Song of the Solitaire

[Von Acturus]

And the genocide begins. This is probably a self defeating tactic by the new supreme leader of the empire, Berkens which might have been unsympathetic to the SLA will now probably join it out of desperation, allowing it to even the numbers with the Imperial forces.

Still a lot of blood will flow before peace comes. It's a pity Pentwa and the other Valdemar refusers didnt manage to take over the colony. While exile is safer, a colony where genocide was prevented or contained would be an invaluable asset during the reconstruction of Sutharian society.

 

[Macavity116]

Well... Things are looking grimmer than a grim thing that's extra grim.

I think it's safe to say that this story has finally reached Year of Hell levels of dark content, and we're just a little more than halfway through.

It's a pity Pentwa and the other Valdemar refusers didnt manage to take over the colony. While exile is safer, a colony where genocide was prevented or contained would be an invaluable asset during the reconstruction of Sutharian society.

If Pentwa's comments are to be believed, then there is much less support for genocidal action in the rest of the Empire. The SLA might be able to secure the outlying colonies with far less bloodshed.

 

[CBR JGWRR]

I don't know. Year Of Hell at least had the assurance that it would only be a year of hell. This... Could take decades to have a similar final stable outcome.

 

[Macavity116]

Year Of Hell at least had the assurance that it would only be a year of hell. This... Could take decades to have a similar final stable outcome.

I make no such promises this time around.

<=== Previous (Chapter 27: The Sutharian Genocide)

Next (Chapter 29: Veldanura) ===>​

Chapter 28
On the Hunt​

For the first time, Trig took control of his dream.

As soon as he knew he was in the dreamworld, he called out Tenna’s name. She appeared moments later, walking along the riverbank, her footprints filling with water. The children embraced, and Tenna cried onto Trig’s shoulders.

“I’m so sorry!” She sobbed. “I didn’t know my people could be so horrible.”

“It’s not all Valdemar being evil.” Trig reassured her. “Look at Bronley, Selborne, even Pentwa. And I know you’re not like Emperor Canto and his lackeys.”

“But that’s just the thing.” Tenna choked.

She pulled away from Trig and wiped her eyes.

“Manius, the fortune-teller guy. He… he… he said that to ‘know my future I had to know my past.’”

“Oh, yeah.” Trig interrupted. “He said the same thing to me as well. So…”

The gears in Trig’s mind suddenly clicked, working fast to bring the obvious implications into the light.”

“Oh, wow!” Trig gasped. “That means… Manius must have told you who your parents are!”

Tenna was on the verge of uncontrollable crying, but she pulled herself together just long enough to nod, then she fell into Trig’s arms again.

“Oh, no…” Trig breathed. “Tenna, are your parents dead?”

“Yes.” She wailed. “Today, I watched them both die.”

Understanding poured into Trig’s mind like water from a stream.

“The Emperor… and Prime Minister Vestem?” He said. “No way… really?”

“They knew, and it’s my fault.” Tenna cried. “They knew… They knew I had Psionic powers when I was a baby. I was the first person to be expelled! Everyone who got sent to Lightwater was because of me!”

Tenna buried her face in Trig’s shirt.

“My dad called me an abomination.” Tenna whispered. Then she lost her voice.

For about fifteen minutes, Trig and Tenna sat down at the riverbank. She cried into his shoulder until she had no more tears.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Trig told her.

A flurry of movement caught Trig’s attention. Two of the gods were nearby, a little further up the riverbank. Kumase and Ariha were beneath a tree, cutting down its branches and carving them into sharp spears. Kumase, the Specter of Oblivion, looked up from her work and peered at Trig. She shook her head in a way that said, “don’t talk to me.”

“Hey Trig…” Tenna spoke up. “When we wake up, I’m gonna give you my Keystone shard… but you’ve gotta promise me something first.”

“You said that back in Venka Urbo.” Trig responded. “And that it had something to do with the prophecy Manius gave you.”

She nodded.

“Listen, Trig. This journey we’re on… one way or another, we’re going to the Necropolis. Once we get there, it seems like we’re going to meet whatever destiny the gods have set out for us.”

Tenna hugged Trig, then spoke in a whisper.

“Something is going to happen to me while we’re at the Necropolis, Trig.” She said. “Promise me, no matter what, you won’t let me step through a Psionic Conduit while we’re there. Do everything to stop me, okay? Even if you like, have to hurt me or something. Just don’t let me go through that final door.”

Trig squeezed Tenna closer to him and swore, hand over his heart, to honor Tenna’s request.

…

The journey to Tradestation Tungle took three weeks, but it felt like so much longer. In that time, the Luminous Frontier had descended into chaos. MSI and Nagyari warships were fighting each other in most systems along their shared border. This renewed conflict was some kind of spillover from the chaos in Suth-Kasa.

Meanwhile, the Sutharian Genocide and Civil War merged into a single conflict, creating a much bigger problem for Resonance Cascade than Trig first assumed. Every time the mercenary warship crossed paths with a Sutharian vessel, one of two scenarios would play out:

The Cascade would ask the Sutharian ship to identify itself. In most cases, the other vessel would not be a participant in the ongoing genocide, and was either attempting to escape or actively helping the SLA fight back.

