[STGOD] Primary Story Thread

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-05-15 03:26pm

Marcus heard the Floater message with a measure of disbelief.

"Pilot! Hail all vessels in-system. Inform them that the Roman Empire will take no sides in this conflict and is to be regarded as completely neutral. We will mediate if asked but will take no further action unless attacked."

"At once, vir optime."

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-05-15 03:27pm

Sea Skimmer wrote:"What is that thing?" Asked a concerned United Defense rep.
"MGM four zero one block three loitering attack munitions with an anti armor load out."
"Then it should have been brought down by now?"
"Well the block two should have been. This ones new. Twenty percent of the warheads been removed and a level one light vehicle shield generator has been installed. Alliance Aerospace builds both and already had the plans, though they shelved them because most anti missile defenses could overwhelm the generator with one shot." He paused. "They've got plans to modify the rest of our arsenal as well."
They looked back at the screen, which still showed the LAM circling. It swung back over the emplacement and dropped another submuntion, attempting to kill it without having any live warheads aboard. Several members of the audience had already left. They had better things to look at.

The UD representative turned to the rest of the audience who remained - rapidly dwindling. "As you can see, an MGM 301 Block 3 strike munition was able to penetrate this defense. Of course, we have never intended it to be the sole defensive system. Like any air or space defense package, it would consist of multiple layers to handle such a situation. For example, the planned general defense track would carry some other armament to engage and knock out the shield or missile.

"Furthermore, the incoming attack has been blunted by twenty percent at greater cost to the attacker. Effectively, one missile in five are casualties without firing a shot. Virtual Attrition. Consider another thing: the Griffon sensor is consierably more jam-resistant than its competitors with built-in LOC. Strikes against the integrated air-defense net as designed by United Defense thus take large casualties - virtual or real."

Some of the people who just left began turning around again to at least listen to the man.

"The scales of offense and defense rise and fall in favor of either, but this system can adapt. This is merely the prototype, with a frequency inagile emitter array. Production versions will be designed to handle an array of threats - notice that only a handful of emitters were focused on the missile; a software issue easily corrected.

"This is a prototype, rushed in delivery to show at Kokland's IDCEX as a technology demonstrator; nothing more, nothing less. If you wish, we have available material for your perusal and contact information."

With that, the salesperson was swarmed with interested persons - even if they did not purchase the system in the future their curiosity was awakened. As the crowd dissipated to the other shows in the now-sealed room, he could only smile.

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2003-05-15 03:33pm

"Skipper, I have confirmation over the Great Cluster- The Kharamite Dreadnought "Thor's Hammer" and the attack carrier "Deacon" are within 12 minute's translation time, along with their escorts. They are on their way."

New Beijing
The aide walked up to President Li's desk.
"Sir, we intercepted this coded transmission from Floater vessels near the Kokand Empire's territory.

"........standing........will.....hin 12 minu...........re......."

"Shit! The floaters can't keep their noses out of other people's business.
Send the first battlefleet to the Kokand Empire, and don't forget to ask for permission to enter their territory!"

The Red Dawn, two Mao class battleships, five Beijing-class battlecruisers, and 24 cruisers of various classes, all equipped with the Type-00 upgraded point defense systems, jumped to hyperspace. Their destination was the border of the Kokand Empire.

------------------

Attention: Kokand Empire
From: PIR 1st Battlefleet
Subject: permission to enter Kokand space

The 1st Battlefleet requests permission to enter Kokand space to provide assistance. Please confirm.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 03:36pm

phongn wrote:
"Furthermore, the incoming attack has been blunted by twenty percent at greater cost to the attacker. Effectively, one missile in five are casualties without firing a shot. Virtual Attrition."

"Actually this is a mere prototype. Alliance figures that by dropping in a short frame extension they can installed the generator at a minor penalty in range only. It's simply not practical to do that on such short notice since it would need revised software and we didn't want some buggy missile damaging Uniteds little toy."

He checked his comm. again.

"Listen folks it looks like we may be hear a while, so you might as well come back to your seats."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-15 03:38pm

"Floater vessels. We understand that your bretheren are on that planet. But your presence, armed and threatening, only increases the likelyhood of harm."

The AIN captain was frazzled and nearing then end of his rope. The damn Floaters were going to touch off a war to protect their own people. Stupid fools!

