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

enshrouding the world in exotic matter. Once completed, the barrier is impenetrable and immune to all forms of attack, including anti-matter and transphasic weaponry. Conversely, no one has been known to ever escape the barrier. (SEE: ENDERVAR SHIELD) 
     
    EXPANSION: Subjugated worlds have been shown to indefinitely spawn new Endervar ships from the shell of the created barrier. Total Endervar ship numbers are impossible to calculate, but their presence has been found to extend to less than half of the galaxy, primarily in the Sagittarius and Perseus Arms.
     
    WEAKNESSES: Although subjugated worlds remain impervious to attack, Endervar ships are still susceptible to most forms of energy-based weaponry. The latest class of N-beams have been shown to be particularly effective. In addition, no Endervar ships have ever been observed traveling within hyperspace, a disadvantage that has limited their movement to warping through normal space at FTL-speeds.
     
    STRATEGY: Militaries from various galactic governments have tried to contain the Endervar threat by intercepting the ships before they can assemble and invade. The most successful attempt was a strategy by the Alliance in 8892 A.F., which deployed what was then the largest machine fleets to patrol around so-called “containment zones.” But subsequent attempts to control the Endervars have failed, due to their rising numbers, and the emergence of the new enemy Overlord ship. (SEE: ERADICTION INTIATIVES, BATTLE OF ZORA)
     
    CONCLUSIONS: Despite ongoing efforts, much about the Endervars continues to remain a mystery. The Alliance’s containment strategy is also no longer effective, and has essentially failed. Total galactic subjugation by the Endervars is inevitable under current conditions.
     
    RECOMMENDATIONS: (SEE EXPERIMENTAL WEAPONRY. ULTRA-CLASSIFIED).
     

***
     
    
    Julian pressed his fingers under his nostrils, and began rubbing the scarlet away. The specialist handed him a cloth from the table.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, dabbing at his face with the napkin. “It’s just from an old injury.”
    As the nosebleed passed, Julian sat there awkwardly. The New Terran commander had invited him to dinner, insisting they get to know each other better.
    
    Julian reached for the glass of water, which he drank from to wash down his food, a meal made out of actual meat. Engineered chicken if he wasn’t mistaken, sautéed in a pink sauce. The specialist sat across from him at the mess hall’s table, presumably enjoying the dinner before them.
    
    “Yes, discharged a few years back with SpaceCore.”
    He paused on the details, the traces of blood still on his nostrils.
    “I was injured,” he said. “Then underwent a rejuvenation, before returning to civilian life.”
    
    Survived , he thought. “I guess,” he added. “Thanks to medical science.”
    < The SpaceCore will need a pilot like you.>
    It was a simple remark, meant to be polite, even optimistic. But Julian wasn’t so sure.
    “I don’t know. Things didn’t end well last time.”
    Julian said it like a self-deprecating joke, as he thought back further to the past. “I was trained, starting since the age of 12 or 13. For a time, it was my life.”
    < Was it an honor?>
    “No, I was just one among the many. Drafted to serve.”
    Julian let out a long gasp, his mind trying to comb through the tattered memories, when he felt his heart jump.  
    “What I saw just days prior. Trying to escape the Endervars... It happened so fast, just like before. The combat and the losses. Enemy ships. Particle beam fire. We were there, fighting. And then... ”
    Julian no longer wished to say anymore, feeling the memories curdle. Nor did he have to, the commander reaching across the table to touch his hand.
    < I completely understand. I too have seen enough of this war.>