Episode IX 
Cry of the Sparrow
 

            The Olympus floated slowly through space. Votion and Sam stood in the briefing room, watching the small ship symbols move lazily across the screen. Sam, Votion started, he was leaning up against the wall. Votion was dressed in dark blue robes. The clothes had a long red fringe down the seam. You still have not explained to me what exactly is going on. Sam turned slowly. He then pointed to a small sphere on the map. 
            See this? Sam asked. 
            Yes, it is the Ross 128 System, where the first major assault on a Terran outpost by a Shivan fleet was. Sam nodded. 
             Exactly. This is our position. Sam pointed to a small green destroyer symbol moving across the screen on the Ross 128 Jump node towards the Ross 128 system. And this is the Shivan fleet, and the Lucifer. The glowing red symbols floated on the same course across the screen, ever inching towards the Sol system. During the VT war, we built massive scanners on planets scattered around our systems. There is one left on the third planet in the Ross 128 system. Votion stood. 
             So we go there, and then what? Sam scratched the back of his neck. 
             That brings us to the next part of the question. Triton Dynamics has been losing craft in that system for a long time now, and theyve tried to kill us on several occasions. They also seam to have been tampering with ships during the VT war. Sam paced the floor. Votion lifted a hand, and scratched his mouth. I just over heard a conversation between Kenneth Dryer, the head of Triton Dynamics, and our good friend Cronis. Votion nodded. 
             Are you sure it was him. Sam walked over and hit a key, the camera image was displayed on the screen. 
              It is adequate. Now what information do you have for me? The screen said. Sam paused the tape and zoomed in. Votion approached the screen. 
               That is him. Votion said. 
               He must be the one assigned to eradicate us. Votion nodded. 
               He can not be high up on the chain, I would suggest a Captain, or a Commander. Sam nodded. 
                I agree, but what to do about him? Votion approached Sam.      
                It is simple. The next time that he attacks... Votion paused. Kill him. Sam nodded. 
                It would be my pleasure. Sam cut the feed. What do you think about the attack? Sam asked. Votion gave out a kind of sigh. 
                 I believe that we are lucky. Yes, very lucky that they make the bulkheads here so thin. Sam gave a slight smile as Votions eyes panned the room. Can this Admiral be trusted. Sam thought back, and then nodded. 
                 I would trust him with my life. Votion nodded. 
                 You may have to yet, I do not like this ship, who knows how many more troops here are loyal to Triton Dynamics. Sam nodded. 
                     Were gonna have to watch our backs. Votion turned. The door opened. Admiral Newshire walked in. He was flanked by two officers. A red haired woman, and a Russian man with dark black hair. 
                     Good morning Gentlemen. Newshire said, he walked in. The Russian and the Woman stood at the door as Newshire pushed past Sam and Votion. The light filtered in past the two new figures.
                      Well what are we going to do? The Russian started, he had a thick accent. He walked down and put out his hand to Sam. Sam shook it, and then let go. I am Commander  Halfaway. Sam nodded. And I would presume that you are Captain Morrison. He steeped in close. How do you do, leader for the Shivans. Sam was startled, Halfaway stepped back, and looked over at Votion. And I supposed this would be the Hunter, - He was about to say something when Votions hand suddenly grabbed Halfaways neck. His blue sleeve fell against his shoulder as Votion lifted the man into the air. Halfaway struggled for breath. He grabbed at Votions mighty arm. Sam looked up at the tall Vasudan. 
                        Remember what you told Wolfe. Hatred turned to understanding in Votions small eyes. He let go and Halfaway fell to the floor. He stood and brushed himself off. 
                        I remember. Votion looked down at Halfaway. You will address me as Captain Votion. Do you understand? Terran? Halfaway nodded, and pushed past him. He took a seat in the first row of chairs. The woman walked down. 
                        You will have to excuse my friend, he tends to overreact sometimes. She smiled. Sam, havent seen you in a while. Sam smiled back. 
                        Ive been busy. Sam said, while the new woman glancing at Votion.
                        I can see that. She said, turning back to Sam. Votion walked over to the Admiral. 
                        Perhaps you can explain to me what all this is about. Newshire bent to look around the tall Vasudan. 
                        That would be Tila Anderson. She was a Lt. Junior Grade when Sam was here, they flew together. And I believe that she secretly loves him, though he does not share her feelings. Votion looked as if he was in deep thought. 
                         I believe that you Terrans would call this a Soap Play. Newshire smiled. 
                         Thats Soap Opera, Captain. Votion nodded. Votion smiled, and looked over at Sam and Tila. They were laughing. 
                          Perhaps he will save our world. Votion said to himself. Newshire was watching Votion intently. 
                          I didnt believe it. Votion turned. I heard stories of Vasudans smiling. But I am glad I got to see it for myself. Votion continued to smile. 
                          There are many things that you do not know about us, Admiral. The Admiral nodded, and then looked back at them. 
                          All right, thats enough, lets get this blooming thing out of the way. They took their seats. As Newshire began to talk Halfaway took a small device out of his shirt, he clicked a small button and placed it back in his shirt. 
                           

