Jonathan A Countyman

Chapter Two Zero Six The Dregari

February 28th, 008 SDE:

Countryman surveyed the lab for a moment, then turned to Ruri, “So what did the team find out about our new friends?”

“Quite a bit actually. They call themselves the Dregari, and from what we have learned they are an aggressive militaristic species with strong military traditions. Apparently that one ship was part of a larger invasion fleet that was swallowed by the storm a decade ago.”

“Invasion Fleet!? That...”

“...

Interlude Boarding Party

The young woman did a final gear check, while she waited for the plasma cutter to finish cutting through the hull. She was part of the boarding party, which meant full combat gear. She was encased in a suit of Centurion-S armor, on her belt were a dozen grenades and her side arm, an LP-1230. It was a solid if rather light weapon, but it did have a stun setting which made it versatile. She’d use it if a chance for prisoners came up.

In addition to the grenades and the pistol, she also ...

Chapter Thirty-Two Reshi, the Riverside Garden

Reshi was a quiet riverside town located on the banks of the Vulkira River. Towering walls and sturdy forts surrounded the settlement, but the first thing anyone would notice was the numerous acres of cultivated farmland settled around the walls. Fortified manor houses were just part of the farmland, providing a bit of safety in the event of monsters coming too close to town.

The wide river was notably home to numerous fishing boats, but merchant vessels also plied the water. With so mu...

Chapter Two Hundred and Five Vulcan Test Trial

Several figures gathered in the hangar, one of which drew near Countryman. A woman who looked far younger than she really was. Afterall, Eriko Dykes recently celebrated her 59th birthday, of course he wasn’t a spring chicken either being just a few months short of his 199th birthday, next year would be the big two hundred. Something Countryman was looking forward to. Countryman smiled, well you look good in that uniform again.

She chuckled, “Well I couldn’t turn down a chance to g...

Chapter Thirty-One New Day, New Plans

Arlie settled into her seat, as the local innkeeper entered the room balancing a tray. Unlike last night, she was actually dressed which gave Arlie a very different impression of the white haired young lady. She was pretty cute actually, maybe in her mid-twenties with a figure that would turn heads. The young woman set breakfast at the table, and said, “Today I have my house special to offer you, pan-roasted river fish served on a bed of Ukovan Rice. Seasoned with my favorite blend of local...

Chapter Two Hundred and Four Heavy Pulsar Torpedoes

February 23rd, 008 SDE:

Countryman walked down the lab corridors, passing several young men and women in lab coats as he passed the various labs. There were dozens on this deck, and many more on another. Ruri had recently informed him that a project was ready for demonstration.

Sadly not the big sensor project, he’d feel a bit better if that one was done. Especially since they were currently traveling between gravity wells, and from experience that meant eddies ...

Chapter Two Hundred and Three The Bresh’i Hive or Cooperative?

February 14th, 008 SDE:

Countryman leaned over the display, “So what do we have?”

“Recon flight picked up unusual energy readings here,” replied Misaki as she pointed out a location. “That was an hour ago, fifteen minutes ago they did a flyby of the location.”

Kaori interjected, “I think we might have found the cooperative, the images are a small fleet, one destroyer, two frigates and six industrial vessels, along with a dozen corvettes. They a...

Interlude Hikaru’s Exploration

Hikari stepped through the door and engaged the lock in a single smooth motion. For the very first time since becoming a girl, she was alone. A smile graced her lips, she was stuck as a girl for the night, so she might as well enjoy it and it was practically criminal that she’d not explored this new body. It was hers, so she might as well know it. The last two days however had been so hectic that she hadn’t had a moment to think. Her mind flashed to using the latrine with Polca nearby. It...

Chapter Thirty Hunting the Soul Snatcher

It had been a hard march to reach the Soul Snatcher. Stopping only once for some rest before marching into the forest near the villages of Ferki, Perin, and Tulk. The night had been largely restless since the two parties were on guard the entire night against Drava Husks, but thankfully the Soul Snatcher and its minions never found them and they did manage to get some sleep in the end.

Now the group of nine found themselves on a ridge overlooking the clearing in which the Soul Snatcher ...

Chapter Twenty-Nine Crossing Paths

It was hard to say how long they had been walking since leaving the temple, but Hikari didn’t think it had been too long. She could sense the divine mana she needed for her new skills hadn’t recovered that much, but she’d yet to sleep either. Having had more time to think about this, she found herself brimming with curiosity, it wasn’t often that a man got to explore being a girl without consequences. A voice echoed in her mind, the voice of the goddess telling her that she’d be stu...

