PLAYING THE BLUES AT PLANET BRUMUS
Chapter 25 of Starfighter! The
Iconoclast
By: Tom Sczepkowski
With editing and clean-up
by: Frederick P. Kopetz
Copyrights:
STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by Voyager
International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is © 2004
by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick P.
Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original elements
of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not to be
copied without the author's permission.
General Naska paced the bridge of his cruiser as planet
Brumus filled the bridge windows.
He felt being under Desslok’s command was beneath him and this
infuriated him when he thought about it.
He didn’t approve of the Gamilon ruler. As he felt that Gamilons were
now the trash of the galaxy.
Smugly, and in total defiance of Desslok’s orders, Naska had
taken it upon himself to proceed with the Brumus Campaign, which was an
operation that wasn’t to be implemented for another six weeks. However, since
there was only one Marine base on Brumus and no other Earth defense ships in
the area, he felt that it would be the perfect moment
to strike.
Desslok of course became angered when he found out what
Naska was actually doing. He wanted Intel on the Star force plus an explanation
of the much rumored superiority fighter prototype. However when he had heard
nothing from Naska for days he contacted him.
The greeting was not even a civil one, as Naska grunted at Desslok’s
image on the bridge view screen. Naska had his back towards him as he was
looking over tactical reports
“You are supposed to be providing me with Intel on the Star
Force’s Movements.” Desslok said.
“I’m busy.” Naska snapped never even turning around to address
him.
Desslok scowled as he shot a glance towards Talan who
narrowed his eyes. Then, a strange sensation came over Naska as he felt his
throat tighten as if some one had a super firm grip on it. He loosened his
tunic in a panic as he dropped to his knees gasping for air as he finally,
reluctantly turned toward the view screen.
Desslok nodded at Talan and in an instant a rush of air flowed through
Naska’s almost crushed windpipe and into his lungs as he collapsed on the
floor. His aides quickly helped him to his command chair.
“Now do I have your attention?” Desslok said.
Naska looked at him angrily. “They’re not that important,
Desslok!” he said as he stretched his shirt collar with his fingers.
“Everything that the Star Force does is important to me. And
you must report that information directly to me!”
“A fool’s errand,” Naska said
“You don’t know them,” Desslok said. “You don’t
understand……but you must understand and obey my commands.”
“I may have to follow your orders,” Naska said “But you will
never have my respect, you Gamilon Upstart!”
Talan moved forward to finish the job he had begun, but Desslok
said “No, not yet!” and he gave Naska a sinister smile.
“That’s all we have been hearing about since you have assumed
command!” Naska shouted “Star Force, Star force…..Who are they!?”
“You don’t know them……” Desslok trailed off as rage and
madness washed over him. He gently touched the cover of Moby Dick while
Talan looked on with great concern as he put the book down and turned towards
Naska’s image on the view screen.
“All visible objects are but as pasteboard masks,” Desslok
said in a low tone of voice. “Some inscrutable yet reasoning things puts forth
the molding their features……The Star Force Tasks me…. they heap me…..yet they
are but a mask…. ‘tis the thing behind the mask I chiefly hate….The malignant
thing that has plagued and frightened Gamilons since time began….the thing that
mauls and mutilates my race….not killing us outright but letting us live on
with half a heart and half a lung……..”
Desslok shuddered with the rage and madness within him as
Talan gently placed his hand on his shoulder.
“You are mad!” Naska said. “Prince Zordar will regret the
day he gave you so much power….you may have your henchman crush my throat but I
have an invasion to oversee.”
“If you attack that Marine base now the Star Force will
intervene,” Talan said.
“They are now renegades,” Naska replied. “They are now
merely outlaws that are cut off from any tactical support.”
“And what better way to get back in their
superiors’ good graces by saving the Marines that were under fire and
alerting the entire Earth Defense Fleet to the Comet Empire’s invasion plans?” Talan
said.
Desslok could tell that Naska wasn’t going to listen and he
knew what the result would be when he tangled with the Star Force.
He simply ended the transmission.
“The Comet Empire’s plan is foolish,” Talan said. “Leader
Desslok, they are just going to end up like Colonel Ganz did. Defeated.
And dead.”
“Ganz
and Bane were merely Iscandarian fools wanting to be Gamilon,” Desslok said.
Talan
turned to him angrily “Who gave their life in your service!”
“Twice
nothing is still nothing, Talan!” Desslok retorted.
“Really,”
Talan said. “Does Queen Starsha fit into that equation?”
Desslok
turned to him. “She injured me….She betrayed me….but I will meet with her after
we conclude our other business.”
Talan
sighed “What business is that?”
Desslok
stroked the book gently “Them….Talan….Them.”
Talan
shook his head “I need to take care of some things before I depart back to
Iscandar.”
Talan
turned and began to walk away.
“Come
about, sir,” Desslok called after him
Talan
turned around as Desslok could see the exasperation etched in his face.
“Why
the long face? Are you not Game for the Star Force?” Desslok asked
“You
memorized that whole book, didn’t you?” Talan said.
“Answer
my question!” Desslok snapped.
“I
will answer from the book as well,” Talan said.
“I did not come here to hunt my commander’s vengeance! And to further
quote, How will their destruction profit us?”
Desslok
looked at the book again almost lost then cracked a sinister smile then became
deadly serious.
“Moneys
not the measure man……It will fetch a large premium (Pointing at his
chest)….Here…..”
