Galactic Chronicles: Fall of the Tekrazen

Chapter 1  

CHAIN REACTION 

Apainian Headquarters 04:17 galactic time:

Report General. After being awoken out of his sleep King Jazer’s mood was getting worse. As the war dragged on whisperings spoke of either the House of Lords or the Admiralty planning to overthrow him. Public sentiment for his reign was waning with each planet lost to the Demonia. His counterpart was good or listened to those who were. They beat back the Eight Fleets under Apai-nia at every turn. Now news came that things might have gotten much worse. Has the tide finally turned in our favor?

Well sire…two days ago at 03:30 in the morning on C-4 in the Antari system 3rd Squad of the 27th Armored platoon was given orders to proceed to the section of C-4 named Moltreaz Point, however they didn’t arrive. After multiple attempts to contact them we sent in a re-con team. This is what they found. Computer, activate holographic video recording 900 2053 C-4.

Holographic video 900 2053 is now activated General. Even as the computer’s voice died off the holo’s recording already was producing an undesired affect on those present. The General had seen it twice and still showed signs of disbelief and hopelessness. Jazer pulled himself closer and played back several sequences. He was almost left speechless as the vid came to an end.

This is what was found at 3rd squad’s base camp. We are still processing their exo-suits holo recorders. With some luck we might find a way to retrieve some data from what’s left of the memory crystalline. The General paused for he knew exactly what the King was thinking. How was one of the most elite squads in the Fleet taken down in seconds? The operation was an eyes only mission. Very few in the Admiralty knew about the fight occurring there. He had heard the rumors of a planned coup. This would most likely be the last straw. Pushing the thoughts out of his head he related more of his report. As you can see Sire, the attack showed they were taken completely by surprise. Only First Sergeant Mahoney’s weapon was found, his arm still attached.

That will be enough General. Please alert their families. Tell them that an accident occurred in the star drive of their troop freighter. All hands lost…and General, make sure that they get a generous supplement for their loss. Jazer leaned back in his chair. His muzzle crinkled at the implications of what had played out before him. There had been losses in the past but none like this one. He knew who killed 3r Squad and that would spell disaster for his Empire and the people he ruled if not handled correctly.

Yes Sire. Grand Admiral Scott sent a communiqué requesting an immediate meeting. I am quite sure it has to do with the attack. With that I take my leave Sire.

2 GALACTIC DAY’S EARLIER

Grand Admiral Scott looked out the viewing window into space. From here he could see most of the Fleet attached to the massive ship named F-1. It was a Mother-class Capitol class ship. At eight kilometers in length it was an impressive vessel. With its seven other sister ships made up the Fleets. Her fire power was close to three times that of a Demonia Frigate. She held almost a thousand battle ships in her bays. Along with battle groups of at least another thousand attack craft with a million support ships. King Jazer often called the Fleets floating colonies in space. The F-1 and all like her actually had a city deck that held ten thousand civilians for the soldier’s recreational benefit. He turned away from the view and looked down on his desk. There lay the most recent transmission from battle group Alpha-9. It was something that he had hoped would never come to pass.

Beside the report stood a silver disk that created a holo image of a beautiful female elf. He touched the holo and saw the elf mouth I love you. She had been his wife so many years ago before this war had begun. She was on her way to the outer territories to look for a home for their retirement. She never made it, pirates attacked her convoy and killed everyone. The loss of his wife caused Scott to leave his old life behind and join the Apainian Fleet. The Tekrazen believed that the punishment of pirates was up to individual governments. It was the deciding factor that caused him to leave. Two years later the war began. In a short five years Scott became Grand Admiral, the Head of all Admiralty activities. Yet recent losses had gained him little alliances with his fellow admirals. Now a new threat had crossed his threshold. One he must speak with the King in person about.

Scott’s thoughts were interrupted by his office doors sliding open and his assistant rushing through. Grand Admiral, we have confirmation. It was the Tekra-zen’s who attacked the post. One of the squad’s privates was doing pre flight checkups and left his vid on. It caught a trade mark blur in the image.

