"The Beast has deployed another sixteen vessels, many capital ships, along with large transports, possibly troop carriers. They may be preparing to seize our colonies in Ckeuak."
"Our counter attack?"
"Two dozen multibeam frigate prototypes are prepared to launch for Ckeuak immediately."
"Send them."
"We are not yet ready to strike. There is a chance they may outmaneuver us. Our support vessels--"
"We cannot let the infection spread beyond Ckeuak. Send the vessels at once."
"Yes my lord."
Brian
SE:IV Adamant RP
Moderator: Thanas
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Nephtys
- Sith Acolyte
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Picon Inquirer, Wednesday Release...
Fleet Expedition Attacked!
Dieter Bennings, Associated Colonial Press
Caprica City, Caprica. On Tuesday, sources within the Colonial Fleet disclosed information regarding the expedition beyond the Redline around the Kobol System. Leaked images show an engagement with unknown weapons platforms constructed by an alien race.
Although it is know that other human factions exist through space, such as the 'Kryptonian Enclave' in a neighboring star cluster, there is no available information about this new race, or if it could be a remnant of the Cylon Empire.
The attack is believed to have claimed the lives of two pilots, whose identities are being withheld until notification of their next of kin. Already, the protests of expanding our territory have expanded to include anti-war protests warning against beginning a new war.
This morning, the Progressive Party voiced it's denouncement of these actions, as well as many activist organizations. The infamous political terrorist faction lead by convicted felon Tom Zarek, have also presented their demands for all Colonial forces to pull out of their extra-solar actions, threatening acts of terrorism on Saggitaron if their demands are not reached.
President Adar could not be reached for comment.
"We have lost communication with all forces in Ckeuak. It may be jamming, or perhaps a great battle."
Naabal leaned forward. "Pray to the Holy One they are dead old friend, for if The Beast has consumed them, they are suffering a fate worse than death. What of the new weapons tests?"
"Our crystalline torpedoes and shard technology are still less able than the fire of god. With these primitive manufacturing facilities, it is difficult to construct proper weapons."
"Continue using the fire of god."
"My lord, use of the fire of god beyond the end of this month is blasphemy--"
"Not if I declare..." Naabal paused. "A holy crusade."
"Then... we battle The Beast... to exterminate them."
"It cannot be any other way." Naabal twisted his head. "As soon as there is a lull in the fighting, bring the battle reports to my den. I will declare the crusade to the Council and the people tonight."
Brian
Naabal leaned forward. "Pray to the Holy One they are dead old friend, for if The Beast has consumed them, they are suffering a fate worse than death. What of the new weapons tests?"
"Our crystalline torpedoes and shard technology are still less able than the fire of god. With these primitive manufacturing facilities, it is difficult to construct proper weapons."
"Continue using the fire of god."
"My lord, use of the fire of god beyond the end of this month is blasphemy--"
"Not if I declare..." Naabal paused. "A holy crusade."
"Then... we battle The Beast... to exterminate them."
"It cannot be any other way." Naabal twisted his head. "As soon as there is a lull in the fighting, bring the battle reports to my den. I will declare the crusade to the Council and the people tonight."
Brian
Kuun-Lan
"We are receiving heavy combat interference from the Ckeuak system. It appears the Beast has retreated. Our stationary defenses have repelled their assault."
"Good," said Naabal.
"Shall I call back the frigates?"
"No."
"The support vessels--"
"We must reinforce our kiith. What of--"
A youngling ran into Naabal's chambers panting frantically. "My lord, word from galactic east! The Beast has attacked!"
"Bring me information at once!" said Naabal standing up from his desk and running to the door. The youngling threw a cloak over Naabal's exposed shoulders. "Has this infernal galaxy been consumed by The Beast?"
A glimmer.
Fushai's body tensed.
A swirl and an explosion. The hyperspace conduit ejaculated over a dozen ships in formation which turned immediately on the guardian kiith. The defense satellites were the first to fire but all missed as the agile Beast avoided the attack. The two prototype multibeam frigates fired their weapons, crystal shard cannons which were supposed to tear through any conventional armor like a knife through ka'tan. But they missed as well.
The Beast vessels were hideous. Oblong shaped and symmetrical, they looked more flesh than machine and radiated a glowing field which scrambled Fushai's combat sensors. Fushai switched to manual targeting and armed her holy fire.
The multibeam frigates were impacted by the Raider's weapons. They did superficial damage to their hull. Fushai let out a breath as she saw four mimics, old warriors who were convinced they could do nothing else, detonate themselves into four Beast raiders which were instantly vaporized.
The remaining Beast vessels were focusing their firepower on the lead multibeam frigate. The frigate's sentinels were projecting the eerie red forcefield that detonated missiles before impact. However, the frigate's weapons too were useless against the fast moving Beast vessels who easily dodged the attempts by the frigates to impale them with crystalline death.
Fushai knew the reconnsiance ships were forming behind her. Somehow, even at this short range, the Beast had discovered a way to jam their targeting computers. Impossible. But the optical sensors read blank and Fushai had no missile lock.
"Flight leader, reports no progress," heard Fushai over her intercom.
Time to end this.
Fushai activated her afterburners and went after the Beast raiders. Those behind her did the same and each trailed one Beast. Fushai closed to one thousand meters. five hundred meters. Missile to proximity detonation. Fushai's finger tensed over the trigger.
She fired.
The Beast pulled up to avoid the missile but Fushai's eye was sharp. With a press of a button she sent a signal down the wire attached from her recon to the missile which detonated the thermonuclear device. The Beast was instantly vaporized.
Fushai turned her ship ready to engage the rest of the Beast, but they were gone. Her men had done their jobs and she had done hers.
"Returning to hangar," said Fushai in monotone.
Brian
"We are receiving heavy combat interference from the Ckeuak system. It appears the Beast has retreated. Our stationary defenses have repelled their assault."
"Good," said Naabal.
"Shall I call back the frigates?"
"No."
"The support vessels--"
"We must reinforce our kiith. What of--"
A youngling ran into Naabal's chambers panting frantically. "My lord, word from galactic east! The Beast has attacked!"
"Bring me information at once!" said Naabal standing up from his desk and running to the door. The youngling threw a cloak over Naabal's exposed shoulders. "Has this infernal galaxy been consumed by The Beast?"
A glimmer.
Fushai's body tensed.
A swirl and an explosion. The hyperspace conduit ejaculated over a dozen ships in formation which turned immediately on the guardian kiith. The defense satellites were the first to fire but all missed as the agile Beast avoided the attack. The two prototype multibeam frigates fired their weapons, crystal shard cannons which were supposed to tear through any conventional armor like a knife through ka'tan. But they missed as well.
The Beast vessels were hideous. Oblong shaped and symmetrical, they looked more flesh than machine and radiated a glowing field which scrambled Fushai's combat sensors. Fushai switched to manual targeting and armed her holy fire.
The multibeam frigates were impacted by the Raider's weapons. They did superficial damage to their hull. Fushai let out a breath as she saw four mimics, old warriors who were convinced they could do nothing else, detonate themselves into four Beast raiders which were instantly vaporized.
The remaining Beast vessels were focusing their firepower on the lead multibeam frigate. The frigate's sentinels were projecting the eerie red forcefield that detonated missiles before impact. However, the frigate's weapons too were useless against the fast moving Beast vessels who easily dodged the attempts by the frigates to impale them with crystalline death.
Fushai knew the reconnsiance ships were forming behind her. Somehow, even at this short range, the Beast had discovered a way to jam their targeting computers. Impossible. But the optical sensors read blank and Fushai had no missile lock.
"Flight leader, reports no progress," heard Fushai over her intercom.
Time to end this.
Fushai activated her afterburners and went after the Beast raiders. Those behind her did the same and each trailed one Beast. Fushai closed to one thousand meters. five hundred meters. Missile to proximity detonation. Fushai's finger tensed over the trigger.
She fired.
The Beast pulled up to avoid the missile but Fushai's eye was sharp. With a press of a button she sent a signal down the wire attached from her recon to the missile which detonated the thermonuclear device. The Beast was instantly vaporized.
Fushai turned her ship ready to engage the rest of the Beast, but they were gone. Her men had done their jobs and she had done hers.
