StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Alone and with no one left to talk to the vessel fired up its jump drives and continued on its way.

Meanwhile...

"No, I do not believe so," responded the admiral. "If you wish it, I will take my leave." Admiral Davis stood and motioned to his Marine bodyguards, who formed up and followed him out of the room.

Barton turned to Petrach, the Hub and Union groups now the only ones left. "I'm beginning to think I might have got off on the wrong foot with McBride."

Blurthan Imperialate
Blurthos Primus

0900 Hours, Blurthan Capital time
The message from the Shi consulate almost flitted past the Secretary's attention, as it was expected to be another harassment complaint in regards to its staffers. A second glance as the the header as the cursor moved to the delete key nearly led to a heart attack on the Secretary of State's part, as he lunged for his comm, leaving the words "We hereby declare war on you" blinking on the screen

)901 Hours, Blurthan Capital time
Morning had come, if not the sun, for the military bases in the time zones following the capital, and with it the normal group exercises desinged to deny everyone much-desired rest. Across two hemispheres, entire bases worth of troops engaged in the seemingly endless long-distance runs heading back to the barracks, while an hour behind them, stil more formations finished stretching and began their own hour or so of hell. Which meant that very few personnel were in their state of the art facilities, able to avail themselves of the highly efficient filtration systems provided. This meant that a hell of a lot of taxpayer money had been basically squandered, as primitive but effective unpowered mortars began dropping nerve agents haphazardly across the compounds. Frequently totally unpowered, often driven by purely mechanical springs or compressed air charges, triggered by comm signals, timers, and even carefully measured blocks of ice melting until the firing trigger's contact points' met, they all had a CEP that put their landings inside the bases' confines. Within moments, thousands were already dieing without fully knowing it, or understanding why.

902 Hours, Blurthan Capital Time

Over a hundred transports, shuttles, and assorted other powered craft finished reorienting themselves, and began maximum powered accelerations towards critical and isolated facilities. A dozen slow starters were torn apart by orbiting ships and stations, 9 more were caught on frantically raised planetary and theater shields, and half of the rest were torn apart by automated ground defense batteries. These last often had minimal practical effect, as the airburst reactor explosions and cascading wreckage at least partially served their purpose regardless. Singled out for special attention was the Special Operations Command and training base, whose defenses cleanly wiped away four of the kamikazes on terminal approach, only to have the last two explode a mere thousand feet up, scouring all but the most hardened facilities.

905 Hours, Blurthan Capital Time

Planetary Shield Station Kappa was on high alert due to the attacks, rushing to full readiness in concert. Which meant that when the erstwhile incoming platton of guards for the day shift opened fire on their comrades, it came as a near total-shock, even as they split into fire teams moving towards the most critical command and generation facilities.

910 Hours, Blurthan Capital Time
In the richest neighborhoods, general officers began frantically piling out of their homes to reach their transportation to get to their duty stations, only to be repeatedly met by unpowered chemical rifles, dropping them from over a klick's distance.

920 Hours Blurthan Capital Time

The Shi Combine fleet plunged out of hyperspace after giving bare minutes warning due to the sheer speed of travel. Two Supercarriers and Three Heavies formed the center of the formation, screened by four heavy cruisers, and ten cruiser hulled carriers, which were screened in turn by forty destroyers and ninety gunboats. Interdictors from accompanying transports came on line, essentially locking the entire inner system in realspace. Ships from outlying areas and subordiante worlds began jumping in-system and rapidly manuevering to join with the Blurthan Home Fleet, as the Combine attackers broadcast continuous surrender demands.

ooc: Next time, if I don't reply in a day or two, jab me with a stick, sometimes I forget/miss stuff

Dahak wrote:"I think, Mother Superior," the Admiral smiled, "that these hyperspace telescopes would be acceptable. We might consider aiding the efforts by our own special sensor systems, drones, and additional electronic system upgrades for Blue Pointe Station. You'd find our equipment to be...advanced. We might also consider leaving a squadron or two of destroyers and cruisers here, for anti-pirate actions. I doubt any pirate will stand up to a warship of any nation in a real battle, so large warships are unnecessary outside of demonstrations, as has been our mission. If acceptable, we would like to install a liason officer to further smoothen the co-operation."

