NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Okay, so I did... if Amalthea is inhabited, by a nation that I would care about, switch the setting to the moon Himalia another one of Jupiter's moons, and p.s. If you claim Amalthea or Himalia, show me a RP thread where you used it, otherwise, you are getting a IGNORE, and yes, I do know that Melkor has erected a gravity screen around Jupiter.

IC:

In space a cluster of black hulls shone menacingly in the dim light of the sun. These ships were the Fifth and Seventh Thelasi Battle Squadrons, indeed, usually they were on training missions now. But today, they had a different mission.

Hidden within the holds of the three massive, two kilometer long, cargo transports, which were safely nestled inside the formation, were all the materials needed to construct a sizable Thelasi military base at the target location, Callisto, one of Jupiter’s larger moons.

When the fleet arrived, having switched to sub-light engines after entering the gravity well, they took up positions around the moon, their fighters swarming over the moon, making quite sure that they remained within the moons gravitational pull.

Soon, cargo vessels began to move between Amalthea and the two cargo ships, carrying construction crews and equipment to the planetoid bellow.

Slowly, over several months, a base began to emerge on the moon’s surface. Large defense guns were first, followed by shield generators, crew quarters, sensor emplacements, and even large communications bases. Most of the facility was underground, only antenna and weapons poking up above the ground. In fact, even these retracted past massive armored doors, buried under the surface. This all was visible, what was not visible was the fact that under the surface massive construction yards were being built, and gigantic barracks were constructed. Even more frightening was the fact that mass-drivers and Lance Cannons, even larger than the huge defense guns, were being built. These weapons were capable of hitting an object far removed from the base, with pinpoint accuracy. But these weapons had a more local target in mind, that of Io.

Eventually the Seventh fleet departed, leaving the Dagor El Beleg Cuthalion and its fleet to guard the new moon base.

BUMP, with new title

(may i join this intresting rp ?)

*Considers trying to develope an anti-elf virus. Nah, I'll just tag this thread instead.*

Field marshal Ezr Sergoyan, High Captain of Aurontel and interim commander of the Io Legion, was not pleased. He had been going over the readouts for hours now, and still nothing had changed--those thrice-damned Thelasi were sticking their noses where they didn't belong. What was worse, they appeared to be gunning for Io. Or, as Sergoyan reasoned, they were gunning for Aurontel itself.

He pressed a few buttons in practiced sequence and a dozen or so translucent datascreens flickered to life all around him. Text scrolled past on most: others had video feeds from around the base or sensor data from the survey grid. He hastily composed his directives.

Weapons were aimed back. Lots of them.

***
TO: Thelas
FROM: Field Marshal Ezr Sergoyan, Io
RE: Your developments

I'm not sure if it's dawned on you yet how horrible of an idea it is to be pointing all these weapons on us, especially so early into your bases' construction. You may have noticed, over the course of the past several days, that all of Aurontel's long-range weaponry has returned the favor, and I'll be honest with you: we've got that little base of yours right in our crosshairs, as I'm sure you have ours.

Given the history of our relations, I'm sure you can understand why we're doing this. Are you trying to start a war, or what?

Ezr Sergoyan
High Captain of Aurontel, Field Marshal of the Aurontel Garrison
http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfolders/upload6/sergoyan.JPG

OOC: Okay, so I did... if Amalthea is inhabited, by a nation that I would care about, switch the setting to the moon Himalia another one of Jupiter's moonsGuild Phoenicia Establishing Presence in Jovian System (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=119008)
Territories of the Solar System: Who Owns What? (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123815&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20)
Now, whether or not I'm a nation you would care about I don't know....

[Tag]

*tag*

The responce from Thelas was quick and decicive,

"Feild Martial Sergoyan, it appears that the much vaunted sensor grids of the Impirium appear tohave malfunctioned. Our weapons are not aimed at Io, at we take offence at the suggestin that Thelas would be so stupid as to aim weapons systems at the Impirium.

Arda does not need a war of this sort, and spreading a disagreement that started long ago on Arda into space would be foolish, that is why I would like to graciously ask you to stand down. To be honnest, with the ammount of fire-power these two bases have, a battle would end in the vaporisation of both our stations, something I think we both want to avoid.

