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BSFT Chapter 7: Diamond in Disguise

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Chapter 7: Diamond in Disguise

“So, how long do you think the shielding will hold?”  A very bored looking Vick asked between yawns.  He was onboard his own ship, Lobo.  It was a smaller ship than Tyrant, though that was to be expected as the latter was the flagship, while the former was a simple battleship.  It didn’t matter for Vick, he liked his ship, for it was his and he had quite a bit of history with this aged vessel.

“Well, considering the technology was stolen from the Walls of Urok, which uses ley lines to generate energy, combined with the fact they might have considerable amounts of Mana Stones capable of acting as batteries to store that energy, combined with about six hundred years of absorbing energy, we are looking at one solid shield.  Not to mention the shield is also layered between sections of the city.  This is going to take some doing.”   A female voice responded over the long range comm device, Nevadar.

“I hope they do something reckless soon, I crave a bit of excitement.”  Vick said with a sigh, he hated waiting.  Sure the first half hour of the bombardment was fun, since they could clearly see the people running in terror below their shield, however, they all went into hiding, and the city looked like a ghost town.  He wondered what they were up to.

“Well, judging from past dealings with Dren and his ilk, I doubt anything he will do will be reckless, however it will most likely be brillient, and most definitely exciting.  It is just a matter of time.”  Nevadar responded, almost sounding amused at the very thought.

“I just hope whatever move he makes, that it happens soon.”


________________________________________________________________

Caeci was running along a corridor deep within the mountain beside Ai.  They had been sent off on some mission from Dren that She didn’t know the details of, however Ai seemed to know.  It bothered her that she didn’t know what they were doing, she’d rather be helping to prepare the defenses for when the shield came down, or helping to heal those who were already injured in the wedding ambush.  Caeci also wanted to know what that huge casket shaped container on Ai’s back was for, it also bothered her that she didn’t have time to change out of these ridiculous wedding clothes.

“Exactly where are we going?” Caeci asked as they continued to run, judging by the direction, they might be heading for the underwater docking port where many ships were hidden for a counter ambush.

“We are to meet with a crazy pilot named Duncan, I believe you might know him, or at least his reputation.”  Ai responded, not even looking over her shoulder.

“You can’t be serious!”  Caeci exclaimed, “He is certifiably insane!  Just last month, he got thrown in the dungeon for destroying a prototype Laoch, simply by doing a maneuver that made it fall apart in mid flight!”

“Just the kind of pilot we need to get past that blockade and into the gateway.”  Ai grinned, a hint of madness in her eye.

Caeci got a sick feeling in her stomach.  “Are you sure this is wise, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of ships up there by now, not a one friendly.”

“it will be alright, I have a couple tricks of my own.”  Ai said, grin growing wider.

“What are we doing that requires us to go through the gate anyways?”  Caeci asked.  And what did you mean when you told Dren I was instrumental to your plan?”  She asked.

“I can’t tell you the details just yet, but we are getting reinforcements, the kind that can change the very nature of reality itself as we know it.”  Ai stated, looking slightly worried at the implications.  “Also, we need to get there in time to slip through during Dren’s initial counterattack.”


“You’re absolutely NUTS!”  Pomiel shouted when he heard Dren’s plans.  “You mean to simply waste that many resources just to get Ai and Caeci out of here?  Both of whom are extremely powerful assets we could use?”

Dren had expected some resistance, after all, he was going to simply sacrifice no small amount of resources, which in a siege, became very tight to begin with, He sighed.  “I know it sounds like we are giving up a lot just to see them through the gateway, however, what we are giving up will eventually be found by the enemy anyways, I’d rather see them destroyed than used against us, at least this way, we can not only surprise the hell out of them, but we can also accomplish several goals at once.”

Zyeers was already nodding in approval, even when he heard the original plan, it was wise.  Nothing was worse than having your own weapon turned on yourself.

Potchen was not there, after he saw Ai and Caeci run off, he volunteered to go after them, to watch their backs, he had heard the whole conversation and understood how important their mission was.  

In his seat was one of the newer generals, Galli.  He looked to be in his mid-youth, which to a Utonan, that was about a hundred fifty, he had a clean and neat uniform that lacked many decorations, as he had not actually seen anywhere near as much action as the others, but his few missions on the border planets have been done with sheer brilliance.  He looked a little uncomfortable, obviously unsure if he deserved to be there.  Dren could see it in the boy’s emerald eyes and the very look upon his face, however, Dren handpicked him himself.  He agreed with the plan, the boy showed promise.

