Turn -?
End of the Final War
Drobis
"Welcome"
Bitter whispers from the corner. Darkened shadows, a black dressed man. "Listen" and "carefully."
A hushed voice, for her ears only.
A hand touched a gun.
"Don't be a fool little girl. You don' die here today, so put that gun away."
White teeth in a Cheshire grin.
'What's happening? Why is everyone... Why is this happening?'
Tears on her cheeks, tears on the ground.
'They tried to... they touched me... They, they, they, they."
The grin turned to a grimace.
"They aren't dead. Not yet. Not this wave. The carriers, initial carriers are gone. Minds rotted, bodies despoiled. They exist not to breed more. They aren't human, not like you."
Her frantic whisper 'and you?'
Laughter and that grin. Maniacal. The world was ending, and the grin only grew.
"I am dead, so many times, so long ago. It's all gone you know? Everything. Terra burnt. So did Mars, and Centauri and the Betelgeuse shipyards. And the Enclave fleet, at the battle of Kappa Tau. Their Marines beaten on the ring, their ships imploding into the heart of the last Black Star warheads, the Southeast fleet torn asunder with them."
"I was there lass, to see it all end. This is nothing but a relic of that. A soft echo of insanity. We are pulling back. Back to Moloch. You're coming with us. All of you. Now!"
Another sob.
'But why is this happening? They're mad, and there are things, things inside them. And they try, they try... I had to shoot her. I had to, I had no choice.'
He took a step forward, black bulk becoming clearer.
"They're simple utero-parasites, an ancient bioweapon, second Imperial Age. Nasty, vicious, illegal, immoral. Their usage is prevented under threat of millennial torture."
Her face become ashen.
'Holy hominus. Imperio-tech! Imperio-tech? Why? Why? I don't want this. I was graduating, I thought Lif liked me. She was beautiful. She's probably dead! Everyone, they're dead! Aren't they? Tell me! Tell me!'
He stepped into the light, finally becoming clear. Power armour. Imperial. He towered, her eyes drawn to the tiny symnol on the arm. A whimsical reaper, scythe in one hand, a gun pressed against its own head. Every child in the Southeast Territories knew it. Suicide squad. Monsters. They hunted down heretic Imperial Army units, and killed them. All of them. She sagged to her knees, fear robbing them of the strength it had previously given.
'You're here to kill us all aren't you?'
That grin, that damn grin. Now mirthful.
"Already did. Two hours ago. The city of Drobis was sterilzed to prevent the spread of a class V bioweapon."
Confusion and a sad of relief.
'Will it be quick?'
Another chuckle.
"We have fifty Molochi warships in orbit, complete quarantine. We have just enough nano-mist to barrier it in. 75 million technolegionnaires on the ground. We estimate evacuation and disinfection of all the city will take one week. The Deathpact protects our own. To the death and beyond. How does it feel to be dead citizen? Now are you coming with me? We have a girlfriend to find.'
STGOD mk II Main Thread
-
Dark Hellion
- Permanent n00b
- Posts: 3554
- Joined: 2002-08-25 07:56pm
STGOD mk II Main Thread
A teenage girl is just a teenage boy who can get laid.
-GTO
We're not just doing this for money; we're doing this for a shitload of money!
-GTO
We're not just doing this for money; we're doing this for a shitload of money!
--Ninhursag, Alpha Cephi--
The woman sat by herself on a rock by a stream in the woods. She wore unfashionably large and dark glasses which obscured much of her face, and an anachronistic wide brimmed hat which obscured even more. Another woman silently walked up and sat beside the first. They sat in silence for a moment before the second woman spoke.
"It's a beautiful world."
"Heh, for you."
The second woman turned. "I wasn't followed."
"Good; we need a ship."
"Rem, that's asking a whole lot, I'm under enough suspicion just for implying that I could possibly maybe dislike our current policies regarding the universe at large. I get threatened with investigations just for voting against going to war with people we know nothing about."
"Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a ship that can go FTL. If we can get one, we can get the word out about all this while the Doms are still working out what to do."
The second woman sighed.
"You're right, I'll see what I can do.
The two women parted ways, the second walked out of the forest and touched a key on a small card she carried with her. In a matter of minutes she was whisked away by an anti-gravity flier to a park in the nearby Ninhursag City arcology. She sat briefly on a bench alongside another woman. A few minutes after the other woman stood and walked off, She did as well.
Eventually she came to the door of a surprisingly nondescript apartment. She pressed a key on her now slightly different card and the door slid open. A computerized voice greeted her "Welcome home Helene. You have received *2* messages."
--C-289, Bara--
"Plasma containment nominal, check, emissions sink engaged."
"Practicing taking the ship into stealth mode on manual now?"
"Oh, commander, yeah, I figured there was no time like the present. We do leave two days from now and we won't have much opportunity to practice anything like this while we're on mission."
"Hey I'm not saying it's a bad idea, I just always see you running practice sims."
"Heh, yeah, I don't think I get along with the rest of the crew in social situations very well..."
"Nah you're fine, c'mon the other commanders and I are having a party, it'll be fun, we've got food, music, booze, and we've commandeered the briefing room so we'll have a kick-ass theater too."
"Uhh..I don't know..."
"I'm not taking no for an answer, it'll be fun and I won't have a second in command who is as nervous around people as you're being right now."
-----TRANSMISSION-----
FROM: DSFHC
TO: DINTDIVHQ
DATE: 245.09
ENCODE: ZX-81/K
-COMMENCE RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS ASAP-DESIRED TARGETS AS FOLLOWS-KUSHAWNI-HUMANIST UNION-
*****END*****
-----
Deployed: 4 WEC T-1 Stealth Ships
2 Kushawni space
2 Humanist Union space
The woman sat by herself on a rock by a stream in the woods. She wore unfashionably large and dark glasses which obscured much of her face, and an anachronistic wide brimmed hat which obscured even more. Another woman silently walked up and sat beside the first. They sat in silence for a moment before the second woman spoke.
"It's a beautiful world."
"Heh, for you."
The second woman turned. "I wasn't followed."
"Good; we need a ship."
"Rem, that's asking a whole lot, I'm under enough suspicion just for implying that I could possibly maybe dislike our current policies regarding the universe at large. I get threatened with investigations just for voting against going to war with people we know nothing about."
"Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a ship that can go FTL. If we can get one, we can get the word out about all this while the Doms are still working out what to do."
The second woman sighed.
"You're right, I'll see what I can do.
The two women parted ways, the second walked out of the forest and touched a key on a small card she carried with her. In a matter of minutes she was whisked away by an anti-gravity flier to a park in the nearby Ninhursag City arcology. She sat briefly on a bench alongside another woman. A few minutes after the other woman stood and walked off, She did as well.
Eventually she came to the door of a surprisingly nondescript apartment. She pressed a key on her now slightly different card and the door slid open. A computerized voice greeted her "Welcome home Helene. You have received *2* messages."
--C-289, Bara--
"Plasma containment nominal, check, emissions sink engaged."
"Practicing taking the ship into stealth mode on manual now?"
"Oh, commander, yeah, I figured there was no time like the present. We do leave two days from now and we won't have much opportunity to practice anything like this while we're on mission."
"Hey I'm not saying it's a bad idea, I just always see you running practice sims."
"Heh, yeah, I don't think I get along with the rest of the crew in social situations very well..."
"Nah you're fine, c'mon the other commanders and I are having a party, it'll be fun, we've got food, music, booze, and we've commandeered the briefing room so we'll have a kick-ass theater too."
"Uhh..I don't know..."
"I'm not taking no for an answer, it'll be fun and I won't have a second in command who is as nervous around people as you're being right now."
-----TRANSMISSION-----
FROM: DSFHC
TO: DINTDIVHQ
DATE: 245.09
ENCODE: ZX-81/K
-COMMENCE RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS ASAP-DESIRED TARGETS AS FOLLOWS-KUSHAWNI-HUMANIST UNION-
*****END*****
-----
Deployed: 4 WEC T-1 Stealth Ships
2 Kushawni space
2 Humanist Union space
Oh, Mister Darcy! <3
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
-
Darkevilme
- Jedi Council Member
- Posts: 1514
- Joined: 2007-06-12 02:27pm
- Location: London, england
- Contact:
“Know this my sisters, the galaxy stands upon the edge of a new era, mankind shall fade into the black and the queen and our kind shall ascend. We will prevail, we must prevail, there is no other kingdom to turn to, we alone carry the light of chamara into this galaxy and for honour and pride we will seize our destiny.”
“Shoulda been a speechwrite Misha.” Eru laughs and looks across the control deck to her sister “Seriously what you doing out here with me when you could be writing for the queen or something?” she jokes.
Misha ear flicks slightly and turns away “You know as well as I sister, we're coming to the next drop point.”
“How many of these things do we have left again?”
Misha doesnt look up from the scope, preoccupied with one hand laid on the link dome next to it
“Five...four now.”
The release is silent, the spy satellite emerging on a waft of diffuse gases from the ship's side. Satellite and ship only visible as they occlude stars, the satellite unfurling as within a minute the ship is too far away to make out, a ghost gliding unseen through the darkness towards the point of its exit. The satellite has other things to observe though, dense cluster of sensors, cameras, radio and hyperwave receptors angling towards the middle of the system.
---
Just to say, basically the Chamaran podships are stealthily skulking around the edges of imperial remnant systems dropping spy satellites. though these satellites naturally dont do more than pick up public broadcasts and spot unstealthed vessels, stations and planets in the system.
“Shoulda been a speechwrite Misha.” Eru laughs and looks across the control deck to her sister “Seriously what you doing out here with me when you could be writing for the queen or something?” she jokes.
Misha ear flicks slightly and turns away “You know as well as I sister, we're coming to the next drop point.”
“How many of these things do we have left again?”
Misha doesnt look up from the scope, preoccupied with one hand laid on the link dome next to it
“Five...four now.”
The release is silent, the spy satellite emerging on a waft of diffuse gases from the ship's side. Satellite and ship only visible as they occlude stars, the satellite unfurling as within a minute the ship is too far away to make out, a ghost gliding unseen through the darkness towards the point of its exit. The satellite has other things to observe though, dense cluster of sensors, cameras, radio and hyperwave receptors angling towards the middle of the system.
---
Just to say, basically the Chamaran podships are stealthily skulking around the edges of imperial remnant systems dropping spy satellites. though these satellites naturally dont do more than pick up public broadcasts and spot unstealthed vessels, stations and planets in the system.
Last edited by Darkevilme on 2008-05-26 07:24am, edited 1 time in total.
-Present day, Aura, Nevardis System-
The office of Regent Lord Belanor was a large circular room with a dome-shaped ceiling, fitted with holoscreens that were currently making the chamber appear to be an open-air temple defined by guilded Ionic columns. If one looked up, a fleet of Imperial-era warships could be seen hovering, and a gentle breeze completed the illusion of a time long since gone.
At the center of the temple, where the altar should have been, stood a figure in ceremonial power armor rendered spectacularly in ornate gold and crimson. Facing him were two more figures in armor, their forms emphasizing the functionality of their armor, but still decorated with patches of red and yellow denoting their rank and order.
"You're certain of this?"
"Yes. While one one of our new vessels was on excercise in the northern barrens, its sensors detected activity to the galactic north, and northeast, in positions which correspond to historical records of other Imperial holdings."
"We can't be certain, but it looks like other remnants survived as well. Regent Lord, with your blessing, but we wish to send some vessels to investigate."
"And what if they are Enclave remnants living on the ashes of Imperial settlements. What if they should prove hostile?"
"We would be deploying prowlers, my lord. Their task will be to observe only, not make contact."
"Very well. Lady Dawn watch over you and yours, Generals."
OOC:
Deployed 6x Prowlers
3x - Harmony
3x - Humanist Union
They have orders to observe, but not to interact.
The office of Regent Lord Belanor was a large circular room with a dome-shaped ceiling, fitted with holoscreens that were currently making the chamber appear to be an open-air temple defined by guilded Ionic columns. If one looked up, a fleet of Imperial-era warships could be seen hovering, and a gentle breeze completed the illusion of a time long since gone.
At the center of the temple, where the altar should have been, stood a figure in ceremonial power armor rendered spectacularly in ornate gold and crimson. Facing him were two more figures in armor, their forms emphasizing the functionality of their armor, but still decorated with patches of red and yellow denoting their rank and order.
"You're certain of this?"
"Yes. While one one of our new vessels was on excercise in the northern barrens, its sensors detected activity to the galactic north, and northeast, in positions which correspond to historical records of other Imperial holdings."
