Prelude

TALNAR

BOOK 1 PRELUDE



By Kevin VanAntwerpen

















































































NOTE BY THE AUTHOR This happens on a distant planet, far from earth. Yet, unlike the Star Wars movies, or other things like that, earth comes into play in the story. Also, because it's highly unlikely that someone from a distant planet would speak English, all of the words that are said by any of the characters or in the narration are translated to their English equivalents.



CHRONICLE ONE NO GREATER LOVE [Endless Star Part 1]

YEAR U.A. 01

LOCATION TALNAR





The Sniper looked silently through the scope on his rifle, he was watching for his target, the pilot of the Endless Star, He watched through the computerized scope, eying the boarding ramp to the vessel, the targeting reticule moved around on its own, scanning for any possible targets, it had the pilot's DNA locked into his rifle and was now waiting. The AUM (Anti-Universal Movement) had hired him, a professional killer, to eliminate the pilot of the Endless Star. Most Talnarians wouldn't act like this by nature, they where normally like a cat, peaceful until pushed into aggression. But some, like this, harbor a deep hatred for any who disagree with them. There are few of this kind of Talnarian, but they are ruthless, it is believed to have been caused by an unknown genetic strain that was introduced, probably about 40 years before.

________________________________________________________________________



Revio, the pilot of the Endless Star was just suiting up for his flight. This would be one of the biggest technological innovations in the history of Talnar; the Endless Star was the first inter-system vessel the Talnarians had built, which meant that it would be able to travel at speed's fast enough to reach other systems. The time would soon come, when the Talnarians would find out if there was other life in the universe.

________________________________________________________________________



The waiting killer grew tense, twenty more minutes and his prey would be boarding the vessel. Sweat sprouted from his palms. The rifle that he had was common now, all he had to do was select the target and it would do the aiming for him. The AUM (Anti Universal Movement, the group of genetically incorrect Talnarians, who do not want space to be explored, believing it to be a sort of Pandora's Box) had taken this rifle from the Military's storage in a raid the a few weeks before; it had cost them three lives.

________________________________________________________________________



"Hey, Buddy!" Daug [Pronounced (Dee-au-j)] said to Revio as he walked into the room, Daug was the commander of the Marines on the exploration team. The TSF had already selected three planets for exploration before the Endless Star was to return.

"Hi Daug" Revio said happily to his best friend, the two had been friends since they where kids, Daug choosing a life in the Military, to protect people from the genetic strain that caused Talnarians to go strangely out of nature, and Revio choosing to explore the galaxy. When Daug was revived the highest Military Honor, one of the engineers of the Endless Star project was at the ceremony and was impressed at his courage and honor. Two weeks later, Daug was recruited for the defense phase of the exploration.

"Are the kids doing okay" Revio asked Daug as he zipped up the white space suit.

"Yeah, they said to say hi to their Uncle Revio. Can you believe that they still think that you're their uncle" The two suited up and stepped out onto the ladder.





The sniper's hands sweated even more as he gripped the handle. He leaned forward a little, he was on the roof of the control center, and he could hear the sound of the chatter coming from the main room directly below him. The handle of his rifle was drenched in sweat. He leaned forward as the he saw the Chief Marine and the pilot walking up the boarding ramp.

________________________________________________________________________

Revio and Daug walked out to the on ramp for the Endless Star. Daug could hear the Security teams chattering in his communicator, located inside his helmet. Revio wore a big smile on his face as he walked up the ramp; he had been looking forward to this mission ever since he was a small child. Daug, knowing that this would spark another war between the AUM and the Talnarian Marines, was not so happy about this. He would not be here this time, to protect his Homeworld.

"Enemy Sniper Located!" A sudden and shrill call came into the communicator in Daug's helmet. "He's on the roof, targeting the pilot!"

"Bring him down!" Daug yelled into his communicator as he began to rush Revio up the ramp to the ship.

"Cant, He's jamming our Sensor Rifles!" The security team responded. There was a sudden shot as Daug moved himself between the sniper and Revio. The shot blew him onto the ground and on top of Revio. It was a clean shot, an instant kill.

"What was that" Revio asked as he pushed Daug off of himself, not realizing he was dead. "Daug" he asked again. No answer, then he saw it. The burn mark where the rifle had hit Daug, square in the heart. There was another shot, the sniper fell from the roof and Revio turned, tears in his eye's to see one of the Security force officers behind him, with his pistol in hand. Medic's moved in and pulled Daug's limp body out of the on Ramp.

_______________________________________________________________________



"Postponing the launch until a new officer can be found" came the deep and disturbed voice of the mission supervisor through Revio's helmet communicator.

"We can't! That's just what the AUM wanted!" Revio called back, "I have an officer for you". He turned to the Security officer and looked at him.

"That was one great shot" He said "Do you think you can handle the threat in space" The officers Eye's got big as baseballs.

"Yes sir!" He said. He was ecstatic.

"Suit up!" Revio said "We leave in five minutes"



Chronicle 2 The Star Goes On [Endless Star Part 2]

Year U.A. 01

Location The Endless Star



The Endless Star cruised through space. Only moments ago it had launched, with its new, short notice, head of Marines, Meldir, he was a soldier of the elite security unit "Omega". He had gone through the same training that most of the Marines had to get into his position. Most of the Marines looked down on "Omega" members because after time, most of them lost their skill.

The Endless Star was a relatively small ship, able to carry forty passengers at a maximum, though only twenty nine where traveling aboard it. There where the three command officers, Revio; the Pilot of the ship, Laeg (Lay-j) who is the co-pilot.

Then there where the seven Scientists and Archeologists who where there under the circumstances that they where to find any signs of civilization or scientific marvels. Then of course, there where the ten Marines, incase the need for defense arose.

The last ten where a group of technicians and engineers, who where supposed to be able to repair most of the damage that could come to the ship.

________________________________________________________________________

Revio and Laeg sat in the cockpit; the ship was on auto-pilot, so all they had to do was sit back.

