Freedom, Part One

The story of Exile Sun continues! In the game, humanity’s first interstellar fleet has spent two hundreds years cut off from contact with Earth, stranded around a distant star. Players command factions of the now-splintered fleet, scheming and battling for dominance in the harsh environment. Previously, the prologue “Novus” introduced you to a piece of the game world’s history. This next story leaps decades forward in time, to the final year of their journey.

Freedom, Part One

“The fleet is back in formation, Colonel.†Lieutenant Grayson announced from the pilot’s chair. “All ships have reported in, and the Civilization has begun the countdown.â€

Colonel Liana Ganti, first officer of the colony ship Freedom, watched the wallscreens’ real time display of their companion ships. Beyond their tight formation, the other colony ships’ fleets were repeating the same ritual. “And the Slingshot?â€

The lieutenant consulted his display. “The Lambent Field drive is fully recharged, sir. We’re ready.â€

Liana nodded. “Inform the Commander.â€

Running a hand through her long black hair, she took a slow measured breath and worked to calm herself. Of course the drive was recharged. Wasn’t it always, after their pit stops?

Despite having been born and raised in the Outbound Fleet, she had always battled her nerves during this part of their monthly routine. This is all I know – shouldn’t it feel natural? Still, she couldn’t let the crew see her sweat. Not when she was so new to the rank.

Far to the right, a door hissed open. “Commander on deck!†called a fresh-eyed ensign. Sharp salutes snapped across the bridge as a tall, broad-chested man breezed through the hatch.

Without breaking his stride, Commander Vincent Des Charognards managed to touch a salute to his graying temple, flash an easy smile, and give the eager young ensign a pat on the shoulder. “Carry on,†he said in a deep, husky voice. “Today’s a big day.†He made his way swiftly across the bridge, eyeing every display with smooth efficiency.

Liana left the wallscreen and met Des Charognards at their adjacent command consoles. She nodded a greeting. “Commander.â€

That roguish smile turned on her as he settled into his chair and leaned back. “How do we look, Colonel?â€

“As expected, sir.†She tapped a few keys and sent the relevant reports to his display. Inside, she couldn’t help but marvel at him. They were about to blast themselves to three-quarters the speed of light, and he seemed as if they were taking a stroll around the corner. “Battery upgrades worked like we hoped. Colony ships recharged in two days instead of three.â€

He chuckled. “It used to take over a week, from what I’m told.†Reaching out, he tapped the screen to cycle through her reports. “Two days isn’t long. How’d the trading go?â€

“We got what we needed,†she replied. The fleets’ cargo holds were organized so that no single ship carried everything its occupants needed for the journey. As a result, each monthly stop served a dual purpose. The main purpose was to collect star energy and recharge the batteries that powered the each colony ship’s massive Lambent Field drive. If power levels dipped too low, they’d be unable to extend the field around their companion ships. The secondary purpose was to trade with other ships for any needed supplies and personnel. Apparently, the fleets’ forefathers had wanted to encourage the growth of an inter-fleet economy while they journeyed. “Everyone seems to be moving faster this time.â€

Des Charognards nodded. His eyes twinkled. “Of course! Some of them must realize what day it is. Those that don’t will remember soon.â€

Liana nodded and tried to smile. Tried to seem at ease.

“One year from today, Ganti,†he continued. “One year. Twelve recharges, that’s it. Then we’re home.â€

“Yes, sir,†she managed to say.

“And how was your leave?â€

Her smile faltered. “….um…â€

The Commander raised an eyebrow. “The leave we discussed you taking while we recharged? The leave you haven’t taken in the six months you’ve been my XO?â€

“Well, um….†she grasped for words, but good excuses slipped away. “….there just seemed….well, there was so much to be done, sir. I didn’t think….â€

“Liana,†he lowered his voice and leaned close to her. “The new rank weighs on you. I can see it. You’re only twenty-eight, and you want to make a good impression, so I expect that. But, believe me when I tell you this – if you don’t learn to relax, this job will eat you alive.â€

He fixed her with a no-nonsense stare. “I also expect you to follow my orders, even when the orders are take a vacation.†She moved to speak, but he held up a hand. “And if it helps, I’m already impressed. Understood?â€

Liana hesitated, considering his words. You know he’s right. Stop ACTING like an officer, and BE one. She slowly nodded.

