STGOD 4 Game Thread

[Captain tycho]

Toril Orbit, R'hlloran fleet command ship Argus Blade
Another message was sent down to the surface:
Arcanist forces, lower your shields and we shall do no further harm to your planet. Your civilians and infastructure will be left unmolested, and if we find that you indeed shielded the siliconoids, then we will ask for those responsible to step down from their seats of power. No more, no less.

[Alyrium Denryle]

"You wll have the full infastructure to do with as you will, but our citizens will be leaving this plane of existence. And while your motives may be more benevolent, we will not allow ourselves to be beholden to the ravages of hostile forces. We will stand down when and only when our populace has evacuated."

[Captain tycho]

"You wll have the full infastructure to do with as you will, but our citizens will be leaving this plane of existence. And while your motives may be more benevolent, we will not allow ourselves to be beholden to the ravages of hostile forces. We will stand down when and only when our populace has evacuated."

In reply:
Then we shall wait for your civilians to evacuate. Farewell.

[lazerus]

[transmitted and shown on many news nets]

ATTENTION ALL CONCERNED COUSTOMERS.

SECRETS OF ARCANE MAGIC FOR SALE.

With the colapse of the Arcane Empires, new magics have become available! Weather your a planet-spanning empire or a small busness, magic presents a cheap alternative to many complex technology. Shapeshifting spell present a cheap and easy alterntive to genetic manipulation, that is allready being added to the Jardanian infastructuce. This is just one of MANY applications that you can now buy.*

*secrets of magic will be sold on a mercinary basis only.

[Straha]

[transmitted and shown on many news nets]

ATTENTION ALL CONCERNED COUSTOMERS.

SECRETS OF ARCANE MAGIC FOR SALE.

With the colapse of the Arcane Empires, new magics have become available! Weather your a planet-spanning empire or a small busness, magic presents a cheap alternative to many complex technology. Shapeshifting spell present a cheap and easy alterntive to genetic manipulation, that is allready being added to the Jardanian infastructuce. This is just one of MANY applications that you can now buy.*

*secrets of magic will be sold on a mercinary basis only.

From: Monacora
To: All Nations
Regarding: Above statement

Sorry, sorry, not true, some rogue man got a hold of a Comm Dish and broadcast that. Please ignore it as it is not true.

[Straha]

"You wll have the full infastructure to do with as you will, but our citizens will be leaving this plane of existence. And while your motives may be more benevolent, we will not allow ourselves to be beholden to the ravages of hostile forces. We will stand down when and only when our populace has evacuated."

After this statement ended the first waves Monacoran Army and Marine transports arrived in system. Dozens of Regiments were arriving, and far more would come. They stayed out of the warring powers but manuevered so that they were shielded by Allied powers coming in system. One of the transports then began a broadcast.

"We will not let your forces and people aid the Siliconoids, we will destroy you if you do not surrender. You have one hour to reply."

[Alyrium Denryle]

"Our people will be evacuated to the Planes, and you will never see us, or hear from us again. Suffice to say, you may search our undamaged planet for whatever information you require. Even if we were harboring siliconoids, we would not take them with us.

Dont you think it is a little odd for us to maintain a fascade of this level while our fleet fights to the last man in defense of our homeworld? We have nothing to give you that you do not already know. If you are so bloodthirsty as to bombard this planet so be it. But our people will not be held in any form of bondage. They have spoken by vote, it is done.

Hells, what did we even stand to gain by allying ourselves with those revolting abominations?"

[Alyrium Denryle]

"Our 'surrender' will be tendered in approximatly 24 hours, barring planetary bombardment. After the last of the commoners has gone throgh the portals"

[Straha]

"Our people will be evacuated to the Planes, and you will never see us, or hear from us again. Suffice to say, you may search our undamaged planet for whatever information you require. Even if we were harboring siliconoids, we would not take them with us.

Dont you think it is a little odd for us to maintain a fascade of this level while our fleet fights to the last man in defense of our homeworld? We have nothing to give you that you do not already know. If you are so bloodthirsty as to bombard this planet so be it. But our people will not be held in any form of bondage. They have spoken by vote, it is done.