Force Commander Icarin, sign off"

The responce from Thelas was quick and decicive,

"Feild Martial Sergoyan, it appears that the much vaunted sensor grids of the Impirium appear tohave malfunctioned. Our weapons are not aimed at Io, at we take offence at the suggestin that Thelas would be so stupid as to aim weapons systems at the Impirium.

Arda does not need a war of this sort, and spreading a disagreement that started long ago on Arda into space would be foolish, that is why I would like to graciously ask you to stand down. To be honnest, with the ammount of fire-power these two bases have, a battle would end in the vaporisation of both our stations, something I think we both want to avoid.

Force Commander Icarin, sign off"

Master Icarin, if I may be so bold: I think your desk might yet have some space left for a dictionary.

But on to more important matters, I find your response to be wholly insulting, to say the least. There is no malfunction, your weapons are aimed at us. I've been over this time and time again with my men and we've all come to the conclusion that you, sir, are stunningly and embarrassingly full of shit.

In accordance with Imperial Military Policy, we will be forced to open fire if the targetting vectors of these weapons is not changed immediately. In case that's too cumbersome a word for you, that means now.

Ezr Sergoyan
High Captain of Aurontel, Field Marshal of the Aurontel Garrison
http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfolders/upload6/sergoyan.JPG

Several small landers enter approach patterns, coming towards the far side of the moon from the base. Each bears the fist and heart emblem of the Kabal, and they're all painted black to make visual identification against the starfield that much more difficult.

A tightbeam message relays the status of the landers back to the Ardan base at Io, a brief burst of alien language, to be translated by another Dark Eldar working in conjuction with the forces of Melkor at the base.

"We're on our final approach. We're reading no contacts. Going silent."

OOC: Let me set the record straight on something, the only weapons visible are the defense guns, everything else is underground, behind THICK blast doors, in other words, the only thing your sensors see are the defense guns

IC:

The Thelasi battle fleet re-arranged itself above Amalthea, shielding the station from the Impirium base,

"Lord Ezr Sergoyan, I strongly suggest that both sides here attempt to resolve our difference before we attempt to vaporize each other. I would serve your dark master little to enter into another war of wrath against the elves, in fact, it would serve neither of us. Therefore I request that you please stand down, if you note, weapons onboard the warships currently moving to shield the base are powered down, meaning that we cannot hit you, even if we fired.

All in all, I must say that I am vaguely offended by your remarks, but, currently I could care less. What I do care about is avoiding a very large war.

Force Commander Icarin, sign off.”

Attempt to resolve our differences? Of course. What do you think I'm doing? Do you think I'm sending you these transmissions because I like to write? Or maybe it's because I love talking to the Thelasi so much.

Avoiding a war with the Imperium at this point really isnt that hard. All I want you to do is get those guns off Aurontel, which, despite your latest missive, still seems to be wishful thinking. You have 24 more hours to move them, so make good use of it.

Ezr Sergoyan
High Captain of Aurontel, Field Marshal of the Aurontel Garrison
http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfolders/upload6/sergoyan.JPG

Slowly, decelerating with about 0.5g, the freighter came in, heading for Thebe.

It didn't know anything about the events elsewhere, on Io, or on Amast... Imahea... Whatever it was called (The freighter having a bad case of dyslexia), and just wanted to deliver its cargo...

Which it did. Nametags for the crew of the 'station' (Ex- moon). Strangely, the most simple things are the ones most often forgotten.

Slowly, and with some hessitancy, the massive defence guns were slowly turned, although moving at a fraction of their normal speed, they rotated their firing arcs away from the moon of Io. Then slowly, massive blas doors on the surface moved, separating to allow the even more massive attack cannons to rise. After the attack cannons were raised, they began to turn, then, once they had moved their targets away from Io, they were withdrawn back int the planets surface, the blast doors closing over them.

A message was sent,

"Happy now?"

The shuttles put down at the edge of the shield projected by the Thelasi base under the cover of night. The beetlelike landers hiss and tick in the night as they shed heat. A seam of light splits the outside of one of the landers, growing into the form of a ramp that arches gracefully to the ground. Mandrakes pour out of the shuttle and pool like living shadows in the light cast by the entranceway.