Blue Pointe Station
The Darvley Room

"Admiral," the Mother Superior nodded, "We welcome any assistance your people are willing to grant us, whatever equipment you wish to provide us with will be most appreciated. We will make preparations to accommodate as many officers as you desire. The station has an ACIN embassy, if your government so desires, we can easily set aside space for another. "She picked up one of the data pads on the table, pressed it a few times, and then pushed it over to the Admiral, her aid returned to the room.
“Mother Superior, C&C wanted me to let you know, Sabai ships are enroute to the station, and... " she was cut off.
“Thank you; please see to the needs of our guests. Admiral, is there anything else?”

InnocentBystander wrote:ooc: Next time, if I don't reply in a day or two, jab me with a stick, sometimes I forget/miss stuff

Dahak wrote:"I think, Mother Superior," the Admiral smiled, "that these hyperspace telescopes would be acceptable. We might consider aiding the efforts by our own special sensor systems, drones, and additional electronic system upgrades for Blue Pointe Station. You'd find our equipment to be...advanced. We might also consider leaving a squadron or two of destroyers and cruisers here, for anti-pirate actions. I doubt any pirate will stand up to a warship of any nation in a real battle, so large warships are unnecessary outside of demonstrations, as has been our mission. If acceptable, we would like to install a liason officer to further smoothen the co-operation."

Blue Pointe Station
The Darvley Room

"Admiral," the Mother Superior nodded, "We welcome any assistance your people are willing to grant us, whatever equipment you wish to provide us with will be most appreciated. We will make preparations to accommodate as many officers as you desire. The station has an ACIN embassy, if your government so desires, we can easily set aside space for another. "She picked up one of the data pads on the table, pressed it a few times, and then pushed it over to the Admiral, her aid returned to the room.
“Mother Superior, C&C wanted me to let you know, Sabai ships are enroute to the station, and... " she was cut off.
“Thank you; please see to the needs of our guests. Admiral, is there anything else?”

ooc: I will, next time

The Admiral relaxed in her chair. "Thank you for the warm welcome. We will consider the embassy. One of my aides will contact you with the details. Oh, and another group of Stuart ships are en route here, so we will wait her for their arrival. It seems we might stay a bit longer here than we initially thought. Maybe we could perform some maneuvres."

Eron: Industrial Colony

Trista flicked through the manifests, materials and supplies were flowing in at an accelerated pace. It was clear that further expansion of Eron's facilities would be needed if the colony was going to keep up.

Trista heard footsteps.
"Hello Trista." She turned around to see a man standing behind her, he smiled; clearly pleased to see her. The sentiment was not mutual.

"What are you doing here?" She demanded.
"Always so suspicous. I am merely utilizing my clearance to explore, take a stroll of the new world and observe any," he pauses, "opportunities."
"We're trying to build a society here Kain. The last thing we need is you and your Dark Eden bullshit fucking it up."
"Oh Trista, you poor fool. It won't work, just take a look at the history of this galaxy. These people live for death, it was what they crave, it is what they spend countless hours exploring new and interesting ways to bring to each other and to themselves."

"I'm not having this discussion Kain, just go back to whatever hole you were hiding in and leave the galaxy alone, it's got enough problems."
"I agree, let's burn it down and make a new one." Kain grinned widely.
"That's not funny Kain. You know what though, if I had even the slightest inclination that you had the ability to follow through with any of the bullshit you spout I'd off you right here. This world and all those like it are better off without you."
"Well then, I guess I'd better 'fuck off' as you commonly put it."
"Yeah, would you Kain? That would be great."

