STGOD 4 Game Thread

[SirNitram]

The Dreadnought crumpled under the vast firestorm, passing from existance without much of a sound. The wreck cooked off as it's antimatter reactor breached, sending chunks of metal drifting through the battlefield.

The tower itself was holding up well, even against such a huge missile swarm. It's gatling defenses were rapid fire, allowing it to lay down a huge firestorm of defense, though many missiles still got through, hitting it's shields.

The shields began to weaken.. Then, quite strangely, powered down completely. The tower was shredded as the missiles hit the structure itself, causing the great creation to snap like a twig, the huge skyhook tumbling back towards the planet beneath.

[Murazor]

To:WSN frigate Sirpatia
From: Lastport Space Command

Landing zone is has follows. You will be met by Fleet Admiral Andersen and company of Marine honorguard. If you require anything please inform us.

To: Lastport Space Command.
From: WSN frigate Sirpatia.

We will land in the indicated area. We inform you that your atmosphere is highly toxic for us. Our representative will need to use a life-support suit that you might believe to be power armour, but our representative will submit willingly to any test you might want to realize in order to check that he is unarmed.

The new message had been dictated by Vopelon himself before the astonished eyes of the Sixtra captain, who hissed in protest before ordering the beginning of the landing maneuver.

[admiral_danielsben]

"Yes. Officially we are here for 'trade negotiations'. That is all you need to know. Please, show us to the meeting."

Brain Mattews took a deep breath, if anyone else other than a guest had been so rude it would be a dueling matter. As it was, it was just likey nerves and ignorence, he had been told that some outrealmers did not like being underground. That they liked exposing themselves aboveground to various menaces that could come without warning. Yes, the... President most likey did not mean to insult the heir appairent of a close ally.

"The Lord Protector will decide that, not you. Please follow me. Also I'm afraid that your guards will not be allowed in the office, not armed anyway." He said in a chill voice has he turned to go.

"I apologize for any rudeness - our customs may be different. Also, we generally do not do business underground. Also, perhaps i underassumed your rank in the government. Again, apologies."

"The guards shall stand guard outside the door to the office, if it is acceptable to you."

"Oh, and before we cause any more diplomatic incidents, I should inform you that myself and some of the others in this party have some level of telepathic abilities."

[frigidmagi]

Oh, and before we cause any more diplomatic incidents, I should inform you that myself and some of the others in this party have some level of telepathic abilities."

"As long has you keep your thoughts to yourself you'll be fine. Although we may want to discuss that later. As for myself, do you think me and the Lord Protector share a last name by accident?"

[frigidmagi]

We will land in the indicated area. We inform you that your atmosphere is highly toxic for us. Our representative will need to use a life-support suit that you might believe to be power armour, but our representative will submit willingly to any test you might want to realize in order to check that he is unarmed

The alien ship landed on the pad. It was in the middle of nowhere in one of the relatively rare flat lands of Last Port. The wind whipped at it with a cold edge, fall was dieing on LastPort soon winter would come with the ability to kill an unprotected man in seconds. Has the alien ambassador walked off his ship he was briefly scanned by the scanners that were omnipresent in the UP. Fleet Admiral Andersen stood with a sqaud of Marine officers.

"I welcome you to the United Protectorates in the name of the Lord Protector. If you and your party will follow me?" He said.

[Murazor]

Bridge of the frigate Sitraria. Edean system.

"Sir, one of the cruisers may detect us from its current position" said the sensor officer.

"Are we in danger?" asked Sizartrax.

"Currently no, sir. Unless they have improved their sensor technology to an extent we aren't aware of, the magnetosphere and our own stealth will hide us for as long as we remain still. However, as soon as we engage either our gravitic impulser or the warp drive, they will pick us. No doubts about it."

"Then we will remain still. We have a long wait in front of us before the end of this day and the Council won't accept a failure in our scouting of this system."