"Returning to hangar," said Fushai in monotone.
Brian
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Nephtys
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Outskirt of the Ckeuak System...
"Expedition... acknowledged movement orders. Continuing tracking of bogey four-six-niner."
"Affirm, Chaser Flight. Continue pursuit. Report any additional activity. Do not fire unless fired upon."
"Roger. Flight Out."
"Chaser Two to Lead, I'm picking up some sort of DRADIS anomoly. I think the target is attempting FTL operations."
"Command, Chaser one requesting instructions. Target is attempting to leave system. They may bring reinforcements..."
... A pause fills the air. Chaser One's pilot turns his head slightly to look at the ECO seated behind.
"Chaser Flight, Command. You are ordered to splash target at all costs. They've already demonstrated hostile intent and we do not want a fleet coming down on us. Weapons free."
"Affirmative. Estimated Window: Twenty seconds. Chaser One, making my run. Chaser two follow-up in ten. Arming Pilum missile... Fox Two."
"Chaser One, trashed shot. Breaking off attack. You're clear, Chaser Two!"
"Chaser Two, coming in hot... target destroyed! Hope they didn't call for help... or take this too personally."
"Good work, Chaser Flight. Too bad we had no other choice on this matter... Now, cut the chatter, and R-T-B."
"Expedition... acknowledged movement orders. Continuing tracking of bogey four-six-niner."
"Affirm, Chaser Flight. Continue pursuit. Report any additional activity. Do not fire unless fired upon."
"Roger. Flight Out."
"Chaser Two to Lead, I'm picking up some sort of DRADIS anomoly. I think the target is attempting FTL operations."
"Command, Chaser one requesting instructions. Target is attempting to leave system. They may bring reinforcements..."
... A pause fills the air. Chaser One's pilot turns his head slightly to look at the ECO seated behind.
"Chaser Flight, Command. You are ordered to splash target at all costs. They've already demonstrated hostile intent and we do not want a fleet coming down on us. Weapons free."
"Affirmative. Estimated Window: Twenty seconds. Chaser One, making my run. Chaser two follow-up in ten. Arming Pilum missile... Fox Two."
"Chaser One, trashed shot. Breaking off attack. You're clear, Chaser Two!"
"Chaser Two, coming in hot... target destroyed! Hope they didn't call for help... or take this too personally."
"Good work, Chaser Flight. Too bad we had no other choice on this matter... Now, cut the chatter, and R-T-B."
"My Lord, long range sensors have detected eleven capital ships entering the Ckeuak system. Many cumbersome craft, perhaps warriors."
"One wonders why they do not bring their entire armada," said Naabal. "I fear deception. Warn the humans that the beast may be preparing an assault. If the bulk of their force is absent from galactic south, it must be to galactic north."
"At once my lord."
"The Beast is no longer a simpleton. No more haphazard cruise missiles, no more brute force. It has grown... cunning," said Naabal to himself when he was alone. "And the Beast to galactic east attacks with pitiful scraps to probe our defenses... they are preparing to strike everywhere at once. The Holy One help us."
Brian
"One wonders why they do not bring their entire armada," said Naabal. "I fear deception. Warn the humans that the beast may be preparing an assault. If the bulk of their force is absent from galactic south, it must be to galactic north."
"At once my lord."
"The Beast is no longer a simpleton. No more haphazard cruise missiles, no more brute force. It has grown... cunning," said Naabal to himself when he was alone. "And the Beast to galactic east attacks with pitiful scraps to probe our defenses... they are preparing to strike everywhere at once. The Holy One help us."
Brian
High Office
Vevis hated the massive office that his position forced him to occupy. It was supposed to be a shared chamber between the High Thinker and Worker, but Grood chose not to bow to tradition. No surprise really, as the last few High Workers hadn't used the joint office either. But where a Worker thrust into politics could get away with such a thing, Vevis was sure people would be mortified if he dared to conduct his work elsewhere.
In any case, it made a fine place for the unofficial meetings with only part of the Council. Right now, only General Xaxin, Minister Reria, and Vevis himself were present.
"The Cybertronians have not extended the olive branch," Vevis stated.
A declaration of war from the Cybertronians a couple of months ago had taken them by surprise. It had happened before, and relations were quickly restored to their previous cordial state, more or less. This time the Cybertronians had issued their declaration of war and then gone silent.
"Intelligence says that they've fired on some Stellar Imperium ships," Xaxin said grimly. "It looks like it may be for real this time."
"Why would they do this?" Vevis asked Reria.
She shrugged helplessly. "We don't know a whole lot about them. My best guess is that there was a coup by the group that lost their civil war. I've heard whispers about a figure named Galvatron. I don't know much about him, except that if he's still alive he could potentially rally the defeated side and try again. But it's all speculation."
"In any case, we should start thinking about a defense if this Optimus Prime doesn't call up asking for peace soon," Xaxin said. "The Cybertronian Union has influence all throughout the western half of the galaxy."
Vevis nodded. "Start drawing up the plans. I'll do my best to get them approved if Prime doesn't call up soon."
Vevis hated the massive office that his position forced him to occupy. It was supposed to be a shared chamber between the High Thinker and Worker, but Grood chose not to bow to tradition. No surprise really, as the last few High Workers hadn't used the joint office either. But where a Worker thrust into politics could get away with such a thing, Vevis was sure people would be mortified if he dared to conduct his work elsewhere.
In any case, it made a fine place for the unofficial meetings with only part of the Council. Right now, only General Xaxin, Minister Reria, and Vevis himself were present.
"The Cybertronians have not extended the olive branch," Vevis stated.
A declaration of war from the Cybertronians a couple of months ago had taken them by surprise. It had happened before, and relations were quickly restored to their previous cordial state, more or less. This time the Cybertronians had issued their declaration of war and then gone silent.
"Intelligence says that they've fired on some Stellar Imperium ships," Xaxin said grimly. "It looks like it may be for real this time."
"Why would they do this?" Vevis asked Reria.
She shrugged helplessly. "We don't know a whole lot about them. My best guess is that there was a coup by the group that lost their civil war. I've heard whispers about a figure named Galvatron. I don't know much about him, except that if he's still alive he could potentially rally the defeated side and try again. But it's all speculation."
"In any case, we should start thinking about a defense if this Optimus Prime doesn't call up asking for peace soon," Xaxin said. "The Cybertronian Union has influence all throughout the western half of the galaxy."
Vevis nodded. "Start drawing up the plans. I'll do my best to get them approved if Prime doesn't call up soon."
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"We have decrypted the bulk of the Taiidan data files," Druok said. Before the five planets were teleported to this new galaxy, a Taiidan destroyer had been captured, with its computer core intact. A gold mine of information, the computer core was protected with a 4096-bit cipher. Naabal had ordered every spare bit of processing power on their homeworlds directed to breaking the encryption, and now they would learn Taiidan secrets to aid against the beast. At least, Naabal hoped there would be useful information and not just some Taiidan cook's recipe for Gllarsh.
"Is there anything of use?" Naabal said.
Druok nodded. "You could say so." He pressed a button. Immediately floating above their heads a wiregrid schematic of a warship bristling with guns and defiance materialized. Vital statistics floated over the warship's bridge. It was parallel the other vessels of the Somtaaw fleet and those of every known galactic power, outsizing and outmassing every vessel except space stations and motherships. The crystal armor gleamed like a mirror facing twin suns.
The Skaal-Tel.
"How practical is this data?" Naabal said.
"Quite. Complete schematics. It will take several months for our engineers to interpret the data."
"See too it. This project is given top priority," Naabal said. At last, a counter to the beast's vessels. The beast could field as many frigates, escorts and fighters as it desired, but the Soomtaw knew capital ships were the mainstay of fleets. They would outsize the beast. They would plow through the beast's meager defenses. They would annihilate the beast and bring peace to civilized peoples across the galaxy. It was their holy duty.
Brian
"Is there anything of use?" Naabal said.
Druok nodded. "You could say so." He pressed a button. Immediately floating above their heads a wiregrid schematic of a warship bristling with guns and defiance materialized. Vital statistics floated over the warship's bridge. It was parallel the other vessels of the Somtaaw fleet and those of every known galactic power, outsizing and outmassing every vessel except space stations and motherships. The crystal armor gleamed like a mirror facing twin suns.
