STGOD 2K5 Main Game

[Rogue 9]

Republic Space Command, Nashtar

Fleet Admiral Hutchinson, resplendent in his white uniform, burst into the operations center flanked by two aides and four Marines. He had already been hurriedly informed of the situation, but went to Danforth for confirmation and details. The vice admiral wordlessly handed his superior a datapad with the sensor logs from the Regulus. That was all the fleet admiral needed.

"Raise First, Fifth, and Sixth Fleet Commands. Implement plan Alpha 37, destination the trading outpost. Go!"

Those fleet commands were already on the line, simply waiting for their orders.

NRS Halcyon, military orbit lanes, polar orbit, Nashtar

"Fleet action alert! General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations." Klaxons sounded through every ship in First Fleet as Admiral Harris strode onto the bridge from the CIC. Looking out the window, he could see the last of the D77s entering their hangars on the pair of assault ships hanging off the ship's bow.

"Spin up the slipspace drives. We're to rendezvous with Fifth Fleet and ERTC enforcement ships two lightyears galactic south from the station. Move!"

The ships didn't wait. It was proper protocol to clear orbit first, but slipspace drives didn't require it, and this was an emergency. The entire fleet turned in orbit as white spacial rifts formed in front of them. They entered slipspace as one and were gone in a series of over a hundred flashes.

Fifth Fleet, Pinnacle

A similar scene played out at Pinnacle, the massive fleet in formation around the Pillar of Autumn disappearing in a surge of blinding white.

NRS Dalton, international trade station, outside Nashtari borders

"Conn, Helm. Reverting to normal space in five."

"Very good."

The pair of heavy cruisers assigned to shadow the valuable convoy emerged from their slipspace rifts to find the scene in utter chaos.

"Conn, Sensors! Multiple Black Alliance vessels are in system, the convoy seems in full retreat. The Hub is still here, no one's firing, but the Black Alliance vessels seem to have weapons trained on the convoy escorts."

"Mother of God..." Captain Werner knew very well that he was so much space slug bait if he tried to engage the Black Alliance at these odds. "Shields up. Helm, bring us about. We're not abandoning the system yet, but put some distance between us and the pirates. General quarters."

[Ace Pace]

Galactic

Petrach was inside the CiC, watching the going ons without a way to influence them,"If any one of them does as much as move shuttle with shielded contents around their all going to open fire on the first sitting target, the station. Whats the status on our defense platforms around the station?"

The commander of the platforms replied "All operational and ready, 25 missle platforms spread across the battlefield, if it comes to guns roughly 15 of them are in close range, theres another 50 small gun platforms each carrying a pair of fusion cannons and a few stormbolters, we can't count on them doing anything more then picking off missles."

"Very well, the fleet is here, we have word that the Imperium is coming, I'm suprised that the ERTC isn't here yet, I would expect the NRS to flash a request for ships, the hell are those pirates waiting for?"

[Dahak]

From: Stuart Corporation, Admiralty
To: Corsair Republic
Subject: Aglatarian incident

The Corporation has detected increased fleet movements in the area of the Aglatarian Hub and analysis suggests a high possibility of the outbreak of hostilities. As partner in the Western alliance, we would like to inquire if the Corsair Republic needs assistance in this matter.
We expect your answer.

[SirNitram]

From: Stuart Corporation, Admiralty
To: Corsair Republic
Subject: Aglatarian incident

The Corporation has detected increased fleet movements in the area of the Aglatarian Hub and analysis suggests a high possibility of the outbreak of hostilities. As partner in the Western alliance, we would like to inquire if the Corsair Republic needs assistance in this matter.
We expect your answer.

To: Stuart Admirality
From: Corsair Admirality
Re: Aglatarian Incident.

Our sensors pick up increasingly large movements. Additional representation would be optimal; they're getting awfully excited over the prosecution of a spammer, aren't they?

[Captain tycho]

With another ripple of space, the Fourth Fleet exited the Immaterium, weapons primed and ready. Admiral Kaelus began broadcasting another message:

++Black Alliance ships. You are engaging in hostile acts towards an ally of the Holy Auroran Imperium. You will desist immediately and depart within 5 minutes, or your fleet shall be attacked.++

[Dahak]

To: Stuart Admirality
From: Corsair Admirality
Re: Aglatarian Incident.

