Episode IV
Destiny

    
        We were Vasudan, a strong race, a simple people, in the years before we left the fertile soils of our world. We survived. We thrived among ourselves, our history was dotted with the occasional war, but when we tasted space we lost all that. We were finally united. Then they came. The demons struck, they striped our glorious planet bare and left it a smoldering desert. It took us many years to rebuild our lost planet. When we made it back to space, we found our way to planets, deserted planets, but we mined them for their minerals anyway. The destroyers had left us, but a prophet told us that they would return. He called them Sakaan, the demons. The profit also told us that someday an alien, a warrior that once fought us, would stand to face the Sakaan, and he would be called, the leader for the Shivans. And that someday his destiny would bring him to us, and that it would eventually lead to the end of the devil.
         As the years passed, we forgot the legend, mist covered the words and they disappeared. Our language mirrored the Sakaan, and we continued. Then we found them, they called themselves Terrans, and when we met, friendship turned to the bitter taste of war. We ripped each other apart for fourteen years. And then the legend came true, the Sakaan came forth.
          So we banded with the Terrans, the legend was beginning to resurface. And then we found them a name, we called them.... Shivan. And now it was time to tell a new legend. 

           
           Sam and Votion stood in the docking bay of the Cheops. Space glistened like a velvet cloak outside. The new Vasudan watched Votion as he told his story. This is.... a Terran Captain, nothing more, nothing less. A simple test pilot, that is all. The Vasudan nodded. 
          I see, he said. It is good to have you back Takeye. 
          It is good to be back Satoon. Satoon walked over to Sam. 
          I know why he is back, why have you joined the Hammer of light? Sam smiled deviously. 
          Neither of our races will survive if we do not give ourselves up to the Shivans. Sam walked forward. They are legend, and they are superior. I just want to survive. Satoon nodded.
           What do you know of this Leader for the Shivans? Sam walked back to his ship. He took his sword out of his ship. 
           Probably dead in the VT war, but if hes still alive..... Sam smiled deviously. Satoon smiled and turned back to Votion. 
           You know your way around here Takeye, he turned to leave, Keep an eye on the Terran hunter. Votion nodded. Sam waited till the Vasudan was gone. 
            What the hell was that? Sam asked, there was anger growing in his voice. Damn, whos side are you on? Votion slowly turned to look down at Sam. Sam reached for his sword but didnt draw it. Votion stared for a long moment, nothing moving. Sam stepped back, Votion didnt move. Slowly his lips moved and the Translator picked it up.
            I was there, on the day of death. Sam furrowed his brow.
            What do you mean? Sam looked at him. 
             The day the Vasudans and the Terrans made war. I was there, I killed many Terrans in cold blood. And I was from this ship. he looked out into space, the wall of stars slowly rotated. You came forth, and we opened fire, the screams of the first few to die. He griped his hand into a fist. I can still remember the day, but the one memory that has scared itself into my mind was not the scream of the dead, nor the yells of my comrades going into battle, not even the sound of my lasers pounding steal flesh, but it was one Vasudans laugh, as your people died. He looked after Satoon, his laugh. Votion started to walk away. Come Sam, let us get this mission over with. Sam nodded, he closed the cockpit of his ship and followed after Votion. Something caught his eye, and he turned. Like in slow motion a man checked a sheet and then walked past a wall. Sam blinked. What is it? Votion asked. Sam shook his head.
               I dont know, lets get the hell out of here. Votion nodded. They walked into the lift. Is that why you didnt want to come back? Votion nodded.
                You would not understand Terran. Votion said, Sam looked up at him. 
                You would be surprised how much we are alike. The lift continued. 

                Get me everything you have on this Morrison. Satoon said as he walked unto the bridge. A Vasudan turned his head and nodded. Affairs continued as normal. I want to know who he is, what rank he is, and why hes flying one of those new fighters. He looked out at space. Now! he yelled at the personnel. Satoon smiled quietly to himself, he would discover who this new man was, and the secret of his new fighter. 

                Votion showed Sam into his quarters. This is nice he commented. Sam eyed the many large Vasudan blades that inhabited the walls. He reached over and picked up the burnt piece of metal. A friend? Votion rushed over. 
                 Put that down. he grabbed the piece of bulkhead out of Sams hands. This is a piece of death. the scar ran deep into Votions past. He fondled the metallic lump as if it were a child. This piece of junk is a piece of this very ship. his eyes glided across the roof. This tells the story of the day the war began. I was.... 