Eastern Rim Trade Route, Ambrose-Fort Casull Leg

TP00231, unofficially known as the "Fat Bastard," hurtled through the twisting chaos of Hyperspace. The Commonwealth Army's 22nd Transport Fleet consisted of dozens of transports just like her- huge, bare-bones military conveyances designed to move the vast quantities of men and material necessary for interstellar amphibious operations. The vessel and her swarm of companions and escorts was headed for Corneria Station as part of a series of Navy/Army co-operation exercises.
Four hundred meters long by itself, the pressursed comporatment of the transport's tertiary bay made up only a tiny fraction of the vast billet. SOP allowed for 1/1000th of the ship's cargo to travel "warm," a privalege which units vied forr constantly. The rest of the Groupe Planetaire was iced, stacked like cordwood in the airless halls of the transport's primary billets.
The Ambrosian Guards Legion XXVI, 3rd Corps, XIX Armee, 7th Fronte, I Ambrosian Groupe D'Assaut Planetaire had been one of the units to draw the lucky posting. It's soldiers were enjoying their trip in the crammed ranks of bunks, eating nutraglop rations.
The bay had aquired a rather distinctive smell despite the hardworking air processors, but Legionnaire Primaire Argus Dupont was thankful all the same. It was light duty, and he wouldn't have to experience another one of the damned thawing cycles. They gave everyone drugs to fight the nausea, but it was hardly a pleasent experiece regardless. No, much better to spend the trip awake and on one's toes- or ass as the case was now. Almost an entire Century's worth of men and women were gathered around Argus and his fraterne. Case, Argus' decurion, was giving all the poor groundpounders an earful about how badass it was to be in the Cavalry. A former industrial slummer from Ambrose, the woman had learned long ago how to speak over the din of large crowds to get her point across. This quality lead to her being a star attraction in a cramped bay lacking in amenities such as tri-V.
"So, they open up on us as we hit apogee- fishies had a camoflaged trench right under our feet, with a full SAM system and an AI controlled flashlight. The centurion calls for abort, but the balloon's up and we've all been pinged with lidar, radar, fidar, you name it- none of us'll get back to the ground in one piece. Now, that's when Kale over here- Yeah, you! Stand up, you bastard!" The lanky Ambrosian farmboy stood up, 'boosted muscles as out of place on his reedy frame as the praise was on his quiet demeanor. "This bastard, he keeps cool! Steady as you please, Kale reorients and lets off a volley of ARMs. Now, our gear doesn't track well at 200 feet, so I swear to god that boy was firing blind, and would you believe it, he nails all the aquisition gear in our sector, pretty as you please in 5 secods flat!"
A hundred young people were now gathered around the scarred veteran and her reddening hero of the hour. "Now, the rest of us are bugging out, I'm thinking the cent'll call in an airstrike and clear the fortification out or something, but m'boy Kale has picked up a lot of attention, and one of those damn coldbloods lands a P-beam across his ass. The armor holds, but his electronics? Forget that! Boy comes down like a one-winged angel, lands right smack in the middle of the fishes. Does he panic? Hell no! Lad don't even have a rifle, just an unloaded ARM-rack and a PDW busted up by the fall."
The decurion stopped for a second, sweeping her eyes across the crowd. "Over 100 bogies in a 200 meter trench, no support, no tac-com, no gun. Does our boy thumb the emergency jets and get back to the rally? Fuck, no! He's a true blue Ambrosian. The boy extends his goddamn bayonet and goes to town on the footsloggers! One Cavalryman, 3 feet of sharp battle ceramic, and a hundred stunned fishies in their PJs- and, well, long story short we never needed to call an airstrike, and Kale's still dragging his lame ass around with us!"
Kale's crestfallen look reached a new height as the crowd gathered around him. Case sidled up to Argus, grinning. "Like the story, flyboy?"
"Do you have to embellish so much for the gropos, deck? They'll get enough liquid morale when the shit hits the fan." Argus' expression was hard.
The Decurion's eyes narrowed. "Well, fuck that sideways, Dupont. Combat stims are no replacement for honest pride in the Service and it's members."
"Yeah, but Kale didn't even do that crap you were telling them! It was a couple dozen rear-area militia running a fucking honest-to-god machine gun, and we still lost Seyn and Hardt."
Case shook her head. "They don't need to do that, and it doesn't matter. First tenet, Argus."
The highest honor is to Serve, and the finest death is in Service.

Argus sighed and slid into his rack. New Bushido conditioning was thorough. "Well, at least none of these wet-behind-the-ears kids will die any time soon. This is just a training deployment."
"Right, Dupont. Just remember-"

"HEY! EVERYONE! HEY! OVER HERE! ORDERS FROM THE TOP!"

Argus shot out of his rack- a huge knot was gathering at one end of the chamber. One of the noncoms was standing on some crates, a dispatch autovellum clutched in one hand.

"WE'RE GOING TO CORNERIA! IT'S WAR!"

Cheers filled the chamber. Against every instinct-
but the ones they put in me in the conditioning
- Argus Dupont, Legionnaire Primaire in the Service of the Commonwealth, joined in.

Within the heart of Roe Station, was Admiral of the Navy Mauler's office. He was reading over a recent report of a small engagement against pirates. As he was reading a flashing message icon appeared on his holographic computer screen. He clicked a button and the message opened. As he read, he lifted a phone and pushed a speed dail button, connecting him to Council member Keyes.