"I'm gonna get something to eat" Laeg said as she unstrapped herself from her chair. Revio was silent; he had taken a great shock from the loss of his friend. Daug had died to save his life.

Laeg made her way through the ship; it had artificial gravity so she could walk with ease. Within moments she had reached the kitchen and found herself a suitable dinner, she sat down at the table and began to eat. As she did Meldir walked in, she looked up and smiled.

"Hey!" she said cheerfully, "So you're our new head of military affairs huh"

"Huh" Meldir said obviously caught off guard, "Oh yeah" he said sheepishly

"Well have a seat, I need to get to know you better if where going to work together". Meldir grabbed a glass of water and sat across the table from Laeg.

"So how are the Marines taking it A new commander I mean." Laeg asked

"I don't think they like me very much, I don't know if it's just that I'm with Omega or if its me"

"Hey don't worry; you took the same training as they did right"

"Yeah, about a year ago"

"And you haven't forgotten it" Laeg asked as she took another bite of her dinner. Meldir could tell what she was saying; most of the Marines looked down on Omega because of their loss of training.

"No, I took the refresher course every month"

"Then good, I'm sure that you will fit in quite well" Laeg said, smiling and getting up. She set the plate from her dinner in the auto-washer.

"Let them get to know you. Trust me, they will come to respect you" With that, she walked out and left Meldir sitting at the table.

________________________________________________________________________

That night, in the Marine barracks Meldir sat, writing a letter on his computer to his parents back home.

"Hey! Any of you guys up for a little game of valtar" one of the Marine's asked. Several hands went up, including Meldir's.

Valtar was a board game, similar to chess but played with three to ten people. The Marine's sat around the table. Each of them set up their pieces.

"So you're our new chief" One of the Marine's asked.

"Yeah" Meldir said as he took his first move on the game.

"You think you can handle yourself out there It's not like you're a Marine or anything"

"I've had the training and took the refresher course every month" Meldir said "Plus I have tactical and sniper training" The marines were shocked.

"And you work for Omega"

"Yes"

"Wow, I never expected to hear that out of an Omega soldier" The marine said. Meldir carried on the chat with the Marines for the continuation of the game; afterwards he finished his letter and went to bed. He guessed now, that he would fit in a lot better.



Chronicle 3 Into the Unknown [Endless Star Part 3]

Location The Endless Star

The Next Morning



Laeg walked into the Cockpit and found Revio, still in his chair, asleep. He was being held in the seat by his buckle. That's a sorry sight she thought. She tapped him on the shoulder.

"Sir, why don't you go get some sleep" she said. Revio awoke, and replied sleepily

"Yeah, how long until we reach uncharted space"

"Five hours"

"Wake me up then" He said, he unbuckled himself and walked out of the room wearily. Laeg sat down into the Pilot seat and started pushing buttons on the monitors. Five hours until they reached uncharted space, no Idea what would be out there. She wanted to be prepared. She made sure that the weapons and shields where functional and that the ship was in perfect running order. She turned on the ships intercom system and punched in the Marine room.

"Marines" She said with much dignity "This is your Co-Pilot Laeg; we have five hours until we reach uncharted space, the unknown barrier. I expect you all to be monitoring the situation as we cross into the system, within five minutes of the cross our sensors will give us a new scan and more information. I would then like your commander and one of you to help me with the satellite that we are to set up." She stopped talking and leaned back, the satellite was so that everyone back home could get a sensor read as far out as they where. The computers could handle setting it up, but she considered it good for the crew to do it themselves, this meant going outside in a space suit and setting it up manually.

________________________________________________________________________



The crew all waited, doing things to their leisure until the time came when the Endless Star would reach uncharted space. They knew that they would not get much time like this, time to do what they wanted. Most of the flight would be taken up by the work of the mission.

The Talnarian government had discovered three years before, that there where at least three other planets in the galaxy. This discovery came by an archeologist who found ancient tablets telling of a visitation by angels who came riding in clouds of fire. The tablets told of the exact special location of the three planets. The Space Program was taking a big leap of trust by sending its first ship to find out whether or not these planets existed. Although that trust may have come from a very luxurious payment made by some persuasive people who wanted the planet theory to be proven. Now it would be, or it would be disproven. The answer was yet to come.



Laeg ran quickly down the hall towards Revio's quarters, almost running into one of the marines. She slammed on doorbell and stood waiting for Revio to answer. She waited over a minute and grew impatient. She had come to tell him that they would be crossing into uncharted space within 5 minutes. The door slid open and Revio stood there, still looking tired.

"Sir!" Laeg said, caught a little off guard. She had never seen him look like this before. "We are crossing into uncharted space in under three minutes!"

"Alright, to the bridge" Revio said, pulling his jacket over top of him.



Laeg and Revio sat in their seats, watching the monitors. The sensor panels showed the area around the ship, showing anything near it. They would suddenly go blank once the ship crossed the border. No satellite was able to detect anything this far out. The ship was now two minutes away from crossing the border. The two waited. The one minute point wriggled its way in. Then thirty seconds came. Ten seconds, Revio looked at Laeg,

"Here we go!" he said. There was a sudden zap sound as the sensor monitor went blank.

"This is not a drill!" Laeg said into the com system "Meldir and one marine of his choice are to report to the cargo bay immediately!"

Laeg got up and left to meet the marines, telling Revio to get more sleep on her way out.



Chronicle 4 Testing Skills [Endless Star Part 4]

Location On Board the Endless Star

Moments Later



Meldir and one other marine walked into the cargo bay where the satellite was stored. Each of them had environmental space suits on.

"All right" Laeg said "Lets get this satellite set up, anything could be sitting right out there and we wouldn't know it" She sealed her helmet on her envirosuit and hit the button to open the cargo bay doors. Everything but the satellite and the crew was secured to the floor. Meldir, Laeg and the other marine pushed the satellite out slowly; there was a slight zoop sound as the magnetic boots locked onto the floor with each step. The three pushed the satellite out and began to walk on the hull of the ship. Each of them had pistol holstered to their leg, though all of them doubted that they would need to use it. Sound seemed to echo, not at all like Meldir had imagined space.

