Starstorm (Starstorm Saga) (2 page)

Suddenly, the flagship finished its space fold and exited hyperspace. The glowing blue outside the ship was replaced with the star studded blackness of regular space. Below them, the orb of the planet Infinia shined with a golden hue. Off to the right, the moon of Gorian shined green. Far beyond Gorian, Infinia’s large red sun shined, bathing the entire planetary system with its ancient rays. Fixing her eyes on that sun, the Empress had an epiphany. A plan formed in her mind.

It can work. It has to work!
She turned to face the Guardian. “There might be a third option.”

Chapter One

A
crowd of spectators cheered as a group of five jet fighters roared overhead. The squadron of advanced stunt craft was flying in a perfect diamond formation. After completing the low level flyby of the crowd, the squadron pulled up into a high vertical climb. With precision flying, the five aircraft remained in close proximity to one another. The lead pilot signaled his teammates.

“Alright guys, are we ready?”

“I was born ready, Jack!” came the reply of a sneer but sure voice. In his mind, Cadet Jack Thunder could see the sly smile on his friend’s face. Many things could be said about Cadet Red Styler. That he lacked self-confidence was not one of them. The other squadron members also signaled the affirmative. Jack started the countdown.

“Starburst maneuver on my mark—twenty seconds…” His heart started pounding, and he gripped the controls of his plane tightly. “Remember, don’t ignite the plasma until you’re clear of everyone else!” Red’s arrogant voice came back in reply.

“Don’t singe anyone’s tail feathers, got it!” The countdown ended and the squadron went into action. Jack hit his after burner and shot to a far higher altitude. The others likewise hit their afterburners but split off into different directions. This was a dangerous maneuver that would require precision timing. The five planes would head directly at one another from five separate directions and simultaneously pass within just meters of one another. The second they cleared one another, they would jettison a trail of plasma and ignite it. Jack came about and brought his fighter into a nose dive. His monitor showed that he was on course. Faster than lightning, the five jets streaked past one another. Jack ejected the plasma. A moment later he hit his afterburner, igniting it. There was enormous flash of light behind him. He streaked towards the ground with a burning trail of fiery plasma billowing behind him.

Over the radio, Jack could hear his squadron members shouting excitedly.

“Yeah!”

“We are on fire!” yelled Red.

“Smokin’!”

Down on the ground, the crowds were awestruck. The squadron had performed the maneuver perfectly. An enormous starburst of plasma fire radiated the sky. The spectators cheered and clapped their hands in thunderous applause.

As he cleared the plasma fire, Jack found himself headed straight for the ground at full speed. He pulled back the stick but his aircraft did not start to pull up. An alarm sounded in the cockpit. Somehow one of the primary control circuits had gone out. Fighting down panic, Jack hurriedly started rerouting the controls through the auxiliary circuits all while enduring enormous G-forces. The ground loomed large and ominous in his view from the cockpit. At the last possible second he regained control and he pulled back on the stick and his aircraft pulled out of the dive. He came so close to the surface that his aircraft did another close flyby of the review stands. Jack’s fighter roared overhead and the crowd again erupted into cheers. As far as they were concerned it was all part of the show. Red signaled over the radio.

“Jack! Are you alright!”

“Fine Red, thanks for asking.”

“Hey, the greatest pilot in the universe has to check on his best pal.”

Smiling, Jack keyed his mic.

“All aircraft report!” The other squadron members reported in. Jack congratulated his team. “Well done guys. That was great.”

“It was a perfect maneuver if I do say so myself,” replied Red.

Smiling again, Jack said, “Alright, let’s form up again. If we don’t hurry we are going to be late.” Moments later they were again flying in a diamond formation. “All craft switch over to auto pilot. Prepare to eject in 3, 2, 1…” Jack pulled the ejection lever. The canopy of his stunt craft flew open and he was rocketed clear. His para-glider deployed automatically and its guidance system took him towards the crowd below. He quickly spotted his squad members. The five ejected pilots glided towards the earth in a linear formation. Their stunt crafts, now under the control of the on board computers, peeled off and head back towards the airfield.

“It looks like the graduation ceremony is well under way,” said Jack. “There sure are a lot of people down there.”

