EAS Enterprise
"It was Vorlons."
"Vorlons?"
"Yes sir. Vorlons helped sabotage the gate. We wouldn't have found out except--"
"Any aggressive moves by the Vorlon fleet?"
"Negative."
If the Vorlons were permitted to relocate gates for the Dilgar, the expeditionary force could appear right in the middle of a Dilgar trap. But the rules of engagement were clear--stay away from the Vorlons. Ultimately, it mattered little. The Omegas would brute force their way through any Dilgar defense. "Dismissed."
The Yorktowns were on their way, and with them vital upgrades for the Omega fleet.
SE:IV B5 RP
Moderator: Thanas
"Yes Ambassador, that is correct. The stacking of jump gates so close to one another creates issues that have become apparent recently when everyone isn't getting along. It's a deliberate congesting of traffic, and when you're dealing with warships and IFF systems, it's clearly an irresponsible way to go. Don't worry, we'll be reopening the point at a safe distance in the immediate future. Of course we value our good friendship with the EA, and we appreciate that you have supported us for so long."
Of course, the fact the Vorlon fleet was badly mauled, immobile and needed time for repairs might also have something to do with it thought the unnamed diplomat.
Of course, the fact the Vorlon fleet was badly mauled, immobile and needed time for repairs might also have something to do with it thought the unnamed diplomat.
Dragon Clan Veritech
Earthdome
"Why aren't I seeing pictures of exuberant Dilgar and Centauri on ISN?" President Sutherland tapped his desk and stared at the trio of Earthforce Admirals.
"Sir, with all due respect we've already gone over this--"
"You go to war with the army you have, not the army you want! I want the expedition in Dilgar space, yesterday."
The Admirals looked at each other, and their leader pushed a paper forward. "In that case we would like you to sign this." The paper outlined the projected casualties should the Omegas advance without minesweeper support. Sutherland rubbed his cheeks.
"So there's no way around this?"
"We're anticipating extensive retrofits before we can even consider an offensive. Permission to speak frankly sir?"
"Granted."
"There's no way we can liberate anyone, not with the condition the Earth Alliance army is in. This operation can't possibly succeed."
Sutherland had read the Marine General's report. Vehicles were so out of date that soldiers had nicknamed the most modern Earth Alliance main battle tank as "crap" in reference to its ability to hit a target once in a red moon. Thirty divisions were ready, mostly reservists, and could not be expected to defeat even the most poorly equipped planetary militias. Nevertheless, the plan would go on. "Others in your ranks have differing opinions. Is there no possible way to fast forward the timetable?"
"Not unless the Dilgar detonate their mines."
"I do not appreciate sarcasm."
"Then sir, appreciate pragmatism. Unless the fleet docks for retrofit or minesweepers spontaneously appear out of nowhere, Earthforce will sustain unacceptable casualties should we attack now."
"Thank you gentlemen. You're dismissed."
The Admirals walked out. Sutherland stared at the reports on his desk. The Omegas needed installation of everything from interceptors to minesweepers to fighter bays. Such retrofits would take weeks, and by then the Dilgar could fortify their jump gates even more heavily. "What the hell do I do?"
Benjamin Marxis stepped out of the shadows. "If you want to do a job, do it right. There's no point going in unless we can crush the Dilgar, for good."
"What are you suggesting?"
"The Corporate Sector Donny. The Corporate Sector."
"You're mad."
"I might not be the President anymore, but I know how those people think. Dangle a juicy enough carrot in front of the military industrial complex, and they'll bite."
"Nunziata won't go to war with the Dilgar."
"She doesn't have to." Marxis smiled. "Buy it all out from under her. Buy the minesweepers, buy the missiles, buy it all."
"Buy? Of course. Of course." Sutherland rubbed his hands. "But without troops, none of it works. What are we going to do, burn every Dilgar occupied planet to the ground?"
"We do what we must." And Marxis went out, through the secret passage to his waiting stealth fighter purchased on the Centauri black market. Sutherland watched Benjamin Marxis's back, and shivered. He had really meant it. But Marxis wasn't the President of the Earth Alliance. He was. And eventually, Marxis would regret his pompous attitude. But not yet.
"Why aren't I seeing pictures of exuberant Dilgar and Centauri on ISN?" President Sutherland tapped his desk and stared at the trio of Earthforce Admirals.
"Sir, with all due respect we've already gone over this--"
"You go to war with the army you have, not the army you want! I want the expedition in Dilgar space, yesterday."
The Admirals looked at each other, and their leader pushed a paper forward. "In that case we would like you to sign this." The paper outlined the projected casualties should the Omegas advance without minesweeper support. Sutherland rubbed his cheeks.
"So there's no way around this?"
"We're anticipating extensive retrofits before we can even consider an offensive. Permission to speak frankly sir?"
"Granted."
"There's no way we can liberate anyone, not with the condition the Earth Alliance army is in. This operation can't possibly succeed."
Sutherland had read the Marine General's report. Vehicles were so out of date that soldiers had nicknamed the most modern Earth Alliance main battle tank as "crap" in reference to its ability to hit a target once in a red moon. Thirty divisions were ready, mostly reservists, and could not be expected to defeat even the most poorly equipped planetary militias. Nevertheless, the plan would go on. "Others in your ranks have differing opinions. Is there no possible way to fast forward the timetable?"
"Not unless the Dilgar detonate their mines."
"I do not appreciate sarcasm."
"Then sir, appreciate pragmatism. Unless the fleet docks for retrofit or minesweepers spontaneously appear out of nowhere, Earthforce will sustain unacceptable casualties should we attack now."
"Thank you gentlemen. You're dismissed."
The Admirals walked out. Sutherland stared at the reports on his desk. The Omegas needed installation of everything from interceptors to minesweepers to fighter bays. Such retrofits would take weeks, and by then the Dilgar could fortify their jump gates even more heavily. "What the hell do I do?"
Benjamin Marxis stepped out of the shadows. "If you want to do a job, do it right. There's no point going in unless we can crush the Dilgar, for good."
"What are you suggesting?"
"The Corporate Sector Donny. The Corporate Sector."
"You're mad."
"I might not be the President anymore, but I know how those people think. Dangle a juicy enough carrot in front of the military industrial complex, and they'll bite."
"Nunziata won't go to war with the Dilgar."
"She doesn't have to." Marxis smiled. "Buy it all out from under her. Buy the minesweepers, buy the missiles, buy it all."
"Buy? Of course. Of course." Sutherland rubbed his hands. "But without troops, none of it works. What are we going to do, burn every Dilgar occupied planet to the ground?"
"We do what we must." And Marxis went out, through the secret passage to his waiting stealth fighter purchased on the Centauri black market. Sutherland watched Benjamin Marxis's back, and shivered. He had really meant it. But Marxis wasn't the President of the Earth Alliance. He was. And eventually, Marxis would regret his pompous attitude. But not yet.
Centauri Prime
Space over the capital world of the Centauri Republic was considerably less crowded that it had been a month ago. The Shadows had left, apparently just having been passing through, which was a relief to everyone on the planet.
The number of Dilgar ships in orbit had also decreased considerably. They had transfered several Shadow-made weapons platforms to the surface of Centauri Prime just days before the Dilgar's official declaration of war, and the Republican Guard had taken to firing at the enemy fleet in orbit day and night. The Dilgar apparently wanted Centauri Prime intact, as they hadn't fired on the planet despite the casualities they'd suffered.
They'd started doing this entirely of their own accord, but Dmitri wasn't about to try and stop them. For one thing, his hold on power was far to weak to expect them to obey him. Secondly, it was too late anyway. Halting their actions now wouldn't spare them any Dilgar retribution. And thirdly, it was actually working quite well. If not for the Dilgar's satellites on various jump gates, it might actually be possible for the remnants of the Centauri's space navy to drive out the invaders, at least for the moment. As it was, the situation was mostly unchanged, but the Centauri people at least felt a bit better about it.
Fir'mill
"Thank you for the ride," Vir said tiredly.
The captain of the little cargo freighter waved a hand dismissively. "It was nothin', Mr. Cotto, nothin' at all."
His outstretched palm seemed to say different. Vir sighed.
They had almost gotten to Fir'mill, but they'd forgotten about the satellite group which the Vorlons kept near the gate into the system; it wasn't something they'd ever had to worry about until recently. Vir's little, unarmed transport had been quickly sliced to ribbons, and he and Ivan had barely managed to get to an escape pod in time.
They'd spent fourteen hours in that cramped little pod, until at last a human merchant had picked them up. He was headed to Fir'mill anyway, so it had seemed like a stroke of luck.
Until the human had started telling stories about the Earth-Dilgar War (which had occured well before Londo had taken the throne) and his own part in it.
On and on the stories went, growing more and more absurd with each telling. If the captain were to be believed, he and his squad had won the war single handedly. And saved Ben Marxis's life. Three times.
Vir decided against telling the man what he'd thought of Marxis.
Oh, and the "I don't see why you fellers keep gettin' whipped by 'em Dilgars," comments were always a joy to listen to.
It wouldn't have been so bad, though, if not for the fact that his ship appeared to be held together by duct tape, chewing gum, and wishes. The numerous times the engine had given out had added at least sixty hours to the trip.
And now the guy wanted a tip.
