[AU] 2199, Space & the Final Frontier

Time Vortex Alternate Timelines
41

Mirovgrad, Strataric Space

General Secretary Anatoly Baryshnikov sighed, shaking his head in a slow manner. Since the death of Viktor Drugov at the hands of the former minister Mikhail Starikov, Stratarin’s international prestige had been fluctuating wildly. Many foreign powers didn’t take him seriously at the start of his age, due to not even being out of his twenties. Despite some opposition and hostility, Anatoly was eventually able to cement himself firmly as an effective leader.

But he had changed in the process. Now in his early thirties, his hair had developed a faint grey sprinkling. He had grown a trimmed beard, and held his back straighter. Even his eyes, once a vibrant green, seemed to have dulled.

“Please, Luka… tell me this is a joke.”

Minister Luka Dreykov shook his head. “I wish it were, Anatoly, I truly do. But it’s not.” He set a folder down on the desk in front of him. “Here is the full report.”

Anatoly flipped it open and absentmindedly looked it over. SPL Pobornik… expeditionary mission… hull rupture… Arcadia… thirteen survivors… he shut it quickly. “Alright, alright. What do you want?”

“Permission to deploy several scout craft to the wreck. Something about this doesn’t feel right.”

“Granted,” he answered quickly. “We don’t want too many governments getting there before we do.” He paused a moment. “Speaking of foreign governments, are you certain that Setzna only recovered thirteen of the crew?”

Luka furrowed his brow. “Do we have reason not to trust them?”

“No. Well, not yet, at any rate. Still, it would be unfortunate if an operative with any amount of knowledge were to fall into their hands.” He sighed. “Maybe it’s paranoia, but my faith in the SEPC is beginning to dwindle. Was there anything else?”

Luka placed another report on the desk. “Apparently, Myriad was attacked by some pirates and suffered relatively extensive damage to its hangers.”

“How did rabble even get that close?”

Luka shrugged.

“And I trust,” Anatoly rose from his seat, “you want to send aid?”

“We are in the alliance, after all.”

“Denied. Your assignment is solely to make sure that the wreck of the Pobornik is secured, investigated, and has its logs retrieved.”

Luka curtly saluted.“Yes sir,” he said, annoyance creeping into his tone. He turned abruptly to walk away.

“Luka!” Anatoly called after him, voice somewhat softer than before. “Give my regrets to the families of the deceased Pobornik crew.”

Nodding affirmation, Luka exited.[edit_reason]Edited location[/edit_reason]

42

The frigate Bastion of Prey gently approached Myriad, lazily swerving to avoid the wreckage cloud that still lingered near the station. The frigate was a well kept beast, sunlight glimmering off of the sleek edges of the composite material hull. Aboard the hull, the crew stared at the hole punched in the side of the station.

“Well damn…” exclaimed captain Jon Gregory, examining the hole punched in the side of the station. “Pirates did this? balderdash! Not even Zoey Reita and her full arsenal of accelerator cannons could tear a hole in Myriad like that!”

“The reports do say they were heavily armed sir” interjected a navigations officer.

“Either way, it fascinates me how they got onto Myriad in the first place. It truly demonstrates that the SEPCF has lost its former might.” He paused for a moment, straightening his moustache. “Okay, lets get into dock, set a course for B deck pronto; no need wasting any more time in this wreckage field.”

“Aye sir, adjusting heading now, docking will commence shortly after our authorisation”

Jon reclined back into his seat, sighing deeply. Hopefully that’ll be the last unfortunate event of today, pirates or not…

[edit_reason]grammar[/edit_reason]

43

Myriad II, Setznan Sector, Presidential Office.

“I won’t let a pirate group disgrace the SEPC any further. The 3rd fleet is to be mobilized and assigned to the Myriad garrison, 2nd fleet will be put on pirate duty” said President William Verlhan.

“Will, if you’re mobilizing two of the SSDF’s largest veteran fleets, you’re being serious aren’t you?” said Velhaus Kranz, the Setznan SecDef. “But wouldn’t it be better to send a smaller fleet such as the 7th for pirate hunting duty?”

