Chapter 1: The Teacher…..

March 1 2232: 1st Consul’s Prayer Chamber, Kryseth

Some call him 1st Consul in recognition of his position of pre-eminence; others whisper his name ‘Misala’ (the teacher) in awe: the credulous masses who revere him. Prentice Sonder Hue had been content to call him ‘master’ for all the years he had served him.

The Prentice’s tasks were many as they were varied but the essence of them was to do everything to ensure that the holy one they served was attended to in every way possible so that they were at all times focussed on deciphering the secrets and mysteries of the way.

This was a role made all the more complicated when the ‘Holy Man’ in question was the leader of their race and also a politician since this meant that there was also a need to interpret for the Generals, Admirals and Officials what the way meant for them-not an easy task at the best of times.

And on this occasion Sonder’s task was to blend into the background whilst his Master had an audience with the leading lights from his own Industrialist party as well as the newly appointed Admiral of the Star Fleet and The Director of Intelligence. A Compliance Priest was also in attendance-they always were.

‘My friends’ Benneth Eidden was a human, like his Prentice (that’s the way it worked) ‘You bring me news?’ This said with a benevolent and fatherly tone.

The Admiral, A Drengin named Tar, was inevitably the first to weigh in: ‘1st Consul the conflict with the Yor is finely balanced-we have, so far matched them fighter for fighter but I fear their Heavy fighters will decimate our Star Fury and defender Wings’

‘And the good news Admiral?’ This said with heavy irony, the Great man’s mood could, like a Kryseth Autumn, change in an instance. Sonder knew this well, had tasted the rough edge of this on a few occasions and smiled to himself as the Admiral shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

‘Well the good news 1st Consul, is that we have 2 squadrons of the new Phoenix Mark 2s on an intercept course with the 3 groups of Yor Heavy Fighters being tracked by our Scouts in Sector 01-17. We have also assigned 2 flights of Star Furies to put in a blocking action 5 parsecs to the West of there’.

‘Yes I heard about the game of chicken our Scout crews are insisting on playing in that area Admiral.’ Everyone smiled and relaxed a bit at this last from the great man ‘but tell me are the new Phoenix’s going to be up to the task?’

The Director of Intelligence, an Arcean, rumbled from the shadows ‘Misala, the intelligence we have gleaned so far on the Yor indicates that they will, for the foreseeable future, continue to make ships that are unprotected: they appear to have no ship defensive capabilities. They are relying on overwhelming us with bigger and more powerful lasers.’ The Arcean dwarfed all in the chamber and radiated an air of menace: Director Yazgul Lor had been particularly effective in post thus far.

‘The Director speaks true 1st Consul but the Phoenix has not one but 2 Deflector shields fitted, which we hope will protect the ships long enough to destroy their Yor counterparts even if our lasers are weaker’ The Admiral was warming to his theme and his Drengin skin glistened with excitable moisture.

‘Let’s hope you have done your homework Admiral-The Way has not enlightened me to the meaning of this war with a species that we cannot hope to convert and who are bent on destruction of all organic lifeforms. Come Staa’l, you have been quiet-what does the 2nd Consul have to say?’ Benneth turned to his Deputy and, smiling, beckoned her forward to the Audience Chair.

Staa’l was an Altarian and behind a mask of gentleness and diplomacy lay a steely determination. It was she who had recently masterminded the mission to bribe the powerful Iconian Refuge to declare war on their mutual neighbours, the Yor and though it had cost the Treasury almost 3000BC it was money extremely well spent: let the Yor fight on 2 fronts, she had said at the time and on 2 fronts they were indeed now engaged.

‘Misala, I cannot predict what the future holds or what trials the Way has for us but I will say that this war is indeed finely balanced as the Admiral said-all will depend on whether the Iconians honour their part of the bargain and actually attack. All we have from them so far is a Declaration of War’

Benneth smiled ‘patience, my old friend, patience; the Iconians will be friends to us yet, I can assure you: they know what is at stake here and if nothing else we must surely appeal to their pockets with the 5 Freighters that we have plying our trade with them eh?’

‘Perhaps Misala, perhaps’

‘And the state of our colonies Staa’l?’ Benneth pressed. This was a ritual between the 2 of them: the Krynn owned a mere 4 Colonies: a paltry amount when compared with the other Star races. This report was always very brief.

‘Well Misala as you know our 4 Colonies are in good health though we do seem to struggle with our brethren’s morale here on Kryseth. The Grand Mullahs on our other 3 colonies report all is well. I just-I fear for our future Misala….’ Staa’l broke off blinking back tears.

