Shelby 6 Snippet 3

 First off, Happy Mother's Day.

It has been an interesting and busy day. Now things are winding down and I remembered to post this. :)

Chapter 2

 

Tau-Bin63A4

 

Commodore Janice Yu felt mixed feelings about the recent battle and victory. It was great to finally stop the Tauren bastards, but it hurt to see the butcher's bill that spelled the costs involved. A lot of good people wouldn't be seeing home ever again.

SAR was still out, despite it being over ten days since the battle. They were working to find any remains at this time, whether they were friendly or not. The burial detail was busy.

Word of the victory had sparked celebrations on the planet. The media had sent in coverage of victory celebrations elsewhere too. That was nice. She appreciated the pat on the back, but she appreciated Shelby sending her additional reinforcements more.

Word was getting out about another Tauren juggernaut headed their way, this one from the west. The rank and file and civilians might still be riding a euphoria from the latest victory and spoiling for a fight but she was nervous.

This was an unblooded enemy. Yes they had no idea about fighting them... or so her staff insisted. She wasn't so certain about that. Information flowed 2 ways, even if a bit slow for the Taurens.

She smirked ever so slightly unconsciously. Striking their ansible had been a brilliant move on the part of Admiral Irons. It had cut the Tauren's command and control, intelligence, and sabotage activities at the knees.

She closed her eyes briefly. Damn it felt good to finally win one! She opened her eyes slowly. They'd been forced back despite winning several minor victories over the past 3 years. This one really hurt the other side too. She was pretty certain Admiral Broken Tooth wasn't going to be in command for much longer.

She had wanted to follow his route up with a natural conclusion, race ahead of him like she'd sent forces to hit Admiral Brewster in TauR34-80 after his first failed attack on Mayweather Station, in order to finish the job.

Unfortunately, the news of the new juggernaut had put a stop to that. She frowned thoughtfully and then shook her head. She wrote a reminder to her staff that the enemy had some sort of intel on their abilities up to the point of the fleet's launch. It was all out of date of course, but it was there.

Whether or not the new enemy commander took advantage of that information remained to be seen.

According to the latest reports from Shelby, the pickets between her and this incoming force were to fight a delaying action. The raiders that had been on their way to raid Mayweather Station had been backstopped to help.

She was grateful for their courage. Even though they had won in 63 she still hoped to blood and stall the bastards for as long as possible. Hell, it'd be nice if someone managed to bloody their nose enough to make them turn around! But again, she couldn't count on something like that.

“It would be nice though,” she muttered under her breath as she finished her memo and shot it off into the electronic void.

>>><><<< 

Governor Magistrate Ebenezer Scrooge snorted as he looked out the window. The pubs were still open, he could hear the singing through the evening air. It was as if they thought they'd won the war, not just a single battle.

He did have to admit he was grateful that the war had not come to his world. At least, not yet at any rate.

>>><><<< 

Lieutenant Governor Bob Cratchet scratched at his fur. The male bonobo sniffed as he saw the light under his boss's door. The old man was burning the midnight oil again, typical of him. He might have had some work done but he was still the type to not sleep much. Something about a bad experience around Christmas time.

He had to admit, it had done the old man and their world quite a bit of good. Scrooge had turned over a new leaf after that night and had become a paladin for his people, working tirelessly. He might still get grumpy and crotchety, but he worked hard.

He did have a fondness for children though, and a connection to Tim, especially around Christmas. His right cheek dimpled in a slight smile before he returned his attention to the memos.

“Eh? Cratchet? What are you getting on about here at this hour?” a familiar grumpy voice nearly made him jump out of his fur.

He turned and blinked. “Ah, just finishing up some reports sir.”

The old man was leaning on his cane. He eyed him over his bifocals and then snorted. He reached out and poked the bonobo with the brass tip of his cane. “It'll keep. Whatever it is, it'll keep. Go home Bob. Go see your family.”

“Yes sir,” the bonobo said as he hit save and then signed out of his system. He was amused as the old man watched him gather up his coat and leave. “Good night.”

“Good night old friend,” the old man replied and then hobbled off to his security escort.

>>><><<< 

PFC Bolt was grateful but a bit annoyed at the reprieve. He knew a lot of the other Marines had been looking forward to mixing it up with the Taurens. Personally, no, he was glad he wasn't going to get shot at or bombed today.