"Please, withdraw for now. The Asgard, your allies, will help safeguard your citizens. We have the situation under control but your stance is endangering that!! If you want to avoid war please withdraw or stand down!"

Things were tight, already the Hammer's escort were hussling the transports out of the system. Things weren't looking good.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-05-15 03:45pm

"Floater vessels. We understand that your bretheren are on that planet. But your presence, armed and threatening, only increases the likelyhood of harm."

"We will not leave our people stranded, in any circumstance, and by the Mother Void, I'm not leaving this system until you of the NBA broadcast your intentions. The technological riches at that expo would be a fine prize, for any power looking to gain an advantage- once again, waht are your intentions?"

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 03:51pm

Thirdfain wrote:
"We will not leave our people stranded, in any circumstance, and by the Mother Void, I'm not leaving this system until you of the NBA broadcast your intentions. The technological riches at that expo would be a fine prize, for any power looking to gain an advantage- once again, waht are your intentions?"

"Floater vessels, listen to the Asgard leave the system at once. This dispute does not yet involve you."

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-05-15 03:58pm

<Transmission>
<From : Military Operations boarding Drakkar, "Fang Ripper">
<To: All KE authorities>

<All Langauges>
Emergency request for clearance: We have disarmed this vessel, it is running packless. We have wounded, Fenari on board, plus several thousand humans who a few hours ago had been kept in a stasis prison, enslaved by an extra-galactic power.

Please grant us clearance and location of a Quarunteen area for our vessel.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 04:02pm

Cpt_Frank wrote:
Attention: Kokand Empire
From: PIR 1st Battlefleet
Subject: permission to enter Kokand space

The 1st Battlefleet requests permission to enter Kokand space to provide assistance. Please confirm.

"Cleared to jump in"

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-05-15 04:04pm

"I repeat- this vessel isn't going anywhere until I know exactly what your intentions are. Explain your actions. Explain this disturbance over this peaceful trade-meeting. Explain your firing on one of our ally's warships. Until I have answers, I will stay in system, to protect my people on-planet!"

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-05-15 04:05pm

Sea Skimmer wrote:"Actually this is a mere prototype. Alliance figures that by dropping in a short frame extension they can installed the generator at a minor penalty in range only. It's simply not practical to do that on such short notice since it would need revised software and we didn't want some buggy missile damaging Uniteds little toy."

He checked his comm. again.

"Listen folks it looks like we may be hear a while, so you might as well come back to your seats."

"Perhaps. But a minor penalty in range? Shield generators take up reasonable amounts of volume, even those designed to take relatively small loads. Even a frame extension involves extra weight, detracting in range unless enlargened rocket motors are used. Then the missile's cost is increased: virtual attrition again. Certainly, the shield will protect against limited energy strikes, but it can't stop kinetic-based point defense systems which are fairly common. Nations will not simply purchase, say, one line to strike the NAU and one line to hit the rest; they'll purchase one general line. What then? They can purchase Bloc 2 - which is more vulnerable or they can purchase Bloc 3, which is more expensive, thus leading to less quantity.

"I don't mean to insult the representative, his missiles or his corporation, of course. Block 3 is an excellent update to a good design. But he's comparing it to a prototype, adapted point-defense installation - one out of the network, at that. If a nation or organization wishes to exclusively use this as their primary air defense, then of course they will get defeated by a prepared adversary. Only an integrated system - which this maser fits excellently into, whether designed by UD or others - stands a chance.

"Furthermore, what happens on the space mount? This is designed with starship-grade power leads, which of course is certainly not available to mobile ground installations. Here, it will be designed to defeat missiles that already must be hardened against electromagnetic pulse and other transients: adding such additional shielding to such missiles becomes a nontrivial task unlike on the ground. The same virtual attrition caveats apply.

"Thus, with the inclusion of this point-defense MASER, you can complicate the problem of having an enemy strike your air-defense systems at a modest cost. "

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2003-05-15 04:07pm

The Red Dawn and the 5 New Beijings were the first to arrive.
Several minutes later, the Maos and the cruisers followed.

"All elements of the fleet, move into position. Form a spere around the Krytos. The Mao-class 'Red Banner' and 6 cruisers, keep track of the floater's activities!"

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-15 04:10pm

Thirdfain wrote:"I repeat- this vessel isn't going anywhere until I know exactly what your intentions are. Explain your actions. Explain this disturbance over this peaceful trade-meeting. Explain your firing on one of our ally's warships. Until I have answers, I will stay in system, to protect my people on-planet!"

