STGOD 4 Game Thread

[Dahak]

You don't have time to mull over your choices, our fleet is only going to be at the rendevous point for twelve hours. After that no one else is going to be able to join in the expedition. We will go it alone if we have to.

"We came to a descision, and will send a small fleet. We would like to have sent more, of course, but this represents the maximum we are willing to risk.

[InnocentBystander]

Far Point, Monacoran System
Broadcast to: All Nations' Naval Command

We have co-ordinates of a large production center of the Siliconoids. We move to strike now and request that all allied nations that can send a fleet to help us to immeadietly assault our mutual foe. Co-ordinates and time for a rendevous point in deep space are provided. Move now!

<<A detachment from the 1st Expiditariony will assist with the destruction of the Machines>> The message came from the Baeloaren Command Carrier, which had been in Sol, watching the progress of the Archology construction on earth.

[Marcao]

Veithan Space
Al-Quadim System

The message received from the Monacorans had been taken seriously, and passed along to Veitha III in order for the president and his advisors to decide how to best to approach the situation. It was no surprise that the fifth fleet was tasked with representing Veitha during this time, although the entire could not be freed up for the operation. Admiral Stone had been adamant that a strong core of the fifth fleet remain in the Al-Quadim system in order to protect its numerous construction projects. Furthermore, the presence of the Gladsheim task force and the desire of the vice-admiral of joint maneuvers could not be snubbed.

In the end, it was decided that a portion of the fleet would stay behind while another moved on to the rendezvous point. It took less than an hour for the proper selection to be agreed upon, the vessels vanishing into hyperspace as they headed towards their final destination, the rally point set forth by the forces of Monacora.

[admiral_danielsben]

Pulling back the Draconis ambassador, the Union ambassador said. "This time, we need to get down to business. My government is interested in formal diplomatic relations, trade, and a non-agression pact. Is your government also interested in such?"

[admiral_danielsben]

The Union announces that is is interested in non-agression pacts with all the members of the Alliance.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Pulling back the Draconis ambassador, the Union ambassador said. "This time, we need to get down to business. My government is interested in formal diplomatic relations, trade, and a non-agression pact. Is your government also interested in such?"

"Of course. SUch would be in the best interests of both our powers. With as many nations as are here, it is always good to know that at least one is obligated by treaty not to attack you" The ambassador said with a smile

[Straha]

Rendevouz Point

Admiral Santiago looked over the scale of the ships sent. It was impressive. Finally he overcame the awe, so much greater for a Monacoran, to open up a widebeam channel.

"Howdy Gentlemen, this is Captain-Admiral Santiago commander of the Monacoran fleet you see before you. Unless you have any strenuous objections to this I will be comanding this little expedition. We are opening jump gates as we speak, head through them we'll follow you through and then lead you on your way to the enemy. Strict com silence will be enforced, tight-beam transmissions only, and if you can't tight beam it, send it in a shuttle. When we arrive we will remove the threat from space, and then the Marine Attachment will deal with the ground threat. We move quickly, and we move now. Admirals, we would like it if you would join me aboard my ship for a tactical co-operation discussion later in the journey."

And with that said the jump-gates opened, and then the fleets began their journey.

[Bugsby]

After a week of hyperspace transit, the Krell fleet emerged from hyperspace above the Siliconoid world. Quick in-system scans showed the same thing that Nasthar and KSE probes showed a little over a week ago: a huge spire protruding into space, with 3 destroyer hulls being laid in the orbital shipyards. The Krell fleet formed up quickly. No immeidtae siliconoid defense was evident. The fleet surged forward toward the shipyards. It would hit the ships under construction with devastating force, breaking off the attack only to engage siliconoid reenforcements, should any arrive. Missiles and lasers jumped towards the siliconoid hulls, intent on ending any progress the machines had made.

_____________________________________________________________

Around Sirius, the skies were full of spcae traffic. A large convoy of ships was just returning from a delivery to the Covenant worlds. The small escort that had accompanied them broe off and rejoined the rest of the Combine fleets. No blockades were placed around that world, since trouble had not started there yet, but judging on the amount of material moved in, something was about to start there. But for now, that was out of Combine hands.

