STGOD2 Main Story thread

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-12-21 08:41pm

[Affront Space]

No one knew yet whether it would come to war but still, the fleets were being marshalled and the war plants kicked into high gear. The massive ship assembly lines sprang to life with in the massive space nests. Weapons were armed and planetary defense nets put on alert.

But most of all the fleets were marshalled, the numerous ships of war pulled into their fleets and readied. Messages flying back and forth.

Darksider · Post by **Darksider** » 2003-12-21 08:52pm

The message was sent to all military commands and fleet units. The entire Krytosian defense network came online, ready to repel any assault.

At the shipyards of cartos and caluua, military vessels under construction were being fast tracked, and new ones were being built.

::::::::Emperor's command bunker, Krytos:::::::::

"How many ships of the line can we build?"

"Roughly twenty a year m'lord, as well as thirty patrol craft."

"Good, keep the shipyards running at those levels in case of another war."

"Now that solid proof has been sent to the other powers we should expect a response from the PRC soon."

"All the defense networks are online emperor, the major worlds are impenetrable, and the remaining fleets of the KSN have been deployed to guard the minor colonies."

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2003-12-21 08:54pm

Second Segment Treasury Report
In the 15th Year of Lord Edward's Reign, 5th Dramianch Holy Dynasty

The Follwing Units have been accquired or completed:

1 Baden Class Heavy Cruisers
3 Winslow Class Medium Cruisers
6 Edmund Burke Light Cruisers
2 Ranger Class Super Carriera
14 Sir Blake Drake Battle Frigatea
29 Royal Destroyers

Sir Cosimo's Mechanized Grenadier Division
Duke Francesco's Heavy Armored Command
Baron Lucca's Motorised Corps

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-12-21 09:04pm

The Black Alliance, as well, seemed gearing for war. But it's movements were harder to track, and near impossible to make sense of.

The Azegart Empire, for one. The most profitable place, at the moment, to frag escorts and steal shipping at the moment. The Black Alliance had been tearing through both the overstretched fleets guarding the place, and into the smaller, weaker pirate groups that had sprung up. As always, it seemed the Alliance was almost a blessing: Those pirates who didn't absorb into the quasi-state were simply killed and their booty taken. But lately, the Empire had become quiet. The Alliance had all but shattered all competition, and now it seemed to be laying off of the region.

The activity in the Cornerian region was less anomalous. An insult was an insult, and the Alliance was harassing Cornerian shipping, both external and internal. Those unfortunate to have sub-par escorts were taken whole, though the crews were found, badly shaken but otherwise unharmed, in a variety of neutral ports across the Galaxy, left trying to hitchhike their way home.

And then, of course, was the odd spacer tales of an Alliance taskforce suddenly ambushing a factory-new Athena Dreadnought, built by the TSC, and dragging the startled ship away...

Post by **Beowulf** » 2003-12-21 09:06pm

From: PRC Dept of State.
Subj: Recent Black Alliance attack on Stuart and Aquarian vessels.

There has been a huge outcry of the recent attack on a pair of vessels. We would like to make clear our condolences to the families of those killed. We don't however accept responsibility for the attack. This was all a plot staged by the Black Alliance. Several months ago, in a daring raid, they captured a large portion of a task force.

Now, we see a task force descend upon the a pair of damaged ships, and destroy them, and then take off. All this would seem highly suspicious would it not? Who would profit from a war? The belligerints would not. But pirates would. And what other pirates would be audacious enough to stage a plan like this?

---

PRC CENTCOM

"Damn it. Those GA bastard a really itching for a fight, aren't they. Damn warmongers. It isn't as if there isn't enough space in the galaxy. Cancel all leaves. Bring the fleet to full war readiness."

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-12-21 09:11pm

FROM: Senate of the Commonwealth
TO: PRC Dept of State.
SUBJ: Cornerian assault on Stuartian vessels

-::-

The hard evidence available at the scene makes your lies apparant.

