Pennine Magpie

Story written by Paul Rhodes.

 

Another fine mess

 

Laser fire reigns across the darkness of space, red and green lights going back and forth. Ships explode into giant fireballs occasionally as something blows up around a small ship, trying not to get destroyed as it flies through the battlefield. Throughout the entire Lacrassa system, the forces of the ragtag Terran Rebellion fight against the vastly superior Luminous Star Empire. The Small ship was dodging the laser fire as they try to power up their FTL drive, the prototype Space fold drive which both sides were trying to steal. On board the Velocity, pilot Paul Rhodes and co-pilot Gillian Sheard were trying to escape from the two sides.

 

"Another lovely mess you've got us into woman." Paul says annoyed at his clumsy Co-pilot's stupidity for the hundredth time since they'd started working together. “This is all your fault!”

 

"What I got us into?" Gill asks angry at his tone. "You were the one that tried to keep everyone calm."

 

"After you insulted both of the ambassadors!" Paul shouts and then continues at normal volume "I told you, you should just leave the talking to me. The Luminous Star Empire hates all females and barely tolerated your presence there at all. Then you just HAD to mention that we had the prototype Space fold technology on board, a technology which is highly sought after in this region of space. Something that doesn't even work half the time."

 

"If you didn't spend all of your money on paying for drinks!" Gill shouts.

 

"Drinks that YOU buy far too many of that we owe money which means we have to do all of this envoy work!" Paul says.

 

Paul smacks the console and the Space fold comes online finally.

 

"You really shouldn't do that." Gill says.

 

"If we had enough money, we could actually take this ship in for some proper maintenance!" Paul says.

 

"I want to go for a drink." Gill says.

 

"No." Paul says looking at the comm console to see incoming mail and opens it. "We've got a new job, treasure hunting. The Earth Archaeological Commission is after a treasure, something called the Sceptre of Ra?"

 

Chapter 1:

 

The Sceptre of Ra?

 

"Run the records on the Sceptre of Ra." Gill says.

 

There is nothing for a moment, and then the information appears.

 

The Sceptre of Ra is a mythological weapon supposedly of great power and value, thought by primitive cultures to be a hand held weapon, more advanced civilizations have determined that it is actually an energy weapon of great power which can supposedly incinerate a person much faster than any other weapon of the time

 

Many historians and archaeologists throughout the last 5,000 years have scoured the entire galaxy for the location of this Sceptre of Ra... With no success. Some people believe given the difficulty of finding it, that an ancient treasure is also hidden with the Sceptre of Ra and that others don't know what is really there.

 

"I love a treasure hunt!" Gill says with a smile.

 

"No one knows if there's really a treasure there." Paul says with a sigh.

 

"It's still a treasure hunt." Gill says.

 

A large number of credits are dropped into their rather empty account. The message has a PS:

 

PS: Use this money that you are given to get your ship maintenance, the Charon shipyards will be expecting your arrival sometime today or tomorrow. They will also give you a pair of military grade level 5 Laser Cannons.

 

"Woah!" Paul says. "Level 5! Those are the kinds of things you see on the Empire's heavy cruisers!"

 

Gill nods, she wasn't really bothered about weapon levels. She was far more interested in why they were getting weapon systems at all.

 

"Why are we even getting weapons?" Gill asks. "We've worked so well without them in the past."

 

"I think that we're expected to go to places that we won't get backup from the Alliance." Paul says. "Also, I intend to do this job whilst both of us are sober."

 

"Right, right, I get it..." Gill says. "No alcohol."

 

Paul nods.

 

"That means no cigarettes for you." Gill says.

 

"I've only ever had one." Paul says darkly remembering the incident. "Never again."

 

"Right." Gill says.

