[HH-STGOD] Main Story Thread

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-09-10 05:39pm

Marsh system
The battlecruiser Desaix translated to N-space at the most outer regions of Sidemore, and instantly began transmitting the request to speak to Admiral Harrington, and that it was having an investigation team aboard. It waited there until it would get an answer.

****
Haven, Nouveau Paris
The bombshell Anderman had dropped failed to explode in the President's office.
"What are they thinking they're doing?" Pritchard shaked her head at the high priority report which just had come into her office from the courier almost crashing in the Haven system mere hours before. "Dear Gustav's half a galaxy away. What's he building his military for? He's got Silesia, cashed one of his neighbouring states, Manticore is friendly towards him, and we're too far away to effectively attack."
"Maybe he needed some good PR?" Tom Theisman chuckled from his armchair. "Even with this Expansion act, he hasn't have the strength to attack us directly. And waging war across this distance would be a logistcal nightmare of first order."
"How's the navy?"
"We've commissioned several new ships, including the first ships of the new class Shannon designed. We've got the yards running hot. And the technology influx from Erewhon...has been incredibly useful. I think Anderman, or Manticore for that matter, would be unpleasantly surprised how thin their technological edge has been growing."
"Wonderful," Pritchard exclaimed. "I think we have to be more afraid about Anderman, than from Manticore these days. Ms. Montaigne has done wonders for our relations. But I still need to hear from the Solarian League about our latest inquiries into the Mesa matter."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-11 12:22am

[New Potsdam]

Even a week later Gustav Anderman was looking smug as the cat that ate the canary as he contemplated his announcement. It had ruffled tail feathers the galaxy over.

"You realize you've probably scared every one from Haven to the Solarian League? Even the note we slipped Manticore didn't seem to help much." remarked Qian Wen Anderman

"Yes, I know. Isn't it wonderful?" remarked an unseemly smug Emperor "It'll certainly give Haven pause if it wishs to undertake any military adventures in our neighborhood, aye?"

"I know. But did you have to scare half the galaxy to do it?" remarked a less the happy secretary of state.

"No, it just made for better PR that way. I want them thinking twice about considering us push overs. Especially since they're planning several military adventure guarenteed to ruffle more feathers than my little stunt ever could."

"True" She remarked, looking glummer than ever.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-09-11 05:08am

"Tom, speed up operation Achilles. I want that base set up ASAP."
"As you wish, Ms. President."

Orders were sent, and the small fleet of construction ships, fleet tenders, and picket force set sail for the yet unnamed "planet" near Silesia.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-09-11 07:18am

Representative Keely looked over Chicago, the contra grav assisted buildings streaching in every direction from her. The city was the current home of the Solarian League Government, or The Central Beuracracy as it was mockingly called in political circles.

The reseach efforts she had tried to convince the Department of Defence to adopt were finally gaining some acceptance, thanks in part to the Asgard destruction of the Mazapani. The ever growing activity among the colonials was finally being viewed with something less than contempt - the DoD now considered them 'uppity little fellows' who might, in their barbarism, pose a slight threat.

She nursed her drink - a particularly unpleasant concoction named 'Bean Sidhe Brandy' - staring at the door to the quiescent rooftop cafe. The terminal she had placed on the table occasionally beeped as one or more of the news networks updated with something that matched its political or millitary search algorithms.

The sun began to set over the tall spires of the city, and she waited...

Change History:
Corrected capital to Chicago, from Strasbourg.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-11 11:34am

[Asgard Embassy, Chicago, Old Earth]

A proposal was sent out to the Naval Headquarters. It was a short missive asking to arrange a meeting at the earliest convinience. The Asgard Embassador had a rather lucrative proposal that might net the Navy some much needed funds.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-09-11 11:46am

A rather secretive comittee, almost a faction, in the Department of Defence - more specifically the Admiralty - dedicated to remodelling the navy along colonial lines, of which Keely was a member, recieved the message from the Asgard embassy with delight. They were still discussing the messages from the former peeps, but another such offer couldn't possibly hurt. Arrangements were made...

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-11 11:54am

[Asgard Embassy]

Mr. Keely, how nice to see you. I'm glad we could arrange a meeting on such short notice. My government is rather eager to address the issue." the Ambassador began "Would you care for a drink before we begin?"

