STRAIN-R

Strategic Armored Infantry - Return

Authors Note: This was an idea I had after watching the entire Strain series. The original story and characters are not mine.

Prologue:

After Ralph Werec left his sister, Sarah, on the small hill where their parents' graves rested Sarah had only been alone for a few seconds when a shadow loomed over her. Quickly spinning on the spot, she looked up to see Alex, her second 'big brother' looking in the direction Ralph had gone. Alex was a year older than Ralph and was taller by a few inches, was much stronger, and was an orphan. He had been an orphan his entire life and upon becoming an adult he enlisted in the military. After applying for a spot in the Strain division, which he received after acing the entry exam with flying colors, he met Ralph Werec and soon became best friends. As the years progressed Alex and Ralph became the best Reasoneres the academy had ever trained, as well as brothers in all but blood. They were inseparable, even when Ralph went home to visit his sister, Sarah, he would always invite Alex to go with him. Alex and Sarah had also grown close, Alex felt like an older brother to her but she always saw him as her older brothers best friend who had no family, that made her want to help him feel like he had a family, until she was old enough to marry him, then he could be a part of their family for real.

"He always has a hard time saying good bye to you; he's worried that he might never see you again."

"Yes, just like I have a hard time saying good bye to you Alex, but don't worry, soon I'll be old enough to go to the Academy, then I'll transfer into your Strain division, then we can be together forever," Sarah said excitedly.

"Yes but don't be too disappointed if you are placed on a different division than Ralph and myself. Just keep doing your best and always get better."

After a long hug between the two, Alex departed in the same direction Ralph had gone leaving a smiling Sarah looking up at the clear blue sky, excited and anxious to begin her training so she could soar through space with her brother and her secret love.

===Time-Skip 3 Years=== Sub-light-speed travel ===

"Control, this is Delta… the Alpha Strain appears to be working normally, there is no signs of external problems and the integrity appears to be surpassing the estimated results."

"Roger Delta, continue to monitor exterior we will begin sub-light-speed combat testing in a few minutes."

"Control, this is Alpha… All systems are fully online, I'm at maximum power and stats appear to be holding at well above the estimated results."

"Roger that Alpha… continue following your present course and standby for sub-light-speed combat testing."

"This is scout one, pathway is clear... no sign of enemy hostiles… Scratch that, we've got incoming, I repeat we have Deague contacts in…."

"This is scout two, scout one just got shellacked, moving to defensive ARGH….."

"Delta, this is control, we have an unknown Deague contact approaching fast."

"Roger control… Delta, defend the Ship and the Alpha."

"This is scout three, we have a visual on the target….it appears to be some kind of… OH MY GO….."

"Mayday, mayday, mayday… this is the Independence from the Galactic Union. We are under attack from an unknown Deague enemy. We are currently conducting experimental exercises using the Alpha Strain. Can anyone hear us? Mayday…"

Everybody froze when they saw a small speck closing in on the Independence. But before anyone could do anything the Alpha Strain burst into action, moving to shield the Independence from the unknown enemy…

"Control…No matter what happens don't stop transmitting that message," came the distorted voice of the Reasoner piloting the Alpha before the mechanical behemoth burst forward, charging the unknown enemy head on. There was a blinding flash of light… followed by an enormous explosion… then silence.

All that was left was a wreaked Independence and a large cloud of debris floating all around it. The giant ship had exited Sub-light-space in a circular path around an uninhabited planet all the while transmitting the same distress message over and over again.