Each suit was equipped with a neural uplink, a system which was connected to the brain, which enabled the user to control the propulsion systems on the suit without difficulty. The three of the team moved the satellite into position. Laeg flipped a switch that engaged the anchor system, which would keep the satellite from drifting away.

"Okay" Laeg said motioning to the marine. "Do you know how to set up a satellite" The marine slowly nodded.

"Good, you're going to be our ranking satellite official. It's basically a fancy term meaning that you can boss the satellite technicians around." The marine smiled at that. He would have fun with his new assignment.

"Set it up!" Laeg said. The marine began to work. Meldir and Laeg both looked around. This was the first time Meldir had seen the ship outside in space. It was also his first time in space. It was amazing; he had never imagined that he would ever be here.

"Got it!" the marine said. Laeg smiled then turned on her communications to the ship.

"Endless Star, this is Recon-1, mission complete." She said

"Good job, engaging sensor systems" came Revio's voice through the comm. Suddenly Revio's voice came back, this time more urgent.

"Get inside now!"



Chronicle 5 Unfriendly Skies [Endless Star Part 5]

Just outside of Talnarian Space

5 minutes later.



Laeg rushed into the cockpit of the Star, as the marines had nicknamed it. Meldir had already put his men on alert, incase anything where to happen.

"What do we have" Laeg asked, as she sat down in her chair at the console. Revio looked at her, there was a certain aspect of fear in his eye's.

"Three ships, they're big" He said, his hands where trembling on the control stick.

"Other ships!" Laeg exclaimed, it had finally been proven, other life was out there. This would change a lot of things on Talnar, Including the war with the AUM. Laeg brought up the diagram of the ships on the control panel. There wasn't too much information, it would take about an hour for the satellite to get a full reading on it. But it already had the hull design and the size of the ship on the schematics.

"They're gigantic!" Laeg said, "About the size of a small country!"

"They see us!" Meldir said "They're firing something!". There where many small blips suddenly appearing on the radar. They where closing in extremely fast.

"Those aren't weapons!" Laeg exclaimed as the reality finally dawned on her "They're fighters!" She slammed on the alert button. "All crew to special battle stations! This is not a drill, we need men in the turrets now!"



Meldir and his men moved quickly down the corridors into the gunnery rooms. There where 10 pulse cannons on each side of the ship. The marines each manned one. The weapons fired high powered electric charges, capable of doing extreme damage to almost any material.



"Hold your fire!" Laeg said into the intercom, she wanted to find out whether or not these ships where friendly, although she suspected that they where not. The fighters continued moving. There was suddenly a burst of energy from one of them. Revio jerked the control stick to the side to dodge the blast. The laser zoomed past them and into the abyss of space.

"Fire!" Laeg yelled.



Meldir heard the call into his intercom.

"This is Burst Pod 01", Meldir called to the rest of his men. "Open fire!" There was a sudden flash as the pulse cannons began to open fire on the fighters. The fighters burst into flames as they swooped in. It became difficult to aim because of Revio's turning to avoid the shots of the fighters.

"It looks like they don't have energy shields!" Meldir said "We have the advantage"



Revio tried to dodge the shots but it was difficult, every now and then a shot would hit the ship and weaken the shields.

"We can't take too much of this!" Laeg said as she began rerouting power from the recreation room to the engines.

"Those ships are carriers, or so it would seem" Revio said, "They probably have lots more where this is coming from". Laeg sighed, she looked at the console, there wasn't much for her to do in this kind of combat situation. The energy shields where now down to 60%, once it was below fifty, it wouldn't block most of the shots.

"We've gotta jump to hyper space!" Laeg said

"We cant, we're blind out here!" Revio said "If we jump, we will have no Idea where we are, we'll be out of satellite range in about 0.5 seconds"

"It's better than here, if we don't we're dead". Revio continued moving the ship to avoid the shots, but the fighters where small and nimble. Within no time, the shields where at 50%.

"Do it!" Revio said, "But drop the black box". Laeg punched the button and the ship jumped into hyper space. The Endless Star was now lost in space.







Chronicle 6 Friends and Enemies [Union, Part 1]

Location U.E.A. Space, Aboard the Endless Star.

12 Hours after the Previous Chronicle.



Revio looked around the small cell. He had been imprisoned moments after the troops had seized the Star after the jump. None of the crew was hurt as of yet. But the last Revio had heard was that the Marines where still on the ship, barricaded in the gunnery room. He thought that would put a slight throat grip on whoever was holding them captive. Laeg, as far as he knew, had avoided being caught and was somewhere aboard the Star. From his best guesses, he had just been taken aboard a military vessel. He hoped the rest of the crew was faring better than he was.



Meldir was covering the corner with his EP-Pistol. The Marines had already, minorly wounded several of the attacking soldiers. He was watching the hallway, which had now become the border between hostile and friendly territory. The aliens that he had wounded looked exactly like Talnarians



Talnarians are human. They look exactly as anyone from earth would. But they are, nonetheless, very different from the people of earth.



Two other marines helped Meldir cover the hallway. The others sat in the burst pods for the Ion Cannons. They kept their sights on the large ship across from them. It was different than the other ones they had run into. It looked more like a peaceful ship, there weren't any battle scars on it. Every now and then Meldir would hear a call from down the hallway from one of the enemy soldiers, telling them to come out with their hands on their heads. How the enemy could speak Talnarian, Meldir could not guess.



EARTH

Earth, a small planet located three years travel from Talnar. The planet is controlled by four major governments, The United States of America, The European Union, Israel and the Islamic Order. The only government that has achieved intergalactic travel is the United States, whom have kept their technology secret. The others have progressed in technology slower, and still have only improved a few things from the year 2004. This planet has come to no major wars, but the United States has pitted itself against Pirate incursions into their solar system and Evialien attacks. Most of all of the technology that America developed came from the Mars base, where they developed a technology to translate languages, so that someone speaking English could understand someone speaking another language, and vice-versa.



