Newbie Galactic Combat II - Story Thread

[CaptRR]

Originally posted by Ruatha:

As to CaptRR.

Who planted the Nuke??
Who is controlling that device??
You're building a real mystery here....
Tension is arising!

It wouldn't be much of a story if I gave away the ended now would it. Oh well, I guess I can tell. The name of the person responsable for everything is......

Oh well dinners ready, talk to you all later.

[mlmbd]

CaptRR, very nice chapter. Tis going to be a 'Great' story. It shows!

mlmbd

[tbontob]

Originally posted by Ruatha:
[QB]Hi Tbontob.
The real reason I killed of Ruatha is quite simple.
In my single player Games I always called my race's leaders for Ruatha.
When I started Newbie Galactic Combat I for some reason didn't.
When I started writing I didn't think of this but then I started getting in-game Messages adressed to Matriarch Elyssandra.
So I had no option but to change leader someway to make the game and the story consistent.

I'm planning on developing Elyssandra some and Thurya more. So from now on Thruya is the real "main" character.
I don't know why I suddenly stand with alot of female characters and a shortage of male ones.
And I hope the "Respodner" doesn't get killed in the coming combats. Their first combat was a small one and a victory. More on that in next episode though. But I suspect there will be lots of battles in the future, now that I'm at war.

About your story.
I do find it amusing.
I really liked their addiction/fear of bubblebaths! (I actually laughed for real when reading it!)
Some elements though I belive are too obvious, as to what will happen I mean. But I'm not sure (Thinking of the future death of a certain official who is spending alot of money...) if I'm right though??
My favorite name is Loy Al tew deBone, I would like it if he proved to be a traitor, but on the other hand that would also be too obvious!
And will the reverse engine tech lead to something ? I can't wait for this revolutionary tech to be finished!QB]

I wondered why Ruatha was killed! I can see the necessity of it.

I look forward to seeing how your "new" characters respond to crises.

As to comment on what will happen to the certain official and Loy Al tew deBone will be to let the cat out of the bag.

Up till now, I have been inputing my stories into the little screen on the PBW site. There were a number of problems with this, the most current one being there was no "save" feature. With the family crisis, I didn't have a large enough block of time to write the next chapter of the story.

So, I am going to do something different and write in Word and then post it here. I will also post it on the PBW site, but as you know there is the problem of the PBW site messing up the punctuation. My plan is to provide a link from the PBW site(if it can be done) to this site for the readers who look for the story at the PBW site.

I am hoping this will work. Consequently, my next chapter will probably be quite short as a part of its purpose will be to test to see if this will work.

[tbontob]

Well, here is the next 'partial' installment of the story. Hope this works.
=================================================
The Zax Society
THE LOCATION: Go More Ah, a provincial capital.

Eston and Loy Al tew deBone were wending their way down the narrow crooked street of the poorest section of the city. The buildings were crowded together. Most were two or three stories with the second or third story extending over into the street. On occasion they blocked out the sunlight and pitched the ground into shadows and darkness.

Eston thought the buildings were charming. It was drizzling and the overhanging buildings protected them from getting soaked.

But, he didn�t like the stench! A yellow stream flowed in the gutter along the curb of the street. Feces, rotted food and other material he couldn�t identify bobbed along as the miniature river ran downhill towards the river.

�You tell me he is willing to do it for 20 Zaxxonites, so why does he need to see me?�, Eston asked Loy Al tew deBone.

�He is an eccentric. And he didn�t exactly agree to it. It is a small fortune and since he knows I do not have the money, he deduced I was asking for it on behalf of someone else.�

Eston observed that Loy Al tew de Bone was unusually vigilant. Often the guard�s gait would slow as he scanned the shadows of the buildings they were to pass. Eston was starting to get nervous and tension was building in his shoulders. In exasperation, he said shouted, �So?�

Loy Al tew de Bone responded with �Ssssshhhhh�� stopped, looked about carefully and continued with �It is his policy not to do any work unless he meets the person who wants it.�

�But why does he �� Eston gasped with shock and pain as he was suddenly slammed into a building wall by Loy Al tew deBone�s shoulder. The watery contents of a bucket of feces fell at the spot where they had been standing just seconds before.

