Ok Here is my little creative disclaimer. This is my first attempt at writing a back story and I have a general idea where I want the story to go, but it is not set in stone yet. (Writing flaw #1 I never think more than two or so chapters ahead, the story kind of evolves as I go)
I gladly welcome constructive criticism in the form of PM.
If for some reason this story gains a fan base (Which I doubt, but hey you never know) be warned that I only update as time allows.
Thanks in advance
Zero
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 13 July 790AS 2:43AM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
///BEGIN LOG///
Todays results prove to be promising. This latest sequence of gene splicing has shown great potential. If the cellular membranes remain intact for the next 36 hours then we will have finally found our answer. I am trying to keep my doubts to myself, the others have such high hopes, who am I to tell them that even if the cells hold they will most likely not survive the fertilization process, much less likely that they will mature properly. But at least we know it can be done. Now we just have to work on the survivability aspect. But only time will tell, we will remain in the lab for the next 36 hours to monitor our new development.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 14 July 790AS 3:25PM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
///BEGIN LOG///
I can hardly believe it, the cells remained in tact. The cellular membranes actually doubled in strength in the first 24 hours. It seems now that we will be able to proceed with fertilization of the cells that is with the Council’s approval of course. A note for the official log, gene sequence 5230 has passed the initial test and with the blessings from the Dons will move to phase two. I am still having a hard time accepting the fact that such a volatile genetic combination has not only maintained its cohesion, but actually strengthened. With all the genetic material from all over the system encoded into these two, they surely will be the children of Malta. I am off to get the approval from the Dons. Further entries will continue at a later time.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 17 July 790AS 9:06AM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
///BEGIN LOG///
The council of Dons debated for three days in a sealed room conference. All of my staff was interviewed at lease once, and I was in there for more than 6 hours. I was beginning to wonder if they really want this project to move forward at all. But they finally reached a decision about an hour ago, and they agreed unanimously to allow us to proceed with fertilization. And on a side not, I no longer report to the Head of Sciences, I report directly to them. An…interesting turn of events. But with Corsair raid growing more and more daring, I can see why my project would be of special interest to them. Oh and another note, there is now a full contingent of Maltese Marines guarding my lab. Apparently the genetic information of Malta’s finest strategists, pilots and commanders being conveniently gathered in one place posed some concern to them. Frankly I’m surprised it took them this long to give us a proper security detail. With all that aside, fertilization is due to take place in a few hours and I must prepare. If all goes well my next log entry will be in two weeks.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 1 August 790AS 11:20AM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
///BEGIN LOG///
This will serve as my 2 week report, fertilization of two subjects labeled COM 1 and COM 2 was successful. The rate of cellular mitosis is stable, as well as growth rate. The cells have seemed to inherit the tougher cellular membrane that was exhibited by the egg cells after genetic infusion. It will be interesting to see how these two grow as children. I have thrown around the idea of naming them instead of just calling them by their specimen numbers. I think I will get everyones opinion on names since I consider these two to be the children of all of us. But for now there isnt much more to report, they are simply developing fetuses. The only thing of not is the cellular strength. If everything continues normally my next report will be at the first trimester.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 23 Nov 790AS 6:19AM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
///BEGIN LOG///
It has been a hectic past few weeks. The Corsairs launched an all out offensive while the planetart defense grid was offline for a systems upgrade. The more disturbing part is te face that they headed right for our research compound. Luckily the Marines held them at bay until Backup could arrive. The Council of Dons is looking into how information of our project could have leaked out to the damned Corsairs, but for now the project is being moved. We will be transferred to Omicron 85 or the duration of our work. I feel quite honored, our entire resesarch team and security contingent is being moved via Outcast Battleship to the Dreadnaught Capitana, and then when proper facilities are erected, to Corsica itself. The council assures us that we will be safe in there, and I am inclined to agree. No force has ever penetrated Omicron 85, and no one ever will.
