Star People

Chapter 69

Our Ships Can Fly!

Dec 20^th, 15 AE…

The Council of Prime Directors…

“Have you heard of the latest, technological developments in Atlans?” Nerto asked as he and his fellow Directors were busy looking over the daily reports.

“I know about it.” Nasaak stated. “I believe they’re on the verge of creating their own mech. They finally solved the power source problem, though the overall design is rough, extremely inefficient, and quite hard to control. It’s not even close to the first Catian Mech-Frame prototypes.”

“Speaking of prototypes, how are the studies on Shenshirine’s bag going?” Anida asked.

Benjamin shrugged his shoulders. “We’ve only started with preliminary studies and looking up the history of the bag. Shenshirine has been constantly pressing about Star Alliance Membership, and I had to tell him that we need to study his bag and determine its overall potential before we even consider his country’s application to join us.”

“And we still have the petitions from the Sath and Gillenside. They say that they are close to perfecting their new technologies.” Viska reminded them.

“It’s amazing how the other nations have become inspired to follow the Dwarves’ example.” Sierg commented.

“Your people earned their place with the Star Alliance through hard work and honest intentions.” Nasaak stated. “Not like a certain race that I hate almost as much as the Cryterians.”

“Please, I’d rather not talk about them.” Nerto made a frown.

“Who are you talking about?” The Dwarf Director asked with curiosity.

“A race that the Star Alliance encountered before landing on Istaria.” Anida replied. “We will let you know the story about them later. For now, I’ve been getting reports of strange, geometrical activity happening far off to the western coast of the Merdov continent.”

“Are they the same readings as when the Zedan appeared?” The Nemonean Director inquired.

“No. According to the satellite and drone reconnaissance, this isn’t like the dimensional-shift like we saw before. This is more of along the lines of something coming up from the ocean itself.”

“Are we talking about Atlantis?” Benjamin wondered.

“Atlantis?” Sierg inquired.

“There’s an old legend on Earth that that continent of Atlantis sunk into the ocean during a great cataclysm, some 10,000 years ago. There have been many theories that it was an advanced civilization at the time; far beyond what mankind had during that period.”

“Yes, I have read those legends.” The Velor Director nodded. “There have been stories of flying ships, machines that can calculate equations millions of times faster than the human brain, using powerful sources of unknown energy, and even some feats that could only be described as magic.”

“A continent that sunk beneath the waves during a great cataclysm, eh?” Sierg stroked his beard in deep contemplation. “Hmmm, that sounds vaguely similar to a legend of Istaria.”

“What legend is that?” Anida asked with interest.

“You recall when I spoke to you about the Great Disaster?”

“Yes, we all remember.” Ben stated. “Around a thousand years after the founding of the Kingdom of Naran,  Istaria was subjected to an asteroid strike, that nearly devastated all life on the planet. That would put it to around five to six thousand years ago.”

“Yes, well I forgot to mention that there was another human civilization so distant, that it was thought to be nothing but baseless rumors. The technology was said to be so unbelievably fantastic that it was thought to be absurd.”

“What kind of technology?”

“As Director Nerto stated, the people of this long-lost land possessed ships that could fly. They had machines that could do things that your computers could do. And they relied on a power source that defied all the laws of magic. They resided on a huge continent on the other side of the world and dominated all other territories and nations in that area. And it was said that far-flung nation was on the verge of invading this side of the world. However, the Great Disaster occurred.”

“And what became of this nation?” Nasaak wondered.

“We cannot say for certain. Once we had awakened a thousand years after the Great Disaster, there was no sign of that advanced civilization. We could only surmise that the nation and all its people had perished.”

“And what was the name of this nation?” Viska asked.

“I believe they called themselves… the Kryte.”

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On the other side of the planet, the bottom of the ocean…

Underneath a huge, crystalized dome, the continent of Krytis, formally the long-lost continent of Atlantis, sat on the ocean floor, which it had been doing for over six thousand years.

The Atlanteans, now known as the Kryte, had been spirited away from Earth, much in the same way that the Hero Seth was sent to Istaria. It was just on a massive scale. Just as the continent had begun to sink, it was enveloped by some kind of unknown summoning spell.

