Chapter 1 “Genesis”

2CA were born on Auraxis, forged in the fire of civil war. They served several tours of duty, knee deep in blood and guts, fighting for the Terran Republic.

One night whilst on leave, drinking to the Vanu Sovereignty’s collapse, the comrades were interrupted. A short man dressed in an odd uniform, displaying unrecognized insignia approached them. Stepping out from the shadows he cast a tablet upon their table.
‘I have a proposition for you guys,’ said the shadowy figure.
Greg lifted his glass from the table, eyeing the drink inside he quipped ‘I’m sorry, but you’re just not my type … no offence.’
Chuckles rippled around their table, resting inside a poorly lit establishment.
‘I’m offering commissions in the UEE Navy. I heard you were the best around here, maybe I heard wrong.’
Discomouse stood up immediately ‘The UEE? You’re Roberts … Admiral Roberts?’
‘And you boys are being offered a commission, 5,000 credits a go.’
Suddenly, out of the gloom, a voice broke into laughter ‘I pay 5K to work for YOU? What else do I get … a flying unicorn with lasers beams?’
Everyone sniggered at Monotron’s jest.
Roberts joined in the humour ‘Yeah and it farts rainbows.’
The comrades laughed until Discomouse snatched Roberts tablet, putting his thumbprint to it’s DNA profiler. The tablet beeped, leaving the rest of 2CA in shock.
‘What the f*** are you doing?’ shouted Monotron.
‘Getting off this shit hole of a planet! I’ve been promoted as far as the military allows, I’ve earned my Auraxium medal, I’ve seen enough pain and misery to last 10 lifetimes,’
‘You f***ing idiot! This creep will just take your money and disappear!’
Discomouse nodded his head ‘I know, but what else am I going to do with it? Spend it on getting a dose off nasty NC whores, like the rest of you?’
Silence prevailed for a good 20 seconds until Roberts broke the chilly atmosphere ‘Listen, we have a problem, a big problem. There’s a race called the Vanduul and they aren’t very friendly to our kind.’
‘Our kind?’ inquired Greg.
‘The kind that breath oxygen, eat, sleep and shit.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘We need pilots. We need pilots with a pair of nuts, willing to go out there and fight for us.’
A sneering Monotron knocked back his brandy ‘Fight for US? Don’t you mean YOU? We fight and die whilst you get sucked off by 20 bitches on a beach in Tahiti … and WE pay for the privilege!’
‘Well if you’d rather get raped by Vanu whilst Higby waits for his paycheque to clear the bank, on a beach in Hawaii getting blown by 20 hula girls, that’s fine by me!’
An awkward silence hit the table of friends again. Greg was next to grab the tablet, providing a genetic signature as conformation of his commission.
‘Put it down you fool!’ bellowed Monotron.
‘Hey it’s my money. Besides have you seen those cute Navy chicks on Facebook?’
Agricola shook her head ‘A wiff of pussy and you’ll sign up to anything, won’t you Greg?’
‘I heard those Vega women will shit on your chest for only 3 credits ….’
Agricola fixed her eyes on Roberts, the Admiral let out a smirk whilst tipping his brow. Before Greg had time to put the tablet back down Agricola snatched it from his hands.
‘Here, give me that bloody thing!’ placing her thumb onto the pad and sending a loud beep into the dingy bar.
After a few more had signed on, purchasing their commissions, Roberts accepted his tablet ‘I’ll be on Auraxis for a few days. If any of you change your minds just send me an email.’
‘Do I get a pony once I’ve signed up?’ heckled Monotron.
‘Sure, but the laser beams will cost extra!’ quipped the Admiral.

Today 2nd Combined Arms Corps wait with bated breath, to take up their commissions … in the stars.

Chapter 2 “The DFM”

After purchasing their commissions the comrades of 2CA took one last look at Auraxis. Standing on an observation deck Hirvi peered upon the purple planet as it shrunk away.
‘What are you thinking?’ asked Du Silence.
‘I’m gonna miss that toilet.’
‘Why?’
‘I was King of the shit heap when it came to piloting a Liberator; besides there’s nothing like the sound of Vanu lamenting to Wagner in the evening.’
‘Vanu, Vanduul, it’s all the same inside a cockpit.’
Hirvi gazed stoically at a shrinking Auraxis whilst the Bengal carrier moved to a safe distance, in order to form a jump point, ‘Perhaps.’