 

They space fold to Charon and enter the shipyards on the edge of the system's asteroid belt. The ship is overhauled completely and the ship's two power cores are replaced with newer more powerful ones to be able to power both the shields and the Laser Cannons. The Shields are also replaced with Frigate shields; they had used civilian shields before. The engines which had been far too slow for a ship this size were replaced as well. 2 days later, Paul and Gill are leaving the Charon Shipyards with a completely different ship basically. Paul looks at the information, mostly were vague rumours and leads which had already been proven false by teams across the Alliance. There were a couple of true leads however. Whilst Terrans came from Earth, the Earth's Solar System was actually neutral space, neither the Terran Rebellion nor the Luminous Star Empire were allowed to set up bases here. Given that both groups started out there originally in colony ships.

 

"Our first location to pick up a tablet that's been translated is Macaran IV." Paul says. "It shouldn't take us too long. It's within Rebel controlled space."

 

Gill nods. Paul sets them off. Before they can set off fully, they come under fire from a small Opiron Pirate ship, a destroyer by the looks of it. Paul identifies the commander as one that had regularly harassed them.

 

"Not this again..." Paul says.

 

Paul puts the commander on the ship's small view screen.

 

"Pirate Commander George Byers." Paul says with an annoyed sigh. "What do you want now?"

 

"You know what I want." Byer says. "I'll get her too."

 

"Not in a million years." Gill says. "This ship belongs to us and you'll never get her."

 

"You stole that ship from me!" Byer shouts. "It belongs to me!"

 

The ship slightly rocks as the pirate ship opens fire again on the ship.

 

"What?" Byer asks as the shields absorb the laser fire.

 

"We've recently got an upgrade to the ship." Paul says arming weapons. "Also, we didn't steal it, it was impounded and we bought it from the lot."

 

Paul flies the ship erratically away from the Pirate Ship's laser fire. Paul flies it upwards and behind the Pirate ship and fires. The Pirate ship stalls under the fire. Paul fires up the Space fold and they disappear.

 

Chapter 2:

 

The Rebels

 

Near Macaran IV

 

There were a large number of Rebel ships patrolling. The Velocity appears from Space fold and enters standard orbit. Paul licks his lips as they approach the planetary checkpoint.

 

"You got your ID on you this time?" Gill asks with worry.

 

"The ship's new IDC is finally online, relaxing Gillian." Paul says as they move up in line, referring to the ship's identification code. "Finally working with the maintenance."

 

"Alrighty then." Gill says and then looks angry. "DON'T EVER CALL ME GILLIAN!"

 

"Whatever." Paul says as they move up again.

 

"I thought that we were supposed to be neutral." Gill says suddenly. “We're sporting Imperial level shields and weapons here.”

 

"We are." Paul says. "However, the Rebels are more friendly than the Empire. Also, the weapons are undetectable whilst unpowered."

 

Gill nods. They finally reach the checkpoint and are scanned. Paul remains calm.

 

"UEAES – United Earth Alliance Envoy ship - Velocity IDC recognized." The operator says. "Go on through. You're cleared for berth 54."

 

"Thank you." Paul says.

 

The coordinates led to a station rather than to the planet, the station was on the other side of the planet. They dock with the station in the indicated berth. Paul powers down the ship and they head out. Paul locks the ship down, just to be safe. Paul checks his Laser Pistol; you could never entirely trust the Rebels as they hung out with some of the roughest bunch of people in the galaxy. Including the dreaded and annoying Opiron Pirates. Gill refused to wear a Laser Pistol at any time, stating that they were supposed to be neutral. Paul however didn't want to take any chances.

 

"Here we are." Paul says. "The Chicago Den."

 

Gill nods. They enter and look around and head to the bar.

 

"Well, if it isn't the Couriers." The Bartender says. "What's your poison?"

 

"The Dark Lord." Paul says.

 

"Business huh." The Bartender says. "Here."

 

The Bartender hands over a tablet to Paul.

 

"Your contact friend was killed in a brawl yesterday, but he had asked me to keep it for you." The Bartender says.

 

Paul nods.

 

"Where does this thing lead to anyway?" The Bartender asks.