Vir imagined for a moment how long the irksome human could probably rant if he felt snubbed, and placed a few coins into the man's waiting palm.
"Thank you, Mr. Cotto," the human said.
"It's nothing," Vir lied, and quickly made good his escape. Ivan was only too glad to follow him.
"Come, Ivan," Vir said to his personal assistant once they were out of earshot. "Let's go see if we can find some bravari."
"Vir, this planet is populated by Minbari," Ivan said. "The odds of finding decent bravari here are--"
"Shut up, Ivan," Vir growled.
Ivan swallowed. "Yes, Vir."
Space over the capital world of the Centauri Republic was considerably less crowded that it had been a month ago. The Shadows had left, apparently just having been passing through, which was a relief to everyone on the planet.
The number of Dilgar ships in orbit had also decreased considerably. They had transfered several Shadow-made weapons platforms to the surface of Centauri Prime just days before the Dilgar's official declaration of war, and the Republican Guard had taken to firing at the enemy fleet in orbit day and night. The Dilgar apparently wanted Centauri Prime intact, as they hadn't fired on the planet despite the casualities they'd suffered.
They'd started doing this entirely of their own accord, but Dmitri wasn't about to try and stop them. For one thing, his hold on power was far to weak to expect them to obey him. Secondly, it was too late anyway. Halting their actions now wouldn't spare them any Dilgar retribution. And thirdly, it was actually working quite well. If not for the Dilgar's satellites on various jump gates, it might actually be possible for the remnants of the Centauri's space navy to drive out the invaders, at least for the moment. As it was, the situation was mostly unchanged, but the Centauri people at least felt a bit better about it.
Fir'mill
"Thank you for the ride," Vir said tiredly.
The captain of the little cargo freighter waved a hand dismissively. "It was nothin', Mr. Cotto, nothin' at all."
His outstretched palm seemed to say different. Vir sighed.
They had almost gotten to Fir'mill, but they'd forgotten about the satellite group which the Vorlons kept near the gate into the system; it wasn't something they'd ever had to worry about until recently. Vir's little, unarmed transport had been quickly sliced to ribbons, and he and Ivan had barely managed to get to an escape pod in time.
They'd spent fourteen hours in that cramped little pod, until at last a human merchant had picked them up. He was headed to Fir'mill anyway, so it had seemed like a stroke of luck.
Until the human had started telling stories about the Earth-Dilgar War (which had occured well before Londo had taken the throne) and his own part in it.
On and on the stories went, growing more and more absurd with each telling. If the captain were to be believed, he and his squad had won the war single handedly. And saved Ben Marxis's life. Three times.
Vir decided against telling the man what he'd thought of Marxis.
Oh, and the "I don't see why you fellers keep gettin' whipped by 'em Dilgars," comments were always a joy to listen to.
It wouldn't have been so bad, though, if not for the fact that his ship appeared to be held together by duct tape, chewing gum, and wishes. The numerous times the engine had given out had added at least sixty hours to the trip.
And now the guy wanted a tip.
Vir imagined for a moment how long the irksome human could probably rant if he felt snubbed, and placed a few coins into the man's waiting palm.
"Thank you, Mr. Cotto," the human said.
"It's nothing," Vir lied, and quickly made good his escape. Ivan was only too glad to follow him.
"Come, Ivan," Vir said to his personal assistant once they were out of earshot. "Let's go see if we can find some bravari."
"Vir, this planet is populated by Minbari," Ivan said. "The odds of finding decent bravari here are--"
"Shut up, Ivan," Vir growled.
Ivan swallowed. "Yes, Vir."
"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!
San'ala System Control...
"What happened? There was an accident with the gate defenses? Send out a rescue ship immediately. Look for survivors!" said a Minbari, standing before a wide holographic view of the system. He looked to his aide, another warrior.
"Ensure that Ambassador Cotto is found and safely taken to Fir'mill."
...
At that same time, in a shadowy alley in a human city, a dark figure walked through cold rain. Hooded and cloaked from sight, it moved before a waiting human man, smoking.
"So you came." remarked the man, tossing out his cigarette.
"Yes..." said a feminine voice. Delenn removed her hood and looked across. "We need to talk."
"What happened? There was an accident with the gate defenses? Send out a rescue ship immediately. Look for survivors!" said a Minbari, standing before a wide holographic view of the system. He looked to his aide, another warrior.
"Ensure that Ambassador Cotto is found and safely taken to Fir'mill."
...
At that same time, in a shadowy alley in a human city, a dark figure walked through cold rain. Hooded and cloaked from sight, it moved before a waiting human man, smoking.
"So you came." remarked the man, tossing out his cigarette.
"Yes..." said a feminine voice. Delenn removed her hood and looked across. "We need to talk."
Planet New York
"And we hope the Vorlons will be reasonable and return Corporate state property as soon as possible. We know they are searching for contraband, but once that is done, we expect the entire merchantman fleet to be returned to our custody.
Unfortunately, we have information that the Dilgar destroyed several dozens of merchantmen. We don't know whether the Centauri used the merchantmen in combat against the Dilgar or whether the Dilgar deliberately destroyed them. Nevertheless, the Corporate Sector does not want to impose an additional burden on the Centauri Republic during a time of war, and will not ask for compensation for the fifty eight vessels, worth an estimated five hundred trillion galactic credits."
Earthdome
"Mesopotamia Six should be space dust by now! How the hell could this happen? You're telling me thirty Earthforce captains turned traitor?" President Sutherland slammed his fist at his desk.
"We've gone over the personnel records sir. It appears that all the captains of the Arcadia battlegroup are from the same graduating class in the academy. The captains hand-picked their senior staff. The crew under their command are loyal--"
"What happened to Harlock? Who's leading this mess?"
"We don't know, we're having trouble contacting the Arcadia. For now, Captain John Sheridan, EAS Excalibur, but there's something you should know--"
M6
"Welcome aboard Mr. President."
"And we hope the Vorlons will be reasonable and return Corporate state property as soon as possible. We know they are searching for contraband, but once that is done, we expect the entire merchantman fleet to be returned to our custody.
Unfortunately, we have information that the Dilgar destroyed several dozens of merchantmen. We don't know whether the Centauri used the merchantmen in combat against the Dilgar or whether the Dilgar deliberately destroyed them. Nevertheless, the Corporate Sector does not want to impose an additional burden on the Centauri Republic during a time of war, and will not ask for compensation for the fifty eight vessels, worth an estimated five hundred trillion galactic credits."
Earthdome
"Mesopotamia Six should be space dust by now! How the hell could this happen? You're telling me thirty Earthforce captains turned traitor?" President Sutherland slammed his fist at his desk.
"We've gone over the personnel records sir. It appears that all the captains of the Arcadia battlegroup are from the same graduating class in the academy. The captains hand-picked their senior staff. The crew under their command are loyal--"
"What happened to Harlock? Who's leading this mess?"
"We don't know, we're having trouble contacting the Arcadia. For now, Captain John Sheridan, EAS Excalibur, but there's something you should know--"
M6
"Welcome aboard Mr. President."
Earthdome, Situation Assessment Center
"Brilliant." President Sutherland examined the strategic map zoomed in on the Ettamm and Raghesh systems. The border patrol ships Sutherland had ordered redployed from all over the Earth Aliance, fast moving and equipped with breaching pods, had taken positions on jump gates. One of them, the Yorktown herself, had commandeered a Dilgar gatecrasher. His staff told him this was the first time anyone had managed to catch the Dilgar redhanded. But this time, the stakes were not simply galactic trade.
"Concordiant requests clearance for Dilgar heavies," a blond airwoman asked.
Sutherland raised his hand. "Heavies? Are you talking about their blasted mining ships?"
"Yes sir."
"Ignore them. Make sure they don't get away, but don't send ships after them. There's no time to waste." Sutherland imagined cheering Centauri and Narns on ISN.
Best of all, the vaunted Dilgar mines hadn't been present on any of the gates the expedition had traversed. The Corporate minesweepers would be arriving soon. It had been a hard sell, giving up an entire planet for a handful of minesweeping ships, but once the battlegroup was equipped with minesweepers, it could advance deep into Dilgar territory.
An Admiral pointed at the Dilgar defenses orbiting Raghesh IV. "Thank god the Yorktown caught the blasted thing in time." Had the gatecrasher damaged the backdoor jump gate between Ettamm and Raghesh, Earthforce would've had to brute force its way through the primary jump gates between Raghesh and Kokkar or Raghesh and Quadrant 27, facing heavy firepower from Dilgar starbases. Now the Dilgar starbases were sitting ducks.
"God had nothing to do with it. My congratulations to you and your competent staff."
"Yes sir."
Planet New York
"It's unfortunate the Dilgar chose to terminate their treaty, but understandable giving the ongoing hostilities with the Earth Alliance.
As an aside, President Sutherland has requested Corporate assistance in defending their jump gates. This is the first time the Earth Alliance has requested military aid from the Corporate Sector, and we are more than happy to oblige.
There have been no additional requests from the Earth Alliance beyond support ships, and we do not expect to redeploy large amounts of our home defenses."
"Brilliant." President Sutherland examined the strategic map zoomed in on the Ettamm and Raghesh systems. The border patrol ships Sutherland had ordered redployed from all over the Earth Aliance, fast moving and equipped with breaching pods, had taken positions on jump gates. One of them, the Yorktown herself, had commandeered a Dilgar gatecrasher. His staff told him this was the first time anyone had managed to catch the Dilgar redhanded. But this time, the stakes were not simply galactic trade.
