11-6-03

Hiigara has been rebuilding for 100 years since Landfall.

Now, a century after their return, the Exiles stand alone; the Galactic Council has collapsed, the various races are making their grab for power, and the Vaygr Reaches are approaching.  The Taiidani have chosen their allegiance.

11-14-03

Due to an unexpected surge of pings, I can't leave people hanging.  Chapter 2 is now up!  Enjoy, and comment here: http://community.vugames.com/WebX?230@@.effbf29

11-21-03

I hope to have the next chapter up this weekend.  Exams are hectic.  Anyway, there me be some story modification.  It's the last thing a writer should do but it occured to me that I should maintain stronger realism, by putting to use a technology that the recent HW2 stroyline addition has put into light.  That of Hyperspace capable ships of all types useing a neural interface.  Thus, Dain is likely to be shifted slightly to accomidate, say, a Matrix-style plugin.  Considering Sjets is "primitive" (refer to backstory of HW2), this should be quite acceptable.  It makes the bridge crew system interesting...

12-12-03

Still occupied by Exams.

Site is being updated with new materials.  The next chapter should be up within hours.  I would prefer to have a very nice in-depth fan-fic, with details, but the length would be ridiculous for the reader unless demand became sufficient.  Anticipated length may spread this story to two additional pages.  As is the purpose of this site.

12-16-03

Exams coming to a close.  FanFic will be expanded upon tonight.  Site will receive further revision.  Thank You.

12-19-03

Exams done for the semester.  Story is expected to be expanded upon.  I have now decided to push forward with what may be a series.  This, will be the introduction.  It will move along in a Halo-esque fashion.  WIll not spoil things further.

And don't laugh at my cheesy credits at the top.  I'm to lazy to make obvious enhancements.  If only I knew flash...

Also, my counters are buggy in that they won't appear, although they continue to count visits.  Ignore any that are doubled.  They may differ in counts visibly.  Trust the one with the highest count, as I guessed with the other on old data.

1-15-04

My apologies in the lapse for the story.  College has taken my time, as has happened to many ill-fated FanFics for countless others.  I will NOT leave this story a dead end.

I hope to add materials shortly, as well as to make a friendlier 56K area.  Thanks, Kushan_Pilot.

1-23-04

The site is being organized.  Elorran suggested a 56K version of the FanFic, so I shall fulfill the request.  I used Microsoft Frontpage in the conversion.

Also new is a name change.  As it is with any movie or book, the story is now known as "Nightfall."  Kinda cool eh?  Standing animations may be modified in the near future, but the story can be referred to with either title.

Events in life (Read: Lack of good books to read) have brought me to the conclusion that I might as well write what I want to read.  Or do as good at it as I can.  There is likely to be a shift in style - in the name of improvement.

1-15-06

Ahhh, life.  University life at that.  I suspect I may come across an opportunity to write some more fiction.  The excitement that had built up around the release of Homeworld 2 died as the game itself launched and went through its paces.  While a great chunk of code with few problems, the games story was extremely contradictory with established information (as in, it contradicted the previous installments).  I'd say Relic should be embarassed for all of it but I've formulated an opinion: they're interested in the technology - most of the devs apparently paid no attention to the story at all.  They were drawing a paycheck, and nothing more.  Frankly, I can't see how anyone can have a happy life if they can't have some pride in their work...but that's not fair.  It's quite possible they enjoy putting together solid programs, to heck if it moves someones emotions about.

Introduction

“When will they be here?”

“Soon.”

“How many?”

“I told you, I don’t know.”

“How can you accept this offer and be so ill-informed!?”

“I had to.  You know it too, would you have decided otherwise?”
”I would have had more information before I would have agreed to such a thing!”

“Tell me, oh intelligent one, why?”

“The Hiigarans might be a little suspicious of a Vaygr ship docking here-“

“-What?”

“You really should cooperate with those working under you.”
”Shut up and tell me!” he said angrily.  He was getting frustrated.

“As monitor of the ships docking here, I know that the Hiigarans have their 4^th Expeditionary Fleet docking here for negotiations with the Feren Republic,” said the lower officer.  He knew he could talk the way he was, it’s not like there were many people ready to follow his commanding officer this close.  “They should arrive soon as well, no real time available.”

“Can they contact reinforcements?”  It was a dumb question.

“Yes, but once they get here the deal is off, they would detect the Vaygr immediately.  They are openly searching for some to interrogate, like anyone else,” the officer said matter-of-factly, “Their sensors are popular for their accuracy, you know”.

“How many are in this particular fleet?” the Admiral asked.

“It’s a battle group, sir, completely self-sufficient.  Two carriers, 1 Battlecruiser, and roughly 18 frigates are my guess.  Destroyers are guaranteed…that’s as far as my information goes.  They were meeting with other fleets I’m sure, so it’s an estimate.  The Hiigarans are concentrating their big guns for a fallback tactic when all Hell turns loose.  Naturally, they are moving away from Taiidan space – it doesn’t have to be watched.”