Eston exclaimed loudly, �What the�� but was cut off in mid-sentence by the hand of Loy Al tew deBone covering his mouth. Scant inches from his face, he could see the guard�s eyes frantically scanning the street to see if they had drawn anybody�s attention.

�Quiet!� he hissed. Seconds passed and then he slowly removed his hand with �Come, there is a basement pub over there where we can talk.�

Eston looked about and could not see a pub or even anything that looked remotely like a pub. The guard took him across the street to a stairway which was so narrow that two people could not pass by each other. At the bottom was a heavy oaken door. The guard�s fist pounded on the door, and a slot in the door flew back and a voice demanded, �Yeh?�

�We want a beer.�

�Sez who?�

�Blackheart, of the Sick Illian clan.

�He�s dead! So fuc��

�If you don�t let us in, I will personally cut your heart out and eat it for lunch!�

A long pause and then the door opened. The doorman stood respectfully back as they entered.

�Come, let�s take that corner table!� As they seated themselves, Eston noticed that Loy Al tew deBone took particular care to ensure his back was to the corner of the room.

�Wad ya want?� asked the barmaid.

�Two Ke Ne Edians and make sure the government seals are intact!�

When the barmaid left, Eston whispered, �What the hell is going on? Who are you? How do you know of this place? Who is Blackheart? Why doesn�t your service record show your connection to Go More Ah? What is��

Loy Al tew deBone sighed. �I was hoping to avoid this.�

�I am the eldest son of the drug lord of the Sick Illian clan. Until a few years ago, I was the consigliore of the clan which effectively put me second in command.�

�Our clan is engaged in all types of businesses including prostitution, numbers and drugs.� If it was illegal, we did it. My name was Blackheart and I was very good at my job. Our clan grew in strength from eighteenth place to second.�

�Another clan grew envious of us and kidnapped my wife. They forced her to take a drug which is so addictive, so damaging, so life-threatening that��

�No!� injected Eston. �You don�t mean�.�

�Yes, the most addictive drug we know of.�

�But it has been Banned on pain of death. Having any connection with it at all is a certain death sentence.�

�Yes. But those who are addicted to it will pay any price to get it. The profits are enormous and our clan peddled the drug without conscience. And it is easy to administer, either by a needle or by drinking it.�

�So, they kidnapped my wife and forced her to drink Kokka Kolla. I was too late to save her. As you know, drug rehabilitation is 99% ineffective. Worse it is a poison and after 100 or so fixes, the victim dies.�

�I did everything to find a cure or an anti-dote. I tried to buy the formula of the product from the humans. But no one knows the formula except a few humans in a place called USSA and they wouldn�t sell. My efforts to kidnap them were unsuccessful. Our attempts to analyse it also met with failure.�

�So, my wife died. I went crazy. I kidnapped the drug lords who were responsible. And their families including wives and children. Then I forced the drug lords to watch Kokka Kolla being administered to their wives and children. A few drug lords went crazy and tried to stop it. When one of them tried to interfere, we just hacked off a limb and cauterized it. As you know cauterizing a limb prevents it from regrowing which is an eventual death sentence in our clans as it is an obvious sign of weakness�

�But even I grew sick of the suffering. Especially the little children. But it was too late to stop it.�

�After that, my heart was not in my job and I left the clan and entered government service.�

�But there is nothing of this in your record.� Eston stated.

Loy Al tew deBone responded, �Yes, it is amazing what money and connections can buy. I am telling you this so that you know the danger we are in. No one, and I mean no one walks alone here. To do so is a sure sign of weakness and invites an attack.�

�Walking with a non-resident is tantamount to walking alone as non-residents are viewed as weak and slow-witted. That also invites an attack. So, it is important not to do or say anything which shows you do not belong here.�

The guard continued with �Which brings us to the topic of the forger. No one knows who he is, where he came from or even what he really wants. So we just call him �The Forger�. �

�I said he was eccentric. He is much more than that; he is absolutely paranoid. But he is a genius. It is virtually impossible to distinguish his work from the real thing.�

�All the crime lords use him to forge things. However, every few months, he would become paranoid that he was being ratted on to the police, so he would just disappear for 6 months or a year. This was bad business for us, because the work of other forgers was much inferior, which meant the cops, soon discovered and destroyed our businesses. With the arrests, expenses skyrocketed and it became unprofitable to do business.�

�So, the crime lords met to see if something could be done to limit his paranoia. A fund was created with all the crime families contributing equally. The sole purpose of the fund was to track down all the members of a family who ratted on the �The Forger�. Since the families have been contributing to it every year, there is enough money now to track down and kill any aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle of any member of the family ten times over.