If you wish to prove your innocence, you have only to submit the commanding officers of your fleet. Commonwealth telepaths would gladly work under international supervision as they winkle the truth from the minds of your officers.

-: ENDTRANSMISSION :-

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:11pm

And why was this "dairing raid" not mentioned to the other powers? And how in the great maw would a Black Alliance fleet capture a full task force?

Had this happened months ago, we would have heard of it, we also would have encounted them in acts of piracy before.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2003-12-21 09:18pm

Thirdfain wrote:FROM: Senate of the Commonwealth
TO: PRC Dept of State.
SUBJ: Cornerian assault on Stuartian vessels

-::-

The hard evidence available at the scene makes your lies apparant.

If you wish to prove your innocence, you have only to submit the commanding officers of your fleet. Commonwealth telepaths would gladly work under international supervision as they winkle the truth from the minds of your officers.

-: ENDTRANSMISSION :-

Your evidence: The drive signatures of a PRC Taskforce. A large number of PRC manufactured missiles. The use of ansibles. None of which contradicts the fact that this was a plot by the Black Alliance, using PRC ships stolen during a daring raid several months ago, and for reasons of State Security, kept secret. Are we such seives to information that the slightest thing that happens is instantly known to all powers?

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-12-21 09:23pm

Beowulf wrote:Your evidence: The drive signatures of a PRC Taskforce. A large number of PRC manufactured missiles. The use of ansibles. None of which contradicts the fact that this was a plot by the Black Alliance, using PRC ships stolen during a daring raid several months ago, and for reasons of State Security, kept secret. Are we such seives to information that the slightest thing that happens is instantly known to all powers?

These fabricated tales of an entire task force vanishing and conveniently turning up in the Alliance's hands are wonderful reading; have you thought of giving up your political position to write children's fae-tales? You have a talent for the wildly implausible and entertaining.

Nevertheless, the PRC's unwillingness to admit it's acts merely prove it a nation of cowards who insert their tales firmly between their legs and run off like a child caught with their hand in the jar.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:26pm

Beowulf wrote:
Thirdfain wrote:FROM: Senate of the Commonwealth
TO: PRC Dept of State.
SUBJ: Cornerian assault on Stuartian vessels

-::-

The hard evidence available at the scene makes your lies apparant.

If you wish to prove your innocence, you have only to submit the commanding officers of your fleet. Commonwealth telepaths would gladly work under international supervision as they winkle the truth from the minds of your officers.

-: ENDTRANSMISSION :-
Your evidence: The drive signatures of a PRC Taskforce. A large number of PRC manufactured missiles. The use of ansibles. None of which contradicts the fact that this was a plot by the Black Alliance, using PRC ships stolen during a daring raid several months ago, and for reasons of State Security, kept secret. Are we such seives to information that the slightest thing that happens is instantly known to all powers?

When you apply basic logic to this scenario, it simply doesnt hold up. Over the span of months, they would have participated in pirate activity.

Not only that, but such an attack is not their... style.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-12-21 09:28pm

Your evidence: The drive signatures of a PRC Taskforce. A large number of PRC manufactured missiles. The use of ansibles. None of which contradicts the fact that this was a plot by the Black Alliance, using PRC ships stolen during a daring raid several months ago, and for reasons of State Security, kept secret. Are we such seives to information that the slightest thing that happens is instantly known to all powers?

Our offer stands. Send your officers for interrogation. Our telepaths, working under international neutral supervision, will pull the truth or falseness of your claims from their minds.

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2003-12-21 09:28pm

Thirdfain wrote:FROM: Senate of the Commonwealth (Desjardins)
TO: The Royal Court of Lord Edward III, Our Holy Lord
SUBJ: Trade Embargo

-::-

As a show of solidarity with our friends and allies in the Stuart Corporation, the Senate of the Commonwealth has decided to establish a punitive embargo against your own small nation. All vessels flying your flag will be expelled from Commonwealth territory. Those who refuse to comply will be detained.

Your continued empty hostility shocks us. Your nation continues to needlessly bark about affairs that are of no consequence to you. It is clear that your impression of the Grand Alliance is horrifically skewed.

