Fragment 2009

Roy stopped his own impulse. There were simply to many of the Kermac  elite commandos on the platform and there were a few civilians and innocents as well, not to mention the 200 plus Kermac already in the City. He also diod not forget Cara who had remained on Desolate, tied upo in the office of a fat man he had only briefly seen. He was certain Cara would die if he could not do something to get her rescued.

It was better to gather more information and then he could try to contact Uncle Sam and with him the Cerberus Robots. He was no longer under the influence and able to think. He could not explain who that voice was, however it was a familiar one and something that was  on his side.

Phil, Riddick, Celyciia and even the Spy woman who most likely was Cherubim were completely surprised by the sudden and total Kermac domninace. Men and women  looking like normalk Union Citizens turned out to be heavily armed Kermac operatives. Riddick groaned. “Not again, please don’t let it be true!”

Celyciia was not even as surprised this time as she was during their first time.

The Kermac disgused as a Terran Business Woman said. “Listen up, I am Kermac and this Planet is now under our control. We have occupied the GalNet Center and the Post Office and we are in Psionic Control of most of the citzizens here. There are a few, like you four that resist psionics, Anyone we see attempting to communicate anyway we will eliminate right away. Anyone trying to flee outside…please be our guests. This is Green Hell after all.”

He made an all encompassing gesture. “The only reason you are still alive is that we might need hostages at some point. Perhaps a few of you have knowledge of Union Technology we seek and you will be useful a little longer.”

Phil said. “I am a Federal Police Officer and you realize that this is a declaration of war.”

“I hoped for Fleet Officers, not useless cops.”

Cherubim whispered. “There are only one or two Kermac, the rest are surgically altered Hugwag and Plato Slaves.”

Celyciia hissed back. “Makes no difference, it looks you spooks screwed it all up. Instead of arresting the bunch you enabled them and now they getting Union Shields and whatever they want. The only good thing is they going to kill you and that might be a good thing.”

The Kermac Commandos were as professional as a Special Forces Unit should be. The Kermac were neither fools nor children and managed to pull the Union Tiger’s tail for as long as the Union existed and despite many setbacks and their continuous decline of influence and power, they were still the second most powerful society of this Galaxy.

They secured the hands of seven passengers. Cecyllia, Ruddick, Phil and  the blonde woman they all suspected to be none other than Cherubim herself and two other passengers who turned out to be Bio scientists that been on Harper’s for a long weekend. The Galactic Chronicles Soldiers scanned everyone and collected PDDs and then one of them said to the Kermac. “None of them wears any cyber enhancements or Data Heads, we are secure.”

The Kermac turned and with a bright flash and a loud explosion the SII GalNet Repeater Tower  tilted of its base and tumbled sliding over the dome of the city.

Two Kermac Commandos pushed the Shuttle pilot into the open and threw him to the ground, just seconds before one of them shot the helpless man at almost point blank range. The killer said. “He tried to use the Shuttle GalNet. Let that be a lesson to you all. Comply and you might survive to see the glorious rise of the Kermac and serve the Masters.”

The Shuttle lifted off all by itself and as soon as it passed through the Forcefield membrane, the invisible tractor beams guided by Kermac Commandos, cut off and the Shuttle fell into the Big Lake.

A larger Kermac ship descended moments later, barely finding room on the landing platform, even more Kermac, in Battle armor unloaded boxes and equipment.

It was clear they still believed Roy under their control as the lead Kermac put on a heavy Armor suit and said to Roy. “Your Job is to find the Maroon Cave, as that is the place we know the ship is hidden.

As they went down to the main level of the city,  the real extend of the Kermac invasion became apparent. There were dead bodies everywhere!

--“”—

Charles the Robot came to the North field where Sam was working once again at one of the Argra Bots and said. “Master,  all GalNet connections to Anthill have been interrupted and an explosion has been registered via acoustic tremor sensors consistent with a 4000 gram demolition charge. Subsequent scrambled Myon pulse radio signals and an approaching force of twenty armored Flyers with active weapon signatures suggest an imminent attack on this compound.”

Sam got up wiped his hands and said. “Sounds a little much for a Califerm raid.”

“Threat analysis concludes it is a major, most likely Kermac  attack. Weapon signatures are consistent with Kermac Weapons.”

“ETA?”

“I estimate 16 Flyers to arrive within twelve minutes. They ran into Lighting Dragons and three Flyers and occupants are no longer a threat.”