[Thirdfain]

Edean System

<< Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:20 Sector Clear >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:21 Anomoly, WOTH Progress Through Conflict Kinetic Plume in grid 5x7; Traffic Confirmed and Logged >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:22 Sector Clear >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:23 Sector Clear >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:24 Sector Clear >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:25 Sector Clear >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:26 Sector Clear >>

<<Voidwatcher 6-5-1 reporting: T: 19:27 Anomoly, Source Unknown, Subspace disturbance in grid 1x4 -Traffic Unconfirmed. Alert Command. >>

Bondwoman Subadmiral Fei su Ithaca noted the log from the system's early warning net. Odd. Subspace travel was light in this area, and there was usually little activity. Such a disturbance could have been a sensor malfunction or a subspace storm's edge passing "under" the system, but duty in Edean, which had been pacified for months, was boring, and Fei wanted something to occupy her besides the annoying herding of foriegn traders and the dealings with the civilian clusters. She sighed, thinking of Atja su Miitgar, whose carrier swarm had been locked in the engagements over Camaro and the Machine Worlds. Here she was, with as much firepower and force under her command, and she had not left the system since the brief deployment against the Krynor, where she had seen little action.

"Have a frigate check this out- say, the Pandemonium. Have her search sector 6 and gird 1x4, check for recent subspace turbulence."

Her XO, a short woman from a minor prospecting Cluster with abstract tattoos on the backs of her hands, raised a slight voice of dissent.

"Of course, Fei- but why? It's probably nothing. Why waste the time and fuel?"

Fei made a negative gesture.

"Almost certainly true, but our crews are getting tired of this. Not for the elites of the Hajr such boring guard-duty! I for one will be glad when the Guidice moves into Fallow Space in enough numbers to protect the civilians from pirates and the like. Until then, we are stuck with this- and a little light duty will keep the crews sharp."

Her XO made a positive gesture. If nothing else, this would relieve the boredom...

[Murazor]

"I welcome you to the United Protectorates in the name of the Lord Protector. If you and your party will follow me?" He said.

That Fleet Admiral was a courageous human, realized the Ethereal. He hadn't even flinched when he had stepped out of the Sirpatia in his eight feet tall quadruped armour.

"I gladly accept your welcome. My name is Vopelon and as you can see, I am alone as a gesture of good will. I suppose that you are feeling cold right now, so I think that we can delay further talk until we are in a better enviroment for your species"

[Murazor]

Her XO made a positive gesture. If nothing else, this would relieve the boredom...

"Damn" hissed Sizartrax when his officers reported an Ouster frigate closing their position. "They picked something after all. Well. We have a situation and you know the standard procedure. Destroy all sensible files and sent the relevant data to the Liberty, highest security protocol. All hands to their battle stations. If they hail us, we tell them that we have a problem with our drives and that we are explorers from a culture somewhere away from home. If they fire against us, we run the hell out of here. If they board us, we run the hell out of here. If they are about to overrun us, we engage the warp and smash ourselves against the gas giant if we cannot initiate self destruct."

[frigidmagi]

That Fleet Admiral was a courageous human, realized the Ethereal. He hadn't even flinched when he had stepped out of the Sirpatia in his eight feet tall quadruped armour.

"I gladly accept your welcome. My name is Vopelon and as you can see, I am alone as a gesture of good will. I suppose that you are feeling cold right now, so I think that we can delay further talk until we are in a better enviroment for your species"

The Fleet Admiral was an Andersen. A House that hadn't been conqeared but coopted by the Mattews through marriage and negoatation. A tradition of intermarriage every 3 or 4 generations was continued to mordern day. Case in point the Fleet Admiral being the uncle of a certain Lord Protector. Andersens had a repuatation for being fearless to the point of insanity, being aware of this the House sometimes went to... Strange measures to keep the repuatation. The Fleet Admiral grinned widly has if he dealt with 8ft tall 4 legged creatures everyday.

"Of course if that is your desire. If you will follow me, Sir?" He said with a slight bow.