 

"The Sceptre of Ra." Paul says. "Supposedly."

 

The Bartender nods. Paul and Gill walk back to the ship and get on board. They sit and power the ship up. The ship sets off and heads back to the checkpoint.

 

"That was a little too easy." Paul says.

 

"Yeah." Gill says.

 

"Yeah." Paul says. "But why?"

 

"The Sceptre is supposedly a weapon of great power." Gill says.

 

"What about the treasure mentioned?" Paul asks.

 

"Who knows?" Gill says.

 

Paul looks at the tablet.

 

"This tablet, it's in Egyptian Hieroglyhics!" Paul says.

 

"Well given that Ra was the Egyptian Sun God, I'm not surprised." Gill says.

 

"But Ra was more than that." Paul says. "He's said to be the Lunar God in Luminous Star Empire's religion."

 

"It makes me wonder why Ra disappeared." Gill says.

 

"We can't worry about that at this moment." Paul says. "We have to find the Sceptre before anyone else. Besides, I heard that he was killed."

 

Gill nods. Paul puts it through the translation chamber.

 

Through the dark void

 

The light of a blue star

 

Lights the way

 

To the location

 

Of Ra's weapon

 

Paul looks confused.

 

"There has to be more." Gill says confused.

 

"Not on this tablet." Paul says checking.

 

Paul finds a second set of coordinates in the mailbox. The ship space folds out to those coordinates.

 

Chapter 3:

 

Meeting with an Empress

 

Near Luminous IV

 

The Velocity appears from Space fold.

 

"Where are we?" Gill asks as the engines cool down.

 

"We're in the Luminous Star Star System." Paul says. "Right at the heart of the Luminous Star Empire!"

 

"This isn't going to end well." Gill says. "I don't understand, what is the Blue Star?"

 

"I don't know." Paul says.

 

The ship approaches the checkpoint. Paul removes the ping for the Rebel scan, they were neutral and the ping usually got removed after a week, but they didn't have the time for that.

 

"Let me deal with this." Paul says.

 

Gill nods. They go through the checkpoint easily, the coordinates were to a starship apparently as they kept changing. They go around the planet to Luminous III. In orbit was the Luminous Star Home Guard Starfleet. Over 300 ships are on guard on this side of the planet alone.

 

"There they are, the Luminous Star Imperial Home Guard. According to the scanners, there are over a thousand ships in orbit of the planet. The majority of them are those huge Luminous Star Class Heavy Cruisers!" Paul says and then whistles. "I didn't know that the Home Guard Starfleet was so big."

 

Gill shivers. The Luminous Star Class had been in service for well over a hundred years and stood at 9 kilometers long, but they were still the top of the line Heavy Cruisers. They were also armed with Level 5 Laser Cannons as well, but they had hundreds of them on board. The Terran Rebellion didn't have anything that came close to even one of those ships. The Terran Rebellion's Starfleet were mostly made up of Frigates and destroyers, with a few Carrier ships. The Luminous Star Class had not only more weapons than the whole of the Rebel Starfleet, but it also had a wider firing arc and range, which meant that anything that took one on would be made mincemeat of easily.

 

"Neither did I." Gill says slightly scared of the Imperial Starfleet. "If they wanted to, they could crush the Terran Rebellion easily with that Starfleet."

 

"Yeah." Paul says nodding. "No wonder the Terran Rebellion doesn't dare try a full on assault on this system."

 

Gill nods. Paul determines the location of the coordinates.

 

"The ship we're looking for is right at the heart of that Starfleet." Paul says.

 

"There!" Gill says pointing.

 

As the ship approaches the Starfleet, they start moving through the ships, they see a beast.

 

"Ra's ghost... We're heading straight for the Luminous Star herself!" Paul says. "We're heading to the Flagship of the Luminous Star Empire!"

