The Creation of Xyphus: The Supernova of Dega: Xyphus Saga, #1

By Chris Grey

Imagine a clone of our world, but further into the future where we are in the early stages of space exploration with faster-than-light travel. Terra has a United Space Force, and Lieutenant Major Brandon Xyphus has landed himself in the brig a second time. After the supernova of the nearby star, Dega, which mysteriously doesn't annihilate the solar system, he is given a rare third chance at his career as a pilot. The supernova altered the course of the solar system, and he is tasked by an elite autonomous group to pilot them to go and destroy the asteroid that the sun is now headed toward.

 

Along the way, he meets Dr. Tobias Pherringer whom has a time-traveling plan to save humanity, which he claims is doomed to fail in the near future, whether or not this mission succeeds. He explains that Brandon and seven others are to survive and, with some technological aid, are destined to repopulate Terra in the future. Only, Terra has dramatically changed, becoming the scifi-fantasy setting for the author's tabletop role-playing game full of the classic fantasy races, magic, and much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Grey
• Release date: Apr 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223192657

Book preview

The Creation of Xyphus:

The Supernova of Dega

Volume I of the Xyphus Saga

Authored by:  Chris Grey

Edited by:  Chris Grey

Cover Illustration by:  midjourney.com A.I.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Act I

Act II

Act III

Act IV

Act V

Act VI

Act VII

Act VIII

Act IX

Act X

Act XI

Act XII

Act XIII

Act XIV

Act XV

Act XVI

Act XVII

Act XVIII

Act XIX

Act XX

Act XXI

Act XXII

Act XXIII

Act XXIV

Act XXV

Act XXVI

Act XXVII

Glossary of Terms

Author’s Note

Introduction

First of all, I'd like to thank you for your interest in my story.  This saga began as notes on the back history of a setting I'm designing as part of my work-in-progress tabletop role-playing game.  The setting, titled Xyphus, is a post-apocalyptic Earth, named Terra, but the radiation from the post-nuclear weaponry caused the remaining humans to mutate into orcs, dwarves, and elves, etc., as well as creating magic and other abominations.  A place where you could be a master swordsman in full plate, but the other guy has a laser rifle.  However, you are able to play as a human, or in this case, a terran, and this saga explains how they were able to repopulate the planet, following in the footsteps of Lieutenant Major Brandon Xyphus.

Another important thing to note, is that certain names like place and brand names are slightly changed, or occasionally completely different, like in the case of Terra.  This is due to the fact that I wanted to protect my game from any copyright infringements from using brand names.

I must also say that I'm a novice writer.  I’ve republished this book on Smashwords, but I have three self-published titles on Amazon (amazon.com/author/minus1digit), with more on the way.  This is also the first time I'm writing in the pantsing style.  I have a clear image of how the story is to end, but everything in between is being made up as I type.

I've also decided to include the list of Space Force ranks.

Act I

There were a lot of reasons why Brandon hated life.  Being in the brig for the second time, wasn't one of them.  It was the fact that he was on Luna that annoyed him the most.  If he were on Terra, he could at least get conjugal visits from his girlfriend.  Here, he didn't really know anyone.

It had been three long months, and he sighed as he stared out at the barren lunar landscape.  On Luna, that was about three days, and the window soon tinted as the ultraviolet lights turned off to simulate a day on Terra in order for you to maintain your biological clock.

This caused him to sigh again and he turned to glance at the bed, thinking long and hard about laying down early.  He turned back to the window one last time, and that was when he saw the bright flash of light illuminate the lunar surface like daylight for a few seconds.  Only, it was daylight.

Brandon furrowed his brow, having never seen such a phenomenon.  He waited for a few moments, praying for the outcome he was expecting.  Alas, there were no tremors.  Nor was there sheering wave of radical protons to vaporize his existence.  Not that he wanted to die, but he had learned to except its arrival when he joined the United Space Force.

That was when the buzzing alarm went off signaling that guards were coming to enter the cell.  This alarm meant that you had five seconds to assume a position on your knees with your hands locked behind your head.  He managed to get into the position despite being lightly startled by the alarm.

He wasn't expecting anyone to be coming by since dinner had already been served, and visiting hours were over as well.  He watched the semi-transparent, six-inch-thick plastanium door slide open.

[Plastanium - A hard plastic and titanium alloy used in the construction of starships and other extra-terrestrial structures.]

