STGOD 2K5 Main Game

[Marcao]

Sabai Territory
Zer`liam System

The Zer`liam system was the home system for the Sabai fourth fleet. The fourth was not assigned to the defense of any particular territory, instead it served in detached duty capable of using its vessels for offensive actions or the preservation of Sabai interests. By virtue of being the most offensive minded of all the fleets, it possessed the largest amount of actual experience in the field.
The orders arrived to fourth fleet headquarters directly from the hall of the Acheron and were immediately passed along. Two task forces each composed of ten ships were created for the task which had been set before them, and within an hour of the orders having been arrived both task forces were assembled and ready to carry out their duties. Their orders were to carry out a simultaneous strike against their targets in conjunction with Stuart Corporation efforts in the matter.

The task forces sped away from the system before disappearing into the embrace of hyperspace. The transit time to their meeting point with Stuart assets was relatively low. Once both forces met, they would communicate in order to best coordinate their efforts. After that was done, all that was left was to carry out their orders to the best of their ability. The intelligence which the commanding officers of both task forces possessed was thorough, enough so that the end result was not truly in question.

Task Force 1 and 2 composition
1. Heavy Cruiser
2. Drone Cruisers
1. Interdictor Cruiser
4. Destroyers
2. Escort Carriers

TSC Territory
Osiris

The world of Osiris had served as the gateway between the Indashani and the Commonwealth. It had been in this world that first contact between both nations had occurred, the first Indashani embassy on any nation had been built in the soil of Osiris. As such, when the Indashani had left for parts beyond Osiris had held the distinction of being the most important diplomatic post for the Sabai. Its best and brightest diplomats were sent to the world, the architecture of the children of Indas untouched out of respect for those that had come before.

Unfortunately, the relationship between the Sabai did not easily reach the heights achieved by the Indashani. The TSC was leery of the so called “successors” to the Indashani, the relationship between the new nation and the TSC was difficult to predict. The Sabai understood TSC hesitations, but privately there was resentment along the upper levels of Sabai leadership. Nonetheless, the Indashani had thought highly of the TSC and their trading markets were too large and lucrative to be overlooked. Trade began to flow between both nations, but without the preferential treatment which the Indashani had managed to enjoy.

Sabai diplomats lingered in Osiris, always helpful and willing to work with their TSC counter parts. Nonetheless, the post began to lose prestige in the eyes of upper level Sabai diplomats. Posts in other worlds such as Karis, became more coveted and while no other embassy could match the wealth and power which the TSC possessed the temple which the Indashani had built upon the world of Osiris seemed a shadow of its former self.

Astaria Kalai was the lead representative of the Sabai in the world of Osiris. It was a position that had been made for her. She had been taught by the Indashani extensively on everything they had learned about the TSC. In her mind the teachings of her Indashani tutors still lingered, memories that she could recall at will and explore at any time. Her staff was the equal of any diplomatic staff in the galaxy, and yet she was aware of her own relative impotence. The memories which had been shared with her by the Indashani, had shown an embassy overflowing with activity of all types, shapes and sizes. The Indashani had favored no nation like they had favored the TSC, and Indashani goods had flowed through Osiris in impressive quantities. That was not the case anymore, and while trade was significant between both nations, the sheer volume of goods exchanged was far lower than what had once been.

The orders which had arrived from the hall of the Acheron were still fresh on her mind as she sat upon her office. As a diplomat, she understood the advantages that dealing with the Karis entailed her nation. Nonetheless, she could not help but wonder if this would be merely the first step. Luxury goods were by their very definition replaceable. The Sabai were not overly threatening the TSC economy by changing those orders to other markets. The TSC had grown significantly over the last few months, and the so called “Eastern Rim Trading” initiatives promised to net the TSC a great deal of money.

Nonetheless, Astaria wondered if this would be simply the first step of others to come between her nation and the TSC. Would her people abandon the ties they shared with the TSC? Would this embassy, the largest and greatest ever built by the Indashani be deserted? The idea seemed ludicrous, but now she was no longer certain. She sighed softly, her eyes moving about her office and admiring the Indashani crafted statues and adornments which surrounded her. The TSC had not responded to the actions of her superiors, but she expected that there would be some response. It was only a matter of time. And so she settled to wait, her eyes closing as she considered how the Indashani would have looked at the developing situation.

[Crayz9000]

[ Klingon Space, Near Klingon-UTR Buffer Zone ]

"Are we still waiting on the transmission?"

"Yep." Crell said, leaning back from one of the Lurker of the Shadow's old computer terminals and yawning. They had already undocked and were currently drifting in deep space near the point that Darg had agreed to drop the Klingon ship out of hyperspace at. They'd been drifting for several days now -- no engine power, nothing that could trip sensors... just their own passive sensors, waiting for that one signal that would either get them all killed or get them a nice, tidy fortune. He sincerely hoped it was the latter.

At that point, there was a burst of static from the receiver, and a garbled voice came through. "-orval ere" -- Crell adjusted the settings -- "Do you copy?"

"I copy, 'Gorval.' Go ahead." Crell glanced at the waveform analysis, noting that it was a 99.1% match to Darg's print. Close enough.

"Alright, I'm in the reprocessing section right now. The virus was inserted successfully, stay sharp for the coordinates it'll be sending you. As for Martok, I put the hyperspace beacon in his food and he wolfed it down. Once you get here you should have no problems locking on."

"Copy. Lurker out." Inwardly, Crell was pleased... the virus was his own creation, taking advantage of whatever Klingon system weakness it could find. Its goal was simple, to knock the vessel out of hyperspace and deactivate its shields at a precise time. The only fly in the ointment was that he wasn't entirely sure where the Klingon battleship would wind up...

