[HH-STGOD] Main Story Thread

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-10 10:15pm

We're getting under way. Just as a reminder the time setting is just after Haven announced it's new fleet during War of Honor.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-10 11:04pm

[Andermani Imperial Palace, New Potsdam]

The current Andermani Emperor sat amidst his councilors, not the formal body but his informal circle. After listening to the officials bickering over the Havenite bombshell he had simply had enough and dismissed them all. Hopefully these handpicked advisors would be able to make some sense.

"I don't care how they did it. I don't want to hear why we didn't hear about this. I just want straight answers on what it means and why the Peeps tipped their hand now." growled His Majesty.

Chen-lu Anderman shifted in his seat.

"I think it's painfully obvious. The Peeps got tired of speaking softly and decided to wave their big stick under the Manties nose." He frowned a little, "They want to show they won't be dictated to by High Ridge and his cronies. It's way of shocking them out their complacency. Their new fleet, regardless of whether they have carriers, is enough to force Manticore to take them seriously."

Gustav Anderman nodded. This was about what he expected.

"So in other words they're showing them they're willing to fight?"

"Yes, and that they're got the ships to do it."

"What does this mean for our plans in Silesia? I want your honest opinion, I'm not the military man you are."

"We can either drop it, settle it up with Manticore and gain some of our goals or we can pull the trigger. Frankly.... I'm for settling. The Manties are too weak to take both us and Haven. If we push it now we risk winding up with Haven for a neighbor. The Manties are too weak to stand up to them and Haven'll back into a wall. It'll be war, especially with this bunch of buffoons in charge."

Chen-lu took a deep breath.

"Settle with Manticore. We're not likely to get a better deal and we're risking more than we can afford if we don't."

***

The Emperor made his decision shortly after. Diplomatic couriers began hustling to Andermani Junction terminus.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-08-11 12:24am

Marina Estrella De Mazapan (MEM) Headquarters
Aztlana Station
High Orbit, Mazapan

"Your objectives are simple, gentlemen. We must gain immediate control of the wormhole nexus. Admiral De Soto, that is your target. You have the 1st and 2cnd Superdreadnought squadrons, along with half our battlecruisers. You'll be going in first, and engaging the nexus fortresses directly. Our last merchanter through took careful note of their positions, and our men on the indisde confirm that there are no relocations schedualed. Your mission is the most important, as control of the nexus is control of the system. You will also be escorting the strike transports to the traffic control station."

"Admiral Morientes, you have the 1st Dreadnought squadron, and the other half of our battlecruisers. You will strike directly towards the secondary target. Eliminate all enemy vessels in the area, but remember your objectives."

"You may have noticed that Admiral Portillo is not with us. His elements, including heavy cruiser squadrons one through three will be arriving in-system fifteen minutes after initial contact. With him will be our entire complement of raiding craft."

"De Soto and Morientes, remember that the towed pods will significantly decrease acceleration. You of course will ensure that all plans take this into account.

"You have twelve hours to complete preparations. Godspeed, gentlemen."

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-08-11 05:58am

Haven, Nouveau Paris, Presidential Office

"Well," Eloise Pritchard cleared her voice, "that went well, so far. Let's just hope we stirred the Manties enough to at least realize that we mean business. I'm tired of pussyfooting around them. If we don't get our territory back, we damn well take it, as much as I dislike going to war again." She sighed. "And that whole Giancola business is still very untoward."
"I don't miss him and his cronies all that much," Thomsa Theisman said, "it couldn't come at a better time..."
"I know, Tom," her eyes wandered off to some painting on the wall, and she mused for several seconds. "You know, the new Manticoran leadership has shown to be a bit more responsive to our demands. We might actually get this done without blood-shed."
"Good to hear," his forehead crinkled as he was thinking about the whole situation. "But I think we should still go on with Operation Thunderbolt, just to be prepared if it was just another ruse."
"Yes, yes, you're right, Tom. And we might be able to get the Alliance to crack, at least a bit. Erewhon was very disapointed with Manticore, and we'r eintensifying the talks, may even get a Non-aggression treaty out of them. But what about the fleet?"
"Shannon is doing tremendous progress. Now that we've gone public, we should divert more money to Bolthole, to increase construction numbers. But I'm quite sure we could curb-stomp the Manties if we choose so."
"Very well," she looked at him with a dangerous glinting in her eyes. "Go on, then."