“And that’s the good news,” the Admiral chimed in, “otherwise this wouldn’t work.  The Vaygr will approach Hiigaran territory through our space, and the Hiigarans will be ready to fall apart-“

“-You and I both know the Hiigarans will be far from ready to fall apart,” remarked the officer, somewhat saddened.  What was this, the third time the Taiidani had backstabbed the Hiigarans?  Was it really that great to be Taiidani?  To be here?

“Yes, well, they won’t have a choice.” And with that the Admiral swiveled on his chair and looked out at the ships passing by.

“Just curious, what’s your motivation for this?” The officer looked beyond at the 'star' that was Hiigara’s reflection.

“Does it need to be said?” Sneered the Admiral.
”Forget it” I probably don’t want to know, the officer thought.

Chapter 1

There were technologies that could turn the tide of battle.  But to do so would harm the wrong people - like innocents, or yield scorched planets.  The Council banned such technologies and methods, and in fact so tenacious everyone was about keeping them at bay, after the Council collapsed the Rules of War remained.  It was agreeable.  In some cases, battles and tactics could get to the point of ridiculously short or just plain wrong.  “Wrong” was determined by other people than himself; but Hiigarans, like everyone else, didn’t follow all the rules.  There were the ones that were mutual, such as interrogation procedures and POW handling.  But some things could be…acceptable.  That’s why Cloaked Interception Probes were in short numbers, but used handily – the better to reduce one getting captured.

The Brass knew that one of their greatest weaknesses actually did exist along the Taiidan border.  Carefully lacing communications with clues, the ships the Taiidan thought were elsewhere were actually partially congregated in primary paths toward Hiigara.  The Vaygr Flagship had been spotted, being refitted far off.  No matter how badly they wanted to, no Far Jumper was going to come into this anticipated event.  The Taiidani would be using primitive technology, which meant that they could be intercepted in a classic manner:  Inhibitors placed along the straightest paths, and some of the paths A.I. determined would be likely.  The “4^th Expeditionary Fleet” was indeed having a meeting with the Feren Republic, but only a bit of the fleet, equal to Taiidan expectations, would actually approach the station.  Manning this probe, and commanding the force he calls, would be none other than Braddock Locke.  His parents were exceptional scientists, and rather untraditional, yielding his alien name.  Of course, the name followed a person worthy of notice.  He had never lost a battle, simulated or otherwise.  He didn’t carry the highest grades in the Academy, but somehow his abilities, luck, and mind were unmistakably cohesive.  The Head Admiral tried to relax, and drank some more of that fascinating "Pirate Ale" the Manaan recreated.  This had to work.

Hiigaran Reaction HQ - Chimera Station at Classified Coordinates

The footage continued, but Locke saw what he needed to see.  He left Sh’ock where he was, staring into Lockes dim cabin with a lower officer behind him - talking.  The screen turned itself off at his absence, then delegated any intel gathered to an officer somewhere on the ship.  The information was clear, and the Ferens received the same information.  As planned, their fleet should be encroaching upon Taiidan space near the station.  The Hiigarans had made a deal: if the Taiidani were to assault Hiigaran space, they would allow and assist the Feren Republic in capturing a series of contested areas of space.  Quite coincidentally, that summed up to this area of space.

The bad part was the probe had returned data to suggest not only the accuracy of earlier intel and the approach of Vaygr ambassadors, but that the bulk of the Taiidan offensive was already gathered.  The Taiidan were certainly angry…over the span of 100 years the Republic had divided.  That left the Imperials with a nice chunk and the Republic its own.  Sadly, that put the Imperials on the Hiigaran border, with planetary resources to boot.  The Imperials had created a loose Confederacy, a compromise between the planet-desiring Imperials, and the independent worlds seeking protection and no central government.  Apparently Taiidan culture handled such a concept rather well.  It would be their downfall.  They had breached the uneasy treaty, and now the Hiigaran's were striking fast, and first.

-----

Locke had left his room and headed to the bridge in his armor-slash-diplomatic uniform.  Hiigarans decided early that if they were going to send out ambassadors, they might as well show up and establish a custom that wouldn’t bite them in the rear if established later (to be used as political munitions and jokes).  Officials would appear in a combination that amounted to good-looking armor, with hidden but present seals to handle space environments, and also included small recessed jets along the back; under covering.  A nasty trick for assassins was to get paid for bulk killing.  All that was needed was patience, intel, a bomb, and a thin wall to vent the inhabitants to space.  The Hiigarans had aptly evolved the suit to its present state for such reasons – despite meetings taking place deeper in stations or ships.  The officer passed by a number of the Torin crew, that of a Carrier – part of the point of the visit was not only capture of the Hierarchy of the station but of the Vaygr.  They’d detect the bulk and seriousness of a Flagship level Battlecruiser appearing.  Of course, his ship, the HSS Hiigaran, would be right behind him ready to jump in with the most advanced artificial core to date.  The Torin was being followed by 18 frigates of various types.  None of them were marine frigates, to dissipate Vaygr or Taiidan fears.  Embedded in the Torin was a detection array for cloaked ships, since undoubtedly the Vaygr were to be cloaked.  The range was short, but would cover the stations immediate area.  That’s all they needed.  Complimenting the Torin were a thousand armored marines – ready for action.  He finally came to the bridge.

