Tag: Wheelchair Wars

Wheelchair Wars 3 (Part 23)

The Tyranid menace rained down from orbit in ever heavier waves. A long-orbit satellite, already the last functional confirmed that they were committing their entire fleet. Life on this planet and possibly thousands more now hung in the balance.

Screams of panic came from outside. Timothy had the large metallic doors sealed.

Timothy could see the intense fighting throughout the planet. Some minor fortifications had already fallen. But Timothy had ensured that a nasty surprise awaited the seeming victors. The fortifications were all rigged to explode. It was merely a matter of pressing a button on his screen. Alien and human life incinerated in an instant.

Another even nastier surprise was the use of the atom bombs. These were strictly prohibited as a threat to stability, not only under the Emperor but every other Empire in the galaxy too. But Uisneach as a free world had forged its own path.

The President had argued against their use but Timothy had convinced him that it was the only way. Of course, he had insisted on a limit to the number that would be used fearing that the planet would be left a toxic wasteland. Timothy had nodded dutifully, then ignored him.

The Tyranids had formed large biospheres near the largest cities. Timothy had heard about these super monsters before. They had to be stopped before they tore down the defensive positions. He gave the order for the first thirty nuclear missiles to launch.

Some of them target spaceships in low orbit. For a few moments, the room went deathly quiet. Then large cheers went up as one large mushroom cloud and then another rose into the atmosphere. Timothy immediately ordered the next round of missiles to be prepared. But the Tyranids changed their tactics pulling their ships back from low earth orbit and spreading out on the ground.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (22)

Timothy found himself hitting his pen off the table as he waited hour after hour in the control room for the battle to begin. An update was given every thirty minutes on the Tyranid fleet. It became that their whole armada would be involved.

The latest report told him that the Tyranid fleet had entered orbit. But he didn’t need the update. The gasp from those around him as the images from the multitude of cameras positioned all over the planet dimmed one after the other.

This was what he had been waiting for. The planet’s military leaders were all on the console in front of him kitted out in full military attire.

“Fire the planetary defense and do not stop until the enemy has been defeated.”

Timothy glanced over at the display to his left. It showed that the large guns were cutting a swathe through the enemy fleet. Then their response came.

The skies grew darker still as large and small explosions began to pulverize the surface of the planet, especially close to its two megacities.

Timothy once more turned to the console. The military men mostly looked stern and determined but others were nervously twitching.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for. Keep me updated at all times.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (21)

A few days later, news filtered through that the Tyranid swarm had entered the star system. In just a few hours their attack will have started. The Ambassador’s ship had left orbit.

Timothy felt so alive. Life felt good. The faces of dread on those around him could not quell his spirits. This was what he had been born to do.

He went straight to the command to view its screens of what was happening across the planet. Uisneach’s generals had been well informed of exactly how matters would progress. It had been a shock for them at the meeting when he informed them that Tyrranids in human form were already walking among them. They were here to sew dissent among the masses and to launch suicidal attacks on critical infrastructure such as the power grip and key communication installations just prior to the main attack.

They had listened. Their doctors postulated that they could be rooted out through a blood test. A back story was then fabricated about the population needing to receive a vaccine. What followed was a series of attacks against the injection centers. Horrific pictures were beamed across the planet of father’s carrying blood soaked children in their arms, of mother wailing over small bodies. But from a military perspective, it was a total success. Nothing of military or strategic value had been lost, and the Tyranid first wave had been extinguished.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (20)

The President had a vast array of advisors none of whom had ever seen combat. Still, he listens to each of them attentively. He had summoned Timothy to his war cabinet over two hours ago. Still, he had barely the opportunity to speak among the chatter of economic support and financial precariousness. They didn’t seem to be getting the dire nature of their situation.

They were dressed in suits. None of them were carrying weapons apart from Timothy. A rookie mistake. There could be a Tyranid sleeper agent among them.

Eventually, he snapped.

“We need to discuss our war strategy. This other nonsense can wait.”

The room immediately went quiet.

The President met his eyes.

“Yes, you are right. These issues can be dealt with by those who survive.”

“Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to recommend the following strategy and the relevant preliminary must be put in place at once.”

There were gasps and murmuring as he went through it.

The President then spoke.

“Timothy, we value human life here. We can’t just sacrifice such vast numbers.”

“Then you and everyone here will die Mr. President. The Tryanids do not feel pity or remorse. They feel nothing at all. All they do is consume world after world mercilessly. And this world will be next if you don’t follow my advice.”

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (19)

The days passed and Timothy and his troops grew to know what was a new world. Timothy was continually impressed. It had progressed beyond anything that he had expected. The only thing that bothered him was most of the progress was made after the Emperor’s grip on the planet had been loosened. This was not the way it way it should be. It was thought that the Emperor was the savior of humanity.

It was something of a shock that women were now treated on a par with men. In the latest wheelchair wars, they tried to reduce the bloodletting as much as possible. The poor’s health needs were met almost as much as those of the rich.

The Emperor’s ship had never left orbit. He sensed the nervousness of the people. They feared his return only slightly less than that of the impending Tyranid invasion. On a trip to the surface, he saw people pointing to its proximate location in the now blue sky.

He wondered if one of the Gods of Chaos was at work in the World but they were far from the Warp and the telepaths among his troops sensed nothing. A terrible truth dawned on him. They were doing better due to the Emperor’s absence.

He decided to rid his mind of such thoughts by focusing on the planet’s defense. After learning more, he was now quietly feeling more confident.

The planet had multiple lines of defense. The first was its multiple-battery orbit guns dotted around the planet. They were the best Timothy had ever seen. Almost too good. Who were they to be originally used against?