[Thirdfain]

-/ooc They noticed your warp entry point thanks to the system early-warning net, but they aren't sure it's a ship, and you are far from found at this point. The Frigate is actually heading out of system, beyond the Oort cloud.

WOTH Pandemonium
Knife-class Raiding Frigate
Edean System, 1 AU beyond the Oort Cloud

At only 500 meters in length, the Pandemonium was a small ship, onoe of the Hajr's light raiding frigates. Her armament was certainly effective, but limited by her size- a quartet of frigate-scale HEL batteries, a single large antimatter weapon in a spinal mount, and three defense pods loaded with CIWS phalanxes and counter-missiles. Her engines were overpowered, and her Kincaid drive was of impressive agility, allowing the fast getaways which her mission profile as raider, scout, and fast attack craft all necessitated.

Deep in the small vessel, the cramped command-chamber's fans worked overtime, sucking sweat from the air, keeping Lesser Shipmaster Andrej su Miitgar and his bridge crew comfortable as they plotted their course and began launching subspace sensor drones and scanning the area. The Hajr''s knowledge of warp and subspace technology was not primitive, but it was inferior to that of those nations which relied on the strange form of hyperspace for travel.

Andrej reviewed his reports. Odd. The disturbance was too small to have been a warp-storm. His hypertechnicians had only the basics of warp travel knowledge, and they hadn't been able to ascertain if it had been a ship's passage or some anamoly.

"Get in touch with command, and tell them that results are largely inconclusive;, but that we are certain that it was not a warp-storm."

Minutes later, the orders range across the fleet- Active sensor nets were to go active. They would be on overwatch for the next twelve hours, with figher patrols active and escorts on-station.

Andrej sighed as his helmswoman laid in the course. Damn the Subadmiral- the uptight bitch was always ready to spring another annoying drill on them. at least it kept the crew busy...

[Bugsby]

Overseer homeworld
The Combine fleet emerged from hyperspace near the Overseer homeworlds and moved into the system. Scouting reports in S7 had revealed much more heavily developed systems in this area, but none was nearly as developed as this one, and this system was the only one with any kind of significant military presence. The Overseer probes must have seen the Combine scout that had arrived 12 hours before, because the Overseer ships were ready. The Overseer fleets moved to engage the Combine, but the Combine had other plans.

A slight course correction sent them not INTO the Overseer fleets, but around them and headed toward the planet below. All guns opened fire. Railguns and heavy lasers burned rock and melted metal as the Krell weaponry dug into the surface of the planet. The Overseer would be far down, inside the defensive bunker spotted by the scouting mission. The guns continued to fire. Overseer ships swarmed, but the Combine shields held for now. There just werent enough Overseer ships to match the huge Combien fleet size. It seemed that the main Overseer force had attacked Nashtar. Many Krell ships would undoubtedly be destroyed in this engagement, but the objective would be accomplished.

The surface of the planet was quickly burned away. When the hole was a mile deep, Lances began firing, opening up massive underground caverns, venting the weak atmosphere. The air was thick with melted metal. More Lances fired. The hole in the planet was half a km wide, and at least 10 deep, as the guns quested for their target. Another Lance fired, and suddenly everything stopped. The Overseer ships continued on their present courses, letting Newton take over. Some crashed into the planet. All the lights on the Overseer homewrold winked out. All activity around the bunker had stopped, and over the next several seconds all activity over the rest of the planet stopped. But Krell guns still continued to fire. They did not stop until hours later, all Lance energy expended, when the fleet finally burned through the crust of the planet, releasing an eruption of molten rock across the Overseer homeworld. Nothing stirred. The Overseer was dead.

The Combine fleet went off battle alert, taking some time to examine the damage done to it by the Overseer ships before they could be shut down. Then the fleet turned around and went home.

Over the next few hours, Harley patrols would sweep past the developed worlds of the Overseer. The worlds were all truly dead. No energy signatures anywhere. Sensors picked up nothing. The Harleys had to get into visual range of the planet to even tell that anything had moved there before. Lifeless machines littered the landscape. Without the Overseer, the central brain, no machines would function. The threat was ended.