Besides, the reprieve meant they had more time to prepare, which meant more time to find all sorts of fun ways to mess with the enemy. That and train their militia recruits.

>>><><<< 

Tim Cratchet heard about the victory. He saw the celebrations and was grateful. Everyone was treating the evacuation as a false alarm. There were even some querulous people, some of them business owners who wanted to sue for the disruption in their businesses. He shook his head at that nonsense.

The government had a duty to protect the population from an incoming threat, whether that be from a fire, a hurricane, or from invasion. Just because the threat didn't strike doesn't make them at fault for being cautious. Better to be cautious than to not and be caught out.

Still, it was a bit vexing to see the ungrateful ones coming out. Fortunately, for the time being they were few and far between at the moment.

Currently they didn't know about the new fleet headed to them. He had no idea when that news would be released.

>>><><<< 

Shelby 6 Snippet 2

 Still in Chapter 1:

Once the senior officers were established with coffee in the wardroom, the link to the other ships came up. Captain Chandrek quietly outlined the problem they were facing. For the escaping ships it was a no brainer.

“We can't just run blindly. We have enough fuel for one more jump. That will get us to a star system where we'll be dead and caught,” he finished.

There was a long silence.

“We can sit here for months. But the beaters will catch up,” the XO said slowly.

“Correction, eventually the flash of our arrival will get to someone looking in this direction,” the ship's A.I. stated. “I calculate one day and 23 point two more hours before the flash of our arrival gets to the ships at the jump point.”

“So, should we move?” the XO asked as he looked at the captain. They had burped their RCS to get them drifting in the general direction of their destination jump point to get them away from their arrival point but hadn't done anything more. They didn't dare, they were low on fuel so they couldn't use much of it to maneuver, and using gravitational drive would alert the enemy of their presence and direction.

“Yes. The question is to where and on what course,” a captain stated.

“Unfortunately, we skipped through this star system to bypass their defenses. So we didn't get much of a look at what was around,” another stated.

“We do have a partial look,” Lieutenant Ginny Worsham, the flagship's sensor officer stated. She pulled up a holographic map of the star system.

The data was from their previous jump in and the jump out so it was short ranged. It was also out of date, but they all knew that. It was also focused on the enemy's defenses. There were point sources in the inner and outer star system.

“Gravitational drives, shields, and neutrino emissions,” Ginny stated as she brought up the outer system icons.

“Put our intended escape route up,” a captain suggested. The jump point to Tau-R36-83 came up.

Icons were highlighted around there.

“There is one gas giant in proximity to it but on the wrong side,” Lieutenant Merkowitz complained.

“Yes I see that,” the captain mused.

“We could double back. Really screw them up,” someone suggested half heartedly.

More than one captain shook his or her head at that idea. Captain Chandrek's headshake ruled it out completely.

“Okay, so what do we do then?”

“What about if we played the long game?” a captain asked slowly.

“Explain?”

“Go for more fuel is the obvious thing we have to do.”

“So obvious they might anticipate it.”

“Which means they'll stake out that gas giant and any refinery platforms there,” the TO said worriedly.

“So? We do the unexpected. It's what we're good at, right?” Merkowitz asked with a slight smile. He had a rough course in mind but it was going to be tricky to pull off.

“You have something in mind?”

“I need to run the numbers to be sure, but...” the navigator leaned in and pointed out a course none of them anticipated.

The groans and disbelief came fast but Captain Chandrek asked them to wait and hear him out. When they did the captain tentatively agreed to the plan.

>>><><<< 

Commodore Char arrived in the Stiff Breeze star system and his staff transmitted his command's IFF as soon as the hyper wake cleared.

When he ordered a sitrep he was surprised to find that there had been no sign of the enemy passing through the star system. There were ships scattered around the jump point and further out along a general heading the way he'd come.

A larger net painted itself on the plot as he watched. Ships were all over the place looking for something.

“Where did they go?”

He was finally connected to Admiral Three Finger twenty minutes later through a tachyon relay. “Herd leader, what is going on?”

“We received confirmation of their arrival four days ago. But we haven't seen them.”

“Did they skip?”

“There was no signature of a hyper skip,” the admiral stated with a scowl in his voice.

