Exodus

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Khan

This is something I was writing for the "Exodus" writing contest. Unfortunately, I never had time to get to it. I hope you enjoy!

August 17th, 2826.
A system somewhere near Valentina.

In her viewscreen she watched the distant planet shimmer green as the sun reflected off it. Jump alarms sounded and a voice called for all personel to man their jump stations. She watched the shining green planet for a long moment wishing she and her people could remain there but she knew that was not possible.

Their life, for now, was one that forced them to run. There were too many hunters still. She knew that ComStar was actively looking for them and their other enemies would come looking eventually if word ever got out that they had survived. They had to make their home somewhere beyond the reach of others for a while if not forever.

She looked at the planet again and thought about how luxurious it had been there for the few months they had stayed. Certainly, it had been a tough few months but it had also been so nice to have solid ground to walk on. It had been great to see green and blue sky. To feel rain hitting your cheek and watching it hit the ground making the seeds they planeted grow.

Sunsets, all her people had almost forgotten what a sunset looked like. They had been spectacular on this planet as had sunrises. Many of the travellers had sat outside there tents and log houses watching as the sun rose in the morning and set in the evening. Few had spoken on the first few of these events. It was like eveyone had stopped breathing all at once as the sun rose or fell.

Between each sunrise and sunset, they had worked in the fields or in the nearby lakes and rivers gathering enough food and growing enough grains for their coming jumps. DropShips had carried many litres of water and tons of frozen fish, 'fruits', and 'vegetables' up to the waiting Jumpships. Scientists had spent many long hours on planet testing the foods they found and making sure the were edible by humans. The planet had been bountiful.

She remembered one of the last nights when all the harvesting had been done, those that had remained behind to finish up the last few chores had had a party. She had been scheduled to go up to her command ship but had been asked to remain behind for one last "meeting" on the planet.

The night had been filled with stories of places far away, foods wonderfully cooked over fires, drinks both alcoholic and not, singing and dancing. The next morning all returned to their tasks and did not say a word about what had transpired the night before. In fact, it was never mentioned when they left two days later. The night had been like a dream.

Another alarm sounded telling everyone throughout the fleet that the next jump was only minutes away. She braced herself for the sick feeling she got whenever she went through a jump. The green planet still shone on her viewscreen, like an emerald amongst a ebony background. It called to her as she knew it called to all of her people who had spent time there.

Some had wanted to stay but she and others had convinced them to come with them because their enemies were still too close. It had taken a lot of talking but in the end those that wanted to stay had decided that they would come. She was sure they were the ones the emerald planet was calling the strongest. If she felt its pull then they must feel it even more.

She looked at the screen and hoped they would find a world as beautiful and as gentle as this one. One with peaceful lakes and rivers, long green and grassy plains, towering mountains with snow capped peaks that looked like they were just asking to be conquered by climbers and skiers, green seas teeming with a variety of life both dangerous and almost tame. In fact the whole planet had been like this.

There had been such a variety of animal life that some of the scientists had spent long sleepless days classifying as many animals and flora as they could. Many had done double duty, making sure the foods found were safe and cataloguing everything found. More than once she had had to discipline a scientist forcing him or her to get more rest and spend less time running around looking for the next amazing item.

The final alarm sounded and she took one last look and the shiny emerald on her screen. She felt the jump start and the sick feeling creep across her. She closed her eyes and felt the jump continue and then it was finished. She looked at her viewscreen and saw a reddish star shining in the distance. Gone was the bright yellow one that had made the emerald planet gleam. She thought about that distant planet and said, "I will call you 'Providence'."

With that General Sarah McEvedy turned to the task of continuing her fleet's journey and left the shiny green planet as a fond part of her memories.

Blackhawks General

A intersting "Wagons Ho!" type of feel. Brave refugees searching for the Brave New World.

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Khan

Whoa, I post this in May and Blackhawk posts a reply in August! Thanks, Blackhawk, I appreciate your reply, thank you.

Now how about the rest of you who read this. I know there are some of you who did.

FanPro Commandos Commando #224

Ok, since I coulden't yet finish you're contest entry I went in search for more of you're work. This is a great read, I think all of us who travel can relate to this story at least one time in our lives...

Bubbas Raiders Raider

I read it aeons ago and loved it, but never left feedback...
It was indeed very recognizable, and a good read.

Bubbas Raiders

Just read this one last week. I like it, makes me fiel like traveling....

Blackhawks Warrant Officer

Read this today was a great read. Wuould like to see it continue.