"We can't be certain, but it looks like other remnants survived as well. Regent Lord, with your blessing, but we wish to send some vessels to investigate."
"And what if they are Enclave remnants living on the ashes of Imperial settlements. What if they should prove hostile?"
"We would be deploying prowlers, my lord. Their task will be to observe only, not make contact."
"Very well. Lady Dawn watch over you and yours, Generals."
OOC:
Deployed 6x Prowlers
3x - Harmony
3x - Humanist Union
They have orders to observe, but not to interact.
Escort Carrier Chartreuse
The trail was old, but space has a long memory. The system, known only as an alphumeric string, contained the faint traces of exhaust unmistakable to the trained eye as originating from an old Cornucopian freighter. There was a short list of people who could be on that ship which matched up pretty well with the list of outstanding enemies of the revolution. If Harmony's scanners were any less sophisticated, the quarry any better at covering its tracks, or if the systems it fled through had any traffic to speak of the chase would be futile. As it was, the Harmonious flotilla picked up the trail and retraced its steps. Years ago many defeated counterrevolutionaries took to the stars in the belief that the people's retribution could not reach them in the wild frontier. Another such gang was soon to be proven wrong. Chartreuse and her escorts jumped to hyperspace.
***
"Traffic, sir! Comms and vehicular" The message buzzed to life in Colonel Gray's head. Already alert, he brought up the running scanner report. Strong indication of nearby settlement. That was both good and bad. On one hand it meant the track was now hopelessly scrambled. On the other, there was now a chance of witnesses. The flotilla commander immediately ordered comms to broadcast the stock greeting and set to work preparing a spot report for his superiors.
(Harmony *pokes* Dawn's Star Empire. 1 escort carrier and 2 destroyers in extreme coreward fringe)
The trail was old, but space has a long memory. The system, known only as an alphumeric string, contained the faint traces of exhaust unmistakable to the trained eye as originating from an old Cornucopian freighter. There was a short list of people who could be on that ship which matched up pretty well with the list of outstanding enemies of the revolution. If Harmony's scanners were any less sophisticated, the quarry any better at covering its tracks, or if the systems it fled through had any traffic to speak of the chase would be futile. As it was, the Harmonious flotilla picked up the trail and retraced its steps. Years ago many defeated counterrevolutionaries took to the stars in the belief that the people's retribution could not reach them in the wild frontier. Another such gang was soon to be proven wrong. Chartreuse and her escorts jumped to hyperspace.
***
"Traffic, sir! Comms and vehicular" The message buzzed to life in Colonel Gray's head. Already alert, he brought up the running scanner report. Strong indication of nearby settlement. That was both good and bad. On one hand it meant the track was now hopelessly scrambled. On the other, there was now a chance of witnesses. The flotilla commander immediately ordered comms to broadcast the stock greeting and set to work preparing a spot report for his superiors.
(Harmony *pokes* Dawn's Star Empire. 1 escort carrier and 2 destroyers in extreme coreward fringe)
I prepared Explosive Runes today.
-
Dark Hellion
- Permanent n00b
- Posts: 3554
- Joined: 2002-08-25 07:56pm
Twilight gently tinkled through the glass spires of Leviathan as the five rode the massive lift skyward. Simple black attire and that relaxed pose of lions overseeing their domain. The 'Baron' Bolen Vandervier's tower was amongst the most exquisite on the planet, and also the most fortified, yet they rode into the heart without hesitation. A storm was coming to the spire, relentless and wild. The Deathpact had come.
Chalia had always been proud of her job. Sure, she was only House Security, but she was effective, thorough, and above all very good at it. When she was younger the 'legion had even tried scouting her for an MP position. But this was were she belonged. A duty to protect the person and the privacy of a residence against the ever pervasive foe that was a systemnet full of wannabe paparazzi. An twenty years of service for Vandervier had trained her well, she was quick, clever and stronger than many men twice her size. She was prepared for anything, and then a small ping of a service elevator. And a demon of the ancient times entered the hall.
He didn't even give her a chance to speak. He just leaped the 10 meters between them. A hand grasped her face and drug her of the two meter skid afterward. The right hand sprang out. Impossibly fast. Impossibly strong. Boritz, the other guard never saw it coming. A single leveling punch leaving him unconscious, pinned within the cratered marble wall. The smiling face turned towards her.
He was hacking her. She had her higher functions, but it had been barely half a second and he'd broken the autonomous system. Faking a practitioner code. What kind of monster was he? Oh god... what was she going to do. Shut down? Emergency stasis. But he'd have her body too. But another second or two and he'd own her. Everything of her body. Her mind just a window, experiencing what he wanted her to, making her do whatever he wanted, and feeling whatever he told her body to pump out. Help! Help. help! help! help!
Her heat beat faster, breath increasing speed. So afraid. No, this wasn't fear. He wasn't letting her fear. What was this. Heart beating so fast. Salivating. Touch. Oh god. Heart fluttering. Breath in little gasps. Her crotch moistened. Oh god. Sick bastard. Oh fuck, bastard. Huh... huh... uhh fucking no... fuck, stop, please.... uh... no... Please stop. Release. It stopped. So close. She was so close... free... Free!
She sagged to her knees. Gasped. And he spoke to her. "Sorry, I don't like to hit women. I hope you know what kind of demon you are against now. Sorry about that. But I can do it again. Any violation I need. To complete the mission. Go to the aid station. Tell them to give you a MTD-91 firewall program. You'll need my authority code. It's a one shot, but I'll transfer it. Now fly little birdy. You have ten seconds to board the elevator. Ten seconds then I come. Run!" And she ran. Darrien walked through the double doors on the other end. She didn't even look back. Good girl.
Elsewhere.
Lizel followed Jack closely. The ECM only spread about two meters. She was so close to him. She could smell him. Ink from the tattoos. The composites of the suit. The exotic cigarettes on the breath. This was stupid. Why'd she ever agree to fly them. Stupid Lizel, Stupid. But she knew so little about him. She wanted to see him in action at least once. And Hallabria had caught on instantly, of course. How does a women ever get that strong and stay sane? Although she married Viest. Lizel hadn't been afraid of anything since she was twenty-five, until she met Viest. That man was terrifying. How does someone become that, and stay human. A cruel grin, and though they can never show it again, those crying eyes. How much has he lost to cry like that? Everything?
"Guards" whispered Jack.
'Armed?'
"Yes. Stay here and I'll clean this up. I'll call." Jack strolled out casually.
Shwp. Shwp. Shwp. Gunfire, silenced but ringing out to her ears. And then it stopped. And a crack. A sickening sound. Oh god. Lizel peered around the corner.
Jack stood there. The man was pinned to the wall, 2.5 meters in the air. Jack hit him again. That sickening crack, and a geyser of blood. Another man hand been thrown down the hall. He stood, pulled out a knife to replace his broken gun and charged. Jack's whole body moved, entirely too fast. A kick sprang out throwing the man through a marble wall into an adjacent room. The last man had avoided being disarmed, and now pointed the gun at Lizel. Jack rose behind him, and with single shove slammed him through a statue, imbedding his head in the wall. That fleshy popping sound. And his eyes. They were the same. Happy, smiling eyes. A speckling of blood coated his body, and his hands dripped crimson. "Sorry to scare you like that Lizel. I shouldn't have played around." They were so far gone weren't they. So many years on so many battlefields. A step away from human for the sake of humanity.
A bit later...
Vandervier's stateroom was barely crowded by the five members. Chattering, friendly banter. "Sure beats two weeks in a courier on the Konige boarder, huh Jack?"
'Pretty much.' replied Jack
"You hit them with the old sex beam trick didn't you Darrien. Come on, you know you can't lie." This was Hallabria.
"Why would I lie. I like the technique. Remember Yililiac? I hacked the viewer control, made a mass broadcast of the overrides and then stuck them in fun mode for ten minutes. I held a galactic record for most orgasms caused by one man. We'll I held it for about 6 months, til Varvos Delt had to Ero bomb the entire Imperial palace. The Emperor loved it, though he had to sentence Varvos to a pseudoexecution. Attack on the Emperor and all. Fucker had style."
There was a flash, a smell of ozone, and the sound of static. In-System Teleport. And Gustav and Shebe Carlito stood there. With a single stamp of her foot, Shebe stepped forward.
"You cheeky fucking bastards. What the hell is this? Breaking into our house. You stupid fucks! We used a 'port, we thought it was serious. But it's just you bunch. We don't have Imperial Maintenance Drones anymore. It takes forever to repair and recalibrate these things."
Viest was first to speak. He didn't miss a beat. "I owe you 20,000 creds Jack. It was Gustav. And here I was hoping for Alliman. Or maybe you hot sister."
'A-hem' interrupted Bri.
"Delightful sister?"
"We all know who Jack's sister wants to be boning." It was Chelekov Brownt, another member of the special forces.
"Don't remind me" replied Jack.
Shebe stamped again. "Pay attention. I want you to explain yourselves right now. If this was just a bet, why did you bring 5. And dragging Lizel into this. Honestly."
"I, um, I didn't know that it going to go like this Shebe. I just volunteered to fly them in unseen. Sorry." Lizel stammer this out. God what was this. They broke into the most powerful man in Moloch's house. And now they're chit chatting like 14 year old girls.
"But Shebe" began Bri. "Remember when we decided to crash Aina's bachelorette party? We ended up streaking through most of the compound. And then we cloaked up and played "ghost boobs" down in the commons?"
"You played "ghost boobs". I thought that was for 20 year old girls. A pair of centennial biddies shouldn't play that"
"Chelekov!" Shebe "Watch your mouth. And Bri, you brought it up, I just went along for the ride. Don't worry sweety. That was before we where introduced. We were in our 60's and looking for some fun."
"And we had it..."
"Would you all shut up" screamed Lizel. "We have a third of the high 13, the lord of the ghost council and a member of the apocalypse squad and we are gossiping. Why the hell did we come here? Why did we mangle those guards? Can't you guys be serious for one minute!"
"Man, that is so cute, isn't it Bri?" crooned Viest.
'Adorable' Bri replied dreamily 'remember when we were like that'
And the memories are pain. Lizel saw it. Nothing goes away. The good and the bad. And they just relive it forever.
"To business Gustav?" asked Chelekov.
"Sure. Let me guess, you're investigating this false life because it is so well kept. You wanted to get them out here. And I showed up. So you want me to host the Summit? As Vandervier. Excellent. Although you could have asked Alliman, but you wouldn't have gotten the fun would you? I guess you can also station your own security forces. I know you were going to ask that. Go ahead. This identity can be shared with the DeathPact. I know they can keep a secret. With that done, would you want a drink? I see Viest and Jack have already broken out my cigars. Chuck me and Shebe one too. I love Cuban's. The agri-spire did them so well. They were hand grown you know. Contact. Flora-empaths cared for them daily. Delicious. Do sit down miss Clancy. Make yourself comfortable. My med techs are the best in world. Imperial doctors, escaping the fall. Relax. This is just the beginning."
Gustav Carlito, a man who'd rule an empire in a Hawaiian shirt. The summit. The major Imperial Remnants all invited to Leviathan, to this location to discuss the future of the galaxy. There was too much at stake here. Everything good the empire represented. It has to be saved.
Chalia had always been proud of her job. Sure, she was only House Security, but she was effective, thorough, and above all very good at it. When she was younger the 'legion had even tried scouting her for an MP position. But this was were she belonged. A duty to protect the person and the privacy of a residence against the ever pervasive foe that was a systemnet full of wannabe paparazzi. An twenty years of service for Vandervier had trained her well, she was quick, clever and stronger than many men twice her size. She was prepared for anything, and then a small ping of a service elevator. And a demon of the ancient times entered the hall.
He didn't even give her a chance to speak. He just leaped the 10 meters between them. A hand grasped her face and drug her of the two meter skid afterward. The right hand sprang out. Impossibly fast. Impossibly strong. Boritz, the other guard never saw it coming. A single leveling punch leaving him unconscious, pinned within the cratered marble wall. The smiling face turned towards her.
Code: Select all
Initializing Medical Link...
Control of Autonomous Body Function transferring... transferring...
Medical Override, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3
Full control transferred...He was hacking her. She had her higher functions, but it had been barely half a second and he'd broken the autonomous system. Faking a practitioner code. What kind of monster was he? Oh god... what was she going to do. Shut down? Emergency stasis. But he'd have her body too. But another second or two and he'd own her. Everything of her body. Her mind just a window, experiencing what he wanted her to, making her do whatever he wanted, and feeling whatever he told her body to pump out. Help! Help. help! help! help!