"Got the coordinates," Johan said from the other side of the bridge. "It's about ten lightyears from here, should take less than a minute..." He quickly transferred the coordinates to the navicomp and slammed back on the control levers. The Lurker of the Shadows' compensators struggled momentarily as the old ship shot forward, only to reappear some second later at the provided coordinates. Immediately, it was met with a few long-range disruptor shots from the battleship, the few shots that didn't miss having their energy harmlessly reflected off its shields.

"What's their status?" Johan barked.

"Shields still down, weapons very definitely active. I've got a lock on the general... Hang on."

With Johan at the helm, the Lurker somewhat ponderously twisted out of the way of another barrage of incoming fire, actually moving before the shots were fired. Two connected, and the ancient ship groaned slightly.

"Alright, got him!"

"What about Darg?"

"He's next... Damnit, I can't get a good enough lock. We need to get closer, his beacon's apparently running low on juice."

"Kriff. I'll get as close as I can... better make this fast." Johan braced himself in the seat and closed his eyes.

"Don't tell me you fly with your eyes closed!"

"I can shoot, too. Now shaddup and get Darg out of there so we can get the hell out of dodge."

The Lurker of the Shadows' engines went to max power, and the old ship shot forward in a surprising burst of speed as it twisted and turned its way toward the massive Klingon battleship. Several shots connected, rocking it hard, but most went wide thanks to the Klingon gunners' confusion. In turn, it sent several volleys of well-aimed turbolaser fire in the battleship's direction, which wreaked havoc with one of the weapons arms of the birdlike ship and causing a torpedo magazine to cook off. The Klingon ship, now wounded and closer, started hitting the Lurker with everything it had.

Crell jerked in his seat as another blast connected. "Got 'im, let's get out of here."

The Lurker turned as quickly as a two hundred meter ship could turn and flashed to hyperspace. Seconds later, the Klingon ship did likewise.



"So, what did I miss?" Darg said as he walked into the bridge pit of the corvette.

"Oh, not much," Johan replied without missing a beat. "Just have a pissed-off Klingon battleship on our tail, nothing to worry about. Luckily, they can't fire on us in hyperspace, and they can't outrun us."

"What about when we come out of hyperspace?"

Johan looked at the controls. "That," he said, "is the problem. Crell, change course so we'll hit the nearest UTR interdictor blockade. Should be right along the main trade route into the UTR."

"And the interdictor?" Crell asked, while performing the course change.

"Well... I'm kind of betting on the Klingons to go after the bigger targets the UTRN presents. If they don't, then we're probably screwed."

"Comforting,' Darg remarked. "So no backup plan?"

"Well,' Johan thought for several seconds, "we do have a full load of missiles in the forward VLS magazine. We could ripple-fire the launch tubes and have the missiles take a dispersed pattern to confuse their CIWS."

"The field's coming up in five minutes," Crell announced. "What's the plan then?"

"Dump all auxiliary power into the shields. As soon as we drop out, cut the engines and spin us around as fast as we can, fire off the missiles and decoys, and as soon as we complete the spin cut in the engines again and aim for the edge of the interdiction field. We'll take a few hits but if we make it fast, we should be out of harm's way."

"Roger that. Field coming up in four minutes..."

[Rogue 9]

NRS Wraith

Captain Jonoghot grinned, his narrow mouth splitting to reveal needlelike teeth. His frigate had been easing into position behind one of the enemy interdictors when the Federation forces arrived. "Torpedo room, Conn. Fire tubes one through four into the enemy's engine area. Reload tubes one and two with the same ordnance. Reload tubes three and four with Mark 610s," he said evilly.

"Conn, Torpedo, aye."

The heavy warheads lanced out at a range of 1.5 km. Although they were slower than long-range missiles, at that range the enemy point defense had little time to react. One was hit by a point defense Vulcan-type railgun, but the other three detonated against the enemy ship's deflector shield in a ragged sequence.

"Conn, Sensors. The enemy vessel's rear shields are faltering. One more should do it."

"Torpedo, Conn. On my mark fire tube one. Wait three seconds, then fire tube three."

"Conn, Torpedo, aye."

The frigate had eased even closer and sideslipped a bit to change relative position. The enemy's rear arc weapons fired wildly for a couple seconds, but they had bigger problems to worry about that they could actually see, so it didn't last long. The fifth heavy torpedo lanced out and detonated, destroying the shield and expending it's remaining fury on the exhaust nozzles of the interdictor. Three seconds later, another torpedo lanced out.

It hit the enemy's rear, but did not detonate in a large fireball like the previous warheads. An observer might have thought it a dud for a few seconds, until he realized that the interdictor was losing power. The "warhead," such as it was, released a high-intensity electromagnetic pulse coupled with an arc of ionizing energy that pulsed through the interdictor. It was dead in space in a span of seconds.

NRS Shieldwall

"Attention pirate ships, this is Abbot Grassus..."

"Helm, Conn. Jump, now!"

"Conn, Helm, aye," responded the helmsman as he activated the slipspace drive. The cruiser and it's task group jumped into slipspace and emerged at the pirate base just as the Federation interdiction field was coming up.

"Conn, Sensors. The pirates are not responding, sir. I think they're going to try and fight they're way out."

"Foolish of them. All ships, engage their escorts."

"Sir, torpedoes moving at grid square 463 local. One of their interdictors is dead in space, looks like the Wraith's work."

Brraskar indulged in a predatorial grin. "Comms, Conn. Contact the Federation vessels, request that the disabled interdictor be left to us."

"Aye."

Captain Brraskar reached over to the communications control panel next to his command chair with his left secondary arm and selected the task force frequency. "Okinawa, the disabled pirate vessels are all yours. You know what to do."

Commander Teller of the task force's Marine assault ship grinned and saluted. "Aye, sir."

NRS Shieldwall

"Conn, Sensors. Four pirate vessels are inbound for our position, looks like they mean to break through."

