NationStates Jolt Archive

((This is a large-scale space combat RP, but there will also be ground battles and naval battles if this takes off, which I really hope it will, because it will set the Aurora system's policies for a long time depending on who wins, and will also strongly effect my other nation, Cyberutopia.))

With the Aurora system making it's first contact ever with the outside world, it was also revealed that the Aurora system was in the middle of total war. Now that connections have been reestablished with the rest of the NS community, interested parties can pledge their support for any of the factions, and eventually determine the future of an entire system.

Information on the Aurora System

The Aurora System is a binary star system, consisting of a blue giant and a yellow star. The yellow star makes an orbit around the blue dwarf once every 588 Earth years and 61 Earth days.

The tiny planet of Aurora Dœsölatå orbits around the yellow star, one orbit around the sun taking 104 Earth Days. Dœsölatå is a barren rocky desert planet, it's only inhabitants a sparse amount of ravenous reptiles and the occupants of two military compounds on the planet. It lacks a sufficient make up of atmosphere to block all of the radiation from the two suns, and therefore it's surface is significantly irradiated. At one point approximately every 300 years, Dœsölatå is caught in it's Desolate Equinox, when it is caught at it's closest point directly in between both stars for approximately a month. It is totally cut off from outside access during this period, and the surface temperatures rise severely along with dramatic radiation bombardment. Obviously, the bases on the planet are evacuated prior to this occurance. In short, Dœsölatå is a worthless ball of rock and sand.

The second planet from the suns is the large, heavily populated Aurora Prima. Prima is a planet consisting of 90% water, with archipelagoes of land scattered over the planet. The small amount of land is either dense jungle or has been converted into land for human habitation. A wide array of exotic marine life is present in the warm, fertile waters of the planet, and hydroponic gardens can be found just offshore or floating nearby the gargantuan sea-cities, massive constructs of concrete and steel in the vast expanses of the single, world encompassing ocean, designed to withstand the withering effects of erosion and salt corrosion. Prima holds 99% of all life in the Aurora system.

The last planet in the system is Aurora Inferis. This planet is suspected to have collided with a celestial body far in it's past, which blew the crust from the planet, lending Inferis it's resource rich rings of rock with orbit the roasting planet. The surface of Inferis remains at a constant 800º celsius. There is no night or day, only the constant dim red glow of active magma rivers spreading spider-like across the black, obsidian-encrusted terrain. There is nothing on the surface, but a number of space stations are on the fringes of the planet's rings, designed to harvest the resources in the rings.

Information on the Factions

There are two main factions contesting for control of the Aurora System.

The Imperial Dragonate: A sensible dictatorship which believes in good civil rights for it's people, but doesn't have any regrets about violating people's freedoms in order to retain control. It keeps a very close watch on it's people, but does not abuse it's power. Some might argue it is a highly unfair regime because it believes in continuously deceving it's populace in order to ensure that their control is not threatened by any inside source, and often does so. The Dragonate remains on the cutting edge of technology and fields the most organized military of the bunch. It holds honor and tradition dear, and has a rich culture that has flourished in recent years, despite the ongoing war. It's main religion is a modified version of Seto Zen Buddhism, which has grown popular lately, though Taoist followers are still numerous. The Dragonate controls Aurora Dœsölatå, about two-thirds of Prima, and the surrounding space, along with the nearby resource rich Raindrop Nebula. Around 65% of the system's population is in Dragonate territories

The Shogunate: A fiercely militaristic society, this "government" is more like a closely knit congolmerate of warriors. Seeking total domination over all it's opposistion, it fields the largest, if not most advanced, military of all the factions, and it's culture and every aspect of life is geared towards war, much like the Spartans of ancient Greece. Favoring reckless, but still effective, swarm tactics over actual strategy, it has frightened many opponents off the battlefield with wave after wave of howling soldiers willing to throw themselves to their deaths at their leader's whim. Highly fanatical, they practice a pagan religion of their own devising, involving the worship of several major gods, along with less important outlying gods that watch over minor things in life. The Shogunate controls the remaining third of Aurora Prima, along with Aurora Inferis and the expansive space around it.

There are also smaller contestants in the bid for power, though they have begun to realize they must side with one of their larger competitors to have a chance at surviving.

The Red Lighting Clan: A vicious pirate group, the Red Lighting don't have a philosophy or idea for a working government. Rather, they just want to feed off of the chaos the Aurora System has plunged into. They prey on lightly or undefended merchant targets, especially shipments of the rare and valuable material mecroxite from the Raindrop Nebula. They also function as mercenaries, lending their significantly sized fleet of space warships to the highest bidder. However, they won't hesitate to backstab or flee, cowards that they are.

The Golden Tiger Clan: A small, independent clan that is caught in the middle of the warfare, they field a very small force, and are for the most part merely trying to survive.

((Now that that's all said, please join!))

HNSC Hammer of the Proletariat

"Star Admiral, I've just gotten orders from the Ministry..." He handed Star Admiral Zaitsev some papers. After a few minutes of reading over them. "Okay, notify the fleet to prepare for departure."

15 minutes later, the massive fleet appeared to stretch out and dissappeared

Ships in the fleet:

*Hammer of the Proletariat: Nemesis class Battleship (Flagship)
*Spirit of the Revolution: Retribution class Destroyer
*Voice of the People: Retribution class Destroyer
Red Revolution: Alexandrov class Cruiser
Haton: Alexandrov class Cruiser
Severnaya: Severnaya class Carrier

*These are not based on Homeworld ships, the other ones are just whatever ship type from that game
There are also many more smaller ships, but I don't feel like listing them...

((Bump.))

((Bump.))

Tag.

[OOC: I'm not a space RPer, but Wyrms (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127421&highlight=) make damn good fighter pilots... so unless someone wants to enlist some Wyrms, I'm going to just watch.]

[OOC: You know, this happens so often... I made that last post, then realized how I could enter this, and came up with a really good idea besides...]

Machine chatter.

Leader: WAKECALL (qualifier code 32-16-8-8+2-2-128)
Rekam: WAKECALL_ECHO (qualifier code 32-16-8-8+2-2-128) (diagnostic: augmentation type 220b, power OK=100%, hydro OK=100%, lifesupport EMERGENCYONLY=10min, comm OK=67%, radar RESTRICTED=15%, armor integrity OK=98%, charge OK=256hrs, lube OK=78%, details?) (wakeshock?)
Leader: WAKECALL_ECHO_ACK (nodetails, wakeshock OK)

Rekam jolted awake as his augmentative exoskeleton snapped a spark across his copper-scaled snout.

Rekam: COMM: Why'd you wake me up? You know I'm still not used to wakeshocks.
Leader: COMM: New information. Require discussion by ALL members. Level 3, 509 by 509.
Rekam: COMM: OK, OK, I'm coming.

Rekam started to lift hemself off the floor, felt the weight of his exskel, and realized something. I didn't boot my drive systems. Guess I still need to get used to this.

Rekam fired commands through the delicate connectors in his spinal cord, activating arrays of hydraulics and servos in his exskel. Diagnostics and status monitors flickered in his mind's eye. Motors whirred as he levered himself off the floor and looked around.

His chamber looked the same as it always had; bare rock, with power cable and sockets along one wall. The scratches on the wall from the other newly-augmented Wyrms who had occupied this space were still there.

Rekam was a new member of the Augmented; a small group of Wyrms who thought that more should be done with machines than simple toolpacks.
The Augmented reinforced their bodies with hydraulics and steel plate, eschewing magic and boosting their strength and reflexes with machinery and computers. Some of them actually went as far as to replace natural muscle and bone with mechanisms, even when it wasn't necessary.

*******************************************

Rekam was glad that he only had a armored exoskeleton like most of the Augmented, and not a full Shell, or a Body, like Leader.

Leader was more machine than Wyrm. His systems had been upgraded and extended hundreds of times. He stood on six insectile legs, and not a scrap of flesh or scale was visible under his armored shell. Comm antennae and sensor turrets studded his back, along with enough weaponry to take out several tanks.

Rekam dashed around a corner, making the turn more on the wall than the floor.

The alloy ribs of his exoskeleton flexed and whirred as he powered along the tunnel towards the meeting hall. This was the part he loved best about being Augmented; the raw power and speed that the exoskeleton gave him. Even the fastest of Natural Wyrms would be hard-pressed to keep up.

The Augmented made a living by hiring themselves out as mercenaries; sometimes to Khrrck's government, and sometimes to Khrrck's many clans, but mostly to humans who needed serious firepower on their side, which the Augmented provided very well. Their services were expensive; the complex electronic and mechanical components needed to keep themselves running were expensive, and so were the hideously complex operations needed to connect their augmentations to their nervous system.

Rekam slowed as he reached the meeting hall. Looking around, he saw that all the Augmented were gathered here. There weren't many of them; only a few Wyrms liked the idea of coating their bodies in machinery.

The Augmented numbered one hundred and twelve.

Most had armored exoskeletons, like himself; alloy struts, motors, and hydraulics fastened snugly alongside their natural limbs. The amount of armor varied from Exskel to Exskel; some had almost none, while others were almost covered in lightweight alloy plate. Rekam had light plate on his tail, back, and neck, and on some parts of his head.

A Exshell brushed by him, her thick steel armor hissing and clanking. The Exshells coated almost all of their bodies with layered armor, and had proportionally stronger hydraulics to carry it.

********************************

Leader's voice rang through the hall from the loudspeakers on his shell, underlaid with radio signals.

"I have received word from our Net specialists. Apparently, there is a large-scale conflict going on in Aurora. The participants seem like the sort who might want our help. I want four volunteers to take passage with a commercial flight into the system, and offer our services. If they agree, I have arranged transport for us all."

Leader: SUPPLEMENT_COMM: System is at 4395/2392+1/23. The primary factions are the Imperial Dragonate, the Shogunate, and the Red Lightning Clan. However, the Golden Lion Clan seems like the most likely canidate for our services, though we will ask the Red Lightnings, the Imperial Dragonate, and the Shogunate, in that order, if they do not want our services. Volunteering will be by blind comm.

The room erupted into an excited babble of radio-frequency comm and Wyrm voices, Rekam's among them. Finally, a chance to do something.

Rekam: I vounteer.

Rekam's comm systems caught a few other bursts of coded signal over the noise as other Wyrms volunteered.

Leader: The volunteers accepted are: Marakur, Rekam...

Rekam couldn't make out the rest of the message. But he didn't care.

As the Hattian space fleet entered the system near the planet designated Aurora Prima, a group of small warships closed in on the new visitors.

"Unidentified warship, you have entered Dragonate space. Keep your weapons and shields powered down, and state your purpose and origin. You have one minute to comply." Came the cautious transmission.

---

((I'm skipping ahead to the meeting if that's alright, Khrrck.))

"Alhyt." The remarkably lean man said in a heavy Asian accent. He wore rough clothes, and obviously was not a true diplomat, but it was the most the Golden Tiger Clan could spare. "We sha' get don to wha' you whan'. Ah...wha' izi you whan'?"

As the Hattian space fleet entered the system near the planet designated Aurora Prima, a group of small warships closed in on the new visitors.

"Unidentified warship, you have entered Dragonate space. Keep your weapons and shields powered down, and state your purpose and origin. You have one minute to comply." Came the cautious transmission.

---

((I'm skipping ahead to the meeting if that's alright, Khrrck.))

"Alhyt." The remarkably lean man said in a heavy Asian accent. He wore rough clothes, and obviously was not a true diplomat, but it was the most the Golden Tiger Clan could spare. "We sha' get don to wha' you whan'. Ah...wha' izi you whan'?"

DP

[tag]
How far is all this from Sol?

"Power down the weaponry and shields" said the Star Admiral. He then began typing on his console.

[code:1:760ab976a7]
Greetings from Hattia, we have commands from the Prime Minister to assist in your quest for control of this system, I will send you my orders to verify that we are being truthful.
[/code:1:760ab976a7]

Zaitsev fed the paper into the machine and sent off the message.

((It's a decent distance from Sol, but any crude FTL drive can reach it.))

"Your evidence checks out." Came the Dragonate reply. "We'll take you down to the Corisœmperia Miltåja on Aurora Prima. Place your fleet into orbit around Prima, as well."

[code:1:ce5ab6f692]
Thank you comrades.
[/code:1:ce5ab6f692]

The ships flared their engines and made their way quickly towards towards Prima. After a while, they made it to the planet and entered orbit...

Chancellor George Thomas IV glanced over his marble desk overlooking the city skyline of Echeos Mir. The sunset on his empire's homeworld was not unlike those of Earth. For a brief, fleeting moment, a subtle peace surrounded the Chancellor....

His momentary bliss was instantly evaporated with the high pitched, electronic buzz of an electrostatic planar hologram generating on his desk. On it was a flickery picture of his lead Starfleet Admiral.