The doors suddenly burst open in Revio's cell as several guards came in. They dragged him out of the cell and stood him up outside. He was handcuffed and forced to follow them. Soon they reached a small room with a table in the middle. The room had an odd smell. The guards sat him down at the table and then all but one left.

"Are you pirate spy's" He asked "Your ship certainly isn't fit for a fight through our space"

"Let me make you a deal" Revio said, "You answer my questions and I will answer yours" The guard looked surprised at that offer.

"As long as that doesn't compromise our security, I can do that"

"Okay, me first" He said "Why have my crew and I been detained"

"Your ship crossed into United Earth Alliance space. We detain any Pirate ships crossing into our space. Now my question, what planet are you from" Revio was surprised at this question, if he this officer the location of the planet, it could mean war. Talnar definitely wasn't ready for a spacial war.

"Talnar" He said.

"Where is this place you call Talnar"

"Even if I knew, I wouldn't give the location to you, and we aren't Pirates!"

"We will see." Said the officer, "There is a standard detention time of 24 hours"





Laeg rolled out from underneath the bed in her quarters. She had a hard time sneaking past the enemy troops in the ship. But she remained undetected. She hit the lock button on her door and walked over to her computer. She brought up the security camera systems on the ship. There where soldiers everywhere, suddenly she saw where Meldir's men where holed up in the pulse cannon room. She smiled; he was doing his job just fine. She hit the intercom button.

"Meldir, this is Laeg come in!"

"Laeg! Boy am I glad to hear from you! Where are you"

"I'm at my quarters, they haven't found me yet. Listen, they've detained Revio and the rest of the crew. I'm going to try to get to the weapons locker."

"Ok, well we're kind of pinned down here"

"Yeah, I'll see what I can do"



Revio had been led back to his cell, where he stayed for a few hours. But suddenly the door swung open. The light shone a little too brightly in his eyes. A well dressed man walked in.

"You can come out now, I'm very sorry about this." He said

"Wh- what" Revio stuttered.

"We've proven that you're not pirates. You're free to go" Revio stood up and walked past the man. He whispered a thanks as he walked out.

"What about my crew" Revio asked.

"They'll be safe. Their holed up in a weapons room on your ship at the moment. We where hoping you would talk to them"

"Yeah… I will" Revio said.



Minutes turned to hours, Revio had just explained that the people of a planet called Earth, where letting them go, that it was just a misunderstanding. But there was one problem. Laeg. No one had been able to find her, she had no idea that the people of earth weren't their enemies.



A U.E.A. guard was walking down the hall of the Endless Star; he had been on patrol for the past few hours. Suddenly he saw a figure running down the hall. He ran after the figure and yelled

"Freeze!" Laeg turned around, clutching the pistol. She took a shot and it hit the wall near the guard. But the guard's shot didn't miss, he squeezed the trigger on his rifle and Laeg fell to the ground.



"NO!" Revio yelled as they brought Laeg to the medical bay on the Earth ship. Meldir and one other marine came running into the room. Revio could see the tears in his eyes. He knew how Laeg had befriended him, when times seemed bad; Laeg was there for people, not just the ones she knew, but anyone.

"Is she going to be all right" the marine standing next to Meldir asked. The doctor from earth looked up at him, he was trembling.

"I'm… not sure." he said "The wound is bad… I don't think she'll make it."





Chronicle 7 Station 03 [Union Part 2]

Location Mars, EI Facility

3 Days Later, 800 PM.



"You have been cleared for immigrations" Steve Jones told Meldir, as he handed him a portfolio. "This contains forty different passports, one for each member of your crew" he said. They stood in a large lobby, to the spaceport. There was a huge dome above them, which was transparent, allowing them to see outside into the barren martian terrain. There was a large sign-emblem above the main desk in the lobby, which read

EI- Earth Immigrations. There where several other people at the large desk, working to clear the soldiers and several political personel who where traveling to and from earth. Steve walked with Meldir as they passed through an airlock door, and into an elevator. The facility was designed as an entire habitat, made to support thousands of people living inside. There was also a launch bay, which held the stealth-transports that would carry people to and from earth. In addition, it held a squadron of X-180 fighters, which where always stationed here, in the case of an emergency. The two made their way to the living quarters of the station, where thirty-eight of the forty man crew was waiting. The supervisor of the station had set aside one section for the Talnarian guests, marking it off limits to anyone but the Talnarians and the few humans who where assigned as their liazons. The two found their way into Meldir's quarters where Revio was waiting. He sat at the computer terminal in the room, examining all of the information about the planet that he could get.

"Im sorry" Steve said as the two entered the small, yet comfortable room. "Most of the information has been declared off limits to you. So, I hope you find what you can get from that computer useful." Meldir set the portfolio on the desk, which the computer set on. He glanced around and then Steve filled in the rest of the plan. "Your shuttle is scheduled to leave tomorrow morning." He said, as sat down in one of the small chairs in the room. "Unlike your planet, our travels are mostly unknown to the population of our world, and only specific members of our government and military know of our operations out here… for all they know, we haven't been in space for the past twenty years. So, we cant let aliens go wandering the streets, despite how human you look." He sighed a little, hoping the Talnarians would understand. "When we arrive on Earth, you'll be taken to a base in the United States of America" he stopped for a second, realizing that the name of the country would mean nothing to the two. "It's a large country, and one of, if not the most powerful countries on the face of the planet. Though we have all united under one treaty, we still have separate political systems…" he said, his voice trailing off. "Anyway, your ship is undergoing repairs and will stay here while travel to earth" he said as he stood up to leave. He reached the door, and then turned around. "Our planet is divided into four separate countries. The United States, Israel, The Islamic Order and the European Union. All of which, have expressed want to meet the first friendly off-worlders we have made contact with. Expect to be busy the next few days… and we'll do everything we can to help you find your way home."



Steven Jones left the quarters of the Talnarians, and exited the guest's section of the crews quarters. He had walked only a short distance when alarms started to blare around the station, and a voice played over the loudspeakers.

