Episode I
Second Prophecy
 

 It was written that I would be the second Leader for the Shivans. Whoever wrote those words I do not know, and where they are written I don’t know that either. But hidden out here, in the tomb of space, is my life, my destiny, and my existence. They called us the Lost Generation, how typical; I almost laugh every time I hear it.
 The first Leader for the Shivans’ mission was to unite the Vasudan and the Terran people to stand against the Shivan deluge. But what could my mission be, as the Second Leader for the Shivans? The Shivans have been stopped, the NTF has been defeated, relations are good, the GTVA is planning for another invasion, but what could I be here for?
 The answer is probably simple, very simple. I am here to find the Lost Generation, my generation. I am a new Hero, a new flame to stand against, instead of a visible enemy. But this time, to stand against our own fear, our own hatred, and our own lives. And so it begins again, for I am the Leader for the Shivans, and when the Darkness returns… I’ll be waiting for them!

 The tomb of Space glistened, a million stars all glowing at once, a million suns, a million bodies, a million lives, all glowing at once. A few years after the Earth was lost a new generation was born, they had been called the lost generation. A door slid open and interrupted the thoughts of David, now an old Admiral; David turned to face the young officer.
 “Admiral,” The officer saluted. “The GTD Requiem, a new Hecat class cruiser,” he lifted up the sheet, and continued reading, “commanded by Admiral Samuel Carverson, is in for auxiliary subspace drive repairs.” David perked up; the name ‘Samuel’ had struck a nerve. “Something wrong, Admiral?”
 “Come here Lieutenant.” The lieutenant cocked an eyebrow.
 “Sir?” he asked, half shaking.
 “Come here.” David said. The Lieutenant walked up to the clear-plast window. “Do you see that star?” He pointed at a small dot out deep in space. “That’s Earth’s sun.” He breathed in deeply. The Lieutenant spoke up shyly.
 “Did you see Earth sir?” David nodded.
 “Yes, long ago, her seas, her soil, her cities. You will see her yourself one day Lieutenant.” He looked back out into space. “We all will.” He pointed at a much larger dot, one with small black dots covering it. “And that is Capella, the Shivans are crowding around it, they’re up to something. We could all be dead tomorrow.” The Lieutenant nodded.
 “Sometimes we have no choice Sir, sometimes standing is the only thing that makes us Human.” David nodded. The Capella exploded. David threw a hand up on the window.
 “What the…?!” The lieutenant stepped back an inch.
“Capella is gone, the Shivans destroyed it!” David left the window, he walked over to the table and hit the comm. “Bridge, what just happened to Capella.” It was a moment but then the Captain came over the comm. unit.
“Sir, the Shivans have caused a subspace disturbance, causing the sun to explode.” David backed off. “There is more bad news. In two hours the shock-wave will reach us.” The Captain took a deep breath. “Destroying us instantaneously.” David stroked his chin.
“Get the entire crew on this one, find us a way to survive this disaster.” The Captain acknowledged and shut off the comm. unit. “Something about dying tomorrow?” David asked, the lieutenant nodded.

One hour later the reports had come in. “How about this one?” The Captain asked, he handed a sheet to David. “Using the subspace drives of the Requiem to open a portal, to deflect the shock-wave?” David shook his head.
“We don’t have the power, and the jump drives of the Requiem are damaged.” The screen suddenly lit up.
“Dunwitch Hill, this is the Requiem, I have a solution to our problem.” David looked skeptical. “we will evacuate the Requiem, and then stand between you and the shock-wave.” David shook his head.
“No way am I sacrificing a destroyer, we’re no help here, we’ll evacuate to you, and then the Dunwitch hill will cover you. A Gunner spoke up.
“Why not use the beam cannons?” David and the Captain turned. “Well if we focus all the beams into one spot they’ll mix into a barrier, that’ll push us along with the shock-wave. Luke a surfer riding a wave.” David looked at the screen.
“What do you think?” The Admiral shrugged.
“Worth a shot.”
“Set it up.” David said.

