Archangel 2099UG #2

And he went forth Conquering and to Conquer.

Revelations 6:2

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My name is Phase, and for 12 years it has been my priveledge to serve upon the Independant Starship Phoenix. I am the highest ranking officer living on the ship but I am outranked by the ship herself...yes, that's right, Phoenix is sentient. It is she that speaks to me now.

" Lt. Commander Phase, dispatch a shuttle crew to shuttle bay six. I want to find out what we have out there."

What she refers to is the current dilema in which we find ourselves. It has been about 2 hours in the making. It was approximately that long ago that our starship crossed paths with a Cosmic entity we have come to know as Archangel. I count Archangel among my friends and I was elated when the Captain opted to help him reach his destination. He has told us he needed to reach a place he calls Covenanthome, but we know that planet as Earth in it's 2099th year A.D., but as we prepared to jump we found a field of dense debris in our flight path with a faint humanoid lifesign among the rubble.

It is my job to anticipate my Captain's needs and fill them. I have done so and respond appropriately. " I already dispatched Ensign Rock and the Collective, Captain. I need only dispatch the Senior staff."

I pause and take in a deep breath because the shuttle crew is about to become interesting. " Lt. Jona, you will pilot the shuttle." I did this because I see Jona as easily the best pilot I've ever seen, he can make a shuttle dance with his touch... the problem is that he knows it and his confidence borders on obstinance. He smiles and turns to the lovely Lt. B'tel. " Think about me while I'm gone Luitenant."

I must say I have always found human mating rituals to be complex and often contradictory in nature. It is fully obvious to all of us that Jona and B'tel care for each other, but neither will open up to the other. It seems they prefer to hide behind duty or sarcasm. I daresay however I prefer humanoid love to my own race's Aracni version. In my culture, we females are serviced by our males once and then we devour them. I think this is perhaps why I never married. I reply to Jona's taunt. "She'll have plenty of time for that Luitenant, she's in command of the mission."

B'tel returns the dig but I loose interest and turn to our guest of honor...Archangel. " I know that 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, I'll go." Short, honest, and concise... that is a perfect example of why I like him so much. There are never games to be played where he is concerned... never.

I then turn to the central view screen. " Dismissed people, I want you in level two Phoenix Gear for this one." and with that the trio departs for the shuttle.

As the hydraulic doors slide closed at their passing the Pegasusian, Lt. Talis lifts his light green reptilian head. "Debris in visual range, Captain!"

I must say that even I am suprised by the Captain's next orders. "Phase one alert, Luitenant. 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."

What appears on screen suprises all of us save T' Algor who is already lost in a world of data. The field is immense and unlike the remains of an explosion, very dense.T'Algor begins to ramble.

"By analysing the residual energy signatures, I find a very high probability that the debris are the remains of a recently destroyed ship... a large one. Bio-matter also suggests a large crew, also dead. The single lifesign is very faint with high levels of ionic radiations permeating the area."

Quietly the Captain responds. "Interesting. Once that shuttle launches, get those shields up."

" Yes Captain," I respond... confused.

Tense moments pass until we see the shuttle lift off and turn for the debris field. I review our status then return to the command chair. " Captain," I begin,"Shields are up and we maintain Phase One Alert. Do you have any other orders?"

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

I nod and rise from the the command chair. " Lt. T'algor, I'll be in the tactics chamber. Notify me if there is any change."

"Yes Sir." he sighs, obviously resenting being pulled from his precious data. I move to the rear of the bridge and enter my sanctum. Once inside I tap my com-link. "Lt. Talis, off ship link please."

"Go ahead Commander."

" Phase to Shuttle."

I hear a gruff voice, nearly feminine answear. "Ensign Rock here Sir."

"We are pulling out of visual range. You are to continue under present orders...and be careful Ensign. That's an order. Phase out."

I relay orders to T' Algor next to move out of visual range then terminate the Com-link. I sit down at the table and rub my eyes. It shouldn't be this way.

" You have resevations old friend? Perhaps we should talk, woman to woman." Even after all these years I start at the sound of my Captains voice. I should be used to it, after all she is the ship and I have no secrets from her. That is why I felt betrayal on the bridge. My mind fills with a thousand thoughts.

"You've been hiding things from me Captain."

"Captain? Why so formal... we are not in front of the crew. You've always called me Phoenix here."

I lean back in the chair, crossing all three pairs of arms akimbo. "I usually don't feel like an outsider here. What's going on that I don't know about?"

" Phase," she begins from nowhere in particular. " I really don't know any more than you do. I have only suspicions..."

"Suspicions that you didn't feel you should share with me, your first officer? I suspect you are sending the shuttle crew on a mission you beleive to be more dangerous than you are letting on. I find myself questioning your motivations here."

"Phase, you really are misreading this."

"Am I? This happened once before, remember? I think that we need to..."

"Lt. T' Algor to Commander Phase."

I pause, torn between making a point and fulfilling my duty. As always my duty wins out. "I want to finish this conversation later Captain." Her electronic giggle only irritates me more. I tap the Com-link. "Phase here T'Algor, what is it."