"Concordiant requests clearance for Dilgar heavies," a blond airwoman asked.
Sutherland raised his hand. "Heavies? Are you talking about their blasted mining ships?"
"Yes sir."
"Ignore them. Make sure they don't get away, but don't send ships after them. There's no time to waste." Sutherland imagined cheering Centauri and Narns on ISN.
Best of all, the vaunted Dilgar mines hadn't been present on any of the gates the expedition had traversed. The Corporate minesweepers would be arriving soon. It had been a hard sell, giving up an entire planet for a handful of minesweeping ships, but once the battlegroup was equipped with minesweepers, it could advance deep into Dilgar territory.
An Admiral pointed at the Dilgar defenses orbiting Raghesh IV. "Thank god the Yorktown caught the blasted thing in time." Had the gatecrasher damaged the backdoor jump gate between Ettamm and Raghesh, Earthforce would've had to brute force its way through the primary jump gates between Raghesh and Kokkar or Raghesh and Quadrant 27, facing heavy firepower from Dilgar starbases. Now the Dilgar starbases were sitting ducks.
"God had nothing to do with it. My congratulations to you and your competent staff."
"Yes sir."
Planet New York
"It's unfortunate the Dilgar chose to terminate their treaty, but understandable giving the ongoing hostilities with the Earth Alliance.
As an aside, President Sutherland has requested Corporate assistance in defending their jump gates. This is the first time the Earth Alliance has requested military aid from the Corporate Sector, and we are more than happy to oblige.
There have been no additional requests from the Earth Alliance beyond support ships, and we do not expect to redeploy large amounts of our home defenses."
Centauri Prime
For the first time in years, the space around the Republic's capital world was entirely clear. Dmitri would've prefered to have an armada of Kraken's orbiting the planet, of course. But emptiness was a vast improvement over the Dilgar fleet, the remains of which had finally pulled back a few parsecs after being pounded by the Shadow-made weapons platforms.
The Dilgar's original attack fleet was greatly reduced, EarthForce was on its way, and the Centauri factories which remained were working feverishly to rebuild their fleet. He could almost feel the tide turning.
A knock at the door pulled Dmitri from his musings. "Come in,"he called.
A member of the Centauri Intelligence force entered. "Dmitri," he said, handing the de facto ruler of Centauri Prime a report, "Important news. The Dilgar baseship which recently gated into the system is not what it appears to be. It's transmitting the transciever codes of one of their Black Bishop class warhips, but we've discovered its actually a transport carrying several divisons of infantry and assault vehicles."
Dmitri sucked in a breath. "Well done. It is good tha you managed to get this information so quickly."
The intelliegence officer nodded politely and left. Dmitri immeditaly got on the line to Captain of the Republican Guard.
"What is it?" the Captain asked gruffly.
Dmitri's relationship with the Captain had been awkward at best. The Republican Guard could easily seize power, but between the Captain's respect for the civilian government and his unwillingness to deal with the job of pretend emperor, Dmitri had remained more or less in control. Still, the Captain had made it clear that if he thought Dmitri was doing something disasterously stupid, he would storm the palace and seize power.
"Intelligence has spotted a Dilgar troop transport in the system," Dmitri said. "I want you to prepare your ground forces to defend the surface, in case they manage to land their army. There is to be no surrender, Captain."
The grizzled old Captain grinned ferally. "There will be no quarter given and none asked for," he said. "This I swear to you."
He saluted and then cut the line.
Fir'mill
Vir and the Centaurum had seized one of the largest chambers in the colony's government hub the instant that more than half of the legislative body was present on the planet.
The usual political bickering was less than usual, but for the Centaurum, that wasn't really saying much. At first all they'd been able to agree on was to send messages of gratitude to the humans.
For a moment, it had even seemed as if the fact that the gold Centauri cresent of the emperor was still on Centauri Prime might be an obstacle to naming a new emperor.
Then a young member of the Centaurum named Alexi had gone on a rant that lasted nearly a half hour about how the Republic could not be allowed to burn for want of a piece of jewelery and the need for decisive action on the part of the Centauri leadership in times of crisis.
Things had gone surpisingly smoothly after that.
"Very well then," the Centaurum moderator said at last. "All those in favor of naming Vir Cotto to the throne?"
"Aye," one member called at once.
"Alexi votes aye," the moderator said.
Vir sat back, and hoped that the Centaurum would vote in his favor.
For the first time in years, the space around the Republic's capital world was entirely clear. Dmitri would've prefered to have an armada of Kraken's orbiting the planet, of course. But emptiness was a vast improvement over the Dilgar fleet, the remains of which had finally pulled back a few parsecs after being pounded by the Shadow-made weapons platforms.
The Dilgar's original attack fleet was greatly reduced, EarthForce was on its way, and the Centauri factories which remained were working feverishly to rebuild their fleet. He could almost feel the tide turning.
A knock at the door pulled Dmitri from his musings. "Come in,"he called.
A member of the Centauri Intelligence force entered. "Dmitri," he said, handing the de facto ruler of Centauri Prime a report, "Important news. The Dilgar baseship which recently gated into the system is not what it appears to be. It's transmitting the transciever codes of one of their Black Bishop class warhips, but we've discovered its actually a transport carrying several divisons of infantry and assault vehicles."
Dmitri sucked in a breath. "Well done. It is good tha you managed to get this information so quickly."
The intelliegence officer nodded politely and left. Dmitri immeditaly got on the line to Captain of the Republican Guard.
"What is it?" the Captain asked gruffly.
Dmitri's relationship with the Captain had been awkward at best. The Republican Guard could easily seize power, but between the Captain's respect for the civilian government and his unwillingness to deal with the job of pretend emperor, Dmitri had remained more or less in control. Still, the Captain had made it clear that if he thought Dmitri was doing something disasterously stupid, he would storm the palace and seize power.
"Intelligence has spotted a Dilgar troop transport in the system," Dmitri said. "I want you to prepare your ground forces to defend the surface, in case they manage to land their army. There is to be no surrender, Captain."
The grizzled old Captain grinned ferally. "There will be no quarter given and none asked for," he said. "This I swear to you."
He saluted and then cut the line.
Fir'mill
Vir and the Centaurum had seized one of the largest chambers in the colony's government hub the instant that more than half of the legislative body was present on the planet.
The usual political bickering was less than usual, but for the Centaurum, that wasn't really saying much. At first all they'd been able to agree on was to send messages of gratitude to the humans.
For a moment, it had even seemed as if the fact that the gold Centauri cresent of the emperor was still on Centauri Prime might be an obstacle to naming a new emperor.
Then a young member of the Centaurum named Alexi had gone on a rant that lasted nearly a half hour about how the Republic could not be allowed to burn for want of a piece of jewelery and the need for decisive action on the part of the Centauri leadership in times of crisis.
Things had gone surpisingly smoothly after that.
"Very well then," the Centaurum moderator said at last. "All those in favor of naming Vir Cotto to the throne?"
"Aye," one member called at once.
"Alexi votes aye," the moderator said.
Vir sat back, and hoped that the Centaurum would vote in his favor.
"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
THe local governor of Rhagesh was more than a little concerned this morning. THey'd heard earth posturing for years about galactic peace. He was most surprised, however, that in the last few months they'd gone from an introverted peaceful society to the hammer of justice. He thought it strange, as though some dark hand were moving over them.
Roused from his thoughts, he realised there were more pressing matters at hand. Rhagesh was the gateway into Dilgar space, if it fell the back door to the empire would be left wide open.
He knew this engagement would be difficult to predict, but was determined to send the earther fleet blazing into the depths of space.
Roused from his thoughts, he realised there were more pressing matters at hand. Rhagesh was the gateway into Dilgar space, if it fell the back door to the empire would be left wide open.
He knew this engagement would be difficult to predict, but was determined to send the earther fleet blazing into the depths of space.
"If you desire my position, alll you have to do is take it from my cold, dead hands!"
-Sebastian Shaw
-Sebastian Shaw
EAS Enterprise
"All ships report ready status and jump complete."
The Enterprise, along with the entire expedition, had jumped from Ettamm into Dilgar space. Expecting an ambush, the Omegas had led the way, followed by the carriers ready to dump their fighters. Except no Dilgar waited for them. They had used the only undefended gate in the system, a stroke of luck given the Yorktown's capture of the Dilgar gatecrasher. Apparently the Dilgar navy hadn't had time to respond, or were busy elsewhere.
The Dilgar starbases glittered in the distance, illuminated by the planet Raghesh IV. The starbases were arrayed about three jump gates, relocated to face deadly crossfire from Dilgar batteries. Except Earthforce hadn't gone that way. Lasers streaked towards the Omegas, but at this range they were easily diffused by interceptors or dodged.
The only thing to worry about were the Dilgar mines. Should they attack before the Dilgar bring in reinforcements, or wait for the minesweepers? Such a decision could not be made by a mere Admiral. "Get me Earthdome."
"All ships report ready status and jump complete."
