Escape From Redeem, Rise of an Emperor

Warp Space

Tanandil was nearly floored by the destructive force that hit his mind. He knew straight away what had assaulted his thoughts, as he sat in meditation quietly.

The Dream Caster had been destroyed. He knew this with certainty, when the image of it passed through him agonisingly. The pain of the destruction passed as quickly as it had arrived. The Mage was linked to the device that helped him drift here and there as he pleased. He would still be able to ascend around the Galaxy, although that task would be much harder now and extremely dangerous.

This was not what troubled the ancient Mage. It was the fact that the Dream Caster stopped prying psychic minds, from discovering the Hidden Realms. What had happened exactly would have to wait until his return. He hoped dearly that the human Caleb would come back with him. There would be much work for him now.

He made his way to the control bridge of the Elfan battle cruiser, with great haste.

Gretnear was on the Bridge as expected, and Tanandil told him of what had befallen the protective device.

‘In the name of the gods Tanandil, let us go back immediately.’ The Mage held up a hand and shook his head sorrowfully.

‘It would take too long Gretnear. I fear the damage has already been done.’

‘Very well; we are not far from the prison world anyway. I pray this tragedy will not cost us dear.’

Tanandil had a funny feeling it would cost them very dear indeed. Things were happening in the galaxy, beyond all of their control. He did not know why, but the Mage felt drawn to this human boy. It was almost like finding him was the answer to all of his peoples woes. Long ago Tanandil had learned to trust his judgment. It had not failed him thus far.

Planet: Earth, Geneva Central Command

Millions of Battle Drones were coming on line. Waking from their long slumber, they primed weapon systems to carry out this planned mission. They had been programed to attack the enemy ships in orbit over Earth. Defoe and some of the greatest minds from the Guild of Engineering, worked hard to orchestrate it all. The battle drones were big, and in the weightlessness of space they could be. All were made from Graphenatium alloy, the strongest material ever conceived by man. It would be hard to slow one down let alone stop them. Once in a gravity environment, thrusters would kick in, keeping it flying and mobile. Weapons such as lasers, chain guns and other explosives would cut through decks and bodies like bulldozers of destruction.

The Drones, much like the super warriors developed on Lunar, were top secret weapons, known only to those with the highest clearance. President Black had been due to tour the facility this very year, to oversee progress on the new and terrifying developments being created there.

Defoe had been observing the full capabilities of the green skinned enemy, laying waste around the major cities of Earth. The ground forces defending the planet were holding, but the losses being wrought by the monstrous aliens were catastrophic.

The first part of his counter attack would come from the battle drones. They had been tested extensively and Defoe was confident they would perform with distinction.

He pushed the simple button on his holographic control panel that gave the order to attack. Then he watched with fascination, as the hive spread around the small fleet of the invading vessels. They attacked in a similar way, an antibody killed in the body. Clustering around the ships surface, they cut inside the hulls easily and swarmed inside to kill everything in their path.

These machines of death would rip apart any organic flesh with a DNA signature of the enemy. But tearing flesh and bone was not their ultimate objective. Inside each drone was a payload of explosives that could level a small city. It was from the old Japanese kamikaze pilots, which Defoe had dreamed up the idea from. In World War Two they would fly whole squadrons of fighter planes, full of explosives into battle ships, and sank them with much success.

Fortunately he would not have to sacrifice any pilots using today’s technology. His next weapon to be unleashed would be more suited for that role.

‘How far have the Drones penetrated?’ He called out to a nearby Lieutenant in the global defence bunker. ‘They are close to the engine cores, on several vessels General.’

That was good; he had worried that the fearsome creatures might be able to repel the borders somehow. This enemy had already surprised him with how well they fought. Defoe would have to be at his very best, to not let this war he had manufactured, slip out of his control.

‘Have they met any resistance?’ He asked the Lieutenant. ‘Not much sir; most of their attack force, seems to be on the surface.’