"You wanted to be notified if there were any changes Sir. Well, things are changing pretty rapidly. I could give you more data if I were relieved to return to my station."

"I'll be right there."

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"Status report T'Aalgor!"

The kree Science Officer, still looking annoyed, vacates the command chair upon my entrance. " We have began picking up odd energy emmisions beyond the debris field within impulse range. I'll know more in a moment."

He reclaims his station and morphs his form to allow quicker processing of the data. With the greater precision of the scientific sensors he quickly begins to form an opinion of the phenomenon. " For no reason I can deduce, the empty space beyond the field has began to emit vast tachyon waves.The levels are increasing and the patterns are unfamiliar."

The Captain's voice rings out of nowhere." Bring us in closer. Orbit around the debris field and bring us in at a tangent" The ship begins to come around as the captain continues, " Put us between the Phenomonon and the debris field. And hurry!" The junior officer at the helm, Ensign Ko, rushes to fufil his duty. Again the captain's voice rings out. " Lt. Talis, prepare all weapon systems to fire!"

I have finally reached my breaking point, " Captain! Perhaps we should conclude our briefing. You obviously have tactical data I lack."

A deep sadness creeps into her electronic voice. " I'm sorry Commander, the time for briefings has passed."

" The time has passed?!? Phoenix, what do you mean? I deserve an answear! What's coming?!?" I plead.

I am not sure if she would have answeared me if Lt. T'Algor had not interjected " I believe you will have your answear Commander if you observe the central sceen Sir."
I look as directed and immediately wish I hadn't. Where once was only empty space, now shone a needle of light, like some great eye opening before us. At first I would describe it as a slit, then a tear in the fabric of the universe. White light pours into the bridge from the view screen.

"What is it T'Algor!?!"

"I don't know sir." The seriousness of the situation begins to sink in, for I have never before heard our kree science officer utter those words. I wish his timing had been better.

The scene seems to freeze, as if a heartbeat could take an eternity, but it also speeds ahead as moments feel like seconds. At this point in time the heavens burst assunder belching forth hundreds of dark motes against the brilliance of the dimensional tear. It takes me a moment to contain my awe at the beauty of our doom, but then I call out..." Battle stations!".

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The floodgates now opened, I have little time to figure out the 'whys' or 'hows'. I am a seasoned veteran of over 50 space battles and I know that this one will probably be my last.

"Tactical! I need a report!" I yell as the ship rocks with the first of the energy blasts.

"A wave of small one man fighters, at least 100! All have made one pass, shields are holding! They seem to be manuvering to stagger runs at us in a swarm tactic!"

I look around the bridge and see half my senior staff gone. The younger officers look to me with the confidence that I can pull them through. They lack the experience to know that any battle could be their last. I find myself wishing Jona were here piloting the ship.

"Ensign! Bring us about! Iwant to meet the wave head on! Lt. Talis! Prepare to fire all defences on my mark! T'Algor! Figure out how to plug that damn hole out there in space!"

The crew falls into it's standard mode of efficiency... I would allow no less. My orders are carried out without question as we hurttle through space toward the hordes of fire and steel that dare oppose us. We may fall this day, but I will be damned if we don't take our pound of flesh for the trouble!

The kree science officer calls out over the Klaxons " Commander! There are no lifesigns on those vessels!"

"Drone ship's?" I ask.

" I do not believe so sir. They react differently than any drone ship I have ever encountered. I really don't have a hypothesis."

I growl in frustration, "Captain! What is going on out there?"

For the first time since the battle began she speaks, "It is as I had feared Commander, we face the Dark Fleet! May whatever gods you worship have mercy on us."

As my mouth drops the enemy's fire lances out angrily at our shields. The Dark Fleet is a myth, a spacer's tale to frighten green crewmen! It can't be! What the hell is going on here?!?

The ride begins to get rough but still I reserve the order to fire. We and our enemy dash toward each other at an alarming rate. "Lt. Talis! We are vastly outnumbered, when I give the order, make every shot count! Ready...FIRE!!!!"

Our graceful ship rocks violently to one side under the barage of the first wave of attackers. Our inertial dampeners overloaded by the shear force of the blasts. It takes all six of my arms to hold me in my seat... unfortunately I am the only one on the bridge with six arms. Lt. Talis however manages to reach up to depress the Auto Fire Relays.

Our full battery of Blaster Cannons spew death at the enemy! The smaller ships are easily decimated by the greater firepower. I hear the reasuring 'Doosh, Doosh' of the rocket launchers discharging. I grow proud when I see young Ensign Ko, fight to regain his seat and begin to control our flight.

"Status!" I yell.

"Minor damage to innertial dampeners! Stargate engines offline! Shields are...up to 110%!"

I start confused, "Up to 110 %!?! Did I hear you correctly?"

"Yes Sir! The enemy's weapons are energizing our shields!"

"Energizing them how?"

T'Algor pipes in " Insufficient data!"

"Damn it T'Algor! If you don't start finding me some answears you're fired! I..."

"They are reversing my gravametric polarity." responds the Captain. "It all makes sense now. They will keep energizing my shields until I either drop them or am crushed by them! That explains the density of the debris field. We face the enemy that destroyed that ship out there."