"Emergency, this is not a drill. Command crew and Pilots are to report to duty." The message played over and over, and Steve rushed quickly to the command center of the station, to see the Director and the Military commander standing in the center of the room. There where duty stations all around the room, a man or woman sitting at each.

"Sir" Steven asked as he walked up to the Director and MC.

"Evialien fighters" the Director said, "They're attacking the Station 03" he said, reffering to the facility that was spacebound, just outside this solar system. "The station is calling for help, and the only battleship out there is down, due to an engine malfunction." He said, with a sigh. "We have our fleet of eight fighters, but I don't think that'll be enough. They have several squadrons" He glanced at the large flat-screen that displayed all of the information of the battle, and the incoming messages from Station 03. The Director instructed Steve to alert the Talnarians to the situation, and then turned his attention back to the battle. Steve quickly ran out of the room, almost running into one of the station security guards on his way out. He found his way to the crew quarters and ran to marine commanders quarters, where he found Meldir and Revio still engaged in conversation.

"Im sorry to interrupt. Im told to instruct you that we have an emergency" he said, as he quickly explained the situation. "If they pass Station 03, we're next" he said, knowing that if 03 fell, the enemy fighters would attack the mars station next.

"Who are these Evialiens" Revio asked standing up, and donning the green U.S. Army jacket that he had been given when they arrived at the station.

"They're an alien race" Steve said, his voice sounding almost ominous. "They siege entire solar systems, using up all of the resources and enslaving the people. When their done, they send a cleanup ship… it sets up on the planet and pulverizes it with radiation, making it uninhabitable for thousands of years" Meldir and Revio listened, deeply in shock. They where silent for several seconds, and then Revio spoke.

"We can help" he said, "The Endless Star is outfitted with some pretty good weapons… though I don't know how it will compare to yours" Steve smiled.

"Well… we've already taken a look at them, I hope you don't mind. They're much more advanced than any weapons we have… yours use energy, we use projectiles."

"Ok," Revio said, glancing over at Meldir "We'll help… only because you're helping us find a way home"



Meldir walked into the medical center, it had taken him half an hour to find it, but he finally did. He asked one of the doctors to show him to Laeg. They did, she was barely awake, and her conciusness was off and on, but Meldir could tell it was her. She smiled as he walked in the room, wearing his combat uniform.

"Did I miss some action" she asked, coughing a little.

"No… not yet anyway. We're helping some of the earth fighters fend off an attack, we leave in fifteen minutes" he said, looking at the ground. "I wanted to thank you, before I left… because I may not get another chance… if anything goes wrong, you know"

"No." Laeg scolded "Nothing will go wrong, you'll be back" her voice trailed off, she coughed a little and then spoke again. "What are you thanking me for"

"For helping me fit in…" he said, glancing at the ground. It felt awkward to talk to her here, she was hooked up to a bunch of alien medical equipment.

"Then you're welcome" she said, trying to smile. It was obvious to Meldir that she felt awkward, talking with the medical equipment. He smiled and then bowed his head slightly, then he muttered a farewell and walked out of the room.



"Ready to go" Revio asked as Meldir walked into the hangar, where the Endless Star was docked and fully repaired. Meldir nodded and walked onboard the ship. There was a marine standing next to Revio, and they where the last two to board the ship.

Revio had made the decision to take half of the twenty marine compliment with them on the mission. In the case that anything went wrong, the others would still be able to find a way home. The second marine standing next to him was Meldir's Second in command, whom Revio had now appointed co-pilot, because of his experience in the Talnarian Sparrow Fleet. Within moments they where strapped into their chairs and ready to go. Revio sat on the left and Isaiah, the marine, sat on the right.

"Okay" Revio said as he powered up the ship. "This is a little different than flying a sparrow. You'll be managing the sensors and the systems control, along with the forward cannons, all of which, unlike in a sparrow, are controlled separately, you can only do one thing at a time" Isaiah nodded and glanced over as Revio put a headset on his head, wondering what this device was.

"It's the earth people" Revio said, "They've installed some new equipment for us here... I can hear what they're saying" Isaiah smiled, they had similar devices on Talnar.



After the command was given, the fleet of twelve X-180 fighters, along with the Endless Star launched from the base on mars, beginning their journey to Station 03. As soon as they where out of the orbit of mars, the ships began moving faster and faster, but even at maximum speed, it would take them fifteen minutes to get to 03.

"So, what are these Evialiens" came Revios voice over the communications systems. The pilots of the other fighters began to explain everything they knew about the enemy.



EVIALIENS

Destroyer of Worlds. The Evialiens fight is for power, control, and mass destruction. The only thing that drives them is the pain that others suffer, they care for nothing, for no one. Each world they reach, they enslave and devour. When they're finished, they destroy the entire solar system with a weapon of mass destruction, built into one of their ships. Many races have died defending their worlds, driven to extinction by the endless onslaught of the Evialien ground ground creatures, and their commanders.

Though their numbers are few, they breed dark, evil creatures; almost as intelligent as their creators, but they are bound to serve them, and they cannot betray them.



Fifteen minutes later, the fleet arrived at Station 03. It was swarming with small Evialien fighters, and one large attack ship.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed one of the earth pilots. They where outnumbered about ten to one. The Endless Star was the first to be targeted. The Evialien fighters began to attack, their black shapes moving swiftly across the battle. As soon as they came within weapons range, the turrets from the Star began to blaze. The Talnarian Marines where inside, fending off the enemy. Meanwhile, Revio Manuevered the ship close to the station, which was overrun with boarding pods from the Evialien ship. He stopped it near one of the boarding docks, which the earth technicians had equipped the Endless Star with the correct clamps for the dock. The plan was to hold that entrance until they could board the station and take it back. The Earth X-180's parried on and off with the fighters bringing several of them down, but as soon as they had destroyed half of them, and lost three of their own fighters, the attack ship moved within weapons range.