Her heat beat faster, breath increasing speed. So afraid. No, this wasn't fear. He wasn't letting her fear. What was this. Heart beating so fast. Salivating. Touch. Oh god. Heart fluttering. Breath in little gasps. Her crotch moistened. Oh god. Sick bastard. Oh fuck, bastard. Huh... huh... uhh fucking no... fuck, stop, please.... uh... no... Please stop. Release. It stopped. So close. She was so close... free... Free!
She sagged to her knees. Gasped. And he spoke to her. "Sorry, I don't like to hit women. I hope you know what kind of demon you are against now. Sorry about that. But I can do it again. Any violation I need. To complete the mission. Go to the aid station. Tell them to give you a MTD-91 firewall program. You'll need my authority code. It's a one shot, but I'll transfer it. Now fly little birdy. You have ten seconds to board the elevator. Ten seconds then I come. Run!" And she ran. Darrien walked through the double doors on the other end. She didn't even look back. Good girl.
Elsewhere.
Lizel followed Jack closely. The ECM only spread about two meters. She was so close to him. She could smell him. Ink from the tattoos. The composites of the suit. The exotic cigarettes on the breath. This was stupid. Why'd she ever agree to fly them. Stupid Lizel, Stupid. But she knew so little about him. She wanted to see him in action at least once. And Hallabria had caught on instantly, of course. How does a women ever get that strong and stay sane? Although she married Viest. Lizel hadn't been afraid of anything since she was twenty-five, until she met Viest. That man was terrifying. How does someone become that, and stay human. A cruel grin, and though they can never show it again, those crying eyes. How much has he lost to cry like that? Everything?
"Guards" whispered Jack.
'Armed?'
"Yes. Stay here and I'll clean this up. I'll call." Jack strolled out casually.
Shwp. Shwp. Shwp. Gunfire, silenced but ringing out to her ears. And then it stopped. And a crack. A sickening sound. Oh god. Lizel peered around the corner.
Jack stood there. The man was pinned to the wall, 2.5 meters in the air. Jack hit him again. That sickening crack, and a geyser of blood. Another man hand been thrown down the hall. He stood, pulled out a knife to replace his broken gun and charged. Jack's whole body moved, entirely too fast. A kick sprang out throwing the man through a marble wall into an adjacent room. The last man had avoided being disarmed, and now pointed the gun at Lizel. Jack rose behind him, and with single shove slammed him through a statue, imbedding his head in the wall. That fleshy popping sound. And his eyes. They were the same. Happy, smiling eyes. A speckling of blood coated his body, and his hands dripped crimson. "Sorry to scare you like that Lizel. I shouldn't have played around." They were so far gone weren't they. So many years on so many battlefields. A step away from human for the sake of humanity.
A bit later...
Vandervier's stateroom was barely crowded by the five members. Chattering, friendly banter. "Sure beats two weeks in a courier on the Konige boarder, huh Jack?"
'Pretty much.' replied Jack
"You hit them with the old sex beam trick didn't you Darrien. Come on, you know you can't lie." This was Hallabria.
"Why would I lie. I like the technique. Remember Yililiac? I hacked the viewer control, made a mass broadcast of the overrides and then stuck them in fun mode for ten minutes. I held a galactic record for most orgasms caused by one man. We'll I held it for about 6 months, til Varvos Delt had to Ero bomb the entire Imperial palace. The Emperor loved it, though he had to sentence Varvos to a pseudoexecution. Attack on the Emperor and all. Fucker had style."
There was a flash, a smell of ozone, and the sound of static. In-System Teleport. And Gustav and Shebe Carlito stood there. With a single stamp of her foot, Shebe stepped forward.
"You cheeky fucking bastards. What the hell is this? Breaking into our house. You stupid fucks! We used a 'port, we thought it was serious. But it's just you bunch. We don't have Imperial Maintenance Drones anymore. It takes forever to repair and recalibrate these things."
Viest was first to speak. He didn't miss a beat. "I owe you 20,000 creds Jack. It was Gustav. And here I was hoping for Alliman. Or maybe you hot sister."
'A-hem' interrupted Bri.
"Delightful sister?"
"We all know who Jack's sister wants to be boning." It was Chelekov Brownt, another member of the special forces.
"Don't remind me" replied Jack.
Shebe stamped again. "Pay attention. I want you to explain yourselves right now. If this was just a bet, why did you bring 5. And dragging Lizel into this. Honestly."
"I, um, I didn't know that it going to go like this Shebe. I just volunteered to fly them in unseen. Sorry." Lizel stammer this out. God what was this. They broke into the most powerful man in Moloch's house. And now they're chit chatting like 14 year old girls.
"But Shebe" began Bri. "Remember when we decided to crash Aina's bachelorette party? We ended up streaking through most of the compound. And then we cloaked up and played "ghost boobs" down in the commons?"
"You played "ghost boobs". I thought that was for 20 year old girls. A pair of centennial biddies shouldn't play that"
"Chelekov!" Shebe "Watch your mouth. And Bri, you brought it up, I just went along for the ride. Don't worry sweety. That was before we where introduced. We were in our 60's and looking for some fun."
"And we had it..."
"Would you all shut up" screamed Lizel. "We have a third of the high 13, the lord of the ghost council and a member of the apocalypse squad and we are gossiping. Why the hell did we come here? Why did we mangle those guards? Can't you guys be serious for one minute!"
"Man, that is so cute, isn't it Bri?" crooned Viest.
'Adorable' Bri replied dreamily 'remember when we were like that'
And the memories are pain. Lizel saw it. Nothing goes away. The good and the bad. And they just relive it forever.
"To business Gustav?" asked Chelekov.
"Sure. Let me guess, you're investigating this false life because it is so well kept. You wanted to get them out here. And I showed up. So you want me to host the Summit? As Vandervier. Excellent. Although you could have asked Alliman, but you wouldn't have gotten the fun would you? I guess you can also station your own security forces. I know you were going to ask that. Go ahead. This identity can be shared with the DeathPact. I know they can keep a secret. With that done, would you want a drink? I see Viest and Jack have already broken out my cigars. Chuck me and Shebe one too. I love Cuban's. The agri-spire did them so well. They were hand grown you know. Contact. Flora-empaths cared for them daily. Delicious. Do sit down miss Clancy. Make yourself comfortable. My med techs are the best in world. Imperial doctors, escaping the fall. Relax. This is just the beginning."
Gustav Carlito, a man who'd rule an empire in a Hawaiian shirt. The summit. The major Imperial Remnants all invited to Leviathan, to this location to discuss the future of the galaxy. There was too much at stake here. Everything good the empire represented. It has to be saved.
A teenage girl is just a teenage boy who can get laid.
-GTO
We're not just doing this for money; we're doing this for a shitload of money!
-GTO
We're not just doing this for money; we're doing this for a shitload of money!
-
Thirdfain
- The Player of Games
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 2003-02-13 09:24pm
- Location: Never underestimate the staggering drawing power of the Garden State.
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
-William Butler Yeats
The Chairman's office was comfortable. Pieces of dark wood furniture, plush and expensive, were nestled amidst a formidable bulwark of bookshelves and sideboards. The naked spot over the desk where the Coat of Arms of the office's previous noble resident was still distressingly bare. Foreman Eberhardt caught himself checking the thick carpets for bloodstains. The post-Revolution consolidation had not been kind to the old ruling class. Only the lucky or irreplaceable had survived.
Eberhardt was irreplaceable. However, he was certain that he was not lucky.
His seat was flanked by two contrasting figures. Sitting at his left in a bare wooden chair of fabulously expensive manufacture was a small man, perfectly groomed and dressed in a plain but extremely neat suit. To his right, lounging in the deep upholstery of a Second Dynasty armchair, was a woman in red. Her features were striking, though not beautiful, and her hair was shoulder-length and carelessly coiffed.
Foreman Eberhardt was being looked down at by the man opposite the mismatched trio, behind the desk. A veteran of many battles and an old man, he seethed silently at the thought of being lectured like a naughty schoolboy. The chairman smoked an unfiltered cigarette as he spoke.
"You are one of the best officers in all the Syndicates, Foreman Eberhardt. You've been decorated by no less than six governments ranging from the Terran Empire to the Internationale. You've overseen sixteen major operations ranging in size from fleet-level exercises up to the total mobilization of the Militia Unions. You don't need another politician telling you what a wonderful soldier you are, Foreman."
"Thank you, Chairman;" said the old man warily.
"What you need, Foreman, is a politician asking you why the mobilization for the Malacaster operation was delayed for three weeks."
Eberhardt straightened in his chair. "There were unexpected difficulties with supply and organization. Considering the state of the Unions, it's a wonder we were ready when we were, never mind the barbarian invasion."
The Chairman nodded slowly. "Never mind the barbarian invasion. Indeed. If I recall, the Council of the High Syndicates ordered you to do just that- never mind the barbarian invasion, Foreman, and proceed as planned. Launch the fleet towards Malacaster immediately. Only now, immediately is two weeks ago, and the fleet is still at it's muster- and you are here, receiving a dressing-down, instead of at the headquarters co-ordinating our glorious cause." A look of disgust flickered across the Chairman's ruddy features.
"I have done my duty to Nordkaldia too the best of my abilities, Chairman. If my performance is not satisfactory, I would tender my resignation before the..."
"No such noble gestures will be necessary, Foreman." Eberhardt almost flinched. "After all, you are a servant of the People and the Syndicates. You will do your duty."
The Chairman passed a report to the old admiral, noting a faint quiver in the former aristocrat's hands. "It may have been fortunate that we have not yet moved against Malacaster. There have been reports from Makay. Tommorrow, at the Council, I want you to have contingency plans for an immediate intervention- in full force. Our brothers and sisters can not be left hanging for this... perversion."
Eberhardt began to realize that he was, in fact going to see another sunrise over Kaldigrad. When it came to matters of war, he would always be irreplaceable.
He bowed as he left. He was oddly comforted- he knew that burying himself in the task of leading the Naval Militia Unions against this hideous enemy would take his mind off how helpless he was before these strange, raucous bureaucrats.
The neat man watched askance until he was certain the door was closed.
"I'm sure you think you have a good reason for letting that fossil live, but you know as well as I do that he's the biggest fucking security risk in all the Syndicates."
The Chairman lit another cigarette with his plain plastic lighter. "This thing which grows in Makay is as inimical to him as it is to us. I can count on Eberhardt to do what he thinks is best for Nordkaldia. He's predictable, which means he's well suited to this task."
Andre rolled his eyes so hard his clean, fussy little glasses almost fell off. "He hates you, Chairman, and everything the revolution stands for. So long as he holds the trust of so many of the officers and naval militia unions, he's a threat."
"Indeed, Andre. Which is why I intend on dispatching a qualified auditor to keep tabs on him." The Chairman tapped a grey smudge of ash out into a silver tray.
The neat man grimaced. "So, you're letting her out again. Wonderful. I'm sure you'll be giving me a call once it's done and you need somebody to pick up the goddamn pieces."
The woman in red looked hurt.
The Chairman shrugged. "This meeting is over. Andre, I have a task for you elsewhere. You'll be briefed back at the ministry."
He looked at the woman in red and grinned. "And you, Helen, have a ship to catch."
She smiled sweetly.
Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - )
-LDW Herald of Flame (Astercutter DD) and LDW Born of Sol (Astercutter DD), on patrol, northeastern fringe of Dawns Star Space-Raxmei wrote:Escort Carrier Chartreuse
The trail was old, but space has a long memory. The system, known only as an alphumeric string, contained the faint traces of exhaust unmistakable to the trained eye as originating from an old Cornucopian freighter. There was a short list of people who could be on that ship which matched up pretty well with the list of outstanding enemies of the revolution. If Harmony's scanners were any less sophisticated, the quarry any better at covering its tracks, or if the systems it fled through had any traffic to speak of the chase would be futile. As it was, the Harmonious flotilla picked up the trail and retraced its steps. Years ago many defeated counterrevolutionaries took to the stars in the belief that the people's retribution could not reach them in the wild frontier. Another such gang was soon to be proven wrong. Chartreuse and her escorts jumped to hyperspace.
***
"Traffic, sir! Comms and vehicular" The message buzzed to life in Colonel Gray's head. Already alert, he brought up the running scanner report. Strong indication of nearby settlement. That was both good and bad. On one hand it meant the track was now hopelessly scrambled. On the other, there was now a chance of witnesses. The flotilla commander immediately ordered comms to broadcast the stock greeting and set to work preparing a spot report for his superiors.