�Did it work?�, asked Eston.

�Yes, it does reassure him. On occasion, he will leave abruptly, but the frequency and duration is much less than it used to be. Now, it may be for only a week or so.�

�Which is why I urge you to say as little as possible. The less said, the less likely he is to become paranoid.�

�But we should leave now. If we are late, it can set off his paranoia.�

The information had overwhelmed Eston. He needed time to digest it. Even though he wanted to ask dozens of questions, he quietly rose with Loy Al tew deBone.

The double and triple storied buildings no longer appeared charming to Eston. He now felt they were crowding in on him with hidden menace.

[Ruatha]

Hmm, The Loy character is developing, he is more complicated than I thought.
Also, I won't buy any fizzy beverages tonight, I don't want to become addicted.

[mlmbd]

tbontob, nice, very nice! I will be looking foward to the remainder!!

mlmbd

[tbontob]

Thanx guys, here is another partial installment.

The Zax Society
THE LOCATION: ZAXXON�S BEDCHAMBER OF ZAX CENTRE
THE DATE: 2408.61

Zaxxon had just come out of a troubled sleep. He looked hollow-eyed and haggard. All night he had tossed and turned.

He was depressed. The troubles of the society were weighing him down and there was no relief in sight. Worse, his personal life was in a shambles. He had no news on his beloved Zaxxoness. He felt he should have heard something by now. There was just this awful silence.

He missed the comfort his Zaxxoness gave him. Many times each day he would blame himself for the separation. Often he would spiral into a deep depression and when he did, he was unrelenting in his condemnation of himself. In particular, he wished he had spoken up immediately to quash the proposal to combine the fleets to attack the CCCP. By not doing so, he had caused his beloved Zaxxoness to leave for Elstonile.

He only got out of bed when the High Chamberlain entered the bedchamber to announce that it was time to dress and prepare for the meeting with his department ministers.

THE LOCATION: THE SEMI-OVAL OFFICE OF ZAX CENTRE
THE DATE 2408.62
THE PEOPLE: Zaxxon, R2D2, Dip-low-Mac-Sea, Spii, Strong-of-the-Arm Custer and Cord-Il-Era.

The meeting had just convened.

�Good News, Mr Central Speaker. We have made contact with the Weyrlings!�

�Wonderful, Dip-low-Mac-Sea. But are you absolutely sure?� asked Zaxxon.

�Yes, there is no doubt about it. And I have sent the diplomatic message to Ruatha, the god-emperor as we had agreed upon.�

�Good, good. Have they replied?�

�Not yet. In diplomatic circles, it is unusual for a response to take so long. Puzzling in fact. I�m wondering if we should have been more direct in our message.�

R2D2 interjected, �Maybe Ruatha is taking stock of his resources to ascertain the help he can give us. Maybe he is thinking of gifting us cruisers or battle cruisers to teach the CCCP a lesson. That will explain the delay.�

�Hear, hear!� shouted the members of the meeting. Zaxxon spirits lifted.

He thought, �This would be good news. Why else the delay? That must be the reason for the it!� A smile came to his face. �Help is on the way!� he thought.

�We certainly could use their help!� said Strong-of-the-Arm. Warp points have been cleared of mines. Some warp points have been destroyed. So far we have won the skirmishes, but the true test will be if they come in force.�

�What is the condition of our fleets?�

�More than half have been upgraded! A few more months and they will all be upgraded. Also, significant numbers of modern battle cruisers are on station.�

Without hesitation, Custer stated, �Sir, I want to reiterate that we should combine our fleets and strike at the CCCP or one of their allies now!�

Zaxxon�s heart flip-flopped! To agree to Custer�s proposal would alienate his Zaxxoness even further. If only she were here so he could discuss it with her to get her agreement.

In his heart, Zaxxon knew something should be done, but he prevaricated with �Now is not the time. When we are stronger, we can implement your plan.�

Sensing the lie, Custor�s face momentarily showed his impatience and disgust. �Would it be in order for me to draw up detailed plans?�

Zaxxon felt he was being crowded into a corner out of which there was no escape.

