Archangel 2099UG #1

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there...
If I take the wings of morning...
Even there shall thy hand lead me.

Psalms 139: 8-10

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I am Phoenix. I have explored parts of the universe no Watcher has ever seen. That is what I am... an explorer. I am also a massive starship. Within me there are 389 individuals that call me Captain. This is as it should be, I have always felt the best commander of this ship is the ship herself. I am however gracious and must admit that most of my fame is attributed to my courageous crew.

There are however, currently, 390 beings who currently reside within my protection. The latest arrival is a being of power, but also a familiar friend. As he touches down on one of my hydraulic shuttle bays, I create an atmosphere and dispatch an honor guard to escort him inside. With them I send a drone to house a portion of my active consciousness. It will go along to act as my eyes and ears.

As I and the two security guards await the hydraulic bay below, I transmit to their com-links, "I will expect you to give our new arrival all the courtesy due a diplomat." They nod. I need not remind them I know, but I rarely leave any room for misunderstanding.

It is then that he comes into view. I am unique among artificial life, as I can appreciate beauty, and I definately appreciate him. He stands a 6' of majesty, far above the angels he once commanded. His large feathered wings are of purest white and shudder at the tempeture change. Even the faintest of lights reflect off the silvers and golds of his mirrorlike armor. In contrast his hair is like an ebony waterfall cascading down the sides of a featureless mask of cosmic metal. Only the intense light of his eyes burn though. I must admit, for a moment I am speechless... thankfully he finds his voice.

His speech is strong and laced with wisdom as ancient as my own. " It has been to long since I have gazed upon your graceful form old friend."

He has had 6000 years to master the art of flattery after all. "Indeed it has Omen." I reply.

He gives me a salute of his order, one usually reserved only for family or fellow archangels and again he speaks in that melodious voice, " Lady Phoenix, legend among the stars, I Omen, of the Heavenly Host request permission to come aboard."

If I could smile I would. "Permission granted."

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Later in the Officer's mess

Once Omen had made himself at home, I invited him and my senior officers to a welcoming banquet. The one called Archangel has often crossed our path, always to our betterment. Many of the crew call him friend.

My crew, as I have mentioned before, numbers well over 300. It is my opinion that they are the best at what they do. They have joined me from all points of known space and a fair bit beyond. Amazingly, of the 389 beings on board, there are fully 3 of them that I would term Meta's. A Meta is a being with powers or abilities beyond racial norms. Two of these are in this room. I believe however, even these see it an honor to serve with their assembled piers.

The first Meta is my first officer, Lt. Commander Phase, a many limbed mutant of the planet Aracnis. The second Meta is Lt. T'Algor, my science officer. He is a Kree with shape changing ability.

The other three have no Meta powers but I would advise you never to underestimate them. Many have and have later regretted it. My operations officer Lt. Talis, is a Pegasusian with reptilian features and a heart of gold. The final two, my helmsman and Security Chief, are roughly human officers who share a love interest painfully obvious to everyone but them. They are Jona and B'Tel.

They are all old friends of Omen, and talk is light and jovial. I occasionally reply to direct questions but mainly await Omen's inevitable request. I need not wait long.

"Ifn yo dnt mnd ma askn," begins Jona... mouth full, "but where were you heading when we ran across you Archangel?"

The holy being pauses but ultimately relaxes. "I have been called back to the Covenanthome."

Jona spits out his food in a surprised gasp. "Freakin Earth!?!?"

I interrupt before Jona utters some insult. "You are a long way from Earth Omen. Are none of your brethren closer? I had heard Aliyya had headed that direction."

"Aye, I wouldst prefer a shorter journey, but Aliyya and I have seen little of each other in recent years. Sadly it could well be that I am all that remains of the Host of Heaven. I know only that I am needed."

The room grows silent, my officers await my response. In truth, I have a moment of indecision, but it is overwhelmed by my thirst for adventure. "Of course, as always, our services are available to you. I know you could make the trip alone but my multiwarp engines can shave months off the trip."

My officers nod their agreement and Omen brightens visibly." Aye, Lady. Thy help wouldst be appreciated!"

Phase turns to T'Algor, "I wonder what year it is on Earth?"

The Kree takes his rhetorical question literally and quickly does some calculations on his wrist comp. " 2099 sir".

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Later still- Bridge

I transfer my active consciousness to the bridge just as my senior officers enter. I can operate most of my systems alone, but this crew can do it faster...and besides, I enjoy the company.

I speak to my first officer. "Commander Phase, we may go."

Phase nods, "Lt. Talis, lay in a course for the Sol System. Lt. T'Algor, bring stargate engines to threshold. Jona, Prepare ship configuration for jump."

Omen enters as I feel power course through me. This is what I do!!! I ride the cosmic winds, I thirst to fly the unseen paths, to kiss the virgin heavens. Of all the inhabitants within me only Omen can grasp my elation... For he feels it too!!! I prepare!

"WAIT!!!", cries T'Algor, "long range sensors pick up a field of debris in our flight path!"