After several weeks of training aboard the UEE Navy flagship’s VR deck, the craft made port in an alien system Hirvi had never even heard of. Bordering Xi’an space this neutral system was populated by many reptilian creatures.
Taking a break Hirvi, Ilys and Warsnatch ventured onto the planet’s surface. Exploring the System’s largest star port they sampled local cuisine at a rather upmarket eatery. Its patrons were a mix of different species and when three men dressed in UEE uniforms entered, the atmosphere became distinctly tense.
The comrades ate a foreign breakfast consisting of what sounded similar to a goat’s stomach stuffed with grubs. Apparently it was sophisticated dining … for Xi’an.
Hirvi stood up ‘I need to take a leak,’ leaving his shipmates to consume their exquisite meal.
After relieving himself, into a pipe and nozzle placed over his penis, Hirvi washed his hands then returned to his breakfast. Upon exiting the toilets he witnessed four reptilian creatures holding the patrons hostage … whilst relieving them … of their possessions.
‘Put ID cards and credit chits into bag. Anyone move I send him to Great Maker!’ roared a reptilian creature, brandishing a pistol.
Ilys and Warsnatch sat down, hands on the counter, two Xi’an watching them. One armed with a pistol the other a shotgun.
The gang’s leader noticed Hirvi ‘What you doing Motherf***er?’
Hirvi fixed his eyes upon the alien villain ‘First off I’m pretty sure I never f***ed your Mother … I would have remembered! Secondly I’m going to disarm you boys. ’
All eyes were on the confrontation, it seemed the odds were clearly in favour of the Xi’an.
‘Disarm us?’ snorted a sceptical alien.
‘Well … we aren’t going to let you boys rob these people and leave.’
‘We? Who’s we?’
‘Why me and my Emperor,’ replied Hirvi in a matter of fact manner.
‘Emperor? Humans have Emperor? What his name?’
Hirvi smirked ‘He’s called TX2.’
The Xi’an scrunched up its scaly face in a confused expression. However, Hirvi soon enlightened the reptile as he reached inside his jacket to produce a Terran Republic TX2 ‘Emperor’ repeater pistol.
In a standoff Hirvi’s draw was quickest, firing a stream of bullets into his opponent’s chest and sending the vile creature to Hades in an instant.
Ilys noticed a Xi’an turn its shotgun towards Hirvi. Snatching the weapon Ilys wrestled with the alien until its barrel rested beneath the creature’s chin and his finger upon the trigger.
The Xi’an had a terrified expression as Ilys fired, propelling the cap of its skull upwards until it met with the ceiling; Adorning the restaurant with an impromptu and rather sticky Damien Hirst.
Warsnatch head butted his guard knocking it to the floor. Before the lizard could regain its senses and fire Warsnatch pulled his TX2, sending the beast to whatever afterlife it believed in.
A single cold blooded thief remained. The villain dropped its weapon petitioning at Hirvi’s feet.
‘Please by Great Maker show mercy!’
As Hirvi levelled his pistol the diner’s radio began to play a faimilar song, ‘Der Kommisar’ filled the establishment.
Hirvi smirked ‘There’s nothing like the sound of bitches pleading to Falco in the morning.’
With that the 2CA Major let rip a stream of bullets, splitting the creature’s head wide open and sluicing its hot brains across the floor. Ilys felt the floor’s Jackson Pollock complimented the ceiling’s Damien Hirst quite well!
Smoke from discharged firearms and burnt flesh filled the atmosphere. The patrons cheered Hirvi and his cohorts as Admiral Roberts came through the front door with several UEE soldiers in battle dress. Fanning at the smoke before his face Roberts looked about in dismay ‘I’ll be hearing about this for months from Earth, and when the Xi’an get word of it, uuuhhhh.’
Hirvi, Ilys and Warsnatch saluted the Admiral.
Roberts returned their salute. Shaking his head in despair he stated ‘What makes a man crazy enough to sign up with the Navy?’
‘Women in uniform?’ quipped Ilys.
‘No’ replied the Admiral ‘If it was only that I could’ve joined the Salvation Army.’
Hirvi and Warsnatch holstered their pistols, Ilys placed his Xi’an shotgun upon the counter.
‘Alright, you lads are dismissed and try not to kill anyone else before your leave is up.’
The three comrades stepped out of a smoke filled diner to the sound of cheering patrons and Falco.

Once leave was up they returned to the UEE flagship, training hard in its dogfighting simulator. Polishing their skills for the day they’d go up against Vanduul; In search of glory and honour, in the unforgiving cold of space.

Chapter 3 “SQ 42!”