Our sensors pick up increasingly large movements. Additional representation would be optimal; they're getting awfully excited over the prosecution of a spammer, aren't they?

From: Stuart Admirality
To: Corsair Admirality
Subject: Aglatarian Incident.

Very well. The Naval Arm will send a fleet task force to aid the Corsair Republic in this matter.

***

As soon as sent, the Admiralty consensus ordered fleet ships to move out. The ships immediately formed a battle consensus and prepared for immediate departure.
2 Battle Carriers, 2 Pendragon battleships, 5 battlecruisers, 2 large carriers and 50 escorting destroyers left orbit.

<<We certainly won't make it in time,>> the astrogation consensus observed.
<<Yes,>> fleet consensus answered. <<but we should help an ally. It might take longer to resolve than anticipated. And if not, we consider it a gesture.>>

[SirNitram]

With another ripple of space, the Fourth Fleet exited the Immaterium, weapons primed and ready. Admiral Kaelus began broadcasting another message:

++Black Alliance ships. You are engaging in hostile acts towards an ally of the Holy Auroran Imperium. You will desist immediately and depart within 5 minutes, or your fleet shall be attacked.++

"Imperium vessels, you have falsely threatened the Black Alliance and Corsair Republic. Opening fire on these vessels will result in your immediate destruction, and a bill for the weapons expended sent to the families of the dead. Stand down." The Corsair ships broadcast, unintimidated.

In Infraspace, the other half the fleet was now orbiting the likely battleground, weapons spun up in that portion of reality as well.

[Captain tycho]

++Admiral Tvanrin, intiate your jump. The enemy is getting threatening.
Fleet Four, stand by. The second you detect a weapons discharge from the enemy fleet, I want all ships to engage. We are outnumbered presently, but allied reinforcements will soon arrive. The Emperor protects!

[Ace Pace]

Code: Select all

Highly encrypted message sent to the NRS dalton.

WARNING, possible flash point.... please do not get involved...shooting happens...do not return fire....lets not make this any worse then it is

[Thirdfain]

Code: Select all

-:MSGSTARTS: CODE THRONE 10/L:-
cc: Fort Casull, Cornerian Station
FLTMANZETA-:ORDERS:-
-RESP IMMEDIATELY @ NASHTAR SPACE REPEAT POSSIBLE PIRATE INCURSION OPFOR STRENGTH EST. FOLLOWS ENTER GUNS HOT REPEAT GUNS HOT
FLTMANGREYSISTERS -:ORDERS:-
- RESP IMMEDIATELY @ NASHTAR SPACE REPEAT POSSIBLE PIRATE INCURSION OPFOR STRENGTH EST. FOLLOWS ENTER GUNS HOT REPEAT GUNS HOT
-:MSGENDS:-

[consequences]

Blurthan Imperialate
Blurthos Secundus

Agent Tamanaki was in trouble, and knew it. There had been far more security than their should have been on the shipping records, and it was too much to hope for that she had gotten out completely unnoticed. As such, getting the information out was of first priority, followed by keeping her cover intact, with her personal survival a distant third.

Darting down streets in the worst part of town, she finally spotted what she needed, an intact data terminal in the correct relative location. Pausing briefly, she slapped a device on the terminal that immediately began autonomously hacking communications utilities, while projecting a hologram of Tamanaki bent over the screen, releasing heat to simulate her infrared signature, a mild bioelectrical field, and scent markers congruent with a human female. Tamanaki didn't even glance down the boulevard to the spaceport as she ducked into a back alley.

__________________________________________

On board the shuttle Negotiable Affection, an automatic program tripped, and a shielded whisker laser sought out a target in orbit.

__________________________________________

Less than thirty seconds after the agent's departure, a Blurthan enforcement squad came up on the data terminal, and without hesitation opened fire, obliterating the terminal and causing the hologram to vanish. Cursing, the team leader ordered the group to follow the faint chemical traces leading off into the distance.

__________________________________________

The Free Trader Seamstress received clearance for a routine out-system departure, without drawing notice of any sort.

__________________________________________

"Freeze! Raise your hands and lay flat on the ground!"

Agent Tamanaki's reactions were already accelerating as carefully hidden glands released arcane substances into her bloodstream, incidentally taking an estimated six months off of her theoretical lifespan. But these were only local police as evidenced by their lack of shooting on sight, so it should be possible to break contact.