"Good evening, Tom." Admiral Johnathan Ketcher addressed the Chancellor with the cordiality they had developed over decades of serving next to one another.

"Johnathan, hello. I'm willing to bet this isn't a call for chuckles, correct?" He replied with a forced laugh.

"Ever since that damn Chrome Fleet made out there... anyways. We've got our first on the galactic stage, you may want to take a look at it. It seems a kind of Oriental spinoff star system is experiencing some political whiplash. You may entertain my suggestion of becoming involved."

"Indeed. And what, might I ask, would we gain from intervention?"

"Haven't the time to explain it. I'm beaming you a dossier chock full of information..."

Chancellor George Thomas observed the common "Downloading Now - 47%" at the bottom of the screen.

"At least read it over. Anyways... I'm already late for that damn meeting...." The admiral finished.

"Go on. I'll take it from here. Enjoy your meeting." He added, tauntingly.

"I get to listen to a bunch of physicists talk about teleportation technology and its implementation on naval vessels."

Chancellor George Thomas pulled from a small leather pouch a pair of glasses, and began to read the dossier.

Three hours later, he made his decision.
**************************************
000 Hours - Galatia Orbital Station

The engines of the Republic's flagship, FSS Thunder Lance warmed up, along with 20 additional starships.

Fleet Specs:
2 Battleships
1 Missile Cruiser
5 Corvettes

Ships and non-classified specs HERE (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=139568&highlight=).

((Taggishness.))

((Taggishness.))

[OOC: Fine with me. Sorry for the delay.]

Rekam's exskel hissed as he shifted his weight; he wasn't comfortable being unarmed. At the entrance, he had given up a Minigun and four small, vicious-looking rockets.

"We wissh to offerr ourr sserrvicess."
Mareka's voice was low and hissing as it came out of the speaker bolted to his exshell.

The big Ironscale was almost covered in blackened steel plate; only a hint of grey scale was visible through the joints.
"We fight forr whoeverr payss uss. We can help you defend yourrsself, orr even carrve out a little niche of yourr own. Therre arre one hundrred and twelve of uss, and we arre all arrmed at leasst ass heavily ass Rekam herre iss, not counting vehicless."

That was Rekam's signal to start talking. "We have armored buggiess that can take out a tank. We have tankss of our own, and they can take out aircraft that try to strafe them. We will, ssoon, have spacefighters of our own, and we can pull more Gss than any human can, which givess uss a great advantage in dogfightss. " He grinned, exposing a intimidating array of pointed, coppery teeth. "We will also, if all goes well, have a orbital bombardment ship."

****************************

Leader looked over the list of supplies in his RAM. If they were going to compete in space, they needed modern equipment. Slugthrowers can only take you so far.

Leader: COMM: Looks like we've got everything. How're you doing on that asteroid miner?

Erak: COMM: I think I've found one. Looks like it's got everything we want; mass driver, mining lasers, big reactor, and a huge hauling capacity, so we can fit a lot of stuff on it.

Leader: COMM: What about the fighters?

Erak: COMM: I've got twenty APF-2 Banshees here, pretty cheap, with external hardpoints, functional weaponry, and shielding. It's an old design, but still works OK. Plus, the dealer says he can get us a few hundred missiles for them if we buy them all.

Commode Eric Strength, was not a typical Wicker, the son of a mixed marriage between a Wick mother and an outsider father, he was short at 5’4, the rest of his body conformed to the standards of Vagrants’ DNA tampering and breeding program, his skin was tanned, heavily muscled, and he had jagged orange eye stripping. However he had one thing others of his race had not, hair, it was kept in a tight braid that reached to his lower back. It was a symbol to his people, that change was possible, even if slowly.

He excelled at the Military Training Academy, and was selected to be an officer, from commands in LAC, to Cruiser he gained promotions through success in anti-piracy programs, now he was the head of the vanguard of an even more important mission that would be the biggest challenge of his career to date. He was to find home base of the Red Lighting Clan, ascertain their strength, destroy if possible or report back for reinforcements. The secondary objective was to aid the struggling Golden Tiger Clan in their bid for survival, in exchange for knowledge of their Intel on the pirate clan. The Imperial Drtagonate’s reaction to their mission was unknown, one thing was clear the Shogunate would not be friendly, to this incursion into the Aurora System.

His Task Force exited approximately half a days travel from the hyper limit of the system, at a point where the GTC were to have a representative present. He hope that it was not a set up, should there contact have been compromised. His force was strong and he was confident in his troops ability to fight.

Task Force Strength:
1 Division of Battle Cruisers
CNS Faithful Fraternity Class
CNS Fox Equality Class
1 Division of Heavy Cruisers
CNS Chance Stalwart Class
CNS Ypres Stalwart Class
1 Division of Lt. Cruisers
CNS Quark Turbulent Class
CNS Mate Turbulent Class
1 Lance Destroyers
CNS Jacob Hawkbat Class
CNS Gregory Hawkbat Class
CNS Mark Hawkbat Class
CNS Golf Hawkbat Class
1 Converted LAC Tender (Freighter)
CNS Fissure Contains 24 LACs

See this sight for details of ships http://f5.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/wIyBQGXLBCkUPodMGgXdggoASbwHJ3IlAlvTPdS7vteL7b6D5yNsQ6s3VE615ei0Q_BNDGffwWsBG0rysnZX5g/Commonwealth%20Navy/Ship%20Data

The diplomat struggled to remain professional before these behemoths, but he still involuntarily stepped backwards, particularly from the one black creature, ensconced totally in the thick armor. The four men, presumably guards, who stood near the entrance and the back of the room, held the same demeanor, turning their attention to their crude assault rifles, their bleak surroundings, anything to avert their eyes from the decidedly terrifing Wyrms.

"One—one hundred and tw—twelve? Ah like you four?" He mumbled, thinking nervously about how many weapons this Rekam had turned over. "Security, ah lan' of ou' own...what you offa is certa'ly ah...seductive...alluring...but a' wha' cos' to ou' poor clan?"

---

The Wickian fleet entered a debris field that shouldn't have been there. The bow of a boxy cruiser drifted past, the bridge shattered and the hull pockmarked by laser weapons. The frozen form of a pilot drifted past, eyes wide inside of his transparent helmet, stuck in eternal suprise of the unexpected missile that blew his fighter to pieces. Other bodies drifted in the void. Officers, women, a mangled and burned corpse that was unidentifiable. Everything totalled up to one conclusion: Ambush.

Numerous craft converged on the task force's position, shedding their cloaks and opening fire without so much as a warning. This new force was composed of two large ships, probably battleships or dreadnaughts of some kind, mixed with a large number of crusiers and corvettes, all geared towards combat. Every ship was painted in an intimidating blood red, and was remarkably sleek. Fighters flooded from some of the larger ships, crimson bolts of lighting streaking across their flanks. Obviously, the Red Lighting Clan didn't believe in guessing games, and they were here.

There were gasps of shock and terror on those on the bridge of the battle cruiser Faithful by all those except her Captain. Humans were involuntarily shocked by the appearance of such a large force, their minds calculating, explain, justifying, wasting valuable seconds, fortunately computers like good captains were not shocked. The PD systems of the Task Force fired upon the incoming fighters, over 89 counter-missiles were launched within 2 seconds.
“Form all vessels into anti-ship formation, have the Fox and the heavies target those two capital ships. Have our screen target the cruisers, prep all tubes for rapid continuous volley. Comms send this message to these coordinates. Let’s show them the price of ambush!” A smile crossed Strength’s face as he thought of the response he had planned for should an ambush occur, there was a reason for having the meeting take place outside the hyper-limit that would be clear soon. The ship shuddered as the first broadside was unleashed, it would cross the gap between themselves and the enemy in 30 seconds at this close range. 112 missiles were launched 78 of which were fired at the lead capital ship. Over half the missiles contained no warhead but rather an ECM emitter, which greatly confused the enemies’ attempts to intercept them.

One thing was clear this was not going to be a massacre of Wickians.

Mareka chuckled; an odd sound, but still recognizable. "Mosst of uss arre at leasst as heavily arrmed as Rrekam here. Ass for cosst... We rrequirre a few thingss. A basse, to sset ourrsselvess up on. We'll expect you to pay for the rrepair of any damage, within rreasson, to vehicles or equipment we might ssuffer while fighting for you. You'll pay uss twenty-eight million US dollarrss, or equivalent, each thrree monthss, for ourr sserrvicess. If we win a battle for you, you'll pay uss a bonuss, depending on the oddss we faced. If you think it's too much, you can explain why and we may lower the price."

Mareka shifted his weight, than continued. "If we happen to come accrrosss any valuable objectss or money, we'll give you one-quarterr of the value. Forr all thiss, we'll fight wherre you want uss to fight, when you want uss to fight. We'll do it well, and you won't be dissapointed. All terrmss arre, of coursse, negotiable."

"We will accep' you' offa for 25 million per three months." The diplomat stated, nodding. "I wish you to undastan' tha' this war has spanned many generations, and jus' because you ah coming in, doesn' mean peace will finally come."

---

One fighter had it's wing torn from it, and whirled incontrollably into the nearest Wickian ship, transforming into a fireball. Another fighter's cockpit was pierced by a missile, the pilot dying instantly. The missile exited out the rear of the ship, and the fighter drifted for a moment before it's engines exploded, spraying superheated gases across the void. Dozens of thin beams of light lanced out from the lead ships, instantly rendering the majority of the missiles directed at the ambushers' ships ineffective. Still, there were always those that got through, blossoming brightly on the ships' shields. The chaotic mob began to organize itself, the lighter ships attempting to encircle the Wickians and bombarding them from all angles, as the fighters screened the two capital ships, which spearheaded an attack through the midst of the Wickians, firing full broadsides as they charged.

The fleet broadcasted a message down to the planet...

[code:1:c529eec650]
Please inform us as to where the fleet would be most useful so we can accomplish our mission.
[/code:1:c529eec650]

This was going to be close thought Strength as he viewed the return fire of the enemy fleet. His own units Counter Missile fire on the enemy fighters was not as effective as he would have liked though they did seem to falter for a brief period.
“Their screening units have broken off from the two Dreadnaughts they are moving to encircle our flanks!” The tactical officer called out…
“Reading massive energy spikes from the dreadna-“the sensors ensign comment being cut off as the ship was violently struck by the enemy energy batteries. The sidewalls held up well deflect ¾ of the incoming fire half of what penetrated did so at degraded strength the range was still a bit long for energy strikes.
“Hull breeches on decks 3, 9, and 12, missile 2 and 4 damaged!” the Damage control ensign stated. The ship lurched once again as another broadside of missiles were fired, each broadside was fired 20 seconds.
“Guns engage with energy mounts as they bear!” Strength order, his flagship was a new class of ship in the Commonwealth Navy (C.N.) it sacrificed the amount of energy mounts to increase the size of those grasers remaining his ship had 9 super-dreadnaught size graser per broadside enough to ruin any ship smaller then a dreadnaught into a cripple mass of metal in a single volley, the Red Lighting clan made a big mistake closing into energy range so quickly, here the Wickians held the advantage. The Ship shuttered again as the missiles/torpedoes from the enemy dreadnaughts impacted however only 10% of what the enemy shot hit, the C.N. PD was some of the best around, only minor damage was inflicted.
“Order our screen to redirect fire at their flanking units, we cant be surrounded.” Strength ordered. The screen then unleashed furies of missiles and energy at the flanking units, the enemy replied in kind, the screening units did not have the extensive PD coverage as the capital ships and began to take damage, and the small Golf took numerous hits by and enemy cruisers missiles just amidships splitting the small ship in two. It was do or die between the light units of the two fleets.
The Faithful lurched again as another broadside of missiles was launched, only ninety more seconds Strength thought to himself, then we shall see who will die here today, as the Faithful’s massive energy mounts spoke with religious anger for the first time in combat as 425cm of pure energy was sent at the enemies lead dreadnaught per mount at the speed of light…

(OOC: Counter Missiles are launched with an acceleration of nearly 90,000kps2 propelled like all Wickian ships with an impeller drive. It was this gravity distortion that really killed the target all that was required was the missile get with in 30 km of a target to kill it, usually get 40 to 50 % kills at close range we at, willing to say 20 here though for first volley. Anti-ship missile I will go into detail about also, they are slower then CM because they are larger, Missiles launched from larger ships carry larger laser heads, so a Destroyers missiles warhead would be pinpricks to a ship the size of a battle cruiser, while 1 or 2 missiles from a battle cruiser would snap a destroyer in half. What makes a Wickian missile effective is that they are stand off weapons detonated at 20k km from the target. The Wickians also employed 5mt nuclear warheads but these require “contact” within 100km of target, making hits against modern PD unlikely, Ships of the Wickian navy also have energy mounts, our fraternity class battle cruisers mount SD size energy weapons, these are very damaging once fleets close and engage with ship borne energy weapons battles are decided in mere minutes often less as these are such devastating weapons, The Wickian ships have Sidewall which is a gravimetric shield that defects energy weapons however the closer the proximity the more likelihood of penetration. All energy weapons are light speed meaning a ship is hit before it even knows the weapons were fired./OOC)

2100 Hours - Aurora Prima

"Captain, we are near Aurora Prima." The oriental helmsman of the FSS Thunder Lance said.

