The Unexpected Call...
11 Sep 2020Eagle 5
Sometimes you get lost in the beauty of it. On a cosmic scale they are nothing but insignificant rocks tumbling in formation around a gas giant together barely thicker than some bed sheets, but something about the harmony and completeness of the system coupled with the dazzling display of light refracting and beaming off ices and rocks is downright mesmerizing.
If it wasn't for pirates and looters I'd spend all my time floating in a ring system surrounded by nature's own decorations.
I was about to give my new guardian gauss cannon weapons one last shakedown run when a familiar and yet unexpected tone pierced the silence of Blackjack's cockpit.
I spun my chair around just in time to watch the PF's priority channel light up on what was now a mainly defunct ex-Galcop Galnet channel.
The message stated:
*Pilots Federation ALERT: For the attention of all Commanders*
The Empire has broadcast this message across its emergency channels:
“There have been multiple explosions within Mackenzie Relay station, in Princess Aisling Duval’s home system of Cemiess. NMLA terrorists have claimed responsibility.”
“In coordinated attacks they have also struck at Tsiolkovsky Terminal in the Gabjaujis system, Garrido Market in the LHS 4031 system, and Muller Terminal in the Rabh system.”
“We urgently request assistance from the galactic community with repairing these starports and rescuing their populations.”
The Imperial Internal Security Service issued a bulletin regarding this current threat:
“The Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army (NMLA) is a paramilitary force of political extremists, whose activities have been small-scale until now.”
“Marlinism is a well-known ideology inspired by Marlin Duval, who established the Republic of Achenar in the 23rd century prior to it becoming the Empire. Many people in the fringe systems are Marlinists, who want to replace hereditary Emperors with representation by elected senators. Neo-Marlinism is a more radical conviction that only terror tactics will force such change.”
“The NMLA’s hatred of the Imperial Family explains why it has targeted starports under the Duval banner. But its use of portable military-grade explosives is unprecedented, suggesting an increase in resources.”
HA.HA.HA now why would ANYONE want to hate the Duval family?
Sarcasm aside I felt a pang of disappointment when I realized this wasn't the big one and that I wouldn't be recalled into active duty to a front line Federal fighter-bomber wing on my way to level Achenar 6d...... then the brief flash of disappointment reminded me that I was human after all and that this was a very odd thing to be happening like this.
Sure I had heard of Marlinists and their claim against the Duval dynasty and I largely agree with it... if it wasn't for the first H named Duval scumbag the "Empire" would have been more like the Alliance than the convoluted mess of Expansionist avant-garde technology and outmoded tradition it is today.... but military grade explosive on civilian installations? That didn't make any sense.
I'm Ex-Military and if I'm going to fight it's going to be an honorable endeavor not this terrorist cowardice, sure I've had my share of covert-ops and daring one offs but the target is always a primary war asset not a place of commerce and communion of people.
The Galnet in its usal bombast plastered front and center the terrified faces of children and the bloodied and scorched brows of field crews as they scramble to get ships in and away from the heat of the station's corrupted atmosphere.
"Set an Imp on fire and they lose their ridiculous accent very quickly" uttered an old squadron commander of mine and I see that those words still ring true today.
It was at this time that something stirred in me.. I was about to go about shattering some rocks with my new Gauss Cannon when the reporter's final words faded to a distressed young woman in the background exhausted from pleading with commanders leaving the starport. She was covered in ash and bruises and her once lavish robes were reduced in tattered rags stained in blood but much to my horror it wasn't hers but that of the lifeless body of an infant she was clutching tightly against her breast:
"Please Help US!"
Her once sparkling blue eyes were now dull and swollen with fear.
"Us...? God help her when she'll realize.... but until then I guess I can do something about it"
Set course for Jameson's Memorial... it's go time.