He didn't really wait for the answer before motioning for the stewards to pour everyone a drink. He was eager to dispense with the pleasantries.

"I'll be breif, my government is interested in purchasing warships, particularly ships of the wall. This is course in addition to the battleships we've already commisioned from Solarian yards of course. What we propose is to buy some thing on the order of thirty to forty of your reserve fleet ships and pay to have them refitting in your yards with modern technology. Naturally we would be quiet willing to pay generously for this favor."

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-09-11 12:07pm

Keely watched as a man in grey sat down in the darkened hotel room several floors below the cafe, wordlessly.

"Representative."

"Citizen" Keely said, half amused at the humorus cloak and dagger nonsense. There were only a few people with the rank to message her that way.
"Admiral, please."
"As you wish... Admiral." 'Obviously he isn't an admiral' she thought in silence.
"I have noticed your campain to modernise our navy."
"Many people have, but it was my impression that all the admirals think I am an idiot?"
"We do, on the whole." he said "But those with more sense now agree."

"Good, how does this concern me?"
"We want you to go on a little trip for us."
"What kind of a trip?"
"A diplomatic visit."
"I see. Where to?"
"Manticore and Haven."
"And I am supposed to go to both? Both sworn enemies?"

"Nonsense, you are supposed to go on a goodwill mission to the two former enemies who have just signed a peace treaty. To express the league's goodwill..." he said, smiling invisibly in the inky darkness.
"And I suppose that you can authorise such a mission - Admiral"
"I will arrange it" he said, "If you will go."
"I will go."
"Very well, then I shall arange it." he said, departing.
_________

Several hours later; in the Asgard Embassy, she found herself listening to another offer - typically enough, you campain fruitlessly for months, and then everything happens in twenty four hours.

"Yes Mr Ambassador, I am fairly confident that such an arrangement would be possible. Precisely what type of ships would you be requiring?" she asked, a quick look through some transmission logs had convinced her of the abilities of the Admiral, which in addition to her own naval contacts, should be enough influence to arrange such a thing. "Dreadnoughts or Superdreadnoughts, I would imagine."

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-11 12:14pm

"Yes Mr Ambassador, I am fairly confident that such an arrangement would be possible. Precisely what type of ships would you be requiring?" she asked, a quick look through some transmission logs had convinced her of the abilities of the Admiral, which in addition to her own naval contacts, should be enough influence to arrange such a thing. "Dreadnoughts or Superdreadnoughts, I would imagine."

"Superdreadnaughts, naturally. Preferably of the most modern sort you can spare. We wish to build up the fleet in most effective way possible."

The Ambassador put down his drink.

"And if this works out satifactorily, perhaps we might be able to arrange other purchases. The real question is how soon and how much is this going to cost?"

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-09-11 12:20pm

"President Pritchard politely requests an answer concering the Mesa matter, and would like to see it resolved by the Solarian League in a...decisive way," the Havenite ambassdor politely told the Solarian official across the table.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-09-11 12:37pm

"Well, that depends entirely on the situation, at the very least, I imagine we can arrange for twenty five League class SDs, and possibly some of the newer types." As for payment, I cannot give you an exact quote, but somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1.3billion per ship would probably be a rough figure.

"As for a timeframe, with the League class, we could have them in the yards in a week, and any other time would be dependant upon the nature of the refits you desire." she replied.
______________

The minor functionary was rather surprised by this, even senior representatives of the Solarian League can't be in two places at once, and this Havenite meeting had effectively come with no notice. "If you could explain your grievances the League would be much more able to effectively facilitate your... request" he said.

Change History: Updated currency

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-11 01:48pm

"Well, that depends entirely on the situation, at the very least, I imagine we can arrange for twenty five League class SDs, and possibly some of the newer types." As for payment, I cannot give you an exact quote, but somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1.3 billion per ship would probably be a rough figure. "

"As for a timeframe, with the League class, we could have them in the yards in a week, and any other time would be dependant upon the nature of the refits you desire." she replied.

"Excellent. The price is quiet acceptable to my government. What we wish in the way of refits is the best possible upgrades in ECM, fire control and sensors. Naturally we don't expect much in the way of improvements for the actual weapons, such things are essentially fixed. But you get the picture. Our naval attache can go over the final details. "

The ambassador continued.