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-08-11 07:49pm

Queen Elizabeth glared at her Prime Minister and his flunkies, this time not bothering to hide her contempt. "How do you expect to wiggle out of this one, Janvier" she snarled.

"Your Majesty, there is no need for alarm, clearly the Republic of Haven is trying to appear more dangerous than they could possibly be. As soon as we get reliable intelligence reports, rather than blatant Havenite propaganda, we will re-assess the threat, but there is really nothing to worry about."

"If you bothered to read the reports Grayson has sent to us, you would know that if anything Pritchart has been down-playing their power. But I suppose you have been too busy milking your 'Peace Projects' for all of the cash you can take without anyone noticing" She paused briefly to smirk at the flashes of alarm that appeared on the faces of the guilty parties. "But maybe I'm being unfair, I'm certain that needlessly dragging out the peace process and alienating our allies has taken far to much of your time recently."

High Rige rallied magnificently, his voice perfectly shocked as he said "Your Majesty, I fail to see what purpose these wild accusations serve,isn't this more suitable for the tabloids?"

"You know, its interesting Michael, that certain laws seem to have gone completely ignored for the longest time. The Treecat Testimony act, enacted after the assasination of Crown Princess Adrienne, has gone almost unoticed for decades, possibly because no one has quite been stupid enough to lie about criminal proceedings in front of one", At this, her 'cat, Ariel, made a clearly rude gesture with both true-hands, "Then there's the fact that criminals of this magnitude discovered within close proximity of the Monarch of the Star Kingdom are not subject to the normal rules of due process." At this, the members of the Queen's Own in the room leveled their weapons at the condemned "Before you protest, its this, or the Protector of Grayson has his Champion challenge you to cleanse the stain your treatment of his nation has created under an over-looked article of Grayson law. I'm sure you remember who his Champion is. Get this scum out of my sight" she ordered the guards, who none too gently hustled the former decision-makers of Manticore out of the room.

"Right, I want our best diplomat on a dispatch boat to Haven by the end of tonight, with recall orders for those bloated slugs we've been paying. I need our next best man on his way to Erewhon yesterday, to try to fix that mess, and the next in line to the Andermani to try to settle that before we get ourselves into a three-front war. Re-Activate White Haven, and have him go to Grayson to ask for their assistance until we can get ourselves back together."

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-08-11 08:18pm

Mazapan System

The entire Mazapani superdreadnought fleet, along with sixty escorting battlecruisers and a swarm of lighter escorts, began it's hyper-translation.

Meanwhile, the Second Fleet, with it's 16 smaller Dreadnoughts, settled down to wait.

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » 2003-08-11 08:47pm

"Mister President, considering the latest announcements out of Haven plus our unofficial contacts with there government, and the continuing disruptions in our relationships with Manticore, I think we should call most of our fleet back to the home system."

The President of Erewhon looked at his Secretary of the Navy and considered this advice. He really didn't like the look of the coming war, Erewhon seemed to be stuck in the middle of a fight that didn't even really concern them.

It was all the fault of his predecessor, if it hadn't been for that idiot he wouldn't be stuck between two hostile powers. Though he had to admit that Manty tech exchange had been very benficial to the navy.

"Yes starting concentratign the navy back home. I want you to organize the Navy into two independent Fleets, with no allied support, designate them first and second fleet."

"Yes sir, but why two fleets?"

"We'll discuss that later, good day."

"yes sir."

For now Erewhon would wait and see what way the wind would blow.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-11 10:17pm

[Andermani Embassy - Landing, Manticore]

Special Ambassador Fredrick Anderman sat on the balcony overlooking Jason Bay. It had been two weeks since he had landed and still nothing. He was frustrated and annoyed. In all his time he hadn't gotten any closer to... anything.