A red light filled the ship’s Mess accompanied by the ship’s klaxon, ‘Multiple tunnel events detected, multiple tunnel events detected, multiple tunnel events detected.’
The crew dashed off to their posts, drill or not it had become instinct by now.
‘Identify,’ called Admiral Roberts as he made his way from the quarterdeck to the bridge.
‘18 vessels of varying configuration, 11 confirmed pirate attack ships.’
As he marched into the bridge Ilys, Du Silence and Greg were present. Climbing up Agricola joined his Admiral on a raised level between the drone and science dais. A column of light rose from the floor piercing the centre of the platform where officers manned stations, ‘Do you recognise those ships?’
‘I’m familiar with them,’ replied Agricola, ‘they’re part of Black Beard’s fleet.’
‘Black Beard?’
‘A pirate on the galactic arm … near UEE space.’
‘I see the pirate King nears to cull what little flesh still hangs from these tired bones! No doubt he has swift intelligence of the Xi’an’s indisposition and the Vanduul’s equal loath to our aid. So courage doth swell in his wretched breast bashing drums of war fomenting filth toward in the name of rape and plunder beneath the banner of evil!’ he turned to Ilys, ‘What say you lieutenant?’
‘It is so Admiral.’
Taking in a deep breath Roberts sneered at the pirate fleet, ‘Then let it be known to all … those who have not darkened their swords with corsair blood shall do so today.’
‘Sir, the pirate fleet are opening communications.’
‘This is Captain Maki of the SS Valiant, strike your colours and you shall be treated with mercy,’ stated a Japanese pirate in his 30’s.
‘This is Admiral Roberts of the Retribution, turn back now or you will meet resistance.’
‘Admiral Roberts?’
‘Correct.’
‘You may leave unmolested.’
‘I’m afraid it’s not going to work that way Mr Maki, it’s your choice but I shall stand fast as do you fall back.’
A junior officer in his 20’s emerged from the rear of the Valiant bridge ‘Sir we outnumber them 18 to 1, they have no orbital defence platforms and his satellite network is limited, he’s just bluffing!’
‘Get back to your post Engles,’ stated Maki in that stiff Japanese manner of his.
‘But sir we can take them now and with only minimal casualties the AI has run several positive scenarios …’
Maki drew a pistol shooting the junior officer through his temple, brains erupting across the bridge. The young man collapsed to the floor in mid-sentence as the crew of both the Valiant and Retribution looked on in shock, ‘Apologies for my science officer’s rude interruption, Admiral.’
Stood on the upper level hands behind his back Roberts replied, ‘No offence was taken captain,’ his eyes narrowed, ‘Still your former officer was correct, you do outnumber me 18 to 1 and I’m quite sure your AI has computed several tactical victories from which you may select.’
‘He was a young and impertinent man. Added to which he was not present at the battle of Tau Ceti where you prevailed against odds of 23 to 1, if I recollect, Admiral.’
‘And you didn’t do so bad yourself Captain Maki, why hesitate … surely if you do not enter the tiger’s cave you will never catch its cub?’
Maki gave an embarrassed grin, ‘Please Admiral, I have witnessed you wake from death and burst to life on more than one occasion, I do not desire to experience it today.’
‘Then power down your weapons and come aboard as my guest, we might discuss a settlement.’
‘I cannot betray my lord,’ replied Maki.
‘Betray a man who would rape children for a few credits? I remember your logistics cruiser inserting into orbit despite several Vanduul destroyers.’
‘That was another time, Admiral.’
Roberts eyed his chest, ‘You still wear your medal today,’ noting a green and yellow ribbon on Maki’s chest representing his Military Medal of Honour, awarded for leading that same heroic charge into low orbit. He shoved the enemy from low orbit and into clear space where upon recognising their ships, exiting Tau Ceti’s upper atmosphere, Roberts annihilated his fleeing adversary.
Maki refused to answer, his bridge crew peering around nervously.
‘Come can you not agree we have only a small difference?’
‘If it were just I then I would cede to you Admiral, yet there are 17 other captains.’
‘Others who served at Tau Ceti or even Alpha Centauri?’
‘Two others Admiral, they will join me … but the rest are young impertinent men full of themselves … as you have already witnessed.’
‘Only death will cure a fool Captain Maki, send them on and let them have a taste of what we served the Vanduul Tau Ceti.’
Maki bowed and the hologram of his bridge disappeared. Three pirate vessels broke away from the main body, the other 15 moved in past the asteroid belt.
Roberts handed out orders.
Agricola inquired ‘Do you have any specific instructions, sir?’
Roberts narrowed his eyes to observe the battle line of scum approaching Mars in assorted ships, ‘Let one of them escape.’
‘Escape? Why?’ asked Greg.
‘I want them to live so that others may discover what happened here.’
‘For what purpose?’
‘In future when pirate Kings suggest pillage upon the UEE, their feet shall swing by the hand of their own bastard men … for fear the divine wind beat down upon their battered souls.’