“Activate your buddies. I go and heat up the Baby Tiger. Let’s welcome the Kermac Marine Corps style!”

Charles grabbed Sam by the belt and flew him to a lean on to the main house. Sam disappeared behind the wooden doors while Charles sent the Activation signal to the nine other Cerberus.

Like Zombies clawing to the surface, the nine Cerberus broke through their buried transport containers and ten feet of dirt.

Sam inside the fragile looking lean on said. “It’s time to wake up Baby Tiger. Activation Code Leviathan. USMC Master Sergenant Brown, verify Biometrics. Code key present.” A deep mechanical voice responded. “Activation Authroization verified and accepted.”

A dirt covered hatch popped open and Sam climed down. The lean on was compeltly destroyed as a an old but fully functional  USMC Tiger Battle Tank rose with a power rumble equaling a minor earth quake.

The Integrated Auto Dresser assembled a USMC Quasimodo around Sam while he linked to the Cerberus robots and said. “Got to full Infantry Mode, targets on threat sensors. “

--“”—

Ma Swanson and Clarion sat in the back of their store, tied up with Memory tape up to their necks. Three Kermac Soldiers had arrived this morning, killed their Son and tied them up. The Kermac were sitting  on one of the tables and looked relaxed and in total control. One of them said. “This planet is not even half as tough as they said it would be. Our strike force will have reached the simpleton farmer by now. What a waste of resources sending that many to kill just one old marine.”

Ma Swanson as tied up she was wasn’t complety unable to move and had edged herself closer to the Force field controls. She rather wanted to die by Green Hell life forms than these cowardly Kermac.

She had almost reached it when one of the Soldiers saw her and he got up smacker her across the face and said. “What are you trying to do? Your GalNet terminal is destroyed and al the weapons in here are out of reach.”

A second Galactic Council Alien and Kermac  servant, a muscular big being got up as well and said. “She tried to reach these controls. I think they are for the Energy Fence. “

The first soldier laughed. “ We are here for two days and I was outside. You realize we are wearing the latest in Kermac Armor?” He gestured across the displayed Armor suits. “Not this substandard civilian Union trash!”

The third Soldier was just admiring the latest SII manufactured Armor and said. “Well some of it isn’t trash.”

“Be silent Brokesh. We are Krthar and the strongest of all Galactic Council. I hoped to meet Pertharians or Nul not these weak humans.”

The three Soldiers returned to their seats, but not before kicking Ma Swanson several times and pushing her away from the Controls. Despite all the horrible treatment the Soldiers could not break the Swanson’s spirit. Ma Swanson said. “You won’t leave this planet alive, no matter what you are, you didn’t bring enough soliders. Green Hell will prevail!”

“Oh be silent stupid woman. We have ten Kermac Battle ships arriving soon and we will orbital bomb this place to ashes. “

Neither of the Kermac soldiers noticed the Klack technician who had managed to hide on top of the shelves. He used the distraction and angled for the H&K Raketen Gewehr, that the Swanson’s had kept in the shelves as Roy had almost paid for it and they never considered selling it.

The H&K accepted his targeting program after he sensor painted the three Kermac, then he fired. Three micro missiles hissed across the room and detonated.

Two of the Kermac Soldiers were killed outright, the blast toppled shelves and caused a fire, the Klack tumbled with a load of spare parts of the shelf and broke three of his six fragile legs. He crawled wounded to  Ma Swanson who smiled at him, from her blistered singed face. “I wondered how long it would take you”

The Klack did not speak, his voice box had come loose and the Human ears would not understand his ultrasonic range voice, but he managed to find a sharp object and cut her loose.

Ma Swanson jumped up more agile than anyone would have thought and grabbed her Shrap gun from under the counter and aimed it at the last surviving and wounded Kermac Soldier who just regained his bearings. The missile had damaged his suit but it had protected him better than the other two. She said. “Get out, get out of my store!”

He coughed and said. “I had time to call for reinforcements. So beg for…”

Ma Swanson fired and the super accelerated steel shrapnel shredded the Soldiers right arm. “You got plenty of limbs and a head I can shoot if you don’t move. Now get out!”

The Soldier stumbled and cried in pain as she kicked him in the rear and through the door.