"Hey, Keyes, this is Mauler. The Three Suns just declared war on Corneria."

BFE-007 IV Orbit
With the arrival of that simple, terse note on Admiral Wallace Allanby's desk, more precise orders fanned out to the heavy Sixth Cruiser elements holding close orbit around BFE-007 IV. Within hours, assault ships begin lifting off from bases all across the planet, joining the growing halo of craft surrounding the world. Supply transports, repair ships, addition Marine transports, and other fleet train elements stream in quickly, arriving from Outsystem as well as from local bases. Less than twelve hours after the initial orders were given, over a hundred ships vanish in flashes of white light, the chaos of hyperspace briefly intruding into normal space in their wakes.

Corneria System, Deep Space

Deep in the outskirts of the system, the fabric of normal space is wrenched apart, over two dozen gates opening into hyperspace and disgorging the ships of the Sixth Cruiser Squadron's Second and Third Battle Squadrons. Six massive battleships dominate the formation, surrounded by a cluster of smaller screening elements. As soon as the surrounding space is revealed to be clear of contacts, more gates start to flash into being, disgorging ship after ship, warships, assault craft, bombardment gunships, and the battlegroup's fleet train. Even as the challenge arrives from the lone Commonwealth picket destroyer, an unencoded transmission radiates outward from one of the arriving force's battlecruisers.

This is Vice Admiral Corson Edwards, commanding the Second Battle Squadron of the Sixth Cruiser Squadron. I have been instructed to place the Second and Third Battle Squadrons, along with the First and Second Marine Expeditiary Forces, at your disposal until I receive orders to the contrary. My order of battle is attached in a sideband, along with the full text of my formal orders. Once you are satisfied with them, please transmit a parking orbit. Edwards, clear.

Vice Admiral Corson Edwards, CO, Second Battle Squadron
-SCSS Warlock, Warspite-B-class battleship, Commodore Michelle Jackson
-SCSS Typhoon, Greylight-B-class battleship, Commodore Alan Morgen
-SCSS Sacrifice, Majestic-B-class battlecruiser, Senior Captain Elliot James <Flagship>
-SCSS Glory, Majestic-B-class battlecruiser, Senior Captain Jennifer Osterman
-SCSS Starhammer, Godhand-B-class heavy cruiser, Captain Harold Renenet
-SCSS Vesta, Pegasus-class light cruiser, Captain Harold Archer
-SCSS Dragoon, Pegasus-class light cruiser, Captain Isaih Hawter
-SCSS Essex, North Star-class escort carrier, Commander Wink Baufield
-SCSS Dreamland, North Star-class escort carrier, Commander Tessa Elwey
-4x Dagger-class boarding craft, Major Jethrod Thighbiter

Rear Admiral Julian Hallmeyer, CO, Third Battle Squadron
-SCSS Crimson Dawn, Greylight-B-class battleship, Commodore Christopher Stevens <Flagship>
-SCSS Tsunami, Greylight-B-class battleship, Commodore Justin Hawkins
-SCSS Halberd, Warspite-B-class battleship, Rear Admiral Grayson McIntyre
-SCSS Battleaxe, Warspite-B-class battleship, Rear Admiral Monica Winters
-SCSS Kellen, Godhand-B-class heavy cruiser, Captain Victor Evans
-SCSS Fenrir, Godhand-B-class heavy cruiser, Captain Veronica Kell
-SCSS Perseus, Pegasus-class light cruiser, Captain Percival Denby
-SCSS Triad, Pegasus-class light cruiser, Captain Esmerelda Trace
-SCSS Hailstorm, North Star-class escort carrier, Commander Jason Elphinstone
-SCSS Lightray, North Star-class escort carrier, Commander Kristen Hall
-4x Dagger-class boarding craft, Major Zachary Allen

Fleet Train Escorts
-SCSS Highland, Godhand-B-class heavy cruiser, Captain Jonathan Erswick
-SCSS Trafalgar, Pegasus-class light cruiser, Captain Morgana Dartmouth
-SCSS Morningstar, Pegasus-class light cruiser, Captain Vern Jethries
-SCSS Shield, Guardian-class picket cruiser, Commander Benjamin Owens
-SCSS Paladin, Guardian-class picket cruiser, Commander Julio Alvarez
-SCSS Guardian, Guardian-class picket cruiser, Commander Lisa Terio
-SCSS Fortress, Guardian-class picket cruiser, Commander Quinn Sharnson
-SCSS Guardsman, Guardian-class picket cruiser, Commander Andrea Rio