Benneth smiled and beckoned the Altarian 2nd Minister forward. She knelt before him as he pressed his outstretched palms on her head. It was a touching gesture despite the overtly religious undertones.

‘My daughter, everything happens for a reason. Be not so quick to lose faith in The Way.’ Benneth scanned the room taking in the military, the politicians and the spies and was utterly in command of all of them. ‘The Yor cannot be converted and so they must be destroyed-The Way wills it.’

All knelt as if by some unseen command as The Teacher raised his eyes heavenwards. Prentice in the shadows felt obliged to do the same.

‘The way wills it, The Way wills it, The Way wills it’ they all chanted in unison........

Chapter 2: Cat and mouse…….

March 25 2232

Sector 01-17 Aboard KCS Mystery of the Way, a Medium Scout vessel

Flight Sergeant Alf Turner ducked down as he entered the cramped cockpit of his ship, grinned at his Navigator and turned to the occupant of the pilot’s seat.

‘Go on Sasha, you’re relieved-go get some sleep-your bunk’s ready for ya’ a wink and a nod and he was back in his seat.

The youngster occupying his seat was Junior Pilot Sasha Tahta, straight out of The Brand New Stellar Madrassa located on the Star Docks off Shugar III. He was very very young and very very green as was evidenced by the yelp of fright that came from the aft quarters as he tried to get into his bunk.

Back in the cockpit Turner’s Navman, Flight Corporal Femi Mpona cackled with laughter ‘What did you leave in there this time Sergeant Turner you devil? Hahaha!

‘Oh just a little present from the Sanduin desert that’s all.’ Turner smiled and then turned serious as he scanned the screens in front of him, ‘Ok Femi-enough of the light-heartedness-what we got?’

Femi was one of the best Coordinate men in the nascent Krynn Starfleet: he had started his career 5 years before on the Divine Zeal, Flagship of the soon-to-be born Stellar Navy. He was enthusiastic about his career and he was a zealot of The Way-unlike his colleague, Turner, who couldn’t give a damn about any secrets of any universe. He was Krynn because he was born Krynn to human parents-all he really cared about was flying. The 2 men were firm friends, never letting religion come between them and they both secretly liked the paternal role they were playing in looking after ‘the kid’ as they routinely called their fresh-faced new arrival.

‘Ok Sarge well we still tracking both Yor Flights. Still 6 ships in 2 groups about half a million miles apart and still on a heading of 320 degrees. They haven’t a clue we’re watching them and even if they did boss our N-5 Space Traction Drive will outrun anything they got’

‘Ok no change there then-I love this ship-30.6 Metric Tons of pure subtlety. Let’s just hope that those 2 Flights of Phoenix’s we’ve got on an intercept course don’t frak up’

Mpona winced at the profanity but kept silent: no sense in antagonising his friend, ‘they will be there Sarge-don’t worry. What concerns me is whether their Shields will hold up: Intel says those Yor Heavy Fighters are packing quite some punch’

‘Tell me about it. You know I got a cousin piloting one of those Phoenix’s: seems like flying’s in the blood Femi. Talking of which. Don’t you have family on our Starbase?’

Mpona’s normally jovial features turned serious. The sole Krynn Starbase, built to mine resource crystals that augmented the military capabilities of their race, was understandably coveted by the Yor and even though it was located many parsecs away from their space the robots had launched attack after attack against the Base. They had destroyed the first one but Kryseth had ordered another built and all that had saved Starbase 2013 so far had been the fact it was armed with Cannon, Lasers and Missiles-that and the fact that it was a massive structure and so could absorb some serious punishment. 2 Flights of Star Furies had been despatched by Naval Command to protect it-they were having to learn the hard way in this new war against an implacable enemy.

‘You speak true my friend-2 uncles and 4 of my cousins are there-it seems all of us have a calling to the stars-all part of the grand plan-all part of The Way-‘

‘Ok ok Femi. That’s enough about The Way-let’s concentrate on the matter at hand-set up a hail to the Enigma of the Way and instruct them to maintain their own course parallel to ours-don’t let them get any closer-being only an upgraded Scout they don’t have our speed to get out of trouble’

Femi was smiling ruefully ‘The expression Granny and suck eggs comes to mind Sarge-that’s the great thing about serving on an all human crew-there’s nothing like it for knowing what’s what…’

Turner was the one smiling now but his smile disappeared very quickly when the 2 bright pink symbols representing the Yor Fighters suddenly disappeared from the Nav Screen.