"As soon as work is started we'll be happy to send the money to the destination of your choice. Twenty five League-class it is, for the initial run. As soon as you can find the rest do let us know."

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-09-11 04:29pm

Fourteen Hours Later:

The planetoid was known on even the most detailed charts, only as SRO-2462. Significant Rogue Object - two thousand four hundred and sixty two. This belied its importance. Slowly orbiting the rock, like leaves pulled after a large ground vehicle by its passage, were twenty Devastator class super-dreadnoughts, their furious energies dormant, waiting until they might be needed once more.

The Latin class battlecruiser Franklin Delano approached this great rock, transmitting the neccessery codes, which prevented it being automatically attacked by the conceled defences. The planetoid itself was almost unmanned, with a mere twenty crew.

Captain Robert Sonnel was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the ship-store's crew as they arranged everything in a short time, and in under six hours the Franklin and its new gaggle of older SDs were underway once more to replace some of the super-dreadnoughts leaving for Asgard until they could be replaced.

__________________________

Marieah Keely watched the light crusier dock with the fortress. True to his word, The Admiral had pulled some impressive weight, and with luck she would be paying the diplomat on Manticore within the week, and then Haven a day or so later.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-09-13 08:14pm

"Queen Elisabeth politely requests an answer concering the Mesa situation, and would like to see it resolved by the Solarian League in a...permanent manner," the Manticoran ambassdor politely told the Solarian official across the table.

*********

"Quite simply, we are expanding "Operation Wilberforce" to cover the entirety of Alliance territory, and are sharing intelligence with Haven in the hopes that they will do the same. I want sufficient forces in position to move against all Mesan interests exterior to the Solarian League, as well as their copycats. An open declaration of war aganst Mesa is being drafted, and will be sent before we engage in hostilities against any Mesan territorial holdings. We are also sending a diplomatic mission to the Star Kingdom of 'Torch', to hopefully coordinate our actions and intelligence with them, and attempt to secure a formal alliance against Mesa," White Haven informed the assembled admirals, "Her Majesty's will is for this breeding ground of vermin to be exterminated within the next T-year".

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-09-14 01:04pm

Admiral Ferguson watched on construction site of the small outpost. It was located on a moon of one of the planets large gas giants. He wasn't really sure what Pritchard and Theisman were thinking with this base so close to Andermani and Silesian space, but he wasn't to complain.
His defense fleet, a squadron of SD(P)s, 6 CLACS and the remaining "small fry" were finally settling down in the orbit.

***

Admiral Tourville, almost on the other side of the galaxy, was taking his pinnace from Erewhon to his flagship, the Temeraire. Right now, 3 divisions of the most modern SD(P)s were in high orbit around Erewhon, awaiting the final word of Pritchard, wether to squash Mesa or not.
He was ready to strike, but he still hoped the Solarian League scraped enough morality together to do it themselves...

****

"Captain Rochierre of the Desaix speaking. We request a meeting with Admiral Harrington at her earliest convenience."

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-09-14 03:50pm

"We are certain that the situation can be resolved in a permanant manner." replied the official, "and I believe that such a soloution will soon be forthcoming." And he was confident that he was speaking the truth, for dealing with such issues was one of the primary objectives of the Redraft movement, of which he was a member.
________________

He was considering the colonial complaints about Mesa...

The Admiral was sitting, fingers steepled in front of him, watching a holo of the primary planet of the Mesa system. A slave trader filed hole by all accounts, but a League system nonetheless, and that was his problem. Despite the fact that a good number of people he would like to be rid of drew significant support from there, there was no real way to move against a League system, and allowing the colonials to deal with the problem was a worse soloution.

Mesa was practically independant, even to the extent of having its own, admittedly scum infested, navy, though not one that could stand up to the colonials if they came. Even so, depriving the place of protection would cause more problems than it would solve. Then again, if the general populance of the League were to become aware of -

Yes, the more cosmopolitan public would definitely not favour genetic slavery - though they had a habit of looking the other way, they'd complain if someone pushed the issue into their faces. In fact, truth be told, if the colonials did expose the planet as the cesspool it was, it might be the kick needed to abolish the system veto power, and finally give some rightfully needed control to the League Assembly, and slice some of the many layers of bueracratic fat from an otherwise lean system.