“Vel, these guys can be anywhere”

“You’re mobilizing 65 ships, Will. The 24 ships of the 7th can handle it, this is a task meant for a smaller and more controllable fleet. Johannes can handle these guys, you know him well enough”

“Right, I’ll take you’re word then. Give the 3rd and 7th the order, I gotta go visit my daughter or else she might get tired and visit the mall instead” The two of them chuckled and Velhaus took his leave. William went out to get his daughter and the two of them had a nice walk down the hallways. Well, it would’ve been a nice walk if the six Setznan secret service agents weren’t discreetly tailing behind and walking in front of the two high value persons.

“Work isn’t stressing you out too much, is it dad?” said Ayase.

“Oh no, there’s nothing to worry about. This old man can still take on lots more” He smiled and patted Ayase on the head once to her annoyance.

“Melor doing fine, my dear?”

“I hope… I haven’t heard from him in a while though” the two sat down at a bench nearby and soon, the sound of running footsteps filled the hallway. Two of the agents moved in to intercept the runner, who’d they’d soon find out was Velhanz.

“Damn Secret Service! Ruining my day…” Velhanz sighed.

“Young master, it is very displeasing to hear someone running towards you’re father. It can only mean someone is dumb enough to try and rush him or someone wants to try and do something funny”

“I’ll keep that in mind next time, Dela… I almost got to experience the full force of your judo techniques”

“You’re lucky I noticed who you were before I flipped you onto your back” the two of them agreed on that and Velhanz walked over to the bench.

“Vel-nii! I’m glad too see you again” Ayase clung to Velhanz like a baby after not seeing her beloved brother for a few months.

“I haven’t seen you in two months, Velhanz, how’s the Arcadia? Made any progress with Harumi?” said his chuckling father who crossed his legs and relaxed on the bench.

“It’s been quite fine lately…” Velhanz ignored the second question. “Father, about the Pobornik…” he got Ayase to sit down and then went over to whisper in William’s ear.

“We’ve recovered 13 survivors. They’re all still in Myraid’s sickbay right now but some are regaining consciousness, Melor is among the survivors. The Strats have taken matters into their own hands and are investigating the remains of what was the Pobornik, or well that’s what I assume.” Velhanz returned to his normal posture and William nodded.

“I need to go down to sickbay and question the survivors though, I apologize for not being able to stay longer. I promise i’ll spend some time with you later, Ayase!” He shouted back as he started to run off in the direction of sickbay. As he arrived, Velhanz found that six of the thirteen had regained consciousness and some were already being questioned by his subordinates. Velhanz found Melor’s room and sat down beside the bed of his friend, waiting for him to wake from his slumber. Unknowingly to Velhanz, Ayase tailed him and covered her mouth with one hand, trying not to break down into tears at the sight of her husband laying in bed near death. A nurse swiftly helped Ayase into a seat next to the window and gave her a handkerchief to dry her eyes.

44

Before opening his eyes, Melor inhaled sharply, drawing in as much oxygen as he could. His eyelids fluttered, adjusting to the level of light, and he felt incredibly disoriented.

What…? Where am I? He attempted to sit up suddenly, but in the movement only succeeded in knocking over a pitcher of water situated on the table beside his bed.

“Chert…” he wheezed hoarsely, slumping back into his previous position and breathing laboriously.

45

“Whoa there, calm down. You’ve just woken up after being unconscious for over a few hours. Take it easy, Melor” Velhanz would help support Melor. He picked up the pitcher, saving what remained and cleaned up the spilled water with a towel nearby. Velhanz then poured his friend a cup of water and slowly let him drink. At that moment, Ayase came rushing in in tears. She fully broke down in Melor’s lap, crying into it.

A bewildered Velhanz put the empty cup down and walked back over to the other side of the bed to comfort Ayase.

“He’s alive, no worries…” He smiled a bit and then took a seat, the pitcher of water and the empty cup on the other bedside table.