“It’s just my adoring fans, who have come out to bask in the presence of my awesomeness,” said Red. Jack rolled his eyes. Down below, the crowds watched as the five pilots descended from the sky above. The other academy graduates were already assembled on the parade ground in front of the massive review stand. Almost simultaneously, the pilots of Jack Thunder’s squadron touched down to the rapturous applause of the crowd. They released their para-gliders and double timed it to their positions in the front ranks of their graduating class. Once there, they came to rigid attention. Commander Warren, the academy Commandant, took her place at the podium.

“Let’s have a warm welcome for the top five students of the class of 2120!” Once again the audience erupted into applause. The Commandant stared down at the five honored pilots. “You have represented Condor Space Academy well this day. Those of you who have chosen to serve in the United States Space Force will no doubt be great assets to this nation.” Red beamed with pride as did Jack’s three other squad mates. The Commandant continued. “I have no doubt that all of you will go on to bright futures whatever your chosen path may be.”

Now Jack allowed himself to beam ever so slightly. Most of his classmates would be joining the Space Force. He, however, would soon be flying civilian space liners to the colonies. He was too independent for the military life.

And besides, I don’t have six years of my life to surrender to the military.
Jack had grown up in an orphanage. He’d never had real family. If he had his way, that would be changing soon.  He returned his attention to the Commandant’s speech. 

“It is now my distinct honor and privilege to introduce to you our guest speaker for this afternoon…” said the Commandant, “Fleet Captain Morton Doran!”

The audience again erupted into cheers. A tall man in a blue Space Force uniform approached the podium. His chest was covered in ribbons and medals. He was in his late forties. His dark black hair was streaked with grey. Though already at attention, the assembled cadets stiffened even further. Doran was a legend. He was known throughout the world as the man that had led the Space Force to victory in the Pirate Wars that had raged for most of the previous decade. He was the hero of the epic Second Battle of Jupiter and the man who had defeated the most notorious space pirate in history, Edward Lee.

“Thank you Commandant,” said Doran. “And congratulations to your honor squadron for that superb performance. It was a finely executed maneuver. Condor Space Academy has always produced the finest of space pilots. It is among the best space academies in the world and you should all be very proud. I have no doubt that those of you who have chosen to serve your country in the Space Force will continue to make us proud. You honor us with your service.”

For the briefest moment, Jack had second thoughts about his decision to not join the Space Force. Red and the others had practically begged him to join with them. He’d thought about it. With the Pirate Wars over he didn’t think it very likely he’d be put into a combat position, but he had still decided against it.

I have much more important things lined up. It’s a civilian life for me, and that’s final,
he thought, as if trying to convince himself it was true. Doran concluded his address and returned the ceremonies back over to the Commandant.

“I now declare the class of 2120, graduated! Cadets, you are dismissed!”

The cadets erupted into cheers. Many of them embraced one another or clasped one another’s hands. They’d had four trying years together. Many of the members of the crowd that were in attendance, mostly friends and family of the graduates, started making their way onto the parade ground. Jack started searching through the crowd. The face he was looking for belonged to a certain young woman. He looked and looked but she was nowhere to be seen. When he realized that she was not coming his heart sank. From behind him, Red spoke.

“No sign of, Jen?” Jack shook his head and then let it hang in sorrow. Red put his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Don’t worry bud, I’m sure something just came up. You just wait, you’ll get a message before the night’s over with.” Jack pulled out his personal com-link and checked it.

No messages. No missed calls.

Red put his arm around his friend. “Come on Jack. Tonight we celebrate! Let’s hit the town! There are thousands of ladies just waiting to be swept off of their feet by the two handsomest, and let’s be honest, most totally awesome pilots in the world!” They made their way back to their dorm to change out of their flight suits. “Make sure you wear your academy uniform,” said Red. “It will get us into the Stargazer for free tonight.” Red then grinned mischievously. “And you know how the ladies love men in uniforms.” While Red admired himself in the mirror, fixed his hair and adjusted his uniform, Jack checked his com-link one more time.

No messages, No missed calls…
Sighing, he followed Red to his silver solar car.