The Skaal-Tel.
"How practical is this data?" Naabal said.
"Quite. Complete schematics. It will take several months for our engineers to interpret the data."
"See too it. This project is given top priority," Naabal said. At last, a counter to the beast's vessels. The beast could field as many frigates, escorts and fighters as it desired, but the Soomtaw knew capital ships were the mainstay of fleets. They would outsize the beast. They would plow through the beast's meager defenses. They would annihilate the beast and bring peace to civilized peoples across the galaxy. It was their holy duty.
Brian
Captain Yaku of the Aspen IV class colony ship sighed in relief as his little vessel finally stopped shaking. They had finally made it past the deadly black hole which had consumed the Tudesan system and into the Famtlii system beyond.
For too long the PSA's expansion had paused because of that very black hole, but now with their most modern engines and some help from their allies, their nation could begin to grow again.
"Helmsman, set course for that planet there," Yaku said, pointing a world displayed on a map on the viewer. "It's time we set the alliance's flag on a new world."
For too long the PSA's expansion had paused because of that very black hole, but now with their most modern engines and some help from their allies, their nation could begin to grow again.
"Helmsman, set course for that planet there," Yaku said, pointing a world displayed on a map on the viewer. "It's time we set the alliance's flag on a new world."
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
On a non descript moonbase...
Soundwave worked stoically as ever. The communications disruption was his specialty, and it had worked well but Prime's damned diplomacy had managed to reaffirm peaceful relations. All the Unions research was piling into cargo, new transformer AI units and other worker class (he refused to call the Autobots) projects. It seemed there would have to be another way to prompt Prime to rebuild the mighty military class of transformers, the Decepticons.
Cybertron Prime
"...again, let me say I'm terribly sorry for the communications error. We will do our best to see that it doesn't occur again. Thankyou again mr Vevis."
The transmission ended. Prime looked over his reports. The colonisation of space was going well, and he'd made many friends, even among those that didn't get along so well. He'd make it his job to make those rivalries into friendships but that was going to have to take a back seat. For now he'd continue contracting to others for the things his ravaged people couldn't make themselves.
"Time to find out whio can colonise those gas giants for us, and see who wants their planets shielded with our new massive generators. If we can't make them friends, we can at least make sure they don't hurt each other."
Soundwave worked stoically as ever. The communications disruption was his specialty, and it had worked well but Prime's damned diplomacy had managed to reaffirm peaceful relations. All the Unions research was piling into cargo, new transformer AI units and other worker class (he refused to call the Autobots) projects. It seemed there would have to be another way to prompt Prime to rebuild the mighty military class of transformers, the Decepticons.
Cybertron Prime
"...again, let me say I'm terribly sorry for the communications error. We will do our best to see that it doesn't occur again. Thankyou again mr Vevis."
The transmission ended. Prime looked over his reports. The colonisation of space was going well, and he'd made many friends, even among those that didn't get along so well. He'd make it his job to make those rivalries into friendships but that was going to have to take a back seat. For now he'd continue contracting to others for the things his ravaged people couldn't make themselves.
"Time to find out whio can colonise those gas giants for us, and see who wants their planets shielded with our new massive generators. If we can't make them friends, we can at least make sure they don't hurt each other."
Dragon Clan Veritech
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Nephtys
- Sith Acolyte
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- Joined: 2005-04-02 10:54pm
- Location: South Cali... where life is cheap!
An asianic woman sits behind a wooden desk, shuffling some papers. Conspicuously, corners are missing from them, giving a futuristic look somehow.
Good evening, and welcome to the Caprica Evening News, your gateway to the events that shape our lives. Tonight's top story: Increasing skirmishes with unknown forces beyond Kobol continue. The Fleet has beguns to conduct offensive operations against the staging points of this unknown alien race we've encountered so recently.
Continued efforts to communicate with them yield little. Additional Fleet assets have been deployed, and system defenses have been put on heightened alert should the aliens decide to strike back.
Still, despite the situation, protests continue on Gemenon, Saggitaron and Virgon denouncing the administration for attempting to promote a situation that some protest as being 'Not Our War'.
She looks into the screen, clearing her throat before a logo flashes in the top corner box.
Additional updates will follow as we get them. Now, on to Sports... the Pyramid semi-finals continue as the Gemenon Bl---*click*
Good evening, and welcome to the Caprica Evening News, your gateway to the events that shape our lives. Tonight's top story: Increasing skirmishes with unknown forces beyond Kobol continue. The Fleet has beguns to conduct offensive operations against the staging points of this unknown alien race we've encountered so recently.
Continued efforts to communicate with them yield little. Additional Fleet assets have been deployed, and system defenses have been put on heightened alert should the aliens decide to strike back.
Still, despite the situation, protests continue on Gemenon, Saggitaron and Virgon denouncing the administration for attempting to promote a situation that some protest as being 'Not Our War'.
She looks into the screen, clearing her throat before a logo flashes in the top corner box.
Additional updates will follow as we get them. Now, on to Sports... the Pyramid semi-finals continue as the Gemenon Bl---*click*
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GuppyShark
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- Joined: 2005-03-13 06:52am
- Location: South Australia
Some Months Ago... on Cybertron
Dra-Kel longed to run his hands through his hair, but he couldn't.
He gazed upon his ride. He was one of the Kryptonians who'd been sent to explore the the galaxy for Zod. His Super Rocket Ship had taken a bit of a pounding in its long journey.
The surface of his crystalline ship was pitted with chips from impacts with space debris. He'd been told the Autobots were friendly, so he'd landed here for repairs.
He'd been concerned, especially when he'd heard that they were a machine race. His fears had been unfounded. If anything, they were friendlier than any organic race he'd ever encountered.
"I can't do anything for the hull. That crystal stuff is something I've never encountered before. But your engines should be running good as new." The voice was a perfect mimic of conversational Kryptonian. The Cybertronian capacity for learning was astonishing.
Dra-Kel smiled beneath his visor, and extended a gauntleted hand to the Autobot. The immense robot bent over graciously and held Dra-Kel's hand in a firm, precisely-calculated grip.
"I'll have to make an orbit or two to make sure, but I don't have any doubts that you'll live up to your word."
"On that you can count. Best of luck, Dra-Kel, feel free to drop in the next time you're passing through."
"I'll do that." I just hope it's as a friend.
Dra-Kel longed to run his hands through his hair, but he couldn't.
He gazed upon his ride. He was one of the Kryptonians who'd been sent to explore the the galaxy for Zod. His Super Rocket Ship had taken a bit of a pounding in its long journey.
The surface of his crystalline ship was pitted with chips from impacts with space debris. He'd been told the Autobots were friendly, so he'd landed here for repairs.
He'd been concerned, especially when he'd heard that they were a machine race. His fears had been unfounded. If anything, they were friendlier than any organic race he'd ever encountered.
"I can't do anything for the hull. That crystal stuff is something I've never encountered before. But your engines should be running good as new." The voice was a perfect mimic of conversational Kryptonian. The Cybertronian capacity for learning was astonishing.
Dra-Kel smiled beneath his visor, and extended a gauntleted hand to the Autobot. The immense robot bent over graciously and held Dra-Kel's hand in a firm, precisely-calculated grip.
"I'll have to make an orbit or two to make sure, but I don't have any doubts that you'll live up to your word."
"On that you can count. Best of luck, Dra-Kel, feel free to drop in the next time you're passing through."
"I'll do that." I just hope it's as a friend.
"They are dead my lord," Naron said.
Nabaal regarded the report and felt his face flush with blood. "How many survivors?"
"Only our shielded command moon survived their bombardment. Two colonies are destroyed. We believe they have landed invasion forces. They have blockaded the moon with a great armada so no transmissions or reinforcements are possible."
"What is the tactical analysis of the Beast's vessels."
Naron sucked in air. "We do not know what to make of their ships my lord. They do not seem to be of Beast design. They bear more similarity to the vessels of the Malakari."
"Are our vessels capable of defeating them?"
"We are unsure at this point. Our strategists have highlighted several dangerous variables. They have suggested we wait to counterattack."