Since Elizabeth had decided to dismiss the High Ridge government and constitutional crisis be damned no had time for any mere foriegner. No matter how important, no matter how urgent they wouldn't see him. Instead he had been shuffled between one flunky and the next. He, a Special Ambassador appointed by the Emperor himself!

Now he felt doubt. He had been sent to conclude a treaty with Manticore on the matter of Silesia. And if Manticore wouldn't deal he was ordered to head to Haven and see if they would.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-08-12 09:36am

Bolthole, Somewhere hidden in Havenite space

"They are magnificient, are thy not?" Thomas Theisman observed as he looked through the window out at the Temeraire moored there.
"Yes, they are, sir," and he could make out more than just a tinge of pride in Shannon's voice. "We're producing as fast as we can. I think we should soon have the strength you need for Thunderbolt."
"Good," he nodded. "And about those BC(P)s you have thought about? Got any costruction space you can spare?"
"Yes, incidentally. Since Pritchard boosted our budget quite drastically, we'd been able to get several new yard facilities. So I have some slips for the Ctesiphon project ready. I'll hope to get you some within this year."
"We could need them... I'm not looking forward to war, but if there is no other way..."

***

Meanwhile in Nouveau Paris

"Welcome to Haven, Ambassador," Eloise Pritchard smiled amiably at the new Manticoran ambassador to Haven. "I hope that we will come to a better understanding than with the old High Ridge Government. You have got the latest dipatch? We are willing to allow votes for those three worlds currently in dislike of Haven in general. The other planets currently under your occupation are another matter entirely."
She leaned back, and waited for the ambassador to speak...

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-08-13 12:11am

Asgard System, outer reaches.

The First Fleet burst out of hyper- over two hundred warships total, headed by thirty-two of the wall. Each warship carried a swarm of pods under tractor.

"Status report- how much of the Asgard fleet is in system?"

--
ooc- How many Asgard vessels are there for me to deal with? I would assume that my Naval Intelligence would at least have an idea...
--

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2003-08-13 12:05pm

"So exactly what does Intel suggest is going on?"

The question came from a totally nondescript man, seated at the head of a table surrounded by grey suits. The tiny industrial world of Bean Sidhe, closer to both Manticore and Haven than to Sol, had never been one to ignore interstellar politics...particularly when they influenced the markets.

"Our best guess is that Thomas Theisman, the new head of the Navy, is the one really running things. We believe that Eloise Pritchart, the nominal President of Haven, is really a hand-picked figurehead to deflect any blame."

"That's your analysis, Gerald. I still think..."

"We know what you think, Danielle, and I still think you're wrong. Theisman wouldn't go off and surrender power that easily, not after what the Committee did to the People's Navy, and Pritchart wouldn't allow such a buildup of naval forces in the hands of such a popular officer. Sir," this addressed once more to the head of the table, "the majority opinion is that we should attempt to trade with both sides. The Havenites could still use our technology to upgrade their fleet, even this so-called "Bolthole Fleet," and our R&D people are very interested in the pod superdreadnoughts and the LAC carriers. Harry?"

"R&D feels that we can copy the so-called SDPs and CLACs, but it would be much quicker if we could obtain the data rather than develop by trial-and-error on our own. Particularly that Grayson-developed fission plant that our operative claims they're using. We also think that there could be a place for lighter ships to be a pod design. Manticore seems to have slipped into a bigger is better mentality, and forgotten the use of light raiders. This...tactical development might be worth mentioning to the Havenites."

"Very well, ladies and gentlemen. As is usual, we will attempt to obtain whatever information we can, and we will trade with the Pee...Havenites. Jim, try to weasel something more than a squadron of light cruisers for system defense; I don't want any Manties pulling a repeat of the Hope incident if a Havenite ship decides to stop over for repairs. Meeting dismissed."