Des Charognards’ grin returned. “Good.†He gave her arm a familial pat and leaned back in his chair again, turning toward the wallscreens. “Now, Colonel, let’s enjoy the launch.â€

Sitting back against her chair, she tried to mirror the Commander’s nonchalant air. It felt supremely awkward. Maybe she just needed practice. “Time to launch, Lieutenant?â€

“We’re at the one-minute mark, Colonel.â€

“This is my favorite part,†Des Charognards said, gesturing at the wallscreens. Like floating cities, the massive colony ships swung into their customary configuration, companion ships arrayed behind them. They formed a gentle arc like the outer edge of a boomerang – Civilization leading from the center, and Freedom taking the position farthest starboard. The Commander practically beamed at the Outbound Fleet. “So beautiful.â€

“Counting down from one minute,†Grayson said.

Liana gripped her armrests and concentrated on steady breathing. At zero count, they would switch from thrusters to the Lambent Field drive and leap instantly to .35L, just over one-quarter light speed. In the ten minutes following, the field intensity would increase until they were hurtling toward home at .82L. That in itself marked an impressive advancement during their journey. Back when the fleet launched from Sol System, it took hours to make cruising speed.

“Thirty seconds to launch.â€
 
The deck hummed beneath their feet as the Slingshot drive spun to life. She felt a familiar dizziness as the drive’s rippling distortion field passed through her, stretching to envelope their companion ships in its effect. To their port side, the Concord’s fleet shimmered behind its own field, as if Liana were looking at it through water. She rubbed her temples and shook the disorientation away. Never get used to that part.   
 
“Ten seconds.â€
 
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends,†the Commander whispered with a grin.
 
She kept her eyes forward, her face a stone mask. Just a few seconds and they’d be safely under way. Then she could stop being a little girl and help run this ship.
 
“….launch.â€
 
The breath she’d been holding came out in a rush. Star lines stretched across the wallscreens, and Liana felt herself pressed back against the faux leather chair. Space hurtled toward them at impossible speed. An instant later, the inertial dampers kicked in and she sagged against the armrest.  
 
“Mark-three-five-L achieved. Approaching mark-four-oh in thirty seconds,†Grayson announced.
 
Beside her, Des Charognards chuckled. “Only twelve more, Colonel,†he said quietly. “Then you won’t have to hold that poker face anymore.â€
 
Despite herself, she smiled, and the tension in her neck began to fade. “I’ll look forward –“
 
The ship lurched to the side. 
 
Liana tumbled from her chair and smacked onto the deck. Warning klaxons rang out across the bridge, clashing with the sounds of tumbling bodies and breaking glass. Shouts of alarm and confusion fired between the crew. 
 
“Report!†Des Charognards commanded over the din. 
 
“Some kind of storm!†Grayson responded. “Minor power outages, no major damage. Our companion ships report the same.â€
 
“Is everyone through it?â€
 
“Yes, sir, we just caught the extreme edge.â€
 
“Why didn’t SPHERE pick it up?†Liana demanded, heaving herself to her feet and gripping the chair for support. Somehow, the Commander had managed to keep his seat.
 
“Sprang up out of nowhere, sir. We have a fix on it now.â€
 
“Let’s see it,†she said.
 
Between the command chairs and the forward wallscreens, a glowing circle sprang to life and rose from the floor. Strands of light lifted from it and swirled together, converging into a three-dimensional holographic image. In seconds they were examining a hard light model of their ship, its fleet, and the colossal energy cloud roiling angrily beneath them. 
 
“We’re lifting away from it now,†Grayson said from the helm.
 
“Were any others affected?†the Commander asked.
 
“Concord hit it the same as we did, but the others were able to veer away.â€
 
Liana followed Des Charognards’ gaze to the port-side wallscreens. Their neighboring colony ship had listed to the side, but was regaining its attitude just as they were. 
 