"Our brethren are dying." Nabaal paused. "Tell the Commander to standby." There was no point rushing headlong into a catastrophe. But battling the Beast on its terms was a dangerous game. Nabaal rubbed his hands over the volumous reports and sat down to absorb them.
Brian
Nabaal regarded the report and felt his face flush with blood. "How many survivors?"
"Only our shielded command moon survived their bombardment. Two colonies are destroyed. We believe they have landed invasion forces. They have blockaded the moon with a great armada so no transmissions or reinforcements are possible."
"What is the tactical analysis of the Beast's vessels."
Naron sucked in air. "We do not know what to make of their ships my lord. They do not seem to be of Beast design. They bear more similarity to the vessels of the Malakari."
"Are our vessels capable of defeating them?"
"We are unsure at this point. Our strategists have highlighted several dangerous variables. They have suggested we wait to counterattack."
"Our brethren are dying." Nabaal paused. "Tell the Commander to standby." There was no point rushing headlong into a catastrophe. But battling the Beast on its terms was a dangerous game. Nabaal rubbed his hands over the volumous reports and sat down to absorb them.
Brian
"Our forces have entered Ckeuak," Naron said.
"Were they victorious?"
"The Beast redeployed its armada to the wormhole just as our frigates entered orbit of our command moon. We were unable to intercept their vessels."
Nabaal swore softly. "Any casualties?"
"One enemy vessel, we believe to be a troop carrier. No damage to any of our vessels."
Nabaal paused. "Now they will muster all their forces to Ckeuak. Let us hope the Malakari keep their end of the bargain."
Brian
"Were they victorious?"
"The Beast redeployed its armada to the wormhole just as our frigates entered orbit of our command moon. We were unable to intercept their vessels."
Nabaal swore softly. "Any casualties?"
"One enemy vessel, we believe to be a troop carrier. No damage to any of our vessels."
Nabaal paused. "Now they will muster all their forces to Ckeuak. Let us hope the Malakari keep their end of the bargain."
Brian
"We have engaged the beast," Naron said.
Naabal said a breathless prayer. "Will we be victorious?"
"The combat reports indicate the beast is targeting our fleet's automated supply tankers. Several have been destroyed. Our frigates cannot protect them and at the same time fire from optimal range." Naron paused. "The Beast is using unorthodox tactics. Many fighters of unusual design equipped with high yield nuclear warheads. Their capital ships mount weapons designed to shoot down our missiles."
"Order the frigates to close their distance."
"There is a great danger."
Naabal scanned the combat data. "Five frigates are lost. If we continue to fire from beyond visual range, the beast will simply peck at us like kopar birds until we become skeletons."
"It will be done my lord."
Naabal clenched his hand. This was a calculated risk. If it worked, the Beast fleet would be annihilated. If it failed, hundreds of Kushan would die.
Brian
Naabal said a breathless prayer. "Will we be victorious?"
"The combat reports indicate the beast is targeting our fleet's automated supply tankers. Several have been destroyed. Our frigates cannot protect them and at the same time fire from optimal range." Naron paused. "The Beast is using unorthodox tactics. Many fighters of unusual design equipped with high yield nuclear warheads. Their capital ships mount weapons designed to shoot down our missiles."
"Order the frigates to close their distance."
"There is a great danger."
Naabal scanned the combat data. "Five frigates are lost. If we continue to fire from beyond visual range, the beast will simply peck at us like kopar birds until we become skeletons."
"It will be done my lord."
Naabal clenched his hand. This was a calculated risk. If it worked, the Beast fleet would be annihilated. If it failed, hundreds of Kushan would die.
Brian
High Office
"How did you manage to fund this without my knowing?" Vevis asked Dr. Jerja, more shocked than anything at the moment.
Jerja shrugged. "You'd be surprised the harmless sounding labels you can give to these kinds of things."
Vevis gave Jerja an icy glare but the science minister didn't even flinch. "Look," he said. "This will help us speed development tremendously, and our primary ally has expressed significant intrest in this technology. They want us to build some of these for them since they can't themselves; their technological bases are much too different. And I'm sure they'll be willing to pay handsomely for us to do it. Other empires probably would, too. I'll admit that the ethics of this are a tad on the murky side, but the advantages are too great to ignore."
"You're right," Vevis admitted, looking over the schematics again. "You may continue research to perfect the technology. I don't like it, though."
"Thank you, High Thinker," Jerja said, and turned to leave.
"Oh, one more thing," Vevis said. "Sneak a project like this past me again, and there will be a new Minister of Science. Understand?"
"Yes, High Thinker."
"How did you manage to fund this without my knowing?" Vevis asked Dr. Jerja, more shocked than anything at the moment.
Jerja shrugged. "You'd be surprised the harmless sounding labels you can give to these kinds of things."
Vevis gave Jerja an icy glare but the science minister didn't even flinch. "Look," he said. "This will help us speed development tremendously, and our primary ally has expressed significant intrest in this technology. They want us to build some of these for them since they can't themselves; their technological bases are much too different. And I'm sure they'll be willing to pay handsomely for us to do it. Other empires probably would, too. I'll admit that the ethics of this are a tad on the murky side, but the advantages are too great to ignore."
"You're right," Vevis admitted, looking over the schematics again. "You may continue research to perfect the technology. I don't like it, though."
"Thank you, High Thinker," Jerja said, and turned to leave.
"Oh, one more thing," Vevis said. "Sneak a project like this past me again, and there will be a new Minister of Science. Understand?"
"Yes, High Thinker."
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
-
Nephtys
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 6227
- Joined: 2005-04-02 10:54pm
- Location: South Cali... where life is cheap!
Ckeuak System, Grid 16...
"Arrow Six, you've got a bogey closing at oh-four-one, carem two-two."
"Constellation Three, enemy frigate confirmed on DRADIS. Amalthea control, proceeding on missile run."
Both groups met in deep space, clashing. It had been an hour already, ships buckling and exploding in the distance. Scattered fighters and light craft dodge and twist through the masses of heavilly armed warships, exchanging laser, missile and cannon fire.
With missiles from the Somtaaw formation blasting through the layered point defense clouds thrown up by the frigate squadrons. Errant Raptors curved in, making runs upon the Somtaaw ships...
"Stepchild, bank bank!" crackled the comm, as Lieutenant Shane 'Brewster' Corolis screamed into his helmet, pulling back on the throttle. His wing had reformed, and he watched a laser slice clean through the Viper before him, firing a swift burst from his kinetic autocannon to cut through the Somtaaw craft. His eyes then turned.
"Wing, Form Up. There's a heavy frigate there laying heavy fire on the Carrier. Go Inertial for a strafing run!"
The trio of vipers bore down on the frigate, engaging it's full broadside upon the battlegroup it moved to flank.
"Mobeius Two to Mobieus One, in poisiton."
"Light your burners. Go!"
Fire spat from their cannons, each viper passing over the craft and turning upon it's axis, using the momentum from the thrust to carry her clean away from the frigate. As secondary explosions wracked the ship, Brewster turned his head back. "Reform! There's another fifty of them out there!" he howled, the ships burning back towards the fleet.
The frigate tumbled, her stabilizers burned out and hull rupturing across several decks from the close range assault on her vulnerable areas. Ammunition storage cooked off, until the reactor within began to colapse upon itself, tearing the ship apart. As the trio of Vipers curved away back to the melee, a brief thought entered the lead pilot's head...
It was going to be a long, long day.
"Arrow Six, you've got a bogey closing at oh-four-one, carem two-two."
"Constellation Three, enemy frigate confirmed on DRADIS. Amalthea control, proceeding on missile run."
Both groups met in deep space, clashing. It had been an hour already, ships buckling and exploding in the distance. Scattered fighters and light craft dodge and twist through the masses of heavilly armed warships, exchanging laser, missile and cannon fire.
With missiles from the Somtaaw formation blasting through the layered point defense clouds thrown up by the frigate squadrons. Errant Raptors curved in, making runs upon the Somtaaw ships...
"Stepchild, bank bank!" crackled the comm, as Lieutenant Shane 'Brewster' Corolis screamed into his helmet, pulling back on the throttle. His wing had reformed, and he watched a laser slice clean through the Viper before him, firing a swift burst from his kinetic autocannon to cut through the Somtaaw craft. His eyes then turned.