Brraskar stood up. "Comms, hail the pirate vessels."

"Channel open, sir."

"This is Acting Commodore Brraskar commanding Task Force 5, Sixth Fleet, Republic Space Command. Power down your ships and effect immediate surrender or we will open fire."

Ragged shots from the approaching destroyers' mishmash of weapons batteries were the only response.

"Wrong answer. Brraskar out." The comms officer killed the transmission. "Guns, Conn. Weapons free, I repeat weapons free. Aim for the engines."

"Conn, Gunnery, aye."

The cruiser's MACs went to work at once, batteries of railguns firing in unison at the approaching destroyers. The first few salvoes produced immediate results.

"Conn, Sensors, the enemy vessels are breaking formation and scattering."

Brraskar nodded. "Undisciplined brigands. Of course they break. Well, we'll take them piecemeal if they insist," he said. The task force's frigates and destroyers were peeling off in pairs and threes to pursue as fighters from the escort carriers streaked by to join the fray. "Helm, all ahead flank, course 279 mark 46. We're going to rake their other interdictor."

"Aye, sir." The cruiser's big engines kicked up to full thrust. A slight tremor spread through the ship for a moment. Railguns spoke, flinging tons of solid shells at near lightspeed at the pirate vessels. She shuddered a bit as scattered return fire hit the shields, but the heavier pirate ships were primarily occupied with the Federation dreadnoughts.

[InnocentBystander]

(ooc: Sorry, if this doesn't read quite right, I've cobbled it togather from stuff I've written on a pager late at night, early in the morning, and on the train)
Deep Space
Edge of the Waste
Conclusion

After dispatching with the pirate destroyer the Arrowhead left the cloud to move to the next targets of opportunity, there were still a half dozen uglie's attacking her, but as she emerged from the clouds they hardly lasted a second. In the time that the Arrowhead was gone the Fidelity had taken serious damage to it's shields, had the [/i]Arrowhead[/i] not drawn the fire from the two pirate escorts in the dust, the Blue Order destroyer would not have lasted very long. After heading carefully into the debris cloud it dispatched with the two ships easily, though by this time her shields were now in a poor state, and the Fidelity's shields were on the verge of collapse.

As the [/i]Arrowhead[/i] made it's way through the debris cloud to where it supposed the third source of fire was coming from it made a discovery, a freighter was sitting in the cloud, not far from the edge, it very obviously was the source of the interdiction field. It took only moments to return space/time to its normal consistency, thus allowing ships to use FTL means of travel freely.
The Fidelity was now in full view, it had a dozen hull breaches, several were spewing fire, small bits of hull were drifting through space, but the turbolaser fire had stopped. The Arrowhead approached the Fidelity carefully, if the pirates had indeed been scared off they would need repair assistance immediately.

It was at this point when the pirates struck. A sizeable cruiser rushed out from the cloud, tagging the weakened Arrowhead with four pbeams, after releasing a cloud of 20 missiles from two foreword silos. Before the arrowhead could react, her shields were down, her FTL drives were out and half her portside gun points were gone. A short minute or two of dueling left the Arrowhead as disabled as the fidelity.

Small craft began emerging from the dust, corvettes, transports, shuttles, etc. The pirates were going to "clean up" before they took their prizes.

Then the cavalry arrived in the old style, tearing out of hyperspace, guns blazing, fighter launching, it was a spectacular sight to witness. Capital turbolasers tore apart the pirate cruiser while focused pd guns shredded corvettes and similar light escorts.
Emergency repair crews were sent onboard the two disabled ships while fighter squadrons combed the cloud for more signs of fighter activity. Crews of the ships were evacuated, and brought to UVP space where the wounded could get the medical attention they needed. Tugs then arrived and towed the ships into UVP territory for repairs, a diplomatic gesture by the Lady Protector.


+03:00 Rescue Arrival

Eleven ships slipped out of hyperspace near the Protectorate Battle carrier, the Mother’s Guardian, a mammoth super dreadnaught and her escort of two pocket battleships and a handful of powerful Blue Order destroyers.

Open Transmission

United Vigoran Protectorate ships, on behalf of the Blue Order, I thank you for arriving in time to save our sisters and the many lives onboard our ship and those of the Roma Republic’s ship. We are here to conduct an investigation of the region and deploy warning beacons.

End Transmission

The eight destroyers set to work, launching probes, shuttles and sensors scans into the cloud. The style and situation of the attack was, strange, to say the least. Pirates generally use interdiction to draw freighters out of hyperspace, knock them out then drag them back to their burrows where they might do with them as they please. Further investigation was in order. Besides – they were no longer required in the east, probes could do that job well enough.

[Rogue 9]

Joyous Gard

The Shadow class frigate Blackstar broke orbit and pulled out of the colonial military center's gravity field. Once well clear of other ships and system traffic, she engaged her cloak and Slipstream drive, leaving the system in a white flash.

Oort Cloud, Nurnen system

"Captain, we're coming up on the first of the target worlds now. Reversion in thirty seconds."

"Helm, Conn, aye." Captain Nok'golaroh extended a talon and activated the shipwide address system. "Reversion in one minute. General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations." Alarm klaxons sounded throughout the ship as crewmen rushed to their combat duty stations. "Torpedo Room, Conn."

"Torpedo, aye."

"What's loaded?"

"Tubes one and two Mk 570, tube three Mk 610, and tube four Mk 557."

"Very good. The cloak?"

"Cloaking device is fully operational and functioning, sir."

"Captain, reverting now."

The slipspace rift glowed a shimmering white for a moment as the frigate emerged into normal space, fading in seconds. Then there was nothing.

"Helm, engage engine dampers. All ahead two thirds, bearing 271."

"Aye, sir."

"Sensors, report."

