Rise of the Phoenix Warrior

By Anthony J. Maloney

When a freak accident strands Admiral Jack Pond in an alternate future where everything he knows and loves is gone, he must fight to fix the future and restore the past. As if that wasn’t hard enough, a difficult and deadly series of missions awaits him. From dismissal from the G.S.F. to reinstatement to a deep space deployment to a devastating attack that will change the course of the galaxy, each new mission will help to shape a warrior. And with each success, a legend will grow. In an hour of darkness, a hero will rise, and the galaxy will bear witness to the Rise of the Phoenix Warrior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anthony J. Maloney IV
• Release date: Apr 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9780988569614

Book preview

Rise of the Phoenix Warrior

Rise of the Phoenix Warrior

Rise of the Phoenix Warrior

First Edition

Copyright© 2013 Anthony J. Maloney

All rights reserved

IBSN: 978-0-9885696-1-4

This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Dedication:

Once again, for all my family and friends…hope you enjoy.

Rise of the Phoenix Warrior

Once again I have sat down to pen accounts of the adventures of Admiral Jack Pond.  Again, my identity is unimportant compared to the events that I will portray.  Once again, I have witnessed these events and can testify to their truthfulness.  Once again, ‘the Admiral’ was called upon to defend the world from those who would do it harm.  Enjoy these accounts.

Future Imperfect

I am currently an Admiral in the G.S.F.  While the Omega is being repaired in dry-dock I have been asked to participate in a test of a new propulsion system, and a new shield system.  To that end, Barry and I have made the necessary modifications to the Raptor.  It was the perfect choice due to its low mass, high maximum speed, and its ability to easily enter and fly in an atmosphere.  For test purposes the Raptor will be carrying a full battle load.  The rotary launch system will hold four quantum phase torpedoes, four multipurpose plasma missiles, a matter lock (a torpedo shaped device that consists of two halves connected together by a wire.  The halves are imbedded into a hatch to prevent it from opening), and a recon drone.  The external hard points will hold six missiles on each wing, and four on the fuselage, for a total of 16 on the hard points.  The test will be conducted in a star system just over six light-years from Earth. The nearness is to prevent spying.

Ok Admiral, whenever you’re ready, The captain in charge of the test said over the communications screen.

The Raptor hung still in space a short distance from the ship that would observe the test.  Her running lights blinking in space.

Barry, you ready?

Yep.  Let’s roll.

Ok, captain, we’re ready.  Standby.

Course ready, Jack.

Ok, Barry, hang on.

I pushed the throttle to its stop.  We raced forward into the system.  Automated weapons satellites fired at us to test our shields.  We raced past them, paying them no heed.

Jack, something’s wrong.

What is it, Barry?

The next satellite, I’m picking up a power surge.

What do you think?  Should I try to blow by it?

It’s going to blow!

Hang on! I exclaimed.

I threw us into a banking turn away from the exploding satellite.  It was too late.  The explosion shook the Raptor, tossing us about.  The cockpit lights flashed out and we were left in the dark.

Report.

Well, no major damage, or at least none I can see.

The lights came back on suddenly, and I looked down at the instruments.  Our speed was increasing rapidly.

What’s going on.  We’re speeding up.  I don’t have any control.

I don’t know, Jack, but that won’t matter for long.  We’re heading directly for a sun.  We’ll burn up in approximately thirty seconds.

Barry was wrong.  We didn’t burn up in thirty seconds; in fact, we didn’t burn up at all.

Jack, it’s getting hot in here.

I know.  We’re so close to the sun.  I think we’re going to slingshot.

We did.  We raced around the sun, and emerged on the other side at an incredible speed.

Barry, I think I’ve gotten control back.

Confirmed.

I slammed the throttle into full reverse.  We began to slow gradually.

Jack, the hull will be beyond stress tolerances before we come to a stop.

How about the engines?

They’ll be fine.

"Then I guess we’ll take the hull beyond its stress tolerance.

"No, you don’t understand.  It’ll be way beyond tolerance."

"Then I’ll cut throttle at the last possible moment.

I guess that’ll work.  Standby.

Several minutes passed as the engines struggled to bring us to a stop.

Now!