Hells, what did we even stand to gain by allying ourselves with those revolting abominations?"

"If that is what you choose we will land and eradicate your nation's fighting force. We will not let you live to serve the Siliconoids."

[Alyrium Denryle]

"You will be shocked to find that no sliconoids exist on this, or anyother of our planets, the looks on your faces will be... exquisite, when you realize how horribly wrong you were... Assuming I am alive to see them"

[Straha]

"You will be shocked to find that no sliconoids exist on this, or anyother of our planets, the looks on your faces will be... exquisite, when you realize how horribly wrong you were... Assuming I am alive to see them"

"Did we say they were? We said you plotted with them. Surrender or die."

And, with that, the Marine transports moved apart and began preparing to begin landing operations.

[Alyrium Denryle]

They hit the planetary shields, and were vaporized.

[Straha]

They hit the planetary shields, and were vaporized.

(OOC: Thought they were down, editing)

[Alyrium Denryle]

"You will be shocked to find that no sliconoids exist on this, or anyother of our planets, the looks on your faces will be... exquisite, when you realize how horribly wrong you were... Assuming I am alive to see them"

"Did we say they were? We said you plotted with them. Surrender or die."

And, with that, the Marine transports moved apart and began preparing to begin landing operations.

Planet bound defenses opened fire.

[Straha]

"You will be shocked to find that no sliconoids exist on this, or anyother of our planets, the looks on your faces will be... exquisite, when you realize how horribly wrong you were... Assuming I am alive to see them"

"Did we say they were? We said you plotted with them. Surrender or die."

And, with that, the Marine transports moved apart and began preparing to begin landing operations.

Planet bound defenses opened fire.

I'm not in orbit yet, not moving nearby untill we're landing.

[Hotfoot]

Arcane Empire Space
Arcanist Home System
Toril

ALPHA FLEET

Captain Harris could feel a knot forming in his stomach as the fleet warped in from the edge of the Arcanist system. The call for help had gone out, the Arcanists were resisting. He couldn’t believe it had come to this, that the Arcanists were now risking the stability of the galaxy and of sentient life itself over such a stupid matter as pride, or was it arrogance? They had thrown away the sane, rational solution, and had instead chosen to provoke the angry mob at its gates into fighting. If this didn’t prove, more than ever, that the Arcanists had some sort of sick deal with the Mechanoids, well, little would. Latest reports from the front mentioned that the Arcanists were attempting to run away through some sort of interdimensional gateways. It stuck in Harris’ gut…they were guilty, they had to be. They even had the perfect escape plan if their alliance with the Siliconoids went sour, they just up and leave to where the Siliconoids can’t follow. It was sick, twisted, and almost…no, it was inhuman.

As the fleet came out of warp, he pushed those thoughts from his mind He had a job to do now, and emotions were secondary. His eyes saw the battlefield through the ship’s sensors, rapidly filling with new data as comms links were established and sensor drones were launched. The Monacorans needed assistance, and they were about to get some of the best assistance in the galaxy. Alpha Fleet was the shining jewel of the Consortium, filled with skilled veterans from the Ravenlock-Dra’kol war, and possessing a full third of the Consortium’s naval might. The fleet dropped out of warp in a perfect defensive formation, with point defense systems overlapping as much as possible, while keeping the important ships in the fleet at the core. The centermost ship in the formation was the Superdreadnought Antaeus, the personal flagship of Fleet Admiral A.J. Radim.

Finally, after eternal microseconds, the detailed sensor data was computed and shot into the fleet command system. Harris knew that while he may be in direct control of the Superdreadnought, command of the fleet was Radim’s, and now was the time for the Admiral to take action.

***

Radim considered the situation. It was tricky, to say the least. Plantery engagements always were. The Quantek sensors were registering activity all over the damn place, just like they had every time an Arcane ship came through Earth space while the fleet was stationed there. This time, though, the readings were different, some of them, at least. No Arcane Ships had opened fire before, or been destroyed. The boys at the lab would go nuts over this, but he had to figure out now what was what. He sent the data to a SIGINT team to get it worked out so he knew what he was looking at.