However, there would be the rare moment where the other Sutharian ship was crewed by Valdemar extremists. These crews gave themselves away by demanding to know if there were any Berken aboard the Resonance Cascade. Whenever this happened, Tactical Officer Rulan gunned the sublight engines and the Cascade would stage a hasty escape from the scene.

On board the vessel, Trig and Tenna (and to a lesser extent, Appia) were being subjected to intense training by Ponnico and the other mercenaries. All three of the youngsters were taught how to pilot the spacecraft, how to maintain its systems, and the basics of astronavigation and space combat.

While Appia got a crash course in all of the small arms and light weapons in the armory, Trig and Tenna practiced their Psionics. Ponnico told the children that their telepathic attack against Ellex was “pointless but nonetheless inspired” and decided to train them based on this display of power.

“There are two primary schools of training in Initiate-level Psionics: the ways of the Resonant and the Telepath. Trig, you’ve demonstrated potential to be a Resonant, while Tenna over here has the makings of a proper Telepath.”

“I’ve heard of Telepaths before, but not Resonants.” Trig admitted.

“Telepaths are the ones who get all of the attention and all of the blame for Psionic deeds.” Ponnico explained. “I was a Telepath, and can attest to such. Your father was a master of both fields.”

So the training began. Tenna learned about techniques that would bend both mind and matter to her will. On the other hand, Trig learned how to augment those around him, to make his allies stronger and to repair the damage inflicted by Psionic attack.

“Once you practice and become skilled, we might branch out. Trig can attempt Telepath techniques and Tenna may try the Resonance school of thought. But you should master these basic abilities first.” Ponnico said.

…

Tradestation Tungle was located deep within the territory of Minamar Specialized Industries. After crossing the MSI border, Tactical Officer Rulan insisted the ship continue its journey in complete radio silence.

“You cannot comprehend how many advertisements are being blasted at us from all directions.” Rulan told the crew. “The Interlink is nothing but ads; they’re filling up most of the viewscreen in the cockpit.”

“Maybe it’s a type of electronic warfare!” Anfel joked.

Rulan was not amused.

After three weeks of Hyperspace jumps, the Resonance Cascade arrived at Tradestation Tungle. The surrounding star system was awash with civilian traffic. Thousands of starships were departing the station, fleeing in all directions as news of the intense conflict reached the Tradestation.

A strange dichotomy was playing in the background of this scene: Advertisements for every product and service imaginable flooded the Interlink, cluttering the computer screens in the cockpit and weapons control stations, making the war seem so very far away from this hub of commerce and entertainment.

A security ship drew alongside the Resonance Cascade and opened communications.

“Welcome to Tradestation Tungle!” An Olinbar officer said over the radiowaves. “We have everything you could possibly desire. Need to refuel? Lowest prices in the sector! Is your crew feeling restless? We’ve got the most widest selection of red-light workers this side of Tyron. We’ve got gambling, food, drink, sports betting, and so much more! And now, thanks to ongoing events on Sutharia, our accommodation sector has more vacant rooms than they know what to do with! How may we be of service to you fine customers?”

“We appreciate the offer.” Captain Kanter radioed back. “We are looking to find one of our friends who might already be at the Tradestation.”

“Yes! Definitely! Absolutely!” The Olinbar Captain replied. “A bigger party is a better party. What is your friend’s name, species, and vessel ID?”

Kanter stood aside and allowed Ponnico to take the headset.

“We’re looking for an elderly Nagyari fellow who answers to the name ‘Veldanura.’ He might have come here aboard a starship named Hualinga. Tell him ‘Trurah Ponnico wants to have a reunion.’”

The message was sent. Now all anyone could do was wait. Trig meandered around the weapons control room, fiddling with a spacesuit to kill the boredom. Appia noticed Trig was now wearing the gun she gave him on a holster and complimented him, saying it looked good there. Anfel saw this and gave Trig a nudge.

“Look at you, playing the field.” Anfel teased Trig.

“Huh? What’s that mean?” Trig replied, keeping his voice low.

“Dude, I’m half Berken.” Anfel replied. “I know a Berken courting gift when I see one. Did you give her anything in return?”

Trig spluttered, shocked beyond words. But before he could say anything, Captain Kanter’s voice sounded over the intercom.

“Our Nagyari friend is making a run for it! Scope shows the Hualinga doing a 6g burn!”

“Everyone suit up and strap in!” Rulan yelled. “We’re gonna chase him down!”

<=== Previous (Chapter 27: The Sutharian Genocide)

Next (Chapter 29: Veldanura) ===>​

 

[HistoryDude]

It's nice that not all of the Valdemar are participating in this genocide. Even so, leaving the empire is probably a good idea for both groups... at least until things calm down.

Tenna had terrible parents. Were they just anti-psionic in general, or did something specific happen to cause the exile (did Tenna do anything by accident?)?

Are Telepaths and Resonants normally mutually exclusive?

Did Tenna get a prophecy with multiple options, or did her prophecy tell her that she would step through the Psionic Conduit and she's trying to cheat fate?

 

[Macavity116]

Tenna had terrible parents. Were they just anti-psionic in general, or did something specific happen to cause the exile (did Tenna do anything by accident?)?

