Descent: Aries Wing

Bryan opened his eyes and blinked twice. He sat up in his bed and looked around for the time. Only an hour had passed since he returned to his quarters and was almost killed by the intruder. For some reason, Bryan was suddenly wide awake.

He walked over to the computer terminal and punched some data into it. Checking the records of the first prisoner they captured on the planet’s surface, he found out that indeed it was one of the Rebel’s mercenaries. The pilot had a bad record with the law prior to the attack on the Inferno mine, and would probably serve at least 20 years in prison.

He then tried to access the records to the second prisoner, the one who had intruded into his quarters. After keying in the appropriate information, he got a message stating that access was denied.

“Hrm…” Bryan said to himself silently. He figured that something was wrong, so he called up the brig. “Get me the brig, please.”

After a few moments, he got a response. “Lieutenant Pratt here, what can I do for you?”

“This is Commander Bryan Chambers,” he stated calmly, “inquiring about the prisoner that you received about an hour ago.”

“Oh yeah, the unconscious guy,” he returned. “Well, he’s still unconscious, we haven’t any more information than you already know.”

Bryan was still curious about the denial of access to the records. “I tried accessing the records for this guy, but it shows there’s some security on them?”

“Oh, yes,” responded the Lieutenant. “Admiral Gonzalez placed that security lock on the records. He didn’t want to alarm the crew. I’m sure you understand.”

“But surely ranks of Commander or higher would have access to this kind of information?” he argued.

“Let me check again,” responded the Lieutenant. A few moments later he returned, “Nope, this is locked to Admiral Gonzalez only at this point.”

Why would the Admiral lock records in his own name for no reason? Now Bryan was certain he was hiding something from him. “Thank you for your time, Lieutenant.”

“No problem, sir! Pratt out.” With that, the link was closed.

Bryan wanted to do some more research on the situation, but was lost as to what else to look at. It was as if he had some sort of mental block for a moment, unsure as to what he should do next.

Then he noticed more glowing. The orb was glowing so bright, it was shining out of the closet. Bryan stared at the glowing becoming brighter and brighter, until finally…

Space is a cold and unforgiving place. And it’s all completely empty, except for the Point. It has no height, no width, and no length. It has infinite density, and it is impossible to determine one particle from another. Electrons, proton, neutrons, all of them take up the same Point in space instead of circulating around one central nucleus. Even the particles that they are made of are densely packed into the Point. Infinite gravity holds everything together in a balance unlike any other ever seen. Nothing could ever tear the Point apart.

Until another space-time continuum collided with this one. Foreign matter was ejected into our continuum, and some of the matter from the Point leaked into the alien continuum. The balance was shattered. Gravity tried to hold the Point together, but the forces of the new dark matter pulled and tugged at the Point. As the alien space-time continuum passed on, the Point began to break apart. First, some subatomic particles were pulled away. Then, a millionth of a nanosecond later, complete atomic particles broke apart. Finally, within a nanosecond, the Point was no more. It had ripped apart at millions of times the speed of light. This warped space-time so badly, that a majority of the particles got trapped around the area where the Point was. Several nanoseconds later, a second explosion took place from the imploded material, warping space-time so bad, it ripped a hole in it.

Within another tenth of a nanosecond, some material began flooding the hole in space time. As material passed through this hole, it became specially charged. A few of the specially charged particles banded together in a small sphere around the hole. The particles that didn’t band together soon lost their charge. But the ones that remained together never lost their charge, and actually contained the hole in space-time. The charged particles and the hole in space time began to act together as a life form, remember everything that it has seen and done, with the power to learn, draw upon energy of any kind, and to protect itself from danger. However, with no way of being able to get around, the sphere was at the mercy of gravity, and was propelled into space.

Millions and millions of years passed. The matter that had been ejected from the Point had cooled to form clusters of galaxies, and the dark matter banded together, somehow increasing the expansion process of the universe. The sphere continued to float through space towards a star system. It passed the young star and began falling into a rocky planet. As it entered the atmosphere, it resisted the heat energy produced by the friction of the atmosphere against the sphere. Then, the sphere crash landed in a shallow ocean, coming to a resting place not far from the shore line.