(Harmony *pokes* Dawn's Star Empire. 1 escort carrier and 2 destroyers in extreme coreward fringe)
HoF: <Incomming vessels detected, three of them in formation, comm channels open and active. They're making no effort to hide.>
BoS: <Confirmed. Diverting course to intercept, keep the torches burning and d-screens up, and use the old Imperial protocols when we're returning hails. That should tell us enough about their intentions.>
HoF: <And if they're hostile, burn them.>
The pair of Astercutter destroyers angled off from their patrol of the far fringes of Dawns Star space and moved to intercept the intruders. They made no effort to hide their presence, though their defensive screens would frustrate efforts to peer too deeply, while their own sensors swept over the odd trio of vessels seeking every scrap of information they could find. Weapons emplacements throughout both ships were powered and ready, but their return hails would be recieved by the interlopers long before weapons range was entered. It was broadcast on an Imperial protocol old enough to be universally recognized by any Imperial remnant, and if nothing else would serve as a litmus test of intentions.
-DSFV Yoshiko Kawashima, near Dayab, Humanist Union space-
*ding ding*
"First watch" the voice called throughout the ship.
Kelly stepped into the dim light inside C&C. She briefly met the gaze of each of the women who would help her hold onto the nerve center of the ship. Mara brushed past her, quietly slipping the list of command passwords and protocols into Kali's hands.
"Another shift watching civvies flit around eh?" it was commander Xev.
"Mmm" Kelly looked towards specialist Kaze, the others should already be taking control of key parts of the ship, Kaze was supposed to make sure nothing got back to C&C and signal when everyone had reported in. Not yet.
"Kel?" Shit, how long could it take? None of the Doms should be armed, and only a few should be outside the rec.
"Lieutenant Ziao!" C'mon damn it!
"What the hell is going on?!" Xev turned to face Kaze.
She had to act now, regardless of how things were going everywhere else aboard. Kelly brought her mag pistol up to aim at the commander.
"Del Xev-Seigram, by the authority of the people of Alpha Cephi, and Theta Mira, we are placing you and the rest of your crew under arrest." The others sprang into action, covering the few remaining women in the room who weren't members of the resistance.
"Kaze, are we in control yet?"
"Uh...yes Kel, some of the Doms back in engineering tried to put up a fight, we've got a couple wounded on our hands but nothing else. Faram says she and her girls have the rec locked up tight, and everyone's accounted for."
"Good, Zeph, you Mary and Dawn take Xev and the rest back to the rec."
That left only Kelly, Kaze, and Toph.
"Toph, I need you to open an unencoded wideband SSR channel."
"On it."
Kelly sighed inwardly, they still had a long way to go, but if they could get in touch with someone in the HU...
*****TRANSMITTED IN CLEAR*****
"This is Kelly Ziao of the former Dominatrixiat Space Forces Vessel Yoshiko Kawashima. We are resistance fighters from the currently occupied system of Alpha Cephi. We've taken control of this ship and have 20 prisoners aboard. It is extremely important that we are allowed to speak with representatives of the Humanist Union. Relative coordinates will follow."
*ding ding*
"First watch" the voice called throughout the ship.
Kelly stepped into the dim light inside C&C. She briefly met the gaze of each of the women who would help her hold onto the nerve center of the ship. Mara brushed past her, quietly slipping the list of command passwords and protocols into Kali's hands.
"Another shift watching civvies flit around eh?" it was commander Xev.
"Mmm" Kelly looked towards specialist Kaze, the others should already be taking control of key parts of the ship, Kaze was supposed to make sure nothing got back to C&C and signal when everyone had reported in. Not yet.
"Kel?" Shit, how long could it take? None of the Doms should be armed, and only a few should be outside the rec.
"Lieutenant Ziao!" C'mon damn it!
"What the hell is going on?!" Xev turned to face Kaze.
She had to act now, regardless of how things were going everywhere else aboard. Kelly brought her mag pistol up to aim at the commander.
"Del Xev-Seigram, by the authority of the people of Alpha Cephi, and Theta Mira, we are placing you and the rest of your crew under arrest." The others sprang into action, covering the few remaining women in the room who weren't members of the resistance.
"Kaze, are we in control yet?"
"Uh...yes Kel, some of the Doms back in engineering tried to put up a fight, we've got a couple wounded on our hands but nothing else. Faram says she and her girls have the rec locked up tight, and everyone's accounted for."
"Good, Zeph, you Mary and Dawn take Xev and the rest back to the rec."
That left only Kelly, Kaze, and Toph.
"Toph, I need you to open an unencoded wideband SSR channel."
"On it."
Kelly sighed inwardly, they still had a long way to go, but if they could get in touch with someone in the HU...
*****TRANSMITTED IN CLEAR*****
"This is Kelly Ziao of the former Dominatrixiat Space Forces Vessel Yoshiko Kawashima. We are resistance fighters from the currently occupied system of Alpha Cephi. We've taken control of this ship and have 20 prisoners aboard. It is extremely important that we are allowed to speak with representatives of the Humanist Union. Relative coordinates will follow."
Last edited by Ohma on 2008-05-28 12:28pm, edited 2 times in total.
Oh, Mister Darcy! <3
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
-
Crossroads Inc.
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 9233
- Joined: 2005-03-20 06:26pm
- Location: Defending Sparkeling Bishonen
- Contact:
The Kushawni Province, Months after The Makay Incident
The Once proud Province of Kushawni has been humbled…
It has been several months since the disastrous events in orbit at the Mkay planet Godwins Hope In less then a day, some of the most important ships in the Kushawni fleet were lost along with crews who could never be replaced. In last then a day the people of Kushawni went from being supremely confident in their fleets forces to having their faith shaken to it’s very core.
The loss of the great ship Bentusilon to enemy forces spawned a whirlwind of outrage, calls for accountability, and a rapid militarization of any remaining civilian forces. In the wake of the defeat at Godwins Hope, many already in the civilian conscripts dropped out, once proud freighter pilots feared for their life in such small ships, citizens looked to the military as many openly began to question the CityMind itself. As always however, the Citymind was ready for such events.
In an act that shocked many, it openly took acceptance for the Makay Incident, claiming it could never have known the scope of the Alien forces that held the once long time friends to the Kushawni in its grasp. Indeed, even as it soon became clear that alien forces held the Makay systems, the scope and power of the Alien fleet was such that Kushawni dare not strike back. Much of the details were hushed up by an embarrassed military and a fearful Civilian sector. Money was poured into producing new ships, pure military ships that could meet the Enemy to the north.
Through skilful manipulation by the CityMind, the loss of the Bentusilon went from being a humiliating defeat to a rallying cry. The Kushawni people gave all they could to the new war effort as all other ships of the Kushawni National Guard were brought home to protect the borders. Along side them now the Buster Corps flew as well, the elite Machines fully mobilized after their heroic performance at Makay, the only military force with no losses from the momentous day.
Over the coming months the face of the Kushawni people seemed to change as they kept an ever-vigilant eye on the Alien Menace north of them in Makay. Always the CityMind continued to work to unify them, indeed in the past months an immense construction program has began on the outer most Kushawni systems, new Communication towers have begun to be erected, tasked with the purpose of keeping an extended sensor net of Kushawni space as well as transmitting the new “Governmental Information Report” a broadcast from the CityMind each week to comfort and keep the citizens abreast of new events that may transpire in the ever turbulent times…
Routine Patrol of outer Kushawni system Megasrl
The trio of BusterMachines flew ahead of the twin BattleCrusiers as they continuously scanned the borders, around them about a dozen small tradeships flew escort, ready to pick off any small-unknown enemy probe. Since the reformation of all Civilian and Military forces, the Busters had gradually become used to working with large and small starships. For ages they had been used to being on their own, a super elite force that all looked to. Now there were yet another invaluable resource to be used in conjunction with all other able-bodied ships.
The trio of Busters, Numbers 9, 15 and 11 conversed silently to each other as they filtered out ongoing fleet communications and sensor sweeps.
[
“I’ve heard #8 has gone back to the shop again, seems the stress fractures from his last outing wern’t fully fused.” #9 linked as 11 mused.
“Again?. I know he is the eldest in the Buster Corps, but that is the third time he has been back to shop. I hope he is ok…” 15 chuckled as the three twirled past the bridge of the lead BattleCruiser, showing off as usual.
“Sure, he is technically the oldest, but I’d like to lay wages weather there is a scrap of his original frame still on his body, we are all brand new shells and he’s more powerful then the three of us.”
The others chuckled and nodded as 15 continued.
“Still it is odd, many of the Buster Corps have been in shop recently, not just 8.”
“It’s all these new communication nodes they are installing. The high Officials keep saying it’s to help with all the different communication hardware everyone is using. Civilian ships, BusterCorps, National Guard, different radios, different comms, its really something we should have had installed long ago.” 15 finished, a moments silence before 9 spoke up again.
“Still…It itches” he said, the immense robotic Shell ‘scratching’ the back of it’s gleaming metallic head.
The Once proud Province of Kushawni has been humbled…
It has been several months since the disastrous events in orbit at the Mkay planet Godwins Hope In less then a day, some of the most important ships in the Kushawni fleet were lost along with crews who could never be replaced. In last then a day the people of Kushawni went from being supremely confident in their fleets forces to having their faith shaken to it’s very core.
The loss of the great ship Bentusilon to enemy forces spawned a whirlwind of outrage, calls for accountability, and a rapid militarization of any remaining civilian forces. In the wake of the defeat at Godwins Hope, many already in the civilian conscripts dropped out, once proud freighter pilots feared for their life in such small ships, citizens looked to the military as many openly began to question the CityMind itself. As always however, the Citymind was ready for such events.
In an act that shocked many, it openly took acceptance for the Makay Incident, claiming it could never have known the scope of the Alien forces that held the once long time friends to the Kushawni in its grasp. Indeed, even as it soon became clear that alien forces held the Makay systems, the scope and power of the Alien fleet was such that Kushawni dare not strike back. Much of the details were hushed up by an embarrassed military and a fearful Civilian sector. Money was poured into producing new ships, pure military ships that could meet the Enemy to the north.
Through skilful manipulation by the CityMind, the loss of the Bentusilon went from being a humiliating defeat to a rallying cry. The Kushawni people gave all they could to the new war effort as all other ships of the Kushawni National Guard were brought home to protect the borders. Along side them now the Buster Corps flew as well, the elite Machines fully mobilized after their heroic performance at Makay, the only military force with no losses from the momentous day.
Over the coming months the face of the Kushawni people seemed to change as they kept an ever-vigilant eye on the Alien Menace north of them in Makay. Always the CityMind continued to work to unify them, indeed in the past months an immense construction program has began on the outer most Kushawni systems, new Communication towers have begun to be erected, tasked with the purpose of keeping an extended sensor net of Kushawni space as well as transmitting the new “Governmental Information Report” a broadcast from the CityMind each week to comfort and keep the citizens abreast of new events that may transpire in the ever turbulent times…
Routine Patrol of outer Kushawni system Megasrl
The trio of BusterMachines flew ahead of the twin BattleCrusiers as they continuously scanned the borders, around them about a dozen small tradeships flew escort, ready to pick off any small-unknown enemy probe. Since the reformation of all Civilian and Military forces, the Busters had gradually become used to working with large and small starships. For ages they had been used to being on their own, a super elite force that all looked to. Now there were yet another invaluable resource to be used in conjunction with all other able-bodied ships.
The trio of Busters, Numbers 9, 15 and 11 conversed silently to each other as they filtered out ongoing fleet communications and sensor sweeps.
[
“I’ve heard #8 has gone back to the shop again, seems the stress fractures from his last outing wern’t fully fused.” #9 linked as 11 mused.
“Again?. I know he is the eldest in the Buster Corps, but that is the third time he has been back to shop. I hope he is ok…” 15 chuckled as the three twirled past the bridge of the lead BattleCruiser, showing off as usual.
“Sure, he is technically the oldest, but I’d like to lay wages weather there is a scrap of his original frame still on his body, we are all brand new shells and he’s more powerful then the three of us.”
The others chuckled and nodded as 15 continued.
“Still it is odd, many of the Buster Corps have been in shop recently, not just 8.”
“It’s all these new communication nodes they are installing. The high Officials keep saying it’s to help with all the different communication hardware everyone is using. Civilian ships, BusterCorps, National Guard, different radios, different comms, its really something we should have had installed long ago.” 15 finished, a moments silence before 9 spoke up again.
“Still…It itches” he said, the immense robotic Shell ‘scratching’ the back of it’s gleaming metallic head.
Praying is another way of doing nothing helpful
"Congratulations, you get a cookie. You almost got a fundamental English word correct." Pick
"Outlaw star has spaceships that punch eachother" Joviwan
Read "Tales From The Crossroads"!