"Have they spotted the shuttle yet?" I ask.

"I have flooded the area with our energy signature. Their scans seem to focus on us." she begins. " Perhaps it IS time we spoke, Phase. I want you to clear the bridge."

"What!?!"

"I will soon soon have to drop shields or be destroyed by them. I have every confidence that the Dark Fleet will attempt to board us once we do so. I need to protect my crew and get my Stargate engines online. I can do both if you pull the crew back to decks fourteen and fifteen. You can set up a baracade while you repair the stargate engines. Phase, it is important to buy Omen time out there. I know you and I have unresolved issues right now but as your commanding officer I have to ask you to trust me."

She leaves her words hanging there. I look at the floor, unsure of what to do. After long tense seconds of a decision I look up just as the ship rocks again. "You'd best come through this Captain... because you and I are gonna have words when this is over!"

I turn as I tap my comlink. "Phase to security! Arm yourselves in Level Three Phoenix Gear and prepare to be boarded!" I turn to Talis. "Open a chanel to the crew Luitenant." He does and nods as I address the crew.

"This is Commander Phase. We have encountered an enemy that defies our attempts to better them. We are about to be boarded. I want all crewmen in Level Two Phoenix Gear and begin evacuation to decks fourteen and fifteen. I want it done 10 minutes ago! That is all."

As I terminate the connection I look around and notice the bridge crew looking at me. "We've been through tougher people. Now clear the bridge and get to decks 14 and 15... I'll be along shortly."

I wait till they leave and sit in the command chair, fearing this may be the last time I see it. The ship rocks under another wave of attackers and the red lights flash all over the bridge... but I sit, unaffected by it all. Soon I here the swish of the hydraulic door behind me. The being that enters is a simple drone, but within it is the ancient wisdom and soul of the Captain I will give my life too this day.

" I thought you would still be here Phase."

"You're not going, are you Captain?"

" No... I need to slow the enemy, to gain Omen time."

" Time for what, Captain?" I ask.

" To save us. Only he can face the Dark Fleet."

" I won't let them take you Phoenix. I swear it!"

" I don't think you will be given a choice in this Phase. You focus on getting those engines up, while I buy Omen some time. Now go... my shields can only hold another three minutes."

I turn to leave and I hear an electronic voice utter only a single word..."Phase!"

I stop but she says nothing. What could we possibly say that we have not felt? I reply the only way I can.

"I know..."

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(Nearly 3 minutes later, in a corridor.)

I run. I must admit I feel like a coward abandoning my bridge, even if it is under direct orders. I move at an amazing speed compared to most humanoid races, but still find myself four levels too high at this critical time. I fear I may be caught alone with the enemy when it boards, so while I sprint along I hit the panel to power my Phoenix Gear. This movement causes me to be slightly off balance when next the ship rocks from enemy fire. I find myself flat on my face, all six arms spread eagle, and thanking the maker that no one is here to see me in this indignity.

" Are you well Commander?"

I look up, cursing Fate's sense of humor, and see the faces of T'Algor and the furry Security Cheif Rock decked out in his Level Three Phoenix Gear. This makes me uncomfortable as I sent his daughter out in our doomed shuttle.

I sit up to at least recover some of my composure. "I thought I ordered you to deck fourteen Luitenant!"

The kree furrows his brow, as if thinking, " Hmmmnnnn, I don't recall such an order applied to me specifically, Sir!"

" I know that proper military decorum dictates that I hold the distinction of sir, Luitenant, but as I am female I would prefer to be addressed by the rank of Commander. Now help me up."

The kree and the Cheif Rock help me to my feet as T'Algor begins to appologize. " Sir...uh Commander, I have served with you for six years and you have never corrected me in the way I address you. I was unaware that I had offended. Why have you never told me?"

I really had no good answear so I gave the only one I had. " It didn't bother me until today, Luitenant."

The Kree seems to relax until I address him again. " Are there any more of my crewmen in violation of disobeying a direct order?"

His blue tinted skin turns a shade darker. "No si... Commander! Only myself and Cheif Rock! We are making a sweep of the decks to ensure all the crew withdraw to the specified decks. We have found no stragglers... save yourself Commander." Touche' I think.

Then again a voice from nowhere. "Phase?"

I stop, " Yes, Captain."

"I am dropping shields, you keep my crew safe."

I don't bother with a reply. She knows I will do so or die in the trying. I and the other three crewmen begin to run toward the main lift down to the decks that the rest of the crew await us from. The ship rocks violently as the energy pounds the unprotected hull. We have trouble keeping our footing, the noise is deafening!

Then suddenly it just stops. I and my crewmen just look at each other. Cheif Rock is the first to speak. " Now that is eerie."

I feel I have too agree with him. " Come on, we had better get to the lower decks to help prepare for the enemy's assault."

" With all due respect Commander," starts T'Algor, " Our chances of holding off the enemy until the engines can be repaired drop considerably if the enemy gains any reinforcement troops through the phenomenon."

I know he has a point. " I certainly hope you have a solution to that problem since you brought it up."