--“”—

They had not reached the Main Flyer bay of the City, where the armored flyers docked and got decontaminated when Roy knew something went wrong with the plans of the Kermac already. One of the muscular broad shouldered semi humanoid warriors no doubt one of the warrior and enforcer thrall species of the Galactic Council stomped running across the Concourse and  skitted over the marble floor in his heavy armor suit, stopping only a few inches before the Kermac leader and he said something in a language Roy did not understand but the Psionic link between him and the Kermac still seemed to exist,  even though he was completely under his own control, as he understood what the armored giant said. “We lost contact to the Strike group that was supposed to take care of the Marine farmer. “

“Send the second Strike Group and if they don’t report in, commence orbital bombardment and liquefy the continent as soon as the battle ships are here.” “It will be done.” The big alien said with a wondering tone. “Master, can you see those tiny dots crawling all over my hands too?”

The Kermac barked annoyed. “If you sniffed Gartlun while on this mission I have you skinned alive! Now see to your orders and do not delay me!”

The Giant shrugged and walked off still looking at his hands. Roy wondered how Buzzsaws made it into the city. He of course had seen the tiny dots and he knew what they were.

The Kermac pushed him through the air lock into a waiting Landing tank of alien design. The Kermac was too busy to talk to the pilot, he didn’t notice his strong warrior collapsing just before the doors closed.

The Kermac sat down as the landing tank detached itself and started to climb into the sky. Roy noticed six more of these following in a loose formation, and firing indiscriminantly at Lightning dragons and surfacing water snakes. Every time they used the Energy weapons there was laughter and joy among the Kermac and sneering comments about Green Hell and the Union unable to cope and conquer Green Hell.

Again the voice inside Roy spoke. “My Child all Qaroniel is your weapon. Say and I will cleanse the intruders od the surface.”

Roy now remembered who Qaroniel was and he answered in the same silent way. “We have to do it slow and try to alert the fleet. We can defeat them down here, but we can’t do anything against Orbital bombardment and they have battleships coming.”

“You are my warrior and Qaroniel will follow your lead.”

--“—

The Kermac Commander Funfnacsecx of the Kermac Strike force was as  confident as the Ministry of Control wizard who was running this entire operation. The Wizard of the Military had warned that sending such a strike force so deep into Union Space was suicide but they slipped past the Union Border Controls hitching a ride on Union Tiny Tim Transporters. It was so easy to use all the tools such a foolishly free society provided. Something like this would never been possible in  Galactic Council controlled space. They did not allow lesser species to act on their own and nothing happened without the Ministry of Control knowing about.

A few Month ago a Branch of the Slideway Servicing Company opened a Freight Forwarding business on Pico’s Colony, a little Union Colony in the fringe regions of the Spinward sector. They had no problems hiring five Tiny Tim Freighters, the largest civilian ships criss crossing the Union by the million with genuine Union Transponder signatures. Funfnacsecx did not want to admit that he was deeply impressed when he saw the five Flatbed transporters show up. These particular ones were used to transport Space station parts. Two Kermac Battleships fitted on the platform and once secured and powered down they had no problem traversing half the Union without being detected. The Freight Company was told these were prototypes of new space ships to be tested and he was surprised how few questions they actually asked, especially since the freight bill was paid in advande.

The Tini Tims had unloaded them in an unoccupied neighbor system and so deep in Union space there were no scanners and no Fleet Patrols.

Now he arrived at the Maxwell System and his first task was to take out the GalNet terminals and Buoys. To do this the Nul had developed a weapon that homed in on the unique energy signatures of these devices. Funfnacsecx also did not want to admit that all Kermac did was copy the Nul weapon, they were not able to develop something on their own. That the Kermac had not developed anything other than their PSI enhhancers in the last 10,000 years was something Kermac Thought Police called subversive and negative facts that no one was allowed to think.

He had no qualms releasing a swarm of these missiles, causing tremendous damage and killed many thousands on Harper’s Junction, including all passengers of a just departing space bus.

Extensive intelligence gathering by their man on Green Hell had told them the expected traffic and he knew no Clipper ships or Post Ships were expected for the next three days and Maxwell System was not a major traffic hub, his force should be able to destroy anything civilian that came unscheduled.

--“”—

Captain Asmaradana Tengku was very proud Admiral Stahl had picked her to be the 63rd. Captain of the USS Devastator. She still remembered the horror she felt when Stahl picked her out of the blue while she still was a Midshipman and made her Acting Captain of the Devi and now she was in Command. She nestled with the pin that held her tightly head scarf in place and stared at the immense main screen with one eye while she looked over the bridge watch roster with the other.

