Into the Maw
01 Dec 2022Blake "Monarch" Ryder
So this is it, what we've all been not so eagerly awaiting. War. Open, formal war. War with the very thing we tried to wipe out in HIP 22460. The very thing answering the cry for help. I can't say we don't deserve this, but the continuous escalation falls on both us and the Thargoids. Neither of us are innocent. No matter what those cultist think, no matter what the AXI think. We're all guilty in this war. But that doesn't mean we should lie down and die. No, I'll fight until the bitter end. But I'm just one of many. Normally I'd say its never stopped me before, but these thargoids are different. Their leadership is here. Those Maelstrom. Something is at the center, no one has been able to get close enough. It tossed the Excalibur Invictus around like it was a sidewinder. I barely made it out alive with the data my ship managed to snag. No idea if it'll be a help to those smarter than myself. I only hope it does. But that thing isn't alone, there is more of them coming, Taranis is the first of many to anchor in the bubble of humanity. After being embarrassed so completely, I abandoned the task and flew to to the nearest battle. There were plenty to choose from. These bugs have spread to every system in range and started their war response. Now, I've seen war, I've waged it alongside the Federation, the power everyone thinks are the warmongers and they have nothing on these bugs. I've never seen anything like this. Interdicting in normal space? We thought we were safe. Well, that changed rather quickly now didn't it? No matter, it won't stop me, hardly anything can. My squadron of traditional pilots are practically begging me to take the carrier to Colonia. I told them so long as I can use its resources, it stays on the front lines. Hopefully some of them come around to fighting instead of running. Eventually there will be no where to run. Just ask the Guardians. Its now us, or them. They made that very clear.
Upon arriving in 63 Eridani, my nav panel showed nothing but abandoned settlements and ports under attack. They were killing everything and everyone in their path. They showed no mercy toward anyone, even the unarmed ships. It was scorched Earth. I've yet to evade an interdiction, their pull is too strong. Luckily, they're too slow to keep up once they drop you out. Once I got to Galois' Inheritance, I saw all out war. War unlike anything we've seen from the thargoids. There were several independent commanders, as well as very eager AX pilots. It was good to see, it gave me hope for the future of this war. Maybe we'll inspire the next generation of bug hunters. We're going to need all the help we can get. The battle over the port went well, we made short work of the interceptors there and used the scouts as target practice. Moral was high and the pay higher.
I don't know what comes next, I don't care. I'm needed here on the front. So that's where I'll be until I'm told otherwise. If Ram Tah or Palin need me to dive nose first into the Maelstrom to collect data or test a new technology, then I'll be first in line. I've always wanted to be a apart of something bigger than myself and my ship. Now is my chance to leave my mark. Like the legendary pilots before me. Like the pilots that are out here fighting for their right to live. The jaws are closing around us, and we're the first and last line of defense, I'll be damned if I let them take us quietly.
And to think, they wanted to make peace with them.