The squad leaders check the charges they carry before moving out. The mandrakes coordinate nearly silently, using a secret language of hand signs and hisses sounds to communicate.

Less than five minutes after the landers touch down, the last of the mandrakes melts into the night, to finish the approach to the base on foot.

“The Thelasi situation has finally become ludicrous. I’m afraid their blatant warmongering in the Jovian subsystem is a step too far. As such, we, that is to say myself and my partner, rather than the Emperor, have recently issued a letter to Thelas cutting off diplomatic relations for the foreseeable future, or until we receive some guarantees of better behaviour. I’m afraid that they’re really on their own. We have not in the past and we do not extend our protection unconditionally to our allies. Conflict in the Jovian system is entirely of Thelasi making.

While we will continue to provide Samat to Thelas, that will be about the limit of our contributions in non ecumenical matters.”

~ Lady Senator Frost, Princeps Senatus, Speaking on ‘Political Roundup.’

Not ch'rowling again.

Listen here, you little Thelasi sthondati, if you make me come over there again because you have made Io unstable once again, I ch'rowling swear to the Fanged God that I will order such a bombardment that your little firebase's primary export will be chalk-dust.

Sky Marshal M'Sha
CO, 2TEF
TYWS-BB Vinegaroon

* - * - *

What the good Sky Marshal is trying to say is that the Triumvirate looks quite askance at the aggressive stance towards the location of several strategic Territorial and Menelmacari member-state holdings and as such will be forced to respond in full force if those assets--neutral in this conflict--come to harm.

Just in case, the Second Triumvirate Expeditionary Force will be changing station to the Jovian Theatre in order to coordinate with Cetagandan forces in the area.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/scolopendra/cinctycs.gifCINCTYCS
Commander-in-Chief
Triumvirate of Yut Combined Services

* - * - *

"Aw, ch'rowl!"

-- Sky Marshal M'sha's reported response to the relocation order

Message To: Force Commander Icarin, Dagor El Beleg Cuthalion, Star Empire of Thelas
Message Fr: Markhreif Errekeradh arTaelkh, NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io, Greater Ascendancy of Tsaraine
Message Re: Thelasi Developments

It is now well apparent to all in the Jovian System that your government has installed several large long-range weapons systems in the moon Amalthea, and that until very recently these weapons were pointed towards Io.

As Markhreif of the Burninatonian Protectorate and the Non-Democratic Alliance representative within the Jovian System, I find this somewhat upsetting, and the NDA Council has also informed me of their displeasure at this development.

The NDA has already fought one war in Jovian space, and we do not wish to be plunged into another by the military brinksmanship of a nation which has historically been regarded as a very loose cannon indeed.

As such, I must request that you remove the military assets of Dagor El Beleg Cuthalion as soon as possible, for your own wellbeing. I am aware of very few nations approving of your buildup.

~ Errekeradh arTaelkh
Markhreif NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io

The Jupiter system is quite suited for building stealthy bases... it's not that the bases are stealthy but that the system is noisy. Still, keeping track of things is reasonably easy, and so Thelasi assets have been tagged as they appear. Quite a few of the steel penises on Amalthea had only been inferred up until the point where they started waving around - such and such power generation present, such and such installation observed, nine into two, carry the seven...

Amalthea is quite a good place to hide, actually. Easy to go underground. Just loosely packed materials, really.

Of course that means there are engineering solutions to any problem that relies on there being an Amalthea. There are cases being run in the TCPS, and presumably in Dor Daedoloth... and the futures market for some materials in Jupiterspace shifts subtly.

ooc: Upon reading your post multiple times... you have a base on Amalthea, or Callisto, or both? I will run for *both*, for now

Themisto

It had been quite some time since Themisto was turned into what was now effectively the largest space station DA had. And being that, it was fairly... busy, to say the least. The ships they were building for Britmattia filled the shipyards, tiny (and occasionally, larger) drones floating around them, working... Or so the operators claimed, though the chaos down there looked more like they were having a fine time playing silly games... Or being drunk.