 

The LSIWS - Luminous Star Imperial Warship - Luminous Star was the flagship of the entire Luminous Star Imperial Starfleet. She was well over 15 kilometers long and was armed with nearly a thousand Level 5 laser cannons. She was painted Royal Purple to represent that she was the home of the Empress herself whilst she was away from home. The ship was usually off limits to anyone outside of the military for security reasons. They had flown by the ship once to have a look at it, but they had never gained access.

 

"This isn't going to be easy." Paul says.

 

Paul looks at the console as a hail comes through. Paul puts it on. A commander appears on the screen.

 

"This is Paul Rhodes flying the United Earth Alliance envoy ship Velocity." Paul says in an official tone as he slightly twitches. "We are here on a mission from the Earth Archeology commission to retrieve a tablet that will help us determine the location of an ancient weapon known as the Scepter of Ra. We are not here to attack you as we are neutral in you war against the Terran Rebellion."

 

The Commander looks at a console for a moment as Paul licks his lips. Gill shakes her head about the action.

 

"That's a really bad habit." Paul mutters well aware of it. "I know."

 

"Come along side." The Commander says looking up. "Keep that THING on the ship at all times."

 

Paul nods. Gill shakes her head after the Commander disappears. Paul heads off.  Paul heads onto the ship. 2 Guards are there. Paul nods and they take him towards the private chambers. Paul is shown to a chair and he sits.

 

"The Empress will see you in a few moments." One of the guards says.

 

Paul taps the armrest. The Doors on the other side of the room opens. Paul stands. The Empress comes through.

 

"My name is Kathryn." Empress Kathryn Saraed says. "I have been told that you require the tablet of Ra. The one that was recently unearthed."

 

"I am." Paul says.

 

"The Scepter of Ra, our Lunar God or Terran Rebellion/Earth's Sun God." Kathryn says looking calmly at Paul. "Isn't something that you want to hunt."

 

"I want to find out what happened to Ra." Paul says just as calmly as Kathryn is looking at him. "Why he disappeared."

 

Kathryn nods. Paul gets the distinct feeling that Kathryn looks like someone he knows. Paul dismisses the thought. Kathryn gets the tablet and makes a copy of the data.

 

"Take care of it." Kathryn says.

 

Paul nods. Paul is escorted back to the Velocity's Airlock. Paul sits in his chair and sets them off. Paul puts the tablet into the translator, the ship beeps. The old translation appears and the old message appears as well, the new message comes below all of the old lines.

 

Through the dark void

 

To the infinate stars

 

The light of the blue star

 

More of a tunnel than a star

 

Lights the way

 

Lights it so bright

 

To the location

 

and the time period

 

Of Ra's weapon

 

"That still doesn't make any sense." Paul says.

 

"It does to me." Gill says. "The line about a tunnel, must mean a Wormhole."

 

Paul nods.

 

"But the only known wormhole in the galaxy is near the Galactic Core." Paul says a little worried. "Deep inside Opiron Pirate Space. What does it mean about the time period?"

 

"No one knows where the Wormhole actually leads." Gill says theorizing the translation. "Maybe it leads to the past?"

 

Paul nods.

 

"We're not exactly welcome within Opiron Space you know." Paul says. "Commander Byers will probably come after us."

 

"I know." Gill says with a nod. "But we don't have any choice."

 

Paul powers up the Spacefold drive.

 

"I have a bad feeling about this." Paul says.

 

The Velocity flies off out of the checkpoint and then spacefolds out.

 

Chapter 4:

 

The Pirates

 

The Opiron Pirates were a ragtag force, they were even more ragtag than the Terran Rebellion. Their entire Starfleet were made up of destroyers and fighters. The Velocity spacefolds in. The Opirons are sent into chaos as the Velocity approaches the Wormhole. Paul flies the ship through the battle that ensues.

 

“This is fun.” Paul says.

 

Velocity enters the battle and destroys a few Opiron ships.

 

“They're in chaos.” Gill says.

 

There is a transmission. Paul puts it on to see Byers again.