Captain Jacob Reijnir stood on the bridge of the Wormian flagship, a pinnacle of technology that was just beginning to make its indelible mark around the galaxy.

"Disengage stellar overdrive, helm. Engage shields, stand by weapons, and begin Alpha 447 active sensor sweeps around the system. Steady as she goes Lieutenant." He replied with confidence. Here the empire he served would become known....

"Aye, captain. Pulling out of overdrive... Aurora Prima sir."

Reijnir turned to look at the massive viewscreen. He beheld the sight of an extraterrestrial world... for the first time in his country's history.

"Gentlemen.... the first extraterrestrial world to be seen by Wormian eyes. Let's hope they make this a good moment to remember."

The fleet proceeded to Aurora Prima... the debris field, and the dead warning of an unwanted yet imminent meeting with fate still lay beyond the effective range of the sensor beams. It would certainly be history to remember...

?Hyper Footprint Detected near Aurora Prime!? the senor sensor officer shouted, his voice heard over the din of battle. Any ships exiting hyperspace appeared like a flare shot in the dead of night to any modern sensors. ?I can make it out to be six definite contacts and two probable, at least a division of capital ships, sir!? An unknown force entering the system was never a good thing, this contact would not last it would see be lost as the hyper footprint died out, they were too far for gravimetric contact. The battle that was raging was more pressing?The ship shuddered as another broadside of missiles were launched, and again as the opposite broadside was fired, the numerically superior enemy was on both sides of his task force now. There formations however nonexistent contrasted sharply with the tight mutually beneficial formation of the C.N. Taskforce, this was a battle of number vs. tactics and discipline, Strength thought to himself as he felt 2 ,ore broadsides unlashed.
?Pour it on guns! We need to stop those dreads from splitting our formation. The Battle continued?

"This is Corisœmperia Miltåja to Hattian Ship Hammer of the Proletariat. There is currently a need for ships in Dœfen Red 4, along the supply lines of Nebula A-1. A Shogunate strike is expected in this area. Coordinates are 1250068, 30059875. This area is crucial, thank you for your assistance." Came the reply after some deliberation.

((A Dœfen Red is a sector of space on high alert, often near the front lines, that is approximately 1 million km x 1 million km x 1 million km. Also, military coordinates are based on a basic 2-D (X,Y) axis graph, (0,0) being Corisœmperia Miltåja.))

---

The lead Dreadnaught became encircled in a sphere of opacity as it's shields pushed back against the assault, blurring the vision of the ships around it as heat washed over it. The shields finally gave out, shattering with a deafening clap. The grasers penetrated the hull, and the red paint peeled off around the impact points and flashfroze along with melted metal almost instantly. The front of the Dreadnaught now looked more like plastic surgery gone bad, a twisted hulk of metal, nonfunctional gun turrets staring blankly out at space. It's engines plowed on, however, and the rear turrets were still spitting out plasma. The engines gave a flash, and the capital ship lurched forwards, directly at the Faithful.

A forboding looking ship, forward curving needles bristling on the front, manuvered around from the back of the Red Lighting fleet to get a clear shot at the Wickian flagship. Lavender energy crackled along the needles, and shot out in a bright beam of ultra-ionized particles at the Faithful.

---

"We're being scanned, Commodore."

"Indeed we are. Let us reveal ourselves."

An opaque wave washed through an empty portion of space, and a dozen ships appeared before the Wormians.

"Unidentified ship. You are on the Dragonate-Shogunate border of Aurora Prima. It is suggested you leave this dangerous quadrant of space." Came the cool reply from the squadron of ships.

Mareka's servos whirred as he nodded. "Agrreed. We sshall arrive, if all goess well, within five dayss."

A manipulator arm unfolded from a recess in his armor, pulled a data chip from a small compartment, and tossed towards the man. "That containss ourr codess, as well as contact inforrmation. Tell uss wherre we sshould sset ourrsselvess up ass ssoon ass posssible."

With that, the Wyrms turned and departed with a hiss of hydraulics, pausing only to retrieve their weapons.

************************

Time passes.

************************

The Coward's Pride, converted asteroid miner, crawled (insomuch as FTL travel can be called a crawl) from the direction of Sol towards the Aurora system.

Pilot: ANNOUNCE: Stand by to leave hyperspace. I repeat, stand by to leave hyperspace.

Rekam gripped the clawholds that had been hastily welded to the inside of the pressurized shipping container, dimly aware of the other four Wyrms inside doing the same.

Pilot: ANNOUNCE: We are leaving hyperspace. I repeat, we are leaving hyperspace.

The Coward's Pride lurched clumsily into normal space on the edge of the Aurora system.

From the outside, the Coward's Pride looked like a long, thin rectangular bar, about four hundred feet long, twenty feet wide, and fifteen feet thick.

A single bulbous, faceted cockpit was visible on the front end, perched above the mouth of a huge mass driver intended for flinging immense loads of asteroid rock into orbits where they could be reached and mined easily. Six huge, clawed arms were fastened around the edges, intended to latch onto an asteroid and haul it.

On the other end, a smooth, flared cowling housed a tangle of piping and huge nozzles; an engine big enough to push entire asteroids. Along the rest of the ship's spine, clusters of pressurized shipping containers were fastened, jumbled together in apparently random fashion.

Pilot: ANNOUNCE: Plotting course to New Base. Orienting for first burn...

Huge attitude jets along the spine fired, trailing blue flame and swinging the Coward's Pride onto a new heading.

Inside the shipping container, Rekam locked his exshell in place, knowing what was coming.

Pilot: ANNOUNCE: Orientation complete. Activating Impact Drive Assemblies. Burning for four minutes at 30 PPM. Firing NOW.

The huge main engine fired, exerting horrendous thrust over a period of milliseconds, and ramming back into the forest of shock absorbers and giant springs inside its housing. Then it stopped. Two seconds later, it did the same thing again. And again. And again...

Pilot: ANNOUNCE: Burn complete. Estimated arrival time at New Base is three hours, twelve minutes, two seconds. Burn two in twelve minutes, twenty-nine seconds.

Rekam let go of the clawholds on the wall with a almost palpable effort of will. He floated for a moment, simply enjoying the fact that the brutal hammering of the IDA assemblies had stopped, then went about checking that the equipment fastened to the inside of the shipping container was still secure.

********************************************

In the cramped bridge (well, more like a cockpit) of the Coward's Pride, Leader looked at the sensor operator to his left. Her eyes were closed; she was concentrating wholly on the data flooding through the arrays of sensors they had bolted to the outside of the ship.

Leader: COMM: Anything on the scanners?

Sensor: COMM: Nothing close enough to affect us, unless there's someone cloaked nearby. There's the usual light freighter traffic you'd expect in a war zone, a fleet near Aurora Prime, a battle going on in a debris field on the other side of the system... nothing threatening, though.

"Captain... sensors are picking up a debris field..."

Reijnir looked intensely at the viewscreen of his ship,... his window to the hostile world outside the hull plating of the Thunder Lance.

The sound of a pneumatic motor thrusting open a door could be heard on the bridge, and first officer Trevor Thurman walked through the door.

"Trevor. It would seem that a debris field has just become within our sensor radii. What do you think?" Reijnir asked.

"I would guess... some conflict at first... but I don't know. A debris field could be any..."

Thurman was interrupted sharply by the loud call, "CAPTAIN!"

Reijnir whipped around to see his helmsman pointing to the main viewscreen, which apart from the typical background of stars, had a compliment of debris in scattered trajectories. Passing very near the external camera was an organic body, long since frozen, irradiated and overly depressurized.

"I don't think this is going to be a peaceful meeting.... sir...." Helm said.

Thurman looked down at the ensign, "Very astute. Captain?"

"Raise shields and charge forward weapons arrays. Defense pattern Nimitz-Delta 447. Hail the Golden Tiger Clan on a secure channel." Reijnir said.

Cheers erupted on the bridge as the Red Lightning's lead Dreadnaught was crippled into a burning mass of scrap metal. Yet, it quickly died as it was seen that that dreadnaught was on a collision course with the Faithful, the crew knew exactly how to respond to such a situation and the captain stated the necessary orders.
"Belay last target, retarget that hulk, hit it again!"
The grasers which had previously been targeting the surviving dreadnaught now targeted the hulk and fired again, obliterating it. This however left the Faithful open to the next attack from the other dreadnaught and an unknown previously ignored vessel.

"Massive energy spike detected!"
An energy attack imminent the navigational officer immediately rolled the ship to present its ventral surface to the enemy, All Wickian ships had heavily armored ventral and dorsal surfaces. The attack still hurt, and bad, people were thrown across the bridge and everything went black...
The external view was no less spectacular the lavender beam sliced a hole through from the Ventral to Dorsal surfaces of the Faithful explosions rippled outwards of the newly formed chasm, bodies and debris floated outwards the hull was compromised, the chain reaction which followed as the magazines were sent off deep in the bowels of the ship, split the ship in two, the aft section going one way the fore the other.

The C.N. prizes its crew survivability above all else, blast doors slammed shut, containment fields erected, the fires stopped allowing the crew valuable time to evacuate the ship, over half the escape pods and lifeboat were launched before the ends of the ships imploded adding itself to the ever increasing debris field, Commodore Strength may have been taken out of the fight but his plan was still in effect.

***

"Ma'am we have a lock on the ship that killed the Faithful ," the tactical officer reported.
"Executing Firing Plan Alpha 5-9" Rear Admiral of the Red, Alyssa Covington ordered in a cold soprano voice, which betrayed none of the hatred and contempt she held for these pirates. The ship did not shudder when its broadside was loosed. It massed nearly three times as much as the Faithful it was a true Dreadnaught class vessel and contained not only twice the energy broadside of the Faithful but the armor and protection a mere battle cruiser lacked. C.N dreadnaughts were 3km long and massed over 6.9 million tons, 7 times more then the Faithful . Commodore Strength trap was finally sprung.

Covington's command reveled itself from its immense ECM cloak and unleashed death upon their brethren's aggressors at 75,000kps2 . 422 of the missiles were shot at the single deadly ship, half of them carrying ECM emitters or penetration aid, 5 heavily ECM missiles carried Nuclear warheads. The volley could be followed by another every 22 seconds.

Support Section:
1 Constitution Class DN
3 Freedom Class DN
4 Sultan Class BC
2 Lion Class BC
5 Stalwart Class HC
6 Turbulent Class LC
4 Hawkbat Class DD

OOC: This brings total Wickian strength is system to A Lance of Dreadnaughts, a Squadron of Battle Cruiser, a Heavy Cruiser Squadron, a Light Cruiser Squadron and a Destroyer Squadron. This will remain constant unless a ship is sent for relif wich would be a week in coming. Just to make it clear the Commonwealth of the Wick's trading convoys had been raidied by the red lighting clan enough we are determined to see thier end, we partially support the GTC, yet we distrust the other two major powers for letting the RLC survie this long. We are here to end the RLC. God help those who stand in our way"

#tagged

[OOC: WIck, I can not make any sense of that post. Three-quarters of it is a single paragraph, you have question marks in wierd places, and some of your sentences don't even have spaces between them!]

OOC: yes it appears the boards ate em up pretty good, replacing quatation marks and puncation with ? marks and my paragraphs too i am trying to fix sorry.... Edited it some hopefully it is better

"Hail them again. Have the fleet do the same." Reijnir said. The Golden Tiger Clan was not terribly receptive to the fleet's hails....

"I'm picking up a second debris... field...." The sensors operator began to vaguely stare into his console, his sentence slowly fading to a distinct silence.

"What is it?" Reijnir asked.

"I.... I don't know.... I've seen these readings before.... I just... don't know... what they are...." He said, attempting to make even the smallest bit of sense from the random tidbits of data.

"What's it say?" Reijnir said with the utmost curiousity.

"Data reads.... energy spikes on 4 levels.... one in the EM spectrum... various heat spikes, and a massive... " The light emanating from the screen flashed, briefly illuminating the sensor operator's face, "A.... a nuclear..... blast...."

"What? The ships in this system are using nukes?" Thurman said, exclaimedly.

"It would appear so...." replied the sensor operator.

"Send to the fleet.... all stop. Standby for immediate evac into friendly space, Alert Status: Four. Contact naval HQ and the Capital.... what the hell are they sending us into...?" Reijnir said.

"Sir.... the WIckians.... " The communications officer began to say....

"Hail them. Ask them if they need assistance... and... stop hailing the Golden Tiger Clan.... and start hailing the Dragonate. Ask them what the hell is going on in this system!!!" Reijnir had lost his patience with the game of cat and mouse...

