Intergalactic Alliance - A Galaxy of War

By Adam Luke Neal

Terra (Earth) has been united. It seeks to expand into the universe but soon realised that the galaxy was filled with war. On the brink of defeat, Terra reached out to a young but powerful marine for help. Soon the galaxy created the largest alliance in known history. However, peace never lasts. The True Light order threaten to return things to how they were and stop the Intergalactic Alliance from bringing Terran rule over the galaxy. Will they succeed in doing so or will the young marine use his power to protect the IA?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326629984

Book preview

Intergalactic Alliance - A Galaxy of War

INTERGALACTIC ALLIANCE

A Galaxy of War

By

Adam L. Neal

Intergalactic Alliance: A Galaxy at War – 1st Edition

November 2014

Story by Adam L. Neal

Cover Art by Ryan J. Neal

www.ryanneal.com

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank everyone who stood by me to write this book. A great thanks to my parents who encouraged the use of my imagination from a young age and for always being there to help.

To all my friends and family that gave feedback and showed interest in the book thank you most kindly. To the people I have come into contact with over the years, you have all been an influence to me. Finally thanks cannot express my gratitude to my brother, Ryan James Neal who helped me along the entire way with artwork and feedback.

But I would like to thank you, the reader for taking time let go off your reality and release your imagination, stepping into the galaxy that is the Intergalactic Alliance.

Chapter I

The Drop of Powestria

Over the planet of Powestria Prime, a small dropship hangs from a long metal arm, dangling over the planet. Several thrusters begin to fire as the metallic arm lets loose its grip on the dropship, sending it hurtling towards the planet’s atmosphere at high speed.

Inside the ship, a few dozen human troopers and marines are strapped into their seats. Heavily armoured, these soldiers are shaken in their seats as the dropship hurls downwards, being pulled by the planet’s gravity and assisted by the thrusters of the craft. A sudden jerk hits the vessel as it hits the atmosphere. The dropship is engulfed in fire as the standard energy shield protects its occupants inside. Outside the thick glass windows, all the soldiers can see is flame as the dropship plummets towards the planet’s surface. After several minutes there is another jerk on the vessel as the stabilising thrusters fire and level the ship into fly mode. The soldiers stay strapped into their seats, all bar one. Captain General Alexander Lexus disconnects his harness and stands, heading to the centre of the vessel. The young veteran stands straight backed and still, his head almost robotic as it moves looking at each of the soldiers, his armour thick and shinning with pride. The faces of the veteran soldiers are stern with a fire in their eye whilst the inexperienced soldiers look towards the Captain General with fright in theirs.

After a few moments the Captain General addresses the soldiers.

Troopers and marines of the Intergalactic Alliance. Yes I address you as IA and not simply Terrans. We fight to protect all but I am not going to give you a lecture on how to survive. But I will say this! Remember our actions are to fight so others do not have to. Do your job and do it well and you will live! Now prep for departure, the LZ is hot!

Alex did not care much for words before battles but could see the new soldiers looking for something to reassure them and remind them what they are fighting for. The mixture of troopers and marines unlock their harnesses and hurry to their feet, donning their helmets and sealing them in place. Laser rifles are checked and charged ready for as soon as the dropship doors open. Several soldiers leave their helms off as they talk to each other, out of the hearing of others.

Colonel James Jenkins, of the marine platoon Wizard’s Mist approaches the senior officer on the vessel.

Captain, we’ve over shot the LZ. Most of the troops haven’t noticed. Orders sir?

The LZ or the landing zone was several hundred metres passed their position but the majority of the soldiers were too busy to notice. Captain Lexus responds to the Colonel’s request for orders.

Keep preparing for departure, we shall inform them of our situation once we have achieved a secure landing position.

Aye, aye, Sir!

The Colonel salutes and continues preparing his marines.

Over the speakers on the inside of the vessel comes the voice of the pilot,

Found suitable landing zone but area is hot! It’s now or never!

Captain General Lexus looks to the speakers with a raised brow know that his task has just increased even more. He draws his weapon signalling to the other troops and marines to prepare for battle.

The dropship tilts its nose slightly as the lower thrusters pound out flames slowing the speed of the vessel. Multiple laser shots of a variety of colours hurl towards the dropship, being absorbed by the ship’s shield but the constant barrage weakens it. As the loud thud sounds the call of the landing, the large doors of the ship open. The majority of the troops head out of the vessel heading toward cover whilst the inexperienced soldiers run aimlessly in every direction.