I slammed the engines into neutral.  We continued to slow as we glided along.  We eventually came to a stop four light-years away. 

Report.

We’ve traveled a distance of four light-years.  My calculations show that we have traveled approximately one millionth of a second forward in time.

Ok.  Scan for the command ship.

It’s not there.

Engage cloaking device.

Engaged.

Raise shields.  Arm all weapons.

Shields are up.  Weapons armed.

Scan standard patrol stations for G.S.F. vessels.

None.  All stations are empty.

That’s very odd.  Plot a course for Space Dock 1, maximum speed.

Ready.

I engaged the course, and we shot forward at MAVVID 50.  A short time later we were holding position at the fringes of our solar system.

Jack, Space Dock 1 is not matching sensor profile.

How can that be?  I’m going to bring us in for a closer look.

Ok, I’ll take a full spectrum scan when we get closer.

Prepare to deploy the sensor drone.

Ready.

I pulled within range, and looked back over my shoulder.

Fire.

Barry opened the weapons bay and rotated the drone into firing position.  He then fired the drone, sending it on its way toward the station.  It came to an abrupt stop, and extended a sensor arm until it came in contact with the surface of the station.

Jack, sensors show that this station bears the name ‘Weapons Depot 1.’

Use the drone to download a copy of the communications directory, and cross reference with our own.

The probe broke into the computer of the station, and then transmitted the results back to Barry.

Jack, you’re not going to believe this, none of the officers or family of anyone aboard the Omega are listed.  That’s not all.  The G.S.F. doesn’t exist.  It’s called the United Space Empire.  It’s a galaxy wide dictatorship.

How can that be?  All that I care about, all that I cherish is gone.  Everything I’ve worked for, everything that I believe in is gone.  Replaced by a totalitarian state, I thought.

We’ve got to find out what happened here, I said.

Fixing the Future

I am currently an Admiral in the Galactic Space Fleet.  On my last mission Barry and I were launched a fraction of a second into the future.  The repercussions are disastrous.  The United Space Empire has replaced the peaceful Federation.  We are endeavoring to determine the events that caused the change.

Well, what d’you think?

I don’t know, Jack.  Somehow we’ve got to find out what happened to bring the United Space Empire into existence.

Suddenly a thought popped into my head.

Scan historical records and compare them with our own.

Why?

I’ve got a hunch.

Scanning.  I’ve got it.  A discrepancy.

When?

2088, president Charles Cordin died when Air Force 1 was attacked by a mysterious aircraft in our universe.  In this one the president lived, declared himself lifelong dictator, and turned the first hyperdrive into a weapon of conquest.  From that day on the United Space Empire conquered world after world.

We’ve got to go back and fix things.

How?

See if the computer can calculate a course using the star in the system the test was conducted in, except instead of forward in time try for back in time.

How far back?

Back to June 23, 2088.

Right, two days before the president is supposed to have been shot down.  Then we can get ready and insure his plane is shot down.

You got, Barry.

I’m on it.

Detonate the drone, I think it’s been detected.

Detonating.

The drone exploded in a ball of flame as we looked on.

Jack, sensors indicate that a ship is powering up its engines inside the station.

Status of the cloaking device?

Damn!  It shut down due to a fault.  I just noticed.

Then they’re coming for us.  Fire the matter lock.

Firing, Barry said.

The matter lock torpedo flew towards the station.  Its halves split apart, and stretched the cable between them and it accelerated at the station.  It impacted on the doors to the station and the halves imbedded themselves in the doors and held tight.

Jack, I’ve got that course you asked for.

Then let’s do it.  Let’s restore our past.

Before we go, how did you know to check the historical database.

The Great Serpent warned me to ‘prevent anyone from tampering with my past, present, or future.’  I decided that must be what happened.  It was a warning.

I’m sending the course to the helm now.

I’ve got it.  Now let’s fix the future.

I pushed a button, and we shot ahead at maximum speed for our destiny and the past.

Entering time warp.

Confirmed.

The Raptor shook and the temperature inside rose.  The stars began to blur together, and then everything went dark.

Barry, I said.

Huh.  What?

Where are we?

Let me check.  We’re in the star system that we started the test in.