Read "One Wrong Turn"!
"Congratulations, you get a cookie. You almost got a fundamental English word correct." Pick
"Outlaw star has spaceships that punch eachother" Joviwan
Read "Tales From The Crossroads"!
Read "One Wrong Turn"!
-
Darkevilme
- Jedi Council Member
- Posts: 1514
- Joined: 2007-06-12 02:27pm
- Location: London, england
- Contact:
Establishing connection
challenge detected
launching spike
challenge bypassed
decrypting data stream
Chamaran network data node forty infiltrated.
Initiating eavesdropper.exe
“The council is now in session, what have you to report.”
“Elay clan Mora, I report that a growing problem among the clans regarding the subject of overconsumption. As you know the flesh of the thinking cattle while superficially similar to our own contains substances that to us have mild narcotic properties. Addiction is becoming a problem in some areas and efficiency has suffered noticeably as a result.”
“Can we cut back on harvesting safely?”
“Alma clan Karro, I can report that with the construction of the underground farms on Pyre primus nearing completion we will soon be able to support much of our population once again albeit it will require half rations for a time until sites nine through sixteen are completed as well.”
“Harsh but acceptable, this must be nipped in the bud before the consumption issue compromises production further. Can we still attain cleansing of Newhome and secondaries with harvesting reduced?”
unauthorized access detected, commencing trace
decoy.exe online
“Chesska clan Doon, i believe so your majesty a great deal of thinking cattle vessels were seized in the conquest of Newhome and more have been produced to meet requirements, the resource drain to reassign some is negligible and i believe we can arrange for them to be simply removed from our territory with these vessels.”
trace 50%
decoy.exe terminated
“Excellent, their fate is unimportant, use what assets you see fit, how goes project overlord?”
“Sesha clan Nerrum, successful test firing on Pyre secundus have exceeded expectations, full production can commence-” trace complete,
human remain where you are
connection terminated
challenge detected
launching spike
challenge bypassed
decrypting data stream
Chamaran network data node forty infiltrated.
Initiating eavesdropper.exe
“The council is now in session, what have you to report.”
“Elay clan Mora, I report that a growing problem among the clans regarding the subject of overconsumption. As you know the flesh of the thinking cattle while superficially similar to our own contains substances that to us have mild narcotic properties. Addiction is becoming a problem in some areas and efficiency has suffered noticeably as a result.”
“Can we cut back on harvesting safely?”
“Alma clan Karro, I can report that with the construction of the underground farms on Pyre primus nearing completion we will soon be able to support much of our population once again albeit it will require half rations for a time until sites nine through sixteen are completed as well.”
“Harsh but acceptable, this must be nipped in the bud before the consumption issue compromises production further. Can we still attain cleansing of Newhome and secondaries with harvesting reduced?”
unauthorized access detected, commencing trace
decoy.exe online
“Chesska clan Doon, i believe so your majesty a great deal of thinking cattle vessels were seized in the conquest of Newhome and more have been produced to meet requirements, the resource drain to reassign some is negligible and i believe we can arrange for them to be simply removed from our territory with these vessels.”
trace 50%
decoy.exe terminated
“Excellent, their fate is unimportant, use what assets you see fit, how goes project overlord?”
“Sesha clan Nerrum, successful test firing on Pyre secundus have exceeded expectations, full production can commence-” trace complete,
human remain where you are
connection terminated
-
Thirdfain
- The Player of Games
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 2003-02-13 09:24pm
- Location: Never underestimate the staggering drawing power of the Garden State.
"Impudent"
5th Fleet Reconnaissance
2nd International Expeditionary
Makayan Periphery
For three weeks, the weight of the Syndicalist war machine had rested in a bureaucratic limbo. At the mighty fleet-bases over Vervunstok and Kaldigrad, squadrons had lain in their berths. There were a million reasons for a war-fleet not to take to the stars, and Eberhardt had put every one to use in his immobilizing of the Unions. However, the inevitable had occurred, and the fleet had eventually reached a state of readiness.
When the council's deliberations had finished, the fleet had been ready. The bright and clashing shades of the varied Militia Unions had been replaced with wartime dark grey, with the blood-red flashes which indicated the vessels were loyal members of the Internationale. Like a dark wave, the First, Second, and Third International Expeditionaries had raised steam and hit c+. Uncountable megatons of ceramic and metal, wrapped around a few frail organic molecules, hurtled through the twists and turns of spacetime.
Ahead of the brutal tide raced the fast pickets, the fleet patrols, the flying columns.
The 5th Fleet Reconnaissance was the first to feel the faint tingling of the distant Makayan border-stations. Sensors searched across the light-years. They found only a deadening wall of electro-spatial fog. The jamming fields of the Syndicalist fleet were felt before the ships themselves were visible.
On board the Caliphegian Naval Militia Union Scout Cruiser "Impudent," officers moved purposefully to their tasks. The enemy knew they were coming. It was time to see just what the "Enemy" entailed.
5th Fleet Reconnaissance
1 "Eternally Vigilant are the Defenders of the Revolution"-class Scout Cruiser: "Impudent"
Value: 2+1H+4C3+1S (8)
2 "Light Against Ignorance"-class Fleet Pickets
Value: 1+1C3 (2)
2 "Roaring Cannon"-class Destroyers
Value: 3+1D+2C3 (6)
Total: 24 points
5th Fleet Reconnaissance
2nd International Expeditionary
Makayan Periphery
For three weeks, the weight of the Syndicalist war machine had rested in a bureaucratic limbo. At the mighty fleet-bases over Vervunstok and Kaldigrad, squadrons had lain in their berths. There were a million reasons for a war-fleet not to take to the stars, and Eberhardt had put every one to use in his immobilizing of the Unions. However, the inevitable had occurred, and the fleet had eventually reached a state of readiness.
When the council's deliberations had finished, the fleet had been ready. The bright and clashing shades of the varied Militia Unions had been replaced with wartime dark grey, with the blood-red flashes which indicated the vessels were loyal members of the Internationale. Like a dark wave, the First, Second, and Third International Expeditionaries had raised steam and hit c+. Uncountable megatons of ceramic and metal, wrapped around a few frail organic molecules, hurtled through the twists and turns of spacetime.
Ahead of the brutal tide raced the fast pickets, the fleet patrols, the flying columns.
The 5th Fleet Reconnaissance was the first to feel the faint tingling of the distant Makayan border-stations. Sensors searched across the light-years. They found only a deadening wall of electro-spatial fog. The jamming fields of the Syndicalist fleet were felt before the ships themselves were visible.
On board the Caliphegian Naval Militia Union Scout Cruiser "Impudent," officers moved purposefully to their tasks. The enemy knew they were coming. It was time to see just what the "Enemy" entailed.
5th Fleet Reconnaissance
1 "Eternally Vigilant are the Defenders of the Revolution"-class Scout Cruiser: "Impudent"
Value: 2+1H+4C3+1S (8)
2 "Light Against Ignorance"-class Fleet Pickets
Value: 1+1C3 (2)
2 "Roaring Cannon"-class Destroyers
Value: 3+1D+2C3 (6)
Total: 24 points
Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - )
-----TRANSMISSION LOG-----
/DSFV VIRGINA HALL
//DSFV SARAH AARONSOHN
NO TIMESTAMP
LOC: KUSHAWNI SPACE
ENCODE: T38//OU3
/-SHIT-INTEL SURE FUCKING DROPPED THE BALL ON US-
//-NO KIDDING-WHERE THE HELL DID ALL THESE PATROL SHIPS COME FROM?-
/-NO CLUE-WEIRD-THESE GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A BUNCH OF PAMPERED CYBORG MERCHANTS WITH A HANDFUL OF PLANETS TO THEIR NAMES-THIS IS WAY BEYOND WHAT THEY’D NEED TO DEFEND THEMSELVES-
//-HAVE YOU HAD ANY LUCK BREAKING THROUGH THEIR ENCRYPTION?-
/-NO-YOU?-
//-NAH-CRAP-ANOTHER PATROL-GOT TO GO-
*****END LOG*****
/DSFV VIRGINA HALL
//DSFV SARAH AARONSOHN
NO TIMESTAMP
LOC: KUSHAWNI SPACE
ENCODE: T38//OU3
/-SHIT-INTEL SURE FUCKING DROPPED THE BALL ON US-
//-NO KIDDING-WHERE THE HELL DID ALL THESE PATROL SHIPS COME FROM?-
/-NO CLUE-WEIRD-THESE GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A BUNCH OF PAMPERED CYBORG MERCHANTS WITH A HANDFUL OF PLANETS TO THEIR NAMES-THIS IS WAY BEYOND WHAT THEY’D NEED TO DEFEND THEMSELVES-
//-HAVE YOU HAD ANY LUCK BREAKING THROUGH THEIR ENCRYPTION?-
/-NO-YOU?-
//-NAH-CRAP-ANOTHER PATROL-GOT TO GO-
*****END LOG*****
Oh, Mister Darcy! <3
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
HNS Victor Aliyev
Third Mobile Unit
Dayab - Deep System
Admiral Abigail Brookes had been standing on the bridge of Victor Aliyev, deep in orbit over Dayab's sun, when the transmission was received. She had, in fact, been about to hand command over to her sour-faced, moustached XO, Yuri Baikov; she had some standard deployment-related reports to deal with, and preferred to do them in her own cabin, where she could relax and perhaps enjoy a cigar, rather than take care of it through her mental uplink to the ship here on the bridge.
All thoughts of relaxation were cast aside as the message was piped through her mind-link and through the bridge's actual sound synthesizers. The slightly bored expression left her sharp, almost gaunt face as her eyes widened with surprise...but mostly interest. She didn't need to ask why the broadcaster hadn't been detected: her own sensors officer and those ships equipped for detection reported immediately that the transmitter had not and was currently undetected: a spy vessel, then. Or at the very least one equipped for stealthy maneauvers.
Looking to her comms officer, she relayed a message in machine-speak, "Relay a secured order to all system defense vessels and present fleet vessels not to reply. Relay orders to patrolling fleet assets to prepare for possible recall and assembly with the fleet. Fleet assets and system defenses will not approach this vessel save under my orders. Open a wideband comms line. Audio only."
Drawing herself up despite the lack of video transmission, Admiral Brookes spoke, "This is the battleship HNS Victor Aliyev of the Humanist Union. I am Admiral Abigail Brookes, and I am authorized to speak for the Humanist Union."
Third Mobile Unit
Dayab - Deep System
Admiral Abigail Brookes had been standing on the bridge of Victor Aliyev, deep in orbit over Dayab's sun, when the transmission was received. She had, in fact, been about to hand command over to her sour-faced, moustached XO, Yuri Baikov; she had some standard deployment-related reports to deal with, and preferred to do them in her own cabin, where she could relax and perhaps enjoy a cigar, rather than take care of it through her mental uplink to the ship here on the bridge.
All thoughts of relaxation were cast aside as the message was piped through her mind-link and through the bridge's actual sound synthesizers. The slightly bored expression left her sharp, almost gaunt face as her eyes widened with surprise...but mostly interest. She didn't need to ask why the broadcaster hadn't been detected: her own sensors officer and those ships equipped for detection reported immediately that the transmitter had not and was currently undetected: a spy vessel, then. Or at the very least one equipped for stealthy maneauvers.
Looking to her comms officer, she relayed a message in machine-speak, "Relay a secured order to all system defense vessels and present fleet vessels not to reply. Relay orders to patrolling fleet assets to prepare for possible recall and assembly with the fleet. Fleet assets and system defenses will not approach this vessel save under my orders. Open a wideband comms line. Audio only."
Drawing herself up despite the lack of video transmission, Admiral Brookes spoke, "This is the battleship HNS Victor Aliyev of the Humanist Union. I am Admiral Abigail Brookes, and I am authorized to speak for the Humanist Union."
Last edited by Tanasinn on 2008-06-03 02:09pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Dawns Star Empire Prowler L7F0G, currently in Humanist Union space under stealth, (along with Prowlers W00EX and 6492A, which are deployed in other systems and thus out of immediate range of said transmission)-Ohma wrote:*****TRANSMITTED IN CLEAR*****
"This is Kelly Ziao of the former Dominatrixiat Space Forces Vessel Yoshiko Kawashima. We are resistance fighters from the currently occupied system of Alpha Cephi. We've taken control of this ship and have 20 prisoners aboard. It is extremely important that we are allowed to speak with representatives of the Humanist Union. Relative coordinates will follow."