<<Attention, Arcanist forces. This is the first, last, and only time I’m going to say this, so you damn well better listen up. Stand down your forces and surrender. Talk to the Monacorans for conditions. Failure to comply will result in disabling your ability to resist. We don’t want to be fighting you, but you are leaving us with no other option.>>

{{Monacoran Forces, this is Admiral Radim. We are in position near your location. Take up position with our own troop transports, we will provide you cover. If those mages don’t listen to reason or the threat of overwhelming force, we’ll help you make that threat a reality. Radim out.}}

((OOC: {{Communication in these brackets}} is being used as signifying secure comms/tightbeam transmissions between allies.))

((OOC2: Edited location, d'oh!))

[Alyrium Denryle]

<<Attention, Arcanist forces. This is the first, last, and only time I’m going to say this, so you damn well better listen up. Stand down your forces and surrender. Talk to the Monacorans for conditions. Failure to comply will result in disabling your ability to resist. We don’t want to be fighting you, but you are leaving us with no other option.>>

(We dont have shipson Krynn)

Sent to Monocorans and the Alpha Fleet
{{"Our people are 70% evacuated. Can you wait a few hours to land? We sill tender a surrender only after our civilians are gone. The military well then open the shields, and you may inspect our facilities. Then, our military will withdraw from this plane as well"}}

[Bugsby]

-ooc- sorry, had to go away for about 4 hours at a rather bad time to do it.

The Krell capital ships surged through the mass of Arcane ships. Broadsides pounded as the Arcanists set their guns free. The commanders had been prepared for such a move, but the maneuver was still effective. Broadsides worked best from a wall of battle, and having the two sets of ships moving past each other in close range at fast speeds cut down the effectiveness of the Arcane staff guns. Cruisers rotated wildly, trying to bring their broadsides to bear as the Krell ships moved quickly in and out of the killzones. Arcane guns sounded, about half hitting their intended targets, some missing, some hitting Arcane ships as ECM and lack of formation made targeting hell.

The Krell ships were suffering from many of the same problems with targeting, but they had the upper hand. Their ships were in better condition since the first few Arcanist broadsides had hit the drone fighters, whereas the Krell ships had been targeting the mages capital ships the whole time, and thus were better prepared for this fight. More escorts and wall cruisers were destroyed as missile frigates continued to pound the Arcane formation at range. The shields on the dreadnaughts still held, but were weakening quickly.

Solid sheets of energy poured back and forth between the two fleets as the Krell gunners targeted those ships that were already weakened, bringing up explosions as well red prismatic shields under their guns as the already weak dreadnaughts were brought under fire, and the battleships took their share of damage as well.

As rapidly as it had started, it was over. The Krell ships pushed through the Arcane lines and jumped to hyperspace. Shields had failed on three of the Titans and moderate damage had been dealt to each. On the other side of the Arcane formation, the missile frigates that had lagged behind followed the lances and carriers into hyperspace. Staying any longer would have resulted in unacceptable casualties.

Twenty minutes later, the combined fleet had met at a point in deep space far away from the Arcane systems. The ships had been damaged, but were largely intact. The Arcane decision to set not only its escorts but the capital ships on the Combine drones had kept the Combine capital ships unharmed for the first half of the battle. Even the heavy pounding they had taken later on had been enough to wound, not to destroy. Still, it would be a while before many of these ships would be ready for a major engagement. It seemed that the Arcanists, outnumbered, outgunned, and arguably outmaneuvered, had taken greater casualties, but at this point it was impossible to tell how many.

Losses:
5 missile frigates
83 blue collars
64 harleys
8 walls
1 lance
40000 drones

Significantly damaged, yet repairable:
9 walls
2 lances
4 carriers
1 titan
14 missile frigates
31 harleys
37 blue collars

[Bugsby]

::::::::KSN armada, Toril System:::::::::

"The Krell aren't responding to our hails. They are continuing a full attack on Toril's surface. We Estimate at least thirty thousand civillain casualties before the Arcanists could raise their shields."