"No sign of Auroran naval vessels, sir. A substantial amount of merchant traffic, though; looks like CH and AH bulk freighters." The lieutenant at the sensor station turned in his chair. "Sir, if I may say so, this doesn't feel right. This world was hardly into the nuclear age; I have a hard time imagining what actual mutually beneficial trade can go on between them and modern spacefaring cultures."

Nok'golaroh tapped a talon against his narrow chin in thought. "No, something is definitely amiss," mused the Ronoghan. "Continue to scan the area, inform me of any change. If we don't get anything more concrete than this, we move on to the next system."

[Shark Bait]

"Well, we have a few other concerns aside from precentage. To arange such an agreement we would need your word that you would only bring in mining vehicles. Also, our Confederacy is set in a cluster of stars and other navigational hazards. This makes it easier to defend our territory, because there are only a few easy routes in and out. The rest are largely unknown to the rest of the galaxy. If you were to be allowed to operate in our space, you must not share any navigational data you might collect,

You have our promise as a nation to not reveal any navigational data, and should we begin mining operations or any other form of labor you will be free to inspect any incomeing technology.

(ooc: sorry for delay family matters and moving back to college got in the way)

[White Haven]

Deep space

Deep beyond any star system's boundaries and well away from any known hyperlanes, a cluster of ships floats in the void. Several light warships drawn from the Commerce Defense Forces, a number of survey ships, and a few that look like freighters of some kind. Sensor platforms have been deployed in a cloud around the area, out to a good distance from the small knot of vessels. All in all, a fairly curious sight, were anyone around to see it.

The wings of fighters sweeping the space around the site attend to that.

SCSS Delphi

"The fighters are finishing up their sweeps now, ma'am. No contacts detected on the arrays either. The area is clear." The lieutenant passes over a datapad containing the full compilation report, then turns back to his other duties. After a quick glance over it, Admiral Blake nods her head and looks over at another flag-rank officer next to her.

"Proceed."

Deep Space

The two freighters begin to move, positioning themselves in a clear space at the center of the assembled ships and platforms. Minutes pass after they reach their designated positions, then a bay door slides open. A pair of weapon muzzles stand revealed as they train out, aiming towards the other freighter. Abruptly, a blast of white light and a storm of EM emmissions blast out from the remote-controlled target vessel, the blast taking it dead amidships. It emerges from the flare of annihilation intact, thanks to reinforced defensive shielding...but then the weapon fires again, and again, and again...until eventually the screens buckle and the freighter's hull buckles. The prow and stern tumble in opposite directions, debris and globules of quickly-cooling molten metal spraying out in all directions.

SCSS Delphi

"Test is on profile...all readings nominal. Antimatter containment is stable...still on the primaries, the secondary and tertiary containment generators are at full capacity. Power consumption slightly above projected levels...antimatter consumption above projected levels by the same amount." The same lieutenant looks up, unable to contain his eagerness, "Target destroyed. Ma'am, I'd say the test is a success!"

"So it would seem," the admiral replies with a nod, then turns her head towards the other flag uniform, "Rear Admiral Taylor, I believe we're ready to start refitting the fleet. We need a few more tests to nail down the overconsumption problem, but we're close enough. If you have no objections, please begin production of the new mounts and facilities." The response from her younger opposite number in the Quartermaster Corps is quick to arrive, "I'm impressed, Christina, you've finally managed to get a positron accelerator down to a managable size. That double-mount is hardly larger than current broadside railguns. I'll get my people to work on it as soon as we get back. Mmm...can you cook up something heavier for the turrets? We've got the room, might as well make use of it."

Deep Space

As the discussion continues aboard the Delphi, a pair of light cruisers approach the blasted wreckage and open fire, close-attack missiles ripping into it and finishing the job the test-firing began. It wouldn't do for someone to stumble onto some...interesting salvage.

[frigidmagi]

From: Knights Templar, Diplomatic Branch
To: Commision of The ERTC
Re: Rpblksrpsk

The Order of the Knights Templar votes Aye.

[InnocentBystander]

Vigora IV
Hospital of the Protector - Floor 176 - Room 91772

"Mother Julliard? Are you awake? Reverend Mother?" the voice of the Viogran doctor was soft and kind. May Julliard lay in the bed motionless.
"May? Can you hear me May?" the doctor looked displeased, "Nurse, if you please?" the nurse moved to the computer panel beside the bed and pressed a few bottons, the machine around the bed made a slight humming noise.
"Yes?" the voice came in clear, but distinctly... inhuman.
"Could you hear me Mother Julliard?" he knew she could, the brain scans had registered ample activity.
"Yes" the voice came again.
"Good! Your ears should be fulling integrated within an hour, all your internals are now working as if they were orignal! We'll have your eyes and minor muscles running by the end of the day, if we can." the doctor could tell May was trying to force her vocal cords to do something, though they didn't yet exist, and she knew it.
"Now May, you know you can't do that yet..." the doctor sighed.
"I am sorry" the voice uttered.
The doctor nodded and the nurse pressed a few more buttons on the computer console before leaving behind the doctor.

::I am a voice, a mind. I am no longer as I was... I will not accept this prostetic life. No, I will be the voice of my sisters. Yes. . . yes::
The doctor recieved a page shortly thereafter.

Doctor, please do not continue my rejuvination process. I am to be placed in a Chair.
Thank you,
-Reverend Mother May Julliard

[Kyle]

Klingon Perimeter
TNS Wolfgang TG621

The battle of the Klingon Perimeter had ended with a resounding defeat for the Klingon Empire. The assistance of the Three Suns Commonwealth and the Star Kingdom had turned the tide against the Klingon squadrons assaulting the dispersed UTRN fleet.

Fifth Fleet had been hit hard though, most of its fighter squadrons had been decimated and all of its ships had been hurt to some degree and a few were barely spaceworthy. Luckily only a handful of destroyers had been lost outright. But it was still out of action for at least two months while 5th fleet refitted at Jenistat Station.