As Benjamin and Nerto had stated, Atlantis had been a very advanced civilization. During its heyday on Earth, the Atlanteans had gotten a hold of some alien technology that had crash-landed on the planet and was able to reverse-engineer some of it; making them the first humans to gain anti-gravity flight, the first computers, and cold-fusion energy. Compared to the Star Alliance, it was all very primitive, but was still more advanced than anyone during the ancient times on Earth.

After arriving on Istaria, the Atlanteans began using their technology to conquer the surrounding lands. Having flying battleships and computers gave them a distinct advantage over their relatively primitive opponents. However, just as they were about to contend with the First Ones and the Kingdom of Naran, the Great Disaster occurred. In a most ironic twist, the continent of Atlantis once again sunk beneath the waves. However, unlike the first time, the Atlanteans came prepared as they utilized more reverse-engineered alien technology; pressurized atmospheric domes and suspended animation.

For over six thousand years, the Kryte slumbered, waiting for the opportunity to rise, and to conquer. And now the time had come.

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In an elaborate palace in the Kryte capital of Neptulan…

“Give me the latest status reports!” Emperor Carg Nergolon commanded from his throne.

“Yes, your Majesty!” One of his advisors bowed before reading from an ornate tablet that looked like it was made from black crystal. “It has been over two years, since we had been released from cold sleep, and the population have shown no ill effects from being in stasis for over several millennia.”

Another advisor gave his report. “The dome has shown no signs of weakening, despite being subjected to millions of tons of ocean pressure over the time that we had laid dormant. The whole of the continent has remained intact and our engineers and scientists confirm that it will be able withstand ascending to the surface.”

 A third advisor then spoke up. “The Battle-Airship Fleet is fully functional and armed. Our soldiers, naval crews and airmen have finished with their re-training and are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. All aerial, marine and submariner craft have been certified as battle-ready as well.”

“Good!” Nergolon smiled. “Our absence from this world has been long enough! It is time to remind the inhabitants of this planet, who are the masters and who are the servants!”

“My Lord,” The first advisor spoke up timidly. His name was Theectal Vio. “Is that wise? We have been absent from this world for thousands of years and things may have changed since the time of the Great Disaster.”

“Nonsense! We were the supreme power on this planet, save for perhaps the First Ones of the Kingdom of Naran! Only we have survived with all our technology and power intact! According to the intelligence we have gathered from the surrounding areas, the Kingdom of Naran has been in a state of decline since the Great Disaster! They do not even have the technology of the First Ones and are relying on crude, reverse-engineered copies of that technology! We have even heard that they had lost their most prized possessions, the Deriatons! We no longer need to be concerned with them! We have additionally learned that all other nations have technology that have not advanced significantly since then! Their militaries have little firepower, and some still are riding wyverns for their air forces! We have nothing to fear!”

“But Your Majesty!” The second advisor interrupted. His name was Patrin Voskin. “We have also heard rumors of a new civilization called Free Land in the Alder Continent.”

“The Alder Continent?! How absurd!” Nergolon scoffed. “What idiots would even consider building a colony up there with all those Behemoths roaming about? It’s nothing more than the ranting of madmen and fools! And I shall not be tolerating any more delays to our plans of conquest! Once the land of Kryte is raised to the surface, we shall begin our invasion and subjugating the closest continent! With the increased range of our Battle-Airships, we can now strike at the Merdov continent! So, I have spoken, so shall it be done!”

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Dec. 25^th, 15 AE…

As Christmas was being celebrated in Free Land, the former Atlanteans began preparations to their return to the surface.

In the Throne Room of his palace, the Emperor spoke to his technicians through a crystal viewer.

“Are all systems operating?”

“Yes, Your Majesty! We only await your command!”

“Then my command is given! Fire the Continental Hydro-Thrusters and bring us back to the surface!”

“So, you have spoken, so shall it be done!”

With a press of a button on a control panel, the engineer activated the systems that would bring the entire land of Kryte to the surface. Located all around the bottom of the continent, large aquatic thruster engines activated. Huge amounts of seawater were taken in and expelled at tremendous force. This caused the domed landmass to begin rising upwards at a slow, controlled rate. It was estimated that it would take two days to reach the surface.

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Star Alliance Planetary Observatory Station #27…

“Commander, I just got a strange reading from sector Z95.”

“What is it, Lieutenant?”