"Open another channel to the Krell fleet."

"Channel open"


"What the hell are you morons doing? They've turned over their evidence. Cease your attack. You are murdering innocent civilians."

"You have been misinformed. We specifically shied away from the planet to minimize civilian casualties. We only brought fire on orbital defenses and Arcane military vessels. Our flight recorders, as well of those of any ship in the system, will prove as much. We did, however, notice both Jardanian and Rh'illoran ships near the planet shortly following the fleet engagement. We suggest you focus your inquiries in that direction."

[Bugsby]

To: Adar Krell
From: Leego Diama, fleet command.

Adar, here are the reports of the recent battle with the Arcanists. The casualties are more than acceptable considering the situation we faced today. We are curently regrouping and will be headed back to Sirius shortly. I understand that our first wave of new ships will be completed soon. It would be best to not begin the next wave of construction until the ships damaged today have been repaired.

[Marcao]

Arcane Empire Space
Zone of Contention

Admiral Stone had waited patiently for his orders to arrive, aware of the series of events that was happening in arcane space. It was difficult to believe that the arcane empire would be so foolish as to ally itself with the siliconoids. Nonetheless, their actions were unwarranted and would all but certainly doom the perception of other nations against them. Pride was little excuse when international credibility was in the line, and sovereignty only did so much in a situation such as this. The truth was that guilty or not, the arcane actions had been ill thought out and quite possibly a public relations disaster.

Nonetheless, the arcane empire had not done anything directly to his people. The idea that they had played a part in the murder of Magdelana Hyrt was indeed a possibility, but even if that was the case was it enough to throw his forces against theirs? He sighed softly; for once thankful that such decisions were not wholly his. He would do his duty. His orders finally arrived; the drones in place within Arcane space had noticed the zone of contention and the apparent intervention of Ravenlock forces. His orders were to support the combine, since their fleet was important to the future plans of the empire. Furthermore, he was to assist the Ravenlock task force and Monacoran elements. He did not hesitate.

The fifth fleet vanished into hyperspace without much warning, the travel time between their current location and their designated target area being relatively short. The fleet exited hyperspace on the edge of the zone of contention, passive sensors painting a picture of what was arrayed in the system. The formation which the fifth fleet chose was primarily defensive, attack and defense drones launched from various vessels as the fleet moved into position towards the Ravenlock and Monacoran forces. A channel opened towards the Ravenlock and Monacoran forces before Admiral Stone spoke.

”This is Admiral Stone of the Veithan fifth fleet. I am moving my forces to offer support in the current situation.”

The channel was closed politely as the fifth fleet slid ever closer towards their final position. The fleet was led from the four thousand meter long form of the VNS Blood and Fire, backed by the might of two battleships, two drone carriers and the usual array of escorts that symbolized fully twenty percent of the entire Veithan navy. It was a potent force, even if its disposition at the moment suggested otherwise. A channel was opened to the arcane empire as the fleet moved into position.

”This is admiral stone of the veithan fifth fleet. It is in the interest of your empire to stand down from the current outbreak of hostilities. We will not open fire on your forces unless forced to do so. However, until you can satisfy our concerns we feel justified in our current actions.”

The fifth fleet finally reached its position.

[Thirdfain]

Eketrina Cluster
Hudson System, Ouster Occupation Zone, Edge of Known Space

The Hall of the Speaker was filled with racous noise. The usually subdued debate of the Council had been replaced with dissonance. The source was simple- for once, things were not going as planned. The Arcanists had simply- disappeared. The Speaker, of course, had plans prepared, but the council, now fragmented since Artus' death in the Rape, had turned to bickering.

"Speaker, our efforts in manipulating public opinion against the Arcanists succeeded spectacularly, certainly, and the Alliance which threatened to unite Known Space under a single, powerful banner has fallen. Never the less, the war we expected has yet to materialize!"

A broad-shouldered representative from Candaris gestured angrily.
"Ksindra, none of us could have predicted this. The complete collapse of the empire, literally overnight? It lies beyond any of the parameters or projections. How were we to plan for the unexplainable?"