“So... they are still here?”

“Yes.”

“The fuel,” someone said urgently. The commodore turned to his chief of staff who indicated the gas giant near the 83 jump point and then the larger plot with T-3.

It took a moment for the commodore to catch on to what his chief of staff was implying. When he did his eyes widened. “Admiral,” he said slowly.

“Yes? You have a hypothesis?”

“Yes. I left Captain Thunk behind in T-3. He witnessed the enemy go after a civilian fuel refinery. They captured it and took some fuel. Could they be after more?” he asked carefully.

“That is a possibility. Given the report of combat damage sustained in the battle in T-9 that is my working hypothesis.”

The commodore nodded as someone on his staff silently highlighted ships around the gas giant.

“I am cutting you orders to move to a least time course between the gas giant and the 83 jump point commodore.”

The commodore's nostrils flared but he nodded. No doubt once the enemy saw the trap waiting for them they would try to run. “Yes herd leader.”

“Good. Get there quickly and plug any holes you see. Command out.”

>>><><<< 

Shelby 6 Snippet 1

 Sitrep:

  So, I am still working on the last 3 scenes of comic #1. There are a lot of people and a lot of things to do for just 3 images. Fun. Hopefully I can get the pieces all together and rendered by next week.

On to the snippet!

Chapter 1

 

TauG9-2 Stiff Breeze

 

Captain Tim Chandrek stared at the plot as his bridge crew worked at their stations and duties. He ignored the occasional surreptitious look his way. He knew what was on their mind, the same thing that was on his own mind.

He had 6 light cruisers under his command. They had managed to penetrate Confederation space up to T-9, TauG6R33-9 before they'd been driven back. Along the way they had scuttled dozens of civilian vessels and platforms, and probably put the fear of the Federation in the population.

All good things, and in the grand scheme of things probably great for the war effort. But he wanted more.

He'd gotten more in the form of pulling intelligence material from the bots and viruses the ansible attack on the Confederation had sown. His A.I. and ONI people had sown more electronic spies and saboteurs.

And he wanted more.

His people had picked up all sorts of information about enemy civilian and military traffic. Better still they had forced the enemy to redeploy units to hunt him down. That had probably cost them something somewhere. And his stubborn refusal to just die had to have sprayed egg on some faces. They really wanted his ass on toast.

His lips quivered in an almost smile as his errant mind thought that thought.

But he still wanted more. His lips stilled.

He wanted to get out of Confederation space. More importantly, get his people and ships out, and the intelligence they had gathered. The stories alone were worth a few beers. He could care less about the medals and promotions at this point. Life had its own sort of appeal. He had no interest in ending his prematurely.

Which was what brought him to the present conundrum.

His squadron had been on fumes before getting to this star system. They'd managed to scavenge enough fuel for 2 jumps. Now he was down to 1.

South to Purple Nights was obviously out. Purple Nights was a major naval station of the Confederation. Not unlike the massive naval station he was seeing in the inner star system before him.

North there was a jump point to a dead star system, in fact it was the one he'd come in on. It was supposed to be known only to the pirates, but apparently one or more of their ships had been captured with intact navigational databases at some point. The Confederation knew about the route and had a picket in the dead system.

Worse, it was a dead star system. Which meant it was a spacial desert. There was nothing to scavenge there in the way of fuel to continue their escape. Whatever was left there was cinders spread far and wide over the former star system. Dust in the nonexistent solar wind, he thought.

In order to make good on their escape he needed enough fuel to jump 4 more times. Five would be the safe bet.

Which brought him around again to his present dilemma.

>>><><<< 

“Think the skipper has a plan?” Bob, one of the sensor techs asked softly.

“No idea. Why are you asking me?” Patrick Star asked his colleague softly.

The yellow Neocat glared at his partner. “Why are you asking me?” he demanded.

“Sorry.”

“I don't have a clue either,” Bob huffed.

“Then let's focus on our jobs and less on chatter,” the bosun said. The 2 techs looked sheepish but then dutifully returned their attention to their implant feeds and the screens in front of them.

>>><><<< 

Lieutenant Merkowitz had to wonder if the skipper was going to call a senior staff meeting shortly, or call the other ships, or do something. He obviously didn't have a plan, or had decided to abandon his previous one.