'If the colonials solve the Mesan problem, then we would be able to crack down on the entire OFS problem, and within a few months, the shockwaves will have cleaned out the entire League. The demand for strong legislative oversight will be deafening,' he thought 'and that will be the best thing around here for centuries.'

'Now to persuade them to do it...' he thought.
_________________

Several days later, on her arrival at Manticore, Representative Keely made an effort to make certain that if the Star Kingdom had any reason to believe that any such deplorable activities were going on in the Mesan system, the League would certainly appriciate them being exposed, in whatever way the Star Kingdom chose.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-09-14 04:45pm

Admiral Harrington met with the Havenite team, stating, "We have developed no corraborating evidence of the supposed involvement of your government with Mesa. Given our assessment of your leaders, and the lack of anything to back up the information we have found, there are only three real possibilities. One, that the Mesans planted the information in order to rekindle the shooting war between us, to draw attention away from their activities. Two, that the Solarian League, and more likely, the OFS, have manufactured this for much the same reason, with the eventual goal of assimilating all of us after we tear each other apart. Three, that the Andermani have created this mess for their own reasons, possibly looking for additional concessions in Silesia if we went at it again."

********
Representative Keely was promptly handed a stack of data pads, crammed with details of Mesan atrocities, and offered passage on the Star Kingdom's fastest ship to the Torch system, for eyewitness accounts from the victims themselves.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-09-14 05:40pm

"Admiral Harrington," Inspector Daniele spoke up, "would you mind us joining your investigation teams? We would be as unobstrusive as we can. But we, and my government, is highly interested in this matter.

***

"Any news from the Solarian League or Manticore yet, concerning Mesa?"
"No, Madame President," her assisstant said.
"Send a message to our ambassador on Earth to expedite the matter. And to Manticore, asking if we might be of assistance in any matter concerning Mesa. And a personal note to Montaigne. MAybe she can give some more information."

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-09-14 05:51pm

"Certainly you can join our investigating teams, we can integrate you into them with the newest arrivals from my government" Harrington said, gesturing to the dozen treecats assembled to the side of the compartment.

********

"Madame President, Manticore is currently preparing tomove decisively and comprehensively against Mesa. At this point, we are positioning ourselves to eliminate their interests exterior to the League, pending the results of our current diplomatic mission to Torch. To ensure that the manner is dealt with in a scrupulously correct way, so as to keep the League off of all of our backs, we are now engaged in talks with League officials, in the admittedly slim hope that they will clean up their own mess. Presuming that they are unwilling to handle their own business, we will be issuing a formal declaration of war against Mesa before moving against them, and would welcome the chance to do so in concert with your government." The Manticoran ambassador stated, handing over a datapad, adding "This file represents the latest intelligence we have garnered during our anti-slavery opertions as it pertains to the Havenite sphere of influence".

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-14 06:03pm

[Asgard Intelligence HQ aka The Black Hole, New Potsdam]

"Admiral, the news isn't so good. We've managed to loose track of quite a number of Havenite vessels, mostly warships. I'd be less concerned if their logistical apparatus weren't working over time as well. They've moved enough of both warships and transports to suggest the prepositioning for a campaign." remarked the sad faced little man that ran the Andermani Intelligence Service.

"So what does it all mean?" barked a less than happy Chen-lu Anderman. He'd been sitting beached as an advisor for too long, at least in his opinion.

"Maybe nothing, maybe everything. Our networks are far from complete out there. It could be anything from Pheonix to Mesa to a run at the Asgard over their new conquest. We just don't know." replied a very flustered desk jockey

The admiral didn't reply, instead he leafed through the breif he had come to discuss. One detail caught his eye.

"What's this about a construction fleet? You don't know where it went but you do know how long it was gone." asked Anderman

"All we've got you see right there. It had supplies enough to establish a pretty basic foward fleet base. From travel time it could have been just about any where. We can't be any more specific than that. Surely you know that!" the little man was by now quite flustered.

* * *

[Imperial Palace]

"We ought to step up patrols in and around Silesia and suggest the Asgard do the same in their neighborhood. I don't like the idea of Haven plopping a fleet base in our neighborhood, especially not when it's combined with their recent fleet movements."