"Wing, Form Up. There's a heavy frigate there laying heavy fire on the Carrier. Go Inertial for a strafing run!"
The trio of vipers bore down on the frigate, engaging it's full broadside upon the battlegroup it moved to flank.
"Mobeius Two to Mobieus One, in poisiton."
"Light your burners. Go!"
Fire spat from their cannons, each viper passing over the craft and turning upon it's axis, using the momentum from the thrust to carry her clean away from the frigate. As secondary explosions wracked the ship, Brewster turned his head back. "Reform! There's another fifty of them out there!" he howled, the ships burning back towards the fleet.
The frigate tumbled, her stabilizers burned out and hull rupturing across several decks from the close range assault on her vulnerable areas. Ammunition storage cooked off, until the reactor within began to colapse upon itself, tearing the ship apart. As the trio of Vipers curved away back to the melee, a brief thought entered the lead pilot's head...
It was going to be a long, long day.
-
Arthur_Tuxedo
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 5637
- Joined: 2002-07-23 03:28am
- Location: San Francisco, California
The hostilities between the Colonials and the Malakari's Kushan allies had finally resulted in a major battle. It was too early to tell who was winning, but both sides were losing ships. If things really started to go downhill for the Kushans, Arthur would have to bail them out. Loyalty was not in the corporation's vocabulary, but they couldn't afford to betray their strongest ally. Still, Arthur didn't get to be the CEO of the galaxy's most powerful company by rushing into things. Once he committed to this fight, he wanted to be sure he would win. Arthur went back to his desk to run yet another simulation.
"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark." - Muhammad Ali
"Dating is not supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be a heart-pounding, stomach-wrenching, gut-churning exercise in pitting your fear of rejection and public humiliation against your desire to find a mate. Enjoy." - Darth Wong
"Dating is not supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be a heart-pounding, stomach-wrenching, gut-churning exercise in pitting your fear of rejection and public humiliation against your desire to find a mate. Enjoy." - Darth Wong
Ckeuak VII A
Viishan examined the strategic map. The enemy had been persistent the past four months. After all Kushan were ordered into massive underground caverns, the planetary commander led a counterattack with the majority of the planetary militia himself. The commander was killed. The survivors returned with tales of a great enemy. They were not the Beast.
They were far worse than the Beast.
Their weapons traumatized flesh with metal projectiles, designed to spiral as they entered the body, maximizing lethality and spewing metal in all directions. They deployed thick skinned coffins with terrifying weapons that demolished whole fortifications in a single blast. They birthed from the same coffins like swarms of flies, scattering throughout the deserted Somtaaw cities and using terrain to their advantage. They fought just as effectively in the darkness as in the day.
Now two months later Viishan was planetary commander of the remnants of the militia, all old and young ones who stayed behind.
"Estimates show that they may breach the outer hull in several days," Yuro said, a young lieutenant.
"Will the crystalline armor halt their advance?" Viishan said, pointing to the layer of crystalline structure protecting the underground fortresses from outside invasion.
"Doubtful. Their weapons will breach our armor, given enough time. And if they do not, thermonuclear warheads will certainly defeat it."
"Perhaps," Viishan said. "Nevertheless, we must send every last soldier we have to seal off their entry points. If they come through a tunnel, they will be vulnerable."
"They may simply send thermonuclear warheads down the tunnel and kill us all if we mass at their entry point. We should disperse throughout our underground tunnels," Yuro said.
Viishan rubbed his chin. The tunnels were theirs, thousands of kilometers of them, and they could fight a protracted gurellia war. But it would mean letting the enemy breach their cavern. The millions of refugee Kushan would be at risk and the militia could not hope to protect them all.
"No. We will prevent them from penetrating the tunnels at any cost. Every last able bodied Kushan will be deployed at the entry points. They cannot breach," Viishan said. The enemy might not be the Beast, but if Viishan left millions of his own people vulnerable, he would be a beast.
"If the militia is to die, then they will die protecting the people and not hiding as innocents die," Viishan said.
"Then the holy one be with us," Yuro said. Yuro was right. All the enemy had to do was send thermonuclear warheads down their tunnels into the Somtaaw cities and irridiate them. Massing all his remaining soldiers at a choke point invited military disaster. The soldiers had radiation suits and could scatter through the tunnels and avoid the worst of it. But there was something about this enemy. How they avoided slaughtering defenseless women and children. How they held back from using nuclear weapons. How their ships in orbit did not bombard the face of continents to molten glass and instead sent soldiers down to fight. Something about this enemy made Viishan think they would not resort to holy fire. No, the battle would be won with conventional weapons, and as long as the militia held the chokepoints to the caverns, there was hope reinforcements could arrive.
Brian
Viishan examined the strategic map. The enemy had been persistent the past four months. After all Kushan were ordered into massive underground caverns, the planetary commander led a counterattack with the majority of the planetary militia himself. The commander was killed. The survivors returned with tales of a great enemy. They were not the Beast.
They were far worse than the Beast.
Their weapons traumatized flesh with metal projectiles, designed to spiral as they entered the body, maximizing lethality and spewing metal in all directions. They deployed thick skinned coffins with terrifying weapons that demolished whole fortifications in a single blast. They birthed from the same coffins like swarms of flies, scattering throughout the deserted Somtaaw cities and using terrain to their advantage. They fought just as effectively in the darkness as in the day.
Now two months later Viishan was planetary commander of the remnants of the militia, all old and young ones who stayed behind.
"Estimates show that they may breach the outer hull in several days," Yuro said, a young lieutenant.
"Will the crystalline armor halt their advance?" Viishan said, pointing to the layer of crystalline structure protecting the underground fortresses from outside invasion.
"Doubtful. Their weapons will breach our armor, given enough time. And if they do not, thermonuclear warheads will certainly defeat it."
"Perhaps," Viishan said. "Nevertheless, we must send every last soldier we have to seal off their entry points. If they come through a tunnel, they will be vulnerable."
"They may simply send thermonuclear warheads down the tunnel and kill us all if we mass at their entry point. We should disperse throughout our underground tunnels," Yuro said.
Viishan rubbed his chin. The tunnels were theirs, thousands of kilometers of them, and they could fight a protracted gurellia war. But it would mean letting the enemy breach their cavern. The millions of refugee Kushan would be at risk and the militia could not hope to protect them all.
"No. We will prevent them from penetrating the tunnels at any cost. Every last able bodied Kushan will be deployed at the entry points. They cannot breach," Viishan said. The enemy might not be the Beast, but if Viishan left millions of his own people vulnerable, he would be a beast.
"If the militia is to die, then they will die protecting the people and not hiding as innocents die," Viishan said.
"Then the holy one be with us," Yuro said. Yuro was right. All the enemy had to do was send thermonuclear warheads down their tunnels into the Somtaaw cities and irridiate them. Massing all his remaining soldiers at a choke point invited military disaster. The soldiers had radiation suits and could scatter through the tunnels and avoid the worst of it. But there was something about this enemy. How they avoided slaughtering defenseless women and children. How they held back from using nuclear weapons. How their ships in orbit did not bombard the face of continents to molten glass and instead sent soldiers down to fight. Something about this enemy made Viishan think they would not resort to holy fire. No, the battle would be won with conventional weapons, and as long as the militia held the chokepoints to the caverns, there was hope reinforcements could arrive.
Brian
Fushai eyed the highly automated bridge of the Hive Frigate Tiifal. There were only four crewmen often on the bridge, the Captain Hiifai, the tactical officer, the helmsman and an engineer. She felt like an intruder, but Hiifai had insisted she as the most decorated and distinguished veteran with firsthand experience with the Beast be there. Fushai had been rescued from a damaged fighter and with no shuttles available, she was forced to stay aboard the Tiifal.
So far she had accomplished nothing. This enemy was not the Beast, no matter what the propaganda machines were spewing from the homeworlds. They fought intelligently, danced strike craft through missile barrages and deployed in overlapping firing arcs. So far the enemy had held off repeated missile volleys and it seemed the battle would last forever.
"Message from the homeworld," the tactical officer said.