Her hands rose, lazily to her eye, as one of the cops drew up close behind her. With not so much as a flicker of motion, a heavy pistol appeared ine ach hand, blazing fire at the cops surrounding her as her foot lashed out to her rear, shattering two ribs on her target and stopping his heart froim the impact shock. The immediate threats disposed of, her guns turned on a sewer grate, just as the enforcement squad came tearing around the corner, their weapons already coming to bear.

The sewer grate exploded, and she twisted in mid-air, bringing her guns around, as energy pulses flashed past her. A sustained barrage dropped the newbie in the front, but the enforcement squad's armor meant that repeated, and carefully placed hits were needed for penetration. Some unknowable instinct made her shift her head to the left as she brought down the second soldier, which was the only thing that kept the blast that neatly removed her right ear from hitting directly between her eyes. Another shot punched into her side, as a third man dropped, and she was past the opening, a third beam slicing across the back of her left leg as she vanished. Wasting no time, the squad grenadier emptied his magazine into the opening, and his squad barely waited for the explosions to cease before they dove in.

___________________________

The Seamstress vanished into hyperspace, just one of a hundred ships that passed through the system each day.

____________________________

Shot three times, nearly out of ammo, and battered by the concussions of under-water grenade explosions, Tamanaki was losing ground, and knew it. As the first three troops rounded the corner behind her, a grenade appeared in each hand with a total lack of drama. Turning to face them, she had one moment to appreciate the opposition's skills as she saw the remote operated corpses of the three enforcers she had gunned down, before the grenade activated, obliterating all four of them.

____________________________
CNN Special Report

In an unexpected turn of events today, major fleet elements have broken off their holding patterns and anti-piracy patrols, witness accounts and sensor records showing that they seemed uniformly headed for the Galactic North-East. It is as yet unclear how many Combine assets have been redeployed, but informed sources have confirmed that a least a quarter of all major hulls have departed, and the number could easily be twice that.
There is as yet no official word as to the reason for this drastic redeployment.

[Agent Fisher]

SNN

"On the military side of the news, our own reporter Frank Howard has this report."

The scene changes to one of a orbiting military station. Out the window, ships can be seen forming up and then jumping out of the system.

"Thank you. I'm here at ROE Station, behind me, that was the 5th fleet, and the 8th Bomber fleet with its two escorting wings of fighters. The 5th and the 8th have been assigned to anti-piracy duty at Blue Pointe Station. And while the balance of the Sparatan Fleet still remains in port or out in deep space on excerises, this marks the first step that Sparata has taken in rejoining the galaxy."


(ooc: Just to help with the numbers of my ships at blue pointe.

1 Wraith
2 Wolf
20 Acherons
60 Bartows
2 Fleet Carries
8 wings of bombers
2 wings of WarHogs

[Beowulf]

-: :-

Captain Artur McBride, ERTC Enforcement Division, scanned the autovellum again. It seemed almost impossible, but there it was- all-out attack by the most vicious group of pirates in the galaxy!

"Action stations! All crew is to prepare for a jump to the Nashtar/Aglatarian station. Combat jump positions, repeat, combat jump positions."

His vessel and crew were all new, members of a half-dozen nations and species, but he had faith in them and their vessel. The EDS Justicar was one of the new Justicar-class C3 cruisers, designed to act as a command ship for an Enforcement Division precinct. It's squadron contained two of the slender and lethal Enforcer-class CLs, along with a quintet of Peacekeeper-class destroyers and a veritable swarm of frigates.

The ships were spread out over the sector, but orders were already coursing over the hyperwaves. They'd meet at a staging point just outside of the system before storming in to assist the Nashtari national forces.

As an afterthought, Artur quickly checked ERTC transit records as they regarded Fort Casull, the Commonwealth naval base in Azegart space.

"Get me a line to Casull, inform them of the situation. With the Commonwealth mobilizing, they may have some vessels available to scramble."

-::-

Captain Rghpt, ERTC Enforcement division, acknowledged receipt of his orders. "Send a message home: ERTC Enforcement ships converging on Nashtari space. Require reinforcements. Message Ends."

He then gave orders for his Enforcer-class CL, Nth, to make best possible speed to the staging point.

