Episode 5
Tears of Blood

            SubSpace flittered outside the mighty ship. The Cheops speed towards Terran space, and the Beta Aquilac system. The glowing blue light reflected on the beige hull of the mighty Vasudan ship. It headed towards its destiny. Those who saw her leave wept tears of blood to see her go. 
             
             Votion stood, he looked around solemnly, his small quarters were dimly lite. Sam was sleeping on the sofa, or what Terrans might call a sofa. Sam was wearing his uniform, it wasnt as if he had the time to change. Votions thoughts turned back to his daughter, he remembered her smile, then her death. He held his head for a moment. This wasnt the proper way for a warrior to act. He glanced over at the dent where the piece of metal hit. That piece of his ship, the ship that killed his daughter and wife.
                Sam came into his vision. The tall Terran stood next to him now. Dont worry about it Votion, he started. We all loes someone sometime. Votion turned. He nodded solemnly. 
                 Let us get this over with. Sam nodded, he picked his scabbard up off the table and the two soldiers walked out of the room. They walked solemnly down the hallway, Sam could see it was painful for the Vasudan to walk these halls again. Sam didnt exactly believe that he was destined to bring the Shivans to their knees, and these Vasudans back to the right..... 
                 Wait a second. Sam stopped. 
                 What is it? Votion asked. Sam shook his head. 

                   Bright light shot from a cannon.... Shivan ships flew about..... another blast..... someone yelled behind him..... another explosion..... Screens blared red as Shivans ships exploded around him..... Red fire leapt out into space.... something exploded.... and someone died behind him. Sam! someone yelled behind him...... Sam! There was another explosion....

                  Sam... Votion asked quietly. Are you all right? Sam reached up and grabbed at the Vasudans hand. He made contact, his view changed, a mighty Shivan lifted Sam into the air. Sam recognized him immediately as the Shivan that the Android had called Cronis. Cronis lifted Sam higher into the air, Time to die, leader for the Shivans. The Shivan threw him against the wall, he slowly rolled down. 

                  Sam opened his eyes in shock, he stared up into Votions eyes. What happened? Sam asked, Votion shook his head. 
                  I do not know, first you were standing, and then you fell to the floor. Votion was showing compassion. He had come a long way since they first met on the Galatea. Are you all right? He asked. Sam nodded. He stood, dusted off the dust, and blinked a few times. 
                  Ya, Im fine, lets get this mission done. Votion nodded and they continued down the hallway. They came to a rather large door. Something in Vasudan was marked on it. They had been taught how to read Vasudan. Sam knew the words, they read Briefing Room the door slid open and the two of them walked in. They took their seats. Satoon eyed the two of them, he smiled at Votion. 
                  Excellent, the Hunter is here, now we may begin. He sneered at Sam, Satoon didnt like Terrans too much. Satoon was obsessed with this whole leader for the Shivans idea. Perhaps the war truly had driven him insane. As you all know we are unable to get through the gigantic sensor, and century web around the Delta Serpentis system. A light illuminated the centre of the circular room. The image of Beta Aquilac came up on the screen, a line was drawn through the air through the jump node and into the Sol system. It stopped at Mars. We must get here, to Mars in the Sol system. We must discover who the leader for the Shivans is. Sam clutched the barker in his ear. 

                Someone walked down a hall..... The man wore a sword...... He continued walking down the lane..... bright lights shone on him as he passed, they were set up in regular intervals.... The man continued.... he reached a door and opened it. 

                 Is something wrong Terran? Satoon asked. Perhaps this briefing is too much for you? The Vasudans began to laugh. Sam didnt say anything. 
                 There was only one image this time, what was happening to him?
                 Satoon continued with the briefing. This is a Terran subspace transmitter. The Image of the subspace transmitter came up on the screen. Its large rotating solar panel gave away the fact that it was a converted science vessel. You must protect this, Terran, he spat the words, Until he can deactivate the sensor web. The Vasudans began to talk. You have your orders, dismissed. Satoon looked at Votion. Keep an eye on him Hunter. Votion nodded. Satoon gave Sam a cold look and then walked out the other side of the room. Sam gripped the table in front of him.
                  What is going on with you? Votion asked. Sam looked up. 
                  I dont know, but I think that Ill find out on Mars. They stood and walked out of the room. 

                    Sam laid his sword into his Ulysses. He checked his instruments and walked around to the back. He checked the area where the Triton Dynamics officer had opened it up. The repair job was good. He brushed it off with his hand and walked around and straight into the faces of two nasty looking Vasudans. 
                     Listen up Terran, you make one false move and I swear we shall destroy you and your fancy fighter with you. The other one looked even nastier. 
                      I think we should give him a taste of what his species has done to us. He balled his hand into a fist. You brought the destroyers back. He raised his hand when suddenly a blade appeared next to his neck. Votion gripped the sword as best he could, his large hand almost filled the hilt. 
                       Dont you too have fighters to prepare. The two Vasudans backed off. 
                       Yes Hunter. They said together, the two of them backed off slowly, and then walked away towards their ships. Votion tossed Sam his sword, Sam caught it spinning through the air. 
                        This is a dangerous place for a Terran, I suggest that you stay close. Sam nodded, he agreed totally with Votion. Out there in space more then anywhere else. Sam nodded.
                          Im starting to see your point. Votion walked away. 