“Time to arrival?”

“ ETA in 12 minutes sir,” Captain Dain replied.

“Excellent, status of the fleet?”

“All present, the main group is approaching the end of our sensor range but continues its objective,” and Dain nodded to himself at the operation so far.

“Very good, Captain Dain,” and he spoke to the crew present, “This encounter is critical.  We must decisively disable this path for the Vaygr.  They must be forced into our main lines of defense.  This may be the only chance for Hiigara.  Remember, we stand alone!”  It prompted a series of polite cheers and ‘Aye-Aye’s.

“We won’t fail Hiigara, sir,” installed Dain.  Dain was a remarkable officer as well.  He knew his carrier, and the ships with him.  He had been notably hesitant to the gutting of some valuable docking space for the hidden cloak sensors.  Fighters and Corvettes were the arms of a carrier, despite construction ability.

“That, I believe,” responded Locke.  Dain ignored the ever-so-hard to see reflection of a tear at the corner of Lockes eyes.  Yes, thought Dain, everyone here is ready for their final call.

Captain Dain

Above: Taiidan Station #15, Mortaab

Chapter 2

Lieutenant Hraa stood at the far end of the barracks.  It was a converted docking ring, actually, but there wasn’t much difference between this barracks and any other.  He wore Specter armor, the command version that amounted to a different paint-job and stronger beacon equipment.  To assist with the new weight, small hydraulics’ had been installed at pivot points.  The Taiidani quite likely knew about them, or at least the higher-ups did.  But the technology had been put to extensive use since the Vaygr showed up with a will to kill.  The Taiidan hadn’t come across it yet, it was believed to be in its testing stages, but the Hiigarans had already incorporated it into their closest Marine frigates and continued to do the same to those farther away; the fleets were still jumping to the first lines using artificial cores.  The cloaking technology now existed on every level of Hiigaran punch (Cloak Frigates were being designed, but they weren’t anticipated to be in production until a war was well under way).

The men and women below him were outfitting themselves with close-range arms, the larger marines would carry additional heavy arms just in case.  A few engineers would naturally tag along, their mission was to assist in commandeering the station and whatever they deemed necessary.  They each carried hull-cutting equipment and intrusion interfaces.  The marines listened as the old mans voice came in on the speakers:

“Marines!  Prepare for action.  Load up in 5 minutes, and continue to phase 2.”

That meant load up, and wait.  Admiral Locke would board the station and meet with the Feren diplomat, where they would decide what to do from there.

-----

Sh’ock was getting impatient.  The Hiigarans had arrived just as estimated and where then docking.  Out of tradition he would have to welcome the initial boarding group.  To make things more interesting the Vaygr had arrived as well, except not as expected.  They arrived in a stolen Taiidan Corvette.  He’d have to have a talk about them messing with his equipment.  The troublesome new Stationmaster, Sax, was sent to handle the Vaygr for the moment.  The matter of more importance was to make sure the Hiigarans wouldn’t know of the Vaygr, or be (as tempting as it was) left waiting to come aboard.  The meeting they had might be over by the time serious business could start with the Vaygr.  He passed the Feren carriers docking area and nodded to the officers then continued on, he had already welcomed them.

  He soon came to the Hiigaran area.  He looked out the large reinforced view-port at the massive twin arms that would soon envelope just barely the length of one of the newer Hiigaran carriers.  He had seen the images, nothing more.  The one coming here was Command rank, which meant it had a seasoned a trained Captain aboard.  Captain Dain, he reminded himself.  None of the worlds of the Taiidan Confederacy were deep into the Republics technology movement, which was unfortunate, and meant the Hiigarans still had a few laps ahead of the Taiidan Confederacy.  Hiigaran or Republic technology couldn’t just be seen, then immediately duplicated; a shipyard couldn’t make a ship out of just seeing the outside, or even knowing what power source it used, then build something similar without the benefit of chassis and drive system intel.  He waited, and occupied himself with gazing out at the fleet gathered around the station.  He spotted his Heavy Cruiser in the distance and looked at the shining specs around it determining what they were – but then the Hiigarans came into view.

  The view of his ships was gone, and the carrier gracefully rotated parallel with the docking arms, fitting in perfectly.  The glow from the ship reflected off the sides and as the ship slowed to a stop, a Hiigaran Diplomatic (weaponless) corvette launched from the front maw and came forward to the docking clamp.  Sh’ock may be a fervent Taiidani, but a seamen isn’t totally blind to a ship worthy of the open seas.  The sound of the Carrier powering down renewed the silence of the twilight-dim room as the corvette made a silent docking sound, multi-purpose atmosphere hissed, and the door opened to show who must be Dain as well as two elite marines in standard armor.

The man was lying, that was certain.  He left Dain to his work and continued toward the Feren dock.  These Specter suits were pretty handy.