((Posting as Aurora, cause I don't want to log out again.))

A brilliant crimson shield, warping and molding constantly, snapped into existiance around the strange needle-covered ship. The missiles bloomed brightly on the shield bathing the surrounding area in blinding light, and it wavered for a moment, but when the explosion clouds cleared, the crimson orb still remained. The shield blinked once and dissipated, and red bolts launched out of the many turreted tubes on the ship, which were clearly solid projectiles sheathed in some form of energy, most likely ionized particles.

The majority of the Red Lighting ships, including the surviving Dreadnaught, turned their missiles on the newly arrived ships, attacking with a massive wave of kinetic missiles before a mix of kinetic and high-yield heavy water missiles, eight megatons each, surged towards Covington's ships. The Red Lighting ships were beginning to understand that they couldn't match the Wickian ships in close range energy based combat, and began to congregate on the experimental ship that had killed the Faithful. This ship's needles crackled with energy again, this time swiveling towards Covington's command.

"You have no place here." Came a tightband, unencrypted transmission to Covington. "What do you have against those who prey on the near-sighted chaos of others? We rid the worlds of those unable to adapt. Leave us, and we will let you scamper off with your lives intact."

---

"This is Prelate Vaxton." Came the response to the Wormian hailing. "You ask what is happening here. Has your government told you nothing? We here are at war. What is there not to understand? This is total war, anything goes, and all the factions, including us, shall use anything at their disposal to hasten an end to this decades-long war. Shed your naïvete, it's not becoming of a task force leader."

The Dragonate massage proceeded to explain the detestably simple situation to the fleet. The bridge, and, for that matter, the entire fleet was silent. Few times has the void of space had the same volume as the inside of a starship. Only the gentle hum of the Wormian fusion reactors could be heard within reverberating and resonating through the ships' hulls, and hallways.

At last, the silence was pierced by a meek, "Captain?"

Reijnir looked at the helmsman of the Thunder Lance. What was he doing? "Are.... are we in over our heads?" He asked Thurman.

"I..."

"Do you even begin to realize that Wormia hasn't had one, single war in over 200 years?" Reijnir said.

"The orders of the capital were quite specific. We are to establish favor in whichever..."

"I KNOW THAT. I KNOW WHAT MY DAMN ORDERS ARE, A LITTLE TOO WELL." Reijnir berated his first officer... the contempt for his "orders" seemed to have spread. "Fine. Damnit. Hail the WIckian fleet, ask if they should need any assistance, negative, tell them we're coming whether they need it or not, then hail the Golden Tiger Clan. AGAIN. In the meantime...." Reijnir inhaled deeply, "Red alert. All hands, battle stations... charge all weapons, prime all warheads. Triangulate hull armor, activate defense fields and engage energy cloak. Set course for the WIckian fleet." The eloquence, yet power with which he dictated these words was astounding, and the bridge crew, with a rebuilt morale proceeded with speed and efficiency to carry out the captain's orders.

The R.L.C's leaders words stung, Covington sense of professionalism however prevented her responding. She saw her Task Force's missile barrage impact upon the shields of the Needler (Her name for the energy beam ship of the RLC), for a moment she thought the shields would fail but they held, more firepower need to hit, with time the ship would sustain damage four more concentrated barrages were inbound, then she noticed a shift in the enemy attack plan.

"Ma'am the enemies units previous engaging Task Force Strength have broken off and are screening the Needler, We seemed to have attracted their attention."

"Understood T.A.C, have the Tincans pick up the survivors of the Faithful and then head to the secondary rally point. Have the combat capable ships of TF Strength trail the enemy and to commence a long range barrage at the enemies screening units, have them work on the corvettes and to work on up, I want the enemy to begin paying in blood."

TF strength could still through 68 missiles at any given target, more then enough to begin picking off smaller targets.

Covington stared at the tactical plot of the battle and saw the enemies strategy, they knew if the Wickian's dreadnaughts were allowed into energy range it would not bode well, they were content to stand off, it was going to be a cannonade that decided this fight, she was content to grant it, her dreadnaughts were deadly enough at range and in close, she also knew she could not over take the enemies force in her slower dreads.

The enemy Needler commenced a longer range assault with its blasts not in one coherent blast but rather many small ones which had no effect upon anything larger then a Battle Cruisers, whose Sidewalls defected all energy blast at this long range. Smaller ship did take damage from such blast due to their weaker sidewalls.

She watched as her task force counter-missiles hurried to intercept the incoming enemy missile and projectile fire, the gravity wedges of C.M's killed both. As the enemy broadsides closed a brilliant cascade of crimson was emitted from PD laser cluster striking down still more. Then she saw the symbol noting Nuclear detonations, there were numerous, at least a dozen. Nuclear weapons stood little chance of getting to a distance close enough to be effective against a modern warship with the available PD of Wickian vessels, that's why almost all Wickian Warships fired laser heads that detonated at 20k km. However should one get close enough it would hurt.

Anywhere from 15-25% of the enemy broadside made it past the PD efforts of Covington's command. She heard her damage control officer state the light damage her ship began to take. Her smaller ships were so lucky, she saw a destroyer just vanish as its hull was penetrated by fire from the Needler, a light cruiser took beta node damage and fell from formation by missile impacts from the surviving dreadnaught.

"Comms, send to all ships, Target by division's targets of opportunity, BC's and DN target remaining enemy capital ships, screening units target their cruisers and corvettes, fire as they bear!" The Wickian ships realign their formation into one that would best suit a long range missile barrage, the LC's and Tincans were ahead of the wall by 250k km acting as a missile picket, the battle cruisers and heavies closer in to the wall formed by the dreads, all ship returning in kind what was sent at them. This formation got its name of a "wall" for when the enemy fire was about to hit the Wickian ships would roll presenting their heavily armored dorsal or ventral surfaces, then roll and unleash a broadside, roll take the hits, roll and fire the opposite broadside, and repeat. This allowed for a continuous barrage to be sent upon the enemy, missiles incoming every 20 seconds.

[OOC: Aurora Prima, could you please tell me where the Augmented's base is? I can't really do anything until then.]

The Wormian fleet came in behind the WIckian fleet, preparing to engage the Red Lightning fleet. They were out of gun range, but missiles were still a valid option.

Reijnir stood on the bridge of the Thunder Lance, awaiting any sort of response from the WIckian fleet. He didn't want to screw up any strategies they might have, but... time was running short. "Open a channel to the Versailles and the Salamis, tell them to begin firing missiles into the enemy fleet in a spread pattern, detonate on or near the enemy ships. Standard warheads only... we'll wait and see if our tactical nukes are necessary."

"Aye, Captain."

********************

Captain Paul Strasheim stood aboard the bridge of the Versailles. He was growing weary of the fleets inaction. Well... what had been inaction anyway. The battle before hime was growing ever closer, not only to him, but the fleet, and, for that matter his crew.

"Sir!"

"What is it Mr. Aris?" Strasheim asked.

"Communication from the Thunder Lance! We are to open fire with our standard warheads in a spread pattern at all ships under the flag of Red Lightning..."

He looked at the viewscreen. Only a tiny portion of the middle of it was covered in bright explosions and starships never before seen by Wormians. "In that case... let's give our weapons their trial run. Flood fire, spread pattern, plasma dispersion warheads."

The dual hulls on both missile cruisers began to vibrate with life. Moments later, 150 missiles streaked towards the enemy fleet. The fact that nothing could be heard in space was an irritating irony, as 150 missiles would make a deafening clamor in their fight to reach their targets.

(OOC: They aren't nuclear or WMD of any type)

Dang forum...

"Navigation, you have the coordinates, get to work." said Zaitsev impatiently. The man nodded and pressed some buttons on his console. "Ready for the jump." He pulled a lever...

The ships appeared distorted for a split second before dissapearing...

((Right, sorry, Khrrck.))

The Augmented met their rendevous about a thousand klicks away from New Base, a quartet of Golden Tiger cruisers and two squadrons of large, heavily armed fighters. The escorts remained under radio silence, expecting the Augmented to follow. After a long period of hanging alongside the forgien ship as they entered an asteriod belt, a simple message was shot out far ahead, and an equally concise message was the reply.

The first radio message to the Augmented since they had arrived was transmitted to them. "Welcome to your new home, and your headquarters,*Calypso Base. A range of ships will be at your disposal, and you are free to modify the base and the ships at your will."

A well camoflauged base, half rock and half exposed machinery dotted with countless weapons, came into view. The Augmented were ushered into the docking bay.

---

A myriad of thin beams shot out from the Red Lighting ships and touched against the incoming Wormian missiles, detonating them in a wonderous flash. A sparse few missiles penetrated the clouds left behind by the explosions and evaded the anti-missile lasers, but their payloads only tempted the shields into shimmering into existiance for a moment to absorb the assault. The withering onslaught from the Wickian fleet was too much to contend with, however. The Red Lighting ships fired off a final flurry of missiles at the Wickians, and remained to screen the "Needler" for a final concentrated shot at Covington's command before fleeing the debris field en masse, quickly clearing missile range.

The tide was turning, the combine fire of her command and the survivors of Task Force strength began to overwhelm the pirates with sheer firepower, losses of the enemy screen units increased, it would be any moment before they were forced back , they would not quit the field of battle without a parting shot.

"Massive energy spike detected!" The whole bridge crew became aware that the "Needler" was again about to unleash the massive coherent beam of energy. The capital ships in Covington’s command all "rolled" as the blast impacted upon the ventral surface of the dreadnaught Washington.

Little damage was done this time, the sidewalls of even a dreadnaught were not strong enough to deflect such a massive beam but they were able to degrade the bean to such an extent that only the armor of the Dreadnaught was turned to slag at the area it impacted. The enemy then turned away from the Wickians and fled the debris field soon disappearing under there cloak. The Battle was over for now …

"Sparse shield impacts detected! Less than 87% of our missiles got past that anti-missile defense!"

"Calm down." Strasheim sat down. Flood fire would've worked.... if they weren't flood firing at the missiles.... "Begin launching our FTL torpedoes."

"Sir... we can only launch those at..."

"I'm aware that we cannot maintain a volley of FTL torpedoes. At least they'll have a much better chance of penetrating that defense perimeter." He replied. He began to think, What the hell is Reijnir doing?

****************************************************

In a fit of deja vu, Reijnir thought What the hell is Strasheim doing? after he was told that the Salamis had ceased Flood Fire Operation.

"Open a channel, sir?"

He began to think.... "How many missiles made hits?"

"18 sir."

"18???" Reijnir exclaimed.

"Yessir."

"Jesus..... there's no way we can keep using missiles and hope to be of any effect...." Reijnir said. It seemed to have come to an inevitable course of action that Reijnir didn't want to go to.... "Take us in. Broadside the enemy ships. Charge heavy Microwave Cannons, standby Amplified Photon Cannons for incoming snubs. And, hail the WIckians again... see if we can get any tactical data on this fleet...."

"Yessir."

The bridge went from white, to dark red in a harmonious lighting change synchronized to a set of alarms that, almost annoyingly resonated throughout the ship.

(OOC: WIck

((Wormia, the RTC fleet has already fled, and made a series of hyperspace jumps back to their home base. Unless I missed something in your post perhaps?))

(Yeh.... I noticed. Will amend in my next post.... the most sincere apologies...)

[OOC: Sorry for the short post, will do more later.]

Leader: COMM: I was expecting a old mining camp or something. This is a bloody fortress.

The Coward's Pride eased itself gently into the docking bay, IDA drives thudding at irregular intervals.

i will post latter to wrap up the battles loose ends...and return wormia's hails

i will post latter to wrap up the battles loose ends...and return wormia's hails

"Unidentified fleet, we appreciate your support of our forces in this fight, please identify yourselves, Id also ask if you would be willing to attend a debriefing of this battle onboard my flagship the Constitution at 1700 hours. Covington out."

Covington's body suddenly felt drained of all its energy as she took off her helmet and unzipped her skin suit. Reports were coming in updating her as to the state of her command, the loss of the Faithful hurt, and the Lion class battle cruiser of Task Force Strength was severely damaged.


Most of her screening units took hits in the battle, most could be fully repaired within a couple days however there were some losses, 2 destroyers were killed another was a wreck, 2 light cruiser also perished 2 of her sister ships took damage to their beta nodes and were at half speed, a similar occurrence victimized a heavy cruiser also. All told about 14% of her commands ships were destroyed in battle. At least twice as much was expected to have been dealt to their enemies.