The Grand Admiral watched the Commander place the reconstituted Holo Vid into a projector. Seconds later an image was magnified. A distortion that might have been explained as bad data yet it took biped form. Scott knew from his past that this was not a Tekrazen that he was watching. Tekrazen never moved in such manners. It was something that was more then a match for any Empire. However to reveal what he knew might jeopardize any chance of stopping that threat. Yes Commander, you are correct. That is a Tekrazen. Now send this information to all fleet Admirals and ship Captains. Tell them that they are to be wary of any Tekrazen who does not acknowledge them first. Under no circumstances are they to attack any of the Tekrazen or the Guardians. Make sure they know that it is Alpha clearance only. Also charter the fastest ship available I am going to see the King.

Yes Sir. As the Commander ran to complete his orders, Scott let his mind wonder into space once more. Few people in the galaxy knew his secret. One was the king of the Apainian Empire. The Tekrazen were the effective galactic police. They alone still held the secrets to technology from the fall of the Commonwealth. The galaxy is a big place and such a task of policing such a place would be insurmountable for even them if not for the Guardians. They held a strict code of behavior. Known as the codes of Justice they were followed with religious fervor. It is against this code to intervene in any government squabbles. Even the current war was supposed to be below their notice.

He was once a Guardian of legend. To his knowledge one of very few that had ever made it to a point to be able to retire. Skill and luck were with him in that time. If not for meeting Seine in the service of the Apainian Fleet he would still be a Guardian today. He could still hear her words that had convinced him to retire and move to a new colony. Before joining the Apainian Fleets he found the ship that had attacked her transport. He killed everyone on board. The Tekrazen banned him form ever using his Forceblade in their service ever again. Yet Jazer was a personal friend. He picked Scott back up and brought new meaning to his

life. The report would reach the King and Jazer would make the same mistake as the Commander.

Now with this new development he would have to explain why his old masters attacked the Fleets forces. Without provocation will be the first accusation. To do so without causing another front to be opened would be a hard deed to accomplish. Yet he must maintain secrecy. The Darkslides have reappeared on this obscure planet. How they survived or what their intentions were he had to ensure that the rest of the galaxy remained unaware of their presence. War was bad enough without any mass planet hysteria. His comm. lit up, dragging his mind from its dark thoughts. Sir the Nautilus is on its way. Captain Flash insisted on taking you. He said that his crew is ready to leave at a moments notice.

Good, have him gated up directly to my office. Scott remembered back in his early days. Those were very good times when he and his team became heroes that everyone honored. Both Flash and Scott were from the same Guardian batch. When he left the Guardians, Flash followed without a second thought. They were after all a team back then. Plus Flash had his own reasons for wanting to leave the Guardians.

When Fronians entered the Fleet most races had an equal chance at making a career for themselves. Now if you’re in the Fleet unless you’re a Fronian, or in the Admiralty you were nothing. Fronians had been the dominant species in this region of the galaxy after the fall of the Commonwealth. After one hundred years they formed the Apainian Empire with their royalty at its head. For centuries they commanded all the top posts. Something he had tried change.

The situation on C-4 would make his effort to change the status quo harder. One reason why Tekrazen were allowed such freedom to pursue their fanatical path of Justice was that they remained out of most conflicts. No one would believe him even if he told them the truth. On the grand scheme the Galactic war was a miniscule problem when the Darkslides were considered. Once they almost destroyed the Galaxy and her inhabitants. They are bent on the genocide of all races.

Scott got up from his chair and looked around his office. The previous tenant had a flair for the dramatic so it had been done up as a sort of Fronian motif with King Jazer in mind. Now it was rather Spartan by comparison. After being in this post for almost fifteen years he would have to leave. The Tekrazen monitor all forms of comm. traffic. If they didn’t know about the incident on C-4 they soon would. He would have to act quickly to stop another combat front from opening up. Commander, issue this following order. All Fleets will cease any hostilities and return to friendly space immediately. They are to take up defensive positions only and wait for further orders. There is to be no more ground landings on any planets. End of order. Then send to Captain Joses that I want a complete planetary survey of C-4. Have all transmissions from the Alpha-9 Battle Group filtered straight to this command and no other.