The clock was ticking down, they could see the wave with their own eyes. It was coming faster then they had originally thought. “Prepare beam Cannons.” David said. The wave was coming in. “Now, fire!”
All the beam cannons fired at ounce, green, blue, they fired with massive ferocity. All the beams collided, a massive curved surface started to form. The shock-wave hit, Everyone was thrown backwards, the sheer force sent them toppling. Sparks flew and panels exploded.

The two vessels were pushed along at incredible speed, when the beam finally died, they were sent tumbling through space. The lights inside the two ships died.

“Emergency lights, Damn it, Emergency lights!” Red lights flickered on, David pulled himself up. “Report on all damage.” An officer turned around in his chair.
“Sir, Admiral Carverson is dead.” David swore. He looked over to where his Captain lay.
“Shit.” A beam had fallen through his officer, blood slackened his shirt. David knelt by him. “Don’t worry, you’ll be OK.” The Captain looked up and at beam that was sticking out of his chest. He gave a small laugh.
“I don’t think so Sir.” He reached over and pulled off his pin, he looked down into the symbol of the GTVA. “Beautiful isn’t it?” He said, he shoved it into David. “It was an honor serving with you sir.” He died, right there, David took the pin from his Captain’s hand, his hand fell limp on the floor. David looked at the pin, it was beautiful, even with its blood stained gold coat, it was still beautiful. “Begin repairs, let’s mourn for the dead. An officer perked up.
“Sir.” David stood, still holding the pin, “The stars.” David looked out the window, they’re all wrong.” He looked over and punched up their location. He gasped.
“my god.” David said slowly. “Where the hell are we?”
 