"Commander Shelby, I want you to take command of the Indefatigable, Destiny , and a lance of light cruisers to investigate the rendezvous sight we had with the Golden Tiger clan, recover any valuable intelligence, anything we can use to contact them further, also recover all their bodies." Covington stated to her aide.
"Yes Ma'am"

"Comms order the survivors of TF Strength to rejoin the fleet here, TAC Ops have the tin cans and the Lights extend the pickets i want to know the second any potentially hostile ship gets within 3 million clicks of our position. Navigation plot a course to this position, we have to meet some friends there. Let me know when that fleet responds to our hail, ill be in my state room, Carol you have the bridge"

"I have the Bridge Aye, Aye Ma'am"

A honor guard of men in crudely polished golden armor stood rigidly before the Augmented ship. An officer dressed in black and a brightly shining insignia stood between the two ranks of men, and waited with patient pride for the Augmented to appear.

"Preparing to leave hyperspace, sir." The Japanese helmsman told the Master Admiral.

"Excellent. As soon as we break, have the fleet bring up full shields and cold-load all weapons. Prepare for immediate engagement." The Master Admiral said, ever cautious.

Master Void Admiral Dëlain Goldfire stroked her blood red hair and smiled devilishly. She was the first Admiral, the only Admiral to be granted command of the Cyberutopian space forces, and the first Elf to hold such a position of power. Her promotion to this stature of supreme command, giving her more than enough power to annhilate Cyberutopia if she desired it, finally proved how tightly intwined Elves were with humans in Dëlain's homeland. She was proud, if not a wee bit trigger happy, to be the one to solidify that faith.

[i]A refined formation of elegant ships, one that denoted a highly skilled commander, burst through a brilliantly bluish-white vortex not far from the debris field and immediately brought up their shields. Numerous sensors swept the area, and focused on the two task forces there.

"Ma'am, there's a debris field just about a million klicks off our port bow, and it's fresh." A sensors officer said, looking back at the Master Admiral

Goldfire nodded and depressed a button lightly, and beamed a message to the congregation of ships. "Unknown ships. This is the Grand Cyberutopian Exoatmospheric Fleet. Please respond immediately as to your origin and alignment in this war. I'd also like to know how that fresh debris field got there, else we'll be forced to take no chances with who we turn to slag."

...else we'll be forced to take no chances with who we turn to slag."

The audio transmission completed its run on the bridge speakers of the Thunder Lance.

"Just who in the hell do they think they are?" Reijnir asked, clearly appalled at the blunt and rather hostile transmission. He nodded, eager to speak with this newly arrived commander... eager to show her diplomacy. "Put me on." He said, and added, "VISUAL."

"Yes... sir..." The communications officer did as he was told. Visual contact was often not appreciated, as the high resolution of enemy viewscreens were liable to detect rather sensitive data on the control panels of Wormian ships.

"You're on sir."

"This is Captain Jacob Reijnir of the Federated Starship Thunder Lance.. We are of the Federated Stellar Republics of Wormia. Minor Expeditionary Fleet #4. We are here on behalf of the Golden Tiger.... Clan..." Reijnir winced. Clearly, politics was not his field, "In hopes of resolving their situation with the Imperial Dragonate in a peaceful manner. Might I be entertained as to your reason of presence?" He finished by giving the comm officer the "kill" signal, to end the transmission.

"What do we do now?" The comm officer asked.

"We wait. In a defensive posture. Order the Frigates to engage their Helium shields and commence reconnaissance scans of all the ships and wreckage in the surrounding area. Bring me back some battle info... "

"Sir, we didn't even engag..."

"Not this time. I get the feeling our friendly Red Lightning fellows are not interested in talking with words... only with directed energy weapons..."

"Hyper Footprint detected a large one and close, 1 million klicks!" the Sensors operator stated.
"Sound general quarters, open a hailing frequency...Unknown fleet this is Commodore Shelby of the Commonwealth Navy, we are here to investigate these debris fields, the small one contains a cruiser of the Golden Tiger Clan, our allies in this system, the larger one is comprised of those pirates who murdered them. We are not your enemy unless you supported such devious and evil ways, what are your intentions here? "

Covington noted the appearance of the new fleet, however the main body of her units was over 6 hours away from the position, and the light units could get there in half that time. She shifted her units to their present location for a single purpose which was to support the second part of her mission, to establish a logistical support base in system, the convoy translated to real space at exactly the appointed time, ten Argonaut freighters 4 Turbulent DD's and 2 Courageous class light cruisers.

"Welcome to Aurora System, Far point Convoy, you may begin construction immediately" this convoy held half the necessary parts to construct a Defender Class Fortress, in would need to make four more trips until the necessary parts were deliver to complete 2 fortress of the said class. It would be at least a NS to gather the parts and construct the forts, eventually more would be brought in and the forward base established. "All ships screening vessels brake off into Pickett lances and establish security of 4 million klicks around this sector. Battle Cruisers and DN will remain here as the main body, Covington out. Each picket contained at least a heavy and light cruiser and a pair of Destroyers.

As the docking bay's gravity caught at the Coward's Pride, it jerked and dropped to the ground with a ungainly lurch, buckling a few plates on the bay's floor.

Pilot: ANNOUNCE: We have landed. Yes, I know it wasn't a good landing. I wasn't expecting the gravity.

The ship's sole hatch, on the side just below the cockpit, clanged and hissed open.

*********************************

Leader stepped carefully out of the hatch and strode towards the men, moving with a odd, jerky gait on his six mechanical legs. "Hello therre. I'm Leaderr. Sorrry forr t-the damage to yourr docking bay. Thiss sship wassn't-t designed forr grravity, and we werren't expecting any."

*********************************

Rekam sighed and disentanged himself from the equipment that had fallen on him when the Coward's Pride hit the deck. "Come on. Let's get out of here. I'm sick of this container."

Rekam clambered forward and spun the locking wheel, then gave the hatch a good shove.

It swung open, and Rekam clambered out, spent a few tenths of a second configuring his exskel, and dropped fifteen feet to the deck, which clanged loudly as his claws hit it.

"Ah, easily repairable...Leader." The officer said in reference to the damaged floor. "I assume you will want to be shown around?"

He dismissed the honor guard, and watched them relax and march off to strip themselves of th uncomfortable armor. Beckoning them to follow, the officer took them on a quick tour of the compound, showing them the weapons control rooms, the barracks, fighter bays, shield schematics and controls, and finally the command center for the base.

"We are not to interfere with you, so we shall take ou' leave. The Clan is always in contact with you as long as you are here, in case you require supplies or such. Thank you again, and good luck." The officer concluded, and moved to gather up the personell at the base and ship off.

OOC: Is there anyone else in that place you said AP?

The fleet dropped out of hyperspace and immediately began scanning for targets...

Goldfire gave a delicate laugh and hit the button again.

"Mr. Reijnir, you've told your story, allow me to do the same. I'll honor you with the fact that I am Master Void Admiral Dëlain Goldfire. In any case, you make it sound as if I'm not justified, Captain. The reason of our presence, if it will entertain you so, is because we own this lonely plot of space. This is our colony, and we're here to reclaim it from the clutches of war. None here can contest with the firepower we wield, the end shall be swift." She said, letting the braggart in her out. "If you support the Golden Tigers, we have no quarrel with you. I wouldn't worry too much about their relations with the Dragonate so much as the Shogunate, if I were you, barbarians they are. In fact, since you seem to be against those pirates, we could work as one, they are the first on my list to die."

She turned her attention to the Wickians. "I can assure you I have no such intentions, honorable Commodore. I am Master Void General Dëlain Goldfire, and I am here to put an end to this war by annihilating the Shogunate and the pirates that plague this system. Perhaps, if you wish it, all three fleets here could combine and come down as one hammer on the pirate Clan."

Reijnir slapped his forehead. "Where in the briefing did it say that this system was owned by Cyberutopia?"

"Unkown captain. Running search now." The communications officer began, but was soon countered by Reijnir.

"No... no need. Our mission was to support that which was in the best interests of Wormia. Considering that Cyberutopia has a 'fairly'.... erm... rather large space navy, making enemies with them would probably result in my promptly being fired and then shot."

"Really?" The communications officer looked alarmed.

"Well, more than likely fired. But, siding with pirates is likely to get us a 'You're with us or against us,' speech, and that would be followed by a reception of engaging the Cyberutopian fleet, which, even if we could beat, would be foolish to engage."

"Ah. Might you contact Federated Stellar Command before jumping to those conclusions?"

Reijnir paused to give the thought audience, "I've already made my mind up about Red Lightning for the damage caused to the WIckian fleet. Golden Tiger remains a mystery, and quite frankly, we ought only support them if there were hostilities between Cyberutopia and Wormia. Furthermore, even if we were to support them and succeed, it is unlikely that they would be able to hold this system for any decent length of time. Hail the Cyberutopian fleet."

The communications officer nodded, telling Reijnir the channel was now open.

"Admiral Dëlain Goldfire, the Wormian fleet is here to take action as we see fit for the Federated Republics. Our decision has long since been made: The Shogunate and the Red Lightning clan need to be sytematically eradicated from this system and the debris from their ships put to some better usage. We've established their burdening of society. Thus, it would seem as if we are on the right track, and no hostility need come between our two fleets, and two respective Nations. As we both know, we could both send sufficient firepower to cause unnecessary damage and casualties on both sides. Reijnir out."

Reijnir slapped his forehead. "Where in the briefing did it say that this system was owned by Cyberutopia?"

"Unkown captain. Running search now." The communications officer began, but was soon countered by Reijnir.

"No... no need. Our mission was to support that which was in the best interests of Wormia. Considering that Cyberutopia has a 'fairly'.... erm... rather large space navy, making enemies with them would probably result in my promptly being fired and then shot."

"Really?" The communications officer looked alarmed.

"Well, more than likely fired. But, siding with pirates is likely to get us a 'You're with us or against us,' speech, and that would be followed by a reception of engaging the Cyberutopian fleet, which, even if we could beat, would be foolish to engage."

"Ah. Might you contact Federated Stellar Command before jumping to those conclusions?"

Reijnir paused to give the thought audience, "I've already made my mind up about Red Lightning for the damage caused to the WIckian fleet. Golden Tiger remains a mystery, and quite frankly, we ought only support them if there were hostilities between Cyberutopia and Wormia. Furthermore, even if we were to support them and succeed, it is unlikely that they would be able to hold this system for any decent length of time. Hail the Cyberutopian fleet."

The communications officer nodded, telling Reijnir the channel was now open.

"Admiral Dëlain Goldfire, the Wormian fleet is here to take action as we see fit for the Federated Republics. Our decision has long since been made: The Shogunate and the Red Lightning clan need to be sytematically eradicated from this system and the debris from their ships put to some better usage. We've established their burdening of society. Thus, it would seem as if we are on the right track, and no hostility need come between our two fleets, and two respective Nations. As we both know, we could both send sufficient firepower to cause unnecessary damage and casualties on both sides. Reijnir out."

"I'm glad we see the same way, Captain." Dëlain said with an invisible smile. "We agree that there will be no strife between us. Good. Still, we can go beyond neutrality. If you wish it, we can lessen the number of lives that will be lost today for each of us, and pursue the Red Lighting Clan to rout them permanently."

[OOC: Could you provide specifics about the base defenses, the ships provided, and such?]

Leader turned away from the departing Golden Tiger ship and strode back to the docking bay, dispatching Rekam to the command center on the way.

Leader: COMM: OK. First things first. Let's get this ship unloaded. Rekam will be turning the gravity off any moment now.

As if triggered by his words, the gravity faded and vanished.

Leader: COMM: Good. First, let's get the essential stuff off the ship...

Wyrms bounded off the deck, catching themselves easily against the ties bolting the pressurized shipping containers to the ship's hull. Oxyacetylene torches flared, interspersed with the occasional bluish-white glare of a laser cutter.

As the first few containers were removed, it became obvious that many were dummies, added to disguise fighters strapped alongside the ship's spine.

************************************

As the last container was cut loose, the Coward's Pride began to gingerly leave the bay. As soon as it cleared the edges, its IDA drives lit up and began thrusting towards a section of bare rock near the rear of the asteroid base.

Leader: COMM: OK. Start unpacking the equipment and shuttle what's in one piece to storage. Whatever isn't in one piece, get started fixing it. You, you, and you; I want you to come with me and get the sensors running.

************************************

The Coward's Pride gently butted itself against the bare rock. The six grasping legs unfolded and sank deep into the rock as the drive went silent.

Pilot: We're in place. Setting for RC operation... Done. We're coming back around.

Two Wyrms clambered out of the hatch. Their armor was sealed against vacuum, and fitted with thrusters for space operation, as was evident when they lit off their thrusters and started moving back towards the docking bay.

"Mater Void admiral Delain Goldfire i am sorry to say that i do not hold the authority to apporve such an alliance, however if you extend your fleets seneors to this point about 6 hours away with our ships accel you will see the main body of our fleet, i am sure that Rear Admiral Covington would approve of such an aggrement and wish to meet with yourself, to work out future plans and stratigy for this system, Shelby out."