Lieutenant Sherila, a Kyteeri officer with short-cropped red hair, turned in her chair to face her superior, Commander Tysark, a Catian with brown fur and resembled a humanoid bobcat.

“I’m not sure what it is, but there is a huge amount of underwater seismic activity going on near the ocean floor, some 25,000 km from the Merdov western coast.”

“Are we able to get a visual?”

“No such luck, Commander. I’m getting too much psion field and other interference to get a positive signal. What I can tell you, that whatever is rising to the surface is big, and I mean really big.”

“Can you estimate the size?”

“I can estimate that it covers more than five million square kilometers. Its general shape is circular. It’s practically the size of a continent!”

“Patch into the satellite surveillance network and contact the Council.”

“Aye, Sir!” Then Sherila noticed several more signals near the large one. “Sir! I’m also picking up about nine dozen more signals. They’re much smaller and they seem to be giving off energy readings similar to Vanguard destroyers.”

“Really? That’s somewhat disturbing. Are they exactly like Vanguards?”

“Not exactly. Each one seems to be roughly the same size as a Vanguard and they’re giving off energy wave patterns that somewhat mimic a meson/anti-meson reactor. However, each overall output is quite low in comparison to a destroyer like the Johnston.”

“So in addition to a new, unknown land, we may have an unknown fleet to deal with. What a way to end the year.”

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Dec. 27^th, 15 AE…

The Council of Prime Directors…

“According to what Commander Tysark and his crew reported, that huge landmass will surface within the next ten minutes.” Anida stated as they were all watching the main holo-viewer in their Conference Chamber.

“What about that large number of smaller signals?” Nasaak asked.

“Some are staying with the large landmass, but about six dozen of them are heading directly for the Merdov southwestern coastline.” Sierg stated. “They’re still traveling below the ocean’s surface. We expect their ETA to be 5 days from now.”

“Looks like our new neighbors are already sending in their welcoming committee.” Nerto remarked.

“Or it could be an invasion fleet.” The Catian Director pointed out.

“Considering our past history on this world, I’m leaning towards the latter.” Benjamin said with concern. “You don’t need that many ships for a diplomatic envoy.”

“So do you think that this must be that warlike civilization that you mentioned earlier?” The Nemonean Director questioned.

“I cannot be certain, but I cannot rule out the possibility either.” The Dwarf Director retorted.

“That huge landmass is now coming to the surface.” The Velor Director announced.

The Council watched with interest as the waters swirled about. Then suddenly, semicircular dome of gigantic proportions came up, shedding millions of tons of seawater off its sides. The crystalline structure glinted in the sunlight as the satellite visual network zoomed in on it from orbit. What they saw within the dome was an unbelievable sight.

It was a landmass that was about half the size of Canada and had a variable landscape of mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, and other types of terrain. They could see thousands of cities and towns within their boundaries. Due to some kind of energy interference, possibly being created by that massive dome, the satellites couldn’t give more than rough, grainy images. However, the Council could still surmise that this new civilization did have technology that the rest of the Istarian natives didn’t have and could be considered as potentially hazardous to Free Land.

However, since they couldn’t do anything but observe at this point. As for that fleet that was heading toward the Merdov coastline…

“Contact the captain of the Missouri.” Benjamin said as he turned on his communications array. “If this is either an envoy or invasion force, I would be more at ease, if we put out one of our most capable officers at the forefront.”

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Andromeda City…

“I’m sorry to interrupt you on your holiday season, Captain Delan. You too, Commander Reelan.”

“It’s quite all right, Admiral Margoline.” Mark said as he and his wife saluted the Admiral on the holo-phone.

“I’m certain that you’ve already been made aware of the approaching unknown fleet towards the Merdov southwestern coastline. We expect them to arrive on Jan 2^nd, so I’m afraid you’re going to have to forgo the New Year’s celebrations. I would prefer that your crew members are not nursing any hangovers during this mission.”

“Perfectly understandable, Admiral.” Reelan nodded.

“Your orders are to move out at 1300 hours on Jan 1^st and intercept the fleet 1,000 kilometers from the Merdov coastline. You’ll be joined by the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla of the White Dragon Fleet.”

“The Sath will be joining us?” Mark inquired.

