long till touchdown, I cant keep this thing on course,” Jay shouts, Struggling with the controls to keep the pod steady.
“Four minutes till impact.,” Sevens voice replies, Barely audible over the roar of the falling pod. After several minutes of falling, Sevens voice returns, “Impact in 12 seconds, Brace yourself.”
The cracking of trees can be heard just before the pod strikes the ground with a sudden jerk and skips once before grinding to a stop. After a moment Jay steadies himself before opening the pods hatch and exiting into a new world.
In the small town of Ponyville rests the Golden Oaks Library. Home to the newest princess of the land of Equestria Twilight Sparkle, and her young dragon assistant Spike.
The small purple Alicorn sat on her balcony with her telescope gazing into the night sky, “Spike...Spike...Hurry or your going to miss it.”
From downstairs a childlike voice can be heard followed by hurried footsteps, “I'm coming Twilight,” a short purple dragon with green spines steps out onto the balcony carrying a wooden bowl full of rubies. “Just had to grab a snack.” The little dragon hops unto a stool and begins to chow down on the gems.
Turning towards the telescope, Twilight looks to the night sky, “I cant wait for the meteor shower, Luna says It should be beautiful, I just wish everypony else could be here.”
“Well Pinkie and Rainbow are in Fillydelphia for a few days, Rarity is working on a dress and Fluttershy and Applejack wake up early,” Spike replies with a mouth half full of gems.
“I know spike its just that... Oh, look its starting,” Overhead beautiful lights begins to streak across the night sky.
The rain of lights continues for several minutes as Twilight, with quill and scroll, hastily makes note of everything that occurs. Spike, having ran out of rubies just after it started, hangs over the balcony almost hypnotized by the display. He snaps out of his daze when he hears Twilights voice, “Spike, look.” He follows to where shes pointing in time to see a small flash of light among the streaks. The flash soon turned into two large lights slowly making their way across the sky.
Peering through her telescope Twilight can barely make out two large unknown shapes falling out of the sky.
“Um, Twilight.”
Looks up from her telescope, Twilight sees spike gazing out to another large light...That appears to be approaching Ponyville. The object seemed to light up the town as it approaches. Both her and Spike are frozen in fear as it roars overhear, causing the library to suddenly shake, And crashes deep in the Everfree Forest with an audible boom.
After a moment Twilight snaps out of her haze, “Spike, stay here. If I'm not back in an 2 hours sent a note to the princesses,” She says spreading her wings and taking flight.
“Where are you going?” Spike shouts after her.
But he got no reply as twilight races of into the distance.