So now Rear Admiral Palmer's Task Force 62, along with assistance from the TSC was holding the Klingon border. He had less ships to do it with then Vice Admiral Muergens' had but he also faced a significantly reduced Klingon fleet.

The Klingons had tried to take advantange of the confusion caused by the assault on the blockade perimeter by launching a full scale strike into the UTRs Second District. 2nd Fleet ahd been able to slow them down and then stop the offensive, and then with Home Fleet moving up in support had crushed the Klingon fleet in a vice and destroyed it.

The Klingons had gambled on an all or nothing plan, and it hadn't worked. So now they had nothing. Klingon shipyards, according to Naval Intelligence, were working full out to produce fighters and light escorts, but they didin't have enough time to build anything heavy.

To paraphrase an old saying, the Klingons had sown the wind, now they would reap the whirlwind. TF 62 along witht eh Commonwealth would amitnain the bloackade along the klingon perimeter, Second Fleet had already shut down the Terran Klingon border and Home Fleet was mobilizing. This would be the largest campaign by the UTRN since the Vong Incursion hundreds of years ago.

[Marcao]

Sabai Territory
Indas System, Indas

Ashna had to look up at the lead Knight Templar diplomat, he was nearly a foot taller than she was but that was not a problem. Her eyes watched those of Kurik before he spoke, her head nodding for a moment before a smile graced her lips.

“Will you please follow me? We have made arrangements to house you and your companions in a site suitable for your needs. I would like to hear what you have to say on this choice.”

She waited for a moment and turned on her heels, guiding the templar delegates towards a convoy of awaiting grav vehicles. The size of the templar delegation had not been anticipated, but already the Sabai were adjusting several new vehicles brought up in order to accommodate the templar numbers. Afterwards, the templar were driven away from the periphery of the capital and driven into the city proper. The Sabai have made minor adjustments to the city itself, and as such it is still looked a great deal like the Indas of old. Wherever possible, the Sabai had adapted the internal systems of the buildings to better suit their lifestyle rather than destroy the buildings outright and build their own.

The travel time from the landing zone to the site designated for the templar was a mere fourteen and a half minutes. The convoy came to a stop opposite the site, doors opened as Ashna Murai and her escorts exited before the templar were allowed to do so. Once all the templar representatives were gathered, Ashna walked towards Kurik and spoke.

”We are aware of the emphasis your people place upon matters of faith, and as such attempted to find an embassy that was suitable for your needs. We chose this spot for several reasons. The first being that it is located five minutes away from the diplomatic directorate here in the city, the second being that it had more than enough space and lastly it holds a former Indashani church.”

Her head turned and she glanced towards the structure in the question. The Indashani as a whole had not possessed a national religion, and according to the documents the Sabai possessed well over half had been atheists. Nonetheless, perhaps due to their psychic nature they had been more attuned to the supernatural than the Sabai were. Several religions had thrived within Indashani space, for although many did not believe in such things no religion was persecuted due to the desires of the majority. This structure was one such church, its towering spires rising to well over one hundred meters in height.

“We have prepared the site for you, removing all artifacts of significance from within in anticipation of your arrival. The building which will house your people shall in accordance to these matters be treated as your own soil. However, we ask you to take special care within the structure itself.” The Sabai were very careful around Indashani structures especially in Indas. This had been the jewel of the Indashani, and as such they tried to keep it as pristine as possible.

“If this arrangement is satisfactory I welcome you to the site of your embassy. If it is not, please say so and we shall immediately begin other arrangements.”

[Dahak]

Unnamed System, Stuart registry number X775-3F

It was a useless system in the space between Sabai and Stuart belongings. Despite acting as a meeting point for their forces for pirate hunting, it was remarkably unimpressive.
With the sudden and unremarkable way of the Kornienko drive, the Stuartian task force simply appeared near the system's fourth 'planet'.
Led by the Battle Carrier Dragon's Breath the task force numbered twenty ships.
The Sabai fleet was already present, waiting for them.
Normally only the group-voice of fleet-Consensus have spoken for the task force, but as they were interested in the Sabai the Admiral of the task force actually spoke in person. Sitting in the comfortable chair on the bridge of his ship, he might have looked a bit out-of-place for a non-Stuartian with the visible youth and looks. The rest of the bridge crew were just lying back in their chairs, their bodies all but unimportant for the ship.
"This is Admiral Lucas DeSoya," his deep voice reached across the space to the Sabai fleet. "It is a pleasure meeting you. I hope we have a good hunting time."

*Task force
1 Battle Carrier
2 Battlecruisers
4 Heavy cruisers
3 attack carriers
10 fast destroyers

[Kyle]

Task Force 21, UTR Klingon Border

"Sir, we've got an incoming Klingon warship." The Klingons had been pushed back to their side of the border with extremely heavy losses and now Second Fleet had instituted a full force blackade of the border. He couldn't beleive they were stupid enough to try and challenge this edge of the blockade.

"Hyperspace emergence in fifteen seconds." To put it simply the Klingons were about to get fucked over, hard, without lube, by a dry wooden rod with splinters. Task Force 21 was located on the hyper lane between Qo'noS and Earth was therefore the heaviest formation on the blockade perimeter. Task Forces 22 and 23 had been deployed as TG units alogn the border.

But as the hyperlane was the most likely invasion route for the Klingons the heaviest blocking force had been placed to cover it.