It was a great day for all of the races in known space. A great day for the Combine.

-ooc- Lest there be any doubt, this was not a power-post. Nitram and I discussed this beforehand. Kinda quick, I guess, but I guess Nitram wanted to make his stand against the Nashtar fleet where he actually had a chance to do some damage. I guess you can start that new race now....

[Hotfoot]

Veithan Empire
Vethia III

The Director raised an eyebrow as the prince made a reference to his first death. The possibility of others having a program similar to Soulcatcher was of course there, the Veithans seemed to indicate a limited program of their own. The two weeks, however, caught his attention. Was that how long it took them to grow a clone body from scratch? If so, exchanging notes on cloning technology would be something to look into for the future.

“As you are likely well aware, I am here to improve the Consortium’s relationship with the Veithans. As I understand it, Gladsheim and Veitha are getting along rather well, and since we share an ally, it would most likely be on good terms ourselves. Naturally, we would be interested in the usual things, trade and so on, but more importantly, given the state of the galaxy as it is now, a formal defense treaty between us would be beneficial. There is strength in numbers. Some would use that to conquer, which would force others of us to defend with similar means,” he removed a small data crystal from his pocket, offering it to the Crown Prince. “This contains a considerable amount of information concerning the Consortium, and should answer most questions you might have about us. If you would like to know anything more, I should be available for a while longer.”


Known Space
Ark Sector - Ravenlock Controlled Region
Trade Fair

The Dream Forge exited hyperspace without a hitch, aside from the usual inaccuracy of the drive. The ship’s food stores were full of the finest delicacies the Consortium had to offer, which while not perhaps as extravagant as the foods offered at the Monacoran Grand Ball or other such affairs, would be serviceable for those dining on board the luxury ship for the next few days. Most of the food was even real, not synthetic or high quality pre-pak.

The ship itself, aside from having numerous trade booths and conference rooms, had plenty of recreational facilities. Swimming pools, both normal and ZeeGee, virtual reality suites, and so on. The security for the Trade Fair was tight, as was usual for the Consortium. Voidform and SENTINEL were nowhere to be seen, but they were ready, watching, making sure that nothing would go wrong. Weapons were checked at the airlock, if anyone was going to bring any, and thorough scans would ensure that all but the most meticulously hidden weapons would be detected.

The booths in question showcased all of the corporations that composed the Consortium. Various military technologies were on show, orbital miners, space station construction, space ship construction, entertainment corporations, personal electronics, genetic engineering, so forth and so on. The only corporation noticeably absent was Q.U.E.S.T., not that any of the guests would likely know of the corporation’s existence in the first place.

Once the guests were gathered, The Dream Forge and its escort went to the final destination. Any latecomers would find a beacon pointing to specific set of coordinates to get the final destination. Those coordinates would lead to a battlegroup of Alpha Fleet, who would then relay the destination to the tardy traders, assuming they cooperated.

[Dahak]

Veithan Empire
Vethia III

The Director raised an eyebrow as the prince made a reference to his first death. The possibility of others having a program similar to Soulcatcher was of course there, the Veithans seemed to indicate a limited program of their own. The two weeks, however, caught his attention. Was that how long it took them to grow a clone body from scratch? If so, exchanging notes on cloning technology would be something to look into for the future.

“As you are likely well aware, I am here to improve the Consortium’s relationship with the Veithans. As I understand it, Gladsheim and Veitha are getting along rather well, and since we share an ally, it would most likely be on good terms ourselves. Naturally, we would be interested in the usual things, trade and so on, but more importantly, given the state of the galaxy as it is now, a formal defense treaty between us would be beneficial. There is strength in numbers. Some would use that to conquer, which would force others of us to defend with similar means,” he removed a small data crystal from his pocket, offering it to the Crown Prince. “This contains a considerable amount of information concerning the Consortium, and should answer most questions you might have about us. If you would like to know anything more, I should be available for a while longer.”