But I fear this log has gotten far off track. The specimins are maturing at a .7.625% accenerated rate from that of a normal child. This is the first side effect that we have noticed that may prove to be detrimental to their long term health. The issue is being looked into. Also we can tell the gender, one is male and the other female. On a note of good news, we have agreed on names, the male will be named Nives and the female Tyris. That concludes my report, my next will follow in approximately three months.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 21 May 791AS 2:43AM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
///BEGIN LOG///
Due to no significant change in development I choose to forgo my second trimester report. However today is a great day. The twins were officially born at 2:05AM Corsican Standard time. We have gotten authorization to bring in the best early childhood development specialists and later teachers and tutors. Already they are showing great potential, they seem much more aware of their surroundings than normal newborns. I had my doubts, but it turns out that everything is turning out well after all. The only anomaly that remains is the slight growth acceleration rate. We will continue to monitor it.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 21 Nov 791AS 3:15PM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
Subject age: 6Mos
///BEGIN LOG///
This is my 6 month report. The twins continue to develop mentally and physically ahead of their similar aged friends. I am happy to report that the growth acceleration rate has stopped. I will hand all the data pertaining to that off to another college of mine for further study. Nieves has been walking for the past two weeks and Tyris is right behind him, she just started yesterday. A further note of mystery, normal Outcast children begin Cardimine infusions at this age. Yesterday we tried starting them on infusions and their bodies outright rejected it. We think Nieves even had an allergic reaction to it. It is strange because the residual Cardimine circulating through the ventilation system hasn't seemed to bother them. I have ordered all infusions stopped for now. More to follow in my next report.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 25 May 792AS 3:15PM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
Subject age: 1Yr
///BEGIN LOG///
At only a year old they are already grasping the basics of our language, Tyris is speaking 3 to 4 word sentences and Nieves is putting two word together. It seems that Tyris has a sharper intellect and Nieves has better physical traits. But they are both far more advanced than any child of similar age. Within the next few months I expect them to start spelling two and three letter words. I will start spacing my official log entries out at this point unless there is a need to voice something more. All technical data will continue to be submitted on a weekly basis to the Council.
Project: 125872-XX-5230
Date 17 July 798AS 3:15PM
Lab Notes
Dr. Markus Guevara, Lead Genetic Engineer, Maltese Science Division
Subject age: 6Yrs
///BEGIN LOG///
It has been quite some time since my last entry, and I fear this to be my last. The children and I were being transported from Corsica back to Malta when a malfunction caused our power to fail. We have been out here for three days. The food and water supplies are holding, but the supply of Cardimine has run out. It is amazing, the twins do not seem to be affected by the loss of Cardimine in the air, yet they have been exposed to it all their lives. I have asked Tyris and Nieves to continue my work, making their own logs. To Tyris and Nieves, I want you two to know that you where like my own children to me, and I pray that you live full lives. A final scientific note, in flight simulations, Tyris has shown amazing talent for strategy and tactics, while Nieves has shown amazing reflexes and fighter piloting skills. Even if they were using the children simulator. It is my final recommendation and request that Tyris be allowed to attend Command school and Nieves to attend Fighter Combat School upon reaching the proper age. Whoever finds this, please take care of them. Markus Guevara, singing off.
Samantha Martinez scanned the area again, still nothing, even with the newest scanner aptly named the Discovery Scanner it was still a nightmare trying to cut through all the interfearance cast off from the black hole that shared the system with them. Her team had been out here searching for a single modified Falcata for almost 5 days. At this point it was more of an effort to find the remains of the ship to determine what went wrong more than a search and rescue effort. The pilot, and his passengers, a Doctor Guevara and two children that were described in the mission report as being "Of the utmost importance to Maltese Planetary Security" were persumed dead due to lack of Cardimine. She tapped into her Comm system, Alpha lead to Alpha flight, anything new?
This is Alpha two, SSDD.
Alpha three, ditto.
Alpha four here, I may have something, but it may just be a sensor ghost. Im showing a highly degraded ion trail, but it is way off course for the Falcata. Although its halflife suggests that it originated around the same time our Falcata went missing. Do you want me to follow it?