The Vestem regime was just getting started during the final years of the Nagyari Wars, and justifiably guarded its territory against Psionic infiltrators sent by the Horde. At some point, President-for-Life (later Emperor) Canto Vestem became paranoid and feared Psionics in general. That fear expanded to his family and the rest of his government.

It should be noted that the expulsion of telepaths from Sutharia occurred when Tenna was 3 years old. Somehow, in a way we the audience do not know about yet, Tenna became the straw that broke the camel's back.

Are Telepaths and Resonants normally mutually exclusive?

No. Psionic people can train in both schools of thought. Malum mastered both, and there could be others who have done the same. Ponnico simply believes Trig and Tenna should focus heavily on learning the pathway they've each demonstrated a talent for.

Did Tenna get a prophecy with multiple options, or did her prophecy tell her that she would step through the Psionic Conduit and she's trying to cheat fate?

Like Trig, she received a 3-part prophecy. And yes, she is actively trying to cheat fate.

 

[Macavity116]

<=== Previous (Chapter 28: On the Hunt)

Next (Chapter 30: Orbital Speed Demons) ===>​

Chapter 29
Veldanura​

Trig donned his spacesuit and reported to the cockpit. Tenna did the same and took over one of the weapons control stations. Captain Kanter briefed everyone on the situation:

“Tradestation Security just called us to say our mark left the station and boarded his ship. The Hualinga started turning and burning as soon as she got clear. They’re heading for Tritonis.”

Trig strapped himself into the copilot seat and examined the astronavigation screen.

“If we burn hard, we could intercept Hualinga before they get to a Hyperlane.” Trig said.

“And that’s what we're gonna do.” Kanter replied. “Shepminter, start accelerating. Rulan, fire up the Electronic Warfare Suite. I want that ship deaf and dumb. Everyone else, secure your gear and get ready to pull high-gees.”

…

The Resonance Cascade throttled her engine to full burn, chasing the Hualinga across the system. Trig was surprised to learn that Kanter allowed him to control the intercept, piloting the ship with only minimal corrections from Rulan.

“It’s time for you to sink or swim, Shepminter.” Kanter said. “You were going to be tested sooner or later. Show us what you can do. Rulan, give me an update on the EW suite.”

“The target is deaf and dumb, sir.” Rulan replied. “We're flooding his Interlink nodes with junk data. Any messages coming in will be garbled, he can’t transmit anything right now. Don’t expect this guy to call for help.”

“Send Hualinga a message in the clear.” Kanter ordered. “Tell them we mean no harm, and we only want access to Veldanura.”

The transmission was sent, but it did not produce the result Trig was hoping for. He felt the control column begin to tremor in his hand.

“I’ve got a stick shaker!” Trig yelled. “They're targeting us!”

A moment later, the Hualinga opened fire. Torpedoes launched from the escaping vessel in groups of three, filling the screen until Trig lost count of the deadly red dots.

“Holy Ariha, that’s a lot of incoming!” Trig gasped. “How many torpedoes did they just launch at us!?”

In his earpiece, Tenna's voice called out:

“Thirty! No, wait! Twenty-nine!”

“They’re coming in fast.” Kanter said. “Shepminter, Rulan. Give me a starboard evasive maneuver.”

“Roger that, maneuvering thrusters online.” Trig pressed a button on the console, giving control to Rulan.

“I’m putting us into a spin.” Rulan said. “Annora, Bronley, launch decoys!”

The Resonance Cascade began to rotate along its vertical axis, spinning like a top. Trig kept his eyes away from the viewscreen, where the universe was now orbiting clockwise around a single wobbly star. The vessel shuddered as the decoys were launched. Then he heard Tenna curse.

“Decoys only got two! We’ve still got twenty-seven torpedoes coming in! Distance, nineteen thousand kilometers!”

“Bringing the CIWS online!” Bronley said over the intercom. “Keep spinning! Give me thirty revolutions per minute, and I’ll be happy.”

Rulan twitched the control column, forcing the ship to spin even faster. The CIWS cannons began to fire in a rhythmic pattern, sending a burst of shells downrange before falling silent for a revolution. Trig understood why Bronley was doing this; he was attempting to drain ammunition from the CIWS guns evenly by bringing only one or two to bear at any given moment.

One by one, the incoming torpedoes were picked off. Each of the CIWS guns took two targets before the vessel rotated underneath of it. Trig turned his head sharply when a pitter-patter sound reached his ears.

“We’re being hit by debris from those torpedoes.” Rulan said. “Blow through, keep the throttle pinned.”

Trig held the throttle controls while Rulan continued spinning the ship. Everyone was painfully pressed into the sides of their seats by the centrifugal force. Bronley and Tenna carried on shooting at torpedoes until a jarring impact caused the Cascade to lurch upward. Trig gripped the control column so hard he was afraid it might break.

“Turret One is jammed!” Selborne yelled over the intercom.

Trig looked down at the screen and saw that one of the CIWS cannons was offline. Resonance Cascade now had a blind spot where her weapons could not reach, and this quickly became a problem.

The enemy torpedoes must have been using AI pilots, just like the ones used by the Cascade. Trig guessed this because three of the incoming weapons changed course, aiming for the Cascade’s newly created weak point.

“I’ve got three torpedoes going for the ventral hull!” Trig called out.