Hiifai went over to the tactical console and his face turned grim. "Order the fleet to prepare to close distance."
What was this? Even an academy first year knew space had no horizon. Fushai thought of saying something, but closed her mouth. What could she, just a fighter pilot, say to a Captain of a Hive Frigate? Only something silly. But this maneuver, jerking every military bone in Fushai's body, made a little sense once she thought a little more. This enemy was unlike any other the Somtaaw had faced, deploying so many point defense guns to shoot down incoming missiles as to make their standard tactics useless. Capital ships belonged in the rear, safe from powerful enemy warheads as firing and refueling platforms. But so far that hadn't worked. The enemy was steadily gaining, destroying the odd frigate every now and then with concentrated attack runs. Fushai sucked in her breath.
For the first time in her life a battle was occuring and she was not participating. Fushai could only watch, and hope.
"Main engines to full," Hiifai said.
"Main engines on full," the helmsman said. Fushai crossed her arms and saw the frigate formation surge forth towards the cloud of enemy fighters and warships.
Brian
So far she had accomplished nothing. This enemy was not the Beast, no matter what the propaganda machines were spewing from the homeworlds. They fought intelligently, danced strike craft through missile barrages and deployed in overlapping firing arcs. So far the enemy had held off repeated missile volleys and it seemed the battle would last forever.
"Message from the homeworld," the tactical officer said.
Hiifai went over to the tactical console and his face turned grim. "Order the fleet to prepare to close distance."
What was this? Even an academy first year knew space had no horizon. Fushai thought of saying something, but closed her mouth. What could she, just a fighter pilot, say to a Captain of a Hive Frigate? Only something silly. But this maneuver, jerking every military bone in Fushai's body, made a little sense once she thought a little more. This enemy was unlike any other the Somtaaw had faced, deploying so many point defense guns to shoot down incoming missiles as to make their standard tactics useless. Capital ships belonged in the rear, safe from powerful enemy warheads as firing and refueling platforms. But so far that hadn't worked. The enemy was steadily gaining, destroying the odd frigate every now and then with concentrated attack runs. Fushai sucked in her breath.
For the first time in her life a battle was occuring and she was not participating. Fushai could only watch, and hope.
"Main engines to full," Hiifai said.
"Main engines on full," the helmsman said. Fushai crossed her arms and saw the frigate formation surge forth towards the cloud of enemy fighters and warships.
Brian
-
Nephtys
- Sith Acolyte
- Posts: 6227
- Joined: 2005-04-02 10:54pm
- Location: South Cali... where life is cheap!
A Red Dawn Rises. Blood has been spilt in the Ckeuak System...
"Constellation Four, Running on Fumes! Delta-V down to less than five percent, anyone out there?!"
"Arrow Six is Winchester! I repeat, Winchester! Out of ammunition... Typhon, Heracles? Any carrier reading?"
"Mobieus Two to Arrow Six, no good. There's too much flak... I'm hit!"
The melee of exchanged missiles and beam fire, intermixed with exploding shells continued for it's sixth hour. The battle was rapidly wearing down on the lightly equipped expeditionary fleet, as the Somtaaw frigates closed, not breaking formation despite the constant attacks by the Viper Squadrons. Now closed at last, the fire stopped from the Somtaaw line as the redressed their formation.
"Amalthea Command to any ships recieving... Enemy guns are going silent! Form up for a run through the center! All missile tubes, rearm..."
The remaints of the expeditionary squadron reformed, the light carrier Amalthea forming the center of a new spearhead. Vipers trying to conserve what fuel they have left enter formation while countless others spin out of control without ammunition or propellant.
"All Ships, bear down on target: Contact Bravo-Two-Two, Identified as possible command ship. Approach at maximum thrust for one-pass and disengagement."
The squadron returned to it's unified direction, all surviving ships swivelling and kicking their engines forward to charge towards the wall in space of Somtaaw frigates. A pause fills the comm channels as weapons re-power...
---
"Admiral Cain..." turned a young comm operator, turning his head back on Fleet Headquarters on Picon.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" asked a stern-faced woman, turning in place with her hands held behind an immaculately pressed naval uniform. She placed her hands upon the railing on her elevated platform above the working staff below.
"We've.. lost contact with the expeditionary fleet, sir."
"As expected." Cain returned to her previous position without expression, folding her hands together to gaze upon the main display above the command center. It's ominous letters briefly flashing in and out across a field of static.
Contact Lost
"Constellation Four, Running on Fumes! Delta-V down to less than five percent, anyone out there?!"
"Arrow Six is Winchester! I repeat, Winchester! Out of ammunition... Typhon, Heracles? Any carrier reading?"
"Mobieus Two to Arrow Six, no good. There's too much flak... I'm hit!"
The melee of exchanged missiles and beam fire, intermixed with exploding shells continued for it's sixth hour. The battle was rapidly wearing down on the lightly equipped expeditionary fleet, as the Somtaaw frigates closed, not breaking formation despite the constant attacks by the Viper Squadrons. Now closed at last, the fire stopped from the Somtaaw line as the redressed their formation.
"Amalthea Command to any ships recieving... Enemy guns are going silent! Form up for a run through the center! All missile tubes, rearm..."
The remaints of the expeditionary squadron reformed, the light carrier Amalthea forming the center of a new spearhead. Vipers trying to conserve what fuel they have left enter formation while countless others spin out of control without ammunition or propellant.
"All Ships, bear down on target: Contact Bravo-Two-Two, Identified as possible command ship. Approach at maximum thrust for one-pass and disengagement."
The squadron returned to it's unified direction, all surviving ships swivelling and kicking their engines forward to charge towards the wall in space of Somtaaw frigates. A pause fills the comm channels as weapons re-power...
---
"Admiral Cain..." turned a young comm operator, turning his head back on Fleet Headquarters on Picon.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" asked a stern-faced woman, turning in place with her hands held behind an immaculately pressed naval uniform. She placed her hands upon the railing on her elevated platform above the working staff below.
"We've.. lost contact with the expeditionary fleet, sir."
"As expected." Cain returned to her previous position without expression, folding her hands together to gaze upon the main display above the command center. It's ominous letters briefly flashing in and out across a field of static.
Contact Lost
Geosynchronous Orbit, Darruo XIII
Naabal inspected the Somtaaw fleet. The Hives and Multibeam frigates were massed now, preparing for the great offensive to eradicate the Beast. More support ships were needed, and perhaps troops, and it would be some time before everything was in place, but all the key pieces were here. Naabal swore that this time, he would banish the Beast to the underworld.
"My lord," a soldier said.
The interruption faded everything to nothingness.
"What is it?" Naabal said.
"News from the front. The Beast fleet is vanquished. Ckeuak is ours."
Naabal nodded. "Summon the Council."
The soldier saluted and marched away.
The Council would not approve of this plan. Somtaaw lives, especially highly trained crew, were precious. But the Beast had to be delayed until the fleet was prepared, and so far Beast weapons were ineffective against the newly installed crystalline armor. Despite being short on fuel and armadment, the Ckeuak armada would continue on as deep in Beast territory as they could, engaging targets of opportunity. They would eventually be overwhelmed, but their sacrifice would be remembered by millions of grateful Kushans.
If the Council approved.
Brian
Naabal inspected the Somtaaw fleet. The Hives and Multibeam frigates were massed now, preparing for the great offensive to eradicate the Beast. More support ships were needed, and perhaps troops, and it would be some time before everything was in place, but all the key pieces were here. Naabal swore that this time, he would banish the Beast to the underworld.
"My lord," a soldier said.
The interruption faded everything to nothingness.
"What is it?" Naabal said.
"News from the front. The Beast fleet is vanquished. Ckeuak is ours."
Naabal nodded. "Summon the Council."
The soldier saluted and marched away.
The Council would not approve of this plan. Somtaaw lives, especially highly trained crew, were precious. But the Beast had to be delayed until the fleet was prepared, and so far Beast weapons were ineffective against the newly installed crystalline armor. Despite being short on fuel and armadment, the Ckeuak armada would continue on as deep in Beast territory as they could, engaging targets of opportunity. They would eventually be overwhelmed, but their sacrifice would be remembered by millions of grateful Kushans.
If the Council approved.