“...And so then Captain Morrison goes down the planet, and there’s this whole lineup of Dragon class fighters… twelve, or so the legend goes.” A smiling Jack Ridow spun his hand in circles, to the amusement of an ensign sitting at a small forward listening station. "“Dragons were nasty, take my word for it.” The ensign smiled. “Now, Captain Morrison doesn’t know that Vo’tion has followed him down to the planet, Vo’tion makes sure to land away from where Morrison and Cron’is are going to dual.” The ensign reaches over and taps a small button on the duty log, and then turns back. “Now, Morrison tries his gun. No affect. Then, drawing his sword he attacks Cron’is head on.” The ensign was listening intently, a good way to spend what was otherwise a boring duty. “So Morrison and Cron’is are dueling, but then Cron’is beats Sam’s sword out of his hand, So Cron’is has Morrison in his grip…” He pauses.. waiting for all that to sink in, he just stands there, leaning up against the dura-plast walls.
“So what happened?” The Ensign asked eagerly.
“Well…” Ridow’s story was interrupted by the hissing of a door opening, in walked a tall woman with blond hair that was tied into a braid that fell down the back of her shirt. She held the rank of Captain, and a pilot. She was one of the GTA security guards here at Dunwitch Hill station, like Ridow.
“… Vo’tion appears out of nowhere,” she said walking slowly into the small room, the door remained open. “He slides down the sand dune, and bats the sword into Morrison’s hand, Cron’is impales himself.” She walked closer to the two men. “legend has it that Morrison left his sword adrift in space, and the one who finds it will bring back his legacy.” Ridow was smiling.
“Ensign Dirken, meet Catherine Norrow, only the best Combat fighter you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. She once killed six Dragons by herself.” The ensign gave a silent ‘wow’. Catherine turned to the door.
“And I also make a damn fine Galatea Special.” Ridow frowned.
“But I don’t like Galatea specials.” Catherine pulled another drink out of nowhere.
“I know.” She passed the Galatea Special to the ensign and an Altary Punch to Ridow, she pulled herself out another Galatea Special and drew the cart inside the room. The ensign contemplated the drink. “Oh don’t worry, that one has no alcohol.” The ensign smiled.
“But I’m off duty.” He took a sip of his drink. “You’ve out done yourself this time Kate.” She smiled. “And do I detect a spice of gin?” he took another sip. “Definitely gin. A new recipe?” Kate smiled.
“Perhaps, or maybe you just didn’t notice it the first time round.” Ridow’s smile grew in size.
“How do you make a Galatea Special without Alcohol?” Kate looked at the ensign.
“Very badly.” The Ensign chuckled.  Just then lights and buttons began to explode on the console. They looked out into space and saw the bright blue jump node forming.
“We got company.” The ensign said. “bearing 4-2-o-o-3.” Ridow jumped to the console.
“I got it. Get IFF conformation.” The ensign’s hands danced across the panel.
“IFF…” He paused. “ Friendly, it’s thirty two years old.” The Ensign gasped.
“NTF Ship using older codes to trick us?” Kate asked rising from where she stood.
“Is the NTF even out here?” Ridow asked. Kate walked up to the clear-plast window, she looked out at the approaching craft.
“It’s a GTA Ulysses, heavily damaged, patched up with an unknown metal.” She looked down at the ensign. “I think it’s going to dock.” The ensign hit a few keys. And then spoke into the comm. unit.
“Unknown ship approaching, it is preparing for fighter docking sequence, all gun hands to the docking bay, repeat, all gun hands to docking bay.” Ridow spun around.
“We’re receiving docking orders.” Kate spun around, her drink sloshing around in her hand.
“Override.” Ridow hit a few keys.
“no response. Whoever’s on that ship he’s damn good.” The Ulysses edged in closer towards the station. It eased itself into the small fighter bay. The massive blast door began to close behind it. The door slammed shut, guards swarmed out of the bay, arming their arm-housed cannons, they hadn’t improved significantly in thirty-two years, but they were still deadly.
The cockpit of the Ulysses began to open, a single figure rose from his seat, a long dark robe enveloped him. He jumped down from the fighter, his large metallic boots clanged on the floor. He stood from his landing position. The guards that blocked his way pealed back, both in fright and in awe. The man’s metallic boots clanged loudly on the floor as he walked, the guards pealed back as he went.
He stepped into the lift and rose a few decks. More guards were waiting for him, they mirrored the motions of the first set of guards, some dropped their guns and ran, others fell to the floor in amazement.
He walked towards the large doors of the forward listening post. Ridow moved to the weapons locker and pulled out three pistols, he handed one to each of them. The ensign checked the gun and then held it ready. Kate held her gun ready. Ridow hid behind the door. It slowly eased open, light shone in casting the figure’s shadow far across the floor. He stepped inside, he looked around the room, sweat beaded on their foreheads.
David came careening around the corner. His gun was held out in front of himself, anger washed across his face. “If you aren’t who they think you are I’ll blow your brains right across space.” The figure reached up and lowered the hood of his cloak. He put his arms out and slowly turned around. David dropped his gun, and embraced Samuel Morrison in a bear hug. Sam gave a small grunt, David pulled back. “sorry.” A smile reached across his face. “My god… what happened to you?” Sam looked very beat up, boils and scars lined his face, and he spoke with a rasp.
“It’s a long story David.” He stuttered.  Sam turned and looked at Kate.

