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Journal of the Grand Vision
Hs’A, Trilarian Sage
Part Two
Time has passed, and our colonies in Rasa and
Malv struggled. We knew the great void was a hostile place,
but little did we know just how barren it could be. These
planets were just barely habitable, and Malv is strangely
deficient in industrial minerals. Some speculated that it
was depleted by past inhabitants, of which there is ample
evidence. Others hearken to the fact that fate had destined
some places to be blessed with abundant resources, and others
to be wanting. But, our scouts had not yet returned from their
valiant missions, and the two other systems they surveyed
have nothing for us. The wise decision of the Elders was to
take and nurture what we were given, and that in time they
would be made part of the Grand Vision, even if their current
place is small. In truth I, but a minor Sage, suspected that
the High Seers were impatient and wished to do what they could
to advance the Vision and would not wait for better worlds
upon which to place our people. Their wisdom was manifest
and none shall gainsay. That is our way.
In the cycles that followed the Race knew success. Our tentative
reach grew, and the Race controlled the worlds around five
suns. Many other suns and their planets lie between, but these
places are disappointingly barren, poisonous and dry to us,
and would provide us with no succor. And, we found that we
are not alone: other races plied the stars. Our ancient legends
tell tales of these others, such as the irrationally hostile
Sakkra. Thankfully that race has not raised its ugly snout
toward us. But, we have met a race that is far worse –
the Ithkul, the Eaters of primeval horror, evil tools of the
Antarans. All had hoped that the other races or the Others
had exterminated this vile race, a sore trial from the Time
of Terror, but alas this was not so. And, they have shown
us that they remain hostile, spurning our increasingly desperate
overtures for an understanding, a just peace. Such was not
to be, and they are gathering. The High Seers have ordained
we must strive toward our defense to the exclusion of all
else, for the Grand Vision will founder if we grace the maws
of these parasites of all races, the Eaters of mind and body.
Already one of our far colonies has succumbed – their
silence speaks, and we fear.
*~*~*~*~*
The Eaters came to the Malv system, but the High Seers knew
this would come to pass. The Fleet was waiting for the scourge,
and resolved to defend our colony on the third planet, and
the passage that leads to Home. We trusted in superior technology,
and that our ships were the best the we could build. Our destroyers
were graced with titanium armor, and missiles that would bring
death to the Eaters. The pickets were tasked to find the enemy,
and then engage with their armor piercing lasers. Such was
the plan. The Fleet was engaged in the Malv system, with Malv
ground batteries assisting in the defense. Our pickets found
the enemy, and the middle destroyers let loose with their
volleys of death. There were hits, and we rejoiced! The Eater’s
ships were damaged and destroyed, flaring brightly and then
vanishing, as they should. Their numbers would seemingly be
no defense, and they kept coming, ever closer. And then, the
Vision failed. They did not stop, and their advanced engines
let them get close, too close, while our crews frantically
reloaded our missiles. The pickets were hulled, then destroyed.
They closed with our valiant missile destroyers and fired,
and one by one the Fleet died. Defenders on Malv saw this
and hurriedly sent us a message to let us know of their fate.
They resolved to be true to the Vision and do their duty.
They told us transports were at the fringes of their system.
That was the last we heard from them.
A new Fleet is being assembled. We have learned from the
dread Eaters, and this time we will not fail. We are defended
by two orbitals, a missile and beam base, marine garrisons,
and the system Fleet. In the many cycles since the fall of
Malv we have built bigger ships, and these are tasked with
short range attack, like the dread Eaters. Others will provide
missiles, and the High Seers decreed the construction of a
carrier. All are inspired by the Fleet, and it is truly awesome
to behold – 14 ships of the line, mostly destroyers
and some frigates and cruisers. The Eaters can not prevail.
*~*~*~*~*
Sensors are activated, and our long range picket detects
the dread event – the wormhole from our lost colony
at Malv has opened. The enemy pours out of the wormhole in
an unending torrent. Hope dims. Where we are 14 they are 50.
Where we have destroyers they have cruiser hulls. We will
fight; we have no choice.
Already the battle flares, bright lights in the skies. I
know that the Eater ships die, and take solace from that.
But our ships die, too – too fast, much too fast. Energies
flare, and the orbitals and ground bases engage. The fighters
launch, and we cheer. More Eaters die, but still they come
on. Their short ranged destroyers die, but a few make it through.
They fire, and an orbital dies. More come, and our lethal
missile base dies.
The points of light cease, and the skies are clear! We have
won!
Then the wormhole opens again.
We have failed. Eternal night will descend on the Grand Vision.
The Eaters come.
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- Part One
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