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Khan

Something I hadn't intended doing was to continue this story. I thought and felt it was a one-shot deal and would never be revisited but, alas, I learn once more to "never say never"! Something sparked as I read the responses and I thought "Well, what about adding to the story BEFORE they leave the planet. I guess I pulled a "George Lucas" and wrote a prequel. Wink

So Enjoy and I will try to add more later.

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December 5th, 2825.

A system somewhere near Valentina.

Khan.....no, strike that, General Sarah McEvedy sat in a command chair on the bridge of the 221st's main DropShip. She felt the thrum and rumble of the engines several decks below her. The engine pitch rose as the DropShip began its final approach to the emerald green planet they had found in this system. It had gleamed like a beacon against the blackness of space. She had felt its call as soon as she had seen it and she hadn't been alone. Others had said the same thing.

"Beginning final approach." a voice said from one of the nearby stations.

"Set us down gently, Mister Watts, or your backside will be used for a plow!" replied the DropShip Captain's voice with a slight playful tone.

Captain Salaam was a damn good commander who made sure all his people were well trained and ready for any contingency or emergency. He was tough but never pushed people beyond their breaking point unless it was required. He had a very good rapport with his crew and she knew they would probably go down with him if something happened to this ship. They were just that devoted to him.

"I will try my best, Captain." the pilot replied.

"Well, I am sure your best will be more than adequate, Mister Watts." again with a slight playful voice.

She could see that "Mister" Watts, Lieutenant Stewart Watts, was about to reply but stopped and continued to focus on his task. She watched the pilot's face as he continued to watch his small screen and make any needed corrections. The engine noise rose again and the planet's atmosphere began to buffet the ship. There was additional noise as the ship raced through the atmosphere.

"Our course is set, General. I will land us on the large-ish island just to the south of the main continent." the pilot said to her over the comm channel.

She nodded and keyed her mike that was attached to the headset she wore, "Excellent."

She heard a general message a few seconds later from the pilot telling the Captain and her that they would be landing in approximately 20 minutes.

This was the part she hated. She could handle a combat drop in a mech or a jump from system to system and she could even handle being in space but for some reason she could never get used to the initial entry into a planet's atmosphere. It didn't matter if it was in a huge dropship or a small aerospace fighter she just could never find a way to ease her tension and relax. She was fine before and after but never during. This defied even her deepest search for the reason and for a way to relax.

The ship jumped and bounced around a bit as the atmosphere got thicker. It would be over very soon now. A deeper engine rumbled sounded as the pilot kicked them in to slow their descent. The engines sounded reassuring to her as they began to slow the craft and make their drop to the planet smoother. It was about this point where she could begin to relax. Sure enough she felt the large ship settle down into a smoothly controlled climb downward and she felt her heart slow. Sarah hadn't realized it was beating so hard she should have becaus it always did.

She smiled and shook her head, "Damn, I can be so forgetful at times!" She thought to herself.

"Landing is in 10 minutes." the pilot announced over the comm channel.

"Landing teams prepare to disembark. All teams prepare for landing in 10 minutes!" Captain Salaam announced over the shipwide intercomm.

General McEvedy rose, took off her headset, and made her way off the bridge. She paused at the door as it opened and turned to the Captain, "Captain Salaam, if Mister Watts messes this landing up and does more than a slight bump as we touch down, send him to me! I'll teach him how to land!" She said with a big smile.

"Aye, General. I can arrange that. But you'll be getting him AFTER I'm finished with him, if that is okay?" answered the Captain with a huge grin.

General McEvedy saw a few drops of sweat break out on Lieutenant Watts's forehead as he concentrated on the descent but she also saw a smile too. "Good man!" she thought, "He knows his job well." She turned and left.

Blackhawks Warrant Officer

You should really keep this going...It has a really great storyline.

Federated Suns Leftenant General

I have to ask, was there ever anymore from this story?

Sarah McEvedy, what clan did she control? My forgot Razz

Clan Wolf-In-Exile Khan

Zmuh11 wrote:

I have to ask, was there ever anymore from this story?

Sarah McEvedy, what clan did she control? My forgot Razz

She was the Khan of Clan Wolverine. She disappeared during the Trial of Annihilation with Clan Wolf.

There was more but I am damned if I can find it. I had a story I was poking around with which was a prelude to this one and a bit more of what is already here.

Blackhawks Colonel

Nice start on a good story. I liked the style of it, really sad sounding, but not grim or forboding.

Jeff