“Lord, I do not know if you wished to be bothered or not…” A large Shivan moved through the large doors of a Shivan room, it was large and gray, a single Shivan lay on the cot inside, it didn’t stir when the first Shivan entered.
“What is it?” The Shivan asked, the first one backed away a small bit.
“Lord, Two Terran ships have somehow entered our space. The Highlord wishes us to take care of it.” The second Shivan gave a sigh, and then rose from his cot. He floated up to the ceiling, over the first Shivan, and out the door, the hallway was large, and space glistened outside of the large windows.
“Dispatch a few Destroyers, what do I care?” He began to mumble to himself. “The Highlord doesn’t seem to be able to take care of his own space from these pesky Terrans.” The first Shivan spoke up, he had obviously heard.
“Wasn’t your father killed by a Terran, Lord?” The second Shivan whipped out his dual blades and smashed the first Shivan, he went flying across the room.
“You will not talk of Cron’is’ defeat in my presence!” He let the blades slip back into his arm. “But Cron’is was defeated by no ordinary Terran, no, he was killed by Prophecy. And I, Ma’Krandoc will destroy any Terran that even resembles Samuel Morrison.” Stories had leaked back to the Shivan Empire, back to the home worlds, and back to their space.
“Then Sir, I believe that you will be interested in hearing this…” Ma’Krandoc spun around,
“Speak.” The first Shivan gulped.
“Lord, preliminary reports suggests that a thirty-two year old Terran fighter docked with the station after it appeared in our space, and also that ship may have been carrying Samuel Morrison, the Leader for the Shivans.” Ma’Krandoc smiled.
“Ready my personal destroyer.” He said.
“You plan to go after him yourself?” Ma’Krandoc turned to leave. “but what about the Prophecies?” Ma’Krondoc pointed an angry hand at the first Shivan.
“My Father’s problem was that he believed in the legends too much. I will not make that same mistake.” Ma’Krandoc left. A Terran walked around the door wearing a Neo-Terran Front commanders uniform.
“Where is Ma’Krandoc going?” The first Shivan turned slightly.
“To kill Samuel Morrison.” The Terran grit his teeth.
“If Ma’Krandoc dies then the Comander will be upset.” The Shivan turned.
“Who gives a Ma’lin what the Comander thinks?” The Shivan pushed past the officer.  “Out of my way Terran.” The Terran watched after the Shivan with hollow eyes. He flipped open a small comm. device.
“They’re coming.” He said.
“Let them come.” A voice said on the other end. “If Samuel Morrison is here then their little fleet will not stand a chance. I want to know how Samuel Morrison got back from the dead so quickly, and what the hell does he want with this station.” The officer raised an eyebrow.
“What do you believe Sir?” The comm. sounded angry.
“It is not your place to think, watch the Shivans and report, dismissed. You wear that fake uniform as long as we say you do.” The officer hardened. He closed the comm. and walked away.

Kate sat down at a bench in the small mess hall of the Dunwitch Hill. Ridow slapped a dish on the other side of the table. He threw himself down and poked at the slush with his fork. Kate was lifting the mush with her fork and letting it fall down into the plate. “After thirty-two years you’d think they’d figured out how to get good food onto these stations.” Kate didn’t say a word. Ridow waved a hand in front of her face. “hello in there.” Kate looked up. “What’s wrong?” Ridow asked. Kate shrugged.
“It’s just strange, ever since we’ve been out here I’ve been getting these strange dreams.” Ridow did his best Sigmund Freud imitation.
“And vot seems to happen in ze dream?” He asked. Holding his fork as though it was a cigar, he taped it a few times to knock the ashes out, or was that food? Kate could never tell.
“I’m not sure, I’m holding a sword, fire and blue lights, then the next moment I see you die, you’re holding a gun, then you’re flying backwards,  There’s a Vasudan there, and another man. In another, Samuel Morrison is fighting a Shivan, and… it just ends there.” Ridow smiled.
“You have ze strange desire to kill me.” Kate smiled. “Don’t worry about it, it’s just all this legend business.” Ridow took a bite of whatever he had in front of him. Then a voice came over the loud speakers, it was the Admiral.
“Catherine Norrow, please report to Forward Listening Station 24-a-7, That’s Catherine Norrow to Forward Listening Post 24-a-7.” Kate sighted and stood.
“Catch ya round Freud.” Ridow smiled.

What was she wanted for, what could they possibly want her for? Well whatever the reason, Kate had a feeling she was about to find out, and that it wasn’t going to be something simple.

  To be continued…
 
 

Leader for the Shivans 3: Journey from Dunwitch Hill will continue with:
Episode 2: Blade of thine Dawn.