He knew why since he was the ship's chief navigator. They were short on fuel. The skipper had to be aware of that, and he had to be aware that there was some sort of trap in the inner star system. There were also beaters chasing them in the form of a battle cruiser squadron with another squadron or 2 of cruisers.

That meant they had to find a way to outrun them. At the moment though they were sitting 4 light days outside the star system in stealth, well away from the established jump point.

He'd anticipated a skip. He didn't like doing them but he'd been more or less resigned to another to get home. But apparently their damage was such that the skipper had rethought the plan. Hence their current stop.

He looked over to the captain.

The captain caught the look and grunted. He hit a switch on his armrest. “Senior officers to the wardroom. Comm, set up a link to the other ship captains. We're going to have an old fashioned pow-wow.”

He then rose and nodded to the navigator and to the XO to follow. The ATO grimaced but took charge of the bridge.

>>><><<< 

Shelby 6 Hold the Line

Sitrep:

   So, I've been working on the comics for the Engineer Universe, I've roughed out 1 and I'm 3 shots away from roughing out the second. Then I get all the fun parts of post work, cropping, putting the pieces together, dialog, etc.

  That is the latest render, a raw image of Sprite... (version 2.0) This image is from the Introduction Comic tentatively titled "An introduction essay to modern history by Captain Sprite." Before you pick up your pitchforks and torches, FYI: it takes place during the Liberty or Death time period.

  It should be interesting. There are 4 comics, my current plan (revised) is to release them 1 at a time over the coming months and then together as a graphic novel when they are all done. I'd like to see them in print but that is a very expensive process. Maybe someday...

Here is a raw image from the second comic (rendered first) called The Hunt:

 Yes those are pirates. Yes they are wearing salvaged Federation armor.

  FYI there are 4 other comics and another graphic novel planned too. But not for a while. This is taking longer than I'd hoped.

   In other news I've made some progress on my R2, getting the center foot to 90% complete. I'm pleased with finally making some headway there.  I'm also pleased since I managed to do it despite having a very crappy past couple of days this week. What's the expression? Oh yes, 'it never rains but it pours?' 

Anyway... 

Here is the cover to Shelby 6 which is currently in Rea's hands...

There is a short teaser video which will be uploaded to Youtube sometime soon. Just a short thing.

Also, I finished Shelby 7 months ago. Here is the cover:

Another video is in the works for that one. I need to finish putting the pieces together. (I've got too many balls in the air at the moment)

So, expect Shelby 6 later this month. Snippets will start in a day or so, and the video sometime this week as well. (fingers crossed I don't forget) Then maybe a comic, or most likely Shelby 7 in July.

#TurnUpTheHeat

 So, I've been plugging away at my first comic for the graphic novel all month. I've been doing rough renders with the intent of putting the pieces together in the end with the dialog and stuff.

I took a break to render these.

The first is my original intended entry, a simple broken containment. It was a pain to set up and took 3+ hours to render. (that was the 5th attempt) The lights are set at 100% intensity and I got... yeah, that.

Anyway, when I was having problems figuring out the Atmospheric Fog out I tested in in the Willow Creek scene with the Death Stalker /Shrieker/ Mud Demon/ Dilgarth.

#TurnUpTheHeat

  #MadeWithDaz

#Herschel Hoffmeyer

 

I am doing this for a change of pace and to get me out of a rut.

I do love the photo realism but the render times and clunky interface are a deal breaker!

Pantheon launches now!

 That's right, Pantheon, book 70... that's right SEVENTY! Seven zero is publishing today! Wow!

   The mind boggles at that number. I still remember when I published 1 book and was thrilled. The look when I tell people is fun, when they find out how many they freak. It's hilarious and just gets better as time passes.

  When aliens arrived in orbit, humanity scrambled to deal with the eye opening consequences to their changed world view. It became clear within days that the aliens were refugees bringing word of warning of an ancient threat that was following in their wake.

  Now it is up to humanity's best and brightest to mount a defense against what many thought was humanities doom. But those people are stubborn and highly motivated. They refuse to go down easily even though they are facing a Pantheon of aliens who think of humans as little better than ants to play with…

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VF3VC4D

 B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pantheon-chris-hechtl/1141220514?ean=2940160829517

Fair warning, B&N is acting up badly.