“Coming around!” Rulan responded. “Brining Turret Five to bear!”

Rulan fired maneuvering thrusters along the ship’s longitudinal axis, flipping the Resonance Cascade end over end until one of the CIWS turrets could draw a bead on the incoming torpedoes.

“That’s a hit!” Tenna shouted from the weapons control station.

“I got one!” Bronley added. “Scratch another, I got two!”

The vessel shuddered one last time before the CIWS turrets fell silent. Captain Kanter slammed his fist on the console and cheered loudly.

“Yes! We got’em all! Selborne, put a torpedo in the bastard’s drive cone!”

Looking down at his sensors screen, Trig watched as the Resonance Cascade fired a single torpedo of her own. The weapon burned its thruster hard to outpace the fleeing vessel before slamming into the enemy’s sublight engine.

“Captain, the Hualinga is hailing us.” Rulan said. “Shall I open communications?”

Trig relaxed his grip on the controls. He laid in a new intercept course and made the Cascade finally stop spinning. At the same time, a voice came over the intercom, speaking in the Olinbar language:

“Attention Sutharian warship. I surrender.”

“Then stand down and cease fire!” Kanter replied.

“Understood, standing down.” The enemy commander sighed.

“Prepare to be boarded and to surrender any data and personnel we require.” Kanter ordered.

“Agreed.”

While the Resonance Cascade approached its target, Ponnico, still outfitted in his spacesuit, came into the cockpit.

“I want to talk to him.” Ponnico growled.

…

The Resonance Cascade drew alongside the Hualinga and extended its collapsible airlock. (which could be used as a docking mechanism in situations like this) As the two starships connected to each other, Trig left the cockpit and started descending the twelve ladders and staircases between the cockpit and airlock. Along the way, he passed through the weapons control station.

“We used about thirty percent of our CIWS ammo.” Tenna was saying to Anfel and Glossom. “Let’s hope we don’t have to do that again.”

“Sure, sure.” Glossom said, waving his hand dismissively. “But can we talk about how good you were back there?”

Inside her helmet, Tenna blushed.

“Wait, you really think I did good?”

“I looked at your combat logs.” Glossom said. “You had, like, a sixty-five percent hit rate. That’s pretty good for a first-timer.”

Realizing the two mercenaries were trying to flirt with Tenna again, Trig changed course, planning to intervene, but Ponnico caught him.

“We have an appointment to keep.” Ponnico said.

…

Trig and Ponnico, still wearing their spacesuits, armed themselves with blaster pistols and stepped through the airlock. Bronley was there as well, equipped with a gel gun.

“They never depressurized their ship.” Bronley said. “Looks like they weren’t ready for a fight.”

“Wait a second.” Trig said. “How come you need a spacesuit, Ponnico? I thought you could do the whole, ‘turn to dust’ thing.”

“I still need atmosphere and regulated temperatures to live, like anyone else.” Ponnico remarked. “Follow me.”

While the airlock filled with enough atmosphere to match that of the Hualinga, Trig peered out of a window and spotted the crippled ship. It was a very strange vessel. The Hualinga was not a warship, but rather a civilian cargo barge, of the type used to haul minerals or alloys. It had no defenses aside from a single-use torpedo launcher, externally mounted on the stern. The launcher looked as though it was added in great haste.

“Check it out.” Trig said. “They fired all their torpedoes at us on the first salvo. They don’t have any weapons left.”

Ponnico looked concerned. A moment later, the airlock opened.

The interior of the Hualinga was deserted, silent as the grave. Selborne’s voice came over the radio built into Trig’s suit:

“Hey guys… I just finished my close-up scans of that ship. You’re not gonna believe this: There’s only one person on board.”

…

Following Selborne’s guidance, Trig, Ponnico, and Bronley made their way to the bridge. The doorway leading into the room was sealed, but a small window allowed the trio to peer inside.

Trig had seen Nagyari before, on televisions, holograms, history textbooks and video games. He had even seen a very small number of them on Sutharia, both before and during the outbreak of war. But this was the first time he met one up close and spoke to it.

The Nagyari are similar to both Olinbar and Sutharians. Their faces, eyes and skin had Sutharian look and texture. Just like the Olinbar, they were hairless and had blue skin. If anything, the Nagyari looked as though they could have been the middle stage of evolution between Sutharian and Olinbar, although they were somewhat closer to the latter.

Veldanura looked… bizarre. His eyes were bloodshot with large bags underneath them. He stumbled as he approached the doorway and seemed to be disoriented. In addition to all of this, Veldanura was as naked as the day he was born. Trig noticed that Veldanura was shivering, and his breath formed clouds in front of his face. Trig quickly looked down at the wrist-mounted computer on his spacesuit. The ship’s internal air temperature was just one degree above the freezing point. It was as though someone had allowed all of the heat to simply bleed off into space.

Ponnico flinched at the sight, then pushed the intercom button by the doorway and said:

“You’ve seen better a days, old friend.”

Veldanura stammered an unheard response before fumbling with his own talk button.

“Thirteen years ago, I would have had your severed head and limbs on my table as trophies, you traitorous scum.”

“Open the door, Veldanura.” Ponnico ordered. “We need to relieve you of-”

Veldanura laughed, it was a cold cackle.