*** A couple hours later***

Commodore we have just stowed the last pinnace, all avalible bodies have been recovered , over a thousand of our own and atleast a score of GTC bodies, i am happy to say over half the crew of the Faithful was rescued and recovering in sick bay, Eric Strength was one of them sir"

"good news. Comms contact both the fleets out there ask them if they would like to follow us to the Wickian's main body, to conference with our leader?"

"Thank you Commodore. Goldfire out." The Elven Admiral said simply.

"Direct our sensors along the Wickian path of acceleration about 6 hours out." She commanded a sensors officer.

The officer turned back to her and nodded. "Sizable force out there, ma'am."

"Alright, thank you. Keep tabs on them, as well as every ship we can. I don't want anything going on unnoticed in the system. Comms, put me on to converse with this Covington."

Click.

"Wickian command. I'd be delighted to make plans with your commander. I'll be on a shuttle to the main body of the Wickian fleet within ten minutes. Goldfire out." She turned to her first officer. "Get my shuttle ready, and take the command."

In minutes, Dëlain's silvery shuttle was hurtling towards the Wickian fleet.

OOC: this invitation is ofcourse granted to the Wormian's also once they say thier on the way unless ayone has an object u will be there and the meeting starting

The Wormian fleet stood deathly still in relative motion of the galaxy. More precisely, the Aurora Prima system. On silent running, they had little fear of detection by pirate fleets, though both the Cyberutopian and WIckian fleets had been beamed their position.

"Good news. C.....ms contact both the fleets out t..... ask them if they would like to .............. the Wickian's main body, to conferen............. our leader?"

The helium cold plasma shielding adversely affected all energy, including, unfortunately, communications broadcasts. Though Wormian technology had helped clear some static, the technology was far from perfection. Still, it was obvious to Reijnir that the three fleets were to arrange a meeting of sorts with a "Commodore Covington."

"Captain? Do intend to attend?" The communications officer blinked at his poor choice of words.

"I do. Transfer fleet command to the Salamis. When I return, I would like full sensor reports.... and give me an update on what's going on in the Covenant war..." He paused, "A shuttle would take too long from our position. Ask Commodore Covington if she wouldn't mind one of our frigates taking me..."

Covington looked on with satisfaction as the final pieces of the Two defender class fortress were set into place, within mere hour they would be battle ready, each possessing the firepower of three dreadnaughts, able to shoot in all directions. most importantly though was the Repair slips on these bases which would be used to repair the damaged ships of her fleet.

In essence these two fortress would act as a bastion fr the Wickian forces in system, their safe haven in a sea of unknown, She glanced at the tactical plot seeing the icon represent Goldfire's shuttle begin docking preparations, Covington excited her stateroom and headed for the boat bay where she and an honor guard would greet their newest ally.

***

Under orders from Fleet command a Two Destroyers cloaked with ECM slowly approach the far asteroid field using thrusters. By using thrusters their accel was a quarter of what it potentially could be using a wedge, but it allowed them to be nearly invisible to any sensor with their ECM suites. Once the asteroid field was reached their wedges could be activated and they would search it for the elusive GTC which were assumed to be hiding within.

OOC: Wormia it was commodore Shelby who relayed Rear Admiral Covington's intentions to form this meeting, go ahead a take a frigate should you need it, the meeting is occured on Covington's flagship the CNS Consitution at our base in this system, go ahead and skip the transit if u wish and me there now as meeting will start soon, thanks, any question IM me by AIM name is uberbrooksie

A delicately curved refraction of light shimmered just inside of the asterioid field, all but invisible from the Wickian destroyers' point of view. Only if one stared at that one point for an extended period of time, one that most humans couldn't bear, would the anomaly be noticable. Others waited, spread evenly throughout the belt, for the destroyers to fall into their trap.

---

The Hattian fleet found themselves in the middle of a bloody fray between the Shogunate and Dragonate. Radio messages lept like fleas between ships.

"Sumoto, you've got one on you, 5 o'clock!"

"I see 'im, wait, crap! Incoming missile, bringing up flic -- kssssh..."

"Shit! Cap', the missile frigates are tearing us to pieces!"

"Copy, AM-04, move up!"

"Can't sir, we've taken plasma hits to the engines!"

"Sir! We -- ahhhhhhh -- kssssssh..."

"Gold One! We've lost Gold One! Take down that Sup!"

"I'm on him! Just a bit more...what's that!? Oh m -- ksssssh..."

"Red Four is down! Sir, half our fighters are fireballs! We've got to stop those missile frigates!"

"Yes...I know..." A sigh was audiable. "There's no way we're going to hold...prepare to make a fighting retreat."

"Sir, we can't do that. The supply line will fail."

"I'm not going to have any more blood on my hands because I was hard headed. Pull back."

"Yes...sir."

No one seemed to take note of the Hattians...

Dëlain stepped out of the shuttle with the graceful steps of her race, and bowed deeply before Covington and her honor guard. She was a tall Elf, with dashing red hair flowing around her shoulders and her black flight suit which accentuated her curves well. Covington would notice there were no guards with the Admiral, as a sign of trust and peace with this new ally. Goldfire smiled faintly as she rose from her bow and waited for Covington to speak.

The Raptor-class frigate lowered the energy dispersion/absorption shields, allowing it to be detectable by instruments.

Reijnir, though the senior officer aboard the frigate, did not assume command ahead of the commander previously assigend to the vessel. To do so was to indirectly show the commander that he was unfit.... something he knew the commander was not.

"Hail the WIckian fleet. Inform them that Captain Reijnir is standing by to meet with Admiral Dëlain and Commodore Covington."

Reijnir reddened a bit. Admiral and commodore... two ranks that far superseded his, commanding two fleets that far outgunned his. It was fortunate that Wormia had decently large clout in the space world...

The field was close now, and no sign of the Red Lighting Clan, perhaps they were not detected.

On the bridge of the lead Destroyer...

"Contact the Fox, we are going to light our wedges and head into the field, go to max accel I want us into the cover of that field ASAP." Stated LT. Commander Whinstone the Captain of the lead Destroyer.

"Aye aye Skipper" the helm responded as the wedge was lit both vessels leapt to full military power on one of the fastest ships in the Wickian Fleet, accelerating at over 640 KPS/sec, the field was now a million and a half klicks away, missile range.

“Tactical keep an aye out for any hostiles, this is where ambush is most likely just before we make it to cover” Whinstone commented.

The field was close now, and no sign of the Red Lighting Clan, perhaps they were not detected.

On the bridge of the lead Destroyer...

"Contact the Fox, we are going to light our wedges and head into the field, go to max accel I want us into the cover of that field ASAP." Stated LT. Commander Whinstone the Captain of the lead Destroyer.

"Aye aye Skipper" the helm responded as the wedge was lit both vessels leapt to full military power on one of the fastest ships in the Wickian Fleet, accelerating at over 640 KPS/sec, the field was now a million and a half klicks away, missile range.

“Tactical keep an aye out for any hostiles, this is where ambush is most likely just before we make it to cover” Whinstone commented.

The field was close now, and no sign of the Red Lighting Clan, perhaps they were not detected.

On the bridge of the lead Destroyer...

"Contact the Fox, we are going to light our wedges and head into the field, go to max accel I want us into the cover of that field ASAP." Stated LT. Commander Whinstone the Captain of the lead Destroyer.

"Aye aye Skipper" the helm responded as the wedge was lit both vessels leapt to full military power on one of the fastest ships in the Wickian Fleet, accelerating at over 640 KPS/sec, the field was now a million and a half klicks away, missile range.

“Tactical keep an aye out for any hostiles, this is where ambush is most likely just before we make it to cover” Whinstone commented.

The field was close now, and no sign of the Red Lighting Clan, perhaps they were not detected.

On the bridge of the lead Destroyer...

"Contact the Fox, we are going to light our wedges and head into the field, go to max accel I want us into the cover of that field ASAP." Stated LT. Commander Whinstone the Captain of the lead Destroyer.

"Aye aye Skipper" the helm responded as the wedge was lit both vessels leapt to full military power on one of the fastest ships in the Wickian Fleet, accelerating at over 640 KPS/sec, the field was now a million and a half klicks away, missile range.

“Tactical keep an aye out for any hostiles, this is where ambush is most likely just before we make it to cover” Whinstone commented.

[OOC: I still need to know what this asteroid base is outfitted with...]

Wyrms bustled about the command center, accompanied by the sound of exshell hydraulics and whirring servos.

Rekam jacked a cable into the sensor console and interrogated it. "Guys, I think we have a problem..."

***************************************************

Leader: Banshees 1 through 6, launch immediately. We have two destroyers on long-range sensors, heading this way. Do not engage until we can get backup to you.

***************************************************

Augmented Base: COMM: Banshee Two, you are clear to launch.

The bay rocked as the big, blunt-nosed fighter catapulted itself out through the door.

Banshee Two: COMM: Launched. Joining formation with One.

Mareka squinted through the pitted and scarred canopy of his Banshee at the departing fighter, realized his mistake, and switched over to the fighter's sensors.

His field of vision sharpened and the analog gauges vanished. Radar displays blinked and chittered in the back of his mind.

Augmented Base: COMM: Banshee Three, you are clear to launch.

Mareka jammed his fighter's engines up to three-quarters thrust, bracing himself against the acceleration as Banshee Three rocketed out the door and towards the edge of the asteroid belt.

Banshee Three: COMM: Launched. Joining formation with One and Two.

Augmented Base: COMM: Good luck out there, Mareka.

LT. Commander Whinstone stared at the tactical display and saw the two small insignificant symbols which represented his destroyer division as thy closed to the asteroid field the distance was now almost 750k km, a distance coverable in about 3 minutes at there base velocity. At this distance the light reflecting of the asteroids were visible, he wonder what those massive rock hid, were the elusive GTC located within or was this another site for ambush by the RLC. He would soon find out...

((Right, sorry Khrrck. The base is outfited with two dozen batteries of coilguns, all hidden, radiological dispersion emmiters to cover up the base's sensor figure (it gives the reading of a large asteroid composed of radioactive materials), ten missile bays, also hidden, two fighter bays and a larger dock for ships up to the size of frigates, and numerous assorted anti-missile systems, ranging from focused lasers to large scale flettchete guns. The rock the base is built into is more than enough to absorb numerous missile barrages. The base has a fission power core, in case you were wondering.))

The Destroyer division entered the field, moving at what some would consider reckless speed, however it was just a estimate to the skill of the Wickian navigators. The ships ECM would hide them from their enemies at a distance; closer in it would lessen the enemy’s accuracy. They moved quickly deeper in the fields their active sensors searching for their GTC allies.

They did not see the RLC vessels cleverly sneaking up on their positions.

[OOC: I was under the impression that the Augmented were employed by the Golden Tiger Clan, WIck.

Thanks for the information, Aurora. How many fighters in the fighter bays? What sort of fighter are they?]

The six Banshees lurked out of sight beyond an asteroid, their systems damped down to avoid detection. Tight-beam comm lasers flickered between them.

Finally, a consensus was reached.

**********************************

Mareka lit his engines and dove around the asteroid, emerging in front of the WIckian destroyers.

Mareka activated his comm systems and hailed the two ships. "Thiss iss Mareka Exsshell, of the Augmented, currrently in the employment of the Golden Tigerr Clan. Who arre you, and what iss yourr buissnesss?"

[quote="Aurora Prima"]A delicately curved refraction of light shimmered just inside of the asteroid field, all but invisible from the Wickian destroyers' point of view. Only if one stared at that one point for an extended period of time, one that most humans couldn't bear, would the anomaly be noticeable. Others waited, spread evenly throughout the belt, for the destroyers to fall into their trap.

---
OOC: The RLC are these ambushing ships not your fighters Khrcck, we are in fact looking for [i] you [ /i].

"Augmented Fighter this is Lt. Commander Whinstone of the Commonwealth Navy, We extend you our greetings, we are here to make contact with the GTC, their representative cruiser that was suppose to rendezvous with our forces was ambushed and killed."
---
"Wormian Frigate this is the CNS Constitution n you are authorized to send your representative aboard. Constitution, Out."
OOC Wormia Covington is a Rear Admiral of the Red, the commodore is another character.
---
Covington observed the tall graceful Elf exit her sleek shuttle, she admired the way Goldfire's space black suit seemed to cling to her body like a second skin. She looked on with jealousy at her flowing red hair (All Wickians are bald), Covington was from a small island on Thetis where all forms of sexuality were embraced, she had to admit she felt a tingle as she gazed upon the bowing Elf.

"Arise Admiral, one such as you shall bow to no one aboard this ship, however if it is your custom it shall be respected." She stated as the chime of the old lung powered bosuns pipe faded. "Welcome aboard the Constitution."

---

[quote="Aurora Prima"]A delicately curved refraction of light shimmered just inside of the asteroid field, all but invisible from the Wickian destroyers' point of view. Only if one stared at that one point for an extended period of time, one that most humans couldn't bear, would the anomaly be noticeable. Others waited, spread evenly throughout the belt, for the destroyers to fall into their trap.