Aye Sir, also Captain Flash of the Nautilus is here to see you. Would you like me to send him in? Scott had to hold back as he spoke to send in Flash. Send him in, even Flash couldn’t be told about the danger they would soon face. The door swiveled open and Flash walked in giving Scott a very crisp salute. Scott returned the salute walked around his old friend as if he was about to ream a Captain for making a big mistake. Then on his second circle he stopped in front of Flash. He picked several invisible fibers off the Captains uniform.

Captain, do you have any idea the amount of pain I am going to inflict on you. How dare you disobey a direct order that was given to you by your senior Commander? I have seen better uniforms on a matter scrubber. I’ll have your head. Flash didn’t miss a beat as he seemed surprised then angry at the actions of Scott. The Admiral had raised his voice up so high that his assistant had peeked in to see what the hubbub was about. You have of course yet to answer my order on the tuna.

I am truly sorry my Grand Admiral, I will strive to follow your orders next time. However I still feel it necessary to question the order to skin a gilled female and ram her tuna. Both heard Scott’s assistant verbal retort as he realized what was going on and started a small laugh. Seriously though Admiral why such the rush to the Throne? I also heard your order for a mass withdrawal of all of our forces. Not that it matters to you but the Admiralty will have your head. Several of our Fleets are busy securing newly won territory. This won’t look good from any stand point.

Long before either one had joined the Fleet they swore on the codes that they would never argue or hide information no matter what it may be. Scott stepped back and looked his friend over. He hadn’t seen him for almost two years but except for a small scar across his right cheek nothing had changed. He was the same height as Scott along with the same weight a parting gift of the Tekrazen’s conditioning designed to make ordinary beings elite warriors. The first Guardians like Scott and Flash were genetically grown. It was effective for several generations. That is until the genetic templates became too unstable. Now they simply recruited beings from early youth and trained them. Placing a finger on the scar his curiosity grew. Where did you get the mark Flash? Probably from one of those many women you consort with all the time I am willing to bet.

Actually I got it from an exploding plasma tube that tore a nice hole in my ship. I see you have still not gotten rid of all your mental conditioning. Your room shows that as much. I must have sent you fifteen different things to hang on your walls yet still none of it has found its way here. Flash walked around the immaculate room his frame was heavy yet built. Unlike Scott who seemed to have some kind of hidden strength when one looked at his sinew body. The Admiral had done this intentionally. He often found hidden strength served him well. Flash made no attempts to hide his musculature. So what pries the Grand Admiral away from Fleet headquarters right in the middle of the Galactic War? You know it is a crime to leave F1 during a time of war.

Scott said nothing as he walked towards his desk and activated the holo recording that had been set to replay. Even as the images played out Flash saw what he thought were Tekrazen’s or Guardians assaulting Fleet ground troops. Unlike Scott, Flash was never given the necessary information pertaining C-4, nor trained in the difference between the Darkslides and the Tekrazen. For any race that was directly under the Tekra protection it was strictly forbidden to colonize under penalty of death. C-4 was also the only planet that held that honor. Captain what you see will be seen by the King in two Galactic days. I am going to leave this station in one hour; it won’t be an authorized trip Flash, if you get my meaning.

Flash walked forward and paused the recording. The Captain knew what was being asked of him yet he still didn’t understand. It is considered far too dangerous to let him go. So to help him leave would be possible treason. I assume that you want to go to Tekra and find out about this attack. If what we saw is true, then The Tekrazen Council has finally chosen sides in this conflict. If that has happened then we better get ready for the battle of our life.

About to correct Flash about his true intentions he realized that the door to his chamber was still open. Clicking off the holo Scott looked out the hatch. He couldn’t tell if his aide had been listening. Scott leaned towards Flash whispering I don’t really have time to discuss this Flash can you help or not? I need to know now before this reaches the King. If we can’t kill this before it grows the demon it will spawn will dwarf even this lousy war. This is not a matter of just the Tekra-zen. This is a matter for the entire galaxy.