An advisor from the Military Clusters spoke up, his shout cutting over the crowd.
"Speaker, what are we to do? With this sudden Machine influence cropping up even in the major flatlander empires, we are certain to see a new alliance , one dedicated to annihilating the Machine threat! What can we possibly do to ensure the safety of the Diaspora against such a unification?"

Artus had been a major unifying force in the council, and with his death, much of the Speaker's decisiveness and power was fading as the naturally innefficient process of democracy took hold and the Council argued more and more.

A voice cut across the furious debate, subdued and confident.

"Brothers and sisters. Are you flatlanders, to fall to peices at the smallest break from routine?"

He smiled broadly, running a hand through his short crop of black hair- a rarity among the Unbound.

"The new situation which presents itself is not an obstacle. It is merely a new set of opportunities. Certainly, the pattern has changed since the commencation a decade ago, and in ways we did not predict. But will we allow that to stop us? The Hajr must succeed."

His eyes flashed.

"Now, the 4th War Cluster is nearing completion. Our expansion continues unopposed, and resources flow in from the outer systems and new colonies and increasing rates- we now control more space and resources than any individual Known Space power. The Blood Lords work with our agents on the "magick" projects, and despite some initial problems, our researchers are confident that after some changes in methods, we will be yielding spectacular results. Our star is rising, brothers and sisters. All we need now is to ensure that it's ascendence is guided competently- and I believe that Madam Speaker has proved herself to all of your Clusters again and again."

Arguments died. The newcomer to the council, Artus' replacement, spoke truth- and there was something about his voice, the set of his shoulders, and his manner that inspired trust.

The Speaker flashed a gesture of goodwill.

"Sayus su Ithaca, you speak well. Brothers and Sisters, are we then in agreement? Will my plans be followed?"

Assent was universal. Those with misgivings held them away for another meeting.

Light-years away, in accordance with the Council's latest wishes, the 2cnd War Cluster dropped from Kincaid Drive over the now-abandoned surface of Ravenloft. Vessels fanned out, and the first scout craft began descending to the world below. Subclusters lashed out, placing similar claims on three other minor Arcanist colony systems in the region.

[Captain tycho]

Toril, R'hlloran commandship Argus Blade
Things are quickly escalating here. Foreign fleets are moving in at an alarming pace. I suggest we leave.The other command-level AIs chattered between each other and the R'hlloran commanders for a few minutes, while Thauglor monitored the other fleets. Let's not be hasty, Thauglor. It is time we demonstrate that we shall have a place in galactic politics, instead of remaining isolationist. The 13 seem to agree. Send the fleet hunting for these siliconoids, while we clean up here.

[Dahak]

Toril Space, Verdandi

Vice Admiral patiently watched the battle unfold. They hadn't moved or took part in the fighting. It was not their battle to this point and still were not fully assured that the Arcanist were involved.
She watched the other fleets appear, ships die, fighting for the planet.

As the Veithan fleet appeared, she opened a channel to respond. "Admiral Stone, it is a pleasure to meet you. And your levelheadedness is refreshing in this turmoil."

<<Your Grace, shouldn't we join the fighting?>> Admiral Tjoerhom asked the Empress.
<<No, Admiral,>> she answered. <<We will stay and observe. We will wait until the final verdict is in on the Arcanist. We only fight back if attacked.>>

[lazerus]

[transmitted and shown on many news nets]

ATTENTION ALL CONCERNED COUSTOMERS.

SECRETS OF ARCANE MAGIC FOR SALE.

With the colapse of the Arcane Empires, new magics have become available! Weather your a planet-spanning empire or a small busness, magic presents a cheap alternative to many complex technology. Shapeshifting spell present a cheap and easy alterntive to genetic manipulation, that is allready being added to the Jardanian infastructuce. This is just one of MANY applications that you can now buy.*

*secrets of magic will be sold on a mercinary basis only.

From: Monacora
To: All Nations
Regarding: Above statement

Sorry, sorry, not true, some rogue man got a hold of a Comm Dish and broadcast that. Please ignore it as it is not true.

Please ignore the above untrue statments by Monacora. Buy yours today!