1st Marine Expeditiary Force, Colonel Andrew Carson
-5x Dirk-class landing craft
-5x Thunder-class surface gunships
-Assorted lighter transport craft

2nd Marine Expeditiary Force, Colonel Raphael Mondesi
-5x Dirk-class landing craft
-5x Thunder-class surface gunships
-Assorted lighter transport craft

There was a discrepancy in the records at a Cornerian Dock site. A group of nine individuals that arrived on business were now overdue for departure, as was the vessel that was intended to collect them. Something which would likely be overlooked in the wake of larger problems on the horizon.

Message from Governor Wellesley

"The spirit of co-operation has brought us all together in a unity that we never previously thought possible. A new nation is emerging from within the colonial union and with it the responsibilities of any known power. Soon it will be our time to take our place amongst the other galactic leaders so that together we can press forward for a safe and peaceful society for all the living of the galaxy.

We now stretch our reach outwards, to the entities that promise to promote such values. The Colonial Union is currently considering membership in the Eastern Rim Trade Compact. We request the presence of an ERTC representative for meetings with our trade ambassadors on Tau Alpha Rho to discuss terms of our potential membership within the ERTC."

CORNERIAN NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT MILITARY HEADQUARTERS

Supreme Admiral Marek looked over the table maps. His once proud united nation was now a shadow of its former glory. Warlords controlled the most of it, bt the Nationalist Government still held the largest chunk. Marek had been given the daunting task of defending against the invaders. Thank the gods that all the factions had at least agreed, on the surface, to help defend the nation. There were still the problems of different dialect, radio codes, chains of command and the fact that everyone wanted their little chunk to be one of the few that could be fully defended.

Marek turned to one of his aides. "Send word to the fleets, have them meet up at here, in deep space. Once they are assembled, they are to await further orders. And set codition one, or defcon one, or whatever the hell the different militias use, throughout the nation. Call in all reserves, and have all planetary army groups prepare to repel invaders. And get some recon ships out to Corneria station and see what is waiting for us."

OOC

One recon patrol dispatched to Corneria station. And um, thats all I can really do for now.

Marek looked up from the reports.

"And these are just the ships at Corneria station?"

"Yes, sir. Sir, do you have a plan to save our nation?"

"Of course."

"And when will we be attacking?"

"In due time. Dismissed."

The aide turned and walked away. Marek shook his head. There appeared to be no way to stop this assualt. His hardest hitting ships were decades old. At least he had somewhat modern fighter craft to use. So far, it appeared his best bet would be to deny the enemy fleets a battle, let them begin laying seige to the planets and strike from behind, and hit there lines. Right now the whole of his fleet was running drills like mad, attempting to get ready for combat. Now, they just had to wait for the hostiles to arrive.

The jump drives flared and Captain Vacere's vessel was now within range of Blue Pointe and the numerous vessels surrounding it. The vessel broadcast its identification as part of theColonial Union and intent to dock.

Spyder wrote:The jump drives flared and Captain Vacere's vessel was now within range of Blue Pointe and the numerous vessels surrounding it. The vessel broadcast its identification as part of theColonial Union and intent to dock.

Blue Pointe Station
Drop Point 7

"Vessel ID: 38C42E9, this is BP TrafCon, scans complete, please begin approach along course A87, you are clear for docking on Ring Two, Sector 4, bay 66AC5. Welcome to Blue Pointe Station, enjoy your stay." Standard data packages followed, course plans, autopilot controllers, brochure, the works.

Spyder wrote:Message from Governor Wellesley

"The spirit of co-operation has brought us all together in a unity that we never previously thought possible. A new nation is emerging from within the colonial union and with it the responsibilities of any known power. Soon it will be our time to take our place amongst the other galactic leaders so that together we can press forward for a safe and peaceful society for all the living of the galaxy.

We now stretch our reach outwards, to the entities that promise to promote such values. The Colonial Union is currently considering membership in the Eastern Rim Trade Compact. We request the presence of an ERTC representative for meetings with our trade ambassadors on Tau Alpha Rho to discuss terms of our potential membership within the ERTC."