                  A Much younger version of Votion walked into a room. The lighting was low, he glanced around the room. It was close to fourteen years ago, this was Votions quarters, and that of his family. Votion had married and was travelling on the Cheops with his old time friend Satoon. Satoon was a commander here, and he was escorting Votion to the Trano colony. The name of the planet had been obscured over time. Votion was a century assigned to that station. His family was going with him. Votion glanced around the room and he saw his wife. She smiled back at him. She looked like a regular Vasudan, except more feminine. She stood and walked over to him. She placed her hands on his shoulders.
                  It is good to see you my husband. She said.
                  And I you. He smiled back, and how is the little one? 
                  She is resting. Votion walked into the small a joining room. He looked down at his daughter. Votion smiled at her. He reached in and picked her out. She smiled and giggled. She is happy to see you Takeye Votion nodded, he took her over to the window. The child looked out at the billions of stars and the glowing red nebula. 
                    This is space, Votion said, he bobbed her up and down. This is where your father lives, and we are heading there. He pointed at a small dim light. He moved and pointed at the wall. And we will be moving into subspace in just a few moments. He placed her down on the table. He made a soaring movement with his hand. The young Vasudan watched in fascination. Whsssssh. He bent over and picked her up in one fluid motion. Her mother smiled in strange joy. A light flashed on a small indicator by the wall. Votion passed the young female Vasudan to her mother. She carried a worried look on her face. Votion touched the pad. Votion here. Satoon came over the radio. 
                       Votion, youd better get up here, we have a slight problem. Suddenly red lights began to flash. Votions wife held her daughter close. Votion hurried away. He was walking down the hall when suddenly he heard an explosion from behind him. Votion turned in horror. He ran back to his quarters. Fire was burning around it. 
                         No! Votion yelled. No. He threw the bulkhead out of the way, crews began to culminate around the Damage. His wife lay on the ground, she held nothing in her hands. Wheres Sanay? She shook her head. 
                          Dead in the explosion. Votion held his wife close ti him, she backed off and removed her hands from her stomach. Vasudan blood poured out. She smiled up at him. My destiny has come husband. Do not weep for me, your destiny will come, and we will meet in the end... she trailed off, she slumped over in Votions hands. Votion cried out to the heavens. He found on the ground a piece of the fighter that had crashed into his life. Damn you Terrans, I will kill you, every last one of you. He wept over his wife. 
 
                          Votion almost cried on the piece of metal. Sam nodded. So are you planning to kill me? Sam asked. Votion shook his head.
                          I no longer blame your kind. Just this war. he threw the piece of metal against the wall. And cried something out in Vasudan, Sam looked down at the piece of fighter, there was now a crack in it. He slowly picked it up. It broke away in his hands and he took out the power node in his hand. He turned it over. Triton Dynamics. 
                           What the hell? Votion turned.
                           What is it? Votion asked, Sam shook his head.
                           This just came out of that piece of metal you through over here. he showed the small device to Votion. Triton Dynamics. Votion furrowed his brow. If you could call that a brow.
                            So? Votion asked. Sam suddenly remember that he hadnt told Votion anything about his beliefs. He placed the object in his pocket. Sam decided that it would be better to keep it his little secret.
                            Nothing. Sam whipped out the little pad. Wed better check our orders. another thing noone had stuck around to hear. He flipped the small screen up. A recording of Wolfe appeared on the screen. 
                            Pilots Attend. he started. Your mission is to head into the Cheops and record any valuable information that could be useful. We also require you to send us ship manifests, orders, ship placements, and other such information. Good luck on this mission Captains. The Image went dark. Sam took one of the swords off the wall. He sliced the device in half, sparks flew as if on fire. The sword made a dent in the floor. Sam placed the blade back on the wall. Votion gave a slight laugh. 
                            You could have just stepped on it. Sam looked up at the tall Vasudan and Votion shrugged. 
 

                            Satoon eyed the pad in front of him, Kapton, Savual Moritson. An officer turned. Sir, thats Captain Samuel Morrison Satoon nodded and went back to the screen. 
Distinguished Service Cross, Conspicuous Gallantry, Galactic Service, Meritorious Unit... He decided not to continue down the page. The question is why does a Captain with so many distinguishing awards defect? The officer shrugged. Satoon smiled. Invite them to dinner, I believe we should get to know this captain Morrison a little better. He smiled deviously. 