 

“Well, if it isn't Pirate Commander Byers.” Paul says with an amused look on his face. “Top of the morning to you.”

 

“You are in violation of our space.” Byers says.

 

“I know that.” Paul says smirking. “We need to enter that Wormhole.”

 

The Velocity shakes under fire as Paul flies her towards the Wormhole. Byers's ship follows, trying to head her off before she enters. Two Fighters follow Byers's ship as the Velocity crosses the threshold of the Wormhole. Byers and the two fighters follow the Velocity into the Wormhole. The ship shakes as lightning flashes within the Wormhole.

 

“This is intense.” Paul says looking slightly worried.

 

“Yes, it is.” Gill says nodding.

 

The ship comes under fire.

 

“They followed us?” Paul asks.

 

Paul turns the screen onto behind them. Indeed, Pirate Commander Byers's ship and the fighters were still behind them.

 

“Full speed ahead it is then.” Paul says with a slight smile. “They're a lot braver than I thought they were.”

 

Gill nods.

 

“Into the unknown.” Gill says.

 

The ship moves ahead and exits the Wormhole, the Opiron ships follow Velocity to the other side as well.

 

Chapter 5:

 

Destination: Ancient Egypt

 

The Velocity comes through the Wormhole. Paul flies the ship off from the event horizon of the Wormhole.

 

“Determining the location.” Gill says looking at the navigation console. “We're in the Milky Way exactly where we left infact, determining time period... We are in 2,995 BC.”

 

“Right when we're supposed to be.” Paul says with a nod and a smile. “Those Opiron ships should be here soon. Powering up the Spacefold drive.”

 

The ship moves further away from the Wormhole. The Opiron ships come through now. Paul hits the Spacefold and they disappear. They appear at Wolf 359 as an explosion goes off.

 

“What's wrong?” Gill asks. “We're not at Earth.”

 

“The Spacefold drive was damaged during the firefight.” Paul says.

 

Paul goes into the back area and starts to repair the Spacefold drive. Gill keeps watch on the forward window. Gill sees ships approaching.

 

“We've got a problem.” Gill says.

 

“The Opirons don't have the speed to get here that fast.” Paul says from in the back.

 

“Negative, wrong direction.” Gill says with worry. “I think that they're Ra's ships.”

 

Paul comes back through. Paul curses.

 

“Those are Jerrak Class Patrol Ships.” Paul says a little scared. “I've read the history books, those are definately Ra's ships.”

 

Paul goes back again and gets to work on the spacefold.

 

“They're hailing.” Gill says.

 

Paul comes back through, Gill goes back to the Spacefold. Paul puts them on and activates the translator. A man appears.

 

“Unknown spaceship, you are ordered to stand down and surrender.” The man says with a cold tone. “You are in violation of the Sun Empire's space.”

 

“Like hell I will.” Paul says smirking.

 

The man disappears as Paul flies the ship in and out of the Patrol ships and destroys them one by one. Gill comes back through.

 

“The Spacefold drive is back on line.” Gill says with an air of calm as the ship runs circles around the patrol ships. “Somewhat, but after a few runs we will lose it completely. We'll need to get her to a repair dock.”

 

Paul nods. Paul finishes off the Patrol Ships. Paul reactivates the Spacefold drive and sets them off. They appear at the Earth's Solar System.

 

“Picking up no ships in the system.” Paul says a little confused. “Ra is supposed to be here.”

 

“We're about a week away from their arrival.” Gill says looking at the exact date and the history banks. “According to history. There will be a large number of of his forces on the planet.”

 

Paul nods.

 

“I forgot to ask for a stealth system on this ship.” Paul says.

 

“Didn't Commander Byers used to use a Cloaking device on this ship?” Gill asks.

 

“Yes, but it was removed.” Paul says.

 

Gill heads to the back of the ship.

 

“It's still here!” Gill says.