Talan
walked over to Desslok and picked up the book “To be enraged with a backwards
species who merely acted out of the blind instinct of self-preservation…. is blasphemous,
Desslok. Blasphemous!”
Desslok,
who was now growing annoyed with his friend’s argument snatched the book from
his hand.
“Speak
not to me of blasphemy, man, I’d strike the sun
if it insulted me!” Desslok seethed.
“Pride,
Leader Desslok?” Talan said “Is that what all of this waste and destruction was
for…Your pride?….How many have died for your
pride? How much damage has your pride caused? And what is yet to come?”
Desslok
stared at him for a moment angrily than took a deep breath and he was calm
again.
“The
men stand with me…Talan……Desslok said “You heard them swear loyalty to me!”
“The men….” Talan said. “All mere children……yes, the men…..I will tell
you again I do not approve of your plans…..but you need not fear Talan……but Desslok,
beware Desslok ….beware thyself!”
Naska
walked to the main hanger bay of his cruiser to where the tank detachment was
preparing to board a transport Lander. He found who he was looking for; namely,
a young man no older than 18 who immediately snapped
to attention.
“Terrazzo,” Naska said gently
with concern.
“General!”
The young officer said with confidence.
“Do
you have everything you need?” Naska asked
“We
are ready, sir!” Terrazzo said again at attention
“Then
let the campaign begin!” Naska said.
Terrazzo
nodded as the transport doors closed behind him.
“May
honor go with you, my son,” Naska muttered.
***************************************************************************************************************
Vaught Corsair stood on the bridge of the Argo with
his hands behind his back. The bridge was his for now, as Wildstar had retired
for the evening.
The bridge crew was quiet and about their jobs, working in
such a way, though, as if they were not entirely confident of the temperament of the large gargoyle.
The only exception was Nova who just walked up to him as if he was always there
and always a member of the crew.
“Colonel, we’re passin’ check point 101,” Eager said.
“Thank you Mr. Eager,” Vaught replied.
“We missed the chance to say goodbye to our families,”
Venture said sadly.
“What would you have said to them?” Vaught said “Do you
think they would understand?….now is not the time for
distractions.”
Venture looked at him with annoyance. “Do you even know what
family means?”
“Colonel?”
Nova called out as Vaught turned around. “Planet Brumus is now off the port bow,”
she said
“Ah, yes…” Vaught said ignoring Mark Venture’s comment as he
walked over to his console, which was now totally linked with Inferno. He began sensor recordings on the
planet. Vaught sat down at the console.
The Argo is passing Planet “Brumus” Which is the 10th
planet of this Dimensions solar system. The planet does not exist in the Federation
Universe, however that doesn’t mean it never existed.
According to media information the planet was once
inhabited. With cites and structures that were very similar to the Inca tribes
of
The Hubble space telescope discovered Brumus in the year
1996. Almost to the day that Khan Noonian Singh made history in his DY-100
spacecraft. Recently the planet was
explored herein this universe, and minerals similar to the old dilithum
crystals were found. Even though there has been no application to the mineral
as of yet it is being mined.
Security for the miners is provided by the 22nd
Marine Expeditionary Unit…
Vaught trailed off as he glared out of the window
“Vaught?” Nova asked as she walked over to Vaught’s
console then stopped suddenly.
She could feel the hair raise on the back of her neck as in
the distance she heard screaming and yelling and the sounds of bombs and explosions. Nova knew it
wasn’t coming from the bridge, but rather, came from the planet below. Her eyes
met Vaught’s she knew that Vaught was experiencing the same sensation as her
jaw dropped.
“We’ve got trouble.”
Vaught said.
“What?” Venture said
“It’s an attack on Brumus,” Nova said.
“Where?”
Venture said looking at his screen
“It’s a full invasion.” Vaught said as he got out of the chair.
“Get the captain up here!” Vaught said “Battle Stations!”
Vaught shouted.
“Yes Master,” Nova said as she began to flick switches to
bring the ship to red alert.
Venture spun around “Who? What the
Hell?”
Vaught ignored Venture’s outbursts as he walked over to
Nova’s radar station as the klaxon alarms started blaring.
“There and there,” Nova said pointing at her screen. “There’s two groups of bogies.”
“The forward group of bogies are
fighters,” Vaught said.
“I’m not seeing this,” Eager said. “Where are you guys lookin’?”
“Eager, check the fourth grid
second click up!” Nova shouted.
Sandor bolted to Eager’s station where Eager shook his head.
“They’re light years ahead of me,” Eager said as Sandor
helped adjust his equipment.
“Nav 2 speed and bearing?”
Nova said.
“I can’t even see ‘em!” Eager said.
“I can see them,” Vaught said. “Mr. Venture, new Course 442 mark 76. Let’s
give them a wide berth until we can identify.”
“What!?”
Venture shouted, “What the hell are you talking about?”
Sandor continued his adjustments as the radar had just begun
to organize the signals, Eager looked at Sandor.
A look of terror washed over Sandor’s face as he glared at
Venture.
“Venture!”
Sandor said. “Turn the ship! Turn the
*&^@%$#! Ship!”
Grumbling under his breath Venture did as instructed as
Wildstar walked onto the bridge.
“Colonel?”
Wildstar asked.
“The Marine base on Planet Brumus is under attack, sir.”
Vaught said.
“We don’t know that for sure,” Venture snapped.
“Yes we do,” Homer said as he handed Wildstar a piece of
paper…….
Next Chapter: “CHAOS AT BRUMUS”
To Return
to the Introduction to Starfighter: The
Iconoclasts, click here