                           Sam checked his flight controls. They had been out on this Ross 128 patrol all morning. He looked over and saw Halfway to his right, and Anderson to the left. They were both in Valkuries. Votion was somewhere behind them. Suddenly a Horus screamed over Sams cockpit. Sam was thrown back into his seat as he moved his guns upwards. He let go of the stick and fell back into his chair. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He felt as though he was back in the Terran Vasudan conflict. Sam shook his head and clicked on his com unit. 
                          All fighters report Contacts. Sam ordered. The others slowly started to speak.
                          Alpha two, no contacts. Votion said, his ship spun around in loops out in front of them. Sam had saw this manoeuver before. It allowed the Vasudan fighters to do hyperactive sensor scans of an area without a booster. How that was done the GTA had yet to figure out. 
                           Alpha three, no Contacts. Anderson said.
                           Alpha four, no contacts. He muttered something under his breath. Sam shot back at him. 
                           What was that Alpha four? Sam asked.
 
                           Halfaway sneered, nothing, Captain. he held in his hand a small red disc. It had red veins going through it, and was obviously Shivan in origin. He began to smile. There was a large button on it, and it was for one purpose. That was to immobilize this little Captain Morrison. 
                           Alpha four, youre sagging. Sam said though the com unit. Halfaways Valkury was slowly manoeuvring downwards, in order to get a good shot at Sams wing. 
                           Oh, Im doing more then sagging. He pushed the button. The small device sent red shockwaves of light moving down the red veins. It sent out a beam, it struck the Valkury, and searched it for its counterparts. It found nothing. The report came up on his HUD. What? He asked, he horridly punched in a code. 
                          I have what you want, but the device wont work... 

                           Sam looked down towards the Valkury, it had passed below his view. Damn. He said slowly. Votions voice came over the com. Sam, I have just detected a strong signal heading out of system. Sam checked his log. For a brief moment the sensor had registered an unknown signal. 
                           I got it Votion. Sam looked around nervously. Everyone, break formation, I am not liking this. Sam arced away, he looked around for Halfaway. He suddenly noticed the ship coming up fast from the rear. A shot, and Sam was thrown forward with the hit to his aft shields. What the hell? Sam asked, pulling up on his flight stick. He began to dodge, but the ship kept with him. 
                           Oh you should know Captain. That was Halfaway. You will never have her, and I will get my revenge on you. Sam sneered, and dodged another volley. 
                           What are you talking about Halfaway? Sam yelled back at the man. 
                           You, you bastared. You were supposed to protect us. Sam moved the ship around violently as blasts shot all around him. We were on the transport Alkamedies. And when we were attacked by Vasudans, you turned and ran. Sam thought back to that day, yes, there was a transport called the Alkamedies. And Sam was given the assignment of guarding her. As Sam remembered it, it was him, and David, against a whole squadron of Seth fighters, and a cruiser. They were ordered to bug out, unfortunately the Transport was not so lucky. My whole family was killed in that attack, and it was all your fault. More fire. Sam pulled up. 
                            Votion, I could use some help here. Sam said, multiple jump nodes started to spring up all around them. Dragons emerged from the blue glowing nodes. Sam heard Halfaway over the com. 
                              There he is, there is the Leader for the Shivans. 