[mlmbd]

tbontob, 'Excellent' read. I will be waiting on your next installment!

mlmbd

[tbontob]

Hi guys here is the next installment. Hope you enjoy it.
=================================================

The Zax Society

THE lOCATION: GO MORE AH.

Eston walked silently with Loy Al tew deBone as they wended their way through the twisted streets of Go More Ah.

Eventually, they came to a vast clearing in the center of the city. Looking again, Eston saw it wasn�t empty. The rusted steel skeletons of buildings pointed into the sky like the rotted teeth of a carnivorous animal. Bricks, stone, metal girders, rusted cars and other junk littered the vast space before them.

�He�s in there?� asked Eston.

�Yes.�

�Where?�

�Right there.� Loy Al tew deBone pointed towards the middle of the so-called clearing.

�Where?�

�It�s an underground bunker. Forty feet of the best reinforced concrete you can buy and lined with titanium.

�It must have cost a fortune.�

�Yes, he has been well paid for his services by the crime syndicates.�

After a short pause, the guard continued with �This place is booby trapped. Nobody knows how many. I wouldn�t be surprised if were in excess of a thousand, maybe as many as ten thousand. There are even rumors that he has a small nuclear device.

�A nuclear bomb?�

�Yes, and I have no doubt he would use it if he believed he was on the point of being captured by the authorities. Of course, the booby traps are not a great concern to the cops. It is the nuke which has them worried.�

�Yes, I would imagine it would.�, Eston replied absentmindly.

�And this isn�t his main refuge. No one knows where he hides out when he is in the throes of his paranoia.�

�So, don�t wander off. And don�t touch anything no matter how interesting it looks. It could be your life and possibly mine as well.�

�How do we get in?�

�We start by taking that path there.� Loy Al tew deBone said, pointing to a spot between rusted cars and jumbled up stones with rusted girders.

The path was narrow and Eston had to follow in the footsteps of Loy Al tew deBone. Eston sensed movement and realized they were being tracked by a number of security cameras along the path. After 50 feet, they entered a very small clearing which had four paths radiating from it. In the center was a fat pole with a number of buttons. Loy Al tew deBone pressed the largest button and a slot opened.

�Whatever metals or pLastics you have, put them in the box.� Loy Al tew deBone said as he put change, watch, keys and his belt buckle into the box.

�You don�t have any internal metals like pins�, he asked

When he received a negative answer, he asked �How about organics?�

�No, I don�t. What is all this?� asked Eston.

�It is part of his security system. Now check again, because if you have forgotten anything, I can assure you he will find out and if he doesn�t kill us, he will never give us an opportunity to see him again.�

�What about your shoes?� to which he received the reply �They are stitched leather, no metal.�

Assured that all metals and pLastics were in the box, Loy Al tew deBone shut the box and after a moment, a voice instructed them to take the left path.

After another 50 feet, they entered another clearing, identical to the first. They were told which path to follow.

They entered another identical clearing.

�This is a maze.� said Eston. �And did you notice all those cameras following our every move.�

�Yes, and there are pressure sensors on the path, infrared sensors, vibration sensors and God knows what else.�

Eston goggled at the guard, �All those?�

�Plus some devices we have probably never heard of.�

Receiving further instructions, they continued on their way to the next clearing.

After a while, Eston lost count of the number of clearings they entered and exited.

Eventually, they came to a large clearing. A small structure the size of a telephone booth was at its center. The sides, door and roof were constructed of a transparent material, which allowed an unrestricted view of its interior.

Eston and Loy Al tew deBone crowded into the booth. Closing the doors triggered a mechanism, which caused the booth to descend.

In addition to its downward movement, the elevator slowly rotated on its axis. Within a short length of time they lost all sense of direction. Being pitch black, they also had no idea of the distance they had traveled as they moved downward.

Eventually, the elevator stopped, the doors opened and a dim light flicked on revealing a vehicle the size of a golf cart. They entered the cart.

�Make sure you buckle up, it�s going to be quite a ride.� Loy Al tew deBone instructed.