Several soldiers are left on board along with the medical team that overlook the battlefield. Alex’s ever-watchful eye spots the majority of the enemies’ firing positions and notices a few of his soldiers heading towards crossfire.

Potter! Get down and grab Tutismo!

The very young Private stops as Captain Lexus shouts at him. Instead of dropping to the ground, he runs towards the dropship. An enemy troop sights up the Private and Alex springs to his feet. Leaping out of the dropship with incredible speed, he runs towards Private Potter. As he grabs him by the collar of the armour, the enemy soldier fires blasting a hole through Potter’s armour and body.  Captain Lexus is also hit in the side causing both soldiers to drop to the floor.

Alex’s eyes burst open after momentarily being shut when he hits the floor. He grabs Potter pulling him undercover noticing the gushing wound at his side. Alex applies pressure to the wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

What did I tell you?

Sorry Sir, I will do better next….

The Private chokes on his blood as Alex looks at him. His eyes fill with rage and he pulls his weapon out of its holster whilst grabbing Potter’s rifle.

With a war cry, Captain Lexus runs out from cover and opens fire on the enemy positions he had scoped out earlier. The green laser blasts continually fire from the rifle in his left hand whilst the constant spread of 6mm bullets fire from his Unigun handgun in his right. The number of enemy fire decreases as Alex drops the rifle and leaps into one of the enemy bunkers. He pulls out a 6-inch blade from the back of his belt and swiftly slices through the human enemy soldiers. He stands in the middle of the trench with the blade dripping with blood.

Hearing someone walking behind him, Alex twirls on the spot with great speed, aiming his gun in the direction.

Easy Captain! It’s me.

Doctor Michelle Parry shouts with a startled look on her face before walking over to him. Her voice turns compassionate as she approaches him looking down to his waist.

You were hit when Potter was killed, let me see.

Alex walks off from the Doctor abruptly,

I am fine Doctor, let’s get our bearings and see to the casualties.

Michelle frowns as she looks towards where he was shot. No blood could be seen but Alex swiftly moved away from the Doctor’s sight.

General Rhys James heads over to Captain Lexus,

That happened all too quickly!

As always! What’s our position Rhys?

The General looks towards his arm at a small viewing screen. He taps a few buttons and looks towards Alex.

We are at section B 12, grid 11. Your orders Sir?

Alex looks at the landing zone and to the direction of the Battle Headquarters.

Secure the LZ, tell the bird it can return to the nest and get the med team on those casualties.

General James responds with a salute and goes to his orders.

Colonel Hunt!

Captain Lexus shouts over the battlefield at Colonel Emma Hunt.

Gather the enemies’ weapons and ammo; see if any are left alive for interrogation!

She nods and assigns several troopers to assist her.

Alex stands in the centre of the landing zone watching all the soldiers attending to their duties in the dimly lit sky as the sun sets, though this region of Powestria Prime had very little light through the thick industrial clouds. Several cries of pain are shut out by the loud roar of the dropship’s engines. It blows dust in all directions as it slowly ascends from the landing zone. As it leaves audio range, a cold flood of rain begins to pour down.

The small band of reinforcements hurry to their orders as the blood red sun almost completely sets over the battlefield. The main lighting now of the area were the small flashlights attached to the shoulders and helmets of the troopers and marines that carried out their tasks with most hast. Captain Lexus crouches on one knee almost central of the thick muddy landing zone, with the rain pouring down onto his armour splashing off it in all directions. He looks down at a crimson holographic image of the local landscape. He is joined by Colonel Jenkins and General James who both take a knee, over viewing the terrain hologram.

General James states,

The enemy have established several forward bases towards Battle HQ. One is directly in our path to it and will take too long to go around.

Alex rubs his chin and sighs knowing what he must do. Colonel Jenkins stares at the Captain General waiting for his orders with readiness.

James, prepare all able bodies for departure, I want weapon checks and armour checks on the double. We’re going straight through their backyard!

Aye, aye Sir!

The Colonel leaps to his feet and starts barking his orders as the screams of the wounded still sound. Alex’s eyes look swiftly to them and to the medical team. He then looks back at the map trying to figure out the best course of action.

Colonel Hunt drops a bloody man right next to Captain Lexus. A standard Terran combat knife sticks out of his left shoulder, slowly leaking blood over his torn uniform.