Samantha made another quick pass over her scanners, still noting. This ion train was the first gleam of hope in the search effort so far, and it was worth persuing. All ships rendezvous with Alpha four, this is the first clue weve gotten. Alpha four lead the way. She pulled her ship hard to the left, bringing it into formation with Alpha four. She was now picking up the trail also, and it was leading away from the Omicron Alpha Jump Hole. In fact it was three sectors off course at this point. But as they followed the trail it got stronger.
This is Alpha two I have a metallic object at 042.56 off our Starbord side, distance 3 kilcks, profile matches that of a fighter sized craft. Shes drifting away at 6Kps.
All ships alter course to intercept. Samantha didnt hold her breath, this could just be the remains of some explorer that got caught here by the 101st. The neared the corrdinates, and to her surprise it was a Falcata. She quickly ran a scan, multiple hull fractures, main power off line, minimal life support, and two very weak life signs. We have survivors! Break and take up escort positions. Samantha changed her comm signal, Corsica control this is Alpha flight, we have found the Falcata, and there are two life signs aboard. I repeat there are survivors.
Understood Alpha one, you are hereby ordered to eject the modular cargo bay of the Falcata and tractor it to your ship link up your life sup
This is Alpha three, Sam, two escape pods just launched!
Samantha hit her tractor beam, bringing the pods into her hold. She immeaditly flooded her cargo bay with oxygen. Command, they ejected, I have them in my cargo hold.
Understood, tractor the Falcata back to Malta, the Battleship Maltas Glory is standing by on the other side of the jump hole.
Roger that command, Alpha One out. She switched comm signals back to her teams frequency. Alright you heard them Three and Four get beams on that ship, Two take point and Five cover our six.
This is Five Im picking up some strange readings. Standby Im isolating. Neutron Cannons! Corsairs!
Alpha Fives communication cut out as his ship burst into flames and exploded. The next volley destroyed the stricken Falcata. All ships break, I show four Titans and a Praetorian Bomber. Does anyone have Fives Escape pod? Samantha yelled into the comms as she accelerated to full speed, pulling a sharp right.
This is two Ive got him, but one is right on my six!
Samantha switched to the emergency channel, This is Alpha flight in sector Delta 3 we are under attack by a wing of Corsair fighters and a bomber, requesting immeadite assistance.
This is Corsica Control, we hear you Alpha Lead, we are dispatching two 101st wings to assist. You are ordered to head to the Jump Hole, have your team cover you those children cannot be allowed to fall into enemy hands.
Sir I cant leave my team like this! Samantha replied.
Sam go we dont have time for this! Itll take more than a few cannibals to take us out. Get the cargo to safety!
Ok, Im heading to the hole. She killed her weapon systems and diverted the extra power to the thruster. Trying to cruise would be a rookie mistake. She dodged enemy fire and asteroids with the skill of years on the front lines. Two of the Titans were right behind her. They must really want her cargo for the Corsairs to come here and face certain death. She neared the Jump Hole. Martinez to Maltas Glory Control, I am coming through hot, stand by to engage! She hit the Jump Hole docking sequence as a Salamanca shot took out her thruster. Red light began flashing across her console. (I hope they have a nice welcome party for the scum behind me of this will be over quick.) She exited the Jump Hole and her canopy was filled with the green bulkheads of the Battleship. Its turrets turned in her direction and fired, making quick work of the persuing Titans that had followed her through the hole.
This is Maltas Glory control, Alpha One you are cleared to land, port side docking doors are now open, and medical personnel are standing by. Oh and the Titans in 85 were taken out and your team is alright, they are a resilliant bunch. The 101st is escorting them to Malta.
Samantha sighed, another battle ended, and her team was alright, and they had found the missing Falcata with survivors, this was a good day after all. Understood control, Im engaging auto dock. Alpha One out.
![[Image: Zero.png]](https://image.ibb.co/jZ50Nm/Zero.png)