The Enterprise, along with the entire expedition, had jumped from Ettamm into Dilgar space. Expecting an ambush, the Omegas had led the way, followed by the carriers ready to dump their fighters. Except no Dilgar waited for them. They had used the only undefended gate in the system, a stroke of luck given the Yorktown's capture of the Dilgar gatecrasher. Apparently the Dilgar navy hadn't had time to respond, or were busy elsewhere.
The Dilgar starbases glittered in the distance, illuminated by the planet Raghesh IV. The starbases were arrayed about three jump gates, relocated to face deadly crossfire from Dilgar batteries. Except Earthforce hadn't gone that way. Lasers streaked towards the Omegas, but at this range they were easily diffused by interceptors or dodged.
The only thing to worry about were the Dilgar mines. Should they attack before the Dilgar bring in reinforcements, or wait for the minesweepers? Such a decision could not be made by a mere Admiral. "Get me Earthdome."
Earthdome, Situation Assessment Center
Carter watched the Admirals and President move small toy models around like brooms. Even with all their technology, human beings were still limited by human eyes and human perspectives. The planning was being done with small figurines, as it had in World War II, the Napoleonic Wars, and the first war in human history, where a man used a rock in sand to map out routes of attack to his tribesmen.
She'd been invited here as the Corporate representative, and had half a mind to turn it down, knowing that standing on the sidelines and watching would've been unbearable. But Nunziata had insisted she take the opportunity to see the Earth Alliance's grand strategists at work. She had expected to see the greats, Greene, Ross, but none were here. She recognized none of the Earthforce Admirals.
"What we need is to think outside the box," a fat Admiral said.
"Concordiant, Deathshadow and Enterprise along with seven carriers--" an Admiral with the most stars on his shoulder lifted a stack of figurines and tossed it right on top of the Dilgar bases.
Insane. They wouldn't survive seconds under withering Dilgar base fire. Better to just destroy the starbases from a distance, now that they had secured a backdoor and didn't need to run the gauntlet. Carter waited for someone to dissent. Surely someone saw the idiocy of the plan.
Everybody just shook their heads like good little yes men, the President included. She couldn't let this pass, thousands of Earthforce would be killed by these loons!
"Uh--" Carter cringed as a dozen eyes leered her way.
"Since when did you go to war college?" one Admiral sneered.
"Gentlemen, please. This is the Corporate representative, Brigadier General Carter," President Sutherland said. "Do you have something to contribute?"
"Do it by the book," Carter said. "Pound the Dilgar bases from a few light seconds out, don't get in range of their guns. There's no need to jump thirty ships right in the middle of their starbases, they'll be sitting ducks."
The Admirals turned away and talked softly amongst themselves.
"You're going to get them all killed!" Carter shouted.
"Lieutenant, escort the civilian out of here," Sutherland said.
Carter was about to reply, but realized they were right. She had resigned from Earthforce long ago, and right now was nothing more than a civilian. She stood up, and marched out.
Had the whole universe gone insane?
EAS Enterprise
Ivanova stared at her orders. Thirty ships were to jump right in the middle of the starbases and open fire from point blank range at the Dilgar starbases, unarmored and stationary. All the ships assigned to this glorious task were commanded by captains who had spoken out against the new administration. Who happened to be the most experienced captains in Earthforce, so it made sense they would spearhead any attack, but she had an awful feeling about this.
Earthforce NMC
"Enterprise, Concordiat, Deathshadow entering real space--" The airman pressed buttons. Each one of the expedition's ships were represented by small icons, Earthforce in blue and the Dilgar's in red. "Reporting heavy fire--"
Thirty icons went red.
"What happened?" Sutherland blurted.
"I'm not sure--" The airman snapped switches. "I think--sir, I think they're--"
Then the Dilgar icons flashed out as the rest of the battlegroup closed from a distance and destroyed the starbases before they had a chance to unleash a return volley.
"What happened!"
"They're--" The airman ripped his headset off.
Sutherland grabbed it and put it on.
All he could hear was screams and wails.
Carter watched the Admirals and President move small toy models around like brooms. Even with all their technology, human beings were still limited by human eyes and human perspectives. The planning was being done with small figurines, as it had in World War II, the Napoleonic Wars, and the first war in human history, where a man used a rock in sand to map out routes of attack to his tribesmen.
She'd been invited here as the Corporate representative, and had half a mind to turn it down, knowing that standing on the sidelines and watching would've been unbearable. But Nunziata had insisted she take the opportunity to see the Earth Alliance's grand strategists at work. She had expected to see the greats, Greene, Ross, but none were here. She recognized none of the Earthforce Admirals.
"What we need is to think outside the box," a fat Admiral said.
"Concordiant, Deathshadow and Enterprise along with seven carriers--" an Admiral with the most stars on his shoulder lifted a stack of figurines and tossed it right on top of the Dilgar bases.
Insane. They wouldn't survive seconds under withering Dilgar base fire. Better to just destroy the starbases from a distance, now that they had secured a backdoor and didn't need to run the gauntlet. Carter waited for someone to dissent. Surely someone saw the idiocy of the plan.
Everybody just shook their heads like good little yes men, the President included. She couldn't let this pass, thousands of Earthforce would be killed by these loons!
"Uh--" Carter cringed as a dozen eyes leered her way.
"Since when did you go to war college?" one Admiral sneered.
"Gentlemen, please. This is the Corporate representative, Brigadier General Carter," President Sutherland said. "Do you have something to contribute?"
"Do it by the book," Carter said. "Pound the Dilgar bases from a few light seconds out, don't get in range of their guns. There's no need to jump thirty ships right in the middle of their starbases, they'll be sitting ducks."
The Admirals turned away and talked softly amongst themselves.
"You're going to get them all killed!" Carter shouted.
"Lieutenant, escort the civilian out of here," Sutherland said.
Carter was about to reply, but realized they were right. She had resigned from Earthforce long ago, and right now was nothing more than a civilian. She stood up, and marched out.
Had the whole universe gone insane?
EAS Enterprise
Ivanova stared at her orders. Thirty ships were to jump right in the middle of the starbases and open fire from point blank range at the Dilgar starbases, unarmored and stationary. All the ships assigned to this glorious task were commanded by captains who had spoken out against the new administration. Who happened to be the most experienced captains in Earthforce, so it made sense they would spearhead any attack, but she had an awful feeling about this.
Earthforce NMC
"Enterprise, Concordiat, Deathshadow entering real space--" The airman pressed buttons. Each one of the expedition's ships were represented by small icons, Earthforce in blue and the Dilgar's in red. "Reporting heavy fire--"
Thirty icons went red.
"What happened?" Sutherland blurted.
"I'm not sure--" The airman snapped switches. "I think--sir, I think they're--"
Then the Dilgar icons flashed out as the rest of the battlegroup closed from a distance and destroyed the starbases before they had a chance to unleash a return volley.
"What happened!"
"They're--" The airman ripped his headset off.
Sutherland grabbed it and put it on.
All he could hear was screams and wails.
A New Kind of War
Earth Alliance shipyards are on overdrive. Hundreds of skeletal yards and tens of millions of skilled workers are working around the clock, and defense spending has increased one thousand percent. What has spurred such a drastic change?
It is necessary to go back several decades to the Dilgar - Earth war. Who won that war is debatable, but it is generally agreed that the Earth Alliance along with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds destroyed the Dilgar navy and were poised to invade, but withdrew due to domestic fears of a fruitless protracted ground war.
This was achieved by the Hyperion, the workhorse of the Earth Alliance. Numbering in the hundreds, these thinly hulled lightly armed warships worked on a principle of whoever fired first would win. And it worked. The armada of Hyperions, complemented by wings of Starfury fighters, outnumbered and defeated the technologically superior Dilgar.
When the war ended, and in the decades following, Earthforce was dramatically downsized. Big was the new buzzword, and ever increasing ships with heavier and heavier armor were constructed. Anything small was decommissioned or deployed as a rearguard. Even fighters were on the chopping block, the newest Omega class destroyers having not a single fighter bay, the result of a government which considered fighters producing unacceptable casualties among its ever decreasing numbers of trained officers.
The political climate has changed. The abandonment of the Corporate Sector by Earthforce prompted cries of treason. The Omegas, powerful but few in number, could not protect the Earth Alliance and the Corporate Sector at the same time. Conservatives stormed back in power in the Senate, and introduced sweeping reforms. Among them the Hyperion Doctrine, the idea that the largest possible military would be the most able to protect the Earth Alliance's interests.
Now, recruitment centers have opened around the Earth Alliance. The Department of Defense has drafted a white paper, outlining the Earth Alliance's new strategy. The Hyperion has returned. There are whispers at the top that given the new economic ties with the Minbari and the rest of the galaxy, Earthforce could field a fleet of thousands of Hyperions. The Hyperion boasts a new top secret weapons system, along with interceptors and fighter bays.
There is one notable difference. Instead of ships being deployed in support of a fighter carrier, the Hyperions will be led by five megaton behemoths. The Nemesis class warships will be the largest ever constructed by the Earth Alliance, and already the husks of eighteen of these vessels orbit Mars and Earth. Eventually there will be thirty Nemesis destroyers, whose destroyer label hardly seems fitting for the most powerful warships ever conceived by man if the CDT is to be believed.
This revolution will happen quickly, on the order of a year or two at most and not decades, and one can only wonder what will happen when the President of the Earth Alliance has at his disposal the most powerful military in the galaxy.