"Interesting that they have a system designated entirely with 3 greek letters. Ah, well... not really our concern what they name their systems. Dispatch TF4.2 to their system."

Later

TF4.2 flashed into existance just outside Colonial Union space, and waited for a response.

"We now have you on our screen, please identify."

Spyder wrote:"We now have you on our screen, please identify."

"This is Admiral Qwrt of the Rpblksrpsk Empire, member of the Eastern Rim Trade Compact. We have some things to negotiate."

"Priority clearance granted to Tau Alpha Rho Spaceport One, east platform. Governor Wellesley has been informed and is awaiting your arrival. Transmitting landing vector now."

------

Meanwhile, at Blue Pointe

After the fairly uneventful docking, Captain Vacere and a few other crewmen found themselves within the halls of Blue Pointe station. Something about this place seemed familiar.

"Excuse me," he spoke to the person behind the information desk, "I'm from the Colonial Union and I'm trying to reach the local ACIN ambassador, could you help me?"

Spyder wrote:"Priority clearance granted to Tau Alpha Rho Spaceport One, east platform. Governor Wellesley has been informed and is awaiting your arrival. Transmitting landing vector now."

Tau Alpha Rho Spaceport One
East Platform

The shuttle floated down. The rear hatch opened, and four humanoid shapes ran out, carrying what appeared to be ceremonial weapons(gold plated, wood stocks, etc.) A featureless grey-green blob flowed out after them. An orifice opened in it. "I'm Admiral Qwrt. I believe I'm expected."

Spyder wrote:Meanwhile, at Blue Pointe

After the fairly uneventful docking, Captain Vacere and a few other crewmen found themselves within the halls of Blue Pointe station. Something about this place seemed familiar.

"Excuse me," he spoke to the person behind the information desk, "I'm from the Colonial Union and I'm trying to reach the local ACIN ambassador, could you help me?"

Blue Pointe Station
Ring Two, Sector 4 Information Desk

A young woman sat at the desk, chatting into her headphone about something, while chewing gum and filing her nails. "Hold on a minute Lucy," she looked up from her nails, "ACIN Visitors Center, Hab 1, just follow the signs." she pushed a buttons on the computer in front of her, a cheap datapad poped up from the front of the desk, she motioned for them to take it. A portly fellow waddled over from down the hall.
"No we are here to see the ACIN ambassdor, if you could.." the large fellow in the suit looked shocked, and scurried to the Colonial Union officer.
"Excuse me, Nigel Harnik, Ring 2 Under Manager. You are looking for the ACIN embassy?" the captain explained. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, usually the Order forwards all diplomatic business up to Ring 1 or the Command Ring, I'm terribly sorry, please follow me." as they walked to the elevator the manager fiddled with his palm communicator, a few messages back and forth, and they change elevators to a VIP express.

An aged woman was standing watch at the elevator when they got off, from her attire and demeanour she was quite obviously part of the Blue Order.
"Captain, welcome to Blue Pointe Station," she motioned for the under manager to return to wherever he came from, "Please, follow me to my office, I'm sure we have a great deal to discuss."

Blue Pointe station

The four capital ships and 20 escorting destroyers appeared inside one of the emergence zones of Blue Pointe. After getting the clearance, they advanced to integrate themselves with the rather large fleet of STuart vessels still present there. The minds of ships and people reached out, and within an instant, the were one whole.

Anchor Point

The construction ships from Caladan appeared above the gas giant designated Anchor Point for the time being. They immediately dipped into the upper atmosphere and began constructing the new permanent base. It now was the newest addition to the Stuart Corporation, and gave the Coprporation a staging point near halfway on the other side of the galaxy.

InnocentBystander wrote: "Captain, welcome to Blue Pointe Station," she motioned for the under manager to return to wherever he came from, "Please, follow me to my office, I'm sure we have a great deal to discuss."

Vacere didn't actually mind the unceremonious welcome, given that they hadn't called ahead he had no expectations, infact he hadn't called ahead for that very reason. Seeing people with their flaws and without the polish was refreshing and reminded Vacere of his own humanity. Vacere and cohort, a man in similar brown uniform and a woman wearing a long dark grey coat followed the lady into her office, they were all seated.

"Thank you for seeing us on such lack of notice. I know it's customary to call ahead for this sort of thing but circumstances weren't in our favor. I'm Captain Vacere, this is Lt Cale,"
"Hello," spoke the lieutennant,
"and our civilian council Lennette Mars."
"A pleasure." The lady smiled.

