Chapter 1: The Situation, The Plan, and Progress
“Earthbound Command, this is commander Jet Sunstrider of the New Republic military, can you read me? Earthbound command, does anyone copy? DAMNIT!” I slammed my fist down on the comms desk. That was the fifth radio frequency we tried and still nothing.
“How the hell did they get through to us to begin with?” Mich asked, confused.
“I don’t know, but this is the first contact we ever got from Earth is over 2000 years! We need to find a way to boost our single so it can reach deep space. I can’t believe this is happening… we are so close yet so far.” I replied, falling back into a chair. I can’t believe that Earth actually managed to get in contact with Auraxis, it has been so long since the Terran Republic first landed on this planet and humanity has come along way since then. Years of fighting and one failed peace treaty later, we are still stuck in the same crap but with different empires. And most of the New Republic’s timeline had been spent dealing with radiation, no thanks to the Aliens of Vanu. I have not even heard anything about the Rebels of Auraxis since the Magrider instant that caused this big mess in the first place.
But in other news, we have made considerable progress in cleaning up the radiation. Over the past couple of weeks, we have managed to reduce the radiation levels and area of effect to about one mile, we have even had to relocate some of the outposts me made to clean it up because it just ran outta stuff to clean. Soon we won't have to wear protective suits every time we want to walk outside the Warpgate shield.
“Hey… I have an Idea… you know those old style deep space satellites that used to be able to send radio waves into space on Earth, right? How about we build one here, we have plenty of room for it and the engineering team could easily make an improved design.” Mich offered.
“Well, it’s the best thing we got so far, and we got nothing better to do until the last of the radiation get’s cleaned up, so let’s go tell the engineering team.” We both shared a nod as we made our way towards the engineering bay. On our way there, we saw Black coming back from checking up on the clean up outposts.
“Hey, anything new on the clean up, Black? I asked as he joined us.
“Actually, I have some news that will make you both flip out… the foremen at site 22-B said they will have the entire area cleaned in a week today.” Black reported.
“No way…” Both myself and Mich said in unison.
“Totally way, we may finally be free from this ridiculous imprisonment.” Black replied.
“Well, we have some news of our own, Earthbound command just tried making contact and Mich has a plan to boost our signal.” Black lit up as Mich explained the satellite. So many things were finally going back in our favor, but I could not help it but feel like this is all happening fast, like there is a catch to this I’ve yet to figure out.
Chapter 2: Construction Begins
The three of us reached the engineering sector a few minutes and the guard greeted us.
“Why, hello commander and friends. That business brings all three of you here? It must be important, I image.” The guard asked.
“Yes it is, we may of found a way to get in contact with Earthbound command and we must show the head engineer the blueprints at once.” I responded. The guard's eyes lit up.
“Why, of course, she’s just dealing with come paperwork now.” The guard let us in and their she was, sitting at her desk going through her documents and piles of paperwork and blueprints. “Oi, Kayla! The boss is back with a new project for your team. This one’s important, so don’t mess it up, eh?” The guard shouted as we entered.
“Please, my team is the best of the best, we never mess anything up.” Kayla remarked as the guard went back outside. “Anyway, what is it this time, boss?” She added.
“Notes for a deep space radar dish, hopefully powerful enough to send messages into deep space. Earthbound command managed to get in contact with use a few hours ago but we have been unable to secure the connection to reply.” I explained, handing Kayla the notes. She took them and went over them multiple times, her eyes like scanners and her mind like a primed engine, ready to roll.
“Hummmmm… I see the idea you have in mind, but I will need a lot of time and resources to get everything I would need. Construction could be weeks...months… even YEARS.” Kayla warned.
“I don’t care how long it takes, just get it done! We all spent way too much time on this dame planet to get this far, we will not give up!” I commanded. Kayla just nodded.
“Alright, I’ll show this to my team and we will get started ASAP.” Kayla turned and disappeared into engineering bay.
“You think that was a little… I don’t know, hostal?” Mich asked, giving me a look.
“Would give up knowing you were this close to one of your lifelong goals?” I countered. She just shrugged.
“Guess you have me there, anyway let’s head down to the mess hall… I’m starved.” Mich said as the three of us left the building.
The next day, I woke up to the sounds of loud banging and power tools. I forced my way outta bed, changed into my armor, and walked outside to be blinded by the reflection of a large piece of metal dish sitting on the ground.
“AGH! What the hell…!” I mumbled, covering my eyes. I kicked the piece of metal away and allowed my eyes time to adjust. I saw a huge foundation between the central building and the aircraft landing pads. I walked next to Kayla who was shouting orders to the engineers working of the foundation.
“You really need this big of a foundation?” I asked.
“AND YOU! WHERE IS M- oh… hey boss. Sorry, I asked for a sandwatch half an hour ago. Anyway, we needed some stora way of controlling the dish once it’s built, and instead of running powerlines all over the place to the command building, we thought it would be better to just build a control station right next to it.” Kayla replied.
“Well, good start so far, keep it up.” I replied, Kayla nodded and went back to barking orders. I started making my way down to the research hub, but I noted a squad of radiation removal ANT units returning to the Warpgate, so I thought it would be a good idea to cheek on the progress outside.
Chapter 3: Breath of Fresh Air
As I approached the convoy, they all slowed down and same to a stop. Axx climbed outside the first ANT unit in line and took off his helmet, having a look of pure joy on his face.