The light flicked out and after 30 minutes of twists and turns they arrived at their destination, a huge cavernous room. Eston had no idea where they were. They could be 15 miles away from the booth or have doubled back and be right next to it.

The huge room was not partitioned. Eston could see the sleeping area in the farthest corner on his right. The kitchen was on the farthest left. In front of him were tables containing chemical apparatus. Along the walls were machines of various sizes and shapes.

Out of the shadows, limped a short man who looked old and unkempt. However, his eyes were sharp and piercing and his skin was that of a young man.

�Blackheart, you old rascal! And who is this?�

�His name is Eston and he wants to purchase the seal from you.�

�You do, do you? And why do you�� Suddenly his eyes narrowed. �He�s a cop!�

�No, no, he isn�t!� exclaimed Loy Al tew deBone.

With amazing swiftness, �The Forger� approached and sniffed Eston like a dog.

�He�s a cop!�

�I tell you, he isn�t!�

�If he isn�t a cop, then what is he?�

�He�s a government employee.�

�Same thing! Get out! Get out!� exclaimed the forger and ran to his sleeping area.

After making hand motions to Eston to not move, Loy Al tew deBone ran after �The Forger�.

Eston could see �The Forger� jamming clothes and other articles into a bag. He was close enough to catch the conversation.

�Must leave! Must leave!�

�He is not a cop!�

�I trusted you! Why did you bring him here? And he is a cop!�

�We need the seal to scam the Zaxxoness. And if a crooked government employee is a cop, then I guess he is a cop.�

�He�s a crook?�

�Yes! He wants to scam the Zaxxoness!�

�One of us?�

�Yes!�

�No. No. No. Not possible. Not possible. Even a crooked cop is bad news.�

�In all the years we have known each other, have I ever cheated you?�

�No.�

�Have I ever lied to you?�

�No.�

�We need you to do this for us.�

�No. No. No. Not possible. Not possible. You are twisting my brain!�

�You said you would do it for 20 Zaxxonites.�

�No. No. No. I said I could do it for 20 Zaxxonites once I saw the buyer!

�Well here is the buyer!�

�He�s a cop!�

�What is the price to sell to a crooked cop?�

�No price. No price. Not possible. Not possible.�

�There must be a price!�

�OK! OK! 20,000 Zaxxonites!�

�That�s impossible!�

�See, I told you! Not possible. Not possible. Now get out. Get out!�

�It�s possible.�

�Huh?�

�I said it is possible.�

�Not possible, not possible.�

�It is possible.�

�Not possible, not possible. Must be in old unmarked bills no larger than 20 Zaxxonollars.�

�That�s impossible!�

�See, I told you! Not possible. Not possible. Now get out. Get out!�

�You never asked for it to be paid in paper money! Why now?�

�Traceable. Traceable!�

�Electronic transfers?�

�Yes, yes. Trace the transfer and I lose everything!�

�Gold, jewels?�

�Yes, yes, Change the molecular structure. Can be identified anywhere. Then lose everything. Everything.�

�If they can change the molecular structure of gold or jewels, can�t they do the same for paper money?�

�Yes. Paper money flat. Able to change the molecular structure back.�

�You can do that?�

�Yes, yes. Must be thin for me to do it.�

�You can roll gold into thin sheets.

�Yes, yes. Must also be non-metallic.�

�We can do it.�

�No. No. I say impossible. You say impossible. Not possible. Not possible.�

�It is possible.�

�Impossible. Impossible for me.�

�Impossible for you? Why?

�Going on vacation. Impossible. Impossible.�

�You are going on a vacation now?�

�Yes, Yes.� A pause, and then �No, No.�

�You are not going on a vacation now?

�Yes. Yes. Few days.�

�Why not go now?�

�Must finish job for At Hilla daHun.�

�You must finish a job for the crime lord, At Hilla daHun?�

�Yes, yes. Rail gun.�

�A rail gun? Whatever for?�

�Discovered wife in flagrante delicto with lover. Want to punish both.

�Punish them?�

�Yes, yes. Put them in capsule and shoot them into space on a trajectory towards the sun. Not hit sun but spiral orbit around sun. Watch lovers look into each other�s eyes as they slowly fall into the sun. Taunt them with a water tube only one can have. See how much they really love each other before they die. See if they willing to sacrifice themselves for the other before they die.