Earth Alliance shipyards are on overdrive. Hundreds of skeletal yards and tens of millions of skilled workers are working around the clock, and defense spending has increased one thousand percent. What has spurred such a drastic change?
It is necessary to go back several decades to the Dilgar - Earth war. Who won that war is debatable, but it is generally agreed that the Earth Alliance along with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds destroyed the Dilgar navy and were poised to invade, but withdrew due to domestic fears of a fruitless protracted ground war.
This was achieved by the Hyperion, the workhorse of the Earth Alliance. Numbering in the hundreds, these thinly hulled lightly armed warships worked on a principle of whoever fired first would win. And it worked. The armada of Hyperions, complemented by wings of Starfury fighters, outnumbered and defeated the technologically superior Dilgar.
When the war ended, and in the decades following, Earthforce was dramatically downsized. Big was the new buzzword, and ever increasing ships with heavier and heavier armor were constructed. Anything small was decommissioned or deployed as a rearguard. Even fighters were on the chopping block, the newest Omega class destroyers having not a single fighter bay, the result of a government which considered fighters producing unacceptable casualties among its ever decreasing numbers of trained officers.
The political climate has changed. The abandonment of the Corporate Sector by Earthforce prompted cries of treason. The Omegas, powerful but few in number, could not protect the Earth Alliance and the Corporate Sector at the same time. Conservatives stormed back in power in the Senate, and introduced sweeping reforms. Among them the Hyperion Doctrine, the idea that the largest possible military would be the most able to protect the Earth Alliance's interests.
Now, recruitment centers have opened around the Earth Alliance. The Department of Defense has drafted a white paper, outlining the Earth Alliance's new strategy. The Hyperion has returned. There are whispers at the top that given the new economic ties with the Minbari and the rest of the galaxy, Earthforce could field a fleet of thousands of Hyperions. The Hyperion boasts a new top secret weapons system, along with interceptors and fighter bays.
There is one notable difference. Instead of ships being deployed in support of a fighter carrier, the Hyperions will be led by five megaton behemoths. The Nemesis class warships will be the largest ever constructed by the Earth Alliance, and already the husks of eighteen of these vessels orbit Mars and Earth. Eventually there will be thirty Nemesis destroyers, whose destroyer label hardly seems fitting for the most powerful warships ever conceived by man if the CDT is to be believed.
This revolution will happen quickly, on the order of a year or two at most and not decades, and one can only wonder what will happen when the President of the Earth Alliance has at his disposal the most powerful military in the galaxy.
Centauri Prime
"They're advancing," the Captain of the Republican Guard noted of the new Dilgar fleet. "Tell the boys manning the Viral Defenses to fire as soon as the enemy's within range, transports priority one. Inform them I will personally skin anyone who leaves his post."
"Yes, sir."
Wonderful as the Shadow made weapons platforms were, the Captain had the damnedest time keeping them manned. Everybody wanted the job until they finally got behind the controls, then they started requesting (begging for) a transfer. Secretly, the Captain couldn't blame them. The platforms gave him the willies, too, though he'd never admit it. Nobody had bolted yet, but he still worried.
One of the Dilgar transports foolishly approached alone, the warships not escorting it for some reason. They were quickly blown out of the stars. The Captain allowed himself a grin of satisfaction.
Then, the enemy fleet got its act together, and began to advance in a more orderly fashion. Another troop transport, this one smaller, made its way toward the planet.
Despite the best efforts of the Viral Defense platforms' gunner, it made it into the planet's atmosphere. The Captain swore. "All right, boys," he said. "Show time. With your shield or upon it, gentlemen."
******
Centauri Regular Tetalyin had never seen such chaos in his entire life. He knew what he saw before him was the true heart of war.
The Dilgar invasion force had pounced upon several divisions of Centauri infantry and were slaughtering the defenders with ease, their simple rifles useless against the Dilgar armor. In seconds, half their number had fallen.
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble. No. Please, no more, Tetalyin thought in despair.
The minor tremors weren't caused by anything belonging to the Dilgar, however. A column of Corporate-manufactured tanks emerged from around a corner, not hesistating to open fire upon the enemy forces. A smaller number of Centauri Phalanx-II heavy mechs soon joined them, joining in the withering assault.
Now it was the Dilgar's turn. Tetalyin watched in a kind of horrified awe as the invaders were annihiliated before his eyes.
Several minutes later, someone ordered hold fire. The silence rang in Tetalyin's ears.
"Well now, looks like we won," an officer observed.
Tetalyin had no idea who started the cheer, but he was only too pleased to join in.
"They're advancing," the Captain of the Republican Guard noted of the new Dilgar fleet. "Tell the boys manning the Viral Defenses to fire as soon as the enemy's within range, transports priority one. Inform them I will personally skin anyone who leaves his post."
"Yes, sir."
Wonderful as the Shadow made weapons platforms were, the Captain had the damnedest time keeping them manned. Everybody wanted the job until they finally got behind the controls, then they started requesting (begging for) a transfer. Secretly, the Captain couldn't blame them. The platforms gave him the willies, too, though he'd never admit it. Nobody had bolted yet, but he still worried.
One of the Dilgar transports foolishly approached alone, the warships not escorting it for some reason. They were quickly blown out of the stars. The Captain allowed himself a grin of satisfaction.
Then, the enemy fleet got its act together, and began to advance in a more orderly fashion. Another troop transport, this one smaller, made its way toward the planet.
Despite the best efforts of the Viral Defense platforms' gunner, it made it into the planet's atmosphere. The Captain swore. "All right, boys," he said. "Show time. With your shield or upon it, gentlemen."
******
Centauri Regular Tetalyin had never seen such chaos in his entire life. He knew what he saw before him was the true heart of war.
The Dilgar invasion force had pounced upon several divisions of Centauri infantry and were slaughtering the defenders with ease, their simple rifles useless against the Dilgar armor. In seconds, half their number had fallen.
Suddenly, the ground began to rumble. No. Please, no more, Tetalyin thought in despair.
The minor tremors weren't caused by anything belonging to the Dilgar, however. A column of Corporate-manufactured tanks emerged from around a corner, not hesistating to open fire upon the enemy forces. A smaller number of Centauri Phalanx-II heavy mechs soon joined them, joining in the withering assault.
Now it was the Dilgar's turn. Tetalyin watched in a kind of horrified awe as the invaders were annihiliated before his eyes.
Several minutes later, someone ordered hold fire. The silence rang in Tetalyin's ears.
"Well now, looks like we won," an officer observed.
Tetalyin had no idea who started the cheer, but he was only too pleased to join in.
"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
Eye on the Corporate Sector
"For nearly a year now the Corporate Sector's shipyards have been on overdrive. Ever since the Earth Alliance removed its military protection from the Corporate Sector's jump gates, the Corporate Sector has been scrambling to revive the shipbuilding works abandoned after the Marxis reforms. And in days, the first skeletal warships will move under their own power. They are the largest warships the Corporate Sector has ever constructed, and rumors that the fleet of ships was built with foreign credits has fired speculation and incited riots."
Corporate HQ
"...and the Vorlons using the Merchantmen they captured from the Centauri as troop transports is most unfortunate.
Earthforce has requested security personnel to secure and police the streets of Raghesh IV. The Corporate Sector is happy to assist in the liberation of an oppressed people--"
Earthdome
"...all Dilgar assets in the Earth Alliance are now frozen. The Earth Alliance is in the process of seizing illegal mining operations in the Raghesh and Ettamm systems, led by the Yorktown and her patrol ships."
ISN
"...we are getting unconfirmed reports that the expedition into Dilgar space has suffered heavy casualties. Earthforce's spokeswoman had no comment, but repeated that the expedition will continue into Narn and Centauri space until they are freed from Dilgar occupation."
"For nearly a year now the Corporate Sector's shipyards have been on overdrive. Ever since the Earth Alliance removed its military protection from the Corporate Sector's jump gates, the Corporate Sector has been scrambling to revive the shipbuilding works abandoned after the Marxis reforms. And in days, the first skeletal warships will move under their own power. They are the largest warships the Corporate Sector has ever constructed, and rumors that the fleet of ships was built with foreign credits has fired speculation and incited riots."
Corporate HQ
"...and the Vorlons using the Merchantmen they captured from the Centauri as troop transports is most unfortunate.
Earthforce has requested security personnel to secure and police the streets of Raghesh IV. The Corporate Sector is happy to assist in the liberation of an oppressed people--"
Earthdome
"...all Dilgar assets in the Earth Alliance are now frozen. The Earth Alliance is in the process of seizing illegal mining operations in the Raghesh and Ettamm systems, led by the Yorktown and her patrol ships."
ISN
"...we are getting unconfirmed reports that the expedition into Dilgar space has suffered heavy casualties. Earthforce's spokeswoman had no comment, but repeated that the expedition will continue into Narn and Centauri space until they are freed from Dilgar occupation."
Fir'mill
"It's very good to hear from you, Emperor Vir," Dmitri said earnestly. "We'd better talk quickly, though. The Dilgar will start jamming this transmission as soon as they detect it."
"I understand," Vir answered. "Do your best to hold out, Dmitri. The humans are on their way, and I'll do everything in my power to get our own forces together."
"Vir, have you heard any word about the Vorlons?" Dmitri asked. "We're pretty cut off here."