"Emergence." The Klingon ship dropped from hyperspace directly ahead of TNS Mars a Terrae class dreadnought supported by a pair of heavy cruisers with a Fleet Carrier, two Light Carriers and a pair of Escort Carriers far astern of them in a supporting role and with dozens of escorts screening them. "Sir, I've also detected some type of independent corvette, the battleship seem to be in pursuit of. "

"Concentrate on the battleship for now. But send a quartet of frigates and a pair of destroyers after the corvette. I want to know whats going on. Our orders are no ships enter or leave Klingon space without a full inspection, and thats what we're going to do. Order them to shut down there drives and prepare for boarding."

[InnocentBystander]

Edge of the Waste

Out of the murk came six destroyers, in tow was a large, old style space station, a trade fortress from back in the days of the Sixth Imperium. Fleeing pirates lead them right to it, it had been their den for some time, small sections of the large space station were obviously pressurized, but it was, on the whole, a mess. It still had a few vestiages of pre-dark age technology, but nothing worth salvaging. It would require the full resources of the Blue Order's ship facilities to be returned to working order in a few months. Though perhaps with aid it would not take so long...


Local Galactic Broadcast
Hyperspace Channel 133

[|] GNN – Galactic News Network [|]

"Mark Lars here, behind me is the Vigoran Imperial repair yard where the Roma Republic Cruiser, Arrowhead and the Blue Order Destroyer Fidelity are undergoing intensive repairs after a vicious attack by marauding pirates near the <something> waste. Wounded are being cared for at the Hospital of the Protector at the capital world of Vigora IV. Among the list of critically wounded is the Reverend Mother May Julliard, official ambassador from the ACIN. No word on how this will affect diplomatic relations, though experts predict the two nation will focus efforts on trade and antipiracy efforts in light of recent events.

Back to you at the station, Will."

[frigidmagi]

“We have prepared the site for you, removing all artifacts of significance from within in anticipation of your arrival. The building which will house your people shall in accordance to these matters be treated as your own soil. However, we ask you to take special care within the structure itself.” The Sabai were very careful around Indashani structures especially in Indas. This had been the jewel of the Indashani, and as such they tried to keep it as pristine as possible.

“If this arrangement is satisfactory I welcome you to the site of your embassy. If it is not, please say so and we shall immediately begin other arrangements.”

Kurik looked up at the twisting spires and smiled. Truely the Good Lord did provide for those who had faith. He flet the approval of the clerics behind him, the building was honestly more than they had hoped for. They had hoped to recieve a decent sized room in order to hold services and rituals in roatation. This on the other hand was... Simplily beyond expection.

"It is most satisfactory. Please accept the our thanks for this and our oath that the building will not be changed or harmed while in our care. This is most generous of you, Lady Ashna." Kurik said, returning his gaze to her.

The 3 clerics were already scanning the place with an eye towards where to the best place for the combined rites they would have to do to spiritually cleanse the building. Has well has the seperate rites each one would have to do indivualially.

[Crayz9000]

"Concentrate on the battleship for now. But send a quartet of frigates and a pair of destroyers after the corvette. I want to know whats going on. Our orders are no ships enter or leave Klingon space without a full inspection, and thats what we're going to do. Order them to shut down there drives and prepare for boarding."

"Well, you sure got their attention," Crell sighed as he watched a number of escorts break off from the Terran taskforce to intercept. The Klingon battleship, meanwhile, stayed right behind the Lurker, disruptors hammering at their shields.

"All right, everyone, hang on to your britches," Johan said as he cut power to the main engines and dumped everything into the maneuvering thrusters. The inertial compensators strained as the corvette suddenly spun halfway around while still moving in its previous direction. "Crell, hit it!"

Sixteen missiles ripple-fired out of the Lurker of the Shadows' forward hangar bay, while its two fixed turbolasers fired off several bursts at the battleship. At nearly point-blank range, the Klingons were caught somewhat by surprise, and while their CIWS managed to nail a couple of the missiles, the bulk of them found their mark. Johan then dumped power back into the engines and the corvette shot off diagonal to the battleship, which struggled to match the eccentric course change.

"I'm going to try and keep the Klingons between us and the Terrans," Johan remarked as he struggled with the ship's controls. "Darg, you'd better get down to the brig and carbon-freeze our, ahem, passenger, then get him into a shielded compartment if you can. I don't want to lose the bounty to the UTRN if they overtake us..."

"Two of the frigates are changing course," Crell remarked. "They're going to cut us off."

"I'll worry about them, you worry about battering the Klingons down."

[Vohu Manah]

Entrance to North Wing, Castle of the Protector, Vigora IV

The Lady Protector was giving orders as she walked down the hall. "Prepare the conference room," she ordered to one aide. "Dispatch the Prime Minister to the hospital to speak to the representative of the ACIN." sending an aide to give a needless order (he was already on his way).

Entering the North Wing, the portion of the Castle where the Lady Protector's family, her personal guests, and where the barracks and armory of her personal troops resided, the Lady Protector increased the pace of her walking. She was in quite a hurry, distressed that her duties would once again deny her much free time.

The Colonel in charge of her guards increased his as he approached her on the left, "Do you want guards posted per our previous discussion?"

"I don't care what you do, Colonel," she snapped, "Follow my previous orders or not, I don't care right now. Now if you don't mind, I plan to pretend I'm actually a mother for one fucking hour before I'm needed. Is that a problem?"

The Colonel stopped trying to keep up with her, she would spend the next hour with her children before attending the first diplomatic meeting of her tenure.... Actually, this was the first diplomatic meeting held in the presence of a Protector. 'Oh yeah, no pressure here.' she thought sarcastically.

The Lady Protector opened the door to her children's playroom, and she forgot almost entirely about her responsibilities to the Protectorate. For the next hour, they wouldn't be her concern, and she would be happy for it. 'I wonder how grandma and grandpa ever managed it all' she thought, as she closed the door behind her.

(EDIT: Confused BBCode and HTML, added to my post.)