[Spyder]

Amidst a half dozen more signatories to the Unity Pact, the news soon came, broadcast over the hypernet, the reason behind the lives lost in the Degule system.

The Hub's less then elegant takeover of all the colony's communications had cost them more then they initially feared. During the message no one else throughout what was fast becoming the new Colonial Union could so much us utter a whisper, a warning or a cry for help. The deaths at Degule could have been prevented and in the eyes of the public the Hub were the ones responsible.

It wasn't so much the event itself that concerned them, accidents on mining operations are not unheard of, what mattered to them was the apparent lack of respect this demonstrated. "They didn't give a shit about us, they never did!" This time the cries were heard, though it was not out of fear, but anger, the anger of a public that felt as though their trust had been betrayed.

The Hub's recruitment drive would fall somewhat short of expectations. The angry mobs and the molitovs however were abundant.

Meanwhile on Tau Alpha Rho, Marlon Wellesley contemplated the situation.
"I don't know. I didn't see this coming, the broad network takeover I could have handled, but this..."
"Things don't always go according to plan." Said Jack.
"I'm just not sure how to approach this. We all knew that the Hub had their own self interests at heart, this event was inevitable, still they're services are valuable. We could have used their protection until we were able to stand on our own. Still, there's no way we could have trusted them." Wellesley poured himself a glass of whiskey and took a swill.

"We can trust that they'll look after their self interests and often that's enough." Jack spoke. "Even the worst system can be managed to create a good outcome. It all depends on what you feed into it."
"I fail to see how the Hub can in any way be 'managed' as you put it." Wellesley retorted.
"It can't be, and it would be wrong to try. I'm talking about our own actions. The hub, has their finger on the pulse of this entire region. Just look at what's happening out there. Our actions brought in the Hub and the protection of their fleet, now the Hub's actions have spurred the attention of the Corsair Republic, this has spurred the attention of the Hub's allies. You see the pattern forming?"

Wellesley thought for a moment. "Are you trying to tell me that we're about to be the cause of an interstellar war?"
"Ha, no. Not quite. All I'm saying is that whatever you decide we have to guide our actions, whichever way they go so that a positive outcome is acheived."
"For the colonies or for your people?" Wellesley enquired suspiciously.
"For everyone."

[Rogue 9]

Staging point, 2 lightyears from the trade station

"Halcyon to Pillar of Autumn. Good to see you. Shall we combine formations?"

"I think so. Best to make as large a show of force as possible. We're not likely to intimidate the Corsairs into retreat, but we should at least give them something to think about," responded Admiral Davis to his counterpart. "ERTC enforcement and 6th Fleet elements are due to arrive soon, do we wait?"

"No. Whatever happens, they'll probably get here in time. The Corsairs are too cagey to just start shooting if we don't lob shells first thing out of slipspace. It'll be a faceoff for at least a few minutes."

"Right then. See you on the other side."

"Halcyon out."

As the two admirals had been speaking over the secure channel, their fleets had been combining formations. The massive combined fleet made the short jump within three minutes.

Force declaration:

2 Halcyon class heavy battleships
2 Dauntless class battleships
2 Intrepid class fleet carriers
6 Kensington class heavy cruisers
4 Galahad class attack carriers
6 Guardian class light cruisers
32 Polaris class destroyers
16 Sunburst class escort carriers
36 Bandit class frigates
6 Shadow class stealth frigates
12 Praetor class assault ships

Already in system:

2 Kensington class heavy cruisers
2 Polaris class destroyers
2 Bandit class frigates
1 Shadow class stealth frigate
1 squadron C709s
1 squadron [placeholder, forgot attack craft designation]

[SirNitram]

I said, I've got a big stick. Psychopath-class Battleship.

"Sir, we have multiple contacts on closing vectors in slipspace. Nashtar and ERTC craft, all warship designations. We're even picking up some Halcyon-class.. Two of them, looks like. They're bringing both their heavies... They could take us one on-one, but we still outnumber supercapitalwise. The problem is that we're picking up signals from other vectors." Sensors reported, and the Slave-Captain stroked his chin slowly.

It was time to think. Would the ERTC open fire on a group that had done nothing, save enter the system and demand a spammer for legal reprecussions? The Nashtari ships in system had to realize by now they weren't invading the station or harassing them. A decision is reached. "Patch our sensor logs into the long range transmittors. Start broadcasting our feeds back to the capital along with our logs. If they manage to crush us by sheer force of numbers, we'll have the facts on file."