                              Cronis smiled in his Dragon, he liked the feel of this new ship. He saw the ships layed out in front of him. He broke radio silence. Destroy them all, I do not want a single ship left. The other Shivans shifted slightly, but they followed their orders. They were not about to contradict the words of Cronis. 

                              Wait... what are you doing... ahhhh---. The first Shivan vessel pounded at Halfaway. His ship was destroyed. Sam felt the sting from the explosion. Sam looked over and his eyes went wide. Anderson took two shots on top, before her shields went down. The final volley bit deep into her ship, it exploded. The ship that destroyed Halfaway followed Sam. It fired, and Sam dodged.
                             Votion, I could use a little help here. Sam said. Votion came back over the com. He was dodging two dragons somewhere out in space. 
                             I too could use some assistance. He swore something in Vasudan, and swerved around and fired at one of the Shivans. I have not encountered one of these ships before. They look.. he paused. Strange for Shivan vessels. Sam nodded, and then dodged another fleury of fire. Suddenly Sam was thrust forward in his chair. The Shivan had hit his aft shields. Sam relocated power to strengthen that part of his defences. Another hit, he wasnt going to survive much more of this. Another quick shot, and Sams HUD lit up with large red words. 
                             WARNING, SHIELD FAILURE his shields shut down as a few sparks exploded from a control behind his head. The Shivan was getting close. Jump nodes suddenly began to open all around the area. Cronis must have called for reinforcements, this day was just getting better, and better, and now he was about to die, out in the cold of space, in Ross 128. Sam had never.... 
                           Fury missiles shot from the half opened Jump node. The Shivan never saw what hit it. It looked around in confusion, looking for a target. More fury missiles spread from the blue shimmering light, as an Athena attack bomber emerged from the Jump Node. The Shivan was helpless, it exploded. Davids voice came over the com. 
                          Did you miss us Sam? David said jokingly. Sam shifted his helmet.
                          Boy am I glad to see you. David smiled. Stonefox came over the com. He was about to say Beta wing, but that wasnt dramatic enough. 
                          Black Sparrows, choose your targets. One by one, they came over the com. First Stonefox spoke. Black Sparrow 1, Stonefox, I got Azuna 2. 
                          Black Sparrow 2, Ironhorse, Ill have a Azuna 2, and 3 to go. 
                          Black Sparrow 3, Wingnut, youre takin all de good ones Ironhorse, I got dibbs on Azuna 4. Wingnut smiled as he did a barrel role in his Valkury. 
                          Black Sparrow 4, Red Hawk, Im on Alpha 1s wing. David said smiling, Sam spoke up. 
                          I dont need any help David, if you want someone to help go help Votion. A Horus interceptor passed over his head. Sam turned to watch it go past. Votion came over the com. 
                         Speak for yourself Terran, I will take Azuna 5. Sam smiled. They began the roll call again. 
                       Black Sparrow 5, Extinguisher, Ill put out the fire in Azuna 6's light. Extinguisher was called that because when he first signed up in the GTA, he was assigned to the Black Sparrow squadron. During a meeting a Fire Extinguisher fell from the deck above, nearly hitting him in the head. So they called him Extinguisher.     
                        Black Sparrow 6, Knight, ah... He paused. Sam didnt know this one. He must have been Jacksons replacement. Stonefox pushed him a little.
                        Dont worry, there are plenty of fish out here to fry. Knight swallowed, he checked his radar again. 
                        Ill take out Azuna 7. There were twelve ships in all. And this.. Knight, must be a new comer to this age old Black Sparrow tradition. It was passed on down by the number one squadrons of the Galatea, and now it was theirs. 
                        This is Alpha 1, Im on Azuna 1. David nodded, and Stonefox smiled. 
                        Alright, Break and attack. All Fighters, all fighters, engage enemy. The fighters banked and shifted, all flying in separate directions. There were twelve enemy fighters in all, but Sam knew which one would be Cronis. And that was Azuna 1. The battle began.