Millions and millions of years more passed. Life began brewing in the ocean, but it also began forming on land as well. Creatures of all shapes and sizes began populating the globe. Then, a strange creature discovered the sphere in the water. The creature picked it up and looked at its glowing, awed by the beauty of it. Then, it carried the sphere to a grand city, with a huge palace. He took the sphere into the palace and gave it to a superior creature that was sitting on a throne. Hastily, the superior creature snatched the sphere from the inferior creature, and used his backhand to strike the inferior creature down. The inferior creature scoured away in pain. The superior creature then held the sphere in his hands, admiring the beauty of it. For days and days, the superior creature would look into the sphere. Occasionally, the sphere would use its unlimited energy to interface with the creature, giving it the memories of the sphere’s origin. The superior creature believed he had a device that was extremely powerful, and began to try and tap the sphere’s energy. Slowly, the sphere became more familiar with the superior creature’s energy.

One day, another inferior creature entered the palace to tell the superior creature that there were hundreds of thousands of people ready to strike him down. The superior creature, at first, dismissed the claim. However, the inferior creature insisted that this was a real threat. Furious, the superior creature lashed out at him, screaming at the top of his lungs. As the superior creature let out this energy, the sphere was finally able to interface with him. The superior creature wished that the inferior creature would die, and the sphere used its infinite energy to stop the inferior creature’s heart. He died instantly. It was then the superior creature was sure he had found an object that would allow him to rule his lands and all adjacent lands to him.

A few days later, one of the superior creature’s servants ran to him in a panic, saying that millions of creatures were outside, ready to storm the palace. The superior creature took the sphere and went to a balcony. Sure enough, a sea of creatures were ready to storm the palace. This outraged the superior creature, so he raised the sphere above his head and thought of the worst death possible for these creatures.

Suddenly, the sky became a dark red. The sea of creatures became confused, wondering what was going on. Then, large fiery rocks descended upon the sea of creatures. The superior creature laughed hysterically. How dare these inferior creatures think they can defeat him? The rocks began striking the inferior creatures, either killing them in the impact or burning them to death. Soon, the entire city and landscape had been scorched, and most of the people who were attacking the superior creature had been destroyed.

Thousands of years later, the entire planet was ruled by the superior creature. He generously applied the sphere’s power everywhere he could. He became infamous for the sphere and its power. Soon, some inferior creatures came running into the palace, requesting his immediate attention. The superior creature completely forgot about bringing the sphere with him. Minutes after he left, a few more inferior creatures stormed the palace with lasers and stole the sphere. They took the sphere into some underground caverns where a bunch of the inferior creatures were planning on how to get rid of the sphere. They figured that the best way would be to launch the sphere out of the solar system. Days later, they were ready to get rid of the sphere once and for all. Just as the launch was about to take place, the superior creature found them. However, he was unable to stop the launch. Many inferior creatures died, but the sphere was launched into outer space where it began another long and cold journey.

Billions of years passed. Finally, the sphere crashed down to a resting point on a barely habitable world. Billions more years passed, burying the sphere under geological movement. Then, new creatures began to build structures on the planet. One creature began to dig below one of the structures and found the sphere. The creature did not know what the sphere was, but once the sphere began replaying some of its memories, the creature knew that this was a powerful device. A shrine was built underneath the building as the creature planned to take control of the device. But his plans were failed when another creature, piloting a Pyro-GY, took the sphere away. The sphere was only carried in the ship for a short time, however, because when the ship returned to the surface, it became trapped in a gravity well. The explosion destroyed the Pyro-GY, but the sphere protected itself and survived. Another creature, piloting a Magnum-AHT2, took the sphere back with him.

The sphere began relaying its memories to the creature, and the creature became fascinated, almost obsessed, with finding what the origin of the sphere was. The creature took the sphere with him almost everywhere. It began to try and interface with this creature. One time, the creature left the sphere inside the Magnum. When the creature returned, he flew the Magnum into a battle. There became one point where the creature’s emotions and energy levels became so strong, the sphere was able to interface with it for a brief second. The creature wanted to be protected, so the sphere used its energy to protect his ship from a strong weapon. Soon after, the creature lost his adrenaline rush and the sphere lost its interface.