When?

We need to get closer to Earth so that I can run a scan.

Ok, set a course, and engage the cloaking device.

Engaged.

I pushed several buttons and we shot forward at maximum speed.  Several hours later we arrived in Earth orbit.

I’m running scans now.

Results?

We have arrived at Earth in approximately 2100.  I can’t be more precise with what we’ve got up here.

Then I’ll land us in upstate New York, we can check the date there.

Ok, but we’ll have to be careful.

I aimed the Raptor for New York, and started us down.  I slowed to 500 mph to prevent any sonic booms from our arrival.  I flew us across the United States, and brought us down in a secluded area outside of a small city.  Once we landed, I opened the canopy and stepped out.  Barry followed me, and we left the Raptor cloaked in the small clearing that we had landed in.

We’ll see if we can find a newspaper or something.  It’ll give us the date.

We walked quite a distance, and arrived at a small house just as the sun was coming up.  I watched as the paperboy delivered a newspaper to the house, and then looked at the date at the top.  It read: June 23, 2088.

We made it, Jack.  Right on time.

Good work.  Now we’ve got to hang out for the next thirty-six hours.

Mornin’ boys, a man said as he stepped out of the house.  He was awestruck by our size.  My six foot nine inch tall, 248-pound frame towered over him, and Barry, at six foot eight inches tall and 258 pounds was equally intimidating.  He looked into my steel-gray eyes, and then at my medium length jet-black hair.  My deep tan made him wonder where we were from.  Barry’s brown hair and eyes as well as his similarly dark complexion also confused him. 

Morning, I said nodding at him.

Couldn’t help hearing you boys say you needed some place to stay for the next thirty-six hours.

Yes, we’re waiting to meet someone then, but we’re a little early.

We’ve got a guest room you boys could use.  Where’re you going to meet your friend?

A clearing about twenty miles back, I told him.

Well you can stay with my wife and me for the night, and I’ll take you to the clearing tomorrow.

Thanks a lot, we really appreciate it.

He ushered us inside where he introduced us to his wife.

Have you boys been walking all night? She asked.

Yes, ma’am we have.

Well sit down, have some breakfast, and then go to bed.

Yes, ma’am, I said.

We ate a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast and jam.  After that she showed us to a guestroom.  We laid down and fell asleep in minutes.  When we woke up it was twelve hours later.

I climbed out of bed, showered, and dressed.  Then I decided to go outside and stretch my legs. 

You awake?

Yes, ma’am, we’re awake, I said as I descended the stairs.

You boys must have been really tired.

Yes, ma’am.  We flew in from California last night.

You did?  Then what are you doing way out here?

We flew in a private plane.  We landed in a clearing twenty miles back.

Just the two of you?  Where’s your pilot?

I’m a pilot, ma’am.

Are you in the military?

Sort of.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get some fresh air.

Be careful, we’ve had problems with people trying to rob us lately.  My husband’s taken to carrying a gun around with him when he goes out.

Don’t worry about me, ma’am.  If I see a robber I’ll make sure he doesn’t get in.

I walked out onto the porch and sat in a wooden chair.  Just then the man ran up onto the porch with a shotgun in his hand.

Get down, boy, the bad guys’re coming.

Just then a volley of gunfire hit the rail of the porch.  I dove to the ground, and unzipped my jump suit.  I withdrew my forty-four, and took up a position next to the man.

Barry, I said into my communicator.

Yeah, Jack, what’s up?

Get down here, we’ve got problems.

What’s going on?

We’ve got people shooting at the farm house.

I’m on my way.

I aimed over the rail and fired two shots in the direction of the guys that were shooting at us.

I didn’t see that gun before, the man said.

Why are they shooting at us?

They want my farm, but I won’t sell it to ‘em.

We’ll drive ‘em off for you.

I switched my eye to infrared, and scanned for the enemy.  I spotted six of them all together.  Just then Barry walked out onto the porch.

How many we got?

Six, spread out over there, I said waving my hand in the direction of the goons.

What do you want me to do?

Cover me.