I can't keep the annoyance out of my voice. "Then compensate and reenter course."

I can see his face darken slightly, "That is indeed standard procedure Captain, but this particular field registers one faint life sign. I think it is humanoid."

There is a pregnant pause as I compose myself. "Well this being must have a guardian angel. Perhaps he is a friend of yours Omen"

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Within moments, I am in the process of coordinating a rescue of the being. A great deal of the credit also goes to my first officer. "Lt. Commander Phase, dispatch shuttle team to shuttle bay six. I want to find out what we have here."

He really is efficiency in motion. "I have already dispatched Ensign Rock and the Collective, Captain. I have only to dispatch the senior staff." He pauses, "Lt. Jona you will pilot the shuttlecraft."

The roguish lieutenant smiles and turns to the beautiful B'Tel "Think about me while I'm gone, Lieutenant."

Phase interjects quickly, " She'll have plenty of time for that Lieutenant, she's in command of the mission."

His eyebrows shoot up as B'Tel smiles vengefully, " If you weren't the best pilot on board I'd ask for Ensign Ko. At least he appreciates a woman who outranks him."

Finally Phase turns to Omen. "I know you are not officially a member of this crew, but our respect for you is complete. I would feel better if you would accompany our team."

"Aye, " Omen replies, "I'll go."

Phase faces the central screen. "Dismissed people. I want you in level two Phoenix gear for this one."

With that, Omen Jona and B'Tel leave the bridge. As they leave younger crewman move in to fill the vacant spots. Then Lt. Talis' voice rings out. "Debris field in visual range Captain."

I consider for a moment. "Phase One Alert Lieutenant. Shields up as soon as the shuttle is clear. T'Algor! I need data on what we are dealing with here. Lt. Talis... visual please."

The debris field comes up on the screen. The Kree science officer is lost in a world of data and misses the shock shared by the others on the bridge. " By analyzing the alloys and residual energy signatures, I find a very high probability that the debris are the remains of a recently destroyed starship... a large one. Bio-matter also suggests a large crew, also dead. The single life sign is very faint, with large levels of ionic radiations permeating the area."

"Interesting, " I muse, " Once the shuttle launches, get those shields up."

" Yes Captain.!"

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I must admit that I have no first hand knowledge what events occur on the shuttle as my consciousness is part of the ship. What I know , I glean from my own recording devices and the logs of my crew, or their remote communications. I feel like a parent every time they go out, never quite sure if they will stay out of danger.

The crew on this particular mission is a five man (woman) team. Omen has often worked with Jona and B'Tel and is close to both. He does not feel the same kinship with the other two.

This is true for Ensign Rock only because she has joined our crew after our last encounter with the Archangel. She is a weapons expert who prefers energy weapons. The larger the better. She is brutish with a large muscular build typical of her race with long reddish hair covering most of her body. Her assignment to use the shuttle's energy weapons to cut away debris or to fend off hostile forces.

Omen however knows the other being very well and the two together are like oil and water. The being goes by the name of the Collective. It acts as the medical director of the ship. I can not call it he or she for it is neither. As its name implies, it is a collective intellect but one like I have never encountered before or since. It is a collection of sentient Nano Tech in a symbiotic relationship with a liquid life form. I dare say it's intelligence rivals my own and it can work many artificial miracles as Nano-Tech can change nearly anything on a microscopic level.

The collective most often works this ability for good by healing the sick or by manipulating the genes of the diseased. The problem Omen has is that healing comes with a price... there is always a trace amount of Nano-Tech left in the recipients body. This combined with it's cynical nature makes the Collective a point of caution for Omen.

Both Rock and the Collective are competent crewmen and by the time the trio from the bridge arrives the shuttle is ready for lift off. All four of my crewmen power up their Phoenix Gear. Omen wears only a com-link.

B'Tel gets comfortable and in her monotone command voice says, " Lt. Jona, let's see what is out there..." the shuttle begins to move, "...if you can still fly strait." She smiles as the helmsman's hand tenses.

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I watch as the shuttle lifts off and turns for the debris field. Phase sits down in the command chair since I obviously don't need it. "Captain," he begins "shields are up and we maintain Phase One Alert. Do you have any other orders?"

"Yes I do. We don't know yet what destroyed that ship out there. I want you to have all records of this sector gone over with a fine tooth comb. Also notify the shuttle we are puling out of visual range. Something doesn't feel right and I want to make sure if we are hit the shuttle is at a safe distance."

"As you command Captain."

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On the shuttle

Ensign Rock mans the weapons and communications console. She has her com-link tied directly ship to ship. "Sounds like the Captain is taking the ship out of visual. Phase says to be careful."

Everyone smiles. They have been here before. The big scary mission and the worried Lt. Commander. B'Tel breaks the spell first. "Lt. Jona, bring us in at 1/10 impulse. Ensign Rock, fire a level 2 diagnostic probe."

The probe is fired and data pours into the shuttle's computer. Jona and B'Tel reviews the stream of information. Both frown. Omen notices.

"What is wrong my friends?"

"You tell him, I'm too busy trying to fly strait." Jona turns.