Only one that survived the attack sir. He’s all yours for questioning.

Emma says as she stands back slightly keeping a hand on her firearm just in case the enemy human tries to be bold.

Alex does not look at the man and reaches over swiftly pulling the blade out from him. He yells as a deep red liquid squirts out from where the knife once was.

Name? Rank?

Alex plainly says, as his eyes stay focussed on the map. The man cowers over his wound and his lip quivers as he responds slowly in a broken sentence.

Corporal Ch…Charles Livensteen

How many forward bases are stationed around the Intergalactic Alliance base?

The man clutches the wound and looks at Alex with angry eyes but the Captain’s eyes stay fixed on the map. After a few seconds, Captain Lexus drives the knife into thigh of the enemy Corporal who lets off a horrifying scream of pain alarming the medical staff and wounded soldiers.

Doctor Parry begins to walk over to them, but Colonel Hunt stops her from interrupting. Alex twists the knife as the enemy captive continues his screams, and Captain Lexus slowly turns his head to face the soldier.

Corporal I do not like asking twice. I am Captain General Alexander Lexus of the Terran Alliance! Head of the Intergalactic Alliance Military Shield. Answer my question!

The Corporal’s eyes fill with fear as Alex says his name and tears rush down his face from the pain of the wounds,

I won’t betray my…

Alex swiftly takes the blade out and drives it through the palm of the Corporal’s right hand. The captive lets out another yell of pain but remains silent. Without a word Alex takes out his Unigun from his side holster and fires a shot into the head of captive. Doctor Parry rushes over to the body.

Did you have to kill him?

Alex simply looks at her in the eye and says,

He was the one that killed Nurse Keski while she was helping one of the wounded. He deserved his fate.

The doctor looks at Alex then to the body of her fallen student and to the body of the enemy captive. She stands wiping a tear from her eye and rushes off.

Colonel Jenkins approaches the Captain General and nods his head. Alex rises to his feet.

Ready yourselves to move out! Medical team, prep wounded for Med-Evac and prepare to fall into formation!

The soldiers and medical staff swiftly get to their orders.

After a few moments, a smaller dropship lands at the LZ unloading an armoured guard and several medical staff. They hurry to get the critically wounded and the non-fit to fight onto the dropship. Whilst they did this Captain General Lexus states the orders of how they were going to travel to their base.

The rain continued to pour and the sky black with cloud. The rain is cold, streaming off every soldier but the advanced technologies within the soldier’s armour keep their body temperature at nominal level for them to be constantly fit for battle. The roar of the dropship filled the air as the medical team joined the soldiers that finished preparing for departure. Doctor Parry approaches Captain Lexus,

Critically wounded evacuated sir and medical staff reporting for field duty...Sir!

Alex simply nods and looks back to the rest of the company. The troopers and marines attach their helmets and seal them tightly, raising their weapon, ready for the order to begin their journey to headquarters. Even the medical team wore helmets that covered only their heads but not their faces. The small quantity of senior officers still did not ware their helmets, the rain simply poured over their veteran faces. Alex finally begins to walk towards Battle HQ,

Troops, let’s move out!

Chapter II

Lost Memories

Many years before the drop on Powestria Prime, and many years before the Intergalactic Alliance, a young boy looks to the sky. Five Wing Class fighter craft fly through the luscious blue sky of Terra, leaving an array of mixed colours behind them. Several fireworks fill the sky as a sea of black gowns and hats fill a small courtyard surrounded by stunningly bright green grass.

The high school graduates of 3001 watch the spectacle above them then take off their hats, throwing them into the air with a load cheer as they do so. The young boy shakes hands with several of his classmates, quite possibly for the last time as he smiles with joy in his eyes. He walks over to a group of his friends that laugh as they flip through the glossy pages of their yearbooks.

Hey Alex, check out this picture!

One boy shouts, holding up a picture of the group pulling poses in the common room several weeks before. The boys continue flipping through the yearbooks laughing at the photographs and comments left in each book.

The boys start coughing jokingly as they nod to Alex in the direction of a young girl with long black hair walking towards them; Rebecca Diamond, the heart throb of the year. She heads straight towards Alex and he places a hand round the back of her neck gently and gives her a long loving kiss. Rhys James jumps down off the wall next to Alex laughing,

Come on now, there’s a place for that. Let’s go to the cafeteria, be our last meal here.