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-08-13 04:37pm

Dahak's section:

"Madame President, we have done our own analysis of the situation and whole-heartedly agree, and are even now moving to withdraw our forces from the systems that do not desire our presence. We apologise for the fact that withdrawing all of our forces will take a month, the High Rige Embarrassment's ideas for proper garrisons means that we are unable to just have our ships vacate the system, and must task other assets to retrieve them. With your permission, we would like to establish more normal trade relations between our two powers. However, we do require that the still outstanding murder conviction of Duchess Steadholder, Knight Commander Admiral Harrington be erased from the record, a note that has gone overlooked through two regime changes on your part."

(Your intelligence assets easily determine that I am telling the truth, and may not finish reporting back to you before the withdrawal is complete, I for one have no desire to get curbstomped)
****************

StormBringer's section:

"What do you mean the Andermani have had a special ambassador here for the last two weeks, get him in here now" Queen Elisabeth snapped at her staffer.

*ten minutes later*

"We apologise for the delay Ambassador Anderman, things have been more than a little chaotic lately, and we have actually sent our own special ambassador to your government. The short version is this: The Silesian situation is intolerable, and has been for sometime. If there was any way to establish an even moderately honest and honorable home-grown regime, we would do so, as things stand, the only path that we can see to end the constant danger to the citizens of Silesia and our own interests is for order to be imposed from the outside. We are willing to cooperate with your government and military in this matter, to put it bluntly, to carve the place up between us, as long as the pointless suffering stops."

*meanwhile, in the Andermani home system(Pottsdam?)*

"...as long as the pointless suffering stops" the Manticoran Ambassador concluded, completely unaware of the gratuitously cliched synchronicity, "Would such an arrangement be agreeable to Your Majesty?"

*Domestic stuff*

"So Hemphill thinks she has a way to make non-pod ships of the wall into a more viable combat platform?"

"Yes, but only if the new units work as
projected, either way, its still six months until we get back on our feet. That's a long time these days"

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-13 05:16pm

"We apologise for the delay Ambassador Anderman, things have been more than a little chaotic lately, and we have actually sent our own special ambassador to your government. The short version is this: The Silesian situation is intolerable, and has been for sometime. If there was any way to establish an even moderately honest and honorable home-grown regime, we would do so, as things stand, the only path that we can see to end the constant danger to the citizens of Silesia and our own interests is for order to be imposed from the outside. We are willing to cooperate with your government and military in this matter, to put it bluntly, to carve the place up between us, as long as the pointless suffering stops."

Fredrick Anderman listened to the prepared speech with a profound disinterest. It was obviously memorized and wasn't of much practical use to him.

"I think we all can agree that Silesia is a bloody mess. In fact, thanks to your own pull back it's been bloodier there than in centuries. Silesia being Silesia, the violence has spilled over into it's immediate neighbors. We've suffered increasing attacks until we've had no choice but to move in and impose order. The IAN has had step in and bust heads to keep the whole thing from self destructing."

The man wound up to make his own little speech.

"There for we wish to divide Silesia up. We will take the southern and western quadrants and central portion of Silesia, excepting Sidemore. Those are closer to our border and naturally we feel responsible for them. And to be frank, unlike you we have the naval forces left to actually impose order. All portions will be included with full rights and privileges of Imperial worlds. Naturally a full agreement can be finalized at a later date."

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-08-13 05:21pm

Consequence section:

We fully appreciate your decision to come to terms with us. If you so choose, we are even willing to help your withdrawal with some of our troop transporters.
Of course, we are willing to cease Trevor's Star to your permanent control.
As a token of good will, I also inquired the Ministry of Justice to work out a reasonable approach to the Harrington affair.

We are stressing the fact that a official peace treaty should be formulated at your earliest convenience.

And we are always willing to trade with you, which would be helped of course, if Havenite ships are allowed to use the Junction again.