“Why do you look so happy?” I asked, taking off my own helmet and raising an eyebrow.
“Watch this.” Axx took out his radiation detector, poked it outside and nothing happened.. It did not detect anything. Either it was outta batteries or we would finally be free from this jail cell.
“That could only mean two things, it’s broken, or we may finally be free.” I repeated my thoughts. I put my helmet on and called everyone over through my radio, connected to the PA speakers in the Warpgate.
A few hours later, everyone was here. Soldiers, scientists, engineers, the whole crew. We were all standing at the edge of the shield, emitting a light hummus we started into the distance. The ground looked broken and soft, like quicksand. Even the air tower in the distance was leaning to the right.
“So, who get’s to be the hero?” Mich asked, walking beside me. She was followed by Black, Axx, and Kayla.
“Who said there had to be only one?” I asked, giving my fellow soldiers, and lead engineer a wink. Mich and Black put on their helmets.
“Yeah, I’ll wait for you to test it out.” Kayla laughed a bit. Myself, Black, and Mich exchanged nods and walked outside, the light from the now visible sun blinding us. We looked off for miles, land destroyed by the nuke attack that happened almost five months ago, now finally reversed. We took a couple more steps and our feet sunk into the soft, destroyed layer of the Earth. I went to take off my helmet, everyone looked at me worryingly. Regardless, I took my helmet off and took in a long, deep breath of fresh, unfiltered air.
“Hey guys, come on out, the air’s fine!” I shouted. “Why is that such a weird thing to say….?” I added, talking to myself. My friends laughed as they joined me.
“Well, we finally did it…” Black muttred.
“All thanks to Sunstrider’s crazy idea.” Kayla added.
“Alright guys, let us use this this victory to push ourselves to the final steps to returning to Earth! We already have a radio dish… think being built and hopefully with that, we can get in contact with Earthbound command and get back to our home!” I held up my fist, the everyone followed suit, cheering. Finally, after so long, we get a barke.
Chapter 4: The Space Radio Dish...Thing…
The next day, We already had patrols return outside. Now that we could actually survive outside, we can start planning a counter attack. The closest base to the Warpgate is about an hour long drive, even in a harasser. Kayla’s team was making great progress on the space dish, and everyone’s morals were at an all time high. I could finally look up though the dome shield of the warpgate and actually see the sky, clouds, and sun… but even still, it feels like it’s all fake. Like there's something about the sky that seems artificial, like a hologram. The clouds seems to be pixels of make belief, simulated beauty. I shook the thoughts out of my mind, I still had a job to do, geting my friends back home.
“Oh, Jet! There you are!” I heard a voice behind me, and turning around, I saw Kayla trying to catch up with me.
“What is it Kayla?” I asked, letting her catch up.
“Listen, we got the dish finished, and we are ready to activate it on your call.” Kayla reported.
“At long last… finally! Alright, take me too it.” Kayla nodded and lead the way. When I got there, most of the other platoon leaders were already there.
“Impressive piece of work…” Mich mumbled. Kayla lead me into the control room, it was a small room with just enough room for 3 people. Black Devil was already inside, setting it up. I sat in the middle and Kayla sat to the right of me
“Oh, glad you could make it Jet. I just got everything set up. All you have to do is hit the blue lever to you're right, and it should start the process.” Black explained. I wrapped my fingers around the lever… and looked out the window. The massive dish was sparkling in the sunlight, wires and power nodes scattered across the ground in one big mess. I looked to Black and we shared a nod...I pulled the lever back… the dish made some very loud dial up sounds before pointing towards the sky. Everyone waited in silence… until we started hearing static and muffled speech.
“I’ll try finding the proper frequency!” Kayla blurred out as she stared turning two large dials on the command console.
“Wait….hear something...it’s come-...Auraxis! This is Earthbound command! Does anyone copy!” The radio crackled to life as Kayla managed to get it working. I almost slammed my hand down on the microphone receiver.
“Earthbound command this is commander Jet Sunstrider of the New Republic army! Do you read?” I replied.
“I copy you five by five, Commander Sunstrider… but can you repeat that? Did you just say “New Republic?” The radio operator asked.
“Well, what can I say? Timeflyes and with it, a lot of stuff happens. It’s a long story… but long story short, last like you made contact with us you said you had a way to reopen the warpgate?” I replied.
“Yes, we have found a way… but it’s not going to be for another two months. We already have transport carriers set up. What is your status on the ground, over?” The operator explained.
“Sir, we are in a good way ourselves, but we still have heavy hostile presence by a rogue faction of rebels as well as Vanu aliens. You might want to add some combat forces to that fleet.” I replied. I can’t even remember the last time I saw the Rebels of Auraxis, but I only assume they still exist.
“Copy that, we will prepare accordingly. What we need your people to do is make sure you have a fortified position by April 23rd, and get ready to make a last stand. We are gonna bring you guys home.” The operator explained. Those words were like music to my ears.
“Yes, I understand, we already have a good position currently and will notify you of our readiness once you regain contact.” I was already running through our inventory of supplies in my head.
“Alright, sounds good. I will notify the Earthbound Space Military and start our side of the preparations, I suggest you work on your side. Earthbound Command over and out.” I let go of the receiver and heaved a heavy sigh.
“Looks like we got some work to do.” I looked over to Kayla, and to Black… the look on my face was pure determination.