 

“Alrighty then.” Paul says as they move towards the Earth. “We'll reach the Earth's orbit in about an hour, maybe two.”

 

“Understood.” Gill says as she works.

 

Paul sits back in his chair as they approach the Earth. Over an hour later, Gill comes back into the room.

 

“It's working.” Gill says. “I don't know how long for though.”

 

Paul nods.

 

“Then you'll stay here and maintain it.” Paul says.

 

Gill nods. They approach the Earth. Paul finds it odd to see the Earth without the lights of a sprawling Megacity.

 

“Locking onto Egypt's coordinates.” Gill says.

 

“It'll be interesting to see Egypt above the water again.” Paul says with a sense of calm as they enter the planet's atmosphere. “As a fringe colony lass, you might not know, but continent of Africa where Egypt is was brutally destroyed from orbit during the United Earth Alliance-Luminous Star Empire War of 2123.”

 

Gill nods as they approach the Earth's surface. The war had been brutal according to the history banks, Paul had fought in the war, but he never talked about the war itself. After the war had ended, the United Earth Alliance signed neutrality treaties and disarmed the majority of it's battlefleet. The War had no clear winner however and over 36 million had been killed on both sides of the war. The Terran Rebellion had been formed out of the remnants of the war, as all of the outlying colonies, intent on causing the end of the Luminous Star Empire had formed the Rebellion, taking any ship that they could from the United Earth Alliance that they could. Gill had apparently been expected to join the Rebellion, but she had ran away when she was eighteen and had moved to Earth on a Cargo ship which had taken 3 years to reach Earth.

 

“We're approaching the Egyptian Giza Plateau and there's a natural rock face there that'll prevent sand covering the ship.” Paul says looking at the area around them as they land. “We'll keep the ship cloaked under there.”

 

The ship lands.

 

Chapter 6

 

Sowing the Seeds of a Rebellion

 

Paul gets into the local garb of this era as well as protective headgear for the heat, which would provide some blaster fire protection and puts a translator on his lapel. Paul hides his personal hand blaster underneath the cloak. Paul heads outside and looks around.

 

“Here we go.” Paul says.

 

Paul walks away from the ship. Paul finds a settlement. Paul approaches the place.

 

“Hello there.” Paul says to a local.

 

“Hello there.” The Local says. “Are you a friend or foe?”

 

“I'm a rather friendly chap.” Paul says.

 

The local nods. Paul talks with the locals, apparently there is a ritual to go see Ra himself within a week. Paul works with the local he had met, named Saiyif to prepare. Paul knew that Ra was apparently killed in an uprising, which according to Gill was to happen a week from now.

 

“Is Ra not here?” Paul asks confused.

 

“He lives within the stars at night, forever watchful of us all.” Saiyif says. “There are some people amongst us, who plan to kill Ra. Prove that he isn't a god. I am one of them.”

 

“I can help you.” Paul says calmly as he looks around the encampment. “Teach you how to fight and defend yourselves, but I must warn you that many of you will die once the final battle begins.”

 

Saiyif nods. Paul thinks as he sits with Saiyif's family that night, according to the history banks the Luminous Star Empire was formed out of the ashes of the Sun Empire after a brutal one millenium long Civil War. Women weren't popular in the Luminous Star Empire, because it was the old predjudices left over from Ancient Egypt. The next day, Paul is discussing strategy, based on his interpretations of the history banks. Paul had revealed to the Rebels that he was from another planet, which they had been surprised about. The Rebels counted over a thousand strong and still growing.

 

“So, either the destruction of or the capture Ra's temple would be a major morale victory for the resistance.” Paul says. “As well as a crushing defeat for Ra's elite guard.”

 

“What do we use to fight though?” Saiyif asks.

 

Paul gets out his Laser Pistol.

 

“I have over a hundred of these on my ship.” Paul says showing it off. “Whilst that won't cover all of you, taking our enemy's weapons will also be good.”

 

Saiyif nods.