[Rogue 9]

International trade station

First and Fifth Fleets dropped out of slipspace with well over a hundred individual rifts opening for the ships. Admiral Harris wasted no time.

"Corsair craft, this is Admiral Reginald Harris of the NRS Halcyon. You are infringing on Nashtari sovereign space. State your business at once or leave the area." As the admiral spoke, the ships of the fleet began to spread out a little and maneuver between the Corsairs and the vulnerable convoy and trade station.

[SirNitram]

International trade station

First and Fifth Fleets dropped out of slipspace with well over a hundred individual rifts opening for the ships. Admiral Harris wasted no time.

"Corsair craft, this is Admiral Reginald Harris of the NRS Halcyon. You are infringing on Nashtari sovereign space. State your business at once or leave the area." As the admiral spoke, the ships of the fleet began to spread out a little and maneuver between the Corsairs and the vulnerable convoy and trade station.

"The Nashtari's delusions are not my concern, Admiral. We are present at the neutral trade hub pursuing a criminal across borders, and have secured the word of the station administration that there will be cooperation. The aggressive moves of the Nashtari and other powers concern us gravely, and if you do not cease your posturing, there could be dangerous reprecussions."

[Rogue 9]

International trade station

First and Fifth Fleets dropped out of slipspace with well over a hundred individual rifts opening for the ships. Admiral Harris wasted no time.

"Corsair craft, this is Admiral Reginald Harris of the NRS Halcyon. You are infringing on Nashtari sovereign space. State your business at once or leave the area." As the admiral spoke, the ships of the fleet began to spread out a little and maneuver between the Corsairs and the vulnerable convoy and trade station.

"The Nashtari's delusions are not my concern, Admiral. We are present at the neutral trade hub pursuing a criminal across borders, and have secured the word of the station administration that there will be cooperation. The aggressive moves of the Nashtari and other powers concern us gravely, and if you do not cease your posturing, there could be dangerous reprecussions."

"We do not know why you are here, but you must admit that the Corsairs' past makes certain precautions... prudent. If that is why you are here, then we will gladly allow such extradition, presuming that the crime is one that we recognize.

"We do not intend to fire upon you unless you make it necessary, but we have considerable investment in this station and a responsibility to protect it against pirates and raiders. I'm sure you can understand our concerns at your presence. Again, the details of your business, please."

[OOC: You haven't secured any cooperation from the trade station's administration. You're confusing the trade station, which isn't open for business yet, with the Aglatarian Hub. If your business is with the Hub and doesn't involve blowing it to smithereens, then you might just say so.]

[SirNitram]

International trade station

First and Fifth Fleets dropped out of slipspace with well over a hundred individual rifts opening for the ships. Admiral Harris wasted no time.

"Corsair craft, this is Admiral Reginald Harris of the NRS Halcyon. You are infringing on Nashtari sovereign space. State your business at once or leave the area." As the admiral spoke, the ships of the fleet began to spread out a little and maneuver between the Corsairs and the vulnerable convoy and trade station.

"The Nashtari's delusions are not my concern, Admiral. We are present at the neutral trade hub pursuing a criminal across borders, and have secured the word of the station administration that there will be cooperation. The aggressive moves of the Nashtari and other powers concern us gravely, and if you do not cease your posturing, there could be dangerous reprecussions."

"We do not know why you are here, but you must admit that the Corsairs' past makes certain precautions... prudent. If that is why you are here, then we will gladly allow such extradition, presuming that the crime is one that we recognize.

"We do not intend to fire upon you unless you make it necessary, but we have considerable investment in this station and a responsibility to protect it against pirates and raiders. I'm sure you can understand our concerns at your presence. Again, the details of your business, please."

[OOC: You haven't secured any cooperation from the trade station's administration. You're confusing the trade station, which isn't open for business yet, with the Aglatarian Hub. If your business is with the Hub and doesn't involve blowing it to smithereens, then you might just say so.]

OOC: Well Maxima Mea Culpa; The Hub. Sub it in as necessary.

