All characters and events are strictly fiction, any use of actual names, places and events is strictly coincidental.

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Origins of An Empire

By: Meraxes Thouret


Prologue

The beginnings of the United States Space Command were a violent and volatile affair. In the early 22nd century cold fusion was developed, its finer development was kept secret by the United States of America but put into commission in both the military and civilian sectors. This newfound power source brought forth an unfathomable amount of wealth and power to the country. Poverty was eradicated, and most of all the military power was at its peak. But what started as a series of space voyages, spelled a new era in the history of the human race. Under the cover of several new expansions to the massive space stations orbiting the planet, the United States began construction of a new fleet; a space fleet, one to revolutionize the human condition.
The flagship of the United States Navy, for hundreds of years had always been under the name of Enterprise. This new Navy, needed a new flagship; One to usher in a new era of weapons, of combat and of destruction. The USS Halcyon: A behemoth of a ship. It boasted an armament of newly developed munitions, enough fire power to decimate a small nation, potentially more. The Halcyon’s maiden voyage was on July 4th 2157, Independence Day; A fitting day for America to finally crush the United Arabic Emirates, who had been fighting for nearly 20 years.

The Maiden Voyage And Invasion of New Babylon

Captain Aaron Belvedere powered up the holodisplay in front of him and looked over all the systems and functions of the Halcyon. He smiled and turned to the com system next to him and spoke. “Attention, All Hands! Prepare for departure”. He then punched a few keys in the holodisplayed and keyed the com again. “Aft Thrusters, All ahead one half” The ship groaned slightly and slowly began its maiden voyage. Satisfied with the current operational status of the ship, the captain paced around, with the intercom still on. “Today Gentlemen, we begin a new era in human history! Today we end this war with the United Arabic Emirates! Sí̱mera eímaste áxioi tou kósmou! Today, We Are Worthy of The World! ” He paused momentarily then spoke once more. “Activate subspace drives, set course to New Babylon” The Halcyon shuddered slightly as it passed through the vortex before it, and in a wink of light, disappeared.

The com unit in the Armoured Personnel Carrier crackled to life. “All units advance, begin the invasion; no quarter is to be given, all hostiles will be eliminated” . The soldiers inside did final checks of their equipment as aircraft roared overhead, releasing their payloads onto the massive city they were to be attacking. Private Omerta looked at his brothers-in-arms and grinned. “Hell fellas, they say once the Halcyon gets here, we wont even need to do any shooting!” The soldier next to him, boots fresh out of training clapped him on the helmet and shouted into his mic in response. “Shit brotha’! If you keep talking ‘bout how we aint gon’ be fightin’ people ‘round here are gon’ think you some sort of coward ‘er somethin’!” Omerta just laughed and shook his head as the back door to their Armored Personnel Carrier dropped. The sound of boots on metal thundered in his ears as he ran down the platform and into the sweltering heat of the desert. A low rotund sonic boom shook the earth as the marines looked up at the sky. The sound was so sudden and so intense that all fighting and firing ceased for a moment. “Right on schedule” someone muttered. The massive ship immediately opened fire, launching a torrent of missiles at New Babylon. The missiles belched black smoke as they arced towards the fortified city, giving the Halcyon the appearance of having the wings of a hellish demon. A cheer went up among the ranks of marines.as the missiles detonated and rained down upon the city, demolishing the embattlements and defences set up by the UAE troops. “Looks like another victory will be upon us soon boys!” Omerta yelled as he thrust his fist into the air in excitement.

On the bridge of the Halcyon, the fire control technitian gave a curt nod to the captain, indicating that all weapon systems were hot and ready to fire again. Capt. Belvedere griped the arms of his chair and nodded back. “You may fire the ion cannon when ready Petty Officer” The fire tech nodded one more time and responded. “The weapon is already locked and ready, firing in 5…4…3…2…1…firing.”

On the ground a low hum was heard and all heads turned to the Halcyon. Motes of light collected along the bottom of his hull where a large turret protruded from the ships belly. The hum grew louder as the ship collected energy and after a few moments, unleashed it in a deafening peal of thunder and blinding light. Moments later a second larger explosion was felt, rather than heard; knocking many marines down to the ground. As the dust settled, all that was left of the city of New Babylon was a smoldering crater of cracked glass.