He took the data crystal and put it into a reading terminal.
"If you would be so kind and wait shortly?" he asked the Director.
He assessed the data as it poured into his mind, and that of Datanet. Consensus picked it apart, correlated it with their own data on them, and other sources. It soon was found to be true.
While processing the data, he talked with his mother. <<The Veithans are trustworthy, I would think they choose their allies wisely.>>
<<Yes, Mother. That is my assessment. The data is intriguing. He is a rather high-level representative.>>
<<So I see. Don't let himw ait to long, then.>>

His eyes turned their attention back towards the Director.
"Having discussed it with my mother, we agree to a formal defense treaty. It would seem like a very good idea to do so, as you have pointed out, in those interesting times. WOuld you like signing it on Veitha? It would send out a strong signal of strength and unity."

[Stormbringer]

The Princess-Heir simply walked down the exit ramp, which was flanked by a company of Imperial Guard in their distinctive grey uniforms. Despite the parade ground all of them were alert and ready. The Princess-Heir herself, despite being over fifty, looked like she was in her later twenties. She had long developed a sort of serene majesty about her that was so seemingly at odds with her apparent age.

"Thank you, on behalf of us all, for this welcome here. I understand from here we are to attend the formal signing?"

"Yes, join us."

Two Asgard soldiers then marched forward, carrying the national flag and the flag of the Imperial Guard, and stood side to side with the Monacoran Flag bearers. The Seargent-at-Arms then gave two short barking orders and the Monacorans spun around, and began the march into the palace lead by the flag bearers and the Tenth, followed by the rulers to be, and then followed by the Asgard. Once they were inside and out of the sight of prying eyes, however, the Princess-Heir was lead away to the office of the Political Prince.

"Hello, madam, I hope your journey went well. We've got a few minutes before we begin the signing process, so would you like some coffe, tea, or somesuch?

"Tea would be fine, please." She smiled. "I do wonder how much time we have until the formal ceremony?"

The Princess-Heir simply waited patiently in the office. The varegies of political and diplomatic meeting were no stranger to her. This was actually shaping up to be a rather pleasant occasion.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Krynori space

"Captain" Tyler of the pirate cruiser Embrace of Oblivion stood on the bridge of his ship. WIth the Ouster fleet all over the galaxy their shipping lanes were somewhat less protected than those of other nations

Sensor Officer: Sir we are picking up a large civilian freighter en route
CCaptain: Tell the Suprise to power up inderdictors

A few moments later the bulk freighter Nestle's Quick was yanked out of FTL
It was a large ship, roughly 2 KM long and hauling massive amounts fo foodstuffs and fuel to be sold in Krynori markets.

Facing down a pirate flotilla consisting of a cruiser 2 frigates 4 destryers and an interdictor... they didnt last long before their ship was borded.

[Stormbringer]

From:General Products
To:Asgard Office of Finance and Trade
Re: Clerical Error

<Insert Liscensing application for Standard Crystaline HUlls and Mk2 Defense Grid Energy Projectors*Civilian Model*>

We are sorry this took so long to get through, we thought it would be done by the time our advertisements aired, but it seems that due to a clerical error we sent the application to one of our offices in the Ryax system(small NPC fiefdom the general products sells toaster ovens to)

By the time we caught the mistake it was to late to cancel the commercials aired in you space. We would be more than willing to plead no contest to any fines or penalties placed upon us.

Also, our government informed us of the requirement to have a liscence and cannot be faulted for a clerical error on our part. The individuals responsible for the clerical error have had their pay docked, and an investigation is under way. We may need to switch our filing software and would welcome your suggestions.

We apologize for any Inconvenience

Xeril Knatha
General Products Board of Directors.