"The crime is Spamming." The Slave-Captain replied with an inflection that made it acid in the mouth and slime in the ear. "Up to and including the hijacking of extremely vital communications lines. The Privateer's Guild has always maintained the right to punish those who violate this and the other vile practices it outlaws."

"As for our reputation, I suggest you look in the mirror. How many warfleets are converging when we have yet to divert power to more than an asteroid-popper? You're showing yourself to be dangerous hooligans, not civilized opposition."

[SirNitram]

Far from the conflict, Andrew's personal Q-ship dropped from hyperspace in Earth orbit, and descended through the Universe Shield and atmosphere leisurely. It's transponder let it into one of the more posh landing bays, and the payments were made. Andrew smiled to his assistants. "Take Admiral Nyugen wherever he would like for dinner. I have a prior engagement. Enjoy yourself Admiral, I expect you back for our chess game this evening."

The Overlord swept through London with an aura of calm, and quickly went to the quiet little diner he had in mind. It had been.. Ages since he'd been here. But the message to the strange Triad had said here, and even if he were a telepath as he suspected, it would be rude to change now.

[Rogue 9]

"The Nashtari's delusions are not my concern, Admiral. We are present at the neutral trade hub pursuing a criminal across borders, and have secured the word of the station administration that there will be cooperation. The aggressive moves of the Nashtari and other powers concern us gravely, and if you do not cease your posturing, there could be dangerous reprecussions."

"We do not know why you are here, but you must admit that the Corsairs' past makes certain precautions... prudent. If that is why you are here, then we will gladly allow such extradition, presuming that the crime is one that we recognize.

"We do not intend to fire upon you unless you make it necessary, but we have considerable investment in this station and a responsibility to protect it against pirates and raiders. I'm sure you can understand our concerns at your presence. Again, the details of your business, please."

[OOC: You haven't secured any cooperation from the trade station's administration. You're confusing the trade station, which isn't open for business yet, with the Aglatarian Hub. If your business is with the Hub and doesn't involve blowing it to smithereens, then you might just say so.]

OOC: Well Maxima Mea Culpa; The Hub. Sub it in as necessary.

"The crime is Spamming." The Slave-Captain replied with an inflection that made it acid in the mouth and slime in the ear. "Up to and including the hijacking of extremely vital communications lines. The Privateer's Guild has always maintained the right to punish those who violate this and the other vile practices it outlaws."

"As for our reputation, I suggest you look in the mirror. How many warfleets are converging when we have yet to divert power to more than an asteroid-popper? You're showing yourself to be dangerous hooligans, not civilized opposition."

"Spamming? Well well. We'll leave that up to the Hub; if they've agreed to extradite the individual then it is none of our business. However, the fact remains that dozens of potentially hostile warships are at this station, which is under our protection; surely you can understand our reaction. As for the severity of the crime and your right to prosecute it regardless of jurisdiction, well, I could say the same for slavery. Regardless, we are simply fulfilling our responsibilities as protectors of this station. There need be no bloodshed here, Captain."

[SirNitram]

"Spamming? Well well. We'll leave that up to the Hub; if they've agreed to extradite the individual then it is none of our business. However, the fact remains that dozens of potentially hostile warships are at this station, which is under our protection; surely you can understand our reaction. As for the severity of the crime and your right to prosecute it regardless of jurisdiction, well, I could say the same for slavery. Regardless, we are simply fulfilling our responsibilities as protectors of this station. There need be no bloodshed here, Captain."

"We don't intend there to be any. That would be why we have only opened our gunports and nothing more. If you will cease acting like deranged lunatics, perhaps we can ensure this remains so. We have already been threatened with direct combat by the Auroran Imperium. If it does come to blows, we hope you realize that we will be discriminating in our fire.. Until the moment other members join." The threat was clear. Any nation firing on the Corsairs would be attacked.. Fail to attack, and nothing would happen.

"As for the issue of slavery." The Captain smirked, fingering his own collar. "The Republic has found no unifying consensus on the matter. But for the meantime, I will simply comment that we have more rights and chances than most of your own urban poor."

[Rogue 9]

"I am not here to argue philosophy. I am also not responsible for the Imperium's actions. I reiterate, I am here to ensure the safety of this station and our citizens. I will remain here until all potential threats are gone. We will deploy in a defensive position around the station and convoy, and otherwise leave you alone to complete your business with the Hub."