"I beleive I do Commander! The gateway the enemy opened seems to modulate a specific pattern of tacyon waves that wedges an opening in the fabric of space. If I could somehow transmit our own modulated pattern into the matrix I may be able to force the phenomenon to close! The ship could eventually overcome an enemy cut off from it's command structure."

I contemplate...." It seems like a sound enough plan. Are you sure you can make it work?"

" Yes Commander."

" But how are you going to introduce our modulation into the matrix? The Captain is locking out primary systems as we speak. Soon, we will be unable to use any ship system."

Finally Cheif Rock pipes in, " Well, Commander, that is not entirely true. When last I checked the teleporters remain active to assist in excape if needed."

T'Algor grins, " That's it! I can modify equipment from the engineiring bays and then just teleport the emitter into the rift! Commander! We must get me to engineiring so I can plug that hole as you ordered."

"Luitenant, are you aware that we are just moments away from being overrun by a hostile force? My first duty is to protect the crew. I need to be down there with them."

"If that is what you order Commander, then I will obey, but I feel that will win us the battle at the expense of the war."

That is when the computer chimes in... Without the Captain's intelect behind it. "WARNING! SECURITY BREACH AT LEVELS THREE, EIGHTEEN, AND TWENTY! REPEAT: SECURITY BREACH AT LEVELS THREE, EIGHTEEN, AND TWENTY!"

I need more to go on."Computer, cross reference the lifeform that has breached security and relay findings to me."

"SEARCHING.... NO LIFEFORMS ON BOARD THIS SHIP SAVE REGISTERED CREW."

That doesn't make sense. "Then who is responsible for the security breaches?"

"WORKING... INSUFFICIENT DATA TO FORM A HYPOTHESIS."

Damn! I hate working in the dark. "Well gentlemen, lets go close that hole in space. I hope you are right about this T'Algor."

" I am"

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( Five minutes later, main lift deck ten)

In the past few minutes I have heard the computer quote three more breaches, but to date no other lifeforms have entered the ship. I find this hard to believe and begin to suspect robotic or cloaked invaders. If either is true my chances of using the computer to track them drop.

I lead my men to the main lift to the lower decks (ten through twenty), but as I approtch, I hear the sound of the lift's hydraulics kick in. We duck into an alcove to observe who is to exit.

As we stand here, my greatest fears are realized. We have indeed been boarded. I see several humanoid creatures wearing battle armor of blacks and grays exit he lift. I would imagine their armorment is more on par with our own Level Three Phoenix Gear. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Phoenix Gear is a combat or duty suit that offers many abilities that primitive cultures see as godlike. Level one is our standard uniform and is issued to all in the crew. It has a comlink, a limited body armor and with the captain's help... the ability to teleport. Level Two adds more durable armor, life support, and a single energy weapon attatched to the wrist. It is the third type I wish I was wearing. Level three is heavy combat armor with onboard combat computers, reinforced armor and quite a few larger energy weapons. I find myself making a command decision.

"Lt. T'Algor, we are going to retake that lift and use it our own damn selves!"

He nods, "That seems the sensible thing to do were it not for the beings who currently seem to be utilizing it."

I hear a comment growled by Cheif Rock. " These devils, this Dark Fleet, may have taken my little girl from me already! We will take that lift and color it with their life's blood!" I see his weapon systems arm themselves all over his Level three gear.

My eyes narrow and I grin. "Let's go!"

We leap from our hiding place as Cheif Rock lets out a gutteral roar! In all the years I have watched him work I have never seen his war cry fail to demorilze an enemy... until today. The enemy calmly turns to face us and begin to bring weapons to bear! Our training and experience are all that save us from the deadly fire that flies at us.

T'Algor wears only the standard armor of the crew and currently appears as the weakest among us, but he personifies an old cliche about deceiving looks. Faster than my eye can follow his form morphs and his face contorts. He leaps and takes flight as an armored Rigelian bloodfinch!

Cheif Rock has a much less refined method of attack. He in his Level three Phoenix Gear is nearly invulnerable to their weapons and charges ahead without the slightest variation to his course. He adds the sounds of his war cry the whine of his energy weapons.

It is my speed that saves my hide, pure and simple. I manage to dodge the rain of light thrown at me. My physiology has no adrenal gland but I feel the rush instead of my killer instinct. We are perhaps the three most deadly members of this crew but for all our might, I smell no fear in our enemy.

We slam into their ranks! My first victum falls under my weight and lands hard. I tear at it's armor to no avail. It brings a savage bladed forearm in backhand cutting motion and I barely leap away before the weapon connects. The first victum rises as others close in upon me trying to separate me from my friends. I train my laser on the first and fire as I bring up two of my arms to ward of an attack of another.

The first falls as I engage the second who is joined by three others. Quickly seeing my situation going awry, I leap strait up and with a dazzling show of acrobatics I come crashing down on the back of one of my assailants. From here I can see that both of my commrades have nearly gotten to the lift where as I seem to keep getting forced away. I look over at Rock who's brutal combat style tears a path to the doors with little resistence. It is then that I notice it... the foes we have slain already begin to move again! Rising with missing limbs or without the benifits of a head or other needed organs. I yell over the battle. " Get T'Algor out of here Rock! I'll rondevous as soon as I've finished up here!"