Chapter Two Hundred and Two Hostile Weather

January 25th, 008 SDE:

Countryman leaned over the console, the last few hours had been interesting. Thankfully the damage was minimal. A few shuttle and fighter pilots were tossed about by the shockwaves, but otherwise nothing had happened. Aside from them losing an entire day of mining.

Those first shockwaves had been the start of a series of hyperspatial eddies emerging one after another. They’d had to go to ground to avoid the ruptures. Thankfully they’d be...

Chapter Two-Hundred and One Of Crystals and Babies

With the first loads of minerals being brought in by the mining teams, the council was getting together for a meeting.

Countryman walked into the room, noting the people in the room. He wasn’t the last one this time, but not by much. Chief Medical Officer Robins came in right after him.

Taking his seat he addressed the room. “Alright then we’ve got some good news with this field.”

Ruri nodded and held up a sample of Ephon Crystals, “I have with me a sample of the l...

Interlude Raiding the Cooperative

Meanwhile in Cooperative Space; The Outpost:

The figure shifted a bit on his bridge, he’d taken his flagship and a fleet of escort vessels into Cooperative space. They were now on the final approach to the Cooperative-held facility known as the Outpost. Somewhat out of the way, the Outpost was a heavily shielded facility on the surface of a small planetoid, one that still had an atmosphere. Barely breathable and cold, but it was there, largely thanks to a planet-wide ...

Chapter Two Hundred The Deep Storm

Sali nervously stood next to Fuji, after several days debating it, she’d decided to go through with the implant procedure. White was nearby and took her hand, “It will be just fine, you will see.”

Sali nodded and stepped through the door. Fuji called, “I’ll see you when you get out, make us proud!”

She gave her a smile, then turned to the nurse. “Right this way.”

Sali found herself led down the hall up a flight of steps and into a room. Equipment lined the wa...

Chapter One Ninety-Nine Off Hours

Countryman chewed on his fries as he watched the show. Terri was a young woman, and many of her friends were about the same age. He’d met all of them a few times over the years. They could be quite charming and had their own set of skills. Today, they were doing a magic show.

On stage, a young lady in barely any clothes at all was about to enter a box where she would be cut in half for all the audience to see. She smiled and showed herself off before stepping in, as another girl dress...

Chapter Twenty-Eight Blessings and Discoveries

A few moments before returning to the temple altar: 

Polca blinked as Hikaru vanished mid-word in a flash of shadowy light. The goddess smiled and turned to her and Eren, “Before you two go. I have a private offer for the both of you.”

“An offer?”

“I’ve seen your destiny, both of you have already seen evil escaping. The Hellspawn are merely the vanguard of what’s to come. The Dragons and other gods are already busy keeping the worst of it ...

Chapter One Ninety-Eight Glorious Return to Anchorage

August 14th, 007 SDE:

Sali shifted a little in her seat while she double-checked her diagnostics. After nearly three weeks on patrol, they were on final approach to the Anchorage Debris Field. Aside from the excitement with that first raider group not much had really happened. On the plus side, she’d logged plenty of additional flight hours on the SF-1204. The new updates were working swimmingly, and as the diagnostics were showing, the armor was holding up pretty wel...

Chapter Twenty-Seven Duality of the Cycle

Hikaru shivered, still cold from his unplanned swim and now rather naked. His clothing and armor hung up to dry. He wasn’t entirely sure where they were either, the river had carried them a long way and down into a tunnel. The only thing he knew for sure was that they were somewhere in the Underdark now. The river had dropped them off on a shelf. Well, three of them anyway. He didn’t know what happened to Kuon, they lost track of him in the river.

Sighing, he worked the fire starter...

Chapter Twenty-Six Why’d it have to be a Soul Snatcher?

“Elder what?”

For a moment he didn’t get any answer as they sat there at the edge of the clearing looking in at an army of naked women with lifeless eyes arranged around a strange tree. A young girl was screaming on an altar before the trunk, strange vines with odd barbs hovering over her. Her piercing cries were filled with pain, just as glowing light rippled around her form only to be absorbed by the barbs, just moments before something was pulled out of her.

Suddenly the ...

Chapter One Ninety-Seven Council Meeting July 31st, 007 SDE

Countryman settled into his seat and looked around. It seemed he was last to arrive, Vera and Ruri were already seated. Generals Forrest and Kirk were organizing their documents, while Captains Richards and Drakes looked composed. 

From his bridge officers, Eri Maki was currently absent, she was still out on her long haul patrol mission. It would be a while before she would be back, but that was expected. Misaki Amano, Kaori Tani and Megumi Richards were chatting together at one en...