Vir's expression darkened. "Ya," he answered. "But you have enough to concern yourself with, Dmitri. Leave the Vorlons to the Brakiri and Shadows."
"Yes, Vir," Dmitri said. "I have some good news. It seems that...madore...fra...sixth...eet. If only...not...ellites."
"Dmitri, you're breaking up," Vir said.
"It's...ilgar," Dmitri said before his image was replaced by snow on the comm. screen Vir was using.
Vir sighed. Even though he was the emperor now, he still felt powerless.
"It's very good to hear from you, Emperor Vir," Dmitri said earnestly. "We'd better talk quickly, though. The Dilgar will start jamming this transmission as soon as they detect it."
"I understand," Vir answered. "Do your best to hold out, Dmitri. The humans are on their way, and I'll do everything in my power to get our own forces together."
"Vir, have you heard any word about the Vorlons?" Dmitri asked. "We're pretty cut off here."
Vir's expression darkened. "Ya," he answered. "But you have enough to concern yourself with, Dmitri. Leave the Vorlons to the Brakiri and Shadows."
"Yes, Vir," Dmitri said. "I have some good news. It seems that...madore...fra...sixth...eet. If only...not...ellites."
"Dmitri, you're breaking up," Vir said.
"It's...ilgar," Dmitri said before his image was replaced by snow on the comm. screen Vir was using.
Vir sighed. Even though he was the emperor now, he still felt powerless.
"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
ISN
"And Earthdome has continually denied that the Arcadia battlegroup and Mesopotamia Six are no longer under their control. For a week now, it has been impossible to--wait, we're getting something right now, please stand by."
A picture fuzzes in.
"This is Mesopotamia Six. My name is John Sheridan, former Captain of the EAS Excalibur. Several days ago I and my fellow captains disobeyed an illegal order to execute hundreds Earthforce personnel and civilians by destroying the station I am standing on today. I have unfortunate news for the people of the Earth Alliance. The Dilgar expedition has suffered horrifying casualties. They are attempting to hide this information, that over ten thousand citizens of the Earth Alliance have died without any formal declaration of war by the Earth Alliance Senate, all on President Sutherland's desire to win reelection with a wedge issue.
President Sutherland promised a quick and easy liberation of the Narn and Centauri. Although we in the Earth Alliance sympathize with their plight, thousands of our men and women in uniform have been killed by Admirals appointed by President Sutherland with no military experience. They led Earthforce into a trap, and we have reason to believe it was a deliberate action, to purge Earthforce of officers who did not agree with President Sutherland's new politics.
As of this moment, Mesopotamia Six is seceding from the Earth Alliance.
We will remain independent until President Sutherland is removed from office."
He vanishes, leaving the ISN reporter with her jaw hanging.
Eye on the Corporate Sector
"...and we have a source on M6 telling us that former Earth Alliance President Wilhelm Alshain is on M6. Whether he is leading the insurrection is not known, but he didn't appear on John Sheridan's address. It is likely Alshain fled to M6 after attempts on his life by former members of the Black Watch--"
Earthdome
"Send him in."
Sutherland stared at the well dressed man walking towards him. "Ah, Mr. Defel, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"No sir, the pleasure's all mine." Defel bared his teeth. "I do have a question."
"Many people have questions of me."
"This will only take a moment. Mr. President--" Defel's expression deadened. "What do you want?"
"And Earthdome has continually denied that the Arcadia battlegroup and Mesopotamia Six are no longer under their control. For a week now, it has been impossible to--wait, we're getting something right now, please stand by."
A picture fuzzes in.
"This is Mesopotamia Six. My name is John Sheridan, former Captain of the EAS Excalibur. Several days ago I and my fellow captains disobeyed an illegal order to execute hundreds Earthforce personnel and civilians by destroying the station I am standing on today. I have unfortunate news for the people of the Earth Alliance. The Dilgar expedition has suffered horrifying casualties. They are attempting to hide this information, that over ten thousand citizens of the Earth Alliance have died without any formal declaration of war by the Earth Alliance Senate, all on President Sutherland's desire to win reelection with a wedge issue.
President Sutherland promised a quick and easy liberation of the Narn and Centauri. Although we in the Earth Alliance sympathize with their plight, thousands of our men and women in uniform have been killed by Admirals appointed by President Sutherland with no military experience. They led Earthforce into a trap, and we have reason to believe it was a deliberate action, to purge Earthforce of officers who did not agree with President Sutherland's new politics.
As of this moment, Mesopotamia Six is seceding from the Earth Alliance.
We will remain independent until President Sutherland is removed from office."
He vanishes, leaving the ISN reporter with her jaw hanging.
Eye on the Corporate Sector
"...and we have a source on M6 telling us that former Earth Alliance President Wilhelm Alshain is on M6. Whether he is leading the insurrection is not known, but he didn't appear on John Sheridan's address. It is likely Alshain fled to M6 after attempts on his life by former members of the Black Watch--"
Earthdome
"Send him in."
Sutherland stared at the well dressed man walking towards him. "Ah, Mr. Defel, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"No sir, the pleasure's all mine." Defel bared his teeth. "I do have a question."
"Many people have questions of me."
"This will only take a moment. Mr. President--" Defel's expression deadened. "What do you want?"
Fir'mill
Vir studied the map in his office. It was on a flat screen, not a hologram like the one in the Imperial Office, but it served his purpose just as well.
The problem wasn't a lack of resources or technology, the problem was lack of mobility.
Even with unified leadership of the Republic restored, the situation still didn't look terribly bright. Between the Dilgar satellities on gates in their space, and Vorlon defenses which effectively cut Fir'mill off from the rest of the Republic, it was near impossible for Centauri forces to reach Valusha, the heart of the conflict.
The Dilgar had bled themselves white trying to maintain a blockade of Centauri Prime, but Vir had no hope that the Warmaster's people would start protesting the war. And the Dilgar had much more industrial capacity; if this situation were allowed to continue indefinetly, the Dilgar would win sooner or later.
There was no denying it: they needed the humans' help.
So, naturally the Earth President's decision to decommision M6 had led to civil war.
Meanwhile, the Vorlons continued to systematically conquer their former League worlds in Quadrant 27.
Ambassador Kosh's tiny personal vessel was holding position less than a parsec from Fir'mill. The temptation to attack it was very real. The Revenge of G'Kar, one of the last relics of the independant Narn Regime, which Londo had never had the heart to decommsion and Reefa had never noticed, was available. But it would only invite destruction and Vir knew better.
"Ivan," Vir said to his assistant, who'd been standing mutely by his side. "Get me R&D and the Minister of War. I want a way to break those satellites defenses."
Vir studied the map in his office. It was on a flat screen, not a hologram like the one in the Imperial Office, but it served his purpose just as well.
The problem wasn't a lack of resources or technology, the problem was lack of mobility.
Even with unified leadership of the Republic restored, the situation still didn't look terribly bright. Between the Dilgar satellities on gates in their space, and Vorlon defenses which effectively cut Fir'mill off from the rest of the Republic, it was near impossible for Centauri forces to reach Valusha, the heart of the conflict.
The Dilgar had bled themselves white trying to maintain a blockade of Centauri Prime, but Vir had no hope that the Warmaster's people would start protesting the war. And the Dilgar had much more industrial capacity; if this situation were allowed to continue indefinetly, the Dilgar would win sooner or later.
There was no denying it: they needed the humans' help.
So, naturally the Earth President's decision to decommision M6 had led to civil war.
Meanwhile, the Vorlons continued to systematically conquer their former League worlds in Quadrant 27.
Ambassador Kosh's tiny personal vessel was holding position less than a parsec from Fir'mill. The temptation to attack it was very real. The Revenge of G'Kar, one of the last relics of the independant Narn Regime, which Londo had never had the heart to decommsion and Reefa had never noticed, was available. But it would only invite destruction and Vir knew better.
"Ivan," Vir said to his assistant, who'd been standing mutely by his side. "Get me R&D and the Minister of War. I want a way to break those satellites defenses."
"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
ISN
"...and ISN has been able to confirm the names of the dead in the Battle of Raghesh, but has decided to withhold their names pending notification of the dead. Ten thousand one hundred and eleven service members lost their lives.
Today, President Sutherland refused to answer questions about Mesopotamia Six's declaration of independence. Joining me for analysis is an ISN favourite, Dr. Gunther of the Interstellar Institute of Strategic Studies. Welcome to the broadcast."
"Thank you Mae."
"What are the President's options?"
"Well, several cabinet ministers have resigned already, an a motion for impeachment is already making its rounds. But it'll take at least a month's worth of hearings and fillibusters before it comes to a vote. His only option is to keep going with whatever's left of the expedition, or the deaths of ten thousand men will have been in vain. His only chance to save his career is to get cheering Narns and Centauri on hyperwave."
"And what of Mesopotamia Six?"
"Captain Sheridan and Commander O'Hare have a quarter of Earthforce behind them. With the rest of Earthforce in Dilgar space, Sheridan and his men could jump right to Earth and there's nothing anybody could do to stop him."
"So the Mesopotamia Six situation--"
"--will remain a situation for some time to come. My personal hope is for a peaceful ending. They can't stay out there forever... those men and women have lives, families."
"So it's not a civil war?"