The small group of friends walk off as Alex takes Rebecca by the hand swiftly moving towards the dinner hall. Their black graduation gowns sway and flap in the gentle summer breeze.

Inside the large dinner hall, rows and rows of bright blue tables lay. Each table had long aluminium benches running either side of the table, allowing many students to sit at each table. The group of close friends barge into the cafeteria raising their voices with greetings to the graduates already inside. Over the speakers in the room plays a collection of different music genres to suit everyone’s taste. The group are joined by several girls that attach to their boyfriends and the single ones laugh and exchange comments in each other’s yearbooks.

Sitting propped up in various places around their usual dinner table; they continue to share jokes and past times. Alex looks at Rebecca with a twinkle in his eye and smiles sweetly at her. Their loving gaze is interrupted by Gareth Jones jumping onto the table and stands with his arms spread widely motioning for silence. The room goes quiet as stands towering over the room.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are free!

He shouts as the whole room cheers and stamp their feet, banging their dinner trays on the tables, before continuing with loud conversation and laughter.

After several minutes, Alex finally turns to the group with a serious question.

So guys, now that we no longer have to go to school, what now? What’s everyone’s plans?

They each state in turn their plans for the future with several jokes being made about some choices. After a few answers, one of Alex’s friends, Lee states;

Yeah but we do have to go on military summer camp remember…It could all change.

The sombre thought lay on the young teenagers thoughts for several moments until Gareth breaks the silence,

Yes, but that’s not today. Today is fun day! Time to cause some havoc without any threat of detention!

He picks up a pudding from the table and lands it square on Lee’s nose. Lee’s mouth drops for a moment as he looks at Gareth surprised and shocked. In retaliation Lee scoops up a spoonful of beans and throws it towards Gareth’s direction but lands on an unsuspecting victim behind. The bean covered graduate stands up slowly and turns looking very stern but beaming out a smile. They all laugh and a food fight breaks out throughout the whole dinner hall. The cafeteria staff attempt to control the chaos but with little avail so just stand back and laugh at the kids having fun on their last day. Alex and Rebecca silently slip away having dodged the majority of the food, only with a few stains here and there of cake on their gowns.

Outside of the cafeteria, the music and laughter could still be heard but Alex and Rebecca embrace each other closely. His arms wrapped tightly round her though he had not seen her in years and hers does so also. He rests his head on top of hers before slowly raising his looking in her hazel twinkling eyes. The world seemed to be at peace while the two are together and nothing else mattered. His innocent stone blue eyes glare into hers and then he breaks the blissful silence.

A lot may change in the next few weeks…

Rebecca cuts him off by putting a finger on his lips,

Yes but I will still love you. Will you still love me?

A smile lifts in the corner of his mouth as he replies;

I will always love you, even after I die.

Rebecca begins to kiss him with his answer but their loving exchange is interrupted once more by the call from a hover car.

She smiles at Alex and holds his hand as she begins to walk backwards.

Meet me tonight, my house…midnight!

She smirks as she turns around still holding his hand, slowly walking away as her fingertips run down his fingers for as long as they could until she was out of reach. Alex smiles and waves to her parents as she enters the car.

The cafeteria doors burst open as the car pulls off and Rhys walks up to Alex. He puts his arm around Alex’s shoulders and pulls him in close.

What did you do in the past life to get her?

Alex laughs, pushing him away and playfully fights with Rhys. The boys that came through the door are covered in various different foods all over their gowns, faces and hair. Lee steps out,

Right then lads, to Roger’s bar, few games of pool, darts.

The teenagers head off out of the school grounds without a care in the world.

Chapter III

Journey to Battle Headquarters

Gunfire and explosions could be heard in the darkness as the Terran re-enforcements swiftly moved side by side through the darkness. The sounds of battle became louder and louder with every step. The soldiers had been moving for some time now from the landing zone and those wounded from the last battle were lagging behind. Captain Lexus stops and looks to rear of the column of soldiers. The lights on the armour and helmets of the soldiers are all that are visible now with their flashlights lighting up briefly the area as they look around.

The rain continues to crash down on them making the pathway muddy and slippery, squelching underneath their large metal boots. Alex taps the inside of his ear sending a clicking sound to all the soldiers and medical team in the area. Immediately everyone takes a knee apart from Captain Lexus, who quietly orders,

Rest for five, but keep a look out!