The security cheif nods as he too realizes the fallen are on the rise. He redoubles his efforts to reach the lift. I, however let a momentary distraction cost me dearly. The opponent upon whom I sit grasps me and forcefully slams me into the floor. Needless to say, it hurts.

Now I am one of three Metas on this ship but few save the Captain and T'Algor know what that power is. I have an innate ability to phase my body and things I touch to the immaterial. I rarely use this power as it is painful and requires great concentration, however, I use it now. I fall under the weight of my enemies, both living and dead, and can see no other means of excape. I detatch my laser from my wrist and set it to overload. As it begins to whine I focus on making it and my arm immaterial as I feel the blades of my enemies cut into my armor, seeking my tender Thorax. I open my eyes and select my enemy. I can only hope that my friends have excaped. I thrust the phased laser into the helmet of one assailant and let it go. Once out of contact with me the item becomes solid, then explodes!

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(10 minutes later- deck 19-engineiring teleporter)

I hurt. The enemy had managed to cut away some of my armor and it takes three of my arms just to hold my guts in. I am also so very tired, the very act of phasing most often drains me and I have never maintained that state for this long. I drift now, light as a feather down, down. Passing through floor after floor of our ship.

Finally I arrive at deck nineteen and find the deck sealed. That is good. I had feared with the breach in the deck below that I would find it overrun already. With the last of my strength I pass through the barrier, and collapse on the other side, my life's juices spilling out. I feel strong hands pick me up.

"Commander... it's me, Cheif Rock!"

I open my eyes and try to focus on him. "Did we close the rift?"

"Not yet, Commander. The Luitenant is just finishing the wave emmision device. You are badly hurt Commander, how did you survive the blast we heard?"

"I phased through the floor at the last moment." I reply. "Get me to T'Algor."

Even to the impressive strength of the cheif I prove quite a handful. I feel my self carried into the next chamber and gently set down. "We are ready to teleport the device Commander." I recognize the voice as that of T'Algor. " I only need you to enter the security overide to use the engineiring teleporter."

I type in the code and watch as the device vanishes from the room. Rock helps to sit me up next to a port. " I thought you might like to see the show Commander,"

I do indeed. I grow sleepy with my loss of bodily fluids but force myself to witness this small victory. But as I watch I see the flare of the teleporter within the rift, and something goes wrong.... The rift begins to grow larger instead of smaller! I turn to my fellow crewmen. " T' Algor! Something is wrong! The rift is expanding!"

" Relax Commander, that is to be expected."

"Then why didn't you reveal this sooner?"

"Because I did not think it prudent to state the obvious. Ya need to relax Commander."

That struck a nerve. 'Ya' need to relax. T'Algor has never used slang in his life. " "Computer! Locate Lt. T'Algor and Security Cheif Rock!"

"THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN ENGINEIRING, DECK SIXTEEN. LIFESIGNS ARE WEAK."

With a slow deliberateness I look past the pair before me to the bold print on the wall behind them. DECK19. When my eyes come back to meet theirs I see evil. They lick their lips, now cracked and gray. In a voice like the grave one speaks. "Thank you for the codes Commander. You have proven yourself a warrior. We embrace you into the Dark Fleet."

They begin to move toward me, greed in their eyes. I am too weak from my wounds to flee, and I used my only weapon to destroy their brethren above.

"You shall be one of us."

"NO!" The voice that says those words is to me at that moment the most beautiful in all the heavens." She is already one of us, and I won't let you take her!"

My foes turn as I do to see the graceful form of the Phoenix as she models a stunning Adamantium exodrone and a molecular disrupter weapon. She fires as one shouts. " It is too late! We have already won!"

As the disolve into a trillion atoms, I realize they may full well be right, for out of the rift pours a fleet of ships as an escort for Phoenix's doom. A massive Star Cruiser exits the rift dwarfing the Phoenix. The sightless eyes of my Captain look up and she whispers..."what have I done?"

That is when the tractor beam snatches our freedom from us.

END STORY ONE OF ISSUE TWO

To see the fate of Omen and the Shuttle crew read story two of this very special double sized flipbook.

My skin is black upon me,...

JOB 30:30

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Come on B'Tel old girl, stand firm. Just because your mission is falling apart is no reason to crumble. Heh, listen to me, talking to myself again. I've got to find another line of work... If I live of course.

Over the sucking sound of the alien creature I hear the angelic voice of our ally. " Let me pass B'Tel! Our charge is assaulted!"

I can't help it, my mind begins to review the events of the last few seconds that have led me to this critical juncture. I mean, this mission has gone from routine to life threatening in less than a minute. One minute we are teleporting Archangel back aboard our shuttle with the life sign we came looking for, the next minute I have one crewman down and an alien invader holding two hostages. *SEE LAST ISSUE*

We brought aboard a human woman, apparently surviving the vacuum of space unprotected. Archangel began to soothe her suffering with his eclisiastic healing abilities when we realize she is a source of unhealthy ionic radiation levels. Our Captain ordered that we erect a containment field and allow the Collective to enter the field to begin medical diagnosis. It was then that the creature appeared, probably attatched to our human woman's clothing. It is time for a command decision.

