Tales of the Civilizations

i began a new project, Tal;es of the Civilizations. GThese are short stories that takes place during timeframe of Galactic Civilizations series. Next project, Legends of the Civilizations, will follow. These stories will take place in distant past. 

Warning: Spoilrts for Gal Civ II and III camapigns

Here are first two stories:

Tales of the Civilizations

 

1. Terran Alliance: Battle of Drengi

 

Terran Crusade fleet, led by formidable TAS Crusader, was closing on the Drengi system. Behind them were four conquered Drengin  colonies. Once last defense before the Drengi, they now opened way for the invaders, who aimed to destroy Drengin Empire once and for all, and extract retribution for all the suffering the Drengin caused. 

DL Bradley stood on the bridge of the Crusader, his eyes fixed on the screen showing the Drengi system and Drengin forces inside it. Behind him, the Bane was placed, an artifact on immense power that empowered the ship.  

-Attack fleets one to four report battle readiness - said lieutenant Jonhson, communication officer who joined the crew after deactivation of Earth Shield. - Strong Drengin presence detected in Drednngi system and surviving colonies. Drengin reinforcements are incoming from all sides, except our vector. 

-We will deal with them - Bradley said. - Tell attack fleet one to go across Drengi system and look for Drengin reinforcements. Attack fleet two, prepare to engage Drengin in Drengi system. Attack fleets three and four, engage Drengin targets at will. Helm, full  stop. 

Crusader went to full stop. Attack fleets spread out and began engaging the Drengin. 

And so the battle began. Drengin ships were being destrpyed, but new waves of reinforcemnts were coming in. What's more, Drengin shipyards were still producing ships. Their slave - labourers must have had a really hard time. 

Bradley was growing impatient. They had the most powerful fleet in history, and were still unable to win quick. 

-Hall we join the battle, admiral? - asked lieutenant Golman, the helsman. 

-No, I have a better idea - Bradley said. - Prepare the Bane! Target Drengi. We will destroy that planet and end the Drengin once and for all! 

Everyone looked at Bradley.

-Isn't it… a little extreme? -Gormn asked. 

-We must end the Drengin threat once and for all! - Bradley said. - I give you orders to prepare the Bane! Set us in a firing position. Directly at Drengi. 

Everyone obeyed without a world. 

Teran attack fleets were moving toward and around Drengi system, which was a full field of battle. 

Suddenly, lieutenant Johnaon said: 

-Admiral, the first attack fleet is reporting that other Terran ships just entered sensor range… Colonel Casey's forces has arrived at the other side of the sector! And they are moving up here. They will soon reach Drengi system. 

-Try to contact Colonel Casey - Bradley said. - Let's see why is she here… 

After some time, the connection was achieved. A hologram of Colonel Jenna Casey appeared before DL Bradley. 

-Colonel Casey, what are you doing? - Bradley said. - Where have you been? Did you learn anything on Yiven III? 

-It is important that you listen to me and stop using the Bane immediately - Jenna Casey responded. 

-What are you talking about? - Bradley said, annoyed. - It's been because of the Bane that we have been able to drive the Drengin back to their home world. We will be rid of them  once and for all and we will achieve complete peace. 

-We found an imprisoned Dreadlord on Yiven… There is too much to explain - Casey said. 

-I don't have time to waste, Colonel! - shouted Bradley. - We are preparing for our final push to Drengi. 

-Please sir! - Jenna said. - Just wait until we arrive before you do anything with the Bane. 

Bradley sighted. 

-Be quick, I will not wait long - Bradley said. - You better have a good reason for this, Colonel.

-We are on our way - Jenna said and cut the connection. 

-Admiral, the Bane is at full power - said Gonzalez, tactical officer. 

-Stand  by, commander - Bradley said. - We will wait for Casey. 

Soon, TAS Valkyrie, ship of Colonel Jenna Casey, arrived to the TAS Crusader… Along with a Thalan ship.