The convoy escorts did not move into drydock, but rather to join the rest of the massing Combine fleet. These were the ships that had been damaged during the engagement with the Arcanists, rapidly repaired with the aid of the money supplied by the Covenant. A few ships still remained on Sirius to be repaired, but most of the fleet was active and ready to jump, and the Hephaesuts shipyards had finally begun construction on the last portion of the Combine expansion fleet.

While the first fleet was engaging the Mechanoids on the other side of the galaxy, the second fleet was preparing to join them. Word had come from Monacora of a large Siliconoid naval base, Combine second fleet would join the allied strike on the machine world. The last few supply ships were just fading away from the fleet towards Sirius, and soon the fleet began to turn slowly, to match the jump coordinates to the Monacroan rendesvous point. When they arrived, they would follow the rest of the allied fleets in the long journey a week past Shi space to the newly charted regions where mechanicals had been appearing by the thousands. After the attack, it would reform with its sister fleet and scour the area for the Overseer homeworld. Victory was close.

[Thirdfain]

Hyperspace
Time to Target: 35 Hours

Bondman Admiral Atja su Miitgar and Bondwoman General Sara su Kynisnet were escorted to Captain-Admiral Santiago's boardroom onboard the Hector. Experienced veterans of the bloody Battle of Camaro, it was a sign of some respect that their ships and soldiers had been dispatched on the joint mission. The Speaker had ordained that friendly relations would be necessary with at least some of the Human powers, at least for now- and Atja was happy that the Monacorans were on that short list. They'd fought well on Camaro, and were, in his estimation, some of the least detestable flatlanders.

Atja surveyed the crowd of disparate COs- every imaginable type of uniform was on display in the crowded Jardanian-built warship's conference chamber.

"A pleasure, Bondman Santiago, to come aboard your vessel and draw blood by your side. I regret that our troopships are carrying fewer men and women than usual, and many are fresh. We took heavy losses on Camaro, and some of our troops are fresh out of the training camps. Never the less, Sara assures me that her men and women are well-prepared for this sort of tunnel combat. We've also brought some heavy mining machinery; blasting charges and borers."

"In any case, I assume you have a plan?"

[Stormbringer]

"Indeed Admiral Santiago, I hope that there is some plan to this expedition." replied Vice Admiral Stryborn. "With it some plan I'm afraid this turn into a bloody mess"

[Bugsby]

Internal memo
From: Combine Intel Central
To: Adar Krell
CC: Leego Diama
TOP SECRET

Initial analysis of the Covenant funds has yielded the following results:

Analysis of economic patterns that could be the result of a 20 billion credit expenditure are inconclusive. The figure, while hardly a rounding error in a budget, is too small to make any definite impact. In addition to this, there are a few economies about which we know very little, and thus cannot say anything conclusive about. Some known economies showed fluctuations, but those could have been caused by anything. The list of nations that are still considered after examining the economies are the KSE, Gladsheim, the Blood Realm, the UP, Ravenlock, the Ousters, Monacora, the Rh'illorans, and the Shi. In one sense this is a useful list, but in another it is utterly useless at determining exactly who is behind this.

Our tracing of funds was slightly more useful. We have carefully tracked the money that was eventaully given over to the Combine through the Covenant back to a large Basque Corporation. This corporation, based in Nashtar, has large holdings in certain areas of the galaxy and access to a small, somewhat radical news station. The history and backing of the company is rather fuzzy at the moment, but we believe this will be the key link to finding who is sponsoring Covenant terrorists. We request your permission to investigate this corporation much more thoroughly.

-ooc- Thirdfain, post a force declaration on this company... you know the one I mean. Gimme the name, for one (I forget, too lazy to look it up), as well as any other pertinant info. You know I won't metagame, but what is my intel up against, and what could I find out...?

[Alyrium Denryle]

"This is Admiral Desmognathus of the Draconis republic 4th fleet. This fleet can launch 33750 15 megaton missiles every 30 seconds for 300 seconds. Those arent even our heavy weapons. If you want the complete destruction of the siliconods why endanger your troops if we can literally use missiles to tunnel into their fortifications?"