"You ally fired a multi-gigaton fusion cannon against the Kokand planet. They were dealt with. This is none of your concern unless you make it your concern"

The nervous captain looked down at the tactical plot. Reinforcements, in the form of BatCruRon7 would be here in 2 hours 7 minutes. Not soon enough.

"Inform Kokand Command of the impending arrival of reinforcment and tell our escorts to see the transports home"

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-05-15 04:12pm

Marcus was thoroughly terrified, his mind racing through the implications of the current events. His small shuttle was likely to come through any fleet engagement unscathed, but the results of that fleet engagement could have major repercussions.

His fingers shoved the pilot brusquely aside and danced over the console, opening a channel to the assembled ships.

"Attention all in-system vessels, this is Marcus Scipio Crassus onboard the Roman shuttle Bona Cena. In the interests of interstellar peace the New Roman Empire is willing to mediate whatever conflict of interests currently exists between the assembled persons."

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-05-15 04:15pm

The "Thor's Hammer" blasted out of hyperspace, 1 AU from the planet, her warshawski sails sparking with collected energy. Her massive bulk was studded with automatic missile launchers, point-defense stations, and wide-barreled mass driver cannon and x-ray lasers. The sleeker, longer shape of the "Deacon" arrived immediatly after, along with a dozen strike cruisers. Swarms of lancers and interceptors spread out from the "Deacon's" launch bays, forming a fighter screen thousands of kilometers wide.

"This is Bondman Commodore Mark Cole. Task Force Uziel is in position."

"NBA vessels, I advise that you explain your actions here today. We demand that all vessels stand down. When such an event has occured, we will follow suit. Continued aggressive actions against the Floaters, the neutral parties down there, or our allies, will be met with deadly force."

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-05-15 04:19pm

"Attention all in-system vessels, this is Marcus Scipio Crassus onboard the Roman shuttle Bona Cena. In the interests of interstellar peace the New Roman Empire is willing to mediate whatever conflict of interests currently exists between the assembled persons."

"We ackowledge. We will deactivate our targetting sensors, and recall our fighters, but will maintain ECM and decoy defenses. We will not leave the system unless either our people are allowed to leave, or all warships stand down."

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 04:20pm

"Open up a path for task force seven."
A section of the interdiction field dropped for a few seconds to allow task force seven to jump in.
"Task force seven has arrived with two Black Forests, five fleet carriers and thirty more escorts. They're ready for action and now locked onto the floater warship." The ships quickly where arrayed around the floater strike cruiser.

Stonewall picked the comm. equipment back up.
"Floater vessel, Krytos violated the rules of this convention and committed an act of war against Kokand. We showed restrain by now immediately destroying them. You have been told this already. You have now repeatedly violated Kokand law and committed acts of war as well.

Your chance to stand clear is over by your own action. Now your chance to leave is as well. Power down your main reactor and all military system NOW. You are now covered by the guns of four battleships and a dozen cruisers, they will fire without further warning and destroy you in a single salvo. If you make any attempt to do otherwise or if your approaching forces enter this system you will be destroyed."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-15 04:20pm

"NBA vessels, I advise that you explain your actions here today. We demand that all vessels stand down. When such an event has occured, we will follow suit. Continued aggressive actions against the Floaters, the neutral parties down there, or our allies, will be met with deadly
force."

"Damn bubbleheads. They must be hitting the chems too much. Their own ally opens fire and they blame us. Stupid fuckers." the Asgard captain was nearly purple from rage.

His comm officer once more opened a channel to the Floater fleet.

"Listen, Commodore, you allies open fire on Kokand with weapons of mass destruction. The Krytos threat was dealt with. But now you come and threaten us! This is maddness! Please, stand down yourselves. You're going to start a war with your madness!"