From: Asgard Office of Finance and Trade
To: General Products
Re: Clerical Error

We accept your apologies and will begin the process necessary for licensing. Be aware that should it be approved you will be required to provide information on the products sold to this offices for the purpose of registration.

As to your advertisements, we will begin an investigation to consider what legal rememdies might be necessary. Your complete and total cooperation will make things much easier for your company.

[admiral_danielsben]

Oh, and before we cause any more diplomatic incidents, I should inform you that myself and some of the others in this party have some level of telepathic abilities."

"As long has you keep your thoughts to yourself you'll be fine. Although we may want to discuss that later. As for myself, do you think me and the Lord Protector share a last name by accident?"

"Then you are a relative. I apologize for any mistaken impression.

Also, most of us are NOT broadcast telepaths, at least with non-telepaths."

[Alyrium Denryle]

From: Asgard Office of Finance and Trade
To: General Products
Re: Clerical Error

We accept your apologies and will begin the process necessary for licensing. Be aware that should it be approved you will be required to provide information on the products sold to this offices for the purpose of registration.

As to your advertisements, we will begin an investigation to consider what legal rememdies might be necessary. Your complete and total cooperation will make things much easier for your company.

Thank you very much. You can be assured of our full cooperation

[Alyrium Denryle]

From: Zenith Defense System
To:Asgard Office of Finance and Trade
Re: Liscencing

In anticipation of its unveiling one week from now we wish to apply for the liscence to sell the civilian version of our CTX Mk3 Defensive Energy Projector. Otherwise known as the Mk 3 Defense Grid Emplacement basic statistics are as follows(less power per emplacement than the military version)

firepower: 1 kiloton anti-fighter cont beam OR 2.5 kiloton flak/interception burst 10 shots/sec
Turret speed: Hyper
Can intercept fire from plasma and missile weapons

<Application>

[Alyrium Denryle]

Contra Mining Group
To: Republican Senate
Location:CX19385-16
Subject:New System Open for Colonization

This is the Contra Mining Group. We have Found a planet designated CX19385-16 that is sutable for colonization. The planet is uninhabited by sentient life and has a climate and terrain seutable for the propagation of our species. It also poseses a system that is rich in minerals and we are claiming sole rights to mine the system.

<Response>

Acknowledged

[Rogue 9]

The Dreadnought crumpled under the vast firestorm, passing from existance without much of a sound. The wreck cooked off as it's antimatter reactor breached, sending chunks of metal drifting through the battlefield.

Admiral Fisher breathed a sigh of relief. It was essentially over. The uncompleted dreadnought was still spinning and would have to be dealt with, but there was nothing left to pose a serious threat to his command now. "Damage report."

"Conn, damage control, the doors on hangars 4 and 5 are fairly beat up. Internal bracings in the ventral spaces are contorted a bit, but we'll live. The fighters will be a bit crowded in the other bays; 4 can't be opened at all."

"Aye."

The tower itself was holding up well, even against such a huge missile swarm. It's gatling defenses were rapid fire, allowing it to lay down a huge firestorm of defense, though many missiles still got through, hitting it's shields.

The shields began to weaken.. Then, quite strangely, powered down completely. The tower was shredded as the missiles hit the structure itself, causing the great creation to snap like a twig, the huge skyhook tumbling back towards the planet beneath.

Commodore Kensington watched impassively from the bridge of the Warrior as the tower fell. His command, the heavy line combatants of Fifth Fleet, was badly brutalized. The Curie's engines were dead; the cruiser would have to be towed away or possibly scuttled if another force appeared that might have a chance of capturing her before she could be removed. The Gladius would have to spend six to nine months in drydock to fix the massive structural damage to her rear quarter, and Dauntless would be waiting awhile for her new sensors, but for all that it was a victory. Two of his own ship's shield generators had blown out, and could not be brought back online without parts that had been stored in a space that had crumpled beneath a railgun impact. He was without shielding until they returned to Orodan, but his engineers told him that it would only be a couple week's work with the proper parts, though other repairs would take longer. He sighed as he turned from the viewscreen. "Helm, bring us about. Rejoin the fleet formation."