Flash needed no convincing to help his old friend. He was not about to let him down like that. If he did intend on committing a crime punishable by death then he would not do it alone. Admiral you have my full support to accomplish whatever you feel is necessary just say the word. If we are going to do this the sooner the better

Have the Nautilus within gating range of this room within the hour. Have her engines charged but plot no course. I won’t be able to determine our final action until I find out some further information. Flash nodded and began walking out of the room only giving a look over his shoulder. The Nautilus was a standard Apainian battle ship. Except for her engines which were faster then most ships in the all of the Fleets. She was not directly assigned to any task force. Many ships had the same job as her, border patrol and seek and destroy missions. Unlike the others the Nautilus had managed prevent herself from getting destroyed in most of those missions.

Flash passed Scotts aide who came in with several files. Most were mission reports the rest were requisitions or target data. All of it was a usual day for the Grand Admiral of the Fleet. Yet once the aide set them down a shuttle authorization lay on the top. It had been requisitioned by his aide. The being saw his Admirals interest in the requisition and answered in a pleased manner. Admiral I believe we can have your shuttle ready for you as soon as you like.

Commander, please come here. I think we need to have a little talk. As his aide walked around Scott’s desk and came to within arms reach. Scott began to explain as much as he was willing and why from this point on he would be in without him. Outside Flash walked to the air lock. A quick tap on his wrist computer he heard the familiar beep of his transmitter. Then a deep voice filtered through piercing the quiet of the lock.

This is the Nautilus how goes the reunion Captain? The voice was that of Quincky. One of the few Rotungan’s to ever see service in the Fleet. Most Rotun-gans were smugglers and pirates by nature. Many of Quincky’s own relatives he had sent to penal planets. Yet the Rotungan was happy to do it. He tried hard to denounce the myth that all of his kind was worthless scoundrels. Terms more suited to the dying human race from his perspective. We going off to do some more clandestine like raids again?

That is a negative Commander. Move Nautilus to the following coordinates and proceed to charge our wormdrive. I will gate to you once you get within range. If Fleet Control asks any questions try to stall with a combat drill we need at least one hour. If they want clearance tell them we have our orders from the Grand Admiral himself. Quincky shut off the comm. and had his men move the ship into position. The tone of his Captains voice was very withdrawn, almost sublime. Something Flash seemed to never show. Whatever had occurred to him Quincky hoped that it would soon be over. He was anxious to resume duties on the front line. The Rotungan liked taking the fight to the Demonia.

Understood Captain I will get the ship into position, if the Fleet Control doesn’t like that they can blow it out their missile launchers. Flash’s comm. went silent and he leaned back against the wall. As the elevator opened he entered and looked back at his old friend who now appeared more engrossed with his aide then anything else. They had been through a lot together and yet Scott still seemed as distant as ever. As the doors closed he couldn’t help but think of why he felt that he had not been told everything.

Commander I am not foolish enough to actually believe that you are unaware of what I’m about to attempt, you have been around me to long. My question is where do you stand? I will not leave someone behind that can’t be trusted. Scott’s voice rose slightly as he finished his sentence. Mostly to emphasize his point that he would not leave his aide alive if he was to betray him. He liked the Fronian Commander. Like all Fronians he stood the average height of all human-oid beings. His fur had grayed over the years leaving several color streaks. It gave him a regal look that Scott truly admired.

Admiral I feel that if for no other reason then my loyalty to the Empire will I follow your orders. Since you have been the Grand Admiral you have done everything possible to improve our standing in the galaxy. I see no evidence that you have any intention of causing us harm. I only request that you let me know your true intentions before you go so at least someone has an account for recorded history. Scott got up walked over to his office doors and locked them. Walking back he turned on a massive scrambler system often used in his deep intelligence meetings.

Very well Commander, I will tell you everything so that at sometime in the future society can judge my actions. One hour later the Commander got to his feet and left Scott without saying a word. He wanted to send a vid to his family and tell them to go to a colony world. Somewhere near the outer reaches of the galaxy. On the Nautilus tensions ran high as they sat and waited. Flash had asked his crew if any wished to leave ship before they made this big error in judgment. Not a single soul wanted to budge from their positions. Every one would gladly give his life for Grand Admiral Scott.