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-05-15 04:25pm

Supreme admiral Jack O'neil stood aboard the new Argo-class battleship Pride of Krytos, constructed in secret it, and it's new weapons system, the fusion cannon were on display at the IDCEX. "Sir we're in position to fire the fusion cannon and we have conformation that the projected impact area is clear of all civillans". "Begin charging sequence for the main cannon". Deep in the bowels of the ship it's fusion reactors came to life pouring energy into the cannon at a rapid pace. It took two minuites to charge a full-power shot. "Sir, the cannon is charged". "Fire" a reddish orange beam lanced out of the Pride of Krytos and raced twards the surface. It hit with a force of about nine gigatons, producing a massive impact crater and liquifying a large percentage of the impact area. The Admiral turned to his XO. "Captain, have my shuttle prepared, i think the other delagates will be interested in this weapon"

This is blatantly a demonstration, and part of the exposition. Why is it being treated like an act of war? Our Krytosian allies assure us that they had notified the authorities of their demonstration, and received clearance to do it. It looks to us like the event is being used by NBA powers as an opportunity to gain control of the exposition!

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 04:28pm

"Another floater fleet is in system!"
"Then its war. All craft engage at will."

Five Black Forests fired as one, supported by twenty cruisers, along with countless frigates and fighters and a pair of light battlestations. The barrage unleashed Gigatons of energy against the Krytos and the strike cruiser. The Krytos was hit inside the craters already pitting her hull. She exploded and was blown in half. The strike cruiser faired little better, nothing save a generation ship could take the full weight of four Black Forests at close range. She exploded as well.

"All forces, open fire on the other floaters. All NBA members, we urge to to do the same. They have violated our space and rules for the last time"

***

Hundreds of light years away at Mars the Kokand task force and support ships defending the base quietly moved out orbit and jumped to hyperspace.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 04:30pm

Thirdfain wrote: This is blatantly a demonstration, and part of the exposition. Why is it being treated like an act of war? Our Krytosian allies assure us that they had notified the authorities of their demonstration, and received clearance to do it. It looks to us like the event is being used by NBA powers as an opportunity to gain control of the exposition!

"You ally's lie and you fools are incapable of reading the invitation!"

***

Thousands of missiles, fighters and particle beam bolts raced for the Floater force and jamming cut off the channel for good.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-05-15 04:38pm

The captain of the NAU-flagged merchant vessel M/V Sandies Olympia could only shake his head as he watched on his sensor plot ... and unusually powerful one for a civilan freighter, but this captain had been rather generous with his inheritance for his ship. He had not secured a good number of high-profile, high-security contracts for nothing.

Idiots are going to start another war at this rate, he thought. Who in the right mind let that bunch of magic wolves get into power after so many years of interstellar peace? I'm surprised someone hasn't tried something against the NAU as of -

"Captain. Kokland defenses forces on the comm. They're requesting that we reduce power to station-keeping duties 'for our own safety.' How should I respond?" asked his communications officer.

"Send a message acknowledging. Keep it polite but terse. Engineering, Bridge: reduce power to station-keeping as soon as possible."

Nutters, all of them. Might as well avoid causing an international incident between Kokland and the Union...

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-05-15 04:41pm

"You ally's lie and you fools are incapable of reading the invitation!"

"Your random, unjustified attack will ean you enmity of all of the Free Republics. This blatant attempt to gain control of the military technology at the expo is abhorrent."

"Command, their first volley is unlikely to score any hits- at these ranges, our vessels are untargettable. All they can hope to do, until we paint them with our own active sensors, is fire randomly in hopes of scoring hits."

"We can't face this kind of firepower. We re outnumbered. Order all vessels to withdraw. Lancers are to cover our retreat."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-15 04:42pm

"FOOLS!!" bellowed the AIN captain not sure who he meant.

The Hammer moved towards the Floater forces. So far they had only dropped pods. Except of one countermissle which flashed out destroying the floater drone. Hidden behind the jamming weapons powered up and ran out.

"Cleared for action sir. All hands at the ready."

_______________________________________________________

In the depths of hyperspace BatCruRon 7 recieved the Hammer's message. The commanding Vice Admiral order them push their drives to dangerous levels. They would arrive in system in 26 minutes at their present speed.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-15 04:53pm

Thirdfain wrote:
"We can't face this kind of firepower. We re outnumbered. Order all vessels to withdraw. Lancers are to cover our retreat."

The floater ships attempted to move out of the interdiction field. They where slowly outpacing the Kokand vessels but it would take a few minutes to clear. However sometimes the most direct path wasn't the best one. And the second Kokand reinforcement group arrived directly in their path. An array of twenty star monitors and six cruisers came out of hyperspace early as they hid the field's edge. They where already at condition one.

A hail of heavy particle beam bolts plowed into the floaters noses, followed closely by heavy missiles. Combat drones poured from the flight decks to engage.