Postby AndyThomas » Fri Oct 25, 2002 12:11 pm
OK Shane, here's my cleaned up version...PrologueEarth. The third planet of the Solar System. So beautiful and fragile, yet in the great scheme of things her role is of great importance. She has had to endure a lot through the ages. Three World Wars have taken their toll on her sacred soul to the point where eternal darkness seemed her only destiny. Yet through the ashes and rubble new life emerged and the Earth and its new caretakers vowed never to repeat their mistakes. And for a while they were true to their word. The people of the Earth enjoyed a golden age of peace and prosperity. This new Earth stood united as one people. Then half a millennium after Earth's near extinction its people decided to outstretch their hand and colonise the Solar System.This sowed the seeds for a new dark period of human history. Over the next few hundred years the new colonies came to resent and fear Earth. Earth too was nervous at what the colonies might be planning and so decided to build weapons of war to defend itself. The colonies in turn armed themselves until each had its own Star Fleet. Then one hundred years ago the first of the dreaded Space Wars broke out. This time the battlefield was the dark void of space and the tragic conflict that followed extinguished a great number of souls. The first war ended in stalemate when neither the Earth or the Colony forces could make any ground, so an uneasy truce was called.This didn't last long though and within a few years Space War 2 began. The colonies got the upper hand this time and retook Moon Base, the Earth's last line of defence. The colonial forces offered the Earth a choice, recognize the Moon and its colonies as independent states or prepare for a full planetary bombardment. Earth stood down and so Space War 2 came to an end.There was peace for a time but ruled by fear. There was always an uneasiness between Earth and the colonies. The colonies even became weary of Moon Base and its demands. But as fate would have it there would be a chance for reconciliation - but at a price. Ten years ago the entire Solar System was forced to put differences aside and unite against a common foe: The Lost Colony. At the time of Earth's first venture into the stars a great vessel was sent out to explore the far reaches of space. The ship was so large that it had to be constructed in Earth's orbit. It was a self contained world that explored the neighbouring galaxies. Unfortunately over time it would become a dictatorship under the rule of an evil General who craved power. All who opposed him were silenced, and the remaining inhabitants were forced into working for the General who amassed a large war fleet. Those who did not serve were destroyed.When the time was right he eventually turned his attention to returning to the Solar System and retaking Earth and its Colonies for himself. Space War 3 had begun and the Colonies and Earth would have to work together to survive.The Lost Colony fought its way through the system until it reached Earth itself. The resulting battle was catastrophic. But the Earth Defence Forces as they were now known fought their attackers valiantly, and thanks to a daring raid launched by Captain Carter they managed to penetrate the command ship's defences and destroy it.While onboard the ship planting charges, Carter activated the computer log. He only managed to glimpse a little of the information but it was enough to change Carter's perceptions forever. There was a force out there in the far reaches of space of great evil, and its time was nearly at hand.After Space War 3 the Earth which had come to the defence of its colonies was chosen as the command post for Earth and its colonies' new: Star Fleet. Professor Hagen put forward his X-Bomber Project as a small scale exploration and defence vehicle that could defend the Earth from any possible attack. When Professor Hagen went missing Captain Carter took it upon himself to take the Professor's son Shiro, a young cadet, under his wing. He taught him everything he knew and loved him like his own son. As time went on Carter was haunted by dark visions of impending doom due to his enlightenment onboard the Lost Colony command ship. He chose to be posted to Pluto Alpha Base; a harsh planet on the edge of the Solar System that was used as an early warning post.There he stayed for the inevitable attack that he knew was coming. I feel no joy in the fact that the Thalian Space Wars were fought to protect my former self so I could become into being. I feel for all my friends who suffered to protect me. But my destiny like the Earth's is of great importance, because it is not just the Galaxy that is at risk now, but the entire Universe. I must do what I do now or it will be the end of everything.
Andy Thomas - SFXB Webmaster and Forum Moderator