[frigidmagi]

Halfway between the 6th and Azgert

Commodore Kring sipped a cup of coffee has he sat back reading a report from one of his Crusier Captains. The environs around the 6th were remarkly pirate free, the few pirates operating were single vessal crews, wary and always quick to run.

There were still many dangers that had to be mapped and that ate up alot of probes. Still, slowly but surely the battle group hacked a safe and clean route out to the 6th Crusier Squadron.

[White Haven]

The few pirates that haven't learned how hostile the Sixth's area of space is do not survive to take another swing at the lesson. At least thirty percent of Sixth Cruiser Squadron warhips are on specifically-detailed antipiracy partol: The Commerce Defense Forces, plus one of the three battle squadrons that serve as the Sixth's primary combat formation.

As the survey mission shakes down into a routine, several of the escorting cruisers peel off on independent patrol runs in surrounding space. Lane-scouting isn't the fastest activity; battleships are easily able to keep up, and more than enough to discourage any terminally suicidal raiders. Permanently.

[Agent Fisher]

"Sir recon picket reports negative for hostiles."

"Good. Comms begin broadcasting a hello to the Sixth Squadron. Helm proceed in-system." Said Compton.

Code: Select all

Sixth Squadron, this is the SCS LUPIN.  We are from the Sparata Confederacy.  We come in peace.  We wish to discuss trade and a possible alliance.  We have a diplomatic envoy on board.  Please respond, over.

[Vohu Manah]

Staff Conference Room, Hospital of the Protector, Floor 182

The Prime Minister was furious at the hospital staff. In fact, he made his opinion clear to the hospital administrator before meeting with Ammi Meditrina, the doctor currently responsible for the care of the Reverend Mother May Julliard. The doctor has still not acted on the Reverend Mother's page, received over a hour ago.

"I am to inform you first sir that..."

"Damn the fucking medical privacy laws." responded the Prime Minister. "I want her status. Report it, or lose your job."

The doctor hesitated, "Do I have your assurance that no action will be taken against me for doing so?"

Aji Saka, Prime Minister of the United Vigoran Protectorate having served under two Protectors, leaned forward, "I can assure you only that the Lady Protector will take personal offense to any and all hindrances in respect to the defense of her Protectorate." He didn't have to add that the welfare of the Reverend Mother was in the interest of Protectorate security.

The young doctor gulped. She stood for a moment, then took a seat next to the Prime Minister, sighing in resignation.

Room 91772, Hospital of the Protector, Floor 176

United Vigoran Protectorate Marines, volunteers from the Lady Protector's Life Guards, were stationed throughout the floor. The Blue Order was also allowed to station troops on the floor, but declined to do so. Four Marines had been posted in front of the room, while two stood over the Reverend Mother in her room along with the personal attendants that insisted on remaining by her side.

Aji Saka, followed by Dr. Ammi Meditrina, entered the room. Upon entry the good Doctor took her place by the life support machine controls. With a few button presses, she turned on the machine's voice transmitters.

"Reverend Mother, I am Prime Minister Aji Saka of the United Vigoran Protectorate. The Lady Protector sends her greetings and wishes you a speedy recovery." Without allowing the Reverend Mother to speak, "She also extends an invitation to recover in her palace if you prefer rather than this hospital."

[Kyle]

Multipart post.

----TF21 engaged with Klingon BB----
Vice Admiral Noihiss couldn't believe what the Klingons were doing. They were trying to just run straight through his blockade while ignoring his ships and concentrating on that corvette. "Order Churchill and Sun-Tzu to get behind that battleship and concentrate fire on its engines."

"Aye aye, sir. Churchill and Sun-Tzu acknowledge your orders." Noihiss watched the two cruisers began a simple envelopment manuver that would leave the Klingon Battleship pinned between the two cruisers and his dreadnaught.

"Open fire on the Klingon ship, all batteries." The lights dimmed imperceptibly for a second as Mars let loose with her massive particle beam cannons. "Have Campbell divert a squadron of Comets and two squadrons of Falcons to help in the puruit of that corvette. Do not let it get away."

"Yes sir." Mars and the two heavy cruisers were pounding the outmatched battleship with energy weapon fire as the task forces escorts stood off and dropped long range hypermissile fire onto the ship. The Carriers standing off outside missile range had launched a strike that was already inbound for the battleship. This wasn't going to be long fight.

----TNN Article----
Teran Network News
The News You Trust

The Secretary of State today announced that the Independent World Federation and Free Star Alliance have both agreed to honor their duties as members of the Triple Alliance and have sent ships to assist in the Klingon Conflict. The Federation Star Fleet has pledged its 2nd, 5th and 6th Flotillas. This is a total commitment of one light carrier, two heavy cruisers, six light cruisers, three escort carriers, over forty destroyers and sixty frigates.

The Alliance Space Force has commited its 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 8th Cruiser Groups. This is a force of four heavy cruisers, twelve light cruisers, four escort carriers, sixty destroyers, and one hundred frigates.

The Navy says that these ships combined with Task Force 62 and with the backing of the TSC contingent means that the Klingon perimeter will be completely locked down. To quote Admiral Kranfi "These additional hulls, combined with our sensor network and with the TSC functioning as a reserve we will be able to lock down the Klingon perimeter as tightly as second flleet has locked down the klingon border. Nothing will cross into or out of klingon space without our consent and knowledge."

Teran Network News
The News You Trust
------------------------------------------

[Crayz9000]

----TF21 engaged with Klingon BB----
Vice Admiral Noihiss couldn't believe what the Klingons were doing. They were trying to just run straight through his blockade while ignoring his ships and concentrating on that corvette. "Order Churchill and Sun-Tzu to get behind that battleship and concentrate fire on its engines."

"Aye aye, sir. Churchill and Sun-Tzu acknowledge your orders." Noihiss watched the two cruisers began a simple envelopment manuver that would leave the Klingon Battleship pinned between the two cruisers and his dreadnaught.