[Straha]

"Indeed Admiral Santiago, I hope that there is some plan to this expedition." replied Vice Admiral Stryborn. "With it some plan I'm afraid this turn into a bloody mess"

"Yes, actually, we do have a plan. I call your attention to the holoscreen. We, the Asgard, and the Floaters will make the initial point entry, clear anything in the way for our assault to come through, and begin the attack. Then the Rest of the forces, minus the Baelorean confederation will come through, we will procede to attack the planet itself, once we have neutralised system defenses Ouster troops will board the ships under construction, and our marines will make a beach-head on the planet structure itself. Then we and the ouster forces will completley storm the complex, salvaging as much as we can. After that is done we will leave, destroy the bottom sturcture. Any questions before we get on to what we plan to do after we capture the system?"

[Alyrium Denryle]

"Not at all. "salvage" was all you needed to say"

[Stormbringer]

Admiral Stryborn studied the holograms closely. He was a bit wary of being sent on point. His was commanding a Battle Cruiser Squadron not a Battle Fleet.

"That seems like an adequate plan. I take it you're not expecting unduly heavy resistance?" The Admiral flashed a wary look at the Monarocan and Ouster officer. "And I fully except that any salvage will be fully shared with all involved in this endeavour."

[Straha]

Admiral Stryborn studied the holograms closely. He was a bit wary of being sent on point. His was commanding a Battle Cruiser Squadron not a Battle Fleet.

"That seems like an adequate plan. I take it you're not expecting unduly heavy resistance?" The Admiral flashed a wary look at the Monarocan and Ouster officer. "And I fully except that any salvage will be fully shared with all involved in this endeavour."

"No, the drone didn't report too much traffic. Besides once we get through the jump gate and clear the immediate area we'll have nearly every combined ship in this fleet in the system. As for salvage, yes. Salvage will be shared equally, with more going to the countries that lost more ships. Also anything taken out of the base itself that we can make copies of will be shared with all powers immeadietly incase we lose mission critical data."

[Alyrium Denryle]

"I will assume our ships and fighters are to provide fire support then?"

[Thirdfain]

"Indeed."

Sara su Kynisnet stood up.

"My ground forces, along with Monacoran marines, will strike the Machine installation at the following eight points, landing in craters dug by high-yeild bunker busters. All my troops are equipped in fully enclosed armor, so they will be able to land even in stil-hot craters. We'll then use our burrowing gear and blasting explosives to cut straight down. Instead of working our way from level to level, we'll infiltrate deep within the facility, and then double back, hitting possible ambushes from unexpected directions. Our aim is complete control of the facility, a goal which will undoubtedly ensure very heavy losses. Almost 2 million of my soldiers are available for the effort, our Marines will be scouring the tower and the remains of the enemy warships."

Bondman Admiral Atja nodded.

"the Baelorean ships will remain in hyperspace as a mobile reserve, and the Draconis vessels will hang back as a mobile in-system reserve. Everyone else will hit the planet dead-on, destroying any defending ships or planetary defenses. The heavy units will hit first, to keep the pressure off lighter squadrons such as your own, Admiral Styborn."

[Stormbringer]

The Asgard Admiral bristled at the merest implication that his command couldn't take care of itself.

"We'll do our jobs, Ouster. We'll do our jobs just fine. Now if we may be about this?"

[Thirdfain]

"If offense was meant, Admiral, it would not be ambiguous. Your vessels are lightly armored in comparison to the Monacoran Jardan-class Dreadnoughts which will form the spearhead. Having your vessels in the paths of the enemy defense batteries would be wasteful, both for us and yourself. Additionally, your vessel's speed means that should some area need fast reinforcement, your vessels would be best suited for answering the call."

[Straha]

Five Days Later

Admiral Santiago strapped himself into the command chair, the fleet was at full readiness and red Alert. Calling up the inter-fleet communications array he begah the speach.

"Alright boys and girls, we be going in, and going in hot. Point fleets, we're going to send in a probe about two parsecs away from the Oort belt. After the probe reports back, and we make any changes according to its data, we gun it. Ready boys?"

With that a probe was shunted out of a hyper space gateway, given ten seconds to record everything it could, then came back in under its own power. It looked like it was there merely to verify the presence of a Siliconoid base, but it provided the fleet with all the overt data it could need for now.

[Stormbringer]

[AINS Repulse, Siliconoid System]

"Bow and stern-walls active. We are now on the ballistic, Admiral."

"Good, stand by. Prepare to roll pods and stand by the EMP missles in the tubes."