Both Scott and Flash had joined the Fleet together but only Scott had taken a position of authority right off the bat. Flash had taken a desk job so he could unwind from the Guardians mental conditioning. Scott quickly became a hero in the Empire and within a five year span achieved Grand Admiral. That same fortune followed him when the previous Grand Admiral retired after serving for several decades. He named his heir to be Scott. Who after becoming Grand Admiral immediately promoted Master Sergeant Flash to Captain Flash and put him at the helm of a Medium Destroyer. It was that same Destroyer that he now sat in. Give me a time.

Twenty minutes left tell the Grand Admiral is supposed to join us. Fifteen minutes left tell our leeway with Fleet Control is exhausted. It is going to get sticky in those last five minutes. Quincky looked at his concerned captain as he gave the report. There was no sign at all of any reaction to his comment. All Flash could think about as he watched F-1 in his holo vid was ‘what was taking Scott so damn long’.

On F-1 Scott’s aide walked out of the Admirals Office and activated the security alert. In mere moments more then twenty of the best the Fleet had to offer in fighting troops would come pouring out of the hall way connecting to the office. Appearing to not even notice he hit a comm. link to his boss. Admiral as you asked I have just alerted security. You still have time to give this up. We could say it was an unscheduled practice drill.

No I don’t think that is possible now Commander but please understand you did what I told you to. You are still bound to your oath to speak to no one of my intentions. I will hold you to that. The aide peered through a hatch to the Admirals office. Admiral Scott was taking off his uniform. It was not necessary to do that to gate. Yet the aide was not about to question the wisdom of Grand Admiral Scott now. Wisdom had long gone to the faded winds. Only the King will be aware of my plans.

I will keep the oath but it will do no good. King Jazer is going to have to execute you. Scott heard his aide’s voice crack a little in a shaky manner. Understandable considering that he had just dropped such a story on him and gave him no way to stop him. Something the Aide wishes he knew how to do. He didn’t want to lose such a great leader. I just wish you would reconsider what you are planning Sir.

That’s not going to happen Commander. On the off chance you do get around to it I left some last minute paperwork for you on my desk. Goodbye Commander may the gods be with you on your path. Scott pressed the lock on the doors to his chambers. A large protective bulkhead slammed shut between the Aide and his Admiral. Both expected never to see each other alive again.

Scott looked around his office. All was now set. There was only one thing left to do. That would be to put on armor not worn for years. Pushing a code into his wrist computer he saw a hidden case rise from the ground. He clicked one switch on the case’s side and the front portion fell off showing his last two visible remnants of his years as a Guardian. The first was the Guardian armor. Looking much like a set of medieval armor it bore a slight gothic style unique to the

Tekrazen’s and their assistants the Guardians. Unlike the Tekrazen’s who wore only a jet-black cloak over the deadly Exo-suit Guardians wore a variety ofcolors. Scott’s was the color of red blood, while many believe he had it dyed that way it was originally white until his first mission where he was assaulted by five hundred pirates all human. Flash came to his rescue only to find him on top of a twenty-meter mound of decimated flesh his white cloak now the color of spilt blood. He had a protecting agent added to the cloak to keep the color. A reminder of the horrible slaughter he had been the cause of.

After putting on his armor he looked at the last piece, which hung in front of him. While the suit itself had many weapons only one was preferred by all Tekra-zens and Guardians. Known the galaxy over as the Forceblade these weapons are the epitome of magical and technological might. It was magically endowed with half the life essence of the user. This endowment prevents any other from contacting the blade. The technology came from its material pulled from a collapsed star. This matter, used to power spacecraft, is forged by the hands of its future wielder into a weapon of death. Each carried a name given to it by the user Scott’s was simple yet forward Flesh Render.

Admiral this is the Head of security please open the door we have strict orders that you are to remain on board for your own safety. Captain Ufredes had only got to his shift ten minutes ago when he received the order to stop the Grand Admiral from leaving the F-1. They had failed to erect an electro field that would prevent anyone from gating off F-1. Proof that some of those meant to stop him were still on his side. Admiral please open up, you can’t break through the door we have it blockaded.

Not to worry Captain I do not intend using the door. Scott tapped a couple of