Then there was the planet’s federal army, which consisted of a land force, a navy, and a space force. The best troops in the land forces were modeled on the Space Marines and had undergone body augmentation and were fitted with the best lasers and blasters that money could buy.

The navy consisted of hundreds of battleships, aircraft carriers, and corvettes. The space force had nearly a thousand advanced fighters but no large ships.

There was also a territorial army, a large reserve force containing millions of men, albeit much more lightly armed with mostly machine guns and rocket launchers.

Finally, there were the militia. These had the poorest equipment and consisted of the young and old who were able to fight.

Now, it was a matter of finalizing exactly how the planet’s defenses would be used with the planet’s President.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (18)

The name caught him off guard and he merely nodded in agreement. He looked around and could not see the face of his enemy. And anyway, the Tyranids had to be stopped. Surely, this would be the will of the Emperor

Their leader spoke once more.

“Perhaps you would like to rest? There has been much for you to take in.”

Timothy looked over at his loyal troops who were waiting patiently at the rear of the large cavernous chamber. His mind was made up in an instant.

“Yes, please show me and my men to our quarters. There will be enough time for war.”

“As you wish.”

Timothy thought that was the end of the surprises but he was wrong. Even the residential units were splendid with ample space, and marble floorings, and the furniture was of the finest wood. He instructed his carebot to lay him on the bed. It was made of the finest cotton. And this wasn’t an exceptional quarter. An ordinary family had lived here. They had been moved to make way for him. And each of his men had something similar.

After a few minutes, he realized there would be no offering of women and drink. How times had changed? He slowly drifted off asleep.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (17)

When the train stopped, they were led out into a large cavern. Timothy struggled to believe his eyes. The walls were covered in live video streams of strategic positions throughout the planet. Then in the distance after an array of desks and computers was what was the main console.

Timothy powered his wheelchair forward not quite sure if he could believe his eyes and then whispered.

“You have a planetary defense system?”

The tall, muscular man walked up alongside as the clattering of shoes against the floor, and the sound of computer keys getting pressed fell silent.

“Yes, we do. After my election..”

“Election!”

Timothy immediately activated the armaments on his wheelchair and prepared to fire. Never before had he heard such heresy. Only the Emperor or his ambassadors can appoint leaders.

“Before you fire, there are certain things you should know. Firstly, we are of the same blood. I am one of your many descendants. Secondly, we only began elections after the Emperor gave up on this world. The ambassador on this planet left once he saw the Tyranid fleet head in this direction.

This world was on the precipice of disaster but then we thought of Wheelchair Wars and that our heroes would never just give up.”

Timothy’s finger was almost on the button to fire but it never went further. The wheelchair returned to its normal state.

“My name is Timothy The Younger by the way.”

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (16)

They led him into the heart of the city. It was clear that everything had changed utterly from when he was last there. There was a natural smile on the people’s faces, they looked radiant and full of happiness in their immaculate white robes. The floor and walls looked like marble and the entire place was well lit. It smelled of the roses that were interspersed along each corridor. And this wasn’t the upper echelons of the city. Not even close, not that that seemed to matter. There were elevators dotted around the place with people coming and going as they pleased. It was strange. The people felt free. Timothy felt an intense pride in what had been achieved.

It wasn’t long before the fingers started to point at Timothy and his entourage. First, it was just the younger ones, and the older ones looked somewhat stunned. Then the furious clapping started. The crowds grew thick. It reminded Timothy of his great victories, and yet it seemed a different world, if not a different universe.

After a few minutes, they reached an international train transportation system. An open carriage was waiting for them. It was wide and spacious. Once, they were inside the doors automatically closed. It quickly transported them into the heart of the huge city. It was swift, even faster than what it had been centuries ago.

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (15)

Timothy brought his battle chair to a halt a few feet from the welcoming party. A tall muscular man kitted out in body armor and carrying a large laser on his back began to speak.

“Timothy, welcome home! Everyone here already feels like they know you to some extent. Everybody has seen the replays of your most famous battles fighting for the Omega. You are also family to a significant portion of us, including myself.”

Timothy had intended to let him finish speaking but just found himself blurting out –

“Family?”

“Yes, family. All those women you had during your prime fighting days sired many births. Then after you left, any trace of you was highly valued and your offspring sired many, many more. Not just on this planet but throughout the sector. For instance, you are my great three times grandfather. So, you are not just here to defend your homeworld but also your progeny.”

For a brief few moments, Timothy was stunned but he regained his composure.

“Well, I better get to it. There is a war to be won.”

“Follow me. The planet has much changed since you were last here I’ve told. The air wasn’t even breathable.”

“Indeed and I had been hoping to use that to our advantage. Those plans will have to change.”

Wheelchair Wars Part 3 (12)

All of Timothy’s former confidence and exuberance returned in the coming days. Finally, he would be back on his homeworld and there was a glorious battle to look forward to. That part though increasingly worried him. Even as he drilled his loyal troops in the shuttle area, negative thoughts and those bordering on chaos kept entering his mind.

Would he be able to watch the obliteration of his world if commanded?

If the Emperor was truly all powerful surely he could snap his fingers and put the enemy out of existence?

He knew such thoughts were heresy. But still they came.

Instead he tried to think of the positives. Of seeing his father and Audrey again.

He patiently waited till the day came that he could set his wheels on Uisneach once more. And he knew that it had arrived when the summons to the bridge came.

He drove out onto the bridge in full military regalia with all his medals proudly strapped to his chest.

But then he stopped his wheelchair stunned, his mouth ajar at what he saw in front of him.

It was Uisneach and yet it wasn’t. He recognized the two megacities protruding from the planet but other things were so different. He had expected to see a barren, poisoned world but there were lush forests, grasslands and agricultural fields covering the planet with ostensibly human settlements dotted throughout. The sea was a deep blue hinting at abundant marine life.