“Signal Commander Marcus and request their status,†he said to the Comm officer. “If they’re functional, bring us back into formation with -â€
 
Proximity alarms screamed from the command consoles. 
 
“It’s shifting!†Grayson cried. 
 
Liana’s eyes whipped toward the forward wallscreens, and her insides melted. A massive jet of energy exploded upward from the storm and swept across their path, blocking the way for Freedom and Concord. Like a flaming ocean wave, it peaked high above them, then tumbled back toward the heart of the storm with their fleets directly in its path.
 
“Evasive!†the Commander barked.
 
The wave smashed into them with a thunderous crack.
 
Freedom shuddered and pitched sideways. Liana barely clung to her chair as crew and equipment careened across the bridge and bashed into each other. Damage alarms wailed over the groans of the straining ship. Half of the aft wallscreens went dark, spitting smoke and sparks.
 
“We’re……!†Grayson yelled, but the rest of his words were lost in the cacophony.
 
Violent tremors shook them as Freedom’s engines fought against the storm. Gathering herself, Liana ran to Grayson’s side with Des Charognards hot on her heels. Another boom rattled her teeth, and she grabbed onto the bulkhead for support.
 
“What’s happening?!†Des Charognards shouted.
 
“We’re caught in the wave!†Grayson called back, keeping his eyes on the displays and his hands on the yoke. “It’s trying to drag us into the storm! Engines are barely keeping up!â€
 
“Can we break out?†Liana said.
 
“We can’t even move forward! And even that won’t last.â€
 
A high-pitched electrical whine pierced the air. Liana ducked as light fixtures shattered overhead, showering them with blunted shards of glass. The bridge plunged into darkness. Seconds later, emergency lights winked on and bathed them in faint red light.
 
“What do you mean, it won’t last?†the Commander demanded.
 
“Storm’s dragging us down, Slingshot’s pulling us up – won’t be long before the stress tears us to pieces! We’ve already got hull breaches, and it’ll just keep ripping us open.â€
 
“Then we can’t just wait it out, Grayson – we need a solution!â€
 
A line of computer banks exploded, rocketing flame and shrapnel in every direction. Two ensigns flew backward to clatter against the aft wall. An officer dropped to the deck with hot shards of metal embedded in his chest. Failure alerts scrolled across Grayson’s display, and Liana knew the Commander was right. If they couldn’t break free, they’d be dead in minutes.
 
“Get a medic up here!†he shouted.
 
She grasped onto an idea. “What if we dump all power to the Slingshot? The spike might boost us enough to break free!â€
 
Des Charognards shook his head. “No good! With the Concord this close, we could destabilize their Lambent Field or push them deeper into the storm.â€
 
“She’s right, Commander, it might be our only chance!†Grayson pleaded.
 
“NO!†he cast a desperate stare around the bridge.
 
Liana could see him searching for another solution. Struggling to block out the screams of injured crew and rending metal, she wracked her brain for some other way to survive. The ship bucked and shivered under the strain, clouding her thoughts and filling her with dread. More wallscreen displays crackled and died, hissing and spitting arcs of electricity through the air. Another console caught fire and melted to slag. Fire suppressants must be offline.
 
The Commander swung back to them suddenly, eyes wide. “Charge the outer hull with an oscillating current! It may create a static barrier between us and the storm.â€
 
“Yes, sir!†Liana leaned down next to Lieutenant Grayson and frantically tapped out commands on his console. She fought to keep her hands steady as the ship quaked under the assault. 
 
The tremors grew more intense. A stretch of piping burst through the ceiling to their left, spewing a jet of gas and sparks. She entered the final commands and punched Execute. “I think that should do it, sir!â€Â 
 
In seconds, the battered ship began to calm. The violent rattling decreased, and Grayson managed to coax movement from the tired engines. He whooped with joy. “Might take a little bit, sir, but I think we can get out!â€Â 
 
A relieved cheer went up from the remaining crew, and Des Charognards’ distraught expression relaxed into a tentative smile. He turned to the Comm station. “Signal our companion ships and inform them of our solution. Relay the message to Concord as well.â€
 
Grayson’s piloting rig screeched an alarm and flashed red. 
 
