Prologue
The second book is complete, although I'm still fine tuning some of the chapters and removing those pesky typo's.
Federation Year 2441, Sam’s fate.
What the hell was he thinking? Going up against Samael was a stupid idea, not that he had any choice in the matter, and now he’s dead. Well, maybe not dead. As far as Sam McCall knew, when you die, you stop breathing, and after several minutes, the brain dies, and you stop thinking.
Sam’s body, however, was blown to pieces when he gave the command to blow up the breaching pod, and just a few hours later, Sam is still mulling over in his mind his own demise.
Now what, Facility Zero is toast, Facility One is still there, and Facility Two is now recently online. There have even been signs that there will be a Facility Three, however. The facility construction ship has left the partially constructed shell of Facility Three and departed the system.
“So, what is the plan, you have been sitting there drinking for hours and even programming your environmental settings to make you feel drunk. What’s the plan, we can’t leave your friends there?” Samantha asks as she regards Sam and monitors the news feeds, the status of the facilities, and the surrounding areas for possible threats.
“As far as I can tell, the manipulation of Sam McCall is over and done with. Now I realise that I was tricked into stealing the prototype just so I could be captured and go rescue Alistair Brookes from Facility Zero. This I have done, he’s no longer on Facility Zero,” Sam replies as he pours himself another drink.
“Yes, that is true, but I am pretty sure that what Commander Taylor had in mind was that rescue means away from all of the facilities. All we have managed to do is move him from one facility to another,” Samantha says.
“And you would have a perfect point; however, he’s manipulated a thief who’s paid the ultimate price, his life. I’m sure that should mean, well done Sam, you tried your best, and now it’s time to go home,” Sam says, then downs his full glass, feeling the effects cloud his already woozy mind, Samantha looking on with disdain.
“Okay, that’s enough of that,” Samantha replies as she overrides Sam’s personal environmental settings, this in effect causing Sam to instantly sober up.
“Why did you have to go and do that? I was just getting to the good part,” Sam says as he reaches for another bottle.
“Because others are relying on you. So you died, maybe that can be fixed in some way. You knew nothing about this technology just a few months ago, okay years now, but there might be something else that can help you.
In the meantime, Jessica, Doctor Zorn, and the others need us, none of them really deserve to be there,” Samantha replies.
“Fine, okay, I’ll think of something, anything for you to stop talking at me with this hangover,” Sam replies.
“You don’t have a hangover, you are effectively just a brain in a vat,” Samantha says.
“Try telling that to my brain. Fine, if you haven’t already, hack into the facilities systems and find out what you can. In the meantime, while you are doing that, I’m going to have a nose in the Earth’s historical archive and current news, I want to know what’s been happening.
We’re supposed to be smart now, I guess I should start trying to be,” Sam says and then falls silent.
Federation History
As the 22nd century draws to a close. The question that has always been a mystery from the moment mankind looked up at the stars and asked. Are we alone? Was finally answered in the form of the Galactic Federation.
Realising that Earth and Mars had begun to explore farther abroad from their solar system. It was quickly decided that Earth and Mars were ready for the next evolutionary stage of their development.
With the promise of technological advancement, Earth and Mars swiftly accepted the rules of becoming members of the Outer Federation, pretty much remaining in control of their own affairs as long as the three primary rules are followed.
Respect the sovereign rules of other Worlds and its territories.
All barriers preventing social development must be removed.
Unification of all governments, to form a single Outer Federation planetary government.
For the Earth, the last of these rules was the hardest to conform too. To gain Inner Federations membership, the requirements were much more rigorous, including transferring to a moneyless society. However, by 2431, Earth was accepted and joined the Inner Federation, faster than any other world in Federation history.
Federation year 2440
Accessing the cryo stations news feeds was easy enough, he realised as soon as he connected that every channel was fixated on this new threat.
Various smaller channels were concentrating on Earth and Mars colonies that had been attacked along the borders but currently no incursions deeper inside their respective territories.
Minimal reported dead but many more missing. Some eyewitnesses have reported that this new enemy is using Inner Federation technology, and others said odd-looking ships. Carved from some kind of smooth rock, very basic looking but still deadly.
Both Mars and Earth Federation have assured their citizens that this current threat is under control, And that they are taking all possible action to prevent further harm. In the meantime, travel to the outer colonies is currently restricted.
Recent attacks on Mars colonies have reduced, whereas attacks on Earth colonies have increased, which has caused rumours to rise that Mars has made some kind of deal.
While Earth’s major channels are reporting directly from the Inner worlds and have put a name on this new deadly threat, calling themselves The Empire of Cain. The first attack was a biological attack, and it occurred on one of the inner Federation survey worlds. According to Inner Federation officials, this new threat was thought to have been defeated many years previously. However, a cell has emerged to resume their desire for death and destruction.
During this attack, several Inner Federation spear ships were stolen, one of which had already been reported as destroyed. While the others are currently unknown after several cities were attacked, some eyewitness reports mention that the missing being controlled in some way.
“Sam, I need a word,” Samantha says as the last news feed ends.
“Sure, I think I’ve seen all I need to see, what’s up?”
“The cryo-station received some comms regarding both Earth and Mars sending ships our way,” Samantha replies.
“Well, we know this enemy can download their consciousness into infected living hosts. I’m guessing all the attacks I’ve been reading up on so far are to bolster their main forces. So it’s not much of a stretch to consider that the black hole facilities are a tempting target,” Sam says.
“Good, then we are in agreement, we get Abs and the guys out of there and then decide on what to do next?” Samantha replies.
“Okay, but I’m starting to think there is something else going on here, something bigger. Those survey ships did not just start the recent chain of events, I think all they did was speed up the process,” Sam Says.
“Long-range scanners detect several ships. And once we are docked, we will have a matter of a few hours at the very best to convince everyone to leave,” Samantha says.
“Let’s get started then,” Sam replies.