                        The familiar sounds, and views of battle all collided head first. Azuna 2, and Azuna 7 had teamed up. The were flying in straight towards Stonefox. Stonefox checked his controls, and peered out his  windshield. He saw Knight come up to his right. Stonefox radioed him. 
                         Alright Kid, Listen up. Do exactly what I tell you, and dont skimp on the orders. Knight nodded quickly in his helmet. Now these two are about to fire on us, so begin to spin.. Wait for it, Stonefox clenched his teeth wait for it.. Fire erupted from the Dragons cannons. Now. The two Valkuries began to spin. Fire dodged by the wings, a few shots came close. Now the two craft were too close, so they stoped firing. Now, Fire! Fire! Fire! The two Valkuries came out of their slowly spinning roles, they fired into the two craft. Release missiles. The both fired. There was only a few metres between the two groups of craft. The missiles spun through the holes in the Shivans shields. The two craft exploded. Brace yourself. The two ships passed through the explosion. Debrey, and sparks whizzed by the two ships. They came out unscathed. The ensign was smiling contentedly. That your fist kill? Stonefox asked. 
                          Yes sir. He said. 
                          There are a lot more to chose from, well dont just float there, go destroy one. Knight smiled. 
                          Yes Sir. He arced right and flew away. 

                          Sam flicked a switch and the HUD started to flash green again. He had restored power to his shields by rerouting it through the match target speed unit. Sam had no use for it anyway. He flew forwards, there was Azuna one. It saw him, and decided to fight. Sam slowly approached it, and then hit his afterburner, accelerating to full speed in a matter of seconds. The Dragon didnt look surprised. It opened fire and swerved to the left. Sam spun around and attacked the ships side. Cronis pulled up, and flew away from him. 
                          Damn, his ship is just as, if not more than, manoeuvrable as my Ulysses. He shot the afterburner and came around for another pass. The two were locked in a mortal struggle, one for light, the other darkness. 

                          All around him Cronis saw the destruction of his wing. The twelve new dragons he had brought out, were being smothered like flies. There was no way to win this battle, no way to survive. He called retreat. He took one last look at Sam. 
                          Believe me Leader for the Shivans. You have won this battle, but soon you will perish. He flew forward and opened the jump node. Sam tried to give chase, but the Shivan fighters were gone before he could attack.         
                           
                           Kenneth Dryer stood on the Bridge of the Olympus. His officers lined the controls. There was only a hand full of them, and they jumped from consol to consol. He turned. Move the crew to the Escape pods, and send them down to the planet. An officer saluted and walked off the bridge. Get me Cronis, that Shivan bastared has probably lost his legend again. Cronis appeared on the screen. Dryer smiled. Hello Cronis, did you get who you were after? Cronis was obviously angry. 
                           No. What do you want? Dryer smiled. 
                           How would you like to know the location of the Orion class destroyer called the Galatea? Hm? The one commanded by Admiral Wolfe? Samuel Morrisons mother ship. I can tell you where she is. Cronis seemed to smile. 
                           What do you want? Cronis asked. 
                           That, can be arranged. 

                
                            The ships came out of Subspace, upon a dead ship. Sam opened his com-link. Im not getting a signal. Votion nodded.
                            Nor am I. Perhaps a malfunction in the communications array? Sam shook his head. 
                            No, the dishes are still rotating. He looked over at Stonefox. 
                            I dont like it. Wed better watch our backs. Sam nodded, and the eight ships moved in towards the beaten up cruiser. The final battle had begun, and it was starting on a bad note. 
 

                                                        To be Continued......