Brian
High Council Chambers
The entire high council had not assembled in many cycles; everything had just been too quiet in their corner of the galaxy to warrant it. Not even when the Alliance had finally been able to start getting their colony ships across the black hole was there much for the leaders of the Proximians to discuss with one another.
But news from other portions of the galaxy had reached them, news which disturbed High Thinker Vevis, and so he'd called a meeting of the council.
Reria laid out the situation to the rest of the council. "The Kiith and the Colonial humans are at war," she said. "Reports are rather sketchy, but from what we've been able to tell, it looked like the Colonials were on their way to victory but the Kiith have just recently rallied. Also, there are rumors that the Malakari may soon be entering the war on the side of the Kiith."
"Fascinating," Dr. Jerja said sarcastically. "But I fail to see how this involves us. None of the combatants are really any more than trade partners to us."
"It may come to involve us," Vevis said. "First it's the Malakari who are jumping into this war. Who's next?"
"There have been reports of the Kiith attacking the Angband," Reria said softly.
"Do you honestly expect their war to become a galaxy wide conflict?" Director Ququat ask, incredulous. "How do you expect the likes of the Reji, the Kryptonians, and the Cybertronians--just to name a few--to get involved?"
"By doing the same thing we're doing here: discussing how we could and should influence this war," General Xaxin said dryly. "Of course, they probably haven't slashed their military budgets to the point where all they can do is make pretty hypotheticals."
"The old veteran raises a good point," Ququat said. "What are we supposed to influence this war with? Harsh words?"
"Money," Dr. Jerja said bluntly. "We may not be armed for an offensive war, but we've got suffient wealth to make a difference."
The Director of the Economy looked ill at the thought. "Whoa, hold on--" Ququat began.
"And we are not without close allies," Reria added, ignoring him.
"Wait!" Ququat snapped. "Even if we could, should we? We haven't even discussed whom we'd side with or how strongly."
Suddenly everyone began talking at once, and Vevis was very sure that the arguement would last for hours...
The entire high council had not assembled in many cycles; everything had just been too quiet in their corner of the galaxy to warrant it. Not even when the Alliance had finally been able to start getting their colony ships across the black hole was there much for the leaders of the Proximians to discuss with one another.
But news from other portions of the galaxy had reached them, news which disturbed High Thinker Vevis, and so he'd called a meeting of the council.
Reria laid out the situation to the rest of the council. "The Kiith and the Colonial humans are at war," she said. "Reports are rather sketchy, but from what we've been able to tell, it looked like the Colonials were on their way to victory but the Kiith have just recently rallied. Also, there are rumors that the Malakari may soon be entering the war on the side of the Kiith."
"Fascinating," Dr. Jerja said sarcastically. "But I fail to see how this involves us. None of the combatants are really any more than trade partners to us."
"It may come to involve us," Vevis said. "First it's the Malakari who are jumping into this war. Who's next?"
"There have been reports of the Kiith attacking the Angband," Reria said softly.
"Do you honestly expect their war to become a galaxy wide conflict?" Director Ququat ask, incredulous. "How do you expect the likes of the Reji, the Kryptonians, and the Cybertronians--just to name a few--to get involved?"
"By doing the same thing we're doing here: discussing how we could and should influence this war," General Xaxin said dryly. "Of course, they probably haven't slashed their military budgets to the point where all they can do is make pretty hypotheticals."
"The old veteran raises a good point," Ququat said. "What are we supposed to influence this war with? Harsh words?"
"Money," Dr. Jerja said bluntly. "We may not be armed for an offensive war, but we've got suffient wealth to make a difference."
The Director of the Economy looked ill at the thought. "Whoa, hold on--" Ququat began.
"And we are not without close allies," Reria added, ignoring him.
"Wait!" Ququat snapped. "Even if we could, should we? We haven't even discussed whom we'd side with or how strongly."
Suddenly everyone began talking at once, and Vevis was very sure that the arguement would last for hours...
"I want to mow down a bunch of motherfuckers with absurdly large weapons and relative impunity - preferably in and around a skyscraper. Then I want to fight a grim battle against the unlikely duo of the Terminator and Robocop. The last level should involve (but not be limited to) multiple robo-Hitlers and a gorillasaurus rex."--Uraniun235 on his ideal FPS game
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force."--Darth Vader
Darruo System
"Our armada will soon be prepared," Naron said.
Naabal eyed his close friend and confidant looking for the usual battle eagerness. There was none. He had not seen a happy or even content colleague since their arrival in this galaxy. Naabal was unable to sleep. The physicians told him it was old age, but Naabal never believed doctors. Full of life, this galaxy was teeming with hostile species and infection, and none of the merchants who visited believed in the holy one. They were blasphemers, all of them.
"Who shall command our fleet?" Naron said.
Naabal crossed his arms and watched the Deacon class destroyers switch formation as effortlessly as strike craft. The shielding technology, invisible to the naked eye, meant every one of the ships was a fortress. Naabal knew several meters inside the destroyers, the crystalline inner hull or bathtub as the engineers nicknamed it was sparkling with energy enhanced by the complementary shield technology. They had come far these past few years. But not far enough. Reports were trickling in of the real cost of the Ckeuak battle. Three completely devestated colonies including an important mining station, and millions of Kushan either hiding in underground bunkers or perhaps dead.
"No mistakes this time," Naabal said.
"I was thinking of Admiral Kiirian."
"I was thinking of Admiral Kiirian as well," Naabal said.
"He is our most experienced and decorated fleet commander. He is a good choice."
"No," Naabal said.
"He is our greatest commander," Naron said.
"No." Naabal smiled. "He is not."
Naron jerked his head towards Naabal and his mouth was open. "You intend to--"
"Yes my friend." Naabal crossed his arms staring into space at the destroyer armada. "I ordered the colonization of Ckeuak. The deaths of our people will be avenged."
"I will prepare your shuttle," Naron said.
Brian
"Our armada will soon be prepared," Naron said.
Naabal eyed his close friend and confidant looking for the usual battle eagerness. There was none. He had not seen a happy or even content colleague since their arrival in this galaxy. Naabal was unable to sleep. The physicians told him it was old age, but Naabal never believed doctors. Full of life, this galaxy was teeming with hostile species and infection, and none of the merchants who visited believed in the holy one. They were blasphemers, all of them.
"Who shall command our fleet?" Naron said.
Naabal crossed his arms and watched the Deacon class destroyers switch formation as effortlessly as strike craft. The shielding technology, invisible to the naked eye, meant every one of the ships was a fortress. Naabal knew several meters inside the destroyers, the crystalline inner hull or bathtub as the engineers nicknamed it was sparkling with energy enhanced by the complementary shield technology. They had come far these past few years. But not far enough. Reports were trickling in of the real cost of the Ckeuak battle. Three completely devestated colonies including an important mining station, and millions of Kushan either hiding in underground bunkers or perhaps dead.
"No mistakes this time," Naabal said.
"I was thinking of Admiral Kiirian."
"I was thinking of Admiral Kiirian as well," Naabal said.
"He is our most experienced and decorated fleet commander. He is a good choice."
"No," Naabal said.
"He is our greatest commander," Naron said.
"No." Naabal smiled. "He is not."
Naron jerked his head towards Naabal and his mouth was open. "You intend to--"
"Yes my friend." Naabal crossed his arms staring into space at the destroyer armada. "I ordered the colonization of Ckeuak. The deaths of our people will be avenged."
"I will prepare your shuttle," Naron said.
Brian
Zerus
======================================================
The Overmind sat, looming, under the crackling skies of Zerus. Long the home of the infant Zerg, the world was transformed from a harsh, barren wasteland to a hellish energy field following the first Beast Wars, with rich veins of steller plasma crackling above the world. It would be beautiful to see, but the eyes of the Zerg were focused on far away goals, and far away worlds.
The swarm had grown bloated on the rich world of it's conquest, but the Overmind knew that it's plans for the broods lay not along the path of fuzzy couches and cable TV. Only war could sharpen the Zerg, and give them the purity of form and essence that was their destiny.
The Overmind reached out and felt the distant forms scuttling across the panes of space... they were not who they sought, but were there, and at the moment, any target was better than none. The swarms billowed and roiled in the skies over Zerus as the Overmind thrust it's immense psychic power through the vast gulf of space, hurling it's minions across the dimensions of the universe... to a very different world.