 

“Another problem, is that we are vastly outnumbered.” Paul says as they look at a map of the area. “My ship will take out the major gun emplacments here, here and here. However, there will still be over 3,000 Troops outside the palace alone. We still don't have any idea of how many are inside.”

 

Saiyif looks at the map.

 

“We could take out Ra's Pyramid with your ship as the battle begins.” Saiyif says calmly as he looks at Paul again. “Then in the chaos, we assault the remaining forces. We have taken a few small patrols by surprise over the last year and have taken some of their weapons.”

 

Paul nods.

 

“I'll need all of the weapons that I hand to you, back.” Paul says with an air of command that brokers no arguement. “They are far more advanced than the ones you will find with Ra's guard. You must also destroy all of the weapons that you have taken from Ra's forces and your civilzation must advance to that level of technology naturally on your own terms.”

 

Saiyif nods with understanding. Saiyif brings out a device.

 

“This included?” Saiyif asks.

 

“What is this?” Paul asks.

 

“This, this is Ra's Scepter.” Saiyif says.

 

'The Scepter of Ra?' Paul thinks, shocked. 'We found it...'

 

Paul takes it and is shocked.

 

“I'll keep this.” Paul says nodding. “As a trophy of Ra's death.”

 

Saiyif nods. Paul looks it over and sees why it was called the Scepter of Ra, it was built like a Scepter, except that it was a directed energy weapon, without as Paul noted a stun setting.

 

“This is how Ra executes his enemies.” Saiyif says.

 

Paul nods. Paul heads out to the ship, Gill turns to see Paul enter the bridge.

 

“The locals are getting ready to revolt.” Paul says.

 

Gill nods.

 

“We've got to take out Ra's Pyramid with the ship.” Paul says calmly. “Whilst his flagship is sitting on top of it.”

 

“Oh, that's gonna be really simple to pull off, not.” Gill says sarcastically. “How do you plan on doing that at all?”

 

“I plan to keep the ship's cloak on until we're within pointblank range of the ship whilst it's shields are down.” Paul says looking at the console and smirks. “Then drop cloak and fire before they can react, killing Ra. We have to then take out the gun placements around the Pyramid.”

 

“That might actually work.” Gill says.

 

Paul nods.

 

“What about the Scepter though?” Gill asks.

 

Paul gets the Scepter out.

 

“The Rebels had got their hands on it somehow.” Paul says. “I've already tested it, it's got no stun settings. It does disintegrations only.”

 

Gill nods. Gill pulls up the information.

 

“If we take out this power line running through here.” Gill says pointing at a certain area near the Pyramid. “We should not only take out all of the gun emplacements, but the resulting fireball should be like a Nuclear Explosion and will turn much of the sand into glass and kill all of the troops standing on or near a power line. After a few minutes, it should be safe to walk on, but the damage will already be done. Target this same area and you'll take out the Pyramid as well, it'll cause enough of a ruckus to cause complete chaos.”

 

Paul smiles at her ingenuity.

 

“Two birds with one stone, or Laser Cannon blast in this case.” Paul says nodding.

 

Gill nods.

 

“But what happens after this?” Gill asks about the fate of the Sun Empire. “After Ra dies, what happens to the Sun Empire.”

 

“The entire Sun Empire will enter a millennium long Civil War.” Paul says. “And will then reform into the Luminous Star Empire.”

 

Gill nods.

 

“An even more dangerous foe than the Sun Empire ever was.” Gill says looking out onto the land in front of her.

 

“Maybe in ships and firepower, but not in personality.” Paul says looking at Gill with a smile. “The Luminous Star Empire is said to be more lenient than Ra's Sun Empire ever was, if you can believe that. Within the Sun Empire, executions happened daily and most were extremely brutal. The Luminous Star Empire only executes an average of 3 people a year.”

 

Gill nods. Paul looks out onto the land as well.

 

Chapter 7

 

An Open Rebellion!