"Transition in 5... 4... 3...2....1."

* * *

With that the entire spearhead returned once more to n-space. Immediately the autmated minds of mines began tracking and preparing to fire on the invaders. Several scored hits on some of the Asgard heavy cruisers despite heavy ECM. The response of well drilled crews kicked in and several hundred missles scorched out of the tubes.

Sensors turned to a haze of snow as massive EMP discharges bloomed from the misssle. Designed to incapacitate warships they fried most the more fragile mines systems clearing a corridor from which the Fleets could deploy.

Recon drones spend out from the formation to make more detailed probes.

* * *

"Damage report, Commader?"

"Savage and Stalwart both report significant hits, Admiral. Impeller damage to both. They'll be about 30-40 gees slower. No other serious hits."

"Advance when the rest are ready."

[Marcao]

[OOC] -if anyone wants any changes done to this post, by all means make your desires known in the OOC thread and I will see what I can do.

Unknown Space
Mechanoid Territory
VPX-11 System

The fleets of Monacora, the Ousters and the Veithan Empire slid out of hyperspace into realspace with the grace of stilettos aimed at the heart of the system; Avenging angels ready and willing to assure the mechanoid forces within the system that past wrongs were neither forgotten nor forgiven. The actions by the Asgard forces were duly appreciated, allowing the much larger combined force the opportunity to gather its bearings and begin operations without fear of the minefield that had existed before the deluge of fire from the Asgard forces had snuffed them out.

The Monacoran fleet was the largest of all the powers involved. It was not surprising, considering that it had been Earth that had been ravaged by the Mechanoids. It had been Earth that had bled and screamed as the mechanoid forces tore into her. Billions had died, and each voice that had screamed in fear or pain during the rape of terra bore with it a silent wish, vengeance. It was something that rested within the mind and heart of every Monacoran. It was due to this; more than anything else that the Monacoran fleet took point. The fact that the fleet had been built by the now defunct Jardanian Confederacy was no longer an issue. The ships were Monacoran now, commanded and controlled by crews who had if not lost family on earth, then had lost friends and colleagues. One hundred and thirty five Jardanian built but Monacoran crewed warships took point, spreading into a formation that would allow the ships the greatest amount of tactical flexibility. Escorts screened the larger vessels as the fleet moved, behind them the rest of the forces gathered.

The forces of the Ousters moved behind those of Monacora, screened in part by the bulk of the Monacoran escorts. Nonetheless, they did this not out of cowardice but simple tactics. The Monacoran dreadnoughts were more capable of absorbing fire than the Ousters own attack carriers, and to take the lead in this engagement would be to imply that the Hajr had lost more than the Monacorans. The place of honor, that of leading the assault was that of Monacora and if that meant that the Monacoran fleet would take more damage then so be it. That was the price of honor. Nonetheless, the Ouster forces had no intention of letting undue harm befall their Monacoran allies. The greatest addition to the fleet from the Ouster forces was not only their fighters, but the thirty vampire class escorts which could launch the powerful kinkaid torpedos. There were other advantages of course, and the Ouster forces wasted no time in using them. Several sensor drones were launched, utilizing versions of their kinkaid technology they scouted ahead of the fleet at faster than light speeds. Whatever traps and snares the mechanoids held for the fleet, the drones would ideally see. The information from these drones was shared to the Monacorans and thus, to other members of the fleet.

The Veithan forces moved into position behind and to the sides of the Ouster forces. The formation chosen to augment those picked by the Ouster and Monacoran forces. Veithan sensor drones were launched, coordinating with Ouster and Asgard drones in order to cover the maximum area of space within the system beneath their sensor coverage. Defense drones were added to the mix, positioning themselves in order to interdict in coming missile or small craft. The attack of terra had suggested that the enemy relied exclusively on kinetic weaponry, but there was no room for assumptions in war. The three fleets moved as one, although coordination was far from perfect it was still good enough to impress. It was a sight that was beautiful and frightening, three distinct fleets arrayed together for a common goal. It was a pity that it would be possible only against a common enemy. Politics got in the way of idealism, but for the moment the three individual nation fleets behaved as a singular whole. For the moment, their goals were the same. For the moment, they all agreed on who to kill.