The broods coursed out in all directions, some raging towards the surface, some across the system, and some to parts unknown--agents of the Overmind, it's eyes and teeth, seeking soft targets and secrets to exploit. Soon the worlds of this empire would be red with blood and stink of victory!
Beyer System
======================================================
"Yarr! Cap'n! There be St. Elmo's Fire acrossin' me consoles!" the midshipman said, adjusting his eyepatches.
"You bleedin' idiot, that's the helm! Arharharhar!" laughs the Captain, shooting the midshipman in the face and stepping across his twitching corpse to examine the readout.
"Shiver me ti--" half exclaimed the Captain before his lungs were introduced to the subtle caresses of the void of space. As his blood boiled due to a lack of pressure and his skin began to freeze over, the rum in his belly dimmed the pain just enough for him to be partially alive as the Mutalisk bit him in half and went screaming towards the surface of the planet.
Planetary defenses lit up, thousands of small vessels carrying swashbucklers rocketed up into the Zerg swarm. One such Cutter was manned by Josiah Abernackle, feared pirate of the Seven Systems. His merry band of roughabouts plowed into an Overlord and hit the decks, swarming out across the beast, their cutlasses biting deeply into the first quarter milimeter of zerg armor before the pirate's organs were removed and stacked festively on his head like a fruit hat. This grisly scene was repeated a million times in the span of a few hours.
"Nyarr! We best be meetin' up with our men! Those landlubbers are our last hope!"
"You addlebrained twit! Have you lost yer eyes in a bet, or be you just too drunk to see?"
Zerg: zergling rush kekekeke
Reji: WTF rushr
Zerg: STFU n00b it is startegy
Reji: k0reans h4x
Zerg: Hey man, watch the racism.
Reji Federation has left the game
Zerg: pwnt
Beyer System, the planet known as Compassion.
...hours later
======================================================
"Awaken my child, and embrace the glory that is your birthright. Know that I am the Overmind, the eternal will of the swarm, and that you have been created to serve me."
The Cerebrate twisted, it's small clawed feet digging into the soft, comforting warmth of the creep under it. It's mind exploded with a million thoughts at once, the weight of the Overmind pressing open the walls of it's memory, and enlightenment followed.
"How can I serve?"
"You are to lead this new brood, and bring to us purity. You are weak, and when you are weak, your broods will suffer. Rise up and become strong, and bring glory to the swarm."
The Cerebrate chittered to itself as a thousand tiny pinpricks rattled around within it's mind, each an Overlord, each an instument for controlling the swarm. It could feel the smallest of it's broods, but their howling madness consumed too much concentration, and with a mental sigh it let go, and drifted back to the calm sea of Overlords where it's mind rested comfortably in control.
"I see," it thought. "Where am I? Where is the swarm?"
"You are far away. Your mission will not be easy. The brood have crushed an infant race and are intergrating their purity into themselves, you are within a capital of that ruined Empire."
"So," the Cerebrate mused, "I'm all alone here--just me and my Zerg against a galaxy? Those are hardly sporting odds."
"Make allies--we seek purity, not devastation. Bring order to your raging swarms to heel. Develop new strains and broods, the energies of your new battleground have left your Zerg weak. An ancient enemy lies in waiting. They have fled us for so long they forget why they have not been pursued. But soon you will breed a new Zerg swarm, a new swarm that can fight them there, and we shall end this conflict."
"I am confused," the Cerebrate meekly replied, so much for it to handle all at once has left it drained and lacking confidence. "Why cannot the swarm fight here? What is wrong? Why me?"
"Because, Cerebrate," the Overmind boomed across the infinite vastness of space, "You were once one of them."
======================================================
The Overmind sat, looming, under the crackling skies of Zerus. Long the home of the infant Zerg, the world was transformed from a harsh, barren wasteland to a hellish energy field following the first Beast Wars, with rich veins of steller plasma crackling above the world. It would be beautiful to see, but the eyes of the Zerg were focused on far away goals, and far away worlds.
The swarm had grown bloated on the rich world of it's conquest, but the Overmind knew that it's plans for the broods lay not along the path of fuzzy couches and cable TV. Only war could sharpen the Zerg, and give them the purity of form and essence that was their destiny.
The Overmind reached out and felt the distant forms scuttling across the panes of space... they were not who they sought, but were there, and at the moment, any target was better than none. The swarms billowed and roiled in the skies over Zerus as the Overmind thrust it's immense psychic power through the vast gulf of space, hurling it's minions across the dimensions of the universe... to a very different world.
The broods coursed out in all directions, some raging towards the surface, some across the system, and some to parts unknown--agents of the Overmind, it's eyes and teeth, seeking soft targets and secrets to exploit. Soon the worlds of this empire would be red with blood and stink of victory!
Beyer System
======================================================
"Yarr! Cap'n! There be St. Elmo's Fire acrossin' me consoles!" the midshipman said, adjusting his eyepatches.
"You bleedin' idiot, that's the helm! Arharharhar!" laughs the Captain, shooting the midshipman in the face and stepping across his twitching corpse to examine the readout.
"Shiver me ti--" half exclaimed the Captain before his lungs were introduced to the subtle caresses of the void of space. As his blood boiled due to a lack of pressure and his skin began to freeze over, the rum in his belly dimmed the pain just enough for him to be partially alive as the Mutalisk bit him in half and went screaming towards the surface of the planet.
Planetary defenses lit up, thousands of small vessels carrying swashbucklers rocketed up into the Zerg swarm. One such Cutter was manned by Josiah Abernackle, feared pirate of the Seven Systems. His merry band of roughabouts plowed into an Overlord and hit the decks, swarming out across the beast, their cutlasses biting deeply into the first quarter milimeter of zerg armor before the pirate's organs were removed and stacked festively on his head like a fruit hat. This grisly scene was repeated a million times in the span of a few hours.
"Nyarr! We best be meetin' up with our men! Those landlubbers are our last hope!"
"You addlebrained twit! Have you lost yer eyes in a bet, or be you just too drunk to see?"
Zerg: zergling rush kekekeke
Reji: WTF rushr
Zerg: STFU n00b it is startegy
Reji: k0reans h4x
Zerg: Hey man, watch the racism.
Reji Federation has left the game
Zerg: pwnt
Beyer System, the planet known as Compassion.
...hours later
======================================================
"Awaken my child, and embrace the glory that is your birthright. Know that I am the Overmind, the eternal will of the swarm, and that you have been created to serve me."
The Cerebrate twisted, it's small clawed feet digging into the soft, comforting warmth of the creep under it. It's mind exploded with a million thoughts at once, the weight of the Overmind pressing open the walls of it's memory, and enlightenment followed.
"How can I serve?"
"You are to lead this new brood, and bring to us purity. You are weak, and when you are weak, your broods will suffer. Rise up and become strong, and bring glory to the swarm."
The Cerebrate chittered to itself as a thousand tiny pinpricks rattled around within it's mind, each an Overlord, each an instument for controlling the swarm. It could feel the smallest of it's broods, but their howling madness consumed too much concentration, and with a mental sigh it let go, and drifted back to the calm sea of Overlords where it's mind rested comfortably in control.
"I see," it thought. "Where am I? Where is the swarm?"
"You are far away. Your mission will not be easy. The brood have crushed an infant race and are intergrating their purity into themselves, you are within a capital of that ruined Empire."
"So," the Cerebrate mused, "I'm all alone here--just me and my Zerg against a galaxy? Those are hardly sporting odds."
"Make allies--we seek purity, not devastation. Bring order to your raging swarms to heel. Develop new strains and broods, the energies of your new battleground have left your Zerg weak. An ancient enemy lies in waiting. They have fled us for so long they forget why they have not been pursued. But soon you will breed a new Zerg swarm, a new swarm that can fight them there, and we shall end this conflict."
"I am confused," the Cerebrate meekly replied, so much for it to handle all at once has left it drained and lacking confidence. "Why cannot the swarm fight here? What is wrong? Why me?"
"Because, Cerebrate," the Overmind boomed across the infinite vastness of space, "You were once one of them."