‘Very good Lieutenant; inform me when the first ships are destroyed.’

He could have left this well planned counter attack, to one of his other more than capable marshals. But the stakes were too high, to leave it in the hands of a mind lesser than his. His micromanagement had ever been his greatest strength.

He noticed on his display, that several of the battle drones had made it to the enemy ships engine cores, and were detonating on mass. ‘There are several ships breaking apart General.’

‘Excellent.’ Defoe replied with glee. ‘Keep sending in waves, until that fleet has been annihilated.’

‘Yes sir.’

Defoe was in his element now. Like a master chess player, he moved his pieces around the board in a predetermined game plan. Not all had gone his way, but he would have been surprised if it did. Every stratagem would need adjusting throughout the course of a battle. The success of his drones, gave him the confidence to move his next piece on the board.

‘Dr Slade, are our new warriors on lunar ready to deploy?’

The Dr answered immediately. He would be sitting at a similar console to Defoe, on the Moon. He would be making sure that all of the data gathered on the alien enemy, had been uploaded in the soldiers mind chip.

‘We are sir; the new regiment are in drop ships as we speak. I see our Battle Drones are faring well.’

From his console, Slade would be receiving the same information as the control centre, under the city of Geneva.

‘Yes Dr, it fares extremely well. Once the enemy fleet are eradicated, we shall begin cleansing the planet of the foul creatures. I think it’s time to unleash the drop ships.’

‘It will be done sir.’ The Dr refrained from calling Defoe Emperor again. It was too early to openly call him this yet.

Dr Slade cut off the connection, and Defoe brought up the tactical readouts of the drop ships. He sent the order to attack, and dispersed them around the planets according to greatest need. The largest of the concentration would be deployed in Geneva. That was where the largest enemy numbers were attacking. Seeing his most prized new Regiment in action, was something the General was looking forward to.

***

Planet: Earth, Geneva

Master Thion had looked up into the sky, and watched in awe as it ignited in fire. A fierce space battle was taking place in the vacuum above the planet. He hoped they were doing as good a job above, as they were on the surface.

The heavy snow had stopped completely, and was beginning to thaw from the heat of the battle being fought around the city.

Captain Kruger walked over to him. Helmetless, his cold blue eyes stood out from his ash covered face. The smoke and dirt from the battles explosions had covered them all in a dark film. Thion’s own ivory armour was now a dull black.

‘You fought well Captain.’ Thion said to Kruger suspiciously. The new Captain had never looked so deadly, slaughtering the aliens. It was as if he possessed super powers. He had ploughed through the ranks of green beasts. There was no doubting that he was a supremely skilled warrior. But the feats he had performed in the ambush would have been difficult, even for the mighty sword Master himself.

‘You also fought well Master Thion. Unfortunately we cannot rest on our small victory.’

He indicated ahead where more of the alien brutes massed to charge the line; Regiment 1 had formed that made the street they were in a corridor of death. From the masses of green skinned enemy, a number of them unslung large cannon like weapons that they fired into them destructively

The carnage was terrible, with the thick armour of the famous Regiment soldiers, melting like wax under a keen flame. Great holes opened up in the defensive line to which the aliens now charged. Their numbers seemed never ending.

‘You are correct Captain. Our element of surprise has gone. I suggest we retreat, and form another trap for them to stumble into.’ Kruger smiled and shook his head at Thion.

‘That will not be necessary. We have bought enough time for a surprise of my own devising.’

‘What surprise?’ Thion asked curiously.

‘On Lunar base, we have been developing a secret Regiment of perfect soldiers. At any moment, they will be with us to drive the enemy off for good.’

Why had Thion not been told about this secret regiment? Even if it had needed to be kept quiet for security purposes; the sword Master had the highest clearance. It would have also helped him plan for their last assault.

‘Yes that is a surprise Captain. How many of these super warriors are coming to our aid?’

‘Many.’

‘My word; you have been busy on Lunar. I see you’ve had a few upgrades of your own as well.’