Beargalore had agreed simply because he had seen Dren do far crazier sounding things in the past and they worked out well.  He trusted his king’s judgment to a T.

“I still don’t like the idea of sacrificing hundreds of ships, and thousands of lives just for this.” Pomiel stated, knowing he had lost the vote, but still fighting on despite the crushing defeat, a true man of Utona.

Dren arced an eyebrow, and looked somewhat amused.  “who said anything about sacrificing any lives?   I have a grander plan, which I was going to tell you, but you decided to interject.”

Dren’s Generals all were obviously paying attention at that.  This was going to be good.



Caeci and Ai were approaching the dungeon when suddenly the ground heaved under their feet, a couple of seconds afterward, there was a sound like a dragon growling through the underground corridors, loose bits of marble and dust fell to the floor. The girls didn’t have time to slow down and make sure the tunnels wouldn’t come down on their heads, they got right to their feet and continued to make their way with all haste.

“What do you suppose that could have been?” Caeci asked toward her companion.

“I am not too sure, but whatever it was, I am not sure the shield will hold for many impacts like that.” Ai simply said to her. Then she saw their destination ahead, a single guard outside the door, a muffled voice on the other side of the door, obviously making sarcastic remarks through the door.

The guard saw them approach and noting who they were, offered a salute. “How might I serve the Federation?” He asked, with all the discipline of the military.

Ai returned the salute and in the same tone of voice responded with “At ease, soldier.” Then she lightened up to her regular tone of voice and continued with, “I’d like you to release this prisoner into our custody, to serve in the FSF directly under my command.”

The soldier looked at her funny, in fact, the voice on the other side even quieted at this. “Are you certain Milady? Surely there are more….suitable candidates for whatever you have planned for this one.”

“I certainly hope you are not questioning a direct order, good corporal. And I assure you, I can find none more qualified, unless we can cast a spell to remove his vocal chords. “ This last bit she said a little loud, since she already knew that Duncan was listening. “What do you say? Would you like to fly another one of a kind ship, and hopefully not crash it this time?”

There was silence on the other side for a few seconds.

“Hello? I know you are in there.” Ai began to sound a little impatient.

Still nothing.

Caeci’s annoyance levels rose with this and she simply wave her hand, the door suddenly got hit by a wall of wind with enough force, the locking mechanisms and the hinges were torn clean off, and still sat in the doorjamb as the rest of the door slammed against the far wall with enough force to splinter. “Listen up, We don’t have time for your games! You are coming with us!” She stepped into the room and was dumbstruck, there was nobody within the cell, just a dirty plate with equally filthy wooden dinnerware, sitting on a small table, and the bed.

Ai noted the absence of the inmate and turned to the guard, then waved her hand. The guard seemed to shimmer, then vanish; in his place was a man in a dirty striped jumpsuit, about five feet in height. He had green eyes and brown, closely trimmed hair, and he held himself like your typical jester; he even had that sarcastic gleam in his eye, like the entire world was a joke in itself.

Ai showed no surprise at this. “I figured as much, but had to be sure. Let’s move, time is of the essence.”

Caeci shot Duncan a dirty look, to which he smiled sheepishly and shrugged, however that gleam was still in his eye, he probably thought he was hilarious. “What exactly happened to your guard?” She asked, barely keeping the urge to strangle him under control, since he made her look the fool. She decided to let Ai, who was infinitely more patient and wise to handle this most irritating man.

“Something came up, and he was sent to the city to set up defenses. I don’t know a whole lot about what is going on up there, but from the sounds, I’d say you got one hell of a party going up there? Did the Empire decide to send a little wedding present?” He actually sounded amused.

“You could say that. We need your piloting skills, since you are, unfortunately, the best.” She sighed at the end.

“Let me guess, there is a blockade with more guns than there are stars in the sky, and you want me to get you through it, because obviously they blocked communications going out. You want me to get you through it?”

Ai nodded.

“Fine, since you admit I am the best, though a little lacking in enthusiasm, I will help a nice pair of girls like you, however, you are going to have to let me grope the both of you, after all, it is a suicide mission.” He grinned.

Ai began to say something, but suddenly stopped when she noted Caeci’s fist approaching Duncan’s face at an alarming rate. There was the sound of flesh smacking flesh, however, to both ladies’ surprise, Duncan had caught Caeci’s fist.

“Oooooo, I like them feisty.” He then stepped back as Caeci’s foot tried to take out his “little buddy” with enough speed, there was a small sonic boom, she obviously augmented her speed with a spell.