***

Erewhon system
"The Special Envoy to see the President," Francois De Champ announced his presence to the secretary of Erewhon's President.
"He's ready to see you," the pert looking woman said, "Just enter."
He walked the short distance to the door, and stepped through.
"Mr. Presiden, a pleasure. I was sent to further deepen the relations between our two great nations."
The President signaled him to take a seat, and the doors closed behind them.

(*I really want some good relations with Erewhon, as I am very unpleased with Erewhon being in the alliance, and I need another wormhole connection)

****
(internal stuff)

"Do you sincerely believe them, Eloise?" THeisman sceptically asked his PResident.
"Yes,I do," she carefully said into her glass of Whiskey. "KEvin's reports all indicate that the new leadership of Manticore has seen the...mistake of ignoring us and our demands for any longer. We might actually see an end of this war..."
"I sure hope so. Nonetheless we should be prepared."
"I fully garee. And from the reports I have seen, Admiral Foraker has made great progress."
"Yes, right now, we're building at top speed. Even with the new yards we got online. The MAnties would have a long way getting the numerical equality now. And with the new Ctesiphon BC(P), we have a some new toy to play with."
"Which brings us to another point. Erewhon. I hope we'll bring them out of the Mantie boat, and at least get them to be neutral. If not, we might have to consider another path. Losing Trevor's Star is bad enough, but without a wormhole terminus in our territory, we still have that serious communications disadvantage with the SL."
"I know. It's Erewhon or Phoenix. Shall I have plans prepared?"
"Yes, Tom. But keep them in the safe. Just as Operation Thunderbolt."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-14 03:00pm

Admiral Adolphus stood on the bridge of his flagship, AFNS Loki, when the word came in. A massive hyper-footprint had been detected at the edge of the system, 32 of the wall and over two hundred escorts. Mazapani forces for sure.

"I can't beleive they found the cojones to try this. That's got to be most of their fleet." muttered his flag captain.

"Just more for us to kill. Let's hope the fools try it," Adolphus leared with undisguised pleasure at the prospect. "Form up the fleet and dispatch boats. I want everyone warned."

* * *

The ponderous warships began picking up pods and falling into formation. Heavy Andie built SDs, DNs and Sollie BBs, all of them covered by a swarm of escorts. They moved out slowly, prefering to let the Mazapani forces to come to them.

Courier boats raced. Some vanished down the wormholes to Midgard and the Andermani Empire, more headed to warn their sister planets. It was war.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-08-16 01:42pm

Throughout occupied Havenite space, freighters and CLACs began withdrawing the garrison forces, departing as soon as the returning Havenite fleet arrived. Their destination, Grendelsbane(duh).

**********

Basic articles of proposed Havenite treaty:

1. No military vessels of either power shall encroach upon the territory of the other without prior knowledge and consent, the only exception being convoy escorts through the Junction.

2. Use of the Manticoran wormhole junction shall be granted to Havenite merchant traffic, subject to all normal regulations but no additional restrictions. This permission will be revoked immediately if it is discovered that Havenite Q-ships have traversed the Junction without prior consent being obtained from Manticore. Permission will be granted for escorts of mechant convoys to accompany on the authority of the Manticoran system commander on the spot, no vessel accompanying may be larger than a heavy cruiser.

3. No reparations will be required on the part of either nation.

(feel free to point out anything incredibly major I've overlooked Dahak, this is just a basic outline)
*********************
for Stormbringer:

blah, blah, blah, diplomatic garbage, boils down to we think you are being a little to greedy and could give up some of the central porions of Silesia closer to us, we aren't as weak as you think we are. (would detail better but may only have 1 hr on the computer)

*********************

For Kyle:
diplomat arrives with lengthy garbage filled note of apology, along with hand-written note by Queen Elizabeth reading: "We are very Sorry, High Ridge was a complete waste of oxygen, have begun to rectify situation and live up to ignored treaty obligations, and are knocking Junction usage fees for your ships down to 2/3rds as a start towards repaying our debt to you. Am willing to listen to any reasonable suggestions.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-08-16 06:33pm

The treaty sounds so far good.
A point further needed may be:
Trevor's Star is henceforth not a member of The Republic of Haven and we acknoledge its status as member world in the Star Kingdom of Manticore.