Later, four creatures, including the one obsessed with it, began discussing the sphere and what it was. The sphere replayed some memories for them, and then two of the creatures left soon after. The obsessed creature and the female creature began talking, exchanging feelings for one another. The sphere then used its energy to create new memories for them. But things didn’t work out. The two creatures feelings grew, but then they began arguing. Filled with emotion, the obsessed creature began to interface with the sphere again, wishing he could forget the whole incident. So the sphere, in its infinite power, did just that, erasing the memory of that night.

The sphere was left alone the next day, and then another creature entered the room searching for the sphere. But the four creatures returned, hurt the creature, and had him taken away. The obsessed creature then took a rest. Upon waking up…

Bryan jumped out of his chair and backed away from the closet, still glowing strong. Thoughts were racing through his mind faster than ever. He had clear images of everything the sphere showed him, as if they were permanently burned into his mind. To see the entire history of the sphere, to understand its power source, to know what happened last night with Natalie. Everything was too much to take in at once. Bryan was scared and enlightened at the same time. He didn’t know whether to laugh out loud or kneel down and cry. However, he did finally know what the sphere was, and that somehow it must be destroyed, and not just launched away to be found again.

Bryan slowly calmed down, remembering the beauty of the palace, the fiery destruction of the people rebelling against the evil emperor, the launch into space to get rid of the sphere. Bryan had learned a lot of things about the Orb of Infinity in that session. He then remembered towards the end about him wishing to forget what happened with Natalie that night. He began concentrating on that…

Natalie’s home disappeared around them. Bryan now realized that he was staring into Natalie’s eyes, and was sporting a huge grin. “You know, Natalie, I don’t know what it is about you, but being around you really makes me happy.”

Natalie giggled at the statement and responded, “Maybe it’s the fact that we have so much in common together.”

“Maybe it’s the fact that you’re beautiful,” responded Bryan flatly.

Natalie began mumbling, “I… uh… I… I don’t know what to say…”

“Say nothing,” answered Bryan as he leaned toward Natalie. Their lips met, both of them being uneasy, not yet knowing how to react to each other. A few moments passed and their lips parted.

Natalie was still smiling, beginning to feel more strongly towards Bryan. She ran her fingers up the inside of his arm, enjoying the moment and the sensation of touch.

Bryan was still second guessing himself over whether or not the sphere was interfering with his emotions. It was then he realized he had most likely just made a mistake. He moved away from Natalie.

“What?” she asked in a concerned tone.

Bryan looked away, stating, “We shouldn’t be doing this, Natalie.”

She chuckled as she asked, “Why not?”

He gave her the straight answer. “I’m your commanding officer. Having an affair with someone who works under me can turn into bad news out in the field.”

“What?!” said Natalie sternly. “You’re pushing away your feelings – your obvious feelings – because you’re my superior?”

“Yes, I am,” responded Bryan. “We should definitely not have any type of affair together. I doubt that the CED even allows it.”

Natalie was confused over Bryan’s reaction. “I don’t care if they don’t allow it, Bryan. I think you are a great guy, someone who cares for others, and I want to be with you. I’ll be damned if I let the CED stop me from that!” She added angrily, “And quit calling it an affair!”

Bryan was becoming upset. “Well, what else would you have me call it?”

Cynically, Natalie responded, “A relationship, maybe?”

Bryan turned his back to her and shouted, “Look, maybe we should just forget what happened tonight, okay?”

“Fine!” yelled Natalie as the sphere lashed out at the two of them in a bright glow.

“Woah,” said Bryan softly, “I suddenly feel weak.” He sat down on the bed and almost immediately fell to lay down on it.

“Me too,” stated Natalie as she crashed next to him.

Within seconds, both of them were unconscious. As the night grew on, the sphere was busy removing the memories that Bryan didn’t want to have from that night. Once the sphere’s work was complete…

Bryan was shocked. He realized that he had looked so stupid just because he was scared to be in a relationship. He would always become too concerned that if something would ever happen to him that whoever he was with at the time would be lonely and depressed for the rest of their life. And seeing this happen with Laura and Jared just made that feeling stronger.

But he saw what it did to what was starting between him and Natalie. He realized the sphere had given him a second chance to be with her.

And then, in one brief thought, he realized it wasn’t the sphere that had given him the chance, but it was Bryan himself.

He knew what had to be done. He left his quarters and went down the hall to Natalie’s quarters. He pressed a button on the panel next to the door. Natalie, still in uniform, opened the door. “Bryan! Is everything okay?”