It did not take long for the veritable horde of drones from three distinct member nations and others to peel away the secrets the system held. The defenses of the Mechanoid forces at least those not employing powerful cloaks or running totally unpowered in the depths of space were discovered. The information was shared to fleet command. The plan would be carried out. Anything unfortunate enough to get in their way would be brushed aside, like pagans beneath the wrath of an angry god. The Monacoran forces lead the way, and the others followed. Admiral Santiago secure aboard the Dreadnought Hector opened a secure channel to the Ouster flagship, the Inevitable Ascendance and the Veithan flagship the Persephone.

Admiral Santiago: “Well, we have seen all we can apparently. The plan remains, I will lead as planned. By all means feel free to demolish whatever defenses you can, but leave the Dreadnoughts crippled. We want them relatively intact.” There was a touch of dry humor at the comment, a grim smile upon his lips.

Admiral Atja su Miitgar: “Agreed Admiral. We will make the mechanoids understand the depth their mistake.”

Vice-Admiral Helen Renara: “Confirmed Admiral. Make us a hole, and we will follow. It is about to be a bad day in this system.”

Admiral Santiago pleased by the response he had received, closed the channel. The other forces had their own tasks but were not under his direct command. Nonetheless, they were all capable people and he did not feel the need to remind them of why they were here. He sat more comfortably upon his Earth built chair, one of the few changes that had been managed to have been made to the vessel so far. He took a deep breath, his eyes sliding to his command console which showed allied forces and that arrayed against them. His lips parting as he spoke to his flag bridge. “The fleet will advance and fire on all designated targets.” The Monacoran fleet accelerated to attack speed, the rest followed.

The missiles fired first, the Jardanian built Monacoran fleet spitting out its payload of x-ray and anti-matter missiles before any other fleet. The Ousters fired second, followed three tenths of a second later by the Veithan forces. However, thanks to their kinkaid drives it was the Ouster missiles which arrived upon their destination first. The sheer speed and surprising agility of the Kinkaid Torpedos allowed them to strain point defense guns to their limit. However, the number of torpedos in space was relatively unimpressive in comparison to the seeming tide of ordnance that was inbound from the Monacoran and Veithan fleets. The Kinkaid torpedos exploded into tremendous fireballs, tearing at the Mechanoid defense constructs. When the Monacoran and Veithan salvo reached their targets, mechanoid point defense was lessened, sensor systems dueling with the electronic counter measures of both missiles and the three incoming fleets. It was not surprising that Monacoran and Veithan missiles paid a much higher price than Ouster missiles in their penetration of Mechanoid point defense. There were however, a lot more of them. X-ray lasers and anti-matter bloomed to life among Mechanoid defenses and the shipyard itself, hundreds of tiny stars blooming to life before extinguishing themselves.

It was a testament to the mechanoid defenses that they did not crumble beneath the potent missile strikes against them. The defenses resisted with inhuman tenacity, but that had been taken into account by the plan; The combined fleets well aware that they would have to come into direct fire weapons range in order to cement their chances for victory and so they did. The Monacoran forces lead the way, followed by the Ouster and Veithan elements. It was when they reached the outer edges of direct fire weaponry that the battle was truly joined. The Monacoran forces by virtue of being on the lead received the highest concentration of surviving fire, but whatever could be said about the Jardanians one thing became immediately clear. Their shipbuilding capabilities had been up to the task. Jardanian shields met the mechanoid railguns head on, shields holding as their own response tore at the battered down mechanoid defenses.

Missile fire was added to the mix, shorter ranges dictating slower response times for enemy point defense. Of all the fleets, the Ousters exploited their big and remarkably fast Kinkaid torpedos to the fullest. Vampire class torpedo frigates hung back behind the brawlers, lashing out occasionally with ordnance that seemed to teleport next to shields. At these ranges, intercepting kinkaid torpedos would take more luck than skill, unless the mechanoids had come up with some tricks or two. The defenses were the primary targets and each was targeted for a ridiculous amount of punishment. The majority of the defenses which succumbed to the assault were not simply disabled or broken apart, they were vaporized.