"Civil war between what, Sheridan and the rest of Earthforce? That's absurd. This independence declaration's nothing more than a political ploy. If Alshain's really on the station, he could have promised Sheridan a pardon--"
"But Alshain's no longer the President."
"Elections are only a year away. And even if he doesn't run, he's got friends."
"...and ISN has been able to confirm the names of the dead in the Battle of Raghesh, but has decided to withhold their names pending notification of the dead. Ten thousand one hundred and eleven service members lost their lives.
Today, President Sutherland refused to answer questions about Mesopotamia Six's declaration of independence. Joining me for analysis is an ISN favourite, Dr. Gunther of the Interstellar Institute of Strategic Studies. Welcome to the broadcast."
"Thank you Mae."
"What are the President's options?"
"Well, several cabinet ministers have resigned already, an a motion for impeachment is already making its rounds. But it'll take at least a month's worth of hearings and fillibusters before it comes to a vote. His only option is to keep going with whatever's left of the expedition, or the deaths of ten thousand men will have been in vain. His only chance to save his career is to get cheering Narns and Centauri on hyperwave."
"And what of Mesopotamia Six?"
"Captain Sheridan and Commander O'Hare have a quarter of Earthforce behind them. With the rest of Earthforce in Dilgar space, Sheridan and his men could jump right to Earth and there's nothing anybody could do to stop him."
"So the Mesopotamia Six situation--"
"--will remain a situation for some time to come. My personal hope is for a peaceful ending. They can't stay out there forever... those men and women have lives, families."
"So it's not a civil war?"
"Civil war between what, Sheridan and the rest of Earthforce? That's absurd. This independence declaration's nothing more than a political ploy. If Alshain's really on the station, he could have promised Sheridan a pardon--"
"But Alshain's no longer the President."
"Elections are only a year away. And even if he doesn't run, he's got friends."
Yonog System
"Commodore Legotine, how can you be so sure about what the Dilgar are going to do?" Captain Kukov asked testily.
"I study military history, Captain. Perhaps you should do the same," Legotine replied. "The Dilgar Warmaster loves the tactic of hiding within stellar storms. I'd be willing to bet they had forces in there since before the start of our first war with them, let alone this one."
"So? Why don't we go in there and get them then?" Kukov demanded. "Holding position in hyperspace like this is just wasting time."
"They'll come," Legotine replied. "They know we're coming and they've probably guessed at our destination. The Dilgar are not a race that plays it safe and holds position when in doubt."
"This is madness!" Kukov protested. "This fleet makes up the bulk of the Republic Star Navy and we're sitting here in hyperspace, powered down and maintaining radio silence, because you think you can read the Warmaster's mind!"
Legotine knew that Kukov, the most senior captain in the 6th Defense Fleet, questioned his authority. It was not entirely without good reason. A full fleet of warships was a lot of ships for a mere commodore to command. But with the Centauri admirality either dead or trapped on Centauri Prime, Legotine wasn't about to let the newly completed Kraken III warships sit unused.
"Captain Kukov, if you persist in challenging me like this, I will have you thrown in the brig, is that clear?" Legotine asked.
Kukov gritted his teeth. "As crystal, Commodore."
Silence reigned for several moments, until the man monitor the passive sensors cried out. "Sirs! Multiple contacts! Roughly twenty large vessels!"
"If they notice us here, with our systems powered down like this, we're dead," Kukov whispered.
"Don't get your hopes up, Captain," Legotine said, grinning triumphantly.
"Contacts are leaving hyperspace," the sensor officer said.
"Order all ships in the fleet to power up all systems," Legotine said. "We'll come out of hyperspace right on top of them."
(OOC: I have no idea if this kind of thing is actually possible in B5, but I felt I had to explain the bugged battle somehow, and it's not like I was unaware that Tobor was hiding stuff in that storm)
"Commodore Legotine, how can you be so sure about what the Dilgar are going to do?" Captain Kukov asked testily.
"I study military history, Captain. Perhaps you should do the same," Legotine replied. "The Dilgar Warmaster loves the tactic of hiding within stellar storms. I'd be willing to bet they had forces in there since before the start of our first war with them, let alone this one."
"So? Why don't we go in there and get them then?" Kukov demanded. "Holding position in hyperspace like this is just wasting time."
"They'll come," Legotine replied. "They know we're coming and they've probably guessed at our destination. The Dilgar are not a race that plays it safe and holds position when in doubt."
"This is madness!" Kukov protested. "This fleet makes up the bulk of the Republic Star Navy and we're sitting here in hyperspace, powered down and maintaining radio silence, because you think you can read the Warmaster's mind!"
Legotine knew that Kukov, the most senior captain in the 6th Defense Fleet, questioned his authority. It was not entirely without good reason. A full fleet of warships was a lot of ships for a mere commodore to command. But with the Centauri admirality either dead or trapped on Centauri Prime, Legotine wasn't about to let the newly completed Kraken III warships sit unused.
"Captain Kukov, if you persist in challenging me like this, I will have you thrown in the brig, is that clear?" Legotine asked.
Kukov gritted his teeth. "As crystal, Commodore."
Silence reigned for several moments, until the man monitor the passive sensors cried out. "Sirs! Multiple contacts! Roughly twenty large vessels!"
"If they notice us here, with our systems powered down like this, we're dead," Kukov whispered.
"Don't get your hopes up, Captain," Legotine said, grinning triumphantly.
"Contacts are leaving hyperspace," the sensor officer said.
"Order all ships in the fleet to power up all systems," Legotine said. "We'll come out of hyperspace right on top of them."
(OOC: I have no idea if this kind of thing is actually possible in B5, but I felt I had to explain the bugged battle somehow, and it's not like I was unaware that Tobor was hiding stuff in that storm)
"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
Cascan System
Piranha class minesweepers leap from the jumpgate, escorted by wings of starfuries. After several sweeping particle beams signal the all clear, the Omegas appear, followed by the seven carriers of the Dilgar expedition. They fan out, searching for targets, but find none. The targeting computers aboard the Omegas hunt for spatial bodies. Built with Minbari assistance, the Omegas allowed the Earth Alliance to advance from rotating ships to ships with full artificial gravity. Their weapons are among the most powerful in the Earth Alliance arsenal, heavy lasers optimized for ship to ship combat.
The targeting computers identify eight planets, five of them inhabited. Population over two billion, all Dilgar. The computers flash their data on display screens for their human masters, waiting for a response. And one comes quickly. The Omegas, screened by the starfuries, hold their position.
EAS Awesome - Raghesh System
"The Yorktowns captured three more Dilgar heavies."
"Good work. The satellite defenses?"
"Satellites deployed around the jump gate--jump gate activation!"
"What is it?"
"...Corporate missiles sir. Taking position at the jump gate."
"They're right on time."
Piranha class minesweepers leap from the jumpgate, escorted by wings of starfuries. After several sweeping particle beams signal the all clear, the Omegas appear, followed by the seven carriers of the Dilgar expedition. They fan out, searching for targets, but find none. The targeting computers aboard the Omegas hunt for spatial bodies. Built with Minbari assistance, the Omegas allowed the Earth Alliance to advance from rotating ships to ships with full artificial gravity. Their weapons are among the most powerful in the Earth Alliance arsenal, heavy lasers optimized for ship to ship combat.
The targeting computers identify eight planets, five of them inhabited. Population over two billion, all Dilgar. The computers flash their data on display screens for their human masters, waiting for a response. And one comes quickly. The Omegas, screened by the starfuries, hold their position.
EAS Awesome - Raghesh System
"The Yorktowns captured three more Dilgar heavies."
"Good work. The satellite defenses?"
"Satellites deployed around the jump gate--jump gate activation!"
"What is it?"
"...Corporate missiles sir. Taking position at the jump gate."
"They're right on time."
Earthdome - Press Room
"...and with the addition of one hundred Badger class carriers, Earthforce will utilize fully its stocks of Starfuries, Javelins, Thunderbolts and Hellbore starfighters, rather than allowing them to rot uselessly in armories. Questions are welcome."
"What about accusations that the Badgers are using dated technology?"
"The Badger class carriers might be smaller than the Terras, but make no mistake, they are as well armed and protected as their larger counterparts, and with their smaller size less vulnerable to enemy fire. Next question."
"Where is Earthforce going to find enough qualified pilots? And what do you make of Admiral--"
"People are entitled to their own opinions. I have full confidence in the training programs initiated by President Sutherland for the Earth Alliance's protection. We will have a military large enough to protect all our frontiers. Next question."
"Is it true the Badgers are to be crewed by private corporations??"
"Yes, that is true. The escort carriers will be fully under the authority of Earthforce, and officers will still be Earthforce commissioned personnel. However, crewmen will be civilians from the private sector and will have to meet all the basic qualifications their Earthforce counterparts do. Next question."
"Are the Los Angeles spacedocks going to be decomissioned?"
"No comment. Next question."
"Will the Badgers join the expedition into Dilgar space?"
"All one hundred Badgers will have a full complement of nearly five thousand fighter craft. Nevertheless, it will take some time to fully train and prepare the carriers for independent operations. That is all for today, thank you."
"...and with the addition of one hundred Badger class carriers, Earthforce will utilize fully its stocks of Starfuries, Javelins, Thunderbolts and Hellbore starfighters, rather than allowing them to rot uselessly in armories. Questions are welcome."
"What about accusations that the Badgers are using dated technology?"