                           The Cheops spun slowly away from them. Sam was in the lead with Votion right next to him. He didnt know what to expect. Wolfe suddenly exploded over his com view. Good Morning Captain. Sam went wide eyed. Dont worry Captain, this is a secure line. Sam furrowed his brow.
                            Is Votion getting this? Wolfe nodded. David suddenly came across the screen, he was behind Wolfe. David... Sam said. David smiled.
                             They accepted the Hurculease, Im going back to full duty. he smiled, Wolfe pushed David away. 
                             Now listen up Pilot.... Sam cut in.
                             Dont you mean Pilot Attend? Wolfe wasnt laughing. 
                             Stick to bisness Captain. David was obviously laughing in the background. Sam sensed that Votion was smiling across space. When you hack into the subspace transmitter you will use a special code, and code word to let us know that you are coming. We will be making no attempts to extract you while youre heading through Delta Serpentis, we will intercept the Cheops with a battle fleet... David came back into view. 
                              And the Black Sparrows. David said, smiling. Sam grinned.
                              Are you telling me that you have command? Stonefox came into view next to David. 
                               No Im still in command. Wolfe walked out of view.
                               You have all you need to know, Stonfox will tell you your codes. Good Luck. Sam nodded. 
                                Alright Captain, listen up. Stonefox said. The code is being transmitted to you now. Sams controls lit up like a Christmas tree, he began recording. Your code word is Tears of Blood Sam nodded. You have your orders, come back alive. Sam looked at David. He started to think of Votion.
                                 If I dont come back tell Susan.... He trailed off. David nodded.
                                 I Understand, but youd better survive, so you can tell her yourself. Sam smiled. Good luck friend. The Screen went blank. That was hardly the conversation he had expected for a briefing on a spy mission. But this was no ordinary mission, now he knew what he was supposed to do. 

                                    Wake up Pilots! A Vasudan yelled across the com. We have a wing of enemy fighters coming in, we must protect the Terran. Sam started to think. A Shivan wing, this close to Sol? How had they known he was here? Sam shook off the thoughts, it was probably only a lucky scouting mission. These Vasudans may help the GTA more then they realize. The transmitter came up on his screens. It blocked out the sun as they came in. His scanners danced across it, finding the access node. The warning lights shot on, Shivans. Subspace nodes exploded around them. The six ships scrambled. Bring it together. The lead Vasudan said. Get to that Transmitter. The Shivans opened fire.
                                    Sam dodged a missile, then arcing his ship around he searched the endless darkness of space for the fighter. His locator spun around his HUD. He pulled the stick up and the forward thrusters spat out a jet of fire and the ship turned upwards. He found the Shivan. The scanners danced across the new target, searching its shields for the data to give him. Sam slowly matched his speed with the Shivan. The Manticor shot a blast from its side jets and the ship turned to face its attacker. 
                                 Sam pulled up hard on the stick as the Manticor shot a blast into him. It glanced off his shields. He arced down and fired his guns into it. The shields resonated with that Erie white glow. He continued to pump it. The Shivan accelerated, Sam spun the ship until he was looking at the Manticor upside down. He fired his thrusters and chased the ship. 
                                  WARNING MALFUNCTION. WARNING MALFUNCTION Sam swore, the Manticor stopped suddenly. There was no way it could have known that he was having a malfunction. Sam searched his dash, searching for a way to fix his problem. This could be it, it could be all over. He saw a message that he wasnt supposed to see.
                                    Message received from Manticor accepted, engaging protocol vF75. The message disappeared. His computer was still working. 
                                    Computer. The computer clicked on. Locate file vF75. The computer hummed and displayed an image on his screen. The Manticor was edging closer. The Image was of his ship, there inside his speed lock on was a small glowing light. He took his sword. It was hard to manoeuvre in this small cockpit. I never liked the cruise control anyway. He slammed the blade into the control, sparks flew as the panel came open. He reached in and disconnected the small glowing disc. 
                                     Sam stuffed it into the eject hatch, and hit the eject button. The small disc was shot into space. The Manticor watched the disc fly out into space. It turned back to Sam.
                                      ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL. Sam smiled deviously.
                                      Lock missile ports. The missile ports locked. Sam looked out at the Manticor. He flipped up the missile button and fired. The interceptors spun out, one after the other. The Manticor turned to run, but it was no use. One grabbed its shields and exploded. The next flew through the hole and lathed unto the ship. It exploded. The Manticor exploded into a massive fire ball. Sam engaged his engines and started again towards the Transmitter. 
                                      The battle continued, Sam flew in close to the station. He began the sequence. His control panel lit up, he exchanged the code, slowly, not to make the Vasudans worry, and come over for a check.