“Come in then! Take whatever you want, but you’ll find I have something to give you as well! Something you can give to that pyjak Camber for me, since he sent you to do his dirty work.”

Ponnico hesitated.

“Hold on…” He said. “What did he just say?”

“He thinks we’re working for Ellex Camber.” Trig said, who had understood Veldanura’s meaning right away.

“Keep your helmets on.” Ponnico told Trig and Bronley. “He has contracted the Nocturnal Plague, and appears to be in the throes of the Madness.”

“Great.” Trig said. “How are we supposed to find the Keystone if the guy holding it is out of his mind?”

A moment later, Tenna’s voice sounded over the radio network:

“Actually, Trig. I think I know what he did with the Keystone.”

​

<=== Previous (Chapter 28: On the Hunt)

Next (Chapter 30: Orbital Speed Demons) ===>​

 

[HistoryDude]

For somebody who is affected by the Madness, he gave our protagonists quite a scare with those missiles.

Did Veldanura dislike Camber? He apparently stayed loyal, so they would've been on the same side... but underlings can disagree with each other. I wonder what issues he had with Camber, and if our protagonists can take advantage of it...

Is this something the Keystone or a disease? Or both?

 

[Macavity116]

For somebody who is affected by the Madness, he gave our protagonists quite a scare with those missiles.

Firing off your entire stockpile of weapons in one salvo is a pretty insane thing to do. Veldanura was lucky Ponnico wanted him alive, or else the Cascade might have employed a much more disproportionate response.

Did Veldanura dislike Camber? He apparently stayed loyal, so they would've been on the same side... but underlings can disagree with each other. I wonder what issues he had with Camber, and if our protagonists can take advantage of it...

There does seem to be some kind of conflict between Veldanura and Ellex Camber, but the exact nature of it, we do not know.

Is this something the Keystone or a disease? Or both?

Veldanura was fully intent on passing the Nocturnal Plague to anyone who dared to breathe the same air as himself.

 

[Von Acturus]

In the throes of madness or not, he gave us a proper and thrilling space battle.

If even a Chosen can get the Nocturnal Plague, Ponnico and Trig better be extra careful. I wonder if the Plague was something Veldanura contracted accidentally, or was targeted for.

 

[CBR JGWRR]

Attempting to fire off all your missiles at once isn't actually insane - overwhelming point defence systems with incoming fire is one way of overcoming such defences. Can be expensive of course, but it's a reasonable move in this context.

 

[Macavity116]

In the throes of madness or not, [Veldanura] gave us a proper and thrilling space battle.

I really missed writing space combat. Will try to get a couple more engagements into the story.

Ponnico and Trig better be extra careful. I wonder if the Plague was something Veldanura contracted accidentally, or was targeted for.

From the stories Ponnico told, we should assume that targeting someone for infection is easier than it seems.

---

Dear readers, we have reached what I consider to be "The End of Act Two." And just in time as well, because 2023 has got one foot out the door, it seems.

At this point last year, I had just posted the grand finale of The Last Heroes and said goodbye to the Stormbreaker Universe for the final time. Since then, I have written a total of 6 new stories, a radical change from my days of only writing one story per year:

• A Coldwar Affair
  • In this non-canon entry into the Stormbreaker Universe, two rival spies must hide their affair from their collogues.
• Grand Theft Stellaris
  • When a galaxy-spanning empire collapses, a young woman is caught in a plot to steal the Emperor's flagship.
• Year of Hell - A Stellaris War Story
  • In the sequel to Grand Theft Stellaris, two soldiers must survive on a hostile alien world when war suddenly breaks out.
• The Great Lie
  • In the alternate ending to Year of Hell, Cali D'Kara comes face to face with her creator.
• Finding Love Under the Winter Star (Ao3 exclusive)
  • My first fanfiction to be based on a non-Paradox game. This Stardew Valley story tells the tale of a romantic Winter Star festival.
• The Broken Gates
  • In this meta-breaking standalone sequel to Song of the Solitaire, an enigmatic fairy from Irish folklore becomes the subject of the first true crossover between Crusader Kings 3 and Stellaris.

This has been an incredible year and I was so happy to share it with you, dear readers. It's been a blast! Thank you so much for reading!

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Weekend, and here's to an amazing 2024!

<=== Previous (Chapter 29: Veldanura)

Next (Chapter 30: Approaching Danger) ===>​

Chapter 30
Orbital Speed Demons​

Trig ran back to the Resonance Cascade, where Tenna and Anfel were waiting for him at the weapons control station.

“Anfel and I were watching a replay of the fight and we noticed something.” Tenna said.

“Veldanura really did fire thirty torpedoes.” Anfel cut in. “But only twenty-nine of them came at us.”

“So, there’s a missing torpedo?” Trig asked.

Tenna nodded.

“When I replayed the footage, we saw one of the torpedoes turn and burn away from us, heading into deep space.” She explained. “I remembered what Selborne taught me about extrapolating courses, so I did that and…”

Tenna gestured to a nearby computer screen, where a starchart was displayed, showing the flightpath of the missing torpedo. Anfel keyed the talk button on his spacesuit, transmitting to everyone aboard the Cascade.

“Everyone keep your spacesuits on! It looks like we’re gonna have to chase a torpedo!”