She had never seen the Admiral run, so she was quite surprised to see Stahl come running to the brige. “Captain, lay course to the Maxwell system and get us there as fast as this boat of ours goes.”

“What is the matter Admiral Stahl?” She asked.

“I just got a call for help from an old marine friend. He is on Green Hell and they are under attack by the Kermac.”

“At best speed we are three days out, Sir.”

“Alert Fleet Command and send anything that can shoot and is closer than us to the Maxwell System. Then raise me Harper’s Junciton.”

One of the Comm Officers said. “There is no connection possible, no GalNet recievers in the Area respond.”

“Step on it, Captain. Red line her I have a bad feeling about this. Give me a direct line to the other Old Man. I think we are at war again.”

There was strange light in the eyes of the Ancient Warrior as he said to no one in particular and more to himself. “Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth…”

--“”—

Phil, Celyciia, Riddick and Cherubim  had been shoved into the elevator guarded by five muscular aliens. As the elevator was moving, Cherubim said. “No worries, those are just Krthar. I take them out now and then we discuss what we can do to solve this dilemma.”

Ruddick snorted. “They might as well be Holdians, we are tied up and their guns are active”

One of the Kermac soldiers grunted. “You will be dead if you just lift a finger, human.”

Phil rolled his eyes. “Just get it over with Cherubim. I know it you and they are as good as dead.”

She lifted one of her fingers and said with a smile. “ Like that?”

The Krthar laughed then gargled and sank to his knees followed only a heartbeat later by the rest. She said. “Elevator reduce descent speed to two kilometers and hour.”

“System recognized Biometrics and complies.”

To the horror of the others the bodies of the Aliens kept shriveling to their skeletons and even thoise crumbled to dust. Phil shivered. “Shiva Dust!”

Again no one really saw how he did it but he managed to strip the memory tape of his wrists and while Cherubim freed Celuciia, he cut Ruddick loose.

The Sergenant said. “You two creep me out more than those cursed Kermac. “

Celyciia rubbed her wrists and said. “Now we are in this mess because you secret service goons didn’t let us catch the bad guys and solve the case and instead you tried to kill us.”

“Let me fill you in on that later, right now we got a situation we need to  contain. It should illustrate to you however that our enemies have no restrictions and will do anything to destroy us.”

Ruddick  picked two blaster rifles and said .”You got a point there, and if this is over I quit the Police and start hunting the real bad guys.” Then he handed one of the guns to Celyciia.

Phil held up a small PDD and said. “They killed the Repeaters in the area. I can’t pick up GalNet or GalCom.”

Cherubim sighed as the doors opened. “This is one time I wish Richard would come. This is definatley a situation where canons can do more good than I can.”

Phil’s ancient gun barked with a loud dry bang as the elevator doors parted and two Kermac soldiers died. “What’s the plan Cherubim?”

“Kill every Kermac, free the City population and find a way to alert the Fleet.”

--“”—

Sam opened the hatch of his tank and leaned with crossed arms at the rim after he opened his helmet and stared over the field of charred earth, Green Hells nature was formidable indeed but what could Nature do against atomic fire? Around him the a few bits and pieces of a well trained and excellent equipped Commando Force, but well trained and top of the line Kermac equipment was still not the same as an elite Union Marine and a team of Cerberus. He had lost one of his Cerberus to concentrated hover tank fire. Sixteen Kermac tanks and about 200 soliders would never return. His heart was heavy with grief as he saw a half burned Stomper limp across smoking ground. He never really liked them, but he was a guest on their world. Against all his experience as a Marine knowing that the enemy would return with more. Charles sensors had picked up several captial ships,  Modern Cerberus robots with Mini TL's might have had a chance to disable or take down a Kermac Battle ship, his were old and of course had no Translocators. Charles hovered closers and said. “One has jump engines..” Sam interrupted Charles. “You are not mine, I am taking care of you old tin head. I don't want to explain Roy I sent you to your doom. “ Sam knew what the Robot suggested, turning itself into a relativisitc projectile by disabling the Isah fields just before impact. That might kill one of the Kermac ships, or disable it. Charles was the only of his Cereberus who had a FTL jump pack. “Master Roy might hold it against this unit that I have not done everything to protect his beloved world.” “The last shot has not bee fired, Charles. The Eternal Warrior has received my Message and there is not a Galaxy far enough they can hide from him.” “One places much hope in that.” “Hope Charles? You didn't turn sentient on me with burning all those loyality pathways?” “One is a robot, one will serve and execute any command you give.” “You always have been a little different than the other bots.” “One is an SII quality war machine after all.” “Go and take this Auto Doc to that Stomper, Charles. That thing can help 99 % of all know Union life forms maybe it can help that Stomper.”