"Aye, I don't like it either. Perhaps it's time you got out Chen-lu, perhaps take a trip to Manticore. Maybe even drop by to see Admiral Harrington. She might be willing to help sort this matter out."

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-09-14 06:41pm

(firking site backup deleted my post, oh well)

"Its time we took care of some neglected business. The BC grade yards that were never completed over Alizon and Zanzibar are to be reinstated, ASAP, and similar projects are to be started at any of our long-term allies systems that can support them after construction, as well as at at least one central location in the Talbott cluster. Look at upgrading one of the main Silesian yards to our standards, under our strict control, and dismantling or taking over most of the smaller yards there to decrease the pirate proliferation. Cut loose the tech that Erewhon had to the Allies who have stuck with us, there's no sense in having them outclassed by just about everybody these days, and it may help to rebuild our relationship with them." Whire Haven directed.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-09-14 06:44pm

Between Haven and Phoenix space
"What do you make of it, Essex?" captain Miraud of the heavy cruiser La Rochelle asked his sensor officer.
"The ship has all the current Phoenixian codes and all. But from its profile I don't think it's a standard freighter. And what it's doing in this system is a mystery, too."
System T-7667-XA was not a common holiday resort, only the occassional pirate visited it.
"Very well then, bring up the Impeller and bring us closer," he ordered. Just as he was to tell his com officer to send a message, Essex cried out.
"Course change!"
"Clarify!"
"They've gone to 300 gravities, must be all they've got. Their course clearly chenged for the hyper limit. They're running for it."
"Timt to intecept?"
"At maximum accel, 25 minutes."
"Do it. Record message and send. 'Phoenixian freighter Roa, heave to, and strike wedge immediately, and await boarding.' "
"Sent!"
He looked to his tac officer. "Launch sensor drone. I want a clear picture."
***
After they came to a halt alongside the wreck of the former freighter, Captain Miraud's stomach was still clenched. The freighter was a buring wreck, but he could still make out the special deisgns marking it as a slaver. A Slaver in this region, and under Phoenixian flag!
Unfortunately, no one survived the attack, but he was sure the records of the ship would be of great interest to Admiral Tourville.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-14 07:17pm

[Havenite Embassy, Pheonix System]

"How dare you destroy our vessels in such a manner! My government demands compensation for this! You destroyed any and all evidence of the any crimes. All you offer is cheap talk about 'special markings', as if any slaver would be stupid enough to mark their ship so openly!" the Pheonix Ambassador was shouting at the top of her lungs.

"You either offer explict proof or you will offer compensation. Until then our space and the wormholes will be closed to all Havenite traffic. Good day."

She stormed out with even waiting for a further reply.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-09-14 11:19pm

"This is really quite disturbing," The Manticoran Ambassador said to the Phoenixian official, "Is your government openly claiming ownership of a freighter clearly outfitted as a Slaver? Or is your liason to the Havenite embassy so stupid that she can't comprehend the difference between 'markings', and 'designs'?"

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-09-14 11:30pm

consequences wrote:"This is really quite disturbing," The Manticoran Ambassador said to the Phoenixian official, "Is your government openly claiming ownership of a freighter clearly outfitted as a Slaver? Or is your liason to the Havenite embassy so stupid that she can't comprehend the difference between 'markings', and 'designs'?"

"The ship was registered and owned by a small shipping firm out of Pheonix. There's no question about it. What we dispute is whether it was carrying slaves."

The ambassador dropped a slate on the table in front of the Manticorian.

"As to cargo, her manifest included several thousands livestock animals. Customs verified this before she left. So to the best of our knowledge the special designs marking her a slaver are nothing of the sort. And of course the evidence of any slaves was destroyed along with the ship. The only evidence we have left has been from Haven."

The Ambassador himself was growing rather angry.

"What we object to was the waylaying and destroying of a Pheonix flagged vessel in a neutral system with no evidence provided for her alleged crimes that isn't straight from the source of the massacre. Had they produced compelling evidence before this massacre then we would have investigated. Now all we are left with is a destroyed ship and an unvarifiable story. Naturally we intend to file a protest over this!"