“This is Ponnico, we are coming aboard now!” Ponnico’s voice replied. “Retract the docking port. Leave Veldanura to his fate. We must get that Keystone!”

…

Trig was certain that Tenna was on the right track. Veldanura, desperate to keep the Keystone away from would-be thieves, had placed it inside of a torpedo and fired it into deep space.

The plan was simple, chase down the torpedo and then use one of the Cascade’s utility drones to retrieve the Keystone.

“That torpedo was accelerating at over one-thousand meters-per-second squared, relative to the Barycenter of this system.” Rulan reported from the cockpit. “We’ll have to exceed that if we’re going to catch up. Everyone strap in and prepare for a high-gee burn.”

“How high are we talking?” Trig asked as he returned to the pilot’s seat.

“The risk of brain injury will be minimal.” Rulan replied nonchalantly. “Fatal brain injury even less.”

Once everyone was strapped into their seats, Captain Kanter gave the order.

“Give me maximum acceleration!”

“Roger that!” Rulan replied. “Accelerating to ten-point-five gees!”

Trig was crushed into his crash couch as the Resonance Cascade shot through space like a bullet from a gun. Somewhere within the vessel, Tenna and Appia both screamed.

“It feels like someone’s standing on my chest!” Appia wailed.

“Stay calm!” Glossom ordered. “Control your breathing, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Don’t forget to clench your thighs.”

“My thighs?” Appia repeated. “Are you hitting on me?”

“Stops the blood from pooling in the back of your legs!” Glossom said. “You’ve got to keep your blood flowing, otherwise you’ll have a stroke when we hit high-gee!”

Up in the cockpit, Trig and Rulan controlled the intercept.

“We are now at seven-gee and accelerating.” Rulan called out.

“I have the torpedo on sensors.” Trig announced. “Laying in an intercept course. It’s getting really hard to breathe over here.”

“Whistle.” Rulan ordered. “That’ll force you to breathe. In the nose, out the mouth.”

Trig pursed his lips and tried to sound out a few notes. Down below, Tenna, Caera, and Appia were whistling together, trying to harmonize.

Eight gees. Trig could feel blood running out of his nose and down the side of his neck.

Nine gees. Trig was getting tunnel vision. He could no longer see the starfield outside, only the computer display directly in front of him.

Ten gees. Trig had a powerfully sharp headache, like his skull was caught in a vice.

“Intercept course confirmed.” Rulan said. “Distance at closest approach, eight-five meters. Relative velocity at closest approach, fifteen-point-six kilometers per second. Standby for deceleration burn. Main Engine CutOff on my mark… three… two… one… MECO!”

The Resonance Cascade abruptly shut off her engine, reducing the onboard gee forces from ten to zero in half a second. While Trig, Tenna, and the others caught their breath, the vessel began to fire its maneuvering thrusters, turning over until the engine was pointing into the direction of travel. The Cascade looked as though she was flying backwards through space.

“Now comes the tricky part, Shepminter.” Rulan said. “We’re going to fire our engine just long enough that we’ll be travelling through space at the exact same speed as our quarry. This maneuver will require perfect timing. Think you can do it?”

“Yeah.” Trig tried to inject some confidence into his voice. “I think I got this part.”

Keeping his finger over the flight controls, Trig knew he had to wait for just the right moment, firing the engine not a moment too soon or late, and then shutting it down at the proper moment as well.

“Distance to target… fifty kilometers.” Trig reported. “Forty. We’re in visual range now. Standby for engine startup in three… two… one. Go!”

Trig pushed the engine to full throttle. The warship lurched, pushing everyone back into their seats. Trig kept his eye on a digital stopwatch on the corner of the screen, counting the seconds he needed to sustain the burn.

“Standby for MECO.” Trig announced. “On my mark… three… two… one… MECO!”

Trig powered down the engines. The Cascade became a zero-gravity environment once again.

“Intercept complete.” Trig said. “Distance to target, forty-seven meters. Relative velocity, zero-point-three meters per second.”

On the left side of the cockpit, Captain Kanter clapped his hands.

“Well done, Shepminter.” He said. “Alright, Annora. It’s your turn, power up one of the utility drones and launch it when you’re ready.”

The Cascade flew alongside the spent torpedo. The weapon had long ago run out of fuel and was drifting aimlessly through space.

Tenna donned a virtual reality headset that would allow her to pilot the drone from her seat.

Launching from the cargo bay, the utility drone maneuvered through space by means of argon-fueled ion thrusters. Tenna brought the drone within half a meter of the torpedo and scanned it.

“I’ve got something.” Tenna reported. “The nuclear warhead is disabled. Part of the detonation mechanism is missing, and… uh… there’s an object lodged inside the detonator… something that the scanner says is made of 90% Volucite.”

“That’s it!” Ponnico exclaimed. “The Keystone was originally carved from Volucite! It must be one of the shards!”

Moving with great care, (and some helpful advice from Selborne) Tenna used the wide array of tools on the drone to cut the warhead off. The torpedo’s AI pilot tried to resist, firing its maneuvering thrusters wildly until they ran out of fuel. Once she managed to slice the nuclear warhead off the rest of the weapon, the drone gave it a shove, sending the dangerous explosive spinning away into deep space.