 

Nearly a week later, Ra was soon to arrive according to Paul's determination of the increased Sun Empire Guard patrols and guards at the pyramid as a sign of Ra's impending arrival. Paul had told them that the Pyramid and the gun emplacements would be taken out at the same time. Paul sits in his ship. Paul had given Saiyif a communication device to make it easier to relay information back and forth. Paul looks at the console as it starts beeping. Paul activate the comm unit's translator.

 

“Saiyif, my ship's sensors are detecting a ship enterring orbit.” Paul says.

 

“Understood.” Saiyif says.

 

“We're going silent.” Paul says powering the ship up. “We can't take the chance of us being detected. Five minutes after an explosion goes off in the direction of the pyramid, head down to fight.”

 

“Understood.” Saiyif says again. “Good luck.”

 

“You too.” Paul says.

 

Paul activates the stealth systems as Gill comes in.

 

“Ra's flagship is in orbit.” Paul says and then the console beeps again. “His ship has just enterred the atmosphere.”

 

Gill looks distracted for a moment.

 

“Paul...” Gill says. “I have to tell you something.”

 

“Can it wait until after we take that Pyramid and ship out?” Paul asks looking at Gill with worry.

 

“Yes.” Gill says nodding. “It can.”

 

Paul nods. Paul takes off and heads towards the Pyramid. Gill monitors the window.

 

“There she is.” Paul says arming laser cannons.

 

The Sun Empire's Flagship the SEWS – Sun Empire Warship - Heliopolis, was a Pyramidias class Heavy Cruiser, it was the only one of it's kind that would be built at a time and was the last of it's kind at the time of destruction. Paul flies into pointblank range.

 

“Cloaking device off, firing laser cannons!” Paul says.

 

The ship appears and fires at the spot. Paul pulls the ship up hard as the explosion goes off.

 

“YEEHAA!” Paul shouts.

 

The explosion goes off perfectly with a Mushroom cloud like effect like planned. The Rebels don't have to do anything as the remaining forces of Ra's Guards surrender. Paul lands the ship near the encampment. Paul gathers all of the weapons, as he nods with approval of the destruction of the Ra Guard weapons. Gill comes down the ramp.

 

“Paul.” Gill says.

 

“You wanted to talk.” Paul says.

 

“I'm going to stay here.” Gill says smiling at him. “I'll make sure that the planet gets on the right track.”

 

Paul nods. Paul and Gill shake hands.

 

“Be careful.” Paul says. “Try to avoid any attention.”

 

Gill nods. Gill heads off with Saiyif. Paul watches them disappear into the encampment. Paul enters the ship and takes off. Paul flies the ship out of the atmosphere and spacefolds away. At the Wormhole, the Opiron ships are waiting. Paul sits back and smiles. After killing Ra, he felt like nothing could stop him. Paul shoots the Opiron ships and obliterates them. Paul heads into the Wormhole and back to the future.

 

Epilogue

 

A New beginning

 

The Velocity had set in for repairs a day after Paul had returned to the present. Nothing much had changed, the Luminous Star Empire was still at war with the Terran Rebellion and the United Earth Alliance were still neutral and the Opiron Pirates were still a menace to shipping lanes. Paul hands over the Scepter of Ra to the head of the Archeological Commission.

 

“This is incredible.” Doctor Harry Anderson says looking at the Scepter in awe. “Where did you find it?”

 

“Ancient Egypt.” Paul says. “The Wormhole out in Opiron Pirate Space, is temporal in nature. We ensure the death of Ra too.”

 

Harry nods.

 

“So, Ra was killed on Earth?” Harry asks.

 

“Yes.” Paul says nodding. “I destroyed his ship personally.”

 

Harry nods again. It turned out that Gill was the one that had written the tablets, to lead them to the Sceptre of Ra and to where Gill would eventually end up. Paul had reported her missing in action, to ease the confusion. No one would know exactly what would happen to Gill by this time, 2128.

 

The End... for now