"Aye, sir."

[Bugsby]

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
To: all powers

Tuesday at 1643, Earth Standard Time, the entity known as the Overseer met its end. A month-long search into the outer territories identified by the Overseer itself finally revealed the location of the mechanical identity responsible for the Rape of Terra. Combine forces assaulted the homeworld a little over two days ago, meeting resistance and sustaining moderate casualties. The operation was nonetheless a success. An efficient orbital bombardment destroyed the bunker where the Overseer central computer was housed, terminating the central command entity controlling the machines. Within five minutes following the destruction of the Overseer, all machines shut down. We are currently monitoring the machines for any indication of life, but so far have seen nothing. Combine forces are returning to known space to repair and resupply.

Combine Command acknowledges the efforts of other nations in this endeavor, specifically the coalition-building efforts of Monacora. We would also like to recognize the Nashtar Republic, who fought a heavy fleet engagement with the Overseer a week previous to its destruction.

It should be noted that this is the second kill made by Combine forces in recent months. The Combine has led successful solo strikes against both the Arcanists and the Overseer, eliminating both powers from known space. With the fulfillment of the Monacoran contract, all Krell ships are again up for hire. Contact your local office, or send representatives to our offices on Cadmus or Sirius.

The Krell Combine: Quality You Can Trust.

[Thirdfain]

Sparta System
Monacoran Occupation Zone
Former Krynori Empire

Commander Aleks Jefferson was quietly doing his paperwork in his office on Sparta. The conquest had been efficient, and now, the people were working together well with the Monacorans- after all, the previous occupants had b een brain control parasites, and the light hand of the Monacoran occupation was welcomed as a liberating touch rather than an oppressive iron gauntlet. Jefferson's job was simple- he managed some of the patrols run against piracy in teh region. His job rarely brought him near the Ousters who shared Krynori space and occupation duities with him, and as a non-combat desk jockey, he never had to work with them in the field.

Thats why he was quite unprepared when his secretary began frantically calling him in the middle of a quiet afternoon paperwork session.

"Sir! sir! someone to see you, sir!"

"Barbara, I told you I was not to be disturbed. I'm very busy, and..."

"But, sir- your appointment, your 3:00, has arrived!"

What the? I don't have a 3-oclock appointment...

The door was hurled open. His guards stood back in shock, saluting the tall figure who had just burst in- after all, she had all the proper clearances.

Jefferson stared in disbelief. It was an Ouster, a woman, towering over him, dressed in a skinsuit and uniform-vest, wobbling slightly in the high-G and looking not one whit less furious for it. Jefferson had, like many Monacoran officers, taken Free-speak lessons, which approximated the Ouster's strange language, and he knew enough of their rank structure to tell that, judging by the colored slashes down the flanks of her skinsuit, she was high-ranking- perhaps equivelent to an Admiral.

"Arre You Boundmen Jeffherson?"

"Yes! Yes, I am! and what is the meaning of this!"

"I ahm Bondwomen Sub-Admiral Quisa su Jhalar. I Ahm of the Hajr, the occupation fleet. And this is the meaning!"

With that, she threw a bundle of papers onto his desk.

"Loss repahrts. Civahlian ships. Keelld by Pirahtes. In yahr patrol zones! Void devour you, Mahnacoran. You do yahr duty, as per our agreements. We will do ahrs."

With that, she turned, and left, escorted by a pair of Monacoran marines, leaving Jefferson sweating into his uniform.

-/ ooc Hey! Straha! I believe we have an agreement concerning Krynor space, and the patrolling thereof?

[consequences]

"So the Overseer is dead, and its fleet is inactive. Get fast ships to where major industrial worlds were indicated on the map, and see what we can grab before the rest of the vultures get their fleets out here."

Over a hundred escorts detcached from the now superfluous search pattern, red-lining their engines to hopefully establish a physical presence over the Machines former domain.