Except that, all other stars currently occupied shall be handed over to Haven.

(What about my former naval bases outside Havenite territory, like i.e. Seaforth Nine and the ilk?)

****

"I think the picture is quite clear, isn't?" the high envoy of Haven to the Solarian League said to the high ranking SL official. "Manticore is an expansionist empire. First Basilisk, Trevor's Star, now the Talbott Cluster, and the rumors one hears from Silesia aren't too encouraging, either. And I doubt the League is that pleased, either. Given that the truce takes once again are fruitful, we still fear that Manticore will prove problematic in the near future, again, and we certainly will be in a the spot light then, as the Queen never has ceased to show a certain...dislike for Haven as general. Haven seeks a deeper diplomatic, and technological, agreement with the SL."

***

"So, Mr. President, what is your opinion on our offer of an NAP with Erewhon?"

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-16 09:28pm

consequences wrote:blah, blah, blah, diplomatic garbage, boils down to we think you are being a little to greedy and could give up some of the central porions of Silesia closer to us, we aren't as weak as you think we are. (would detail better but may only have 1 hr on the computer)

"Naturally there is some degree of lattitude in this but we will not allow lawlessness to continue in Silesia. Too many have died and for too long have the depredations of the scum that infest that place gone unchecked. We can come to reasonable agreements but any agreement must be contingent on actual performance."

The ambassador scowled, just faintly.

"While you do have a reasonable strength it is committed elsewhere and can not be readily deployed to the pacification of Silesia. Haven is not trustworthy or by any means stable and you have managed to alienate most of your allies. To use an old proverb nations have no permanent interests, only permanent interests and nothing has changed Haven's interest in your immediate neighborhood. Indeed, if our recent intelligence is anything to judge from they're planning to make grabs of neutral powers prepatory to moving against your Alliance."

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-08-17 12:03am

Flag Deck
Yaguara-class Superdreadnought "Reina Del Espacio"
Asgard System, Outer Reaches
------------------------------------

"Enemy forces total at around 35 of the wall, and two hundred escorts, though with no battlecruisers, we beat them by a significant margin in tonnage. They are sending couriers through the wormholes."

"Excellent. Order all vessels to form into a double-wall, Yaguaras in the center, BCs on the flanks, and the four Aguilas at the edge of the wall. I want them protected, but in a position to move out of cover. Transports are to stick with the main fleet, behind the main wall. Dispatch CL squadrons three and four, and DD squadron 1, to protecting them.

"Vessels report, on station."

"Set course for the wormhole nexus. We will come to them."

"Almirante, mission clock gives us four minutes until operation Blackhorse."

"I am well aware, officer."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-17 12:46am

[VonBekk System - Andermani Empire]

The Asgard courier boats came sceaming through the wormhole. Their drives were redlined as the crews pushed the tiny ships to their limits. As soon as they broke into Gregor space they began transmitting their message on ever availible channel.

"Asgard invaded, sneak attack. Out come in doubt."

* * *

Admiral Richter stood in Gregor Control. The massive fortress was the heart of the system's defense and about it swarmed the ships of the IAN's Seventh Fleet. It was a massive force, over eighteen of the wall including four of the Scharnhorst-class pod-superdreadnaughts.

"Our duty is clear gentleman, we secure the wormhole and hold. We've had no formal request for aid but our treaties make it clear in such situations that we may defend the wormhole with force."

"So who's going?" asked his staff officer

"I'll take the First Battle Squadron and suitable escorts and sit on the wormhole. With two of the new pod ships and four more of the wall we'll be able to hold easily. It's imperative we get their in time. We move in fifteen minutes, maxium military power. I want us there immdiately."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-17 01:24am

The crew on the brigde of AFNS Loki was one of puzzlement. No one could fathom why the Mazpani set a course for the nearest wormhole. Each was covered by nine massive fortresses, each massing nearly nine million tons and packing twice the firepower of an Odin-class superdreadnaught entirely on it's own. Counting mine fields and other defenses the Mazapani fleet shouldn't be eager to tangle with them.