In the interests of peace, the Commonwealth would be willing to send an ambassador. The time for conquest and violence has come to an end, and the reconstruction of the galaxy will require solidarity.

-: ENDTRANSMISSION :-

To: Senate of the Commonwealth
From: The Cardinal of Dorian
Subject: Concerning your Embargo

First off, apologies to our slow reasponse. It was the Holy Week of Mithlondi, our offices were closed for external business. We will prehaps send an envoy sometime in the future. Our Holy Nation is not small, we are not a city state in space, we are hundreds of city states in space! We have no real love for those that are brutal conquerors; who use the ploy of freedom for a power bloc out to destroy all who oppose this monstrosity. Be warned, any war in the future you propogate will not be kindly looked upon.

May God save your souls
The Grand Cardinal of Dorian

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:29pm

Our telepaths will independantly, and under international scrutiny, do the same.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-12-21 09:32pm

[VFP Starlight Rider, Kzin Space]

"This is the Affront Vessel, Starlight Rider, with a diplomatic party aboard. We wish to speak to you and those of the Entente."

The small vessels stood at the edge of the system, waiting for a reply.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2003-12-21 09:39pm

SirNitram wrote:
Beowulf wrote:Your evidence: The drive signatures of a PRC Taskforce. A large number of PRC manufactured missiles. The use of ansibles. None of which contradicts the fact that this was a plot by the Black Alliance, using PRC ships stolen during a daring raid several months ago, and for reasons of State Security, kept secret. Are we such seives to information that the slightest thing that happens is instantly known to all powers?
These fabricated tales of an entire task force vanishing and conveniently turning up in the Alliance's hands are wonderful reading; have you thought of giving up your political position to write children's fae-tales? You have a talent for the wildly implausible and entertaining.

Nevertheless, the PRC's unwillingness to admit it's acts merely prove it a nation of cowards who insert their tales firmly between their legs and run off like a child caught with their hand in the jar.

*runs the sensor clips from the taskforce just before they were ambushed.*

You were saying something? Let's pick out the pertinent details. We see several extraordinarily large sensor images, along with at least ten smaller ones. We estimate the size of the larger ships to be around 300 and 60 kilometers, respectively. This is naturally a bit fuzzy because we lost contact with the entire task force mere seconds later.

Of course, we question why the Grand Alliance, which is so dedicated to stamping out piracy, has not taken care of the Black Alliance. Are they really dedicated to stamping out piracy? Or using that a convenient foil?

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:41pm

Beowulf wrote:
SirNitram wrote:
Beowulf wrote:Your evidence: The drive signatures of a PRC Taskforce. A large number of PRC manufactured missiles. The use of ansibles. None of which contradicts the fact that this was a plot by the Black Alliance, using PRC ships stolen during a daring raid several months ago, and for reasons of State Security, kept secret. Are we such seives to information that the slightest thing that happens is instantly known to all powers?
These fabricated tales of an entire task force vanishing and conveniently turning up in the Alliance's hands are wonderful reading; have you thought of giving up your political position to write children's fae-tales? You have a talent for the wildly implausible and entertaining.

Nevertheless, the PRC's unwillingness to admit it's acts merely prove it a nation of cowards who insert their tales firmly between their legs and run off like a child caught with their hand in the jar.
*runs the sensor clips from the taskforce just before they were ambushed.*

You were saying something? Let's pick out the pertinent details. We see several extraordinarily large sensor images, along with at least ten smaller ones. We estimate the size of the larger ships to be around 300 and 60 kilometers, respectively. This is naturally a bit fuzzy because we lost contact with the entire task force mere seconds later.

Of course, we question why the Grand Alliance, which is so dedicated to stamping out piracy, has not taken care of the Black Alliance. Are they really dedicated to stamping out piracy? Or using that a convenient foil?

Such documents are easily doctored.

We may hate the Black Alliance, but the simple matter is, they didnt do this.