“What now?!†Liana demanded. 
 
“Sir, that’s the proximity alarm,†he said, all humor drained from his voice. He stared over at the Concord. “This one’s only for ship-to-ship!â€
 
She followed his eyes to their fellow colony ship. They were getting closer! Even through the Lambent Field effect, Concord was near enough for her to see flames trailing from multiple breaches. As she watched, another piece of the hull broke off and spun away. 
 
“What’s Marcus doing?†the Commander said.
 
“They’re not responding to our stream signal,†the Comm officer called. 
 
A furious shudder rocked the Freedom. More alarms and warning lights blared at Lieutenant Grayson. “Their Lambent Field is touching ours! It’s almost like they’re….†he stopped short, shaking his head. His voice filled with dread. “Oh god, no. Commander, I’m detecting a spike in their Slingshot drive. They’re dumping all power to it!â€Â 
 
Des Charognards’ eyes grew frenzied. “Get me Marcus!†he bellowed at the Comm officer. 
 
“I can’t, they’re blocking our signal now!â€
 
Liana felt lost, like they all knew something she didn’t. She stepped closer to the pilot. “Grayson, what’s happening?â€
 
The lieutenant turned to her with dark eyes. “That maneuver you suggested – the one the Commander shot down? They’re doing it. Only, they’re going further and using our Lambent Field as leverage!†He gestured wildly toward the Concord. “They’re pushing against us to blast themselves free!â€Â 
 
Cold fear seized Liana’s chest, squeezing like an icy fist. Crossing the bridge, she took her place next to the Commander and searched for anything she could do. But how could they stop it? The Concord wouldn’t listen!
 
Des Charognards ripped the comm device from the officer’s hand and held it to his lips. “Marcus, don’t do this. You don’t know what will happen,†he pleaded. “We have a way out. WE HAVE A WAY OUT!â€Â 
 
“Too late!†Grayson cried.
 
Liana braced herself as the Concord’s Lambent Field spun like a tornado. In an instant, it doubled in size and crashed against the Freedom. Then they were spinning.
 
Freedom’s Lambent Field shattered. Inertial dampers gave out, and Liana found herself clinging to the Comm station as the world spiraled around her. She heard the engines scream as they struggled to compensate. With each revolution, the Concord came into view again. It was rising away, toward the edge of the storm. Rising to salvation.
 
One tired hand slipped from its desperate grip. Liana felt herself begin to fall away, until a firm arm grasped her waist and anchored her in place. Craning her neck to identify her savior, she came face to face with the Commander. His eyes bore into hers with molten fury. She gasped at their intensity, like she’d never seen before.
 
“They betrayed us,†he snarled.
 
Looking out the wallscreen at the escaping ship, she knew he was right.
 
“Something’s happening, Commander!†Grayson managed to shout, pointing as the Concord came into view again.
 
At the edge of the storm, it’s escape had stopped cold. The over-driven Lambent Field burst like a balloon, and a flash arced from the ship’s metallic belly. Liana winced at the intense light.
 
Taking on a life of its own, the flash exploded into a massive energy wave and swept across the Concord and its companion ships. They disappeared in the blink of an eye, as if erased from existence. Liana’s insides turned to water. The breath left her lungs as an entire fleet was blasted from existence before her eyes.
 
The wave continued on, hurtling in their direction at breakneck speed.
 
“Move us away!†Des Chagronards commanded.
 
“Controls are fried!†Grayson cried in despair. “We’re dead in the water!â€
 
The advancing wave filled the remaining wallscreens with blinding light. In the last seconds, Liana closed her eyes and struggled to feel calm. So, this is how it happens. A wall of force slammed into them with a deafening roar. The world turned bright white, and sound seemed to muffle.
 
She felt herself tumbling through the air.

As you may have guessed, this one is a two-parter. I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the world of Exile Sun! Upcoming stories will highlight different factions and different points in the game world’s timeline. To date, both Kickstarter campaigns were completed successfully, and both were overfunded! The game is set to debut this summer. If you’d like to get familiar with how it works, check out this link:

Exile Sun: Multiplayer Conflict Redefined