Or both.

The civilian population was a bit worried, though. Incidentally, not about the rather large imperial presence in the Jovian system, since the problems they had with them, once, had been removed. Not entirely, but... It was ok. And it wasn't like the shipyards in the region were more than big, floating targets, should a conflict arise.

However, there were... other presences in the Jovian system, and considering the rather large Angstian population in the region, around five million people on rather vulnerable ground, this other presences were monitored.

Especially the Thelasi... Not only did DA have a sizeable base on Callisto (And they were more than unwilling to give it up), but they had had rather... unpleasant experiences with them... On multiple occasions.

"Better not letting them use their loose cannon... Not here." Was Ivanova's unbiased, objective opinion.

The others agreed, surprisingly enough.

"Well then... Apparently, it does finally work... Or so the engineers say..."

With that, they walked downstairs, to watch the compensation they had blown quite a bit of money into... They had never believed that it would actually be useful, but who knew? Perhaps it would actually be usable.

"Oh, and someone talk to the Tsarainese, perhaps we can coordinate some stuff..."

"Any new developments, Gian?" Nathicana asks the man sitting across the desk from her.

"No, none as yet," replies the Dominion Defense Minister. "Things have been rather quiet since the responses have gone out. Any additional missives or a show of force you'd like to send, perhaps?"

She shakes her head. "No ... Io has been a touchy spot at best as is. Tsaraine is handling things just fine without my additional meddling there, and we have no desire to escalate any sort of aggression if it's not needed. We will watch, and wait, and in the meantime, prepare. You know what to do, yes?"

"Without question, m'lady," Torino says, nodding. Rising from his chair, he makes a smart bow, and makes his way out of the office.

Nathi watches him go without a word, mulling over the situation as she takes a slow drink of water.

Now to see if Thelas actually shows some modicum of tact and diplomacy for a change. Regardless, I doubt we'll even have a chance to take a shot at them with the array of folks they're already upsetting. Perhaps I ought to speak with Alkanphel on this ...

A video broadcast is sent, standing in the forefront is a Thelasi press official, looking somewhat nervous.

“I am speaking by order of the Empress. It appears that our actions around the Jovian system have been misconstrued by third-party nations as acts of aggression. This is not te case. Thelas has been attempting to normalize relations with many of the groups involved in this regrettable incident. The base construction on Amalthea was part of a classified military plan, created by several of the Force Commanders, to force the Dark Lord to enter into negotiations for the release of prisoners from their enslavement in the pits of Angband. In fact, nations like the Dominion, Scolopendra, and several others, were not even supposed to become involved in this plan until later stages.

It was certainly not intended to be thought of as an act of aggression by those nations. Now to why this plan was set into motion. Empress Ithenril had ordered that this plan be “explored fully and readied for implementation” not intending the Force Commanders to actually make a direct threat against several of the most powerful nations in the Jovian system.

We apologize for the trouble that this may have caused, and we offer rre-imbursement for damages that might have been incurred.”

From: Empress Ithenril
To: Dread lady Nathicana, NDA

We apologize for this, as my spoke-persons message has said. Indeed Thelas was planning to try and force the Impirium to the bargaining table on the issue of slave, we were also seeking to establish a base to protect Thelasi, and allied (Triumvirate by association, Thelas is a somewhat close ally of Menelmacar), interests in this area. Although due to the stupidity of several Force Commanders and several technicians this did not occur.

I am interested in opening diplomatic discourse on this volatile issue.

Truly,
Empress Ithenril

To: Scolopendran High Command
From: Empress Ithenril

We apologize for this, as my spoke-persons message has said. Indeed Thelas was planning to try and force the Impirium to the bargaining table on the issue of slaves, we were also seeking to establish a base to protect Thelasi, and allied (Triumvirate by association, Thelas is a somewhat close ally of Menelmacar), interests in this area. We were also intending this base as a future tool to get the Dark Lord off of Io Although due to the stupidity of several Force Commanders and several technicians this did not occur.

I am interested in opening diplomatic discourse on this volatile issue.