"The Badger class carriers might be smaller than the Terras, but make no mistake, they are as well armed and protected as their larger counterparts, and with their smaller size less vulnerable to enemy fire. Next question."
"Where is Earthforce going to find enough qualified pilots? And what do you make of Admiral--"
"People are entitled to their own opinions. I have full confidence in the training programs initiated by President Sutherland for the Earth Alliance's protection. We will have a military large enough to protect all our frontiers. Next question."
"Is it true the Badgers are to be crewed by private corporations??"
"Yes, that is true. The escort carriers will be fully under the authority of Earthforce, and officers will still be Earthforce commissioned personnel. However, crewmen will be civilians from the private sector and will have to meet all the basic qualifications their Earthforce counterparts do. Next question."
"Are the Los Angeles spacedocks going to be decomissioned?"
"No comment. Next question."
"Will the Badgers join the expedition into Dilgar space?"
"All one hundred Badgers will have a full complement of nearly five thousand fighter craft. Nevertheless, it will take some time to fully train and prepare the carriers for independent operations. That is all for today, thank you."
"...yes, your Majesty, we're working as quickly as possible, but as you know we're short on everything," Legotine said.
"Of that, I'm all too aware," Vir sighed. "Reinforcements are coming."
"You are so sure that the humans will deliver?" Legotine asked.
"Yes," Vir answered. "Sutherland is in a position that his only hope for re-election is ISN broadcasting footage of Centauri or Narn masses cheering and throwing flowers at human liberators. And since Marxis disappeared from the galactic stage, the Corporates have gone where the Earthers have.
"That being said, waiting for them to win this war for us is unacceptable," Vir continued. "Win more victories like you did at Yonog, restore some image of strength to the Republic, and you will reap the rewards...Admiral."
Legotine straightened. "I am a humble servant of the Republic, your Majesty. I will serve and defend her as best I am able."
Vir nodded and cut the communication.
Legotine grinned and rubbed his hands together. "This'll shut Kukov up."
"Of that, I'm all too aware," Vir sighed. "Reinforcements are coming."
"You are so sure that the humans will deliver?" Legotine asked.
"Yes," Vir answered. "Sutherland is in a position that his only hope for re-election is ISN broadcasting footage of Centauri or Narn masses cheering and throwing flowers at human liberators. And since Marxis disappeared from the galactic stage, the Corporates have gone where the Earthers have.
"That being said, waiting for them to win this war for us is unacceptable," Vir continued. "Win more victories like you did at Yonog, restore some image of strength to the Republic, and you will reap the rewards...Admiral."
Legotine straightened. "I am a humble servant of the Republic, your Majesty. I will serve and defend her as best I am able."
Vir nodded and cut the communication.
Legotine grinned and rubbed his hands together. "This'll shut Kukov up."
"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
Corporate HQ
"...and I am pleased to announce the delivery of fifty vessels to the Centauri Republic. They, along with space yard vessels, will be rented to the Centauri Republic. Planet Los Angeles will be host to a large number of Centauri refugees. This will provide work for over one million families and Centauri investment into the local economy will exceed one hundred trillion credits."
"What about the Vorlons?"
"The Corporate Sector is taking a neutral stance regarding the Vorlon Centauri conflict. Nevertheless, we have informed the Vorlon ambassador to remove all ships and bases from orbit of Los Angeles other than their embassy as soon as possible. A friendly fire accident would be unfortunate."
"What if the Vorlons decide to seize the Centauri vessels or shipyards like they did the Brakiri embas--"
"Please, please. That was just a misunderstanding. The Corporate Sector is fully cognizant of the fact the Vorlons value their relationship with us. Nevertheless, such a thing will not happen, as adequate precautions are being taken. Excuse me."
"...and I am pleased to announce the delivery of fifty vessels to the Centauri Republic. They, along with space yard vessels, will be rented to the Centauri Republic. Planet Los Angeles will be host to a large number of Centauri refugees. This will provide work for over one million families and Centauri investment into the local economy will exceed one hundred trillion credits."
"What about the Vorlons?"
"The Corporate Sector is taking a neutral stance regarding the Vorlon Centauri conflict. Nevertheless, we have informed the Vorlon ambassador to remove all ships and bases from orbit of Los Angeles other than their embassy as soon as possible. A friendly fire accident would be unfortunate."
"What if the Vorlons decide to seize the Centauri vessels or shipyards like they did the Brakiri embas--"
"Please, please. That was just a misunderstanding. The Corporate Sector is fully cognizant of the fact the Vorlons value their relationship with us. Nevertheless, such a thing will not happen, as adequate precautions are being taken. Excuse me."
Fir'mill
The war against the Dilgar had fallen into a momentary lull. The Earthers had managed to blockade the Cascan/Regula gate, cutting off the Dilgar core from their conquests. Meanwhile, the Centauri were still furiously preparing to take the offensive and reclaim that which was rightful theirs.
When ISN broadcast the press release from the Corporates, Vir didn't even look up. Ivan, however, was startled.
Vir grinned. "What did you think I was doing with all those ducats?" he asked. "Embezzling them to create this plush office?" He gestured to the rather spartan (for an emperor) room.
Looking embarressed, Ivan merely shrugged. "War is expensive."
"Indeed it is," Vir agreed. "Funny how the Republic keeps outsourcing defense construction."
Ivan was about to make a reply when there was a knock at the door. The assistant opened it and was handed a small pad by the caller.
"Message from the Vorlons," Ivan said. "They will make peace in exchange for all the former League worlds."
Vir scowled. He never thought that he would find choosing peace to be difficult, but he was now. The damned Vorlons, to put it simply, had screwed over the Centauri too many times to count by now.
They also had roughly seventy warships in the system with Fir'mill. Their arrival at the same time as this "olive branch" was no coincidence, Vir was sure. Whether they would actually strike at Fir'mill, a world with two billion Minbari living on it, he wasn't sure.
But he didn't want to find out. The planets the Vorlons had demanded were undeveloped holes.
With a sigh, Vir sent his response, knowing that it was best for the Republic, and that it would keep him up at night for some time to come.
The war against the Dilgar had fallen into a momentary lull. The Earthers had managed to blockade the Cascan/Regula gate, cutting off the Dilgar core from their conquests. Meanwhile, the Centauri were still furiously preparing to take the offensive and reclaim that which was rightful theirs.
When ISN broadcast the press release from the Corporates, Vir didn't even look up. Ivan, however, was startled.
Vir grinned. "What did you think I was doing with all those ducats?" he asked. "Embezzling them to create this plush office?" He gestured to the rather spartan (for an emperor) room.
Looking embarressed, Ivan merely shrugged. "War is expensive."
"Indeed it is," Vir agreed. "Funny how the Republic keeps outsourcing defense construction."
Ivan was about to make a reply when there was a knock at the door. The assistant opened it and was handed a small pad by the caller.
"Message from the Vorlons," Ivan said. "They will make peace in exchange for all the former League worlds."
Vir scowled. He never thought that he would find choosing peace to be difficult, but he was now. The damned Vorlons, to put it simply, had screwed over the Centauri too many times to count by now.
They also had roughly seventy warships in the system with Fir'mill. Their arrival at the same time as this "olive branch" was no coincidence, Vir was sure. Whether they would actually strike at Fir'mill, a world with two billion Minbari living on it, he wasn't sure.
But he didn't want to find out. The planets the Vorlons had demanded were undeveloped holes.
With a sigh, Vir sent his response, knowing that it was best for the Republic, and that it would keep him up at night for some time to come.
"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
Lyta sighed as she read over the message from the Centauri. She wished they could see that the Vorlons were only trying to clean out the Shadow taint. Already they had removed thousands from the shadow production facilities and restored their minds as well as healed their bodies. The Centauri couldn't see that these living, hungry, aggressive pieces of technology were harmful to the people.
Lyta had been told, once the planets were clean, they would be returned to Centauri hands. She didn't know if this was still true but she was getting the distinct impression the Vorlons may be changing their mind. It worried her almost as much as hearing that the Vorlon Planet Killers were on the move. Soon Vir, a man she quite liked, would be looking at the largest Vorlon fleet ever assembled. She hoped they weren't going to strike Fir'mill, but it was a fact the new Escalation class PKs were carrying the nastiest armoured vehicles the vorlons had ever created.
There was another possibility. That the Vorlons were moving to retake the worlds lost to the Dilgar. Either way, whatever was about to face the two hundred vorlon ships was not going to be happy about it.
She hoped peace came soon, and began writing her response to the Corporate Sector, who would not doubt be pleased.
Lyta had been told, once the planets were clean, they would be returned to Centauri hands. She didn't know if this was still true but she was getting the distinct impression the Vorlons may be changing their mind. It worried her almost as much as hearing that the Vorlon Planet Killers were on the move. Soon Vir, a man she quite liked, would be looking at the largest Vorlon fleet ever assembled. She hoped they weren't going to strike Fir'mill, but it was a fact the new Escalation class PKs were carrying the nastiest armoured vehicles the vorlons had ever created.
There was another possibility. That the Vorlons were moving to retake the worlds lost to the Dilgar. Either way, whatever was about to face the two hundred vorlon ships was not going to be happy about it.
She hoped peace came soon, and began writing her response to the Corporate Sector, who would not doubt be pleased.
Dragon Clan Veritech