While Barry laid down a barrage of fire I crept along the porch, and snuck away.  I headed for a group of trees for cover. Then I fired.  I took two out within seconds.  I managed to nail a third before I was driven back to the porch.  I dove over the rail, and used it for cover.  I returned fire along with Barry.  Barry hit two of the remaining three, and I dropped the third.

You boys are a two man army, the man commented.

You could say that.

So what were your names again?

I’m Jack Pond, and that’s my brother Barry.

I’m Dave Jacobs, my wife is Emma.

Nice to meet you.  I think dinner’s ready, shall we?

We entered the house, and ate a dinner of steak and potatoes.  Then we went to bed.  The next day we got up and Dave drove us back to the clearing.

So where’s your plane?

It’s better that you don’t see it, I told him.

Why?

You’ll find out when you watch the news.

Ok, see you boys later.

I’m afraid that you’ll never see us again Mr. Jacobs, but it was nice to meet you.

Bye, he said confused at my cryptic response as he turned and left.

After he was gone we boarded the Raptor and checked out all of the systems and prepared for our date with destiny.

Scanning for Air Force 1.  I’ve got ‘em.  He’s under heavy escort, four F-15s.

We’ll have to take all of ‘em.  We can’t leave any witnesses.

Right, I’m ready back here.

Give me their course.

Bearing two one five, 500 mph at 26,000 feet.

Moving to intercept, increasing speed.

We shot forward after Air Force 1 at Mach 2.  I slowed us once we were within visual range.

We’ll use the thirty millimeter cannons and missiles, not the more high tech stuff.  We don’t want to give away our origin.

Right, switching over.

F-15s, this is a warning, if you do not leave the area at once you will be shot down.

Who is this? The F-15 flight leader asked.

Who I am is not important, that I can blow you out of the sky is.  I suggest you leave the area.  I’m not interested in you, just Air Force 1.

I’m afraid we can’t leave.

Then prepare to die.

I accelerated and closed into weapons range, and opened fire with the thirty-millimeter cannons.  They tore into the first of the F-15s, cutting through its fuselage as if it were paper.

Jack, what if the original unidentified aircraft shows up?

We’ll deal with that eventuality when we come to it.

I just asked because there are two unidentified contacts approaching at high speed.

Swell.

I rolled us over, and fired at the second F-15, hitting its port engine, and blowing one of its tails clean off. 

Fire missiles, I ordered.

Barry fired missiles at the two remaining F-15s.  The first tried to evade the missile, but the missile slammed into the plane’s wing at the wing root, blowing it and a large portion of the starboard engine off.  The plane spiraled to the ground.  The second tried to fool the missile with flares and chaff, but it too failed.  The missile hit just behind the cockpit, blowing the plane in two.  Meanwhile the two unidentified contacts appeared.

One was a plane much like the Raptor, but smaller, the other was a large atmospheric attack cruiser, circa 2210.  I knew at once why history had been changed.  The cruiser fired on the plane, blasting it apart.

Raise our shields.

Shields are up.

Switch back to the turbo-cannons and such, and spin up the quantum phase torpedoes.

Right.

I fired the plasma launchers and turbo-cannons at the cruiser, but failed to do any damage.  I even fired missiles at it, but they too did no good.

Barry, how long on the torps?

Five minutes, I’ve got to prime the charges.

We’re almost out of missiles, and I can’t even scratch it.

Just as I said that we were rocked as we were hit by a blast from the cruiser.

Whoever you are in that plane, you won’t succeed.

I wouldn’t bet on it, I retorted.

They fired at us again, but now I was mad.  The gunners on the cruiser were suddenly thrown off as I raised my flying skills by about 10 notches.  They couldn’t hit us.

Ready, sir.

Lock on target.

Locked.

I sent us into a loop, and fired all of the remaining missiles at an aircraft that had appeared accompanying the cruiser.  It was destroyed in a ball of fire, and then I rolled us to the right.

Fire all of them now!

The bay doors opened, and Barry launched all four of the quantum phase torpedoes at the cruiser.  The cruiser’s shields couldn’t withstand the high powered torpedoes, and it exploded into a ball of fire.

Switch back to the guns.

You’re on.