The relative quiet that Prowler L7F0G was enjoying as it surveyed the extent of the Humanist Union was suddenly shattered when a previously undetected vessel suddenly spammed as much of the Humanist Union as they could with a powerful broadcast, setting off an alarm on the flight deck of the stealth craft and causing the Mission Commander to begin to frown. Even as the impulse reached his face, he reached out onto the prowlers internal communications network through his neural implants and queried the officers on duty.
<What the hell was that?>
The primary Intelligence Officer on duty swore, then replied. <Sir, another stealth ship in system broke stealth to broadcast an unencrypted message on as many channels as they could. The coordinates they gave are just...Ashes of Terra! It's just thirteen kilometers off our bow!>
<Lt Haber...>
<Sorry sir.>
<Was it one of theirs [the Humanist Unions]?>
<Negative sir. It appears that they are rebels from a faction called the 'Dominatrix', and confirms that this civilization is known as the Humanist Union. They have apparently siezed control of the stealth vessel and are petitioning the Humanist Union for aid.>
<Very well. Comms, make ready to transmit all logs taken since our last check-in, encrypted burst. I'll be attatching a brief report before transmission, copy and send warnings to W00EX and 6492A while I compose it. We don't know how wide the Humanists response will be. Helm, ready the stardrives. I want to be able to jump out of system if they start shooting.>
A chorus of affirmatives followed the commands.
With the increased scrutiny the Humanists would no doubt bring unto this system, the chance of detection increased significantly, doubly so once the comm officer fired off the encrypted transmission back to the listening station. Nevertheless, the intelligence being gathered from this unexpected turn of events could prove immeasurably valuable, and hopefully the spikes in local chatter that would almost inevitably occur in response to the rebel broadcast would drown out their own furtive comm activity.
-
Darkevilme
- Jedi Council Member
- Posts: 1514
- Joined: 2007-06-12 02:27pm
- Location: London, england
- Contact:
Planetary orbit, Makay sector
It's such a bore when guests arrive uninvited and one can only assume unwanted. Melusine turning her attention away from the thinking cattle packed vessels that laboriously creep towards the edge of the system to engage their FTL drives and to the report from the periphery. The orders not long in going out.
“By your will battlemistress”
“Prepare for hyper jump to periphery zone, relay order for third pack and support pack to form on our lead.”
A portal forms above the planet, eight vessels detaching from around Melusine's taskforce and slipping through the portal into U-space.
Makay periphery
Close in jamming held like a shroud around these ships as they move out to welcome their guests.
The welcome reverberating and then screaming around the syndicalist vessels as the chamaran specialist craft both pulse them with the massive energies of a hyperspatial sensor ping and then barely after the return has been felt twist the energies of U-space for light minutes around into knots of vortex and violent storms that rattle the ships drive systems with their fury.
It's such a bore when guests arrive uninvited and one can only assume unwanted. Melusine turning her attention away from the thinking cattle packed vessels that laboriously creep towards the edge of the system to engage their FTL drives and to the report from the periphery. The orders not long in going out.
“By your will battlemistress”
“Prepare for hyper jump to periphery zone, relay order for third pack and support pack to form on our lead.”
A portal forms above the planet, eight vessels detaching from around Melusine's taskforce and slipping through the portal into U-space.
Makay periphery
Close in jamming held like a shroud around these ships as they move out to welcome their guests.
The welcome reverberating and then screaming around the syndicalist vessels as the chamaran specialist craft both pulse them with the massive energies of a hyperspatial sensor ping and then barely after the return has been felt twist the energies of U-space for light minutes around into knots of vortex and violent storms that rattle the ships drive systems with their fury.
Code: Select all
Chamaran cruisers x5 (27 base, 3 hyperdrive)
Chamaran support squadron
-sensor ship (17 base, 3 hyperdrive, 10 sensors)
-interdictor ship (17 base, 3 hyperdrive, 10 interdict)
-jamming ship (17 base, 3 hyperdrive, 10 interdict)
-
Thirdfain
- The Player of Games
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 2003-02-13 09:24pm
- Location: Never underestimate the staggering drawing power of the Garden State.
"Impudent"
5th Fleet Reconnaissance
2nd International Expeditionary
Makayan Periphery
The Impudent and the rest of the 5th Fleet Reconnaissance were light ships. Almost a third of the Impudent's mass was devoted to a scout warship's powerful drive engines- and though she was the largest ship in the battalion, she massed less than half as much as the largest of the incoming Chamaran warships.
Moreover, almost every ship in a Syndicalist reconnaissance battalion was equipped with powerful sensors- and not one of the approaching warships was equipped with more than a basic warship's jamming/stealth suite. As the Chamarran response squadron vectored in at velocities which would have made Einstein cringe, their cisreal shadows lit up on the Syndicalist screens like Christmas trees. The 5th had time to maneuver.
Searing blades of controlled hell lit up space as the 5th Reconnaissance beat it's retreat, pulling back towards the still-impenetrable haze which was the storm-front of the Syndicalist Black Banner Fleet.
Causality-links flickered through dimensions man was not meant to know. information streamed from the sensors of the advance scout units to the primary C&C facilities on the fleet battlewagons.
Like the jaws of some unholy monster, the Black Banner Fleet in it's three Expeditionaries unfurled. The powerful sensors on the Chamarran vessels could not establish precise numbers through the veil of the jamming-fields, but it was clear that beyond the retreating scouts lay a massive force.
5th Fleet Reconnaissance
2nd International Expeditionary
Makayan Periphery
The Impudent and the rest of the 5th Fleet Reconnaissance were light ships. Almost a third of the Impudent's mass was devoted to a scout warship's powerful drive engines- and though she was the largest ship in the battalion, she massed less than half as much as the largest of the incoming Chamaran warships.
Moreover, almost every ship in a Syndicalist reconnaissance battalion was equipped with powerful sensors- and not one of the approaching warships was equipped with more than a basic warship's jamming/stealth suite. As the Chamarran response squadron vectored in at velocities which would have made Einstein cringe, their cisreal shadows lit up on the Syndicalist screens like Christmas trees. The 5th had time to maneuver.
Searing blades of controlled hell lit up space as the 5th Reconnaissance beat it's retreat, pulling back towards the still-impenetrable haze which was the storm-front of the Syndicalist Black Banner Fleet.
Causality-links flickered through dimensions man was not meant to know. information streamed from the sensors of the advance scout units to the primary C&C facilities on the fleet battlewagons.
Like the jaws of some unholy monster, the Black Banner Fleet in it's three Expeditionaries unfurled. The powerful sensors on the Chamarran vessels could not establish precise numbers through the veil of the jamming-fields, but it was clear that beyond the retreating scouts lay a massive force.
Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - )
-
Darkevilme
- Jedi Council Member
- Posts: 1514
- Joined: 2007-06-12 02:27pm
- Location: London, england
- Contact:
Syndicalist incursion
Makay sector
“enemy vessels retreating rapidly into a massive jamming field shipmistress, far more than we could put out.”
“Any returns from the sensors?”
“None shipmistress, we're blind but for the fact they're blanketing enough space with jamming to hide a small moon.”
“Pull back.”
A portal into U-space winks open, then closes again as the chamaran light squadron slips back through the bright far beyond and returns to the main fleet, which readies for the arrival of foes of unknown magnitude. A few of the enthralled thinking cattle warships under chamaran control forming a flimsy screen between the chamaran ships and the expected location of the interlopers emergence. Clearly it is the place of the cattle to be the first to die.
Makay sector
“enemy vessels retreating rapidly into a massive jamming field shipmistress, far more than we could put out.”
“Any returns from the sensors?”
“None shipmistress, we're blind but for the fact they're blanketing enough space with jamming to hide a small moon.”
“Pull back.”
A portal into U-space winks open, then closes again as the chamaran light squadron slips back through the bright far beyond and returns to the main fleet, which readies for the arrival of foes of unknown magnitude. A few of the enthralled thinking cattle warships under chamaran control forming a flimsy screen between the chamaran ships and the expected location of the interlopers emergence. Clearly it is the place of the cattle to be the first to die.
-
Thirdfain
- The Player of Games
- Posts: 6924
- Joined: 2003-02-13 09:24pm
- Location: Never underestimate the staggering drawing power of the Garden State.
Makay
Like questing fingers, assault groups stormed forwards from the main bulk of the Syndicalist armada. Spinwards of the cattle-ships pushed a tight formation of medium and light capital warships, attended by a buzzing cloud of the escorts, destroyers, and pickets which seemed to attend every Syndicalist battlegroup. Comm-banter filled the aether as the vessels murmured secretively on tightbeams and causal channels, co-ordinating a thousand complex interactions as they began their offensive. Antispinwards, another, slightly smaller force of similar composition closed in. Still, there was a somewhat more distant mass, probably slower battleships, closing dead-on to the suddenly outgunned Chamarran forwards patrol.
In moments, the fast armoured cruisers which made up the encircling formation would be in range of the picket of sacrificial lambs.
Like questing fingers, assault groups stormed forwards from the main bulk of the Syndicalist armada. Spinwards of the cattle-ships pushed a tight formation of medium and light capital warships, attended by a buzzing cloud of the escorts, destroyers, and pickets which seemed to attend every Syndicalist battlegroup. Comm-banter filled the aether as the vessels murmured secretively on tightbeams and causal channels, co-ordinating a thousand complex interactions as they began their offensive. Antispinwards, another, slightly smaller force of similar composition closed in. Still, there was a somewhat more distant mass, probably slower battleships, closing dead-on to the suddenly outgunned Chamarran forwards patrol.
In moments, the fast armoured cruisers which made up the encircling formation would be in range of the picket of sacrificial lambs.
Last edited by Thirdfain on 2008-05-29 08:31pm, edited 1 time in total.
Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - )
-
Crossroads Inc.
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 9233
- Joined: 2005-03-20 06:26pm
- Location: Defending Sparkeling Bishonen
- Contact:
Kushawni Province, Elantra Nothrenmost Planet of Kushawni space
========================
High in orbit around the lightly populated planet of Elantra circled one of the older Kushawni defense platforms. Long in use to guard the planet, it had in recent weeks been abuzz with activity, as ships from across the Province had been reporting in. High on it’s small lbridge deck, two officers watches as Hyperspace erupted around them.
“Is… is that All three of the new Exelions? Good lord! I thought they were still I drydock!”
The other officer rushed over as the multi kilometre leviathans glided soundlessly past.
“By the Citymind, after the pounded they received from those Xenos, I had not expected to seem them so soon. But there they are. By the Maker theres a Luxion class ship, and a Hexeon as well, I didn’t know any of those had been finished yet.”
“Indeed the Drydocks at Teknotron-1 are choked with ships in production… It’s almost as if they rushed them off the assembly line… but what for?”
The head Officer, a stout class 2 CyberHuman by the name of Wilson cast a curious eye at the ships.
“Looks ot be meeting up with the rest of the fleet. I swear to you, our borders are being patrolled by light destroyers and tradeships, meanwhile the CityMind is keeping more then half our Starfleet stationed here.. its, unsettling.” The other Officer nodded.
“it’s as if he knows the Alien forces are coming as if he expects them to drop out of Hyperspace right on top of us.” The two nodded as Wilson turned to a open scanner feed, he looked over the immense armada gathered in high orbit. The numbers boggled him, it was WELL over half of the Starfleet. Military ships, tradeships, National Guard ships, they had all formed up together.
The Bridge suddenly went red as an alarm.
“Hyperspace Alarm! Something massive is spinning up!”
“IS it the Aliens? Whats on long range scanners?”
“Nothing! Nothing is incoming, but, the single is right on top of us.. it’s.. IT’S THE FLEET!”
The two officers looked up together, their jaws open slacked as they looked just in time to see the Armada blink, shimmer, and in an instant vanish from sight.
