Space Nemesis

[WP] Humans are the only species in the universe with concepts of hatred and vengeance, and this is what makes us so warlike. The galactic council's decision to punish us for exceeding their arbitrary "population cap" backfires HORRIBLY because of this.

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“Covering news of the devastating attacks from the extraterrestrial invaders, this is CNN, live from Shanghai. Orbital bombardment has been striking the city, and ruined buildings are everywhere. The death toll is nearing 10 million dead in Shanghai alone, with nearly 500 million across the whole of China, and 2 billion across the world.”

“Thank you Shannon. Reports confirm that three alien ships have been shot down over the Midwest by nuclear weapons. This is the wreckage of the ship designated Zeta-9, which had previously been bombarding the city of Indianapolis. Several pieces burned up, but much of the superstructure lies in a smoldering pile near the city center. Scientists are swarming the location.”

The news reel flashed to a slideshow of images of the destruction.

“These are some of the images of the destruction. Berlin. Paris. Tokyo. Istanbul. Moscow. New York. San Francisco. All hit by enemy sub-sonic projectiles. Reports are now coming in of withdrawal from the aliens, seeming to go away. The worst is over, but the death toll is catastrophic. Citizens are advised to stay in bunkers in case of a secondary strike. Death toll now confirmed to be nearly 2.5 billion people.”

I flicked the TV off. To much depression for one day.

“This is FOX News, live in Washington at eight. The president is now giving a speech about what had happened, and the recovery process for the world. Listen.”

“-And I intend, WE intend, the leaders of the world, to not let this travesty against life itself go unpunished. We will go to space, and we will seek retribution, REVENGE, for the untold destruction, all the burning lights of life that have been snuffed out in the blink of an eye.

I have received personal confirmation that scientists, engineers, and physicists are already working in collaboration with the science departments of every major world country to get us out in the galaxy, so we may right the wrongs. Life is a precious thing, and we will not let the death of untold billions go unpunished. The hard workers of the world, every human on earth, are doing their hardest for retribution.

We will not be snuffed out. The fire of life, liberty, and humanity shall set the galaxy ablaze. In whatever way, and EVERY way possible, we will defeat this menace. Humanity has rallied behind a single cause, and we will get vengeance for our brothers, our sisters, our fathers and mothers, and our children who died today.”

“A great promise from our president. Time will tell if that promise is fulfilled. This is FOX News, live from Washington.

Finally. It is done.

Me and my colleagues have worked for years, and finally, found a way to spit in the face of Newton and go faster than light. This engine will be the key to humanities future.

I gazed out of the viewport. I saw the red streak running down my ship, my beautiful dreadnought, the UHSF Hell Let Loose, and the massive hull of the battleships UHSF Wrath of Mankind and the UHSF Rest in Pieces. Quite fitting names. Untold thousands of other ships, ranging from cruisers to fighters, zipped around the big three.

“Begin reactor ignition.”

“Reactor primed, sir!”

“Alright, everyone, fasten your goddamn seatbelts, we’re entering FTL.”

The splitting light of FTL travel caused me to close my eyes. The rhythmic humming of the ship put me ever so slightly at ease. I stood there stoically, watching as the armada emerged from hyperspace, right outside the alien home world.

“Sir, transmission from enemy radios.”

“Pull it up.”

“What is the meaning of this, humans? You said this would be a diplomatic mission. You led us into a lie, a ruse. You are dirty savages.”

“Dirty? SAVAGES!? YOU. YOU, MY FRIENDS, MY BUDDIES, MY ABSOLUTE BFFS, LEFT EARTH IN RUINS, SNUFFED OUT BILLIONS OF INNOCENT LIVES, AND YOU!” I laughed at the absurdness of the situation. “YOU DARE TO CALL US THE SAVAGES? FOR SEEKING VENGEANCE FOR OUR FAMILIES, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO DIED FROM YOUR NEGLIGENCE?”

“Enough of this, human. Submit, our have your puny fleet wiped out.”

“Submit? SUBMIT? You haven’t seen shit yet. All batteries, fire.”

The ship shuddered as every cannon, from point defense to massive octuple railguns fired in the enemy’s direction. The enemy fleet was decimated, as half of it was wiped out in a single blow.

“What is that, human? You destroyed part of the fleet. Congratulations, instead of detainment, you get to die a horrible death.”

“Oh believe me, this big boy isn’t alone.”

I felt even space shiver as every vessel, untold millions emerged into real space.

We outgunned the xenos forty-five to one, and outnumbered them about thirty-seven to one.

“Who is the one dying a horrible death again, mister genocider?”

“You. You. The galaxy will seek vengeance for this betrayal.”

“Oh I don’t think they will, considering I just got a transmission from another fleet.”

“And they got decimated, unlike you savage tricksters?”

“No, in fact, they’re orbiting your home world.”

The xeno froze in shock.

“Wha- what are they doing?”

“What you did to us, 43 years ago.”