---
OOC: The RLC are these ambushing ships not your fighters Khrcck, we are in fact looking for [i] you [ /i].

"Augmented Fighter this is Lt. Commander Whinstone of the Commonwealth Navy, We extend you our greetings, we are here to make contact with the GTC, their representative cruiser that was suppose to rendezvous with our forces was ambushed and killed."
---
"Wormian Frigate this is the CNS Constitution n you are authorized to send your representative aboard. Constitution, Out."
OOC Wormia Covington is a Rear Admiral of the Red, the commodore is another character.
---
Covington observed the tall graceful Elf exit her sleek shuttle, she admired the way Goldfire's space black suit seemed to cling to her body like a second skin. She looked on with jealousy at her flowing red hair (All Wickians are bald),

"Arise Admiral, one such as you shall bow to no one aboard this ship, however if it is your custom it shall be respected." She stated as the chime of the old lung powered bosuns pipe faded. "Welcome aboard the Constitution."

---

The small Banshee hovered quietly among the asteroids. "I've neverr hearrd of you beforre. We'll have to check up on you firrsst."

Banshee Three: COMM_SENSOR_RELAY datadump "destroyer0012/destroyer0013"
{101000001011111101010101001001111100101...

...1000111010101001010100011001} dump complete.

Banshee Three: COMM_HISTORY_RELAY datadump range (past 5 minutes, open radio)
{10010000000000011111010101010000010010101001...

...0000101011111111111111100000000000000010101011} dump complete.

Banshee Three: COMM(dest.NewBase): Look these guys up. See if they're who they say they are.

"Open a channel to Mareka Exsshell's fighter...Augmented Fighter, if you take a look at the port side of the FOX you will see scorch marks from the energy projectiles from an unknown RLC vessel. If your sensor are worthy of their name, you would have detected the battle that occurred earlier in which our forced defeat an attempted RLC ambush. Do not make the mistake of doubting our forces intension in this system as they are quite clear. Whinstone Out."

The Banshee made a single, brief reply.
"You can neverr be too cautiouss."

New Base: COMM(dest.Banshee*) Seems like the WIckians did have a meeting scheduled. Get a control relay and escort them to New Base. I'll notify the GTC about their whereabouts.

***************************************

The remaining five Banshees appeared from behind the asteroid and took up positions around the WIckian destroyers.

Mareka hailed the WIckian destroyers again. "Sset yourr autopilotss to accept a contrrol rrelay and we'll lead you to ourr basse."

Banshee Three: REQUEST: NAV_CONTROL_RELAY (destroyer0012)
Banshee Six: REQUEST: NAV_CONTROL_RELAY (destroyer0013)
Banshee Three: ACKNOWLEDGE: NAV_CONTROL_RELAY (destroyer0012)
Banshee Six: ACKNOWLEDGE: NAV_CONTROL_RELAY (destroyer0013)

Banshee Six hailed the destroyers. His (or hers; it's hard to tell) voice had even more of Mareka's odd, hissing, mechanical accent, to the point of being nearly unintelligible. "T-thank-k you. We ssshall be essscorrt-ting you t-to New Bassse now. T-the t-trrip will be t-taking about-t t-twenty-fourr minutesss."

Perfectly synchronized, all six fighters lit their engines and left in the direction of New Base.

OOC: would like to continue this, but waiting for Aurora Prima to post i think

[OOC: Me too. Well, don't let it be said I'm not patient. (Within reason, that is.)]

((Hi, sorry I haven't been around much. I've been working from right after school until 11 or 12 at night on a school play, so I really don't have anytime except for what I can get away with during school time. Khrrck, one fighter bay is empty, and the other one has 14 boxy, assorted fighters, and 4 bombers configured to fire large salvoes of "dumb" missiles.))

One of the shimmers of light wavered and dissappated, leaving a single blood red ship, panels of concealed weaponry dotting its surface.

It beamed out a reply to the Wickian destroyers and the Augmented, in a tone of quiet seething hate. "W have been monitoring your transmissions, and have verified that you are in fact in league with the Golden Tiger Clan. They are an illegal clan, and are not recognized by the Omniclan. Desist with your unsolicited assistiance and depart the system at once, or face true wrath at our hands."

Banshee Three: COMM(NewBase): RLC ship just decloaked. Get the Pride undocked and loaded. Send another four Banshees this way if you can.

***************************************************

The Coward's Pride undocked itself from New Base, responding to commands sent via coded radio. Attitude jets flared as it slowly began to rotate onto a new heading.

A pair of Wyrms in vacuum armor jumped from a airlock on New Base towards the asteroid miner's hatch.

The huge, superconducting electromagnets of the mass driver woke, slowly charging as a ten-ton chunk of nickel-iron asteroid slid into place inside.

***************************************************

Banshee Three: ActivateWeapons(all)

Initializing Targeting Systems...
[OK]
Charging Quad 2.3MW Selectron Bolt Cannons...
[OK]
Arming KS11Q Keham Missiles * 12...
[OK]
Arming Mono 0.8GW Ion Cannon...
[OK]
Beginning Ion Cannon capacitor charge sequence...
[OK: 3 minutes remaining]

Mareka switched to open radio as diagnostics scrolled by in his HUD. "Go away? Because of a bunch of incompetent pirates? Nice try, kid."

Banshee Three: SeverControlRelay(destroyer0012)
Banshee Six: SeverControlRelay(destroyer0013)

As the Banshees broke formation and dove towards the RLC ship, weaving randomly, Mareka continued. "You have two options."

"Surrender, or die."

deleted

OOC: posted as a puppet above oops sorry thats y i deleted it.

Damn the cloaking tech of these people, the lt. commander thought to himself with the appearance of the new vessel. However he was unsure of its origin, it was Blood red, lacking the tell tale bolts of the RLC.

"Tactical sound general quarters!" the klaxon blared in the background, "Alert Fleet command see if they can get us some support here, Send this to the Omniclan ship...The Commonwealth of the Wick has intimate experience with swine such as yourself, we will rid the universe of your kind, We shall not be intimidated by hollow threats" With that the channel closed. They waited for the red vessel's response, as the destroyer assumed battle formation.

OOC: What about that conference?

Covington and the Elf sat across from each other in the breifing room. It was a relitivly simple affair the table clad in the Blue green colors of the Commonwealth. A simple red wine sat in goblet in front of the officers, as they sat and waited for the arrival of the Wormian delegate.

Goldfire smiled at the commander across the table, and took a small sip of wine.

"So tell me of your homeland, I don't believe we have any knowledge of your people." She said to Covington.

---

((As Aurora Prima. Hey, looks like we've got a new mystery with this Omniclan, eh? This will bring some answers, if you pay attention. :) ))

"We shall die gloriously rather than succumb to your demands. However, I do believe it is your death that shall come first." The red cruiser retorted to the Banshee.

Numerous bays flicked open on the cruiser's surface, and a flood of missiles surged forth, washing the surrounding asteroids in steel gray smoke before they detonated, dotting space with blinding explosions in the oncoming fighters' paths.

Four more ships, three more cruisers and a small destroyer, cast their cloaks aside and decended upon the Wickian destroyers from behind, heavy slugs spewing forth from the mounted coilguns, each of the triple firing tubes giving off a blunt flash as they fired in turn.

Goldfire smiled at the commander across the table, and took a small sip of wine.

"So tell me of your homeland, I don't believe we have any knowledge of your people." She said to Covington.

---

((As Aurora Prima. Hey, looks like we've got a new mystery with this Omniclan, eh? This will bring some answers, if you pay attention. :) ))

"We shall die gloriously rather than succumb to your demands. However, I do believe it is your death that shall come first." The red cruiser retorted to the Banshee.

Numerous bays flicked open on the cruiser's surface, and a flood of missiles surged forth, washing the surrounding asteroids in steel gray smoke before they detonated, dotting space with blinding explosions in the oncoming fighters' paths.

Four more ships, three more cruisers and a small destroyer, cast their cloaks aside and decended upon the Wickian destroyers from behind, heavy slugs spewing forth from the mounted coilguns, each of the triple firing tubes giving off a blunt flash as they fired in turn.

Mareka shut off his comm systems and concentrated on dodging missile blasts. Fire bloomed around him as a missile went off mere meters behind his tail, and the Banshee lurched drunkenly.

Diagnostic: Port-stern control conduit #221 damaged, suggest-

Mareka shut off the diagnostics with a firm command and corkscrewed wildly to avoid another missile, ignoring the ominous rumblings coming from the rear of his fighter.

Banshee Six: DISTRESS! CRITICAL SYSTEMS FAILURE! EJECTING...

Behind him, one of the Banshees came apart, the cockpit blasting away in a shower of rocket exhaust.

******************************************

The Coward's Pride's electromagnets fired, pouring power in a blazing torrent and flinging a ten-ton chunk of nickel-iron asteroid at an appreciable fraction of lightspeed, with a trajectory that would hit the cruiser within thirty seconds.

******************************************

Banshee Two: DISTRESS! CRITICAL-

Mareka blinked, and Banshee Two dissolved into a flare of gas and scrap. Remara... the bastards! Kill them!

Mareka dove into his fighter's computer, ripping filters and interpreter programs aside. He blazed new pathways through half-melted computers, interfacing himself directly to the fighter, without anything in between.

Mareka-Banshee locked every one of his missiles on the cruiser, fired them all, and corkscrewed through the maze of the cruiser's exploding missiles, dodging with uncanny speed.

Mareka-Banshee flew quickly and precisely, feeling plasma flow smoothly through his engines, feeling the warp and pull of stress as his cannons lit, spraying energy towards the cruiser, feeling the electronic/audio screams of the other pilots as they succumbed one by one to the cruiser's fire...

Covington took a sip of the wine and said " My people’s past is a troubled one. Less then a hundred years ago we were slaves to a race which called themselves the Vagrants. They enslaved my people for half a millennia, in that time they inflicted upon our bodies genetic mutations which you can plainly see,(indicating her bald head and the vivid purple stripes that are ringing her forehead), I also have the strength of two men and can see in the dark as well as a cat. These advantages came at the cost of our slavery. We were used as foot soldiers, combatants in gladiatorial games, slaves for the entrainment of those sadistic minds of our overloads. One day we rebelled and expelled them from our system, we been preparing for their return ever since.” She paused “but enough of my people’s past what about yours?”

----------
The destroyer shook as it began to take impacts from the coil guns.
'Turn to port 90 degrees roll ship, interpose our wedges to the incoming fire. Go to rapid fire on all missile tubes, energy mount fire as they bare, target that single cruiser. Try to keep our wedges to that trio behind us, alert command tell them we are under attack by superior numbers. See if the Augmented can get some of the GTC here, after all we are here to help them!" the tin can shot 16 missile at the cruiser as well as 4 30 cm lasers and a 50 cm graser, the same was shot at the small destroyer in the other group as now the enemy was on both sides of the division.

Goldfire noticed the odd purple bands about Covington's head, and shifted her crossed legs slightly, but displayed no other reaction to the woman's strange charcterisitics.

"Yes, a history of slavery is never a happy one. Our story cannot match such magnitude you have told me. The roots of my homeland reach back to the Japanese Feudal Ages of Earth. Our ancestors, living on the island we now inhabit split from the Japanese Empire almost a millenia ago, but Cyberutopia did not form itself until 2009. My people, Cyberutopian-Sindarin Elves, did not immigrate to our homeland until about 100 years ago. Sadly, if you have not heard, a tyrant by the name of Cortez toppled the government just over 60 years ago and persecuted our people. We almost died out, and would have if three heroes arose, one from our nation, one for Aelosia, and another from Thelas, to bring the tyrant down and guide our nation into a Golden Age. I suppose that is our story in a nutshell." She smiled at the commander and leaned back slightly.

---

Within the bloodstained crusier a clinically bright glow bathed the crewmember's steely faces as they concentrated on the screens in front of them. Outside, the first of the sixteen missiles exploded brilliantly, and the concussion waves hit the shields in sync, illuminating the dim blue shields momentarily and creating large dents on the crusier's port hull as the waves penetrated the shields, crumpling coilguns and buckling armor. Back within the bowels of the warship, the lights faltered, and soft crimson lights snapped on. A klaxon sounded in the distance, its shrill cry muffled nearly to gentleness. The surviving coilguns slid into place and light up the hull with their muzzle flashes as round after round of slugs darted away at the frustrating railgun ship of the Augmented as a fraction of the guns moved to lead the Banshees. The starboard thrusters fired fiercely, and the ship began to slide swiftly from the path of the deadly rock hurtling towards it.

deleted

"Its these damn asteroids sir, they must be blocking our transmissions back to the fleet, I do not think any support will be incoming anytime soon." the communications officer stated.
"Sir it seems that lone Cruiser is concentrating its firepower on the Augmented command Ship, I'm not sure what the other four of their ships are doing they are keeping thier distance off to our starboard side."
"Alright have our port broadside concentrate missile fire on that lone cruiser with the starboard batteries concentrating on that destroyer. Lets see if we can make them bleed if their going to ignore us." Then Whinstone thought of a solution to their communication problem "Augmented fighter, Our commutations are being blocked by the asteroids, i assume you came from a GTC base somewhere in this field, i would bet that they have some capital ships there, we need you to go there and get us support." The small ship shook, as another missile broadside was unleashed.
---
A young ensign burst into the conference room, "Ma'am your presence is requested on the flag bridge, the probe that was sent into the asteroid has come under attack by an unknown faction."
"Alright, Ensign inform Commodore strength that he is to report to the command bridge and to take chrage of this situatation....
Commodore Strength soon boards the heavy cruiser Ajax who along with the heavy cruiser Achilles and the light Cruiser king Richard head to the field thier ETA is one hour.