46

“Whoa there, calm down,” a familiar voice told him. “You’ve just woken up after being unconscious for over a few hours. Take it easy, Melor,”

Melor blinked, disjointed memories surfacing in his mind’s eye. “Vel… Velhanz?” he managed to cough out.

At that moment, someone blurry rushed into his lap and began to weep hysterically.

Melor was baffled for a moment. I know that… I know that cry…

Ayase.

Summoning what little strength he had, Melor embraced her tightly. “Ne plach’, lyubov’ moya [Don’t cry, my love],” he managed to whisper.

47

Ayase nodded and managed to calm down a bit.

“Melor, I need to ask you some questions regarding the Pobornik… You see, the Republic and Stratarins are currently investigating the incident. Though we’ve handed the investigation over to Stratarin, we still have the job of questioning the survivors and submitting our results as the SEPC’s investigation of the incident. You may get questioned by your own nation afterwards” Velhanz crossed his arms after turning on a recorder. He’d also open up a small laptop and prepare to type.

“So, what exactly happened, my dear friend? What happened on the Pobornik?”

48

After feeling Ayase relax some, Melor loosened his grip on his wife, holding her less earnestly and more tenderly.

He shut his eyes tightly to concentrate, and half-spoke, half-murmured as he choppily pieced together his memories.

“Pobornik returned… expeditionary mission…” he struggled to recall what happened next. "A shuttle… unauthorized… leaving hangar three, no, not three… two. The bridge… the hull ruptured… cold.” His body was racked with a shiver. “So cold. Tak kholodno [So cold].” A tear trickled down Melor’s cheek.

49

“Melor… That should be good for now” He stopped to spare his friend the trouble.

“I’m going to go submit my report, Ayase will be enough company, right?” He stood up and closed his laptop, stopping the recorder as well. Velhanz looked at his friend with worried eyes.

Ayase on the other hand got closer Melor, trying to share more of her body warmth with him.

50

“I’m going to go submit my report. Ayase will be enough company, right?”

Melor nodded in response, snuggling up against her. “Thank you,” he said to Velhanz, with as strong a voice as he could manage.

Kissing Ayase’s forehead, he whispered in her ear, “And thank you.”

51

Ayase nodded and rested her head against Melor’s chest. Velhanz took his leave for the long walk to the Strataric Department on Myriad. There, he turned in his report to the Strataric liaison to the SEPC.

“Now then… What do I do now? Might as well return to Melor and play some catch up for old times sake” He returned to the room to find the window tinted and a do not disturb sign on the door. That’s… odd… Soon enough though, he heard a slightly loud “Kya! It’s… inside…” and somewhat quiet moaning soon following. Velhanz blinked a few times before swiftly turning around and walking the other way. A passing nurse noticed that the straps on his holster had been undone and his hand was hovering over the pistol grip as if he were ready to draw and shoot someone on the spot.

52

Luka knocked softly on the door to Anatoly’s office. “You wanted to see me?”

Anatoly, plainly vexed, was pacing slowly about the room, hands clasped behind his back. “Come in and have a seat,” he said, his mood clearly displayed through his tone. After Luka obliged him, Anatoly took to his desk chair. “Now, what are your men’s findings?”

“What little could be salvaged from the Pobornik was retrieved. There was nothing out of the ordinary in the recovered ships logs. It’s a curious business.”

“Was there anything else?” Anatoly asked impatiently.

“No. Well, there was not so much as a piece of scrap from one of the shuttles that should’ve been in a docking bay, but…” he noticed Anatoly’s eyes darken, and his eyebrows furrow, “…what is it?”

“According to the report from the SEPC, which they achieved by questioning the only surviving bridge officer, one Melor Dementyev, a shuttle departed one of the docking bays seconds before the explosion.”

Luka rubbed his temple. “You’re thinking it was sabotage, and the shuttle was the getaway vehicle?”

“Undoubtedly. We need to retrieve the survivors from Myriad as soon as possible.”