Then the rest of the torpedo was carried aboard the Resonance Cascade. Finally, to make certain the warhead did not threaten the nearby Tradestation, Anfel fired a single torpedo from the Cascade, vaporizing the warhead in the subsequent blast.

Finally, after a long and difficult day of fighting and racing, Trig, Tenna, Ponnico, and the rest of the crew gathered in the cargo bay to see their prize.

Using a cutting torch, Glossom and Bronley opened up the torpedo, removed a small glittering stone, and passed it to Trig.

Trig and Tenna huddled together and brought their Keystone shards together. All three pieces interlocked perfectly.

“Three down.” Trig said.

“Three to go.” Tenna replied.

<=== Previous (Chapter 29: Veldanura)

Next (Chapter 30: Approaching Danger) ===>​

 

[Von Acturus]

Clever trick by Veldanura. Seems like the Madness has very selective effects on the psyche of it's targets.

These three have been easy. Let's hope our heroes don't get too relaxed.

 

[CBR JGWRR]

made of 90% Volucite

So, this bit got a bit interesting. The name of the crystal made me wonder if there was anything to it or if it was just "random consonant and vowel jumble with -cite on the end" to name a mineral, and that led to Castle In The Sky. There are a few other similarities too.

 

[Macavity116]

So, this bit got a bit interesting. The name of the crystal made me wonder if there was anything to it or if it was just "random consonant and vowel jumble with -cite on the end" to name a mineral, and that led to Castle In The Sky. There are a few other similarities too.

I like where you're going with this...

...I'm so happy to hear this crucial puzzle piece was found.

 

[HistoryDude]

That was a cunning plan.

Why is no one worried that Veldanura infected the Keystone shard with the Madness? He clearly wanted to spread it, and he knew that our protagonists were hunting it down. Or did he view the thing as too holy or important to infect?

How does the Madness spread, for that matter?

 

[Macavity116]

Why is no one worried that Veldanura infected the Keystone shard with the Madness? He clearly wanted to spread it, and he knew that our protagonists were hunting it down. Or did he view the thing as too holy or important to infect?

How does the Madness spread, for that matter?

Aboard the Resonance Cascade, only Ponnico and Caera know the exact method by which the Nocturnal Plague is transmitted to its victims. In turn, they are the only ones who know how the Nocturnal Plague triggers the Madness... and what the madness actually entails. Ponnico seems to think the plague was isolated with Veldanura aboard the Hualinga.

Happy New Year! It's 1am over here in the mitten. The future should be reaching the Western US and the Pacific in a couple hours.

 

[Chac1]

Still catching up with this very interesting story. Still about three chapters behind the current action. So apologies for this question outside the narrative flow.

Back in Chapter 27, Appia appears as a stowaway on the ship. Up until that point, all of this wide-ranging action held together for me. However, her appearance seems off. She delivers a lot of information becoming a bit of a narrative device rather than a character. That’s alright. We all need characters to deliver exposition from time to time.

However, it seems all the information she gathers is too much. How could she gather all that information (even as a spy for the SLA) in the short time between the asteroid crash and the Resonance Cascade taking off? Yes, the ship did not take off immediately but there wasn’t that much time between the assassination of the emperor and the crew’s fight with Ellex.

Thinking that Appia’s appearance needs some additional narrative help here, unless….

Unless Appia is a plant by the SLA on the ship and she’s really working for Ellex. Even then, some explanation of her quick travels and gathering of information might help Chapter 27. Did she use a portal to be able to travel so quickly while gathering all that information and witnessing so much? And if she did, what does that mean?

Just a loose end that this reader/listener noticed….

 

[Macavity116]

Back in Chapter 27, Appia appears as a stowaway on the ship. Up until that point, all of this wide-ranging action held together for me. However, her appearance seems off. She delivers a lot of information becoming a bit of a narrative device rather than a character. That’s alright. We all need characters to deliver exposition from time to time.

However, it seems all the information she gathers is too much. How could she gather all that information (even as a spy for the SLA) in the short time between the asteroid crash and the Resonance Cascade taking off? Yes, the ship did not take off immediately but there wasn’t that much time between the assassination of the emperor and the crew’s fight with Ellex.

Thinking that Appia’s appearance needs some additional narrative help here,

Oh, you've hit on a good point here. As presented, Appia's sudden appearance (as currently presented) on the Resonance Cascade doesn't add up. Doubly so for the sheer volume of information she provided... making Appia the second character in the story who knows way more about the surrounding situation than she rightfully should. (After the Soothsayer Manuis, but we'll deal with him later.)

She... [becomes] a bit of a narrative device rather than a character.

Yup, that's pretty much what happened here. Because the hunt for the Keystones takes precedence, Trig and Tenna can only get the metaphorical "30,000 foot view" of the wider war. Appia provided the first such view, and I intend for her to serve a highly specific role in the climax, so she's just barely counting as a character right now without further development.

So apologies for this question outside the narrative flow.

No worries! I'm only one person and this would not be the first writing error to slip through by any stretch of the imagination. (and not the worst, either... lest we forget the Faith in Chaos continuity error that had Arahu Ranginui fathering a child after his own death. XP) The comments are helpful and appreciated.