Chapter One Ninety-Six Update Program Marches On

July 28th, 007 SDE; Port Qeritas, Raider Territory:

The figure sighed as they set down the report, “Well as bad as this is, we’ve at least found a lead on where these phantoms are.”

“Not a good one, I used to work on a carrier, three ships is too few for a squadron, and strike missions are usually done at the squadron level. My bet? That was a long-range patrol.”

“A patrol? Those ships are too small to have any kind of range, I’d imagine there ...

Interlude Enterprise Storm-Era Auxiliary Craft (007 SDE-???)

SF-1204 Deathhawk:

Role: Space Superiority Fighter

Main Engine: Dual Core Particle Pulse Wave Engine Mark II

Default Armament: 4 Mark III Compression Particle Cannons, 4 Light Missile Launchers, 2 torpedo launchers, 2 Light Pulsar launchers.

Total Weapon Mounts: 12

Standard Crew: 1

Armor: 12 centimeters uniform Overlord type plating Gen III...

Chapter One Ninety-Five SF-1204 VS Raider Group

July 27th, 007 SDE:

Sali stepped out of the shuttle shower, the water sliding off her naked body as she grabbed a towel. Nearby a voice groaned, “Really? Again, don’t you ever use the curtain?”

Someone giggled, “Get used to it Harris, she doesn’t have...”

“Fuji! You are a girl too, do something! I swear I’m going to go nuts on this flight. She barely wears clothes, doesn’t use the curtains, and have you seen how she acts when she’s loungi...

Chapter One Ninety-Four SF-1204 First Flight

July 23rd, 007 SDE:

Several figures gathered in the Starboard hangar where three planes sat ready to fly. Countryman noted Sali in full flight gear standing next to White. He smiled, “Hey Sali. Somehow managed to rate this flight?”

The girl grinned, “I did, Instructor White picked me as her wingman, and Eri managed to get the other slot. I think she just wanted something to fly. Not like the Enterprise is going anywhere.”

“Well, a full plating over...

Interlude Letters and Arrangements

Ixil stepped through the door, and quickly found Ria hard at work at her alchemy station, adding drops of her love juices into a mixture. The young demoness blushed as she recalled how Ria got them, but she couldn’t exactly protest, she really enjoyed it. Even if Ria saw her mainly as a source of potion ingredients. Honestly, she was loving her time here, Ria fed her well, the town was a fun place, and she was getting more sex than she knew what to do with.

Ria looked up from the poti...

Chapter Twenty-Five Oddities in the North

Reaching the area in question had taken them a few weeks but thankfully for Hikaru and party, there was a good road with many villages along the way. Making it easier on them to reach the location they had to investigate. Now Hikaru found himself looking at the front gate of another village, the local village of Ferki. Sometimes he wondered why every village and town had their own walls, but then he remembered that monsters existed in this world. Dangerous predators that would prey on the wea...

Chapter One Fifty-Seven World Event

Milith watched as the first shot struck Aurous directly in the chest. The superheated bolt of glowing blue-green plasma exploded on contact, sending flames everywhere. She was splashed with the fire but her skin and scales protected her flesh. Her clothes caught fire. Milith cared not, and fired again and again. The next shot hit him in the face, a third in his shoulder. Her aim was a little unsteady. The cannon felt heavy to raise, but Milith kept firing. Each blast exploded on contact, his ...

Chapter One Ninety-Three Hull Breach

The figure slipped around the corner and glanced out into the room. Mangled metal and torn hull plating greeted the eye, beyond that the swirling gasses of the storm. A bolt flashed across their view illuminating the gasses like a discharge of lightning, then another followed. Only it wasn’t lightning, but one of the ubiquitous ionic discharges common to the storm. “Good gods, was anyone in here?”

“Aye, routine maintenance team,” replied another.

The figure gave the woun...

Chapter Twenty-Four “Dragon Pup” Arlie

Arlie stepped out of the temple to find Aurora waiting for her. The dragon was in humanoid form, naked as usual. She smiled, “Congrats on passing the first test. Now we have some time for a little training before you must leave for the Blue Temple.”

“Training!?” She squeaked.

Aurora giggled and pulled her along. Arlie barely caught a glance of the twins and the helpless looks they offered. Silently she pleaded for them to save her from the crazy old dragon but no help was ...

Chapter Twenty-Three Clearing the Red Temple

Taking a breath, she finally pushed the door open with her friends following behind her. It was time to face the final challenge, and waiting for her was a goddess. She stood upon a dias looking quite divine, different from the others. She was shorter than her sisters, but still rather tall. She was regal with soft blue eyes. Long blue-green hair flowed down her shoulders, while three pairs of scaled wings spread from her back decorated with scales of silver, golden-white, and black. The same...