"This is Alpha-1! Arm warheads!" the lead fighter screamed into his headset. The fighters had all been equipped with Semi-Nuclear warheads, in the case that one of the large ships would be there. Each of the X-180's activated their warheads, now they would detonate on impact, or if one of the fighters where destroyed. Because of this, the fighters spread out from eachother, out of the range of the blasts. Each of the fighters released a warhead, sending them streaking through the blackness of space. Several of them where shot down in mid-flight, but most of them impacted their target, shattering it into thousands of pieces. The nine fighters that where left then circled to handle the remaining fighters, but they had already retreated.

The Endless Star moved closer to the docking port, and within seconds, docked with the station.



Chronicle 8 Incursion [Union part 3]

Fifteen minutes later,

Aboard the Endless Star, docked with Station 03



Meldir stood ready with the marines near the docks, where the earth technicians had set up clamps, compatible with those used by the Earthans. Moments ago, a troop transport had arrived, carrying several Navy Seals, ready for infilitration of the station. The Talnarians where to enter silently, and make their way to the computer core, where they could monitor the locations of both the Aliens and the Seals. The Seals on the other hand would be clearing the station, eliminating any Evialien predators, or any actual Evialiens. It was rare, in a combat situation to actually see an Evialien, most of the time they only used their genetically bred predators for combat, since their numbers where very few. But still, not many who have actually fought against one, have survived.



The Earth transport carrying several 16 Navy Seals, docked with Station 03, and opened the boarding hatch. Their job was to first create a distraction for the Talnarians to enter the station unnoticed, and that they would do. The team moved quietly through the dark, streamlined hallways, carrying their ballistic weaponry. After a few moments of travel, they came to a door marked "Engineering". They could hear the clackle of predator communication, which was untranslateable by any of their technology. The leader of the 16 man, two seal team force, pressed the short barrel of his P-90x SMG to the door, a camera inside his goggles revealed heat from inside the room, showing three predators.

"Open the door" he whispered "Lets show these bugs what we've got"



Meldir and the others waited for the go command, inside their ship. Suddenly, the seal team commanders voice rang through his headset.

"Go! Go!" he screamed, gunshots rang in the background and their where several very non-human screams. Meldir nodded to the marines as they opened the hatch and entered the dark hallways. The hallways where somewhat narrow, with a curved ceiling, gunshot marks where scattered all over the halls, along with a green slimey substance. The team followed the directions that had been given to them, moving as quietly as humanly possible. Not a sound was made. They continued down the hall, and found a door that read "Computer Core" though none of the Talnarians could read it, they had been shown what it would look like.

"Looks like this is it" Meldir whispered as the other marines fingered their Talnarian Assault Rifles. Meldir's third in command moved up and readied himself to push the button to open the door, while the other marines raised their weapons and got into position for an entry.

"Go!" Meldir whispered and the door shot open and the Talnarians quickly entered the room. The room was dark, but they could see perfectly because of the perfected eyesight of the Talnarians. It was clear, if their where any aliens in the room, they must have left when the Seals attacked. One of the marines quickly moved to the computer, tapping several keys. He had been shown earlier how to operate the equipment, and now brought up the life sign tracking system. It showed nearly fifty green dots, which meant non-earth life signs, inside one of the rooms, near where the Seals had borded.



The seal teams weapons blazed as they took cover behind several crates, they where going to try to restore power to the station and activate the security systems, but the predators had reacted quicker than they expected. They where now pinned down in a corner, weapons blazing. Nearly fifty black shapes moved in the background. Almost every predator was different, most where genetically engineered for close combat, with large scythes and claws, but there where some with beam weapons that would attack from farther away. The commander clicked his walkie talkie, setting it to the frequency of the stations com-systems.

"We're pinned down!" He yelled, hoping Meldir would respond "Get out of the station and tell them to nuke it!" He fired off a round on his P-90X and dropped a predator to the ground. They where closing in, and from his judgment, they would aniahlate the seal team within the next five minutes.



Meldir glanced at the other marines. He picked up his T.A.R. (Talnarian Assault Rifle) and walked towards the door, turning towards the seven other marines.

"We're going down there" he said, pushing the button to open the door and then walking around the corner. There was a moment of silence between the marines and then they quickly followed their leader, feet pounding on the ground.

Meldir had made a point of memorizing the map, so he quickly found his way to the engineering room, behind the group of predators. They found themselves in a hallway, and in the center of the hallway was a door marked "Engineering". They knew that inside it, they would come up behind a group of killing machines. Meldir nodded and then slammed the button to open the door. His rifle blazed, mowing down sever spider-like predators, the creatures quickly responded, making their way to the door. A large, humanoid predator lept towards Meldir, but was knocked to the ground when another marine's laser pulverized its body and sent it flying to the ground. The marines quickly moved into the room, hiding behind several computer consoles. There where generators and equipment setting in the center of the room, and one large reactor that powered the station. Meldir glanced upwards, seeing a catwalk, tracing it to a ladder right near the seals, and then anther ladder a little to the right, blocked by several predators. He quickly fired, taking one down, the other was equipped with a beam weapon and shot back, melting a hole in the wall directly behind them. Meldir bolted, running towards the ladder, pummeling the face of the alien and sending his body to the ground. He quickly scampered up the ladder and onto the catwalk. Adrenaline rushed through his body as he saw the battle below. Several of the SEALS where down, wounded but not dead. Meldir gripped the two edges of the ladder and slid down it, ending up next to one of the seals.

"How sensitive is the equipment in here" he asked, ducking just as one of the alien weapons passed over his head, singeing the wall.

"Reletively safe, they're all encased in titanium hulls, but its not something that we should risk" Meldir fired off two rounds of his rifle, but the third didn't come. His weapon was overheated.

"Good, I have an idea…" he said, as he sat behind a crate, drawing his pistol. "Cover me!" he scampered back up the ladder and onto the catwalk. He quickly ruffled through his equipment, finding a small device. It was a black solid tube, with a small scope mounted on it. He laid down on the catwalk and pointed it at one of the Evialiens. The talnarian word lock appeared inside the scope. He was about to chuck the device to the ground, when one of their weapons hit the catwalk, splitting it. Meldir slid and landed on top of one of the creatures, shoving his pistol into its gut, he squeezed the trigger and it dropped limp. He noticed one of the claws had ripped through the flesh in his shoulder. With one hand clutching his shoulder, he dropped the device to the ground and instantly a blast of radiation spread through the room. The creatures dropped slowly, but surely. They where all dead. The SEALs stood up and walked over to the Talnarians. There, in the center of the engineering room on station 03, the bonds between Talnar and Earth where forged. The group of eight Talnarians stood across from thirteen surving SEALs. The commander of the team stepped forward, holding out a hand to Meldir.