[Marcao]

Western Space
Sabai

The eyes and ears of the Sabai were not purely found in the west.

That was a simple fact. No nation of any real strength could afford not to possess a near invisible web of eyes and ears scattered through the galaxy. The west was the stronghold of the Sabai in that regard, the webs of people and technology scattered through its home areas and those of its immediate allies were considerable. Nonetheless, there was wisdom in assuring that the web was expanded. When the Children of Indas had passed and stepped into their great ships, many of their secrets had been left behind.

The Sabai had incorporated Indashani technology where possible learning from it and adapting as much of it as was possible to their own ends. In their minds and hearts it was a way to keep the memory of those that come before fresh in their hearts and minds. The Children had come and gone but the Sabai remained. Many agents of the Indashani had been left behind. Many had chosen on their own free will to retain their positions scattered through the galaxy choosing to remain behind as nearly all of their people moved on. The sacrifice of these Indashani had never been overlooked and most if not all served in distant nations.

The Sabai also tried to keep a close eye on the movements of their allies. The west was chief and foremost their concern but only a fool could afford to overlook the core or the east. The arrangement between western nations was self serving in many respects. With the formation of the ERTC and the ever present strength of the Core, the west had to work together in order to assure its survival as a series of independent states. The Sabai had already shown the seriousness of their obligations when they had stood side by side with the Stuart corporation against the Corsair Republic. The agreement that had been reached since that point was well known.

Even before the Stuart Corporation began to move forces towards the east, the Sabai were aware of stirrings to the east. A conclave was quickly called by the Acheron himself. Once more information was available, a murmur ran through the gathered ruling council of the Sabai nation. The Corsair were important to the west, representing the most powerful concentration of might of any Western based nation. Specifics were sketchy at the moment, but the ERTC was apparently responding to some sort of Corsair encroachment. The Acheron considered the information closely. The Republic could hardly be foolish enough to start hostilities in the east and expect that western nations would rally to support them. The compact between nations was primarily defensive in nature. A Western nation could hardly believe it could start a war and expect to drag other sovereign nations with it into the fires.

Nonetheless, the importance of the Republic could not be easily overlooked. If the core continued on its aggressive trends, the ships and might of the Republic would be needed to keep the West free. The Acheron did not believe that Andrews would squander resources needlessly. Of all the nations in the east, the TSC was the most problematic. It was the mightiest which did not help matters any but that might was only part of the difficulties. The TSC had been the first nation approached by the Children of Indas long ago. The TSC was also a gateway for Sabai goods to the east and with the new trade agreement between nations; the TSC was a gateway to wealth. Each day thousands of Sabai cargo ships made their way to the TSC and ports beyond. The Sabai economy was currently booming and it was in no small part due to the widening trade both within the small and emerging economies in the west but with the east as well.

The Sabai had skillfully maneuvered their economy into the green and even the loss of access to ERTC markets would not bring them to the red. The economies in the west could sustain the growth of the Sabai economy, but no new market in the west could match the profits that the TSC offered. If for whatever reason the TSC was closed off to the Sabai, they would feel the pinch. The Acheron took solace in the fact the Sabai counter stroke would harm the TSC as well. It was with those thoughts in their minds that orders were given. The problems to the east were too far away to be easily reached and the Republic was trusted to exercise whatever caution it needed in its dealings. Nonetheless, a compromise was found.

Orders were given out and the active elements of the Sabai fifth fleet were mobilized. Furthermore the fourth fleet herself in its entirety was mobilized to the south. The fourth fleet was headed to Blue Pointe Station while the fifth fleet was tasked with lingering behind. Blue Pointe Station was chosen for a simple reason. As a hub of trade and the gateway to the West it was undoubtedly flooded with spies of all nations. The arrival of such a potent Sabai force would send the proper message as to where the Sabai stood. The Sabai would honor its obligations to a western power should it be assailed unjustly. However, by not penetrating ERTC space without due cause it showed willingness to see if how the situation unfolded. The Corsairs were important to the long term plans of the Sabai. This did not mean that they would follow them into stupidity.

However, this did not mean that their aid would not be given should it be necessary. An alliance or understanding was only as strong as its members wished to make it. The West would not be taken apart piece by piece.

Notes:

4th and 5th Sabai Fleets on the move. Their destination believed to be Blue Pointe Station.