Thion indicated to the devastation they had wrought in the street. Kruger did not confirm or deny any enhancements. He did not need to justify himself to the sword Master no matter how grand he thought he was.

On cue the thrusters of hundreds of ships descended over the city. Cannons opened up on the multitude of drop ships that came in like cavalry of old.

The green skinned creature’s thick shields did little to protect them, from the torrent of iron that rained down. Blood and flesh were splattering the pavement, like some strange contemporary artwork of death.

The drop ships swooped in low, and the rear of the vehicles opened to reveal the largest warriors that Thion had ever seen. They spilled out in their thousands, and rushed straight for the enemy who had formed another defensive shield wall, and were roaring like animals. They almost looked like they were enjoying the battle. Their snarling demonic faces did nothing to halt the advance, of Kruger’s so called super warriors.

They were just as big as the brutish green skins they attacked; making the big men of Regiment 1 look like children. Their dark grey Graphanatium war plate covered them from head to toe. It did not slow their charge with its weight one bit. Hydraulics must have helped them look so nimble. Nobody could move that fast in regular armour.

On their wrists was a built on twin barrelled gun, which they all brought up in unison. Firing as they came, the rounds bounced off the defenders shields, causing no real damage. Raising their aim slightly they fired from the second barrel as one. The larger round fired, were small spheres that slowly flew over the heads of the enemy, and into their central mass. Exploding shrapnel, cut through the crowded beasts, who screamed a feral shriek as the bite of superheated steal shredded into them.

The new Regiment warriors then pulled large double bladed axes that began to glow orange from the heat ignited in them, from each ones power source. To the alien’s credit, they took the pain, and held their tight formation well. Thion then witnessed something extraordinary. He had seen Kruger perform the same feats earlier. On mass the warriors of the secret Regiment leaped into the air, and over the shields of the facing wall of defenders. It seemed unreal, but they did it like they were in a zero gravity environment.

Once among the beasts, they carved a bloody mess, with only a very small number of them falling to the blades of the invaders. The mass of green skins was thinning out, and that was when Kruger shouted an order, to all that could hear him.

‘You’re not going to let them have all the fun are you; with me the Guard!’

All rushed in to follow into the chaos in the square. More aliens were coming in from other side streets to join the battle, which was quickly grinding them into the ground. The large mass of green skins had turned inside itself to try and crush the human soldiers among them. Unfortunately they were taking a brutal tally.

The beast’s rear was now exposed to Kruger and the charging Elite Guardsmen. Once again, they chopped them to pieces. They did not stand a chance against the combined might of the Earths greatest fighters. Regiment 1, seeing the enemy mass being systematically disassembled, made the wise decision to leave the large group of fighters in peace.

Instead of rushing in with the rest; they ran off in groups of ten, and went after any stragglers around the city. Their heavy guns could be heard as they took to the side streets, cutting down the aliens with contempt.

Thion watched these new super warriors that Kruger fought beside. He did not know why, but he felt that he should study the prowess of these terrible allies. Their strength was epic. One of them picked up a green skin on the end of his axe, and launched it into the air, as if it weighed nothing. He hoped he would never have to face them.

The final few beasts were cut down, and shown no mercy. They had dealt Earth and humanity a grievous blow in destroying the Palace. Thion’s thoughts turned to whether President Black lived. The smoke and ruin from where it once stood, did not encourage much hope.

***

Geneva, Central Command

Defoe sat in his command station with a smile spread from ear to ear. Hundreds of officers in the tactical room were clapping and shouting their praises to him. He would now be seen as saviour of his people. They would love him for stopping Earth from becoming wiped out by the alien aggressors. He accepted the praise with practiced humility.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, today we have had a great victory over the alien invaders.’

More applause broke out, and he waited to let the noise die down before continuing.

‘We do not know what these vile creatures wanted with our Earth. But it pains me to say that we have had no word from the Palace. The President is with much regret, presumed to have perished in this atrocity.’