Meanwhile...

Beowulf wrote:Tau Alpha Rho Spaceport One
East Platform

The shuttle floated down. The rear hatch opened, and four humanoid shapes ran out, carrying what appeared to be ceremonial weapons(gold plated, wood stocks, etc.) A featureless grey-green blob flowed out after them. An orifice opened in it. "I'm Admiral Qwrt. I believe I'm expected."

"Indeed you are, I'm Governor Wellesley of Tau Alpha Rho." The knee-jerk reaction when greeting foreign dignitaries was to prepare for a handshake. The group on the landing platform share an awkward moment as the Governer stands there in silence, mid guesture. The moment passed and Wellesley put his hand back down.

"Well anyway, it is a pleasure to have you with us Admiral. If you would like to," don't say walk, quick, think of something else, "come this way there's a transport that'll take us to the Office." By Office Wellesley mean't Office of the Colonial Union, recently moved to new premises.

On the way Qwrt noticed construction vehicles and equipment over much of the cityscape. Tau Alpha Rho was growing up, rapidly maturing from agrerrian farmland to something else.

"We've attracted a lot of business. We're building this city and others like it from the ground up with the future in mind. This is the best time to consider ways to control urban sprawl, public transport, waste management and all the other problems that plague established major urban centres throughout the galaxy." Wellesley spoke as the transport continued on course.

CNS Kali
L5 Rally Point,
Corneria Station

-::-

"Admiral von Nakamura, all manipules report on station and green for jump."

The slender Jacobin nodded tersely. He cut a dignified figure, standing up in the Command womb, as if the multitude of tactical feeds and computer-brain interfaces snaking towards the nape of his neck meant nothing. His dark hair was cut with a sprinkling of grey, and his eyes held a deep intelligence. The Nakamura family was one of the old, dying patrician lines which had been decimated when Jacob's Landing was burned. He had a lot of reason to hate the Cornerians.

His eyes flickered across the feeds, images appearing within his brain as well as across the glowing holos. The warships of the 2nd and 3rd Centuries of the Grand Fleet were arrayed in serried ranks. Organized phalanx of escorts surrounded the massive Dreadnoughts and fleet Carriers of the battle manipules. Their hulls had all been set to the charcoal grey of Commonwealth combat colours. The Sixth's contribution was also organized, it's formations crisp and battle-ready.

"Contact Admiral Edwards. Tell them we are prepared to jump."

Four columns of Army transports were organized amidst the main fleet units. Each one held enough transports for a full 25 Groupes d'assaut Planetaire- the sort of invasion force which might take a crack at even a fortified city world. Units of Squadroné Marine Corps transports were settled in assault formation around the 2nd TSC Century and the 3rd Squadroné Battle Squadron.

The Graiai stood distant- the Grey Sisters, a single sororas of three Dreadnoughts which could, if half the rumors were true have taken on twice their number in more conventionally crewed warships. Their formation was more impeccable even than that of the famously well-trained Squadronés.

"Admiral Edwards reports all vessels green and on station, sir."

"Excellent. Commence jump."

Space and time became interchangable and muddled as the jump engines of literally hundreds of warships lit off. Four escorted columns of military transports and, then, the Grey Sisters in their featureless-hulled vessels.

Five fleets, each of which a serious threat even to a massed Cornerian unit, lept into hyperspace, daggers aimed at the beating hearts of the battered Nationalist government.

Left behind at the Station were the Commonwealth Provincial Fleet units. von Nakamura was a Grand Fleet man, and the local squadrons were given the unglamourous duty of defending the station and the great mass of transports which had the as of yet uncommited Commonwealth ground forces- 200 Groupes of men and women frozen like sides of beef and stacked in the vast military transports, waiting behind the guns of Corneria Station for an opportunity to join the offensive.

The largest Eastern military operation in half a century sprung into seamless motion.

-:ENDRECORD:-

Two shady figures in the Cornerian underground...

"It's starting."
"Have they made any preparations for the civilians?"
"It doesn't appear so. I wouldn't have expected any either, this is Corneria we're talking about."
"You know, I'd almost say these people would probably be better off under Commonwealth rule."
"We'll find out soon enough. We're not here to fight, let's just stick to the plan."

Marek stood at the war table. The models representing the hostile forces were being pushed away from Corneria Station.

"It has begun. Get the fleet into position and order the attack."