I fired the 30mm cannons at Air Force 1.  My first salvo tore through the port wing, and blew the outboard of the two engines on the wing off.  The 747 lurched as I fired again, and this time I hit the fuselage fuel tanks.  Fuel leaked out of the fuselage and the wing tanks. 

Unidentified aircraft, this is Air Force 1, we have the president of the United States aboard, cease firing at once.

You have the president aboard?

Yes, this is the president, a different voice said.

If you don’t stop firing you’ll kill me.  You wouldn’t want that would you?  I’m a very powerful man.

How do you know what I want?

I’ll give you anything you what, just leave us alone.

I don’t think so.

I’ll make it worth your while.

You’re a spineless bastard, and you deserve to die.

You’ll regret this, I’ve already called for help, and you can’t out run this help.

It’s been nice talkin’ to ya.

Wait, I’ll do anything, just don’t shoot.

You want me to stop when you’d kill millions if I let you go?  You’re nuts.  Get ready to meet your maker, asshole.

I fired again, and blew the plane in half.  It tumbled end over end and crashed to the ground below.  No one survived.

Well, you did it, Jack, you restored the future, I think.

Plot a return course.

It’ll take about ten minutes to get the exact course plotted.  I’ll bring us back at the precise time we left.

Fine.

I kept us flying toward New Mexico (the president had been on his way there to kill the vice president and make himself dictator for life) as Barry made the calculations.

Jack, we’ve got company.

"What is it?

An SR-71, and I think it’s armed.

Unidentified aircraft, this is Angel 1, reduce speed, and form on my wing, or I will open fire.

Angel 1, this is Raptor 1, go to hell.

They’re gaining.

I nudged the throttle ahead a little, and we shot forward.

They’re at Mach 2.

Ok, I’ll go to 2.5. the pilot of the SR-71 said to his radar operator.

Unidentified aircraft, you won’t get away from us that easily, we’re the fastest plane in the world.

Angel 1, listen to me.  History won’t remember us, and you’ll never catch us, so don’t try.

Whatever you say, you psycho.

I nudged the throttle again, and we were traveling at Mach 3.

You can’t get away that easily, the pilot said to himself.

Jack, they’ve increased speed again, they’re gaining.

Not for long.

I slammed the throttle to its stop, and we shot ahead at Mach 6.5.  I pointed the nose up, and toward space.

Engage cloaking device.

Engaged.

We left the atmosphere, and I aimed us for the star system that this whole adventure had begun in.

I’ve got the course for you.

Got it.  Engaging.

Meanwhile back on earth the pilot and radar operator in the SR-71 were confused.

"That’s impossible, you can’t maneuver like that at that speed, heck you can’t even go that speed.  As for becoming invisible, they’ll think we’re nuts."

I say we forget it.

I’m with you.  We never saw that plane.

And so history would forget the Raptor and our involvement in the downing of Air Force 1.

Jack we’re about to enter time warp.

Just as Barry finished saying that we both passed out from the heat.  When we woke up we were back in the future.

Jack, let’s find out if the future is what it’s supposed to be.

Right.  Plotting course for Earth.

Several hours later we arrived to find Earth, as it should be.  We returned to the test sight, and declared the test a failure, not wanting to reveal what had really happened.

Destiny Destroyed

I am currently an Admiral in the Galactic Space Fleet.  I’m about to go on a recovery mission.  My crew and I have been chosen to try to locate two missing ships.  They disappeared several weeks ago, and no contact has been established.  For that reason we are to assume that the vessels were attacked and destroyed.

Admiral Pond, transmission from Space Dock 1.

On screen.

Admiral Pond, this is G.S.F. command, prepare to take aboard an officer.

Understood, standing by.  By the way, who, may I ask, is this officer?

Captain Edgington.

As in Admiral Edgington, head of the Judge Advocate General’s office?

Yes, sir, it’s his son.

Very well, we’re ready when you are.

Several minutes later Captain Edgington stepped onto the bridge.

Admiral Pond, Captain Edgington reporting for duty.

At ease, Captain.  What duty are you reporting for?

I’m to help with the search and rescue operations.

Ok, you can command the third shift.

Understood, sir.

Dismissed.

He turned and left the bridge to get settled into his quarters and get some sleep.

Jack, I heard he only made his current rank because of his dad.  He’s supposed to be a sorry excuse for a captain.