“You Letcher! How Dare you?!  To superior officers?! I’ll execute you myself!” She was clearly not amused.

“Relax, I was only joking. Besides, don’t you think we have to get moving? The fighting sounds intense.” Sure enough, the sound of explosions could be heard all the way down there.

“We’ll finish this later.” Caeci hissed.
_________________________________________________________

Vick was bored.  So far the resistance had been minimal as they began thier assault.   He was tired of looking at the giant shield made of energy, which somehow took enough firepower to level the whole damn mountain, without coming down yet.  He wondered how much longer until it cracked like an egg.   He was also no fool, he was also trying to figure out what the enemy was planning.

"Sir!  We just scanned the skies, and we can report no enemy reinforcements have been detected from above.   Status is still the same as it was the last twenty times you had me check."  The equally annoyed ensign called over from her console.  

"Watch the sarcasm, Ensign Wierdoe.  I'll let it slide on the grounds that i am also equally annoyed.  I'll also let you off if you go to dinner with me when we return to Urok as big heroes."  He said with a grin.

"Sir, I would like to remind you that under Article twelve of the INP, officers are not to be involved anywhere beyond a professional level with common soldiers."  She said, blushing slightly.  She was a pretty girl of average height with black hair and hazle eyes.

"Exactly, after a mission like this, we are bound to all get promoted, so you should be an officer by the time of our date.  See? no problem at all."  He grinned.

"Really? We'll get promoted after we take this little planet?" another one of the several dozens of personnel on the bridge asked.   Vick wondered what an enemy thought when they saw them.   A seemingly infinite number of seemingly close to identical minions that are completely expendable.  only one in every couple thousand are actually worth bumping up, like Wierdoe over there.   The rest were mostly fodder, for the second a real fight between mages began, they generally tended t get slaughtered by the crossfire.

"Of course.  Is the big gun ready yet?"  He asked another private at the comms center.

"It should be operational in about a minute, the engineers are doing the final checks.   However, i believe Nocaurus said not to use that weapon until you have exhausted all other means for breaching their defenses."  

"Silence!  In case you have not noticed, nothing is piercing the shield.  In my book that is exhausting all other means.   Ready the B.I.G. D.O.G.!   I am taking this shield down."   Vick was liking the idea more and more.  

On the bottom side of his ship, Lobo, opened, and out slid a gigantic barrel, made of several bands of metal twisted together, they spaced out to leave gaps around the barrel toward the front, there were glowing runes all along the bands, their brilliant blue glow was both beautiful, and ominous.  An azure light began to build within the barrel.

"Sir, we have enough energy for a single shot, any other shots will require an hour to recharge, or to have a mage power it himself, which will most likely kill the mage, for the energy level is so high."   The Private on the bridge reported to Vick.

No problem, this should only take one shot.  

"Sir, we have an incoming transmission from Nevadar.  She says to stand down and put the B.I.G. D.O.G. away, or face a court martial upon the end of this battle."  

"Tell her she isn't coming through very well, must be some sort of enemy interference with the communications."  

"Sir, if she finds out the truth, she will execute us all."

"Do it, or I'll execute you for disobeying a direct order."

"Very well sir."

"Now that that's taken care of, everyone brace for impact.  FIRE!"

Outside, the cannon shot a beam of pure mana energy in an intensely bright azure beam, as it poured forth the runes on the barrel dimmed and ceased to glow.  the beam hit the shield dead on with a tremendous thunderous report that seemed as if the heavens themselves were tearing apart, along with the entire world seeming to turn bright white. The shockwave was beyond incredible, all the ships in the area were pushed back and tossed aside like toys, some even capsized, while a few of the smaller ones were thrown into either other ships, or the ground, where they exploded, but were completely unnoticeable compared to the blast that just went off.

On the bridge of Lobo alarms were going off everywhere, red lights were flashing from the ceilings, and people were scrambling about to take care of problems all over the ship.

"Fire detected on decks twelve through sixteen!"

"Hull integrity compromised in sectors nine through twenty-eight under the bow!"
"Breach in sector thirty-three A!"

"Reports showing at least two hundred thirty onboard crew injured, opening up secondary sickbay in cantina!"

"Sir!  Incoming transmissions from Nevader and Noctaurus!"

Vick was still amazed at the sheer destructive power he just unleashed.  his monitor still showed white smoke where before had been a shield.  there was no way there could be a mountain left after a blast like that.  Just no way.  He regained senses enough to hear the commotion going on around him.  Though his crew were well trained to handle all these minor inconveniences to the ship, after all, these were problems that happened in any good battle, though they usually weren't friendly fire.  Which brings him to the matter of Nevadar and Noctaurus .   Ah shit, guess i will have to listen to this sooner or later.