Two large guards in fully armored spacesuits entered the cell and separated to either side of the door.

Brandon then saw a very short Azian commodore.

[Azian - This setting is just like Earth, only the names have been changed, and it's further in the future.  This one is the same as Asian.  The reason for this is due to the fact that it's part of a tabletop role-playing game I'm designing.  This saga explains how the setting comes to be as it is when you would play the game.]

She had a very smug and satisfied look on her face as she strolled into the cell.  She stared Brandon in the eyes, stopping just a few feet from him.  Leave us, she ordered to the guards without breaking eye contact, then smiled largely as they left the room.  She waited until the door closed before saying, At ease.

Brandon was anxious to get off of his bad knee.  He had been the first athlete to be a professional quarterback and pitcher.  He had been even more famous for the fact that he pitched with his left hand and would throw the football with his right.  In just his third season as a quarterback for the Amerigonian Revolutionaries, he was sacked by two players at the same time, and this forced his right knee to bend completely backwards.  Twenty-second century medicine did everything it could, but his knee had never really been the same since.  He tried pitching for one more year after he recovered, but since it was his planting foot, he couldn't throw the ball as fast as before.  He had had to get a waiver just to join the Astroforce.

[Astroforce - After the unification of the planet, the navies and air forces of the world joined together.  Along with the Army Corps—a conglomeration of the armies and marine corps of the world—this makes up the United Space Force.]

Lieutenant Commander (LCOM) Brandon Xyphus.  It is an honor to meet you.

Brandon had just sat down on his bed, and having just heard the best joke he's heard in a long time, he busted out laughing, falling over onto the bed as he did so.

She waited for him to simmer down.  I am Commodore (CMDR) Jiao Xiang, commanding officer of the U.C.S. Laigon.

Brandon finished his laughter as he sat back up.  Now, let me stop you right there.  First of all, it's Lieutenant Major (LMAJ) now.  You see, they demoted me, and so, your 'honor', he said mimicking her Xhinese accent, doesn't really mean much to me right now.  I'm sort of stuck... in the brig.  His tone was very sarcastic and facetious.

She gave a short chuckle, I was warned about your insubordinate behavior.  I normally don't take insults to my honor lightly, but I am in great debt to you.  Your heroics at the Xeres Incident saved my brother's and many others' lives.  I understand you pulled off a Hollander Maneuver, which is theoretically impossible.

If it's impossible, then how did I pull it off? he asked with a wry smile.

Possible or not, your ability to navigate through the asteroid belt with a ship that wasn't operating at full mark is the reason I'm here.

I'm certainly flattered that you admire my skills, but one of the people I didn't save is part of the reason why I'm here.

Maybe if you weren't so insubordinate, you wouldn't be in this predicament.

Brandon rose to his feet as he said, I wouldn't even be here if I had had any other judge.  My luck determined it would be Judge Reynolds!  You know, the one whose wife died commanding that ship!  His outcry was fierce and in her face, but she did not flinch or back away.

Her smirk was unexpected and Brandon frustratingly thrust his view back out the tinted window as she replied, I'm well aware of your circumstances, which is the other reason why I'm here.

He turned his head back toward her with an incredulous look on his face, What, you're going to give me a second chance?  You must be a hologram here to get my hopes up, then just disappear.  I'm not falling for that one.

Have you always been such a pessimist?

He gave a short, but hearty laugh before replying, The way my life's been going, I certainly could be.  Probably should be.  He raised his eyebrows as he turned his attention back out the window.  No, he began with a sigh, despite all that, I'm still a pragmatist.  What you're suggesting does not fit the current trending pattern fucking up my life.

Well, the glass is half full this time.  I am giving you another chance, but you have to fill the rest of the glass, if you catch my drift.

Brandon gave a snort.  He was impressed with her pun, but he didn't want to show it.  To him, this all felt a bit too easy.  He turned to look at her with another incredulous expression, So, the next time that door opens, you and I are just going to waltz right out of here?

I am not familiar with that archaic dance, but if you are ready, there is a shuttle waiting to take you to Space Force Academy where you will go through the Zpartan Refit Course.

I hope you didn't have to suck an admiral's dick to make this happen, 'cause I ain't worth it.

The commodore laughed, although it felt fake.  If I told you how I pulled this off, I'd have to kill you.