-Thalans? - Bradley said. 

-Colonel Casey is hailing us - Jonhson said. - I am putting her through… 

Jenna Casey's image appeared again before Bradley and his crew. 

-His is Colonel Jenna Casey to the TAS Crusader - she said. - You are ordered to stand down. 

-This is the TAS Crusader - Bradley said. - Colonel Bradley here. Negative on that request. 

-Colonel Bradley, we have the Shard of the Telenath with us - Jenna Casey said. - You must not destroy Drengi with the Bane! 

-The Drengin Empire is a menace - Bradley said, formly. - We now have the opportunaty to eliminate them for all time. 

-On Yiven III we learned that every time you use the Bane it weakens the restraints on the malevolent powers within - Jenna said. - The Arnor reffered to it as the power of Ra and Gino; the spirits of Vengance and Retribution. 

-Are you saying the Thalan prophecies are true? - Bradley said. 

-You would restart the cycle of the Draginol which would result in the destruction of this reality - Jenna said. - If you were to use it to destroy an entire world, D.L. would cease to exist, those spirits ould merge with you and become, something else, something darker. The cycle f the Draginol would restart and in doing so, it would lead to the destruction of this reality. 

DL Bradley though. And he came to realize that, however much he hated the Drengin, it was not worth destruction of he universe. And, if Terrans who suffered more at the hands of the Drengin could forgive  them, so could he. 

-Come aboard, colonel, I better hear the rest of your report - Bradey said, then turned to Johnson. - Lieutenant, you will tell our ships to stand down. Then, you will inform Lord Kona that, if he surrenders without other conditions now, his life and freedom will be spared. 

Jenna Casey's shutle flied from Valkyrie to Crusader. Thalan shutle followed soon. 

Jenna Casey and Thalan ambassador entered the bridge. Casey hadthe Shard. She gave her report. Then, Bradley took the Shard and put it into the Bane. 

Just then, a great rift appeared above them. An ancient but kindly voice filled the room. 

-I am Mascrithus, the last of the Mithrilar - the voice said. - At lon last, the cycle is broken. 

Just then, both the Bane and the Shard dissapeared in a flash of light. Bradley staggered and drew a great breath, as if a burden was lifted from him. The voice of Mascrithus then continued, !echoing throught the ship:

-The cycle of Draginol has resulted in the ultimate death of my universe. This universe has broken that cycle and for that, I am eternally grateful. You, D.L. Bradley, have shown great restraint and resisted the Bane's siren call, in doing so you have avoided a fate far wose than death. With the actions you and your people have taken today, a wider universe has ben unlocked to you. Farewell. 

And the rift closed. 

-Colonel, Lord Kona is hailing us - Johnson said. 

-Put him throught - Bradley said. 

Image of Lord Kona appeared on the bridge. 

-Admiral Bradley, Colonel Casey - he said. - I accept your offer and surrender. Our ships already stood down. 

-Tell all ships to prepare Terran crews and your garrisons to prepare to receive Terran troops - Bradley said. - We will land Terran troops on Drengi and Kona at once. They will take control of all military infrastructure of the planets. All Drengin troops are to diarm themselves. You will give us access to all computer systems. Finally, all Drengin leaders will stay where they are until Terran troops arrive to take them into custody. Finally, you will immediately free all slaves you own and get them ready to transfer under protection of Terran troops. 

-I accept - Kona said. 

-Colonel, Thalans… Are dissapearing! - Gorman said. 

Indeed, their ships and Thalan ambasador were dissapearing. 

-Our mission is complete - the ambassador said. - Peace is at hand. You have won. 

And at that, the Thalans dissapeared. 

Drengin Empire: Mars falls

 

It was a good time for the Drengin Empire. After General Gorz released the Dread Lords, Drengin (and their Yor allies) kept retreating from them. This preserved their forces when other civilizations, including Terran Allinance, were fighting the Dread Lords. They won, but were severely weaken, and then Drengin and Yor moved in. And this time, eveything was going well. 