                                        Mam, on a station in the Delta Serpentis system an officer began to receive the code. The admiral walked over and inspected the screen. Its the right code Mam, thats him. The Admiral nodded. 

                                      Sam opened the frequency. Tears of Blood. he said quietly.
 
                                     Theres the code word Mam. Shall I deactivate the web? The Admiral stood. She glanced behind her back. There, half hidden by darkness, an officer nodded slowly. 
                                       Yes. The Admiral said. The officer turned to leave, just below his name were the words Triton Dynamics Specialist Officer The man turned and left. The Admiral brushed back her hair and watched the man leave. She hated being bossed around by these government lackyies. She didnt care if they were making a new fighter for the GTA. She threw her hand down to her side and walked back to her chair. She sat down and signed another report. 
      
                               Out In Space the sensor web turned itself off, the lights on the buoys stopped blinking, and the guns on the Watch Dogs closed, the system was dead, and now the Cheops was free to walk into Sol. Perhaps this was going too far, but what must be done to kill a Typhon?

                                Sam detached from the transmitter. It continued to spin out in front of him. A Shivan was coming over, to destroy him, he had to react....

                                 A ship of unknown design...... fire exploded from it....... it swirled around..... guns poked holes into it..... People on its bridge ran about.... explosion..... they died..... a glowing light.... fire.... crashed...... more fire.... and the blue light shone.....

                                  The Shivan drew close, Sam clutched his temples. When he came through a missile was spinning towards him. He hit the afterburners and shot out of there. The missile plowed into the engine core of the transmitter, and it exploded. Fire licked at space before dying of lack of fuel. A piece of metal bit into the Shivans shields, and as it passed through the explosion it collided with one of the larger pieces of metal, and it exploded as well. 
                                  Sam blinked. Its been done. Lets go home. Sam said over the channel. Vasudan ships flew together in formation. Sam looked over at Votions Horus. They opened their jump nodes and spun into subspace. 

                                   The Cheops opened wide for the return of her successful ships. They grimaced at the Ulysses, even though it had helped them, it was a thorn in her side. Inside the Bay Votion came over and helped Sam out of his Ulysses. 
                                    Someone planted something on my ship. Votion looked around nervously. Someone wanted those Shivans to kill me. Votion furrowed his brow. 
                                     None of these Vasudans can get past your special security system. Sam nodded.
                                    It would have had to have been someone who knew this ship like the back of their hand. Votion backed off a bit.  Theres more going on here then meets the eye. Were not going to Mars only for the tablets. Votion nodded.
                                     It would seem advisable that we watch where we step until we can get out of here. Sam nodded. He closed the cockpit and took out his sword. The two pilots walked off the Deck. The ship engaged its security system. Someone peered out from behind another craft, they eyed the ship. And smiled. Perhaps this Captain Morrison was going to be a little harder to get rid of. They would get another chance. 

                                       Somewhere, out there, in the depths of time and space, a single ship flies. Its strong as steal, and as cold as stone. Its bite is hard, and it moves with silent footsteps. It was pure death, stronger than the TVachi and certainly more powerful. Cronis watched the timer on his wall. He was silently waiting for the time when he would get his revenge. The new fighter was coming in soon. Those who helped to develop it were helping each other kill themselves. 
                               
                     Because when all this was over the Shivans would be triumphant as they always were, and Cronis would stand victorious over his most hated enemy. He would hold his nemesis head high, and he would know what it was like to crush a legend. To destroy the one who was prophisized. He would be victor.
                      He would get this new ship, the Terrans called it the Dragon, a feeble name, one which didnt suit its power. Or perhaps it did. Cronis didnt know much about Terran mythology. He would meet his enemy on the ancient battle fields of hatred, and he would be victorious. For he was what the humans called a Shivan, and Cronis felt the fear that the Terrans had for him. He smiled because of it. 
                       When he remembered the only one who didnt fear him, who didnt fear his kind, he scoffed. This Terran would be put in his place. Cronis would make sure of that. He didnt care about his commanders obsession to get to Earth, to get the TVachi there and ruin the Terrans. Cronis only wanted to defeat one man. He would show the rest of his kind what he was capable of, he would prove to them that the legends werent true. He would prove to them all, that he was right. He would teach them to scoff at the legends. 
                         And when the last Terran is dead he will show them that the Legends were wrong, he would prove to them that he had stopped them. He was not going to be defeated by this simple Terran, he would show them all. He would have his vengeance He would end this war in a single swipe. Cronis stood and floated out of the room. He would be victorious. 
                         He would have the head of the Leader for the Shivans. He would kill Samuel Morrison. He would face the legend, and become one himself, he would not allow himself to be beaten. He would Survive, and in the darkness Cronis smiled at the thought of his victory.

                                                          To Be Continued.......