Greg furrowed his brow puzzled by the meaning as he raised the entropy field.
Du Silence launched all 12 squadrons whilst charging a wormhole jammer in the asteroid belt. The young men commanding their first pirate raid were confident of victory especially with a 15 to 1 advantage.
Ilys fell deep into concentration guiding his legions of drones beneath the enemy, ‘Mu, Lambda, Kappa, Iota escorted by Delta and Gamma target enemy starboard flank … execute manoeuvre Underworld.’
With that, four bomber and two fighter squadrons broke left rising as one from beneath the enemy frigates and destroyers. Ilys’ drones passed through the enemy exiting above. A second later and thermonuclear explosions detonated along the pirates’ overconfident starboard flank.
‘5 vessels destroyed, 2 crippled Admiral. Theta, Eta, Zeta, Epsilon escorted by Alpha and Beta target enemy port flank … execute manoeuvre Underworld.’
With that the remaining drones wooshed from below sending an atomic shockwave throughout a battered pirate fleet.
‘3 vessels destroyed, 3 crippled. The enemy wield two battle worthy destroyers both on a direct approach vector, Admiral,’ stated Ilys as he communicated through his cranial claw to every pilot on the Retribution.
‘Allow them to enter weapons range Ilys.’
‘Understood Admiral,’ with that his drones pulled back as one.
Two destroyers entered weapons range, charged and fired to no affect. After several more attempts at piercing the entropy field they opened communications via micro wormhole. A young man occupied the bridge, probably his first command, with an equally blue eyed babe beside him, ‘This is Captain Merver of the Vendetta, I hereby request you strike your colours and surrender your vessel to me.’
Roberts tapped his wrist, ‘This is Admiral Roberts of the Retribution, your request is denied captain,’ he tapped his wrist again cutting the mic.
The young man in his early 20’s was confused since he’d only trained for victory, ‘Perhaps you didn’t receive my transmission fully Admiral, I hereby request you strike your colours and surrender your vessel to me.’
He hit his wrist again, ‘I heard you perfectly Captain Merver of the Vendetta, your request is denied,’ he tapped his wrist again.
Agricola shook her head, ‘Now you’re just torturing the poor lad for your own amusement.’
‘Well I either get my kicks tormenting young men in the Pleasure Dome or out here, take your choice!’
Agricola raised her eyebrows, ‘Carry on Admiral.’
‘This is Captain Merver, what are your terms of surrender Admiral?’
He hit his wrist tablet again, ‘I have no terms of surrender.’
‘Then I offer my surrender.’
‘Refused.’
‘What? I’ve struck my colours you have to accept my surrender … it’s protocol!’
‘Who told you that?’ grinned Roberts.
Merver’s eyes glanced around desperately, ‘Well it’s in the UEE seaman’s manual under section 9, paragraph 3!’
‘For your information captain you’re not employed in the UEE navy. So I don’t see how that would be pertinent to your dire circumstances. However I have decided to permit one of your vessels to escape, the other must be destroyed. I will grant you the honour of selecting which vessel is to be obliterated, you have 30 seconds to respond before lieutenant Ilys makes the decision,’ he tapped his wrist and awaited.
Without missing a single beat Merver blurted out, ‘Destroy them.’
Greg and Du Silence sneered in a condescending manner, disgusted by the man’s wretched betrayal.
Roberts nodded to Ilys and a bomber squadron turned the spaceship from a piece of finely crafted sleek long metal to a raging atomic fire surrounded by an EMP wave. The Vendetta reversed course heading for above the elliptical plane. Upon reaching a distance unmolested by wormhole jammers a tunnel event was created, the Vendetta activated her Casimir field to be sucked in.
‘Salvage the remaining vessels,’ stated Roberts ‘and Maki is permitted to come aboard.’
‘Aye sir,’ replied Agricola, ‘you trust him?’
‘I have no doubt over his ability, yet trust does concern me deeply. Can I depend on this fellow just as Black Beard entrusted him with his fleet of raiders today?’
Slowly the Retribution moved through the debris fields picking out salvageable ships and rescuing any of the surviving crew.
‘However he served with me at Tau Ceti and the battle of Alpha Centauri so if he gives his word today that’s good enough for me.’
‘I wonder, did he give his word to Black Beard or the UEE before joining the pirate nation?’
‘That’s enough of that,’ snapped Roberts, ‘he risked his life for the UEE on the Even Flow then after Tau Ceti he was left to rot on the streets of Tokyo.’
‘Does that justify betrayal?’
Roberts pointed in Agricola’s face, ‘Sleeping in freezing snow, living on hand outs and being spat on by those you fought to protect will do that to a man.’
‘Still he is a traitor.’
‘Show Maki something, give him hope to hold on to and he will display the same honour when he commanded the Even Flow. Leave him as a vagrant and you shall regret it later.’
‘My apologies Admiral,’ with that Agricola moved to Greg’s station requesting for Maki come aboard the Retribution.