"What do you suppose they're up to? Dividing his wall like that cuts down on it's ability to provide mutual support and I can't see any reason for it. A long range missle enagement like that would be suicide with that formation. And why is he making for the wormhole? It's like we've got a complete amatuaer at this." Adolphus frowned as he tried to make sense of it.

"In the end it doesn't really matter, sir, he'll have to engage on our terms if he wants the planet. What he's up to out there doesn't matter, we can keep between him and the planet easily. If he wants to play tag with the fortresses let him, it'll only bleed him for when he finally has to press the attack against us."

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-08-17 02:18am

Mazapan Wormhole Terminus
Mazapani Second Fleet
----------------------------------------

"Mission clock gives us one minute, Almirante. Pods are stowed, and the Aguila has completed loading."

"Begin translation, and my god bless us. If we survive this operation, it will be a miracle.

Sixteen Dreadnoughts, supported by thirty Battlecruisers and thirty lighter escorts, leaped through the wormhole junction.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-08-17 01:51pm

Dahak, your naval bases in uninhabited systems are a point of concern, as most of them are best positioned for beating the stuffing out of me, as jump-off points for hitting the Alliance. I'm going to cede them back to you, but will view with alarm any major military build-up there(not that there's much else I can effectively do right now). Looking forward to chiseling your merchant marine along with the rest of the unfortunate schmucks out there- uh, I mean, providing wormhole service to enhance the quality of life of your citizens.

************

Stormbringer, I'm actually in a pretty good position to provide in-system security to Silesian systems as soon as I take over, a few dozen LACs will cover against anything short of a modern squadron of the wall, and you are the only one in the immediate vicinity with that kind of firepower and potential inclination. And if there's anything I have after the High Ridge administration, its LACs.

**************

Beowulf, where are you man? Assistance would be helpful, and I'll cheerfully help pay to maintain and improve your big shiny fleet.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-08-17 07:48pm

Eloise Pritchard dreamily gazed out of the penthouse of the newly re-named President's Tower over the sprawling expanse of Nouveau Paris.
She still couldn't believe that the Manties got enough sense together to realize their situation and gotten some sense into themselves.
The Republic was once again, with the sore exception of Trevor's Star, complete and ready to once again rise to the glory of the Old Days of the first Republic. She still was fearful of any mal-intent of the Manties, but she felt sure that the sword Foraker managed to create would cut any ideas in that direction in pieces.
Her thoughts were harshly interrupted as her assistant came nearly crashing through her doors.
"Dorian, what the he-"
"Sir, a message just came from a high-priority courier. Matapan attacked Asgard!"
For a short time she simply was shocked.
"Get me Tom, now!" She ordered when she got her mind back.

Some time, several couriers were racing out of the Haven system, towards the other major planets, condeming the heinous act Matapan commited (Only full aware that it was very Peep-style.)

In the messages also was a formal request to allow a BatRon through the Junction to sail into the disputed region, "to help avoid any further blood-shed".

***

In a non-descript meeting room deep within an main building of the bloated buerocracy of the Solarian Frontier, a Haven offical was having a secret talk with an SL Frontier official about the status of Erewhon and Phoenix.[/i]

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-08-17 08:25pm

consequences wrote: ************

Stormbringer, I'm actually in a pretty good position to provide in-system security to Silesian systems as soon as I take over, a few dozen LACs will cover against anything short of a modern squadron of the wall, and you are the only one in the immediate vicinity with that kind of firepower and potential inclination. And if there's anything I have after the High Ridge administration, its LACs.

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"Unless you are prepared to station them by the wing on each planet we can not help but view such security as deficient. There are too many bolt holes and back waters in Silesia and most have an abundance of such pirates to consider an purely intrasystem presence adequate. If you're not prepared to station substantial conventional forces in Silesia then we can't help but take this view. LACs are a limited craft though they have their uses."