The following forces have jumped
======================
Kushawni National Guard Forces:
Task Force Tensa: 215
1x “Tekonotron Class BattleShip” – 20 +5O
2x “Benta Class BattleCruiser” - 15 +5H
4x "Support Destroyer" - 10 +5D
4x “Combat Destroyer" - 10 +5O
2x "Sensors ship" - 10 +5C3
Task Force Mensa: 215
1x “Tekonotron Class BattleShip” – 20 +5O
2x “Benta Class BattleCruiser” - 15 +5H
4x "Support Destroyer" - 10 +5D
4x “Combat Destroyer" - 10 +5O
2x "Sensors ship" - 10 +5C3
======================
The Imperial Kushawni Starforce
Task Force Teknotron: 195
3x Exelion Class Battleship - 38 +5O +2D = 45
1x Luxion Class Cruiser –30 +3O +2I = 35
1x Hexeon Class Destroyer. –20 +3D +2C3 =25
((attached Civilian conscripts running as Escorts))+125
10x Large Cargo ships – 5+1H
25x Small Cargo ships – 3+1H
================
CityClass Trade Verssels
TaskForce Eddiisons Vengance: 175
Tradeship Primus, Deucses, Trises, Quartes, Quintes
5x Tradeship – 30 +3D +2I= 35
=============
Totals:
2x “Tekonotron Class BattleShip” (50pts)
4x “Benta Class BattleCruiser” (80pts)
8x "Support Destroyer" (120pts)
8x “Combat Destroyer" (120pts)
4x "Sensors ship" (60pts)
3x Exelion Class Battleship (135pts)
1x Luxion Class Cruiser (35pts)
1x Hexeon Class Destroyer. (25pts)
5x Tradeship (175pts)
10x Large Cargo ships (60pts)
25x Small Cargo ships (100pts)
960pts total.
========================
High in orbit around the lightly populated planet of Elantra circled one of the older Kushawni defense platforms. Long in use to guard the planet, it had in recent weeks been abuzz with activity, as ships from across the Province had been reporting in. High on it’s small lbridge deck, two officers watches as Hyperspace erupted around them.
“Is… is that All three of the new Exelions? Good lord! I thought they were still I drydock!”
The other officer rushed over as the multi kilometre leviathans glided soundlessly past.
“By the Citymind, after the pounded they received from those Xenos, I had not expected to seem them so soon. But there they are. By the Maker theres a Luxion class ship, and a Hexeon as well, I didn’t know any of those had been finished yet.”
“Indeed the Drydocks at Teknotron-1 are choked with ships in production… It’s almost as if they rushed them off the assembly line… but what for?”
The head Officer, a stout class 2 CyberHuman by the name of Wilson cast a curious eye at the ships.
“Looks ot be meeting up with the rest of the fleet. I swear to you, our borders are being patrolled by light destroyers and tradeships, meanwhile the CityMind is keeping more then half our Starfleet stationed here.. its, unsettling.” The other Officer nodded.
“it’s as if he knows the Alien forces are coming as if he expects them to drop out of Hyperspace right on top of us.” The two nodded as Wilson turned to a open scanner feed, he looked over the immense armada gathered in high orbit. The numbers boggled him, it was WELL over half of the Starfleet. Military ships, tradeships, National Guard ships, they had all formed up together.
The Bridge suddenly went red as an alarm.
“Hyperspace Alarm! Something massive is spinning up!”
“IS it the Aliens? Whats on long range scanners?”
“Nothing! Nothing is incoming, but, the single is right on top of us.. it’s.. IT’S THE FLEET!”
The two officers looked up together, their jaws open slacked as they looked just in time to see the Armada blink, shimmer, and in an instant vanish from sight.
The following forces have jumped
======================
Kushawni National Guard Forces:
Task Force Tensa: 215
1x “Tekonotron Class BattleShip” – 20 +5O
2x “Benta Class BattleCruiser” - 15 +5H
4x "Support Destroyer" - 10 +5D
4x “Combat Destroyer" - 10 +5O
2x "Sensors ship" - 10 +5C3
Task Force Mensa: 215
1x “Tekonotron Class BattleShip” – 20 +5O
2x “Benta Class BattleCruiser” - 15 +5H
4x "Support Destroyer" - 10 +5D
4x “Combat Destroyer" - 10 +5O
2x "Sensors ship" - 10 +5C3
======================
The Imperial Kushawni Starforce
Task Force Teknotron: 195
3x Exelion Class Battleship - 38 +5O +2D = 45
1x Luxion Class Cruiser –30 +3O +2I = 35
1x Hexeon Class Destroyer. –20 +3D +2C3 =25
((attached Civilian conscripts running as Escorts))+125
10x Large Cargo ships – 5+1H
25x Small Cargo ships – 3+1H
================
CityClass Trade Verssels
TaskForce Eddiisons Vengance: 175
Tradeship Primus, Deucses, Trises, Quartes, Quintes
5x Tradeship – 30 +3D +2I= 35
=============
Totals:
2x “Tekonotron Class BattleShip” (50pts)
4x “Benta Class BattleCruiser” (80pts)
8x "Support Destroyer" (120pts)
8x “Combat Destroyer" (120pts)
4x "Sensors ship" (60pts)
3x Exelion Class Battleship (135pts)
1x Luxion Class Cruiser (35pts)
1x Hexeon Class Destroyer. (25pts)
5x Tradeship (175pts)
10x Large Cargo ships (60pts)
25x Small Cargo ships (100pts)
960pts total.
Last edited by Crossroads Inc. on 2008-05-29 12:01am, edited 2 times in total.
Praying is another way of doing nothing helpful
"Congratulations, you get a cookie. You almost got a fundamental English word correct." Pick
"Outlaw star has spaceships that punch eachother" Joviwan
Read "Tales From The Crossroads"!
Read "One Wrong Turn"!
"Congratulations, you get a cookie. You almost got a fundamental English word correct." Pick
"Outlaw star has spaceships that punch eachother" Joviwan
Read "Tales From The Crossroads"!
Read "One Wrong Turn"!
-
Crossroads Inc.
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 9233
- Joined: 2005-03-20 06:26pm
- Location: Defending Sparkeling Bishonen
- Contact:
===========================
Routine Patrol of outer Kushawni system Megasrl
Light years away… on the opposite side of the Province, the light patrol of task force Pemba continued onwards, oblivious to the monumental shift that had just taken place. The BusterMachines continued their idle chat as they buzzed and flew across the twin BattleCruisers of the task force.
“I will say this, since the events at Makay, we have been more unified as fighting force.”
The other Busters nodded as #15 continued.
“Im not sure what it is, perhaps, ever since the installation of al lthose new communications towers, when the CityMind itself began daily broadcasts. Theres something… comforting about being able to hear him so directly now, everything seems a little more stable, a little more certain… The defeat at Godwins Hope, the loss of the Great Avatar… Such things pass, ships can be rebuilt, but the CityMind is forever.” 15 finished as 9 and 11 nodded.
“It gives you confidence that the Xeno Threat at Makay will eventually be dealt with.” 9 spoke as 11 spoke up quietly.
“Still do we know the citizens of Makay are unwilling partners in this? What if we do not fully know the intentions of these Aliens? The events at Godwins hope, perhaps there was a mistake, maybe we have misjudged them.”
The other two Busters stopped suddenly as 11 shook his head.
“By the CityMind, where did THAT come from?” he ask, scratching an itch in the back of his head as 9 suddenly shushed him…
“Everyone switch to silant running… We are being monitored…”
In an instant the three BusterMachines ceased “talking” to one another and switched to a secure form of Machinespeak all Busters knew. Their CyberBrains switched into a higher function speed as they quickly relayed their information to the CyberBrains function as the BattleCruisers computers. One, an old friend of #11 flared up its sensors and began to track all singles. The Three Busters and two BattleCrusier computers soon Hyperlinked together.
Their, in the ether of the net was a hidden single, trying to ride along unnoticed on their own. The 5 CyberBrains tracked it in a dance of electronic swordsmanship. The spun at false singles, countered incoming spikes and thrust forward to the source; soon they had it cornered as lights balred across the BattleCrusiers in all directions.
The five leapt upon the source of the single as the civilian ships faned out.
THERE!!!
Routine Patrol of outer Kushawni system Megasrl
Light years away… on the opposite side of the Province, the light patrol of task force Pemba continued onwards, oblivious to the monumental shift that had just taken place. The BusterMachines continued their idle chat as they buzzed and flew across the twin BattleCruisers of the task force.
“I will say this, since the events at Makay, we have been more unified as fighting force.”
The other Busters nodded as #15 continued.
“Im not sure what it is, perhaps, ever since the installation of al lthose new communications towers, when the CityMind itself began daily broadcasts. Theres something… comforting about being able to hear him so directly now, everything seems a little more stable, a little more certain… The defeat at Godwins Hope, the loss of the Great Avatar… Such things pass, ships can be rebuilt, but the CityMind is forever.” 15 finished as 9 and 11 nodded.
“It gives you confidence that the Xeno Threat at Makay will eventually be dealt with.” 9 spoke as 11 spoke up quietly.
“Still do we know the citizens of Makay are unwilling partners in this? What if we do not fully know the intentions of these Aliens? The events at Godwins hope, perhaps there was a mistake, maybe we have misjudged them.”
The other two Busters stopped suddenly as 11 shook his head.
“By the CityMind, where did THAT come from?” he ask, scratching an itch in the back of his head as 9 suddenly shushed him…
“Everyone switch to silant running… We are being monitored…”
In an instant the three BusterMachines ceased “talking” to one another and switched to a secure form of Machinespeak all Busters knew. Their CyberBrains switched into a higher function speed as they quickly relayed their information to the CyberBrains function as the BattleCruisers computers. One, an old friend of #11 flared up its sensors and began to track all singles. The Three Busters and two BattleCrusier computers soon Hyperlinked together.
Their, in the ether of the net was a hidden single, trying to ride along unnoticed on their own. The 5 CyberBrains tracked it in a dance of electronic swordsmanship. The spun at false singles, countered incoming spikes and thrust forward to the source; soon they had it cornered as lights balred across the BattleCrusiers in all directions.
The five leapt upon the source of the single as the civilian ships faned out.
THERE!!!
Praying is another way of doing nothing helpful
"Congratulations, you get a cookie. You almost got a fundamental English word correct." Pick
"Outlaw star has spaceships that punch eachother" Joviwan
Read "Tales From The Crossroads"!
Read "One Wrong Turn"!
"Congratulations, you get a cookie. You almost got a fundamental English word correct." Pick
"Outlaw star has spaceships that punch eachother" Joviwan
Read "Tales From The Crossroads"!
Read "One Wrong Turn"!
-DSFV Sarah Aaronsohn, outer Megasrl system, Kushawni space-
"Trace!"
Specialist Ami's fingers flew over her console.
"Breaking contact." Su grimaced, she knew she was going to fast, but the prospect of unfettered access to the Kushawni networks had been too tempting.
Commander Nada glanced toward the sensor stations "Has the nearest patrol changed position?".
"The larger craft have broken formation and the five smaller ones are closing!"
"DAMN IT! Combat stations." Klaxons wailed throughout the ship. Nada turned back to face her second in command.
"Vent the emissions sink and launch decoys in a conical spread heading out system, I want us in position with them. Power up the laser and prep the Nails for launch."
Merry spoke into her headset, her voice calm and professional. "Power up the FTL engines, as soon as possible we need to jump to subspace."
Nada turned back to Ami and Su. "Shoot the Virgina a message. Tell them we're returning to Bara."
-*former* DSFV Yoshiko Kawashima, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-
Kelly looked nervously around the dim, mostly empty room. The voice on her headset startled her.
"We ask...need help taking back our homes. About seven years ago the star systems of Alpha Cephi and Theta Mira were conquered by fleets from The Stellar Dominatrixiat. They've killed or imprisoned nearly half our population and plan to take over the rest of human space. We can provide information on their forces and holdings, as can our prisoners. The people of Alpha Cephi and Theta Mira need the Humanist Union's help."
-DSFV Sonya Olschanezky, deep space near Dayab system, Humanist Union Space-
Those fucking backstabbing cunts! She'd known all along that those self-hating colonial whores couldn't be trusted. Not only was whole mission compromised, 20 of her loyal sisters, oh goddess, Xev too, would be prisoners of those patriarchal monsters. Unless she did something now!
"Change course, take us back toward the Kawashima at maximum thrust, I want our missiles prepped and the laser online!"
"Trace!"
Specialist Ami's fingers flew over her console.
"Breaking contact." Su grimaced, she knew she was going to fast, but the prospect of unfettered access to the Kushawni networks had been too tempting.
Commander Nada glanced toward the sensor stations "Has the nearest patrol changed position?".
"The larger craft have broken formation and the five smaller ones are closing!"
"DAMN IT! Combat stations." Klaxons wailed throughout the ship. Nada turned back to face her second in command.
"Vent the emissions sink and launch decoys in a conical spread heading out system, I want us in position with them. Power up the laser and prep the Nails for launch."
Merry spoke into her headset, her voice calm and professional. "Power up the FTL engines, as soon as possible we need to jump to subspace."
Nada turned back to Ami and Su. "Shoot the Virgina a message. Tell them we're returning to Bara."
-*former* DSFV Yoshiko Kawashima, outer Dayab system, Humanist Union space-
Kelly looked nervously around the dim, mostly empty room. The voice on her headset startled her.