Femi saw it too ‘What in the name of The Way?’ He turned the dials to attenuate the 2 powerful survey sensors but nothing.

Turner was thinking furiously-what was it that they had taught him at the Academy when he had gone back there on his Scout Commander’s Course: if an enemy disappears from view trust in your sensors and turn towards them-you will reacquire…

‘Femi listen to me-we’re going to turn into them-‘

‘Are you out of your mind boss? Turn into them?’ Femi was sweating now-he was frightened: this was a step into the unknown for him.

‘Yes trust me: we’re going to trust in our sensors and turn towards the enemy: it is highly likely that they’ve executed a sharp course alteration to throw off anyone following at the edge of sensor range like we are. Trust me; it will only be a short plot-keep those sensors tuned now’ Turner smiled at his Navman willing him to believe in his Commander and started to execute the direction shift.

Trust was a commodity that they would need a whole lot more of in the weeks and the months to come as, out in the cold fastness of space, the Mystery of the Way turned towards an unseen and relentless enemy…..

Anyone reading this one guys and if so what do you think so far?  

Great thanks Idunno-feedback appreciated

Consulate Building, Qui-Kryseth City, Kryseth

All will be revealed Idunno lol   Seems you are the only one reading this but 1 fan is better than none eh?   

Another great story Mambaman.

Sentient species taste better...

Arrr great-thanks Eidolon and Kzinti-great to have you on board with this one: Idunno and I were getting lonely lol

Chapter 4: The cutting edge……

Sector 00-19

(Aboard Flt Lt Turner’s Phoenix Mk4 Call sign ‘Dath’)


‘Flt Leader to all call signs copy?’

‘Flight Leader this is Red 1-copy’

‘Red 2-copy’

‘Red 3-copy that’

‘Red 4-copy’

‘Roger that all call signs-Mystery of the Way this is Red Flight Leader Call sign Dath-we are on intercept to take on those bogeys-send sitrep over’

‘Call sign Dath this is Mystery of The Way-you are a most welcome sight cousin-we’re moving in fast and they’re right on our tails.’

‘Red Leader: confirm we have 2 Heavy Fighters-have you config stats for them? And well met cousin Alf-well met indeed.’

‘Mystery of the Way: we confirm; 2 Yor Heavy Fighters these ones are armed with a smaller version of the Particle Weapons-probably a Mark 3 type. It means that each fighter is packing not 2 but 3 of them. No defences on either.’

‘Red Leader copy that-this is gonna be tough. Sgt Turner Take station half a parsec behind us cousin-see you after the fight’

‘Roger that-happy hunting Red Flight’




‘By The Way these ships are hard to take down! Watch it watch it! Red 4 I am coming about-stay on that course!’

‘It’s the last one-Red 2 parallax move now! Don't make the same mistake that Red 1 made!’

‘Red Leader make it quick my shields are going!’

‘Red 2 missile lock-launching Stingers!’

‘Red Leader launching!’

‘We got her!’

‘Thank The Way-you guys took your time!’

‘Red 2 and 4 form up on me and keep an eye out-Mystery of The Way catch us up we need your sensors’

‘Masap’s curse-did you see how quickly they rubbed out Sulu and Nakata? ‘

‘Keep it quiet! There are probably more out there and you now know, boys, this war aint gonna be no cakewalk. Red Leader out’

So I take it Red Flight managed to beat one fleet of Yor fighters.

I just wanted to add I really like the story till now. Keep it up

Chapter 5: The Mathematics of Attrition……

22 May 2233

Fighter Command Building, Admiralty Complex, Sar Continent, Kryseth

The Admiral’s Aide De Camp, Lieutenant Marpap Po’ was not your typical Drengin: he only stood 6 foot tall for a start-very un-Drengin-like. He was also a thinker; turning weighty matters over and over in his mind before acting upon them: it drove his boss mad but he was highly attuned to the Admiral’s needs and thus was indispensable. He was also a Devout of The Secrets of The Way and was able to provide some religious insights into the conduct of the tiny collection of Spacecraft, pilots and support staff that constituted the Krynn Consulate Star Navy.

As their entourage barged into the main situation room, Po’ hurried to relieve the Admiral of his Greatcoat (essential outdoor wear for a Kryseth summer and it’s sudden monsoons).

