Remember the Starfighter by Michael Kan Read Free Book Online Page A

6
                 
    The last time his people had fled the invaders was over two thousand years ago when the Earth system was lost. The remnants of mankind had scattered themselves across the galaxy, looking for a new home. Among those survivors, one lone colony ship had found a habitable planet in a star system far from the enemy threat. They named that world Haven, believing at least for now humanity had found a sanctuary.
    Julian recalled that history as he saw the planet for what he knew might be his final chance. It was now but a bright speck of light from the window in his quarters as the vessel carrying him traveled out farther from the system.
    He had always considered Haven his home, although he knew its demise was near. Each year, the distance between his world and the enemy was becoming smaller and smaller. The projections had already said the Endervar threat would likely come to the planet’s door step in another 40 years. In response, the government had prepared by pouring funds into its military arm while at the same time establishing a new colony in another sector of the galaxy.
    Those military projections, however, had been dead wrong. The enemy threat was expanding exponentially, and now Julian could see that all too well. The people of Haven had spent more than three centuries on that world, only to see it all swept away. Ancient history was unfolding as it had before, another exodus set to begin.
    Julian looked at his distant home; the dot of light was almost lost among the countless stars shining through the veil of space. For hours, he stared at it, a dead silence filling the room. Haven may have been conquered, but how many other systems would fall to the enemy? Had it all already become a graveyard? The entire galaxy under assault?
    Julian shook his head. He did not want to know the answer.
     

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    HAVEN UNITED GOVERMENT/SPACECORE DEFENSE FORCE
     
    CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT -- PRIORITY ALPHA CODE
     
    TITLE: A study of the Endervar threat. (Summary, updated 8.1.314)
     
    ORIGINS: Still unknown. Earliest records show their emergence in year PRE 5139. Speculation points to the Endervar threat originating from outside the galaxy. No indications of a homeworld have been found. All attempts at communication have failed. (SEE: THEORIES)
     
    AIMS: Endervar ships prioritize the search for intelligent organic life above all else.  Habitable masses including planets, moons, and even artificial space stations have been targeted for subjugation. The reasons are unclear, but systems devoid of sentient life have never been under threat. Ongoing studies monitoring the Endervar activity estimate that between 800 to over 3000 sentient races have already been conquered.
     
    TECHNOLOGY: Endervar ships are built from an exotic form of matter, which has been observed to operate under different physical laws. The matter has been shown capable of warping space for sub-light propulsion and extended periods of faster-than-light travel. The matter can also accelerate particles to create defensive fields, and emit extremely powerful beam blasts as a form of weaponry. All attempts for closer study, however, have failed; the Endervar ships will instantly disintegrate upon critical damage or destruction. (SEE: DETAILED MATTER ANALYSIS)
     
    METHOD OF OPERATION: Lone Endervar ships have been observed scouting systems for intelligent life, only to summon companion ships to begin a full-scale invasion. Group attacks typically number between 100 and 700 ships, depending on the scale of activity within the system. Endervar vessels will only engage in hostile attack if a threat is perceived, or their approach is impeded.
     
    SUBJUGATION: Upon securing the targeted world, Endervar ships will generally orbit and emit disruptive force fields above the atmosphere, blocking any attempts to communicate or travel to the planet. The ships will then begin cannibalizing themselves, forming a physical barrier around the planet,