Truly,
Empress Ithenril

OOC: I won’t be posting until Wednesday, I will be away and not checking NS, so Raem, please no posting! And the rest of you, give me a chance to respond

The Commander-In-Chief, Triumvirate of Yut Combined Services, sighs as he removes his aviator-style sunglasses and rubs the epicanthic folds over his weary eyes. He was not supposed to be this public a figure. Still...
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
TRIUMVIRATE OF YUT COMBINED SERVICES

Empress Ithenril,

We're sorry, but if our involvement was supposed to be a future possibility, why were we not contacted? We are not allied, and, lacking the formalities that come with that status, have no way to know what your military leaders are planning when it comes to the Triumvirate.

If weapons are aimed at the territories of our member nations, we will respond appropriately to neutralize the threat. We sincerely hope that the Thelasi military is being prepared for doctrinal reform because if this sort of loose cannon behavior by leaders with initiative and command but no discretion continues, our duties will become significantly more difficult in the Jovian theatre and beyond.

If, in the future, you expect our assistance, coordinate with us. Do not assume that we will automatically understand your intentions, as we find the nonconsensual psionic obtainment of information to be dishonorable and morally reprehensible.

--CINCTYCS

P.S. Sky Marshal M'sha has sworn by her god, and the kzin are an honorable people. I would not press her very far.
This letter arrives hand-delivered by a TYCS flight sergeant to the Thelasi embassy in Knootoss and is labeled for direct delivery to the Empress.

"Oh, good grief. Everything finally quiets down, and now this," Fleet Admiral Fuyutski says on her command deck. "Comms, signal the Second Expeditionary when they arrive, and inform Sky Marshal M'sha we will assist them should these idiots start something and we need to protect Trium interests. You can quote me on the idiot part."

{Secure Message; m4 Security Protocols}
x CVC Kusanagi Motoko (Flag, 1st Fleet)
o CO Thelasi Io Base, Thelasi Gov't
{CC :: Secure YutLink Message; m16 Security Protocols}
o CINCTYCS, 2 Expeditionary Flag, Trium Council

Speaking as commander of the Cetaganda First Fleet, and as a representative of my government, a member of the Triumvirate, I can say that we are less than pleased at with your actions in the Jovian sector. As you no doubt know, the area has recently experience considerable turmoil and was finally calming down. I hope you do not expect our assistance should this blow up in your faces. I lost hundreds of people under my command in the last little incident, and have no intention of assisting anyone who goes out of their way to cause trouble, especially not a nation that isn't even an ally.

Fleet Admiral Fuyutski Michi
CO First Battle Fleet, CSS

Nathicana shakes her head, her expression somewhere between amused and disbelief as she watches the broadcast, and reads the missive.

“Is she impaired?” the Dread Lady murmurs, her fingers already typing out some thoughts, that she soon formulates into a rather pointed reply.


Empress Ithenril,

It would seem that once again, you have acted rashly and in haste rather than with some forethought and consideration for those other than yourselves. And once again, it seems to have gotten you into a bit of a spot.

To add insult to injury, you not only make presumptions and weak excuses, trying to pawn off your own ineptitude and lack of attention on your underlings, but you offer to buy us off as well? My dear, I suggest that you return to wherever you learned diplomacy and statesmanship from and get your money back. This is no way to be running a nation, and certainly no way to go about ‘normalizing relations’ with other nations in an area that has a very recent history of unrest and contention. I challenge you to find anyone willing to agree that purposefully assembling pointing large weapons in someone’s general direction is not an act of aggression, or at best, one to cause immediate concern.

One would think, after having had an opportunity to observe the Imperium, and the manner in which it tends to operate, that the idea of ‘forcing’ the Dark Lord into anything at gunpoint would have at the very least seemed ill-advised. I dislike as well the insinuation that we were to be used at a later time in this ridiculous gambit. If our involvement is desired, it is preferred that we be notified some time before it all falls apart. Common courtesy, if nothing else, not to mention the fact that such actions tend to assist in avoiding misunderstandings and accidents.

As we are a member nation of both the Triumvirate and the NDA, and as we have a vested interest in Io and the surrounding system, I think it best you have a clear understanding of just where things stand concerning the Dominion and it’s relation to Thelas and the current situation. I would not presume to speak for the others.