If only because had they done such a thing, they would have shouted it from the rooftops. They do not know the meaning of "covert"

Another thing... You are admitting incompetance. Any military taskforce that was jumped by a large pirate taskforce, is within their capabilities to retreat into FTL.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2003-12-21 09:42pm

Of course, we question why the Grand Alliance, which is so dedicated to stamping out piracy, has not taken care of the Black Alliance. Are they really dedicated to stamping out piracy? Or using that a convenient foil?

The Black Alliance's home systems are far away from the GA's sphere of influence. Our warships have been working around the clock to curb piracy throughout the local spacelanes- hundreds of vessels, flying the flags of every nation from the Star Kingdom of Serenity to the Outworlds Alliance have benefitted from the efforts of the Grand Alliance.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-12-21 09:43pm

Such documents are easily doctored.

Such goes both ways.

We may hate the Black Alliance, but the simple matter is, they didnt do this.

If only because had they done such a thing, they would have shouted it from the rooftops. They do not know the meaning of "covert"

I think you underestimate them, badly.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-12-21 09:44pm

Beowulf wrote:*runs the sensor clips from the taskforce just before they were ambushed.*

You were saying something? Let's pick out the pertinent details. We see several extraordinarily large sensor images, along with at least ten smaller ones. We estimate the size of the larger ships to be around 300 and 60 kilometers, respectively. This is naturally a bit fuzzy because we lost contact with the entire task force mere seconds later.

Of course you did. Running with your tails between your legs ten to cause you to lose contact.

Amusing, really. You were claiming you had lost that task force. Now you are claiming you had sensor information from them? What, are you recanting, or are you admitting you're so incompetent that not only.. not only do you lose entire task forces, but you can be seeing their position in realtime and can't do anything about it?

Of course, we question why the Grand Alliance, which is so dedicated to stamping out piracy, has not taken care of the Black Alliance. Are they really dedicated to stamping out piracy? Or using that a convenient foil?

The same reason the PRC will chase a single cruiser but flee with their pants drenched in piss at a show of real force: You are weak, we are strong.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:46pm

Why would they send a single "gangster" to attack a single Affront picket ship, hen a massive fleet, that they had kept seecret for months, in order to destroy a Corporation Battlecruiser, and a Union courier?

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:48pm

We also have no reason to blaim the PRC, and every reason to blaim the BA. Except for the evidence.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-12-21 09:48pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:Why would they send a single "gangster" to attack a single Affront picket ship, hen a massive fleet, that they had kept seecret for months, in order to destroy a Corporation Battlecruiser, and a Union courier?

And what reason would the Cornerians have to send an entire fleet just to swat the same?

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:50pm

Stormbringer wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:Why would they send a single "gangster" to attack a single Affront picket ship, hen a massive fleet, that they had kept seecret for months, in order to destroy a Corporation Battlecruiser, and a Union courier?
And what reason would the Cornerians have to send an entire fleet just to swat the same?

Who knows? Perhaps they were making contact with your people, and thought we had engaged you. Or perhaps investigating the distress signal sent by our courier.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-12-21 09:53pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:Who knows? Perhaps they were making contact with your people, and thought we had engaged you. Or perhaps investigating the distress signal sent by our courier.

But what reason would they have for attacking those ships? If you wish to excuse the Black Alliance for lack of motive then perhaps you ought to consider the PRC in the same light. And of course the recent theft of a TSC dreadnaugh raises questions indeed in that regard.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-12-21 09:59pm

Stormbringer wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:Who knows? Perhaps they were making contact with your people, and thought we had engaged you. Or perhaps investigating the distress signal sent by our courier.
But what reason would they have for attacking those ships? If you wish to excuse the Black Alliance for lack of motive then perhaps you ought to consider the PRC in the same light. And of course the recent theft of a TSC dreadnaugh raises questions indeed in that regard.

"It seems that, looking over the BA sensor logs, the "task force" chased and attempted to destroy the Gangster class cruiser. CHasing id dogedly. It is most definently not in the Black Alliance's standard operating procedure to shoot their own ships. The KSE sensor logs confirm this"