“Do you suspect…”

“…that one of our supposed allies might’ve arranged it? Yes.”

Luka shook his head slowly. “Anatoly, don’t you think we might be being a little overcautious? Drugov…”

“Drugov isn’t the General Secretary. I am.”

The two men sat in silence for a minute. Luka broke the silence by muttering an old Strataric adage. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

Anatoly raised an eyebrow.“What?”

“If you don’t trust the SEPC, collecting all the Stratarians from Myriad would be…” he hesitated, “…foolish, to put it bluntly. What if you were to station a ship or several at Myriad permanently? It would be seen as an olive branch to the SEPC, and allow you instant reaction to any operations they might launch.”

Anatoly smiled slightly. “It’s a good idea, but we don’t have the ships for it at the moment. There’s one ship, the Luchnik,” he shook his head, “but its captain recently succumbed to a disease.”

An idea began to form in the General Secretary’s head.

“Melor Dementyev was one surviving member of the Pobornik’s bridge crew, you said?”

“I did indeed.”

“He married President Verlhan’s daughter not too long ago. I even attended the wedding.”

“Meaning…”

“Meaning that the Setznans trust him. And given his position as a bridge officer,” his smile widened, “Lieutenant Commander Melor Dementyev might be due for a promotion to commander.”

53

The small starship arced up and over the sprawling skyscrapers of Aura. The ship’s engines kicked up to 30% as California Alistair pushed the ship up and out of the stratosphere.

“EMB-USV-5145, requesting docking clearance at Urth Spacedock. Inbound and two minutes out.”

Out of the exosphere, the engines shut off and the sip drifted into orbit on inertia.

[spoiler]http://nswiki.org/images/thumb/USVstarfarer.jpg/1280px-USVstarfarer.jpg
[/spoiler]

The new crew had acclimated to each other well enough, all strangers save for two old friends.

Lily stood and addressed the gathered crew on the small bridge. “There’s six people here, I only know two of them. How about we introduce ourselves?” She smiled as disarmingly as she could, and leaned against the back of the center chair.

No one spoke. Lily started after a few seconds of silence. “I’m Captain Lily Avilah, I got assigned to this ship a few weeks ago. Nice to meet you all.”

The small girl closest to the door spoke first; she had a pair of cat ears that blended into a head of black hair dyed silver at the ends. “Commander Sarah C. Skye, tactical officer.” he paused to think, then said to Nova, “I um… I’ve been called shy… in the past.'” Her blue eyes didn’t look up from the ground when she talked, and her tail hung limp behind her.

Next was a tall, fit girl standing beside a similar sized guy. “Doctor Pandora Elaine Tyven, I know our jump drive better than anyone, I helped build the thing.”
The guy followed her lead. “Doctor Michael York, I’m your ship’s physician… and madly in love with our scientist.”

A short couple stood on the left side of the bridge. Lily had met Cali and Nova a few weeks ago, when they also got assigned here. She still couldn’t figure out how they met. Nova elbowed Cali in the ribs before she would speak. “Commander California Riley Alistair, I’ll be your pilot. I can fly anything.” Her tail swished distractedly behind her.

Nova rewarded Cali with a pat, causing her to nearly growl before turning to face the group and introducing herself. “Engineer and Commander November Allison Rose, pleased to meet you all!” Lily seemed satisfied with these answers, and sat back in her chair to face the stars.

“I look forward to working with everyone here. This should be a lot of fun.”

54

“USV-5145, this is Myriad, you are cleared for docking procedures. Please dock in Level B, you’ll be right beside the SDFS Arcadia at Port 5B.” said the communications officer.