One of the troopers mutters under his breath,

I can’t see two feet in front so what’s the point.

Alex hears the soldier’s grunt and glares at him. He knows that the morale is beginning to break amongst the soldiers after a swift battle, the slow pace due to the wounded and the darkness that plays on the soldier’s minds.

The troops and marines sit in the thick gooey mud as comfortably as they can whilst the wounded felt relieved to take a break.

Alex walks over to Dr Parry and calls her to one side. General James joins them.

Michelle, we are moving too slowly and the wounded are losing too much energy. The attack through the enemy base must be swift and deadly to ensure we do not take any more causalities. We won’t be able to go back for them if they fall.

The Doctor looks up at Alex with her large brown eyes and nods her head.

I understand…I shall stay,

Alex interrupts her,

Out of the question, you must come with us to help the wounded at the base. Assign one of your team, no more.

Michelle does not argue and carries out her orders with her head dropped. Rhys looks at Alex,

You did the right thing, they would not have made it if they came with us and we need her.

Alex stares at her for a few moments before looking at Rhys,

General, help them set up some cover…let us hope the enemy do not scout often.

Rhys salutes, leaving Captain Lexus standing towards the back of the column.

Emma runs up to Captain Lexus,

Sir, we’ve got to move soon! Storm will be upon us within a few hours!

Alex looks at her then swiftly to General James, yelling across the area.

Rhys break out the nanomachine shelter! Get the wounded inside!

He turns to face the rest of the soldiers,

Saddle up! Colonel Jenkins take point!

The young colonel begins swiftly moving towards the sounds of the battle once more.

Alex remains at the rear of the column as General James completes the shelter for the wounded. The small amount of medical staff pack up their equipment and head out with the troops. Rhys and Alex stay at the rear of the column.

Not sure if that will hold an ion bolt!

Alex simply looks at Rhys knowing this and walks off into the blackness.

As the battle sounds get louder and louder, the mud underneath their feet becomes even boggier. Several troops’ boots sink into the dark squelching mud slowing their pace again. Finally the Terran re-enforcements reach a forest. The trees were bare and old, with many fractures within their mighty trunks. The small amount of sunlight in this region of Powestria Prime as most of the planet was not enough to support plant life. This causes the thick atmosphere, heavy to breathe without filters, but more experienced ground soldiers were used to this environment.

Once the group all reach the tree line, Captain Lexus scans the forest with his eyes. He nods his head upwards signalling to the commanding officers of the small band of re-enforcements. Immediately silent orders were given to climb the large dead looking lumps of wood with different hand gestures. Alex is first to the top viewing the landscape and clapping his angry stone blue eyes upon the lights of the Intergalactic Alliance Battle Headquarters, their destination.

The troops and marines begin hopping from treetop to treetop avoiding all booby-traps and early warning systems of the enemy on the floor below. A private loses his grasp of a branch and begins to fall from the great height. Immediately Captain Lexus leaps after him, swiftly catching him and twisting as he does so. A small dart with a cable attached fires from his right arm into the tree next to him. Abruptly the descent is stopped and the private hangs three feet above a landmine. Alex looks down at the private who looks back at him with fear but gratitude in his eyes. Alex simply nods as the cable begins to retract, pulling them half way up the tree. Both then climb back up the trees to the rest of the group.

They reach the top once more and Michelle climbs over to Captain Lexus while her colleague looks at the private.

Sir you have a dislocated shoulder let me set…

Alex bangs his shoulder against the tree hard as the shoulder pops back into place with a grinding crunch. A look of pain shoots across his face before disappearing. Michelle looks at him with a frown as Alex leaps to the last tree of the forest. With more silent orders, the soldiers turn off all lights on their armour that they could. Some led lighting remained to show systems are operational on the suit but would not be visible from a distance.

Silently, the Terran soldiers climb down from the trees and take cover behind large rocks. The enemy forward base was only a few dozen metres away from their position. Colonel Hunt activates a small hologram on her left inner arm while holding a scanner towards the base. A birds-eye view of the small enemy base appears in the dark green hologram.

Sir, we can take a route straight through the centre of the base. It is the fastest route and I doubt they would anticipate it even if they knew we were here.

She whispers to the Captain General. He nods and takes a knee next to Emma, James, Rhys and Michelle.

"This is going to be very