‘Where is Commander Miller?’ Tar barked in stentorian tones that had technicians and Junior Officers scurrying around in alarm: they hadn’t been warned of this visit (which was the idea, of course). A Human with Lieutenant’s bars on his shoulders approached, saluted smartly and stammered a greeting. Tar didn’t even look at the minion but turned to Po’ and growled

‘Get this human filth out of my sight Lieutenant-WHERE IS THE COMMANDER OF THIS BUILDING?’

Po’ ushered the stunned Lieutenant out of the way and then spotted Miller approaching from an upper level. Needless to say he looked harassed. Even as a Drengin Po’ could see that this particular human was exhausted and in need of a rest. Rest was not a commodity that any of them could afford right now, however-it had become evident that the Drengin (who made up about 40% of the fleet) were far better at absorbing the ravaging effects of days and nights without sleep than were the humans who populated the Navy in equal numbers.

‘Sir, apologies: I was going over the flight rosters upstairs. It-‘

‘Enough of excuses Miller-show me the sitmap!’ Po’ winced: he had told the Admiral time and time again that it was extremely bad form to address the more Senior Human Officers by their Surnames: not a problem in ancient Drengin culture (some parts of which The 1st Consul had decreed it alright to adhere to) but a definite no-no for the touchy and over-sensitive humans.

‘Yes Admiral Tar-please gather round’ this said stiffly by Miller



‘As you see gentleman we have almost completed our Scout Screen roughly along the line of the 00-19.5 Sectorling. The one straggler is the Mystery of The Way-indicated after it’s Bait action with a pair of Yor Heavy Fighters.’

All were intently observing the Sitmap. Miller was warming to his theme:

‘Admiral you will also note that at this time there are no Yor Fighters to be seen. Whether this is a lull or a cessation of hostilities in our area it is hard to tell.’

Tar fixed a blood-red eye on his human subordinate-it was not kind. ‘How many Flights have you got left Miller?’ He rasped

Miller didn’t hesitate ‘Sir we need more fighters and we need more experienced pilots. The truth-well the truth is that even though our Flights are winning every engagement we are throwing in 5 of our fighters against 2 of theirs and we usually lose at least half that’

‘How many left Commander I said!’ Growled Tar banging his fist down on top of the Sitmap ‘A simple question deserves a simple answer no?’

‘Sir we have barely a Squadron-3 and a bit Flights-that’s it….’ His voice trailed off.

Silence.

All were doing the calculations: at this rate all the Yor need do was throw up 3 more Heavy Fighter patrols and they were defenceless: the Recession that had hit barely a few months previously had come on the back of the Krynn leadership pawning away their reserves of cash to bring first the Iconian Refuge and then the Terran Alliance into the war on their side. It had cost more than 8000BC. More reserves had bled away forging alliances with the Altarians and the distant Thalans but it was the Terrans with their powerful fleet that the Krynn had set up in their minds and hearts as their more prosaic saviours. And then, with the reserves empty but the economy still growing slightly the galactic recession had struck and the Treasury was soon in serious deficit resulting in the shutting down of all research and production on every planet. It had prompted widespread soul-searching. People were asking how could The Way have deserted them like this? Were they not the Galaxy’s chosen? It had taken a special pan-colony sermon by Misala to remind the faithful that though their Fighters were small in number so far they had taken everything the robots had thrown at them and returned it with interest.

This might work with the credulous masses, Po’ was thinking but it had certainly cut no ice with the professional Officer Corps of the Star Navy-they knew that this was a numbers game-and they were losing it.

The Admiral hauled his bulk away from the Sitmap and stared about the massive chamber taking in the frightened looks and the air of defeat.

‘You are all afraid! You fear what is coming?’ he bellowed and then he smiled. ‘And so you should sailors and so you should. Fear will keep you sharp-like the Drengin blade huh?’ He returned to the Officers around the sitmap and this time addressed his ADC:

‘Lieutenant where is our Flagship-where is KCS Divine Zeal?’

Po’ looked bemused ‘She is in sector 01-13 deep in Yor Space, Admiral, hunting around for anomalies on your orders-do you want her reassigned?’

‘Certainly not Lieutenant-HEAR ME FIGHTER COMMAND! OUR FlAGSHIP-THE DIVINE ZEAL IS OUR SALVATION AND OUR DELIVERANCE! Have faith and The Way will become clear! Keep the faith!’ And with these words the Great Admiral nodded to Commander Miller, turned swiftly and was on his way-his ADC and entourage hastening to keep up.

The Drengin’s address heartened the crews in the Command Building but none heard the Admiral whisper to the smaller Drengin as they left ‘and if that ship doesn’t find something worth selling soon Po’ we are all sunk’………

Oh great-thanks Garion