 

[Macavity116]

Happy New Year everyone! Here's to an awesome 2024!

New chapters will be starting up this weekend. (Watch this space on Friday)

Remember a few months back when I said that this story underwent a massive, wide-reaching re-write around November? Well, the upcoming chapter is one that got absolutely demolished and rebuilt from the ground up. Keep your eyes open for the introduction of another important spaceship in Chapter 31, one that will play a big role in the rest of this story.

This is fancy way of saying I miss writing space battles and I am trying to find ways to add more.

Enjoy! Thank you for reading, and I hope you'll join me this weekend when Song of the Solitaire returns!

Spoiler: The Caldorix - Technical Information

The Starship Caldorix
Personal flagship of Great Khan Malum Ralpakin during the Nagyari Wars.

*All technical details reflect the state of the vessel in its post-salvage state (it was left derelict for 13 years following Malum Ralpakin's death)

• Nagyari Galleon
  • type of armed merchant vessel that can be easily retrofitted into a warship
• Manufacturer:
  • Metro Wildcat Foundries (Subsidiary of the Beyu Trade Organization)
  • Records indicate the Caldorix was 15 years old at the time she was wrecked, ship is now 28 years old
• Specifications:
  • Class: Galleon
  • Combat Role: Command and Control/Flagship
• Endurance:
  • Food and Water
    • 5 months
  • Sublight Engines
    • 15 weeks (at normal cruising speed)
    • 6 weeks (at high cruising speed)
    • 9 days (at flank speed)
  • Electric Power
    • 3 months (One of two Antimatter Reactors removed by salvagers/shipbreakers)
  • FTL Drive
    • 500 Lightyears (post-salvage FTL Drive)
    • 15,000 Lightyears (Psionic Jump Drive is nonfunctional)
  • Engine lifespan
    • 3 years at normal operations
    • 0.5 years at wartime operations
  • Weapons and ammunition
    • 5 protracted actions or 20 short actions
• Dimensions
  • Length: 193.95 Meters (636.31 feet)
  • Height: 56.4 Meters (185.039 feet)
  • Wingspan: 33.6 Meters (110.236 feet)
• Propulsion: Impulse Thrusters, Advanced Afterburners, Psionic Jump Drive
  • Max acceleration: 39 m/s^2
  • Maneuvering Thrusters: 85 cold gas thruster arrays
  • FTL Rating: Short Range (<1,500 Lightyears)
• Armament:
  • 2x Heavy Railgun
    • Maximum effective range: ~1,000 Kilometers
    • HAMMER LOCK range: ~5 Kilometers
    • Fire Rate: 20 rounds per minute
      • Ammunition:
        • Tungsten armor-penetrating rounds
        • 40 Rounds per magazine
        • 175 magazines stored aboard the ship (max capacity)
  • 20x Gauss Autocannon
    • Maximum effective range: ~49,000 Meters
    • Fire Rate: 120 rounds per minute
    • Ammunition:
      • High explosive squash-head armor penetrating rounds
      • 80 Rounds per magazine
      • 550 magazines stored aboard the ship (max capacity)
  • Torpedo launchers (Primary weapon)
    • Maximum effective range ~60,000 Kilometers
    • Number of tubes: 10
    • Storage capacity: 20 torpedoes per launcher, 200 total
    • Weapon characteristics:
      • Sutharian AI-Guided Torpedo (AI-TORP)
      • Developed by Sutharian Military
      • Unarmored, therefore much faster and more maneuverable
      • Armed with neutron warhead to kill starship crews while leaving vessel intact
      • Guided by very advanced AI pilot. Torpedoes are highly intelligent and can operate independently of the ship, allowing commanders to “fire-and-forget”
• Defenses:
  • Guardian Point-Defense systems
    • Laser-based weapon system to defend against missiles, torpedoes, and strike craft
  • Fire Control Tower
    • AI-computer system to coordinate all ship weapons
  • Decoys (anti-guided weapon system)
    • Can store up to 400 and deployed from 10 launchers
  • ECM suite
    • Electronic Countermeasures, used to fool enemy sensors and weapons
  • Psionic warfare suite
    • Psionic weapons used to incapacitate enemy crews or augment friendly ones.
• Other systems
  • Precognitive interface
    • Psionic combat computer, tied into Fire Control Tower. (nonfunctional post-salvage)
  • Containment Chamber
    • Houses the Song of the Solitaire
  • Conduit Chamber
    • Provides direct connection to the Psionic Conduit Network

Internal layout:

The interior of the Caldorix seems to favor form over function. The halls and rooms of the vessel are decorated in the manner of MSI Megachurches, with many statues and chandeliers found throughout the vessel. Artificial gravity generators provide a constant sensation of 0.5g on all decks.

Many temples, shrines, and other places of worship are scattered throughout the vessel, all devoted to the Great Khan, Malum Ralpakin. The Great Khan has an entire deck devoted to himself. It includes his personal chambers, a throne room, a Psionic Conduit, and a specialized containment facility capable of holding the Song of the Solitaire.

During combat, emergency bulkhead doors are used to seal compartments off from each other, preventing the enemy-induced depressurization of the ship’s interior. Each deck has a supply of survival suits and isolated air supplies in the event of shipwide emergencies or large-scale enemy attacks.