"Patch both through the same channel."  Vick Commanded, with a hint of dread in his voice.

_________________________________________________________

"So, where is this ship you need for me to pilot?"   Duncan asked once He, Ai, and Caeci were in the hangar.   It was massive, a room several miles in length, holding warships and single man craft, as well as many smaller and medium sized ships, of every make and model in the Federation.  The truly amazing thing was the fact that this building was all completely under the water down at the port at the base of the mountain.

"Yes, can we hurry so i stop getting looks from everyone?"  Caeci asked, trying to cover herself up, since she still had the traditional honor guard outfit with all of its skimpy glory on.  And despite the fact alarms were going off and orders were being said out of loudspeakers by Dren for preparations for a counterstrike, making the massive hangar like hornet's nest in activity with people running every which way, some of the men still managed to find time to leer at the beautiful lady.  

"It is just a bit further."  Ai shouted over the commotion.

They were approaching one of the single fastest, and most agile ships ever devised by the Utonan Deep Space Travel Commission.   A Type 9500 FJXR, commonly referred to as the Unicorn, for the fact it is seemingly uncatchable.  This ship won several deep space races days ahead of the competition, and it could fly at top speed through an asteroid field with a top-notch pilot connected to the flight assist program.   It was amazing not only in its reputation and specs, but also to behold, it was a smaller ship, designed with curves for added beauty, it was the perfect streamline shape to have almost zero resistance in any atmosphere.  the hull was coated with a film that made it even more frictionless.   However, this one had several guns and launchers attached to it, retrofitted to go into combat.  

Duncan would bet any money if he would get a shot at flying it, he could take out half the enemy armada, despite not seeing them yet.

"Please tell me that is the ship we are taking!"  Duncan said excitedly as he indicated the Unicorn with a gesture of his hand.  His mouth was beginning to water, just thinking about it.   He was picturing himself basting his way through the enemy blockade in such a way, the enemy will be confused for the next year.

"No, that isn't my ship.  I have the one behind it."  Ai answered, still seemingly agitated.

Duncan peered around the side of his dream ship and his jaw hit the floor in utter disbelief.  What he beheld was the single most run-down, hunk of crap, flying death trap he had ever seen.  It was leaking fluids, which were in alarmingly sizable puddles under the hull, it had rust everywhere in patches, it looked to be missing hull panels, and one of the rear thrusters appeared to be missing.  “You can’t possibly be fucking serious!”

“Oh, but I am.  This is my pride and joy, the Foxy Girl.”  Ai explained with a hint of pride.

“Um, Ai, I am with Duncan on this one, there is no way that thing can make it past a swarm of Imperial ships.  That thing isn’t even fit for a kamikaze attack.”  

“Exactly!  And just look at the absurd size of it!  It is twice the size a blockade breaking ship should be, the overall design tells me it wasn’t even built for speed, and it is missing an eng-“  Duncan was in the middle of complaining, but he was suddenly cut off by the very ground beneath his feet lurching violently along with the loudest boom he had ever heard.  It knocked him right ff his feet and his rear landed right in one of the sizable puddles of oil coming out from under the ship.  A few of the ships in the hangar were knocked off their landing gears.  There were more alarms than before going ff and everyone had the same sentiment as him.  “What the bloody hell was that?!”  

“Proof we don’t have time for your arrogance to argue with me, get on the ship, and relax, it has a few hidden……surprises.”   Ai said calmly, despite the calamity around them.

“Fine!  But if I pull this off, I get to sleep with one of you!”   He shouted loudly as he boarded the ship.

“It’s a deal!”   Ai shot back.

“You don’t really intend to sleep with him, do you?”  Caeci asked her mentor.

“You know I hold up my bargains, however, not how everyone ever really expects.   I’d like to see the looks on his face when he comes into my room to behold a frost wyrm.”   Ai smirked.

“Oh, that’s evil.”  Caeci replied as she ducked into the hatch.

Ai started in after her, and heard the alarms that meant they were going to flood the hangar.   Here we go, time to cast the dice.  She thought as the hatch closed behind her.  The interior of the ship didn’t match the outside at all.  In fact, it was a completely different style of craftsmanship than the exterior.   Like she said, it has a few surprises.
After a couple of weeks, i got chapter 7 finished being edited for uploading, been working yet more overtime at work, ugh.
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