“Yes. Empress Lexina wanted representatives of her nation as well. The Dwarf Nations will also be sending out the Battle-Mech carrier, the Zigalen.”

“That’s another of their Batarra-class carriers, correct?” Mark’s spouse queried.

“May I request that we also have a few ships from the 110^th or 112^th Destroyer Flotillas to accompany us?” Reelan’s husband asked.

“I’m sorry Captain, but we can’t do that.” The Admiral shook his head. “Those flotillas are currently either undergoing maintenance or have been assigned to other duties near the outer rim of this solar system. You’ll just have to make do with the Sath and our Dwarf allies. However, I can put either the Lexington or Yorktown on standby if you require some air cover.”

“That will do, Admiral. Thank you.”

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Jan 2^nd, 16 AE…

The Missouri’s bridge, 1,000 kilometers off the Merdov coast…

“Captain, I’ve just started picking up that unknown fleet heading towards our position.” The navigator announced. “They’re about 200 kilometers and 200 meters below the surface.

“Very good, Ensign Taichen.” Mark then addressed his communications officer. “Lieutenant, have you tried hailing that fleet?”

Lieutenant Visera shook her head. “No response so far, and I’ve tried all known frequencies.”

“Continue trying to contact them and send a message to all allied vessels to hold their positions.”

“Aye, Captain.”

----------

Half an hour later…

“Captain, it looks like that underwater fleet has stopped. They are now holding their position some thirty kilometers from our position.” Taichen stated.

“Very good. Lieutenant, any response to our hails?”

“Yes, Captain. It looks like that fleet wishes to speak now.”

“Patch into their wavelength. Have the other allied vessels notified.”

“Aye, Captain.” She then switched on communications, audio only.

Mark took a deep breath before speaking into the main comm. “This is Captain Mark Delan of the Star Battleship Missouri. Unidentified fleet of underwater vessels, you are approaching close to Merdov waters. Please identify yourselves and state your intentions.”

There was a short pause before a gruff and arrogant voice replied.

“This is Admiral Nikar Crodes, supreme commander of the Everlasting Conquest Fleet. We do not recognize nor acknowledge you. Now move those floating hunks of junk out of the way or we will send them to the bottom!”

Conquest fleet huh? Well, so much for hoping they’re an envoy. Mark frowned before speaking again. “Am I to understand that you are not an envoy but rather an invasion fleet? If so, then am I to assume that you intend to invade and conquer the Merdov continent?”

“You assume correctly. If you are smart enough to figure that out, then I’ll give you credit for being slightly more intelligent than most. Now, stand aside or we will destroy you!”

“If you attack us, I must warn you that we will defend ourselves.” Mark warned.

“It seems that the savages of Istaria have forgotten the unmatched might of the Kryte! Very well then. We shall show you just how hopeless your resistance is!”

The Kryte commander cut off his communications line. Then there was a long pause, before Taichen made another announcement.

“Captain, that unidentified fleet is rising towards the surface!”

Lieutenant-Commander Harken cocked his head to one side in confusion. “That’s not tactically sound for a submarine. Coming to the top is just inviting all surface ships to sink it.”

“I have a feeling that there’s more to it than that.” Mark said.

In less than a minute, over seventy vessels came to the surface. Each one was shaped like a Vanguard destroyer but were like oddly-shaped fish. Each one sported turrets with short barrels, and then the unthinkable happened. On their sides, long spires came out, and extended fan-like rotors. The rotors began to spin quickly as the vessels started to rise out of the water. Each ship slowly ascended until they reached an altitude of 100 meters above the ocean.  

On the bridge, Mark looked with mild surprise.

“Son of a gun, their ships can fly.”

“Those rotors are not generating enough lift on their own.” Harken noted. “They must be using some kind of crude, anti-gravity tech.”

As that moment, Admiral Crodes’ voice was heard over the communications array again.

“We are the Everlasting Conquest Fleet of Kryte! And we hereby announce the annexation of your pitiful lands! Kneel before our power!”

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The Council of Prime Directors…

As they were watching through the surveillance feed from the satellite network, Nasaak turned to his Velor colleague.

“Now what did you say about enjoying a long period of peace after that Shenshirine debacle?”

Nerto sighed. “I know, I know… I just had to jinx it.”

 

To be continued…