                            The dinner had gone well, idle chat about battles won, and battles to be won. Everyone got to know everyone else. There was a female Vasudan named Chaini, and another named Savina. There was a harder officer male Vasudan who went by the name Tansua. Votion sat next to Sam. All the Vasudans wore those robes with various stripes and Vasudan words on them. Sam wore some simple Terran civilian clothing. Satoon looked over at Sam.
                            So tell me Captain why does such a decorated officer of the Galactican Terran Alliance defect to the hammer of Light? Sam half smiled.
                             I dont know, you tell me, why does such a decorated Vasudan officer splinter? Satoon laughed. 
                             Because when something is not right then we must make sure to put it right. Sam nodded. Satoon understood. So how did our good Votion here discover you. Votion thought quickly and coughed up an answer. 
                              I had been transferred to the GTD Galatea, when Captain Morrison here discovered my links to the Hammer. He told me of his wish to join you, to put right the injustice against the Shivans. Satoon nodded slowly. 
                              And you Morrison, you say you are not the prophecy. Sam put his head at a slight downward tilt. 
                              I am saying that I am not, he smiled. Satoon stood. He walked over to the window. It was large, the incandescent swirling blue light of Subspace flickered outside. The room was bright, it had red curtains flowing down the walls. A single door ended the room. Their was a long rectangular table in the middle, around which Sam and the rest of them sat.  
                             Now on to other matters. Satoon turned. The Terrans have found a tablet on Mars, a tablet that says, Sakaan the Legends are true. But I believe that there is more to this then just those words. Sam dropped the smile.
                             What do you mean? Sam asked.
                             I mean that I believe that this tablet tells the very name of the Leader for the Shivans. He clasped his hands behind his back. I mean to take it from the Terrans. Sam Laughed. 
                              And what do you plan to do? Just walk in and take it? The GTA just isnt going to miss a Typhon class Destroyer walking into the Sol System. And plus we have to go to Delta Surpentis. Do you know how well that system is guarded? Sam leaned forward in his chair. 
                              That is where you come in Mr. Morrison. Satoon turned. A ancient Vasudan myth states that one day the destiny of the Leader for the Shivans would bring him back to us. So the question remains... have you come back to us? Satoon slammed his palms down on the table. It shook with the might of the tall Vasudan. 
                              Lets suppose for a minute that I am this Leader for the Shivans, If I was I wouldnt waste my time on a grim bunch of splintered freaks as you. Sam wondered if that was a little excessive. Savina started to laugh.
                                He has you there Satoon. Leave the poor Terran alone. Satoon stood up, and threw a hand out to one side. And then clasped it at his side. Do not mind our gracious commander, he sometimes forgets his place. Satoon turned. 
                                Sometimes you forget yours. The ship continued through Subspace. This is where you come in Terran, you will tell us ship movements so that we can safely travel into the Sol system, and then in one mighty blast we shall take the tablet and you will hunt down the leader for the Shivans and destroy him. Sam nodded, Satoon walked out of the room. Then we have nothing more to discuss. The room was left Silent, Tansua spoke up.
                                 Why not go straight to Terra? Forget this whole deal with Mars, we can take this ship, and finish the Terrans off in one final blow. Sam laughed.
                                  Because Earth is so well guarded, it would be easier to make light escape from a black hole. Sam stood. And now I must take my leave of you; Power to the light. the rest of them said the same back. Votion stood and then walked out of the room. As soon as they were outside Sam slumped against the wall. That was hard. Sam said with conviction. Votion nodded. 
                                 Yes, but a good way to distract them from what was going on. Sam furrowed his brow. 
                                  What the hell are you talking about? Votion smiled and emerged the small recorder. He hit a button on it and then another.       
                                  I mean to take it from the Terrans. The recorder sounded out the exact words of Satoon. An eery sound from the darkness. Sam jumped off the wall and smiled. 
                                  I think we have a report to give to Wolfe. They walked off down the hallway. 
 

                                  Cronis bounded down the zero-g hallway. A passing Shivan climbed on to the ruff without making a sound. A slight gust of wind was all that was felt. Cronis turned the corner and walked into his commanding officers quarters. 
                                   Cronis, what is this? The commander asked. 
                                   I believe that it would be in our best interests to bring the Tooakinar into this system. Cornis backed off a bit. 
                                   It is busy, and plus what good would it be? The TVachi is good enough. And plus, what would you have me say to the Tooakinars commander? I am waiting for your answer Cronis. Cronis thought for a moment, and then remembered his myth. 
                                   The legend says that someday the Destiny of the Leader for the Shivans would return to the Vasudans, and that it would spell the end of the Devil. Well my sources tell me that he is aboard a Vasudan ship. The Shivan nodded. And the Terrans have found a name for our little TVachi. The other Shivan came forward towards Cronis.
                                   Continue He said simply.
                                   They call it Lucifer, their devil. The Commanding officer backed off. And then hit a key.
                                   Get me the commander of the Tooakinar. Someone, or something started to reply on the line. The Shivan didnt give it time to say anything. Then wake him, Immediately. The Shivan turned to Cronis. You had better be right about this Cronis, or I will have both your head and that of the leader for the Shivans. Cronis nodded.
                                  Do not worry, I know what I am doing, the Leader for the Shivans will face me, and I shall shatter his world like the rotting flesh of a Kavoonar. And he shall face my wrath. Cronis turned and left the room, the Commanding officer started on the machine. 
                                  Bring the Tooakinar here Immediately. The Tavary Jump Node will open in four days, be there. The Shivan watched Cronis leave the room, and the door slowly closed. 

                                  To be Continued ...