I look to the containment field and see the collective begin to loose cohesion of shape as it bounces off the containment field. It and the woman inside need our help. But then I look around and see Ensign Rock, the furry female weapon specialist with an energy weapon already drawn and aimed at the field. I also see the eyes of the man whom I secretly love. I can't unleash that creature in the hopes that Archangel can defeat it. My gaze comes up to meet Archangel's. I curse myself for the crack in my voice and the tearing of my eyes. "We can't jeopardize the rest of the crew Archangel. Jona... reinforce the containment field."

"NAY!" The voice is loud and laced with an evil that makes my skin crawl. The shuttle grows deathly quiet as we turn to observe the speaker. Inside the containment field the alien mass has grown and become dark and menacing. The ebony mass is constantly moving and grasping at the walls of it's energy prison. One of it's many tendrils sports a head of a sort with 2 silver like patches above a maw of two inch fangs. It holds the human woman aloft by her head, which is completely engulfed in the mass of a tendril. It then proceeds to licking the female with a long prehensil tounge coated in green icor.

" 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 Ohh How They Will Suffer!"

Archangel raizes his right hand which blares into light and begins to sprout a blade of pure energy. He draws back and prepares to strike the field that contains the alien invader. I look to Jona, praying that he is fast enough to reinforce the field before Archangel's Cosmic blade slices it apart. I hit my com-link.

"B' Tel to Phoenix, Captain, we have a situation here."

About the same time I realize that there is no response, Archangel strikes with all his might. Normally the containment fields are designed to contain low levels of energy emmisions or typical physical threats. However after years of friendship with this angelic being I can say he is anything but a typical physical threat. His unearthly muscles tense in a movement too quick for the eye to follow. I swear that when contact is made I feel the shuttle tremble from the strike.

Although I have had few opportunities in my life to hear it, the sound of the blow is like a thunderstrike in the confines of the shuttle. The sonic recoil causes me and the others to fall to our knees, grasping our ears. A hideous howl comes from within the containment field. The alien creature, obviously in pain, begins to thrash about and violently pounding the floor with his victum.

At first it looks as if the field will hold and Archangel draws back for another blow. I am about to order this man of beauty and base ferocity to stand down when the induction coils for the containment field, already badly stressed by the force of Archangel's blow, finally give out. The main coil breaches, belching plasma just as Archangel turns at my approatch. The containment field flickers and then finally gives.

Archangel falls forward under the assault of an ebony beast against his back. "I Will For That Kill You Pompas Interloper!" My shoulder is grazed by the pair. I hear it crack and I go down hard just as Jona begins to move to help the Collective.

The black creature begins to engulf the holy warrior as he rises up on his hands and knees. "YES!" it cries " I Feel The Power In You! I Will Add To Your Might For Our Mutual Benifit!"

Through the black mass I see a sword of pure radiance puncture. " I shall never be thine...NEVER!"

Jona kneels next to the Collective with a bioscanner but is immediately struck by the female the alien is flailing about. I hear a sickening crunch as our pilot is knocked into the air. When he strikes the far wall he bounces off leaving a splotch of crimson where he hit. I react without thought and run for his location. As I pass I take careful aim at the creature with my wrist laser and fire. The energy lances out hungrily for our enemy but ultimately is refracted off to hit my own shuttle! I won't be doing that again.

I reach Jona and check his pulse... he is still alive. I reach for the bioscanner and take a moment to appraise the situation. Toward the rear of the shuttle a battle royale of violent proportions continues between the alien and Archangel. Our holy warrior is now almost completely engulfed and fighting furiously to gain some edge. I see on the other side of the shuttle Ensign Rock throw down her weapon and flee! What cowardess is this? "Rock!" I yell but she ignores me as she exits the main chamber.

The flailing continues as the human woman is used again and again as a club for the creature. Archangel, a veteran of thousands of battles, is obviously hard pressed in this conflict where he cannot connect solidly. As the woman is swung in again at Archangel the creature yells. "Yield To Me And I Will Release These Others!" But then suprisingly Archangel twists unexpectedly and brings his light blade down to sever the tendril holding the woman. She goes flying as the creature howls again in pain and anguish. "For That You Shall Pay!"

Archangel then flexes his mighty muscles as he begins to drag himself toward the teleporter. The creature lashes out with all it's tendrils, grabbing every conceivable hand hold to restrict our ally from reaching his goal. If the situation were not so dire I would think it almost comical.

That is when Ensign Rock returns! She carries with her a new weapon she probably retrieved from the security locker in the rear. She lowers the rifle like gun and growls. "Yield to this Darch-spawn!" She pulls the trigger but I see nothing come from the muzzle. However the creature reacts as if it had. It is slammed hard and most of it's tentacle release with it's howl of pain. Again the young Ensign's voice excapes as a growl. " Archangel! Manuver near the Teleporter then break free!"