�But all traffic to and from the planet is monitored. It will be discovered and boarded�

�Yes, yes. But able to cloak it for a short time. Not see. Not see. When cloak breaks down, don�t matter. Don�t matter.�

�Won�t the acceleration kill them?�

�No, no. Extra long rail gun. Power usage over longer period. Difficult to detect when in operation.�

�Why don�t you leave now?�

�Kill me! Kill me! He crazy. Crazy. Driven by revenge. Revenge. If can�t kill them in way he wants, will take his revenge out on me. Agreed to do it. Don�t do it, then feels justified in exacting revenge on me. Die either way. At hand of At Hilla daHun or crooked official.�

�I see.�

�So angry, so angry. Blinded to it�s potential. Once used, then I own it. Good for smuggling contraband off planet. Not realize this. Make a lot of money with no investment. Mega Zaxxonites to build. No cost to me.�

�When will you have it done?�

�Four days. Maybe three.�

�How long will it take you to create the seal?�

�Not possible, not possible.�

�Why?�

�Where you get the paper money?�

�Let us worry about that. How long?�

�A day. A day. But will not stay to do it!�

�Agreed. We will get back to you.�

�Not want to do it. Not want. Must have money here first before I do it.�

�I know my friend. I will see you shortly.�

Loy Al tew deBone joined Eston and said, �Come! Let�s get out of here before he changes his mind.�

Retracing their steps and following the instructions given by voices emanating from the poles, they eventually collected their valuables and emerged at the edge of the large clearing.

�You seem troubled, my friend.� observed Loy Al tew deBone.

Eston jumped. He was wondering if The Forger and Loy Al tew deBone had staged the meeting to get 20,000 Zaxxonites out of him. They had sounded convincing but they both had criminal backgrounds. And really, what was one more crime to them?

�Yes, 20,000 Zaxxonites is a huge fortune. More than double what we paid for the jewels and clothing. And I don�t like paying 20,000 for something that is only worth 20. The way I see it, we have three choices. The first is to go back to Zax Central and get a genuine seal. That will delay matters for months and I don�t know if Zaxxon will be able to cope for that long. When I left, he was on the verge of a major nervous breakdown. This may be enough to tip him over the edge.�

�Two, we can go to one of the other forgers and pay him 20 Zaxxonites to make the seal.�

�And three, we can pay the 20,000 Zaxxonites to the �The Forger.�

�Well,� said Loy Al tew deBone I cannot speak to going back to Zax Central. And whether to pay 20,000 Zaxxonites or not is a value decision only you can make.�

�As for going to another forger, I am sure we can get one of the other forgers to do it and probably for considerably less than 20 Zaxxonites, maybe even less than 5 Zaxxonites. The question is, will it convince the Zaxxoness? I have seen her pick out a diamond from a pile of zircons at twenty paces. I don�t know how she did it. Probably something in the shine or refracted light. We could try it, but if we fail, we will not have a second chance.

�I do know this,� Loy Al tew deBone continued, �If we want to purchase the seal from The Forger, that decision will have to be made soon. It will take time to accumulate that amount of paper money in used unmarked bills.�

Eston and Loy Al tew deBone entered the hotel lobby after midnight. Eston was so deep in thought he didn�t notice the smirk on the concierge�s face.

They had rented the whole penthouse of the hotel for their entourage. As the elevator door opened, they heard laughter and giggling. Seconds later they observed that the nobles were in various stages of undress with beautiful women who were similarly undressed. Wine and liquor bottles littered the hallway. Most couples were so absorbed in their lovemaking that they were oblivious to their presence.

Loy Al tew deBone picked up a bottle, �Hmmm. Bonaparte 1801. Expensive. Like outrageously expensive.�

Then he looked at some of the women. �These are not street whores. These are top of the line professionals who will only see someone on appointment and then only on their terms. To make an appointment with them, you must have money and lots of it. Where did they get it?�

He looked at Eston and saw the stricken look on his face.

�You didn�t! You didn�t give the nobles the clothing and jewels?�

Eston didn�t reply. He walked woodenly into his suite and closed the door.

==============================================
The plot thickens.
Anybody want to venture a guess on what happens next?

[mlmbd]

tbontob, great stuff, here! Indeed, the plot thickens. I am stoked!

mlmbd