"This is Wormian frigate Canopus' Fury requesting permission to dock on the Cyberutopian Stellar Vessel Constitution" The helmsman of the frigate said, in his slightly distinguished British accent.

The Frigat continued on it's way towards the Cyberutopian ship...

Mareka-Banshee slipped between the last two explosions and glanced quickly around. All the other fighters had perished, except for Six, who had managed to eject in time.

Mareka-Banshee sighed as he saw the RLC ship's coilguns turning toward him. He reached for the eject lever, and- He pivoted on one wing, impossibly agile, flame trailing from his jaws...

****************************

The Coward's Pride rocked as the RLC cruiser's coilguns scored. The converted asteroid miner slammed its thrusters on full force, dodging around behind the safety of New Base.

In the sheltered shadow of New Base, the ship began to reload...

****************************

Mareka woke as his Banshee hit something with a bone-shattering jar.

Ahead of him, a small asteroid tumbled. Behind him the battle still raged. How had he gotten here, anyway- Wind under his wings, soaring through the sky, rolling for the sheer joy of it...

Mareka snapped out of his reverie. What the hell is wrong with me?

Bump?

Sry for the delay, I will try to fix some mistakes i made also.

The small bridge of the destroyer was filling with smoke from various electrical fires, as well as the stench of burned flesh, the ship had taken heavy damage. The two WIckian’s destroyers also inflicted damaged upon the lone cruiser, or so they hoped however this current situation seemed un winnable, with no support seemingly coming. Just as the skipper of the small ship thought the situation could get no worse it did, the universe is cruel like that.

As the Fox rotated and launched another broadside of missiles it was struck by what has been called since the days of old earth the Golden BB, a single slug from a coil gun penetrated the porthole in the ships sidewall, tearing thought the thin amour on the ship destroying the small ships fusion reactor, the ball ensuing explosion vaporized the ship, as well as damaging her division mate who was close by in formation

The remaining destroyers wedge flickered and died the ship "floated' dead in space, completely at the mercy of the omni clan vessels...

OOC: the meeting is taking place on a Wickian vessel wormia and th dsignatation in CNS for Commonwealth Naval Ship.

As the Hunter dropped out of hyperspace,followed closley by the exits of the Bounty, Silvara and Madness, it's captian,and commodor, James Raynor, sent out a comm to every ship in the sector "Hello, I am Capt. James Raynor, leader of the Blue Falcon Mercanaries."


all 4 ships are modified heavy cruisers,with 2 blue falcon bays on each.
blue falcons are a very agile and fast with nice-sized payloads on them
BFM fleet:
4 modified COU-2 heavy cruisers
32 blue falcons

((Wow, it's been awhile, eh? Sorry for the ultra short post, I'll post more later.))

Several hundered weapons were trained on the Blue Falcons in a matter of seconds.

"State your origin and purpose."

The Captain of the lone cruiser fell back in his command chair, relief welling up within him, but rapidly snapping to anger. "Damnit, that one fighter got away. We will pursue him, and then fall back for repairs."

The crew nodded their consent and the ship manuvered, lighting it's engines and lurching off towards the stalled form of the Banshee.

---

One of the three cruisers moved towards the immobile destroyer, and two pods slammed into the ship's hull, heavily armed troops flooding silently like water into the destroyer.

The Omniclan destroyer and the other two cruisers fired their engines and cruised off to search for the source of their attackers.

Mareka gazed in shock at the radar display. They're coming after me!

SystemEngineStart()
ERROR: Flux shunt B-2 does not appear to exist
ERROR: Flux shunt B-1 does not appear to exist
ERROR: Initialization ROMS faulty
Operation FAILED

Mareka swore under his breath. First-damned engines... I should have known.

PilotEject()
ERROR: Locking pins jammed, cannot release cockpit.
Operation FAILED

Mareka sighed. Well, if I have to die, I'll go out with a bang...

SystemRCSInitialize()
WARNING: Gyro 2c is nonfunctional
Operation SUCCEED

Mareka swung the Banshee around to point at the cruiser. Here we go...

**************************************

The Coward's Pride emerged from behind New Base, drives flaring.

Huge electromagnets thundered and hummed as they sent forty quarter-ton chunks of rock spraying in a wide, dispersed pattern towards the RLC cruiser. This blast would be much harder to dodge.

The Coward's Pride slammed its engine to full power and dove for the safety of New Base. The asteroid miner was never designed for combat, and the only way for it to survive was for it to not get hit.

Commander Whinstone knew he was beaten, but no WIckian ever gave up without a fight.
"Order the Marines to engage the enemy raiders have them cover the crew as they make it for the escape pods, Erase the computer core and set the scuttling Charges for 10 minutes..." A silent countdown commenced. The skipper ordered.
At this order all the non essential personal evacuated the small bridge and made for the escape pods. Within five minutes the 4 remaining crew in the bridge would have erased all information in the computer core.

The destroyer carried a platoon of marines they were equipped with ballistic armor( a kind of light armor), pulsar rifles (depleted uranium darts that travel over the speed of sound every 3 shell is HE) or Flechette guns (Turns so much flesh into a pulp), all of which could slice through all but the heavily armored troopers. 6 were posted in engineering to cover the setting of demolition charges, 6 on the bridge, 6 by the escape pod, and the remaining 6 were on a mobile patrol covering the evacuation.

((Khrrck, which cruiser? There is one boarding the Wickian destroyer, one pursuing Mareka, and two searching for the Coward's Pride.))

The Captain of the cruiser growled and gave a quick curse under his breath. The bridge crew braced themselves for the worst.

On the exterior, the coilguns started to fire again, but more slowly and with precision, aiming for the Banshee's stabilizers and engines.

---

The troops waded through the zero-g environment towards the bridge, ready to shred any resistiance along the way with their coilrifles – which fired a heavy slug at hypersonic speeds – and pulse cannons, designed to disable their targets with an overwhelming shock.

((Bump, don't know if the post recorded on the forum.))

"We are the Blue Falcons, fighters in the extreme, from just about every corner of the galaxy." said com. Raynor " We received a tip that there might be some action in this sector, and seeing how low are accounts are getting, we made the trip."



ooc:The Blue falcons are top notch fighters, enginers, pilots,and crew men. Many a nation has been pulled out of a tight squeeze by them. Many times opponents with better equipment, and greater numbers had been beaten by them.

A gruff voice broke through the system's chatter onto the Blue Falcon's comm. "And...who would you be working for, if anyone?"

"Depends on if you work on the side of international law, if yes, sure we'll work for you, provided you got the money"said com. Raynor "If not, well we will not, get it?"then as an afterthought "we like to keep on the nice side of the law."

A crew member is gunned down by the invaders as he fled from their approach. The group of invaders approached an intersection in the ship, a logical place for an ambush, A single grenade rolls out from behind a corner stopping at the feet of the closest invader, it explodes.

The voice on the other end of the comm gives a long, cruel laugh. "Boy, you're greener than a wall o' ivy. 'n case you haven't noticed...we're at war here. There ain't no law."

The drawn-out voice spits the word "law" like it's a curse, and then laughs harshly again.

---

The lead boarder has the entire front part of his body torn off and splattered over the hallway as his comrades roughly shove the bloody corpse out of the way and storm through the intersection, firing pulse cannons at the guards, and blowing to pieces those who aren't stunned.

[OOC: Ohhh... I see. Those two cruisers were looking for the Coward's Pride? Then that attack's against the lead cruiser.]

The Banshee rocked as Mareka rattled off commands frantically. Ignoring screaming errors about vaporized stabilizers and wrecked field-effect nozzles, he fired off two more commands and ejected the control cable from its socket in his vacuum-armored exshell.

Three things happened, very quickly.

The canopy of the Banshee blew off, flying clear on a small solid-fuel charge.

Mareka launched himself out of the Banshee.

And the Banshee slammed every ounce of its stored power through the ion cannon bolted to its hull. The energy weapon flared brilliantly, sending gigawatts of electromagnetic energy screaming through space, and melted.

Two of the squad were killed by the invaders return fire, three were stunned there bodies falling to the deck spasming as their nerves misfired. The remaining Marine let loose an ear piercing war cry and charged at the invaders swinging his pulser rifle at the nearest invaders head making contact with his neck. (The average WIckian’s due to genetic manipulation has twice the strength of an average Human, Marines even more so) The invaders neck shatters with a sickening crack, the marine then threw himself at the next nearest enemy using the invaders dead body as a shield...

---
"That’s it sir computer core is gone."
"Lets get out of her shall we ensign, we have just under five minutes." they fled out of the bridge being covered by the six marines as they quickly made there way to the boat bay

The Marine's assault was brought to an abrubt end by a long blade entering his chest and exploding out of his back in a crimson mist. The man's body was thrust into the wall, leaving a red splatter, and the boarding party moved on. Three of the soldiers hauled the stunned Marines back to the pods. Back in the bloody hallway, the soldier's neck slowly retained it's original position amidst a series of dull pops and clicks. The armored form shook it's head and followed after it's comrades. The half of a body floating in the corridor began to shudder. The blood and gore around it reached out for the surrounding organic materials. Larger, odd shaped blobs of tissue formed. Finally, the blobs reformed with the body, a tough fleshy mass where the face and chest once were. This new abberation gave a low rumble, and followed after the others.

---

The boarding party hit the bridge, finding nothing. The leader gave a silent array of signals, and they moved off after the escape pod area, hoping to intercept the commander of the destroyer before he could escape.

---

((Gotcha, Khrrck.))

The lead cruiser heading for New Base stumbled right into the flood of rock. It attempted to turn towards the barrage, bringing all of it's shields up in front. Most of the rock was deflected easily by the heavily concentrated energy field, but several hunks of rock scraped across the sides, one taking a signficant chunk out of the starboard side, exposing steel bulkheads and shedding paint into space.

The Commander Whinstone in his party all managed to make it to an escape pod and entered it. Just as the hatch was swung shut the invaders appeared around the corner, the Pod launch into the void of space. Escape Pod were only designed to get its crew clear of the explosion of the ship then they depended upon others for rescue or capture.

The crippled ship was a mere minute away from completing its self destruct sequence.

The Commander Whinstone in his party all managed to make it to an escape pod and entered it. Just as the hatch was swung shut the invaders appeared around the corner, the Pod launch into the void of space. Escape Pod were only designed to get its crew clear of the explosion of the ship then they depended upon others for rescue or capture.

The crippled ship was a mere minute away from completing its self destruct sequence.

"We follow our own law Mr. ........."said Com. Raynor."So do you want to hire us, or not?"



ooc: the Blue Falcons have a set of rules, called The Law, that they live by.

((Wick, go on ahead with the meeting, Wormia is on the ship now, I believe.))

((Wick, go on ahead with the meeting, Wormia is on the ship now, I believe.))

OOC: Yep.

The Coward's Pride dove nose-first into the landing bay, seconds before the blast doors began to close, sealing off the ship from attack.

All attempts at stealth abandoned, the asteroid base prepared for war. Shields shimmered into being. Guns hummed into life and turned, searching for targets.

****************************************************

Leader chuckled as he listened to the Blue Falcons' broadcasts. "Arrogant fools. Nice equipment, though."

He glanced at the Exskel next to him with a sensor turret. "Any news on the purchase?"

The Exskel nodded. "Eighty square feet of three-quarter inch matrix-enhanced armor plate, the weapons we need, and a light freighter to boot. Khrrck'll sell it to us for a discount, seeing how we've helped them in the past. They say they know just who can deliver it, too..."

****************************************************

Scree was incredulous. "You want me to what?"

The Minister of Shipping sighed. "I want you to pilot a light freighter carrying twenty tons of armor plate and ten tons of weaponry through a war zone. You've got smuggling experience. You can make it through."

Scree shook her head. "I'm sorry. But-"
"We'll pay you."
"I'll do it."

ooc: i like playing arrogant fools!

[OOC: I love this thread, so saving it from deletion.]