Archangel tries to do as asked but the creature still resists. The alien turns it's ball like head to the young ensign. "On Your Brains I Will Feast This Day If You Do Not Desist!" Her answear is obscene gesture I feel unbecoming a woman and an Ensign.

Archangel finally gets the leverage he needs and rolls forward taking the gelatenous mass with him. He then reaches up toward nothing and calls out " I pray thee, bathe me in the flames of righteousness that no evil can withstand!" As his hand is nearly engulfed in the mass of his enemy I see a spark erupt... then the last of him is claimed by the alien invader. We all look on in shock as our friend begins to stand, completely covered by the alien. His normally noble features twisted with overlarge silver eyes and a fang filled mouth. Even his wings, now dark as night, are twisted and evil looking. "I Have Claimed This One. You Will Now Be My Feast Of Brains!"

Rock and I look to each other, conviced that if what it says is true then this will be our last mission. I stand over Jona near the Collective and decide I will go out scratching and clawing. I say a silent prayer as the form of our friend prepares to leap at us. " Savour Your Deaths I Will! I Will Dine On...Urg!... Ugh!"

Sudedenly from the gaping maw leaps white hot flames nearly a meter long. The creature lets out a primal scream as it draws its body into itself. Smoking and beating the flames the creature leaps from Archangel who still is sheathed by the holy flames! As the invader is in mid leap Ensign Rock catches it with the invisible force from her weapon. The punch of her weapon knocks the creature into the telportation chamber, and before it can react I dash over and activate it. It tries again to leap away as the shimmering light of the device claims it, whisking it away into space.

With the worst of the threats gone I realize I need to reclaim control of the situation. " Good work Ensign! How did you know a sonic weapon was what we needed?"

She shugs, " After the way it reacted to the sound of Archangel's blow I thought it was worth a try."

I grin. "your initiative may have saved this mission Ensign. Now see what you can do to repair our induction coils. Archangel, we need to have a talk but first see what you can do for our guest and Jona, he is hurt. I'll be in the cockpit seeing what is going on." I turn my back not waiting to see if they follow my orders. That is when it hit me... the Phoenix never responded to my hail.

I sit down at the miniature version of the Phoenix's helm and activate the ship to ship com. " Shuttle to Phoenix, please respond." I wait a moment... no response. Before I panic I decide to run a diagnostics and an area sensor sweep. The sensor readings suprise me. The entire area is saturated in the energy signature of the Phoenix, as if she were flooding space trying to hide us. Also due only to the close proximity I manage to cut through the inteference and read the faint life sign of our enemy, recently expulsed. It is dying.

I start to track the course the Phoenix took but find the engine emmisions neatly masked by the energy signature saturating this part of space. I give up for now realizing I need to get back to help the crew.

I get up and make my way back to the next chamber and see with fresh eyes the current state of the shuttle. The blown induction coil hangs loosely sending out a steady stream of plasma that Ensign Rock works to crimp. The Collective has resumed it's humanoid shape and begun to help Archangel who is looking after the wounded Jona. I notice that Archangel at first snubs the Collective but eventually asks that he staunch the bleeding while he examines the cut to the head. Jona, now nearly coherant, groans softly. I feel hope rush through me. The human female guest we carry has already been moved back to the bed she originally occupied. I walk over to examine her.

I had not had a great opportunity to see her earlier but now see a woman, physically a very attractive human woman. She is large for a human, well over six foot tall and very well muscled. Her clothing is all but non-existant as her survival of the accident that destroyed her ship did not extend to her attire. Her hair is dark and her complexion a golden tan. I subconciously straiten my hair but force myself to stop. I know I look rough but I am an officer after all in a combat situation.

Omen rises and walks over to me. "I have done what could be done fair B'Tel, but she hast not regained conciousness. She is quite a resilient young woman. Her bout as the villian's weapon of choice seems not to have unduely harmed her."

" Your performance today was unacceptable Archangel." I whisper.

He stops and turns to look at me and an anger finds it's way into his voice. " Perchance you humor one such as I and tell me exactly of what you speak."

He is magnificent, and imposing to boot. There he stands, towering over me by nearly 2 feet and 200 lbs. I feel small, but I will not back off my authority. I try to swallow my heart down out of my thoat and continue. " I made a command decision back there Archangel, and you ignored it. That I cannot allow."

"Thou canst not allow?!?" That got his attention. " Have a care fair B'Tel, I was fighting my first battle six thousand years before you were born. I have vanquished foes beyond your comprehension. Even before I earned my current rank I defeated the dread Gargui in mortal combat, and since that time I have led the hosts of heaven in battle. By what right dost thou judgest me now?"

I can't help but take a step back before his righteous ire. Damn it girl, don't you dare back down. " By right of my rank, Damn it!" It is now Archangel's turn to take a step back. "I was entrusted with the leadership of this mission by my Captain and your friend. You accepted this mission with full understanding of this fact. You have the right to question, or even disagree with my orders, but never... I repeat NEVER will I allow them to be ignored again. Your experience is something I cannot ignore, I have always looked up to you and would rather that you had been given this responsibility, but you weren't... I was! I expect no less of those under my command than you would of those under yours. I know I hold no rank over you but it is time for you to make a choice. If you are going to continue to be a part of this mission then you will not usurp my authority again, if you think I am unworthy of that post, fine, then I will thank you for your help and ask you to get the hell off my ship!"