In any battle however, there will be losses and this was no exception. After the fleets had reached direct fire range, their formations had widened slightly, the Ousters and Veithans seeking to exploit their maneuverability advantage without exposing their Monacoran ally to concentrated fire from the mechanoid defenses. Mechanoid railguns were quite potent, and although the battle was crawling with ECM from all nations, that law of averages dictated that sooner or later when it was your time to die, you died. Nonetheless, it appeared that the battle had been decided well before the actual engagement. Unless the Mechanoids had an entire deck up their sleeve, they would lose the shipyard.

It had been the hordes of Ouster small craft, in conjunction with the VNS Persephone and the Hector that breached the shields of the mechanoid shipyard. Without its powerful energy shields, it fell prey to concentrated fire from Ouster small craft as they daringly flew along the sides of the vessel and lashed out with their onboard weapon systems. The Dreadnoughts were singled out for considerable punishment, but they were not destroyed. The allied forces had plans for them.

The planet fared poorly, its orbital defenses maimed by allied missile strikes before brushed aside by direct fire attacks. The Mechanoid base was identified, and a contingent of allied forces took great pains to blast eight distinct and separate entry points for allied infantry. The battle in space was now over, it was now time for the Ouster and Monacoran ground forces to display their skills, and undoubtedly die for the cause. The memory of Earth, demanded nothing less.

[SirNitram]

The collosal tower that was the Overseer's shipyard was emitting smoke and debris into space now. The hulls that had been there had actually launched and fought, or at least tried. One Battleship, little more than an engine block and a Fusion Cannon along the spine of the scaffolding, had tried to respond to the closing of ranges by targetting Monacoran troop ships and blasting away until it could no longer fire.

The Dreadnoughts, first started here and therefore furtherest along, were disabled. They were nearly complete; shielding arrays hadn't been finished, so when the first layer overloaded, the ship was exposed. Massive hulks six miles in length now drifted quietly, ready for invasion by the troops.

The tower itself? Power was still on in most levels. The telltale signatures of Constructs pervaded every single deck of the incredible structure; millions of them scuttled through it.

The actual shipyard equipment was.. Oddly familiar...

[Thirdfain]

Unknown Space
Mechanoid Territory
VPX-11 System

Bondwoman General Sara su Kynisnet was curled up into a ball before the massive command and control station deep in the Inevitable Ascendence's bowels. From there, through her inplants and the array of consoles and bevy of subordinates around her, she would command the attacks on both the Machine world itelf and the massive Machine dreadnoughts which were listing, gravityless and ruined, above the planet.

The Fleet's troop transports, behind the defensive wall of allied warships, were launching swarms of fast dropships towards the planet below. A number of heavy lifter barges were following, loaded with the mining equipment fundamental to the Hajr's plan for the machine base in system VPX-11. Sara wondered briefly what it must be like for the 50 thousand Hajr gropos in the first wave- of all the two million troops allocated to the assault, they were estimated to take the most casualties- up to 90%. They would be crammed in the dropship bays, a hundred men and women in light power-armor, protected only by a thin layer of armor and shields from the enemy air defense batteries. Their escorting frigates and fighter squadrons would rapidly shatter any guns which the Machines kept silent until the last minute, but not before any such covert batteries could extract a toll in blood.

The first wave of fighters dropped tactical nukes into the eight holes which had been drilled into the Mechanoid base. Into those radioactive breaches, the first dropships landed, swarms of furious Hajr soldiers pouring. It would be a butcher's yard, as they met the Constructs head-on, their fletchers set to penetrate inches of solid armor. The thick, blinding white of Hellthrower sprays played up and down the cramped corridors. Metal ran like water under the furious assault.

Screams filled the tunnels as well- Construct weapons punched through the armor of the Hajr's gropos, and soon, the air was full of drifting droplets of blood and severed limbs.

Meanwhile, over the planet, fast-attack transports were latching on to the disabled warships. The Hajr Marines dispatched to clense the massive machine vessels were literally the finest zero-G fighters in Known Space, and they were equipped for bear, with jazzers loaded with anti-armor rounds, heavy fletchers, and combat xasers. The cramped, confining tunnels of the Machine ships were designed for robotic repair devices, not human boarders, and the conditions would have been suboptimal- for troops not raised in the rabbit-warrens of an Ouster cluster.

For over 75,000 Ousters, the battle of VPX-11 had begun in earnest- and there were hundreds of thousands more w=on the following waves, prepared to sweep the Machines away in a tide of blood and steel.