"Open fire on the Klingon ship, all batteries." The lights dimmed imperceptibly for a second as Mars let loose with her massive particle beam cannons. "Have Campbell divert a squadron of Comets and two squadrons of Falcons to help in the puruit of that corvette. Do not let it get away."

"Yes sir." Mars and the two heavy cruisers were pounding the outmatched battleship with energy weapon fire as the task forces escorts stood off and dropped long range hypermissile fire onto the ship. The Carriers standing off outside missile range had launched a strike that was already inbound for the battleship. This wasn't going to be long fight.

"Kriff," Crell remarked offhandedly. "We've got inbounds, fighters and bombers by the looks of it. They're too fast for us to outrun, and I don't suppose we should open fire with the CIWS..."

"What about the Klingons?" Johan asked.

"In a world of hurt, by the looks of it." Crell's statement was punctuated by a flare of missiles exploding in the distance, which dimmed the viewports slightly.

"Good." He tapped the commlink. "Darg, what's the status?"

There was a pause while the battle raged on outside. "I'm about to start the carbon freezing" the Klingon's voice came back. "It'll take me a few minutes to get him stowed away properly."

"Right. I'll try to stall them then." He hammered at the controls some more, sending the old corvette onto a less threatening heading and reducing their speed now that the Klingons were more of a non-issue. "UTR Naval vessels, this is the independent mercenary ship Lurker of the Shadows. We thank you for coming to our aid but do not require assistance at this time." Johan only hoped that the thanks would throw the Terrans off guard momentarily, long enough to allow Darg to get their cargo under wraps. He changed back to the internal comm. "Darg, have you started yet?"

"No."

"Get the other prisoner, switch their uniforms and carbonfreeze both again, OK?"

"I'll need a hand..."

"I'll send Noritaka down."

[InnocentBystander]

Staff Conference Room, Hospital of the Protector, Floor 182

The Prime Minister was furious at the hospital staff. In fact, he made his opinion clear to the hospital administrator before meeting with Ammi Meditrina, the doctor currently responsible for the care of the Reverend Mother May Julliard. The doctor has still not acted on the Reverend Mother's page, received over a hour ago.

"I am to inform you first sir that..."

"Damn the fucking medical privacy laws." responded the Prime Minister. "I want her status. Report it, or lose your job."

The doctor hesitated, "Do I have your assurance that no action will be taken against me for doing so?"

Aji Saka, Prime Minister of the United Vigoran Protectorate having served under two Protectors, leaned forward, "I can assure you only that the Lady Protector will take personal offense to any and all hindrances in respect to the defense of her Protectorate." He didn't have to add that the welfare of the Reverend Mother was in the interest of Protectorate security.

The young doctor gulped. She stood for a moment, then took a seat next to the Prime Minister, sighing in resignation.

Room 91772, Hospital of the Protector, Floor 176

United Vigoran Protectorate Marines, volunteers from the Lady Protector's Life Guards, were stationed throughout the floor. The Blue Order was also allowed to station troops on the floor, but declined to do so. Four Marines had been posted in front of the room, while two stood over the Reverend Mother in her room along with the personal attendants that insisted on remaining by her side.

Aji Saka, followed by Dr. Ammi Meditrina, entered the room. Upon entry the good Doctor took her place by the life support machine controls. With a few button presses, she turned on the machine's voice transmitters.

"Reverend Mother, I am Prime Minister Aji Saka of the United Vigoran Protectorate. The Lady Protector sends her greetings and wishes you a speedy recovery." Without allowing the Reverend Mother to speak, "She also extends an invitation to recover in her palace if you prefer rather than this hospital."

Vigora IV
Hospital of the Protector - Floor 176 - Room 91772

The life support machine hummed as it calibrated itself.
"Thank you for your generosity, prime minister." several seconds passed, the life support machine made a few clicking noises. "My recovery is nearly complete; I should be ready to hold council with your Lady Protector by week's end."

The doctor looked with dismay at the prime minister, "The Reverend Mother need a complete muscular reconstruction, it will take two weeks just to calibrate everything, not to mention the install time..."

The life support machine buzzed furiously for a moment, “Doctor, I am to be placed in a Chair as soon as possible so that I may continue my duty."

[InnocentBystander]

Darteria
Grand Senate Building - Grand Council Chamber

The Very Revered Mother Helena Sabrinaria stood before the council in just the same way her predecessor had for the past half a century.

"The Grand Council will hear the requests of she Greatly Revered, announce that which is your proposal, so that we might grant the Order a boon, if it be in the best interests of our Confederation." Council Speaker Arden Marx announced, as he had for the past decade, whenever the Very Revered Mother had come before the Council.

"Praise and good health to the Council, I speak for my Sisters, heed me. It is our plan, thusly, to improve the conditions for those who are your people and those who are not. We seek aid in mapping a new Hyperlane into the east. This is my request of the Council, what is the Will?" Mother Sabrinaria stood and waited, though she knew the Council never turned down a request from the Blue Order.

The men and women of the council talked among themselves for the better part of ten minutes before the Speaker gave reply.

"The Grand Council has heard the request of she who is Greatly Revered; it is the decision of the Council that a boon be granted to the Order, Our Will shall be for a new Hyperlane to be mapped into the East. So saith the Council of the Confederation, so shall it be done." Speaker Marx replied in the formal speech of the council.

"High Praise and Good Fortune to the Council, it's Will be done." she smiled and left the Grand Council chamber. Speaker Marx met her at the chamber exit.

"The Council is pleased by this proposal, they were worried you might not be as wise as your predecessor, you have assuaged their uneasiness."
Mother Sabrinaria nodded, "Thank you Speaker, high praise and good fortune to you." she smiled warmly.
"Yes, high praise and good fortune to you as well." they went in their separate directions.