We’ll let his actions speak for him, Barry.  I don’t want to hear any more about it.

Understood, sir.

Mr. Johnson, plot a course for the last known location of the two ships, maximum speed.

Aye, sir.  Ready.

Engage.

We shot off toward our destination at MAVVID 50.  Little did I realize that this mission would change my life, and my destiny.

When we were less than an hour from the last known location of the two ships I called a briefing to decide just how we would proceed.

Well, now that everyone’s here, I’ll begin.  To start with, I’d like to introduce Captain Edgington.  He’ll be with us for the duration of the mission.  He’ll be commanding the third shift until we return to Space Dock 1.  He’s what you might call a mission specialist.  He knows the captains of both the missing vessels so his input will be invaluable.  Once we reach the last reported location of the two vessels we’ll begin a standard search pattern.  If and when we locate the missing vessels Captain Edgington will lead the investigation into why they broke contact.  I expect everyone to give him their full cooperation, is that understood?

Yes, sir, the entire senior staff answered in unison.

Good.  That’s all I’ve got.  Dismissed.

Everyone left and went their separate ways.  Everyone had preparations to make before we arrived at the search zone.

When we arrived there was no sign of the missing ships.

Paval, you got anything?

No, sair, nothing on sensors.  I hef no sign of the wessels.

Well then we’ll have to do it the hard way.  Begin search pattern.

We spent the next few days searching for the vessels to no avail.  Finally on the fourth day we came across what was left of the two ships.

Sair, I hef located the wessels.

On screen.  Captain Edgington to the bridge.

I stared at what was left of the vessels.  They had been pounded into hulks.  Their battered hulls were beyond repair.

What happened?

They were attacked, Admiral, it’s obvious.

Paval?

Sensor scans are inconclusive, sair.  I can’t tell if they vere attacked or not.

We must tread carefully.  Bring us within transporter range.  Captain, prepare to board the ships with an away team.  See if you can download the ship’s logs.

Right, but I still say it’s obvious that they were attacked.

I’m not convinced.  We’ve got to examine every possibility.

Fine, fine.  Let’s go.

Edgington took Noah Davey, Eric Williams, and Coley Nash with him.  He figured that Noah could examine the engineering logs, Nash could provide security, and Eric could help him get the records.  They transported aboard the first ship, and were on it for about two hours.  They then transported to the second on which they remained for four hours.

Report.

Well, sir, nothing conclusive.  We’re still analyzing the logs.  We’ll know in the morning.

Fine, good work, Noah.

I turned and left the bridge.  I went to my quarters and went to bed.

I awoke suddenly when I was thrown out of my bed by an explosion.

What the hell’s going on!

I got off the floor, and tried to walk to the turbo-lev, but I was thrown to the floor a second time.  I finally succeeded, but when I reached my office I found it a mess.  I was once again thrown to the floor by an explosion as I tried to leave.  I finally made it out, but the doors to the bridge were jammed, so I had to go to another door.  Once again an explosion sent me to my knees.

What is that jerk of a captain doing up there?

I finally dove through the doors to the bridge, just as another explosion rocked the Omega.

Report!

We’re under heavy attack from two unidentified vessels.  Captain Edgington fired on them.

Why’d you fire on them, Captain?

I told them to surrender and prepare to be boarded. I think they’re responsible for the damage to the ships.

Do you have any proof?

No, but...

But nothing!  You don’t go attacking ships on a hunch!  Status?

Sir, we’ve lost the nacelles, the hyperdrive core is about to breach. I can’t do a thing.

What did the logs show?

I just finished, sir.  The logs show that the ships were hit by energy waves from the partial collapse of the star in this system.  The star shows signs of going supernova any minute.

Swell.  Noah, jettison the core, and get us the hell out of here however you can.

Noah pushed a few buttons, and the hyperdrive core dropped free just in time.  It exploded just seconds after release, throwing the ship into an end-over-end roll.  The engines and power died.

Report, I yelled over the shriek of the metal of the hull, which was straining.

We’ve lost propulsion and all main power, she’s a hulk sir.

Abandon ship.  Get everyone out of here.

We all abandon ship,