"Thank you" he said. Meldir held out his hand aswell, slightly confused as to what it was supposed to mean, but he quickly caught on with the hand shake. "That was all of them, right" he asked. Meldir nodded.

"You got their attention all right"

"What was that thing you used" the SEAL asked, motioning to Meldir's device, lying on the floor.

"A genetic targeting grenade, it applys radiation to only a certain race, it was designed for use on a genitacally altered race back on our home planet. I used it on one of the creatures" the soldier smiled, motioning for the other SEALs to follow him to where they had been pinned moments earlier.

"My name's Phillips… Talen Phillips" He told Meldir, who he had left standing in the center of the room.

"Meldir!" The former Omega operative called back, then turning to the rest of his team, motioning for them to help with the Earthan wounded.



Chronicle 9 Significance of Home

The Next Day

Mars Station



Meldir awoke late, and sore from the action the day before. His quarters where quiet, and peaceful. He fingered his pistol, which was on the stand next to his bed. It was made to fire a beam of light, intensified to burn straight through any organic matter. It used an intensifier, which would turn an ordinary beam of light into a lethal weapon. Though the light weapons where less powerful than the rifles, they did the job, he couldn't help think of how the beam would have fried the body of the alien he had shot the other day, he had been too busy to notice. He knew that they where lifeless creatures anyway, but would it turn him into a killing machine Would there come a day when he would have no problem with killing someone who only shot him an angry glance, or a disturbing look He knew he had to desensitize himself in some instances, when he knew he had to do it. The fate of others lied in the hands of the Marines, and if he couldn't kill to keep innocents safe, he shouldn't be there. He knew what he had to do, and doing it wouldn't be a problem.



Talen Phillips had just finished debriefing with the Director of the Mars Station, who seemed very interested in the fact that the Talnarians had saved his men. These aliens had no reason to help them, they had every reason to hate them! Their race had severely wounded the Co-Pilot of their ship, and they still helped, risking their lives. It was puzzling to him.

"Take some time off" he said to Talen "You did a good job, thank you" Talen turned and left the room, while the Director remained sitting at the large round table, with a white cup of coffee in front of him. He quickly typed an order out on his computer, to bring the Talnarians to the Antartic station. He sighed, this was turning out to be very interesting.



Talen made his way to his quarters, and stepped inside. The room was filled with pictures of his wife and his two daughters. They had no idea he was in space, they didn't even know that people where currently off the planet! The U.S. Government had kept the space program secret, for the time they where worried about too much political pressure. He smiled, wishing he could be home. His family all believed that he was stationed at a U.S. Military base in Antartica, which was semi-true, because that was where all of the ships coming and going from earth landed. He sat down on the bed, wrinkling the navy-blue comforter. He silently prayed, hoping that his family was safe. He couldn't imagine all the times his family had close calls with death. For some reason, his family seemed to be trouble bound, there had been several threats against him. His thoughts where interrupted when there was a beeping on his computer. He quickly slid into the small desk that was in the right-hand corner by the door. The Directors face appeared on the screen, his face seemed somewhat happy.

"Hey, I know that I promised you some time off… but I have one more assignment for you" Talen's heart sunk, but he didn't let the Director see his feelings. He slowly nodded.

"The Talnarians have been offered a home on Earth, until we can find a way home for them… your job is to escort the one named Meldir. You're going home" there was a sudden change in Talens heart. He would be going home



Talen made his way to Meldir's quarters, ringing the doorbell outside before going in. The Talnarian quickly opened the door and allowed the soldier in. Meldir had already agreed to go to earth, along with Revio and Laeg. The others would be staying on Mars for the time being. But there was another offer that was on the table, in payment for the risks taken by the Talnarians, several scientists had been assigned to finding the location of Talnar in reference to earth, thus finding a way home. Meldir smiled and thanked the soldier. Each of these men knew the significance of a home.



Chronicle 10 Earth

Later that night

Mars Station



Meldir and Revio followed Talen up the boarding ramp and into the large transport ship. It was made to be very comfortable, carrying several dignitaries. Laeg had been taken into a back room which had been modified to become a temporary medical room. The group quickly made their way into the lounge-like travel room, their where several couches and tables. Along with a row of food in the center.

"As you can see, dinner has been prepared" Talen said, showing them to the food. "You wont even feel takeoff, that's how smooth the ride is" he said, sounding like someone who had just bought a new sports car.





Within moments the ship had left the station and was on its way to Earth. The trip would take about thirty minutes at the maximum speed of the transport. In the meantime, the three ate, Meldir and Revio stuck mostly to the fruits they recognized from their home planet, hoping not to get sick on strange foods. Over dinner they started a conversation about Talnar, everything about it.



About forty-five minutes later, the small group had unloaded at the artic station, a secret underground launch facility hidden within the artic continent. There was a hustle and bustle around the station as the group cleared into the main launching area. Technicians where franticly running about, trying to get there job done. Several armed soldiers patrolled the area. Meldir noticed several doorways and corridors. The station was completely different from what they had seen on mars, the halls where blockier, not like the streamlined corridors of the previous station. They quickly made there way through the facility and outside where a helicopter was waiting. Meldir and Telcar had changed their clothing on the way, and now they fit in perfectly, looking like a couple of off-duty soldiers. Talen quickly led the way to the helicopter, as snow slowly floated to the ground. The rotors on the machine where already spinning, ready to take the visitors to an aircraft carrier, and from there they would get a flight into the United States. Talen motioned the group to follow, opening the door of the helicopter and letting the Talnarians enter first. He followed behind, swiftly closing the door. A rush of heat flowed over the Talnarians as they entered the warm passenger compartment.