--””--

Ma Swanson lay flat on her belly behind a monstrous Ult Anti Hover Tank gun. This truly ancient war had been part of the weapon stash she had hidden under the shelfs. She watched a swarm of Arrow Wasps aiming at her, but then moving away. A patch of Killer moss made a wide circle around her. She forgot to aim at the next Kermac Flyer as she saw that strange behavior. She expected to be dead by now, and just wanted to take as many of the bastards along, a Pandorra swarm had killed the alien warrior in seconds but did not harm her and now even Killer moss left her alone. A big Water Snake shot out of the water, colliding with a Kermac Flyer, taking the machine down  She grinned and padded the ground with her flat hand. “Yes Green Hell show them!” Then she aimed and sent a bolt of plasma right through the cockpit window of the second flyer. Clarion her old and fragile husband stemmed his thin frame against the H&K Raketengewehr and took Kermac Soldiers under fire. Ma Swanson felt only hate as she saw her Husband fall with a smoking hole in his belly. She ignored the blistering hot energy beam impacting the ground  next to her and took carefully aim.

--””--

They had reached the White  Mountains and landed on a plateau they had blasted free of any vegetation, not far from  the  spot he had met  Qaroniel the first time. He recognized the boulders. Two of the Kermac soldiers died as a camouflaged boulder attacked one of them and the other stepped into a stream of ants. The lead Kermac said. “Now find that cave!” Roy knew only of one cave and it was not far from where they were. The Kermac sneered. “All this subterfuge getting Harlex Gedde, then trying to abduct your parents  was absolutley useless. The Ministry of Information tried but failed. That it would be that easy not even I imagined and  I will be the next Wizard Supreme.” Roy was not sure to whom the Kermac said all this but when he mentioned his parents, Roy lost his concentration and pulled his  TKU. “You! It was you who killed my parents?” His TKU did not fire, it was dead. The Kermac Leader took a step backwards. “How did you manage to slip out of my control? Are your emotions that strong? Matters not, lead the way or I have the woman killed and vaporize Ant Hill. Your weapon was unloaded of course. I never trusted my Psionics that much.” Roy was at the end of his nerves and yelled. “I don't know any cave other than the one over there. One of his men held a scanning device. “He is right master, I am picking up metal scan readings that are consistent with ancient Seenian and Saresii Tech.” The Kermac Leader triumphantly spoke into his command pick-up. We found it bring the Tegohr down!” While the Kermac soldiers carefully closed in on that cave entrance, a big shadow appeared in the clouds. A  Kermac Battleship was about to land and hundreds of Kermac soldiers came swarming from already opening hatches. Roy had to do something and yet all the planets power could not stand against that. Roy was about to give up and lose all hope ,but then a sudden Popping sound right next to him and Partner appeared and he had Cara the Saresii woman still bound and limb like dead between his big jaws. Roy immideatley felt him again and then the air vibrated with the sound of thousands of similar popping sounds. Beasts identical to Partner, only not as big appeared in waves and droves and they tore into the Kermac, ripping them appart , devouring them, while shrugging of weapon fire like water, Partner licked Roy and sneezed. Cara appeared unharmed and stirred, the Kermac Leader fired but Roy's sense had warned him and he had already thrown himself forward, avoiding the beam,  Partner attacked like a streak of black lightning and his claws shredded the Battle suit of the Kermac Leader. Roy was right behind is friend. “Don't kill him Partner, he is mine!” Roy grabbed the Kermac and pulled him out of the last pieces of his suit. The Kermac Battle ship above them started to list and then came crushing down in a mountain valley, swarming with black beasts tearing it to bits Roy's youthful face was gone and in its place a mask of pure hate and rage. The Kermac shivered in fear. “Spare me! I am a Wizard of great power. I am Kermac, supreme to brutes like you! How could I have failed

--””--

Phil

Commander Funfnacsecx did not feel as confident as he had earlier. Something went horribly wrong on Green Hell. One of his battle ships had ceased to transmit