B'Tel never misses a beat. "Our probe has sent us a pretty bleak picture, Archangel. It seems our life sign is suspended in vacuum yet lives. There is also a source of ionic radiation very near the being. What is worse, the debris seems to be very thick there, as if the ship imploded in instead of exploding outward. The debris is too thick to teleport through. We could probably use the ships weapons to clear a path but that would either take too long or put the being at risk."

"I will go." is all Omen says as he moves toward the transport platform. "Teleport me to just outside the wreckage."

Within seconds Omen is teleported thousands of feet back into space.....his home for so long. His wings unfurl and the Power Cosmic burns within him. He dives after the path taken by the probe... into the cluttered space before him.

For long seconds he glides upon the cosmic winds but soon the particles become rubble and grow larger and more densely packed. He then summons a shield, and it's light is like a miniature star. He ducks behind it's protection and pours on the speed.

Quickly the com-link rings with B'Tel's voice." The being is 100 yards to your right Archangel."

He veers and feels the prickling of ionic energies as he moves closer. His shield disipates and he begins to move very large pieces with his bare hands. Soon he sees her... A human woman barely alive.

He moves to her and scoops her up in his mighty arms. She is so cold and the spark of life within grows dim. Omen calls to his comlink. " Archangel to shuttle. I have her, she is near death. I come to you quickly!"

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Back in the shuttle

B'Tel practically shouts, " Omen's clear of the field. Teleport him back on board." Ensign Rock out of her element now works the teleporter.

Before their eyes an angel appears, and in his arms a woman of slim build. The Collective moves in to do his job but Omen backs away. " You will not work your deed this day Collective. She should have a choice on whether to receive your gifts."

The medical director seems miffed, " And if she dies Omen?" He deliberately used Archangel's given name.

"I will not let her die."

He walks over to a bed and lays the attractive young lady down. His hand begins to glow as he strokes her hair. With every touch her wounds receed, and he quietly whispers "By his stripes you are healed."

The Collective snorts his disapproval, but says nothing. B'Tel breaks the uneasy silence when she activates her comlink. "B'Tel to Phoenix."

"Yes away team."

"We have located the life form and brought it aboard. The ion readings are now elevated probably due to contaminants. It appears to be a human female."

"Well obviously if she survives the vacuum of space that is not the case. Have the Collective runs his bioscasns and put up a containment field to contain the ion radiations." I reply.

"Aye Captain, but Omen seems awfully protective of her."

"Omen has done his job. She is out of danger. I'm sure he won't begrudge one of my crewman from doing their job also."

The collective cannot smile but as I gave the order I am sure he gave a good impression of one. I am told that even under my orders that Omen hesitated , but finally nodded and moved away from her. Jona activated the containment field with the medical director inside."

"Ah, that's more like it." The Collective moved in and pulled out his bioscanner. It began it's diagnostic and he begins to ramble as usual. " Hmmmm, her vital signs are weak but seem to be stabilizing in this environment. With Omens ministrations she seems to have recovered from the worst of her shrapnel wounds. Skin and muscle tissue are very dense. The ion levels are also not the result of contamination. She seems to be leaking it from her wounds as she is made up of it. I am running a level 3 racial cross reference to determine origin."

He recalibrates his instrument and bends over her. He seems perplexed by his data." Hmmm, now this can't be right."

Suddenly a very large sucking sound can be heard like pulling your foot out of deep mud. The Collective takes a step back from the prone patient as the sound grows louder. Then in an explosion of motion, black tendrils burst from behind the female and the Collective is tossed against the containment field. Outside the field ensign Rock grabs a large energy rifle and takes aim waiting for the field to drop. The tendrils continue to appear and crash down upon the woman until they cover the upper portion of her body. Omen punches the field "Let me pass B'Tel! Our charge is assaulted!"

B'Tel's eyes tear but she stands firm, staring directly into Omen face." We can't jeopardize the rest of the crew Archangel. Jona reinforce containment field."

"NAY!" B'Tel had expected this phrase from Omen but the shuttle grows quiet as they all realize the voice is unfamiliar and laced with evil. Everyone turns to the containment field. Inside was a sight to chill a soul. The woman is held aloft by a gelatinous mass by her engulfed head. The ebony mass has several appendages, one of which is topped with a ball sporting two over large silver eyelike patches and a gapping maw. From the grotesque mouth comes a long tounge coated in green ichor. It licks it's female victim then speaks. "I Claim This One Under The Laws Of Salvage. She Is Mine Release Me From This Field Or I Will Kill This One And The Other And Oh How They Will Suffer!"

Omen's right hand manifests into a sword of light and he draws back to strike the field. B'Tel taps her com-link. "B'Tel to Phoenix, Captain we have a situation here."

Next Issue: Introducing Hollywood 2099 and Skin!!! Phoenix 2099 under attack!!! A new cosmic threat!!! And more of Archangel 2099!!! And stats for Phoenix 2099!!! All in the first double sized flipbook of the 2099UG!!! Don't miss Issue Two!



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