He had noticed the black Zpartacus pin on her collar, opposite of the two gold anchors with wings signifying her Astroforce rank of commodore.  This meant she worked for the Zpartans—a semi-secret agency that works on top secret missions.  He was excited at this opportunity, but again, his reserved nature didn't allow him to express it.  What do the Zpartans want with me anyways?

Her expression saddened and she looked down before saying, Due to an unfortunate freak accident, we recently lost our pilot.  Due to another freak occurrence, I need a new helmsman soon.  You are the best qualified pilot in ten sectors.

Does that freak occurrence have anything to do with that bright flash of light that I saw? he asked turning his attention back to the window.

Dega went supernova.

Brandon whipped his head back to her, his eyes wide, but brow furrowed.  How are we not dead right now?

From what I understand, no one is entirely sure how.  What we do know, is that our sun is now headed straight for an asteroid nearly twice the size of Luna.  We have been tasked with destroying that asteroid by any means necessary.

Brandon immediately swallowed his pride and stood at attention, LMAJ Brandon Xyphus reporting for duty, ma'am.

Very good.  I expect to see you on the Laigon in two weeks.  She then turned and left.

A lot of emotions began to flow through Brandon as he finally relaxed his posture.  He was anxious to pilot a ship again, but for the first time since his football injury, he was afraid of what the future might hold.

Act II

It had been nearly eight years since Brandon had set foot on Space Force Alpha.  The near-Connecticut-sized space station was an incredible feat of engineering.  It's only drawback being, it has to be towed into a stable orbit every six months.  Other than that, it is completely self-sufficient, and it is the First Extra-Terrestrial Wonder, often being referred to as, Luna Jr.  It was the first joint effort of the United Coalitions of Terra.  A massive undertaking costing nearly 200 quadrillion dollars.  It went through many delays, but in the end, it was responsible for saving the fragile unification in its early years, and has been the backbone of all space-faring endeavors since.

Brandon stared at his uniform he had laid out on the bed.  He traced the line of gold trim starting from the center of the collar and followed its wavy line down to the left waist of the shirt.  A gold trim means it's an officer's uniform.  This line divided the shirt between navy blue on its right and slate grey on its left; the colors of the Astroforce.

He grabbed a sleeve and admired the nanoweave technology, rubbing the strange fabric with his thumb.  The entire uniform comprised of a baseball style hat, shirt, gloves, pants, and boots.  If all else fails, you can pull the collar up over your head and the nanites will create a transparent barrier and seal all gaps, becoming a temporary spacesuit with about an hour of oxygen.  It had saved his life once before.

He forced himself not to reminisce and turned his attention to the three small gold bars on his collar.  He had to remove one now.  This forced a heavy sigh out of him.  The Xeres Incident had earned him the rank of Lieutenant Commander much earlier than normal.  Despite all that happened then, and has happened as a result, he was still proud of that achievement.  He had had a few things sting his pride over the years, but this one was setting a much higher bar than any other.

He didn't like this feeling, but he wasn't about to dwell on it and let it ruin his motivation.  The Zpartan Refit Course was one of the toughest courses.  It has killed three people, and has nearly killed many more.  Regardless of the fact that he felt like he was in the best shape of his life, it still gave him a twinge of nervousness.  Not something he experiences often.

After donning his uniform, he looked at himself in the mirror which also doubles as a display.  He noted the time at the top right.  1138 hours!?

He quickly put his hat on as he dashed out of the single-roomed domicile.  He blindly turned right just as he exited, only to run into someone.

This someone turned out to be a smaller and much more frail man than Brandon, sending him to the floor.  Brandon hardly felt the collision, and stared wide-eyed and apologetically at the older gentleman laid out on the floor.  The man had greying hair that was almost white and a bit unkempt.  He was wearing a lab coat, only it wasn't of a type that Brandon had ever seen.  It looked old, and not so white anymore.

He reached a hand out as he saw the man's glasses on the floor.  I'm incredibly sorry, sir.  Are you okay?  After helping him to his feet, he bent down to grab the man's glasses.

The older gentleman wiggled his nose a bit before answering, Everything appears to be in order... except that my glasses are missing. the old man stated, squinting his eyes at Brandon.

Brandon inspected the glasses but didn't find a Glassware serial number.

[Specware - Glasses are a thing of the past, except for