Red drove much like he flew—wildly. Fortunately, once they left the Academy grounds they were in a predominantly rural area. Jack enjoyed the view of all the open land. They passed several auto farms where robot harvesters were busily gathering in the crops. Red hit the accelerator and the 2116 Corvette sped up to 174 kilometers per hour. Jack glanced at the car’s power meter.

“Looks like you’re going to need a new power cell in about a month.” The Corvette was powered by a Shinara power cell from the planet Mercury. It had run on the same cell for over four years.

“I’m not worried about it,” said Red. “I’ll be in space in less than a month and I don’t plan on coming back here for a long time. This puppy’s going in storage. I’d loan her to you, but you’re moving to the Mars Colony right.” Jack nodded.

“Just as soon as I land a job with one of the space lines.”
And as soon as I can get an answer from Jen on whether or not she’ll come with me…
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box that contained a diamond ring.

Red shook his head.

“I don’t think I could ever devote myself to just one girl,” he said. “It wouldn’t be fair to all the others.”

Jack didn’t so much as crack a smile.

“She hasn’t given you an answer yet has she?”

Jack shook his head. Deep down, he knew that the answer was no. Ever since he’d first proposed marriage to Jennifer, she’d grown distant. She’d told him that she needed time to think about it. That had been six months earlier. They’d been drifting apart ever since. She hardly ever called him and always made up excuses when he wanted to go out with her. He honestly wasn’t surprised that she’d not come to his graduation. Red decided to change the subject.

“You know Jack, those space lines can be awful snobby and stuck up. They’re real picky about who they let in. You’re a great pilot—you’re probably the best with the exception of yours truly. But the space lines care more about how clean and well-trimmed your finger nails are than about how well you fly. If you ask me, they’re a waste of your talent. You aught to join the Space Force with me and keep the team together. Besides, flying a Star Sword space fighter beats flying an interplanetary liner any day.”

“Red we’ve been over this. I’m not...”

“I know, I know. I’m just saying.” They drove on in silence. Jack watched the sun set. When they reached the interstate, Red sped up to 260 KPH. After less than an hour, they arrived in Birmingham. Three mile high skyscrapers jutted into the sky all around them. Though it was night, the lights of the city made it almost as bright as day. As they entered the city, Red switched the car over to automatic. As much as he preferred to be in personal control, taking the manual authorized routes would have taken far too long. The auto-grid would get them there much
faster
.

The Stargazer Club was a favorite hangout for the cadets of the Condor Space Academy and that night they were out in force. The club was throwing a celebration for the new graduates. As Jack and Red entered the club, they caught sight of a band playing rock music wildly on a stage.

“It’s the Galactic Cats!” said Jack excitedly. The sight of his favorite rock band lifted his spirits. The sight of all the beautiful young women lifted Red’s. He pulled out a comb and ran it though his slick red hair.

The building was an enormous dome. The upper ceiling was alive with a laser lightshow. Holo-screens displayed close ups of the band. The facility was divided into dance floors, a dining area and a gaming area. The gaming area had everything from holographic boxing to fighter pilot simulators. Jack and Red had spent considerable time in latter. In times past that had dueled to the cheers of their fellow pilots. Jack and Red were the best at the game. It was always a close match. 

If only Red didn’t take it so seriously…

Red could be extremely competitive, especially when it came to piloting. Jack was relieved that Red didn’t want to fire up one of the simulators.

“Come on Jack, I know just how to get Jen off of your mind.” He then headed towards the dance floors like a tiger on the prowl.

Jack caught sight of a young beautiful blond staring at him. He decided that for once Red was right.

Chapter Two

S
ummoning his courage, Jack walked over to ask the young woman to dance with him. She looked him up and down. The look in her eyes said she was sizing up more than just his uniform. Jack was twenty three, but his boyish good looks made him look a lot younger. The fact that he was only 1.7 meters tall only served to make him look even younger. Nonetheless, she accepted his hand and allowed him to escort her out onto the dance floor. Moments later, synthesizers and electro vocorders blared. On stage smoke machines and lights went into action. The Galactic Cats were known for their melodramatic performances, but their music was the rave of the younger generation.