Futura: Beginning of a New Age
By: Ben

“CODE RED, CODE RED! HOSTILE FORCES ATTACKING!”

It was the year 2020. The evil King Elric was purging the galaxy of all “lower life forms”. I, Mark Palpatine, was the resistance to die. I started a rebellion, and was the commander. My best friend, Vork, was the head pilot of the opposition. He was an Antarian, but he had a special ability to see the next instant of the future. He once destroyed 50 C-fighters before he was hit and the simulation ended. At times of great distress, I too can see events that I belive will happen in the distant future. I saw what looked like my great, great grandson would become a force of good that would turn into a very prominent evil. As I sat on my throne and reflected on the attempted destruction of our base during that war, I thought it was like the Battle of Hoth, as I heard it called in one of my few visions. *Sigh* I can never forget how it all started.

(Somewhere on the distant side of the galaxy, in the year 2020.)

“Troops! What is the status on that mining colony,” demanded Elric.
His chief officer, Quartak replied, “Just fine, sir. The rebellion has been “quelled”. *laughs evilly*
“Good, good. Any other news?”
“Yes, sir. Word has reached us about a rebellion starting on a planet called Earth.”
“Hmmm… really now? Well, what are we going to do about it?”
“Destroy it sir?”
“Have at it. Be quick about it too, I have a molecular realignment in four hours.”
“Yes, sir. We ar-”
“Hold on, I will lead the attack myself, prep The Blade.”
“Yes, sir.”

(Hours later, at Earth)

Jade, my communications officer, alerted me of the words that started it all, “Mark! We have just received word! Someone has just leaked information about our rebellion! Dominion forces are on their way!”
“NO! This cannot be. We have to act quick bef-” (I was then rudely interrupted by an ominous sound)

(Explosion) A dominion fighter ship, Harasser Class, was attacking. The ship flew over our base as it lasered the defense turrets.

“CODE RED, CODE RED! HOSTILE FORCES ATTACKING!”

“What happened Jade?!”
“Sir, the Dominion fleet has arrived… a fifth of their whole fleet is with them. It doesn’t look good sir.”
“How long before we can put up a defense system?”
“Sir! We are not going to FIGHT them are we?!”
“We must, if we lose this battle or flee, Earth will be destroyed, that is unacceptable.”
“About 15 minutes sir.”
“Make it five! We do not have much time! I will assemble the fleet, and make sure that my fighter pilot is prepared for launch.”
“Aye, sir.”

(Five minutes later)
“Is everything set Jade?”
“Yes, sir. The fleet is ready to be deployed.”
“I have to find Vor-“
“He is at his fighter in your fighter bay.”
“Thank you Jade. Good luck.”

As the battle waged on, it looked as if we were going to win, but suddenly, I heard a big boom from behind me. It was too horrible to ever want to see again.

“Men! Who just got whacked?!”
My second in command, Tad, replied, “It was Vork, sir.”
“No… Vork?! Who could have POSSIBLY killed Vork?”
“S..s…sir?! It’s ELRIC HIMSELF!!!”

One of my greatest fears had come to pass. King Elric had led the attack himself. King Elric was a cat in his ship, The Blade. No one had ever defeated him in one on one combat. By the looks of it, not even Vork. Just then, some good news arrived. It was Jade.

“Sir! The Dominion is retreating! We have won!”

At last, we had our first taste of victory. After several years of planning, someone had finally managed to defeat the Dominion fleet. Then I remembered something, it was only a fifth of the fleet that attacked us!
“Jade! Tell everyone to chase them back to their base! If they arrive at their home, they will send the whole fleet!”
“Ok sir, should I have a small taskforce defend the base?”
“Do birds fly? Yes, Jade.”

(Hours later)

Someone then informed me of our good luck.

“Sir! Their defense system is unguarded! It looks as if they are out bullying other ships. Shall we destroy it?”
“Again, do birds fly? Of course, if we don’t we’ll be trapped between them.”

It looked as if everything was looking up, as if our luck had changed, as if the whole galaxy’s power had just suddenly shifted. Only 1/12 of the fleet was guarding the Dominion base. Then, the Dominion fleet stopped. They had reached the base. It looked as if we were going to have to stage a final assault.

“Mark, we are in range of the planet. Shall we attack?”
“Do I have to ask again? Do birds fly? *smile* Of course.”
“Look sir, I’m sorry about Vork, but you can not let it stay in your mind, grieve later. We need you sir.”
“Thank you, Tad. Let’s end this war now everyone!”

“Sir, I suggest someone go down and knock down their communications before they call for reinforcements.”
“Thank you, Tad. I will lead a group down there.”

The raid was going successfully. Hardly anyone was guarding the base, as they were all occupied with the fleet above. We destroyed the communications room with unbelievable ease, and we were heading back to the surface. As I rounded one of the corners, leaving the communications room, I thought I heard the last words I would hear in my life.

“Ready to die, Mark?”

(laser fire)

Luckily, I had jumped behind a door to avoid the volley of lasers. Unfortunately, my group was not so lucky. They had managed to take out his personal guardsmen, but he killed all five of my men with his trademark gun, Heartstopper.

“I won’t die for a long time Elric, how about you? Your lifeline looks short from here.”
“Really Mark? Wow, I guess I do need to see my molecular realignment doctor. He needs to be fired… he’s been doing REALLY sloppy work lately. Of course, I will deal with him after I kill you.”

Just then, I received a distress signal from one of my lieutenants.

“SIR! The fleet has returned! We are taking heavy casu-” (Explosion, then static).

That was it. It would be a battle forever remembered in the annals of history. I had no idea how it would turn out. Then, I realized something, an alarm was beginning to blare behind Elric.

“Self destruct sequence, activated. Planet will be destroyed in five minutes. Planet will be destroyed in five minutes,” the computerized voice yelled out as in having no emotion what so ever.

“Now that you have found our humble abode, we will have to resettle. Then again, it won’t matter too much to us, as you will be dead, and the main portion of your fleet will be destroyed. But, I never got to where I am by taking unnecessary risks, now did I?” While he chattered on, he was edging closer to my position.

I then realized I had to end it now. I had to kill the undefeated Elric, or I would die. Then without warning, the final battle had started. Volley after volley of deadly laser blasts whizzed past both of us. Feint after feint, we would fake ourselves and each other out, looking for that window of opportunity. Then… I was hit. The base began to fade in and out of my vision, like a cloaking device suddenly covered the base and was malfunctioning. Then, I realized something. I hit Elric too. As I collapsed, Elric was already crumpled on the ground in a steaming pile of blood and flesh. Then I heard what was almost (I thought then) the last few words of my life I would ever hear.

“Self Destruct Sequence will commence in one minute. Self Destruct Sequence will commence in one minute.”

Just then, I saw Tad run around the corner. He was looking for me. A gurgle was all he needed to hear. Without any words, he flung me over his shoulder and dashed out of the base and into my ship as the planet sent itself into oblivion. At the quickly spreading news of Elric’s death, the fleet dispersed, now free of their obligation to the tyrant.

“Self Destruct commencing. Self Destruct commencing.”

In the years that followed, I eventually rose to a position of power, much like a king. The people who supported Elric’s reign of terror were either put in jail or slain by bounty hunters. That is how I did it, scribe. Did you get all that?

“Yes, I did your majesty.”
Please, call me Mark.
“So did anything else exciting happen?”
Well, you se-

(explosion)

To Be Continued… (sometime in the next couple of years or never)