So thought admiral Zarnak, as his fleet was closing on the Solar System, center of the Terran Alliance. Before them sttod Terran Home Fleet, small but valiant group of Terran ships. But this would not save them. 

-Admiral Zarnak, all ships are ready for battle - reported communication officer. - Troop transports report readiness. 

-Excellent - Zarnak  said. - We will first take the fourth planet of the system. Mars, which is name of their ancient god of war. A fitting place to start. 

Drengin fleet moved to the red planet. A few Terran Phoenix - class ships harrased the fleet, but were easily dispatched of. 

Two Terran Battle Axe - class cruisers were in orbit of Mars, supported by Phoenix - class ships and Star Fury  - class Fighters. 

-All ships, move to engage - Zarnak commanded. - Standard formation. 

Fighters, Bombers and Frigates surged forward and opened fire. Bigger ships fired from the distance. 

Initially, Terran ships fought well, and destroyed many Drengin Fighters, Bombers and Frigates. But, once their Cruisers were taken care off, they fell into the dissarray. These who managed to survive and escape made it to Earth. 

-Terran fleet has been detroyed, my lord - said the tactical officer. 

-Excellent - Zarnak said. - Tell the troop transports to prepare for landing. And the fleet to commence standard planetary bombardment 

-Sir, civilian ships are fleeing Mars! - said another officer. 

-Fire at them, but do not pursue - Zarnak said. - We have more importants things to do. 

-Fleet is ready for  bombardment - tactical officer reported after a moment 

-Open fire - Zarnak said. 

Drengin ships opened fire, raining death on the surface of Mars. 

Troops from the Troop Transports soon followed. It didn't take long before Mars was u nder Drengin contol. Most Terrans fled the planet, remaining ones fought to the last one. But Drengin  took the planet. 

-Prepare for second bombardment - Zarnak said. - Targed histoical sites. We must wipe out all traces of Terran importance on Mars. 

Drengin ships targeted and fired upon all historical sites on Mars. From  all Terran probes to site of landings of Ares vehicles to starting ste of U.E.S. Prometion , first - ever hyperdrive - enabled ship, all was destroyed. 

-Move the fleet to Earth - Zarnak ordered. - Ready for battle. 

Drengin fleet moved to  Earth, where remining Terran ships, led by the most powerful Terran ship, TAS Salvation, were ready for them. 

-Sir, I am detecting a colony on nearby moon - tactical officer said. 

-Send bombers to wipe it out - Zarnak said. - It is too small to be worth enslaving. 

Bombers left as bulk of Drengin for es engaged the Terran fleet. It was fierce, but Drdngin managed to destroy most of the Terran ships and push the survivors (including TAS Salvation) into the Earth's atmosphere. 

-Send in shock troopers! - Zarnak said. 

First wave of shock troopers managed to land on Earth and reported that they estabilished a foothold. 

-Send in the second wave! - Zarnak ordered. 

The second wave left the fleet. But it never reached Earth. 

Sudenly, a wardp field opened near Earth and a beam of some energy emerged from it and hit Earth. Then, a huge force field was created around Earth. The second wave immediately pulled up. Some ships managed to do it and survived, other crashed into it and were destroyed. 

Additionaly, last communications from the first wave reported that they were being wiped out by the Terrans. 

Zarnak immediately ordered all Drengin ships tfo open fire at the shield. Hovewer, it quickly became apparent that they couldn't breach it. 

Zarnak wasn't happy. Somehow, the Terrans protected their home planet, danying the Drengin their ulimate triumph. But they still won. Terrn flet was beaten, Mars was conquered and Moon colony was wiped out. Additionally, he received word that other Drengin fleets took homeworlds of Altarians, Arceans and Torians. Indeed, this was a good time for the Drengin Empire.