I stand there and all goes quiet save the pounding of my own heart. I curse myself a thousand times and fear I may have gone too far. I stand in his shadow but lookup firmly into his eyes. I don't even blink as I feel the eyes of the rest of the crew upon my back.

A moment goes by, then another. Neither of us waver. Then his hand comes up gently to my face. " Aye, thou art correct. I am sorry sweet B'Tel. We have vanquished a great foe this day, but I wouldst rather have lost this day if it had meant the death of our friendship. I beg your forgiveness."

Damn it! My eyes are tearing up again. I jump up and hug him around the neck. " Thank you Archangel."

Gently he pushes me away. " No, I thank thee for reminding me of a lesson I had nearly forgotten... and it would please me if thou wouldst call me by my given name... Omen."

I nearly blush under his attention. I feel like a damn cadet again. " Thank you Omen."

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(Later still in the shuttle)

It has been about 15 minutes since we lost contact with the Phoenix. The job of fixing the induction coils for the containment field turned out to be fairly simple and Ensign Rock repaired it promptly. Once it was back online I suprise even myself with my next order. I turn to Jona who has half his head bandaged. " Lt. Jona lay in a course for the most probable course of the Phoenix to be executed on my mark. Collective, ready all bio cross references on non humanoid life in the memory banks. Ensign Rock... teleport the being outside back inside and secure it in the containment field."

They all turn to look at me, but Omen ( I still can't get used to that ) nods. " Aye, leaving it out there to die is wrong." I'm glad he understands. The rest of the crew follow their orders. Very soom we see a flash of light as the teleporter brings our enemy back aboard. " Lt. Jona... engage. I will be in the back, greeting our guest." As I get up to leave Omen and the Collective follow me.

As I expected, the creature is drawn into a small tight ball of ebony, suffering from the cold and vacuum of space. The Collective begins it's bioscans. "Hmmm, it angers me that I missed it before, but this is obviously a symbiote. It must have tried to bond with Omen when we managed to defeat it." Archangel tenses when the collective used his given name just then. " I think as long as we maintain this field we should be fairly safe. If it proves to be a problem, Ensign Rock's Sonic rifle seemed to have been fairly effective against it."

As the Collective speaks, the mass inside the field begins to move. We all watch in facination as it becomes more and mor active, then from it's mass, it's head rises. " How Was I Defeated?"

I respond." We are the crew of the independant Starship Phoenix on a mission of mercy. You have interfered with that mission and attacked members of this crew. For these transgressions I am holding you until a further investigation can be conducted."

"Who Give You Such Rights? Where Is My Meat?"

" I am Lt. B'Tel, commander of this mission. The woman you refer too has been placed in protective custody until she more fully recovers. Now tell us who you are."

" A Victum To Be Sure! Theives You Are! I Claimed That One Legally And You Have Stolen Her!"

" I do not recognize any law that allows slavery or the classification as sentient life as salvage. Now I suggest you tell me what I want to know or Ensign Rock will let loose with her sonic cannon again."

The creature deflates obviously. " Skin I Am." he whispers.

I relax for the first time in an hour. " Alright Skin. I have a few more questions..."

"B'Tel!" I hear from the cockpit (a perfect place for Jona). "You need to get back up here."

I do and look out the forward viewing ports. I see nothing. I look to him questioningly and he sighs at me. He then points to the tactical screen and I see our shuttle and another blip. " I have located a message becon from Phoenix."

" Teleport it aboard Luitenant."

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(3 minutes later)

We soon have the device aboard and prepped to replay. All of us are here and the shuttle is holding it's pattern. We nervously look at one another as these devices are only used when there is a chance that the ship will be destroyed. The device needs an officer's authorization, " Authorization B'Tel 119Alpha-Rage7X20IC."

"Acknowledged."

"Relay message." I reply, and it begins an electronic relay before forming a hologram. The hologram is of our Captain's primary drone in all her metallic grace. She addresses us.

" Friends, I have sad news. After you were dispatched for your mission, an anomoly appeared and we moved toward it. It was actually a gateway and from it came what I truthfully suspect as the legendary Dark Fleet. By the time you receive this I assume we have been boarded and are fighting the enemy within me. If my suspicions are correct, Omen is our only hope. I have deliberately attempted to hide your presence. Make sure my faith is not in vain. I will focus on repairs, you help Omen. If we do not meet again, I have counted it an honor to serve as your Captain."

Well, there it is. The hologram vanishes and I have a fine kettle of fish here. We all look to Omen. "Well?," I ask him "Where do we go from here Omen?"

"We take the battle to them, and we bring down the Dark Fleet once and for all."

Damn strait!

END FLIPBOOK STORY B

NEXT ISSUE: Archangel 2099 takes on the Dark Fleet! Hollywood 2099 wakes up! And Omen must choose between frienship and duty, does he stay to help his friends or take his shot at reaching EARTH 2099?!? Be here for issue 3 of Archangel 2099UG!



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