Meanwhile, Velhanz decided to lie down on the grass under a tree in one of the many parks of Myriad II. These park levels varied from medium to large sized and were just added recently. Before five months ago the grass was artificial and Velhanz hated it, which is why he never frequented any of the parks until now. He looked up at the artificial skybox which gave the illusion that they were on Urth. Velhanz smiled as he felt a summer’s breeze add to the calming effect. Of course, this “breeze” was generated by specially programmed fans. So even Melor and Ayase are doing it, huh? Well, it’d be expected of Husband and Wife to do those things… That reminds me, i’m 24 and still a virgin. I don’t think I could do it with Harumi, no I can’t do it with Harumi, she’s too sweet and cute but… she’s very well developed in certain areas… Velhanz shook his head and tried to clear those thoughts from his mind. Damnit Velhanz, you perverted bastard. That isn’t what an officer should be thinking about.

But… her cur-

No. Stop. No more of that.

“Vel?!” He heard a very familiar voice and instantly froze. Velhanz turned his head to face the speaker.

“H-harumi…? Oh! Uh… hi there” He laughed nervously, making things awkward by accident.

“I haven’t seen you in a while, how are you?” Harumi sat down besides Velhanz and tried to ignore the awkwardness.

“I’ve been ok… How about you?”

“H-huh? Oh, same…” The two were silent for a few seconds, both of them trying to find something to say. “S-say, I have something for you” Harumi took out a chocolate from her pocket.

“It’s a new one from the shop, I came up with the recipe last night. I want you to be the first person to try it” Velhanz nodded and accepted the chocolate, popping it into his mouth. He chewed on it for a bit and then swallowed before speaking. His face lit up with surprise.

“This is good! It’s really good!” Harumi smiled, glad with the good feedback from Velhanz.

“Being in the Defense Force has limited my time to make sweets so…” Velhanz nodded again and let out a sigh, laying back on the ground again.

“You should be calling me by sir, you know, Haru.”

“But you’re special, I don’t have to call you sir. Even if i’m just a Lieutenant Jr. Grade” I really wonder how that works… Is it just because i’m your childhood friend? Velhanz thought as he looked at Harumi with a ‘I’m not impressed’ look. The two of them were quiet for a while and when Velhanz next looked over at Harumi, he found her asleep, her body only a few inches away from him. W-w-what?! She’s so defenseless… but that gives off an urge to protect her. I didn’t know people could look so cute when they sleep either holy…

Wait.

Why am I doing this? I need to really stop with my perverse side.

(OOC: I love character development. Kekekekeke)

55

Aleksandr Nezhdanov, the Strataric liason to Myriad II, approached Velhanz. Noting the sleeping woman beside him, the Stratarian raised an imperious eyebrow.

“Captain Verlhan, I trust I haven’t caught you at a bad time?” Not waiting for an answer, he continued. “On behalf of the Strataric government, I request permission for a Strataric heavy cruiser, the SPL Luchnik, to temporarily join Task Force fifty-four.”

56

“The Luchnik? Ok then… TF54 has been a ship short, we’d be glad to accept a foreign unit for now. Who’s the captain of the ship?” Velhanz sat up and took off his overcoat, laying it over Harumi to keep her warm. He looked at Harumi with a smile and chuckled a bit as she tugged on the overcoat.

“Is there anything else, Mr. Nezhdanov?”

57

“Technically, it is under the command of a commander, not a captain.” Aleksandr noticed Velhanz taking off his overcoat and draping it over the woman. “How touching…” he said, some sarcasm present in his voice. “Anyway, to answer your question, due to the untimely and recent death of its commanding officer, Stratarin has seen fit to promote one Melor Dementyev to assume the mantle.” He glanced around.

“Do you know where I might find him?”

58

“He’s… Still recovering in the Medical ward. Though he has requested to be left alone, the shock from losing his crewmates has affected him… He’ll let the people closest to him in though. I’ll go report this to him” Velhanz came up with a quick excuse, hoping that by now Ayase and Melor had finish their intimate bonding time.

59

The small starship edged into a docking bay beside a much larger Setznan ship. Lily stepped down the loading ramp in time to see an officer jog off in the direction of the infirmary.

The rest of her crew caught up as the man dissapeared from view.

60

Aleksandr nodded. “I should accompany you,” he suggested.