“Yes,” he said calmly, “can I come in?”

Natalie smiled, “Absolutely!”

Natalie let Bryan in. Bryan walked to a table and sat down at it. Natalie did the same. “About what I said this morning…” was all he got out before the ship shook violently.

After the shaking stopped, Bryan and Natalie ran over to the view port. Outside, they saw dozens of pyros attacking the S.S. Sirius. “Shit!” yelled Bryan. “Let’s get the others, we’ll continue this conversation later.”

“Agreed,” Natalie responded.

Bryan and Natalie ran out of her quarters. Bryan ran to Sidney’s quarters as Natalie got Andrew from his. Once together, they made the now familiar run down to the central loading bays. They climbed into their ships and made way for the airlock. The airlock closed behind them, released the pressure inside, and opened, allowing the ships to pass into outer space.

Immediately, the group began to join the fight. Bryan began to apply his vauss cannon on the nearest enemy ship, blowing it away in seconds. Natalie chucked an impact mortar into a group of ships, destroying half of them and disbursing the other half throughout the general area in space. Andrew began picking off ships with his mass driver as Sidney’s quad lasers found their mark on some enemy ships.

It was immediately obvious that this group of pilots were not as intelligent at piloting as the last group that attacked the S.S. Sirius. “I don’t like this, this is too easy,” said Bryan over the subspace channel.

“Doesn’t bother me,” said Natalie as she began using her plasma cannon to overload some more ships with its energy.

Bryan then noticed two ships descend towards the planet at an unusually high rate of speed. “Hey, there’s two ships overburning towards the planet. I need someone to follow them with me.”

“I’m on it,” returned Natalie. “Let’s go!”

Bryan and Natalie aimed their ships for the planet and then engaged their overburners, following the two ships down. They entered the atmosphere, and halfway towards the surface, the overburners ran out of fuel. “There they are,” called out Brian, seeing them still heading towards the surface.

“I see them,” returned Natalie.

Bryan and Natalie began pulse burning and tricording towards the surface and the two ships. They were catching up to them, but the ships reached the surface first. The ships then entered a nearby mine. Bryan and Natalie followed them in.

The mine was very dark, with red, rocky walls. They did some exploring, trying to find the ships. They entered what looked like two adjacent rooms. They were bright due to lava flowing in the base of the room.

Then the carnage began.

One of the ships appeared, and nailed Natalie square on with the mass driver before she had a chance to respond, sending her ship into a wall. “Shit!” she yelled, trying to regain her orientation before getting hit again.

“I’ve got him,” Bryan said, using his quad fusion to ward off the incoming enemy. The ship with the mass driver took a shot at Bryan, but missed slightly. Bryan retaliated with some homing missiles, but the enemy ship dodged them easily. It returned fire with a frag missile, but Bryan moved away from the wall it hit.

By now, Natalie was reoriented and ready to fight. She let her plasma cannon fire upon the ship, hitting it a few times before it realized what was going on and dodged further fire by running into a hallway.

Bryan charged up his quad fusion, and followed the ship relentlessly. He got up right next to the ship and fired, soaking the ship, fusing pieces of it together, and breaking it apart completely. “Got him!” yelled Bryan as he returned his ship to the main room.

“One down, one to…” started Natalie. Another mass driver round smacked into her shields, sending her ship sailing out of control and into the lava. “No!” she yelled.

Bryan knew that any second the ship would explode under the pressure of the heat. “Natalie, eject now!”

She did, and a moment later the pyro exploded, sending ship parts everywhere. Natalie was fortunate enough to not get hit by one of them, but her future looked far worse. Although she ejected and her parachute had opened, there was nothing but walls around her, and lava below her.

Bryan forgot about the enemy ship and made an attempt to save her. But before he got close enough to do anything, the enemy ship targeted him and sent a round of mass driver into his shields. Natalie continued her slow descent towards the lava, yelling and screaming for help.

Bryan couldn’t ignore the enemy ship to save Natalie, so he turned and fired more homing missiles at the ship. While the ship was dodging the missiles, Bryan charged his fusion and timed it so that he fired it into the same are the ship dodged to. The ship disintegrated on contact.

But Bryan turned around just in time to see the parachute, now on fire, melt into the lava. Natalie was nowhere to be seen.