The chopper slowly lifted off the ground, and into the freezing air. Within another forty-five minutes, they where in sight of the Aircraft Carrier. Meldir and Revio where amazed at the sheer size of the vessel. There where several aircraft setting on the runway, most of them looked older than the X-180's they had flown with earlier. They where

F-18c's, meant only for atmospheric combat. The small helicopter touched down on the deck, and one of the men standing on the deck of the ship quickly moved to open the door. A rush of cold air filled the compartment, and the Talnarians quickly clambered out. Talen thanked the pilot, then followed aswell.

"Your next flight is waiting!" the mechanic on the runway yelled at the group, motioning toward the large transport aircraft. The group followed him to the boarding ramp. They quickly bounded up the stairs, finding the plane was less comfortable than the transport-vessel that had taken them to the planet. It had dark-metal floors and seats on each side. Within moments, they found that the ride was much bumpier as well. During the flight, Talen told them of earth, explaining where they would stay. Their apartment would be right next door to the Phillips.

"We'll be right next door if you need anything" Talen said with a smile.



Several hours later, the group found themselves at the door of the Sunshine Apartments deep within the heart of Manhattan. Talen led them inside the double-doored room. He paged the clerk, letting him know who it was. The door popped open, and the group moved inside. They found their way up the elevator, and then to room number 303.

"This will be your room" Talen said, handing them a swipe card. "Use this to get in and out" he moved his hand, showing them how to use the card. "I'll be in room 302, right nextdoor if you need anything" He showed them into the room, letting them know how the showers worked and showing them where food and clothing had been stored. Then, after some conversation, Talen left, going nextdoor to see his family.



"Daddy! Daddy!" Talens eight year old daughter rushed into his arms, embracing him in a hug. Talen smiled, picking the small child up off the floor.

"Wow! You've grown!" he said, setting her back down and putting a hand above her head. At that moment, his wife Emily walked into the room, carrying their year old son. She frowned, and then beckoned him into the kitchen. Sending Hannah, their daughter, off to play. Talen could see the tears in her eyes.

"There have been three death threats against us while you where gone!" she said, almost bursting out in tears. "Three!". Talens face lit in shock as he glanced at the door, making sure it was locked. Emily had received them all in phone calls, which where left on the answering machine. Each of the times, the voices where muffled with an anti-recognition program. She played them for him, he could hear the anger in the mans voice, and chanting in the background. The word "reaper" was repeated by several voices in the background. Then he could hear the word "revenge" being chanted. All the while the main voice spoke of how he would murder everyone related to Talen and his "priority".



Meldir and Revio conversed about what their next move would be. Laeg had been taken to a hospital in England, where she would get the best medical treatment available. It was now 1130 at night, and they had not heard from Talen. They had eaten some food, which was little too bland in their opinion. Now, Meldir laid back on the bed, while Revio sat in a "less-than lazy boy" chair.

"We'll find a way home sometime" Revio said, his hands folded in his lap.

"So what do we do in the meantime" Meldir asked, his hands where propped behind his head.

"We do wha-" he was cut off by several loud thuds outside, it sounded like it was coming from the direction of Talens apartment. The two both jumped up, Meldir reached inside his bag for his "lighter". The nickname given to the Talnarian weapons that converted light into a weapon. This was a small, yet powerful pistol. Meldir moved to the door, while Revio ran into the second bedroom, grabbing his "lighter" aswell. Meldir slapped the switch on the light down, and the room went dark. He inched to door open, enough in time to see several figures in black cloaks. Their faces where undicernable. Each of them wore a pennant around their necks, with a symbol that looked like an upside-down V with a line across the top. Two of them where using battering rams, while the others had their hands hidden underneath the long sleaves of their cloaks. Meldir could see the door break open and three of the four figures rushed into the apartment. The last one stood outside, and now they could see he was holding a long curved sword. Now or never Meldir thought, as Revio came behind him, lighter in hand. BAM! Meldir kicked the door open, bolting down the hall. The cloaked figure tried to bring its sword up, but the blow of the talnarian was too swift and he quickly found the lighter jammed at his throat. Meldir forced it up and wrapped an arm around its neck, using the other hand to hold the lighter to his head. He quickly shoved the thing over to Revio, who pulled him down the hall for a little one-on-one chat.

Meldir could hear screams from inside the apartment and he quickly scooped up the curved blade that the figure had dropped, gripping it in his left and and the lighter in his right. He rushed into the room, finding Talen at a standoff with another cultist. The cloaked figure had its blade to Hannah's back, using her as a human shield. Talen had his Glock 21 pistol aimed at the head of the cultist. From his position, Meldir could clearly get a shot on the enemy. The other two where no where in sight, not a problem at the moment. Meldir moved quickly, silently and confidently behind the cloaked enemy. He brought a swift hand down on his sword arm, bending it in an uncomfortable position, then bringing the handle of the sword he had picked up, down on the elbow of his foe. There was a loud CRACK as the arm bent into an unnatural position. He fell backwards and Talen landed three shots into its chest. Blood filled the floor. Just when he thought it was over, Meldir heard a screech, and another cloaked figure brought his sword out behind him, but it was stopped by the Talnarians blade blade, with a swift circular motion, the cultist found his arm behind his back. It brought a foot up, aiming for Meldirs gut. The Talnarian swiftly grabbed his foot, twisting it. The creature found itself on the ground. It made one last effort, bringing its sword in a horizontal swing, which meldir easily jumped over, firing two lighter shots into his chest. The cloak still covering its face, it fell to the ground… dead. Meldir turned to see Talen standing over the body of the last cultist, one of the swords in his hand, blood stained the blade. The two quickly moved to Hannah, who was on the ground in tears. Emily was at her side, also in tears. She looked up, miffed as she saw Meldir.

"Wh-… Who are you" she asked, cradling her daughter.

"Honey…" Talen said, "This is Meldir… he's a, uh, foreign diplomat. I was assigned to protect him" Emily scoffed at that.

"