She closed her eyes, slowly exhaling and reorganizing her thoughts before touching the button on the small microphone."This is the battleship HNS Victor Aliyev of the Humanist Union. I am Admiral Abagail Brookes, and I am authorized to speak for the Humanist Union."
"We ask...need help taking back our homes. About seven years ago the star systems of Alpha Cephi and Theta Mira were conquered by fleets from The Stellar Dominatrixiat. They've killed or imprisoned nearly half our population and plan to take over the rest of human space. We can provide information on their forces and holdings, as can our prisoners. The people of Alpha Cephi and Theta Mira need the Humanist Union's help."
-DSFV Sonya Olschanezky, deep space near Dayab system, Humanist Union Space-
Those fucking backstabbing cunts! She'd known all along that those self-hating colonial whores couldn't be trusted. Not only was whole mission compromised, 20 of her loyal sisters, oh goddess, Xev too, would be prisoners of those patriarchal monsters. Unless she did something now!
"Change course, take us back toward the Kawashima at maximum thrust, I want our missiles prepped and the laser online!"
Oh, Mister Darcy! <3
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
We're ALL Devo!
GALE-Force: Guardians of Space!
"Rarr! Rargharghiss!" -Gorn
*Messages for User: Col Gray (#HUFS.234879524)*
[12:46:22] Comms: Response to hail (sent [11:53:48]) received. Read Message
[12:46:24] Scans: Jamming field detected. See chart.
[12:46:45] Scans: Preliminary analyis of jamming field detected [12:46:45] review.
[12:48:25] Maj.West: Has initiated a conversation. Join.
Almost ninety seconds from contact to squawk. Gray's little rodent XO must have had a lot on his plate to take so long.
[12:48:25] Maj.West: Their fleet is stronger than ours. No surprise there.
[12:48:27] Col.Gray: Right Keep the guns powered down and spin up for jump. We aren't shooting out way out.
[12:48:29] Col.Gray: I have a response ready. Have a look.
[12:46:22] Comms: Response to hail (sent [11:53:48]) received. Read Message
[12:46:24] Scans: Jamming field detected. See chart.
[12:46:45] Scans: Preliminary analyis of jamming field detected [12:46:45] review.
Code: Select all
Jamming exceeds available scanning resources. Estimate two radiation sources. [u]Tag[/u] this report to be alerted to further information.Almost ninety seconds from contact to squawk. Gray's little rodent XO must have had a lot on his plate to take so long.
[12:48:25] Maj.West: Their fleet is stronger than ours. No surprise there.
[12:48:27] Col.Gray: Right Keep the guns powered down and spin up for jump. We aren't shooting out way out.
[12:48:29] Col.Gray: I have a response ready. Have a look.
[12:55:23] Comms: Message sent. Review.Your transmission is acknowledged. The ships (HUFS Chartreuse, HUFS Saxifrage, HUFS Narcissus) are here on a law enforcement mission. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated but is not required. See details.You have received a chart of HUFS-claimed space and a description of its protocols. See attached files. Reciprocation is requested. Full compliance will ensure most facilitous interaction. The Harmonious Union of Free Stars has peaceful intentions. If your personnel are in compliance with Army Regulation 23-4-28-2 chapter 1 paragraph 8 regarding tolerance of common environmental conditions (Read) then our enviroments are mutually compatible. Your spacecraft are authorized to dock with HUFS Chartreuse.Code: Select all
Suspected civil war criminals fled the Harmony System ([u]see chart[/u]) between the dates of 227.2483 and 152.2485 in multiple civilian spacecraft. The case at hand is of a Cornucopia Space Co. model 38 freighter ([u]see specifications[/u]) which has been tracked to a last known location of this system. [u]See chart.[/u]
Colonel Richard R. Gray (#HUFS.234879524)
HUFS Army Space Corps
Escort group 3
Commanding
I prepared Explosive Runes today.
-
Darkevilme
- Jedi Council Member
- Posts: 1514
- Joined: 2007-06-12 02:27pm
- Location: London, england
- Contact:
Teldus orbit
Makay sector
With such a host descending upon them the chamaran fighting retreat begins, leaving orbit and powering up their drives even as they open fire on the leading edge of the Syndicalist fleet. Fusion beams lancing out to engulf cruisers in burning plasma as missiles and cannonfire forms a steady barrage. Lethal detonations and armour piercing slugs sleeting through the syndicalist front runners. The screen of thralls, loyal without question and to the end surge forwards into the enemy formation. Missiles streaming out of their side ports as fast as they can be fired, clearly doomed to die in the enemy retaliation but perhaps able to buy a retreat in blood for their feline overlords.
“We'll apologize later, do it or we wont have a chance to.”
Melusine's normal studied boredom is starting to crack at the direness of the situation, however her orders are carried out and soon the cattle packed freighters lifting off from and in orbit around the planet are being hurled towards the oncoming syndicalist host to buy more time.
as the storm descends upon those above those below take the time to prepare for their own inevitable brush with the interloper's onslaught. The citadels thrumming with power as fuel pours into their reactors and slowly from the spikey summit of each the city shield extends out as a protective umbrella over the chamaran conquest as anti orbit missiles are readied for launch.
((OOC: How long is it gonna take for more trouble to arrive >.>))
Makay sector
With such a host descending upon them the chamaran fighting retreat begins, leaving orbit and powering up their drives even as they open fire on the leading edge of the Syndicalist fleet. Fusion beams lancing out to engulf cruisers in burning plasma as missiles and cannonfire forms a steady barrage. Lethal detonations and armour piercing slugs sleeting through the syndicalist front runners. The screen of thralls, loyal without question and to the end surge forwards into the enemy formation. Missiles streaming out of their side ports as fast as they can be fired, clearly doomed to die in the enemy retaliation but perhaps able to buy a retreat in blood for their feline overlords.
“We'll apologize later, do it or we wont have a chance to.”
Melusine's normal studied boredom is starting to crack at the direness of the situation, however her orders are carried out and soon the cattle packed freighters lifting off from and in orbit around the planet are being hurled towards the oncoming syndicalist host to buy more time.
Code: Select all
forces present:
x4 dominion class(60) 300 points total
x10 conquest class(30) 300 points total
x10 Thralls(10) 100 points total
x3 support ships (30) 90 points total
total 790 points and mostly pulling back from defending the world.
((OOC: How long is it gonna take for more trouble to arrive >.>))
-LDW BoS and HoF, Dawns Star Space-
Comm, BoS: <Reciving data now. Intel department is reviewing and forwarding a copy to FleetCom relays.>
Tactical, BoS: <They're in a weapons-down stance, and their story matches with the contacts the last patrol through this area intercepted.>
Intel, HoF: <From what they've told us, they're primarily genos-augments of Terran stock.>
Command, BoS: <Very well. Bring weapons to standby and initiate diplomatic protocol.>
The two destroyers took up escort positions alongside the Harmonious Union fleet, their weapons powered down and brought back into the protective embrace of protrusions on the hull. Capacitor banks ensured that they could still be deployed brought back to full power at a moments notice, but the gesture was still decidedly non-hostile. Additional defensive screen projectors were activated, extending the protective effects of the shields to the Harmony fleet, while the proximity allowed their sensors to finally make out the size and shape of the Dawns Star Imperial vessels despite interference from the defensive screens.
Two long warships appeared, each with a heavily armored, hatchet-headed bow well armed with disruptor cannon emplacements that were currently recessed, widening out to a ridged cylindrical neck covered in small turrets and sensor drone launchers. About halfway down the two-kilometer length of the vessel, the neck joined into a thicker, more blocky section that took up the remainder of the body, with six Solcannon turrets arrenged in a staggered star, as well as multiple high-velocity missile launchers, little more than large-caliber railguns. At the rear, a quartet of main engines in a diamond pattern blazed with light, currently idle. When active, they fired massive particle streams almost identical to that generated by the vessels compliment of Solcannons, but where the Solcannons beams were tightly focused to maximize destructive impact at range, the engines allowed their streams to diffuse as quickly as possible. Similar but far smaller thrusters were scattered in key positions across the frames of both Dawn Star Warships, allowing them fine control in their movements, and both vessels were decorated with heraldry of gold, amber, and scarlet.
"LDW Born of Sol to Harmonious Union fleet. A vessel matching your description was intercepted by our naval forces, and the crew captured and held for unlawful attempts to enter a restricted zone after warning. They are currently in custody pending tribunal. Your environment is sufficiently compatible, and we will prepare a shuttle for deployment of a representative and honor guard for further discussion of these matters."
=====
-Prowler L7F0G, near Dayab, Humanist Union space-
The Mission Commander was startled to hear the origin of the resistance fighters. Alpha Ceti and Theta Mira? Imperial agriworlds that had been written off almost immediately following the fall of Terra, but apparently had managed to survive the resultant chaos despite their obscurity. Or perhaps, they had survived due to their obscurity. He could hear similar such chatter from the prowlers intellligence staffs network, a mix of speculation and dredging of any potentially relevant information from the ships databanks. If it were true, then his current orders to gather intelligence and not interfere would be superceeded by decree of the Office of the Regent Lord. Thinking quickly, he came up with an idea.
<Intel, how many surveillance drones do we have deployed in this system?>
<Three, sir.>
<Thank you. Comm, prepare to relay a message to the Resistance vessel via tightbeam to drone 02. Wording as follows 'Please confirm. The Imperial colonies of Alpha Ceti and Theta Mira are currently under occupation by hostile forces?'>
<Aye, sir. Message relayed via drone 02. Awaiting response.>
Comm, BoS: <Reciving data now. Intel department is reviewing and forwarding a copy to FleetCom relays.>
Tactical, BoS: <They're in a weapons-down stance, and their story matches with the contacts the last patrol through this area intercepted.>
Intel, HoF: <From what they've told us, they're primarily genos-augments of Terran stock.>
Command, BoS: <Very well. Bring weapons to standby and initiate diplomatic protocol.>
The two destroyers took up escort positions alongside the Harmonious Union fleet, their weapons powered down and brought back into the protective embrace of protrusions on the hull. Capacitor banks ensured that they could still be deployed brought back to full power at a moments notice, but the gesture was still decidedly non-hostile. Additional defensive screen projectors were activated, extending the protective effects of the shields to the Harmony fleet, while the proximity allowed their sensors to finally make out the size and shape of the Dawns Star Imperial vessels despite interference from the defensive screens.
Two long warships appeared, each with a heavily armored, hatchet-headed bow well armed with disruptor cannon emplacements that were currently recessed, widening out to a ridged cylindrical neck covered in small turrets and sensor drone launchers. About halfway down the two-kilometer length of the vessel, the neck joined into a thicker, more blocky section that took up the remainder of the body, with six Solcannon turrets arrenged in a staggered star, as well as multiple high-velocity missile launchers, little more than large-caliber railguns. At the rear, a quartet of main engines in a diamond pattern blazed with light, currently idle. When active, they fired massive particle streams almost identical to that generated by the vessels compliment of Solcannons, but where the Solcannons beams were tightly focused to maximize destructive impact at range, the engines allowed their streams to diffuse as quickly as possible. Similar but far smaller thrusters were scattered in key positions across the frames of both Dawn Star Warships, allowing them fine control in their movements, and both vessels were decorated with heraldry of gold, amber, and scarlet.
"LDW Born of Sol to Harmonious Union fleet. A vessel matching your description was intercepted by our naval forces, and the crew captured and held for unlawful attempts to enter a restricted zone after warning. They are currently in custody pending tribunal. Your environment is sufficiently compatible, and we will prepare a shuttle for deployment of a representative and honor guard for further discussion of these matters."
=====
-Prowler L7F0G, near Dayab, Humanist Union space-
The Mission Commander was startled to hear the origin of the resistance fighters. Alpha Ceti and Theta Mira? Imperial agriworlds that had been written off almost immediately following the fall of Terra, but apparently had managed to survive the resultant chaos despite their obscurity. Or perhaps, they had survived due to their obscurity. He could hear similar such chatter from the prowlers intellligence staffs network, a mix of speculation and dredging of any potentially relevant information from the ships databanks. If it were true, then his current orders to gather intelligence and not interfere would be superceeded by decree of the Office of the Regent Lord. Thinking quickly, he came up with an idea.
<Intel, how many surveillance drones do we have deployed in this system?>
<Three, sir.>
<Thank you. Comm, prepare to relay a message to the Resistance vessel via tightbeam to drone 02. Wording as follows 'Please confirm. The Imperial colonies of Alpha Ceti and Theta Mira are currently under occupation by hostile forces?'>
<Aye, sir. Message relayed via drone 02. Awaiting response.>