Cameras were recording Defoe. The whole world would be watching this address with interest. The Earths Senators that lived through the invasion. All demanded answers before Defoe spoke to the populace. But the General would not take their calls. He wanted the people to know their beloved President was dead. He also wanted them to know who had saved them, from destruction.

‘People of Earth. I tell you now that we will hunt down any remaining aliens that we have designated as species X1. We will show them no quarter.’ More applause filled the situation room.

‘Years ago the President asked me to forge a new Regiment for the defence of mankind. Maybe he sensed that one day we would face a threat that would warrant such a Regiment. Today we have unleashed these men upon our enemies, with total success. We will continue to find species X1 wherever they may be in the galaxy, and we will annihilate them for what they have done to us.’

Defoe could hear roaring crowds around the building, who were watching the live feed. The address would also be seen by every man, woman and child with a holo screen. One of the reporters that Defoe had planted asked him a question over the noise in the room.

‘General, what’s the name of this new Regiment?’

Normally the Regiments would be given a number as they were created. Defoe wanted to break with this this tradition slightly.

‘So far these super warriors of humanity have not been defeated. Until they are, they shall be known as Regiment Invicta.’

The Reporter asked another loaded question, as other men and women from the media raised their hands for attention.

‘Who will lead us now General? With No President to guide us, who could possibly take over so quickly in this crisis?’

Defoe had been waiting for this question for years. He had gone over and over in his head how he would respond. Now the time had finally come.

‘You are correct in saying that we need to act quickly to avoid global an interstellar catastrophe. Our President has led us thus far into an era of prosperity and peace. But now we are at war ladies and gentlemen. In times of war, we need a strong hand to lead. I will fill the gap, until the threat has been eradicated, and proper elections can take place.’

He had always expected to meet with resistance when he uttered those words. But the crowed in the room, and more importantly the Senators on the several holo screens, all clapped their united approval.

The truth of it was they were all frightened of what had happened. Few had seen war on this planet. The invasion had given them a harsh reminder that they needed a strong and brilliant leader to defend their way of life. Defoe had lived up to that task very well thus far.

With the alien fleet in orbit destroyed and the ground invasion wiped out. The grab for leadership was now in his reach. He raised his hands for silence.

‘I will go into the depths of space, and find species X1. With our forces, we will strike back at the heart of this scourge upon our peace. I will ensure this never happens again.’

Guy Kruger had been standing next to Defoe throughout his public address. The Presidential Bodyguard gave further credentials to Defoe’s claim as leader. The General indicated he step forward for the media.

’Most of you probably know Captain Kruger here. He led the defence on the ground in our worlds Capital. He will be my Lord Regent of Earth, until I return victorious. I leave him with the burden of rebuilding our jewel of a planet. I also leave him with the labour of turning this world, and Solar system, into the greatest fortress possible. Let this never happen again!

Defoe Repeated, to drive the never again part home. He hopped they would be as happy with his decision when the emotions had died down. Either way, marshal law would now dictate things. Any resistance would be crushed by Regiment Invicta who was streaming down to Earth from Lunar base in their thousands.

‘What title will you have General? Are you to become President?’ Another reporter shouted out. ‘I will become Lord Marshal of our people until Victorious.’

The address was over. The new Lord Marshal of humanity left the news conference by a side door. Kruger left with him. When they were finally alone together, they looked at each other and burst out laughing; letting go of all the stresses from the day’s activity. It was a cruel and sinister sound that both had bottled up from years of scheming.

‘Congratulations my Lord Regent.’ Defoe said to Kruger happily. ‘Well done to you also Lord Marshal.’ Kruger replied in a gravelly baritone.

‘Or may I say congratulations, Emperor.’

Defoe liked the sound of that title immensely. He would take it publicly when the time was right. But for now, he would take it as just reward for a plan well executed. At last the strong would rule again over the weak.

‘Yes Guy you may.’