My goals and aims may or may not at any given time be those of my associates. I currently enjoy amicable enough relations with both my alliances, and the Imperium, and am little pleased to have you meddling and stirring things up on and around Io, where all three groups have already found themselves at odds, and lives been lost on account. Now that we have things marginally settled, the last thing I want up there is a wild card such as yourself posturing and causing trouble. Do not think that tossing around the name of my ally, Menelmacar, does anything to impress me, nor that I recognize Thelas as any sort of ‘allied’ force by mere association. The once protectorate of my ally does not a friend make in my eyes, nor, I would wager, in the eyes of some others.

The proper opening for discourse would have been through our ally, and duly appointed guardian of the Burninatonian protectorate on Io, Tsaraine. More pointedly, Markhreif Errekeradh arTaelkh of the Greater Ascendancy. Any such talk of ‘reimbursement’, damages, and peaceful recourses should be directed there, not to myself. For your sake, I will forget to mention that you came here first, and ignored their concerns. For now.

I expect that further communications will follow the proper lines, and will be eagerly awaiting reports verifying this.

--Nathicana D’Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion


Scanning back over the missive, Nathi bites her lower lip, her brow furrowing slightly before hitting the ‘send’ key.

Perhaps I was a touch … harsh? Maybe a nice fruit basket later to soothe over any overly-ruffled feathers …

Message To: Empress Ithenril, Thelasi Craftworld*
Message Fr: Markhreif Errekeradh arTaelkh, NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io, Greater Ascendancy of Tsaraine
Message Re: Re: Thelasi Developments

Empress, allow me to state that I am not amused. Arkhora Seingult is not amused. The Council is not amused. I dare say that the Dark Lord is also not amused. Military brinksmanship benefits nobody, not the Imperium and certainly not your Star Empire; if you think that pointing weapons at Aurontel will make Melkor come to the diplomatic table, then a complete reassessment of the character of the Dark Lord and his lieutenants is definitely in order.

I am also unamused at my earlier missive going unread; receiving your explanation via the media reminded me unpleasantly of an earlier debacle, the CMC/WazzuTransCorp plan to move the inner worlds. Replying to diplomatic transmissions is regarded in most circles as correct behaviour.

We wish no "reimbursement"; the goodwill of the Ascendancy cannot be bought.

~ Errekeradh arTaelkh
Markhreif NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io


*OOC: Or, if the Thelasi are in the habit of hiding their craftworlds like the Eldar do, wherever one puts messages so that they get to the Empress.

tag

'Launch Pad 6 prepare to launch. Crews to Flight Positions.'

'Roger. Vessel properly manned and pre-flight checks are complete. We're seeing all green out here radio--take us out.'

confirmed. Opening hatch six in ten ticks. Fall in to formation and await the rest of the fleet to launch. Radio out.'

'Acknowledged.'

Lazily, IDV 1535--a Heavy Missile Frigate for the 3rd Fleet-- drifted out from its parent shipyard, Jupiter looming a short distance off.* Slowly, it fell in to formation with the rest of the 3rd Fleet, taking up its spot behind the stationary fighter screen some 6 clicks from the shipyards. All around them, the yards were staffing their vessels and releasing them from dock as fast they could. The 1st and 2nd had already been operational, now it was a question of readying the other four.

The 6th Fleet stayed close to Horizon, which was moving slowly away from Io. No word was sent from Aurontel. Althalon would be returning soon, and it was though he'd have a few things to say on the matter. Nevertheless, Field Marshal Sergoyan and Fleet Marshal Ahadi Il-Amir set themselves to readying the Warlord's assets.

By all conventional estimation, it would seem that Thelas was about to bleed.

*[OC: When I claimed space on Io and got my Fleets situated in and around the Jovian system, I didn't know what a Lagrange point was. Tsaraine did. As a result, I control none of them and thus my shipyards are placed x km away from Jupiter, where x is to imply "a distance appropriate for me to not have to rape my propulaion systems to stay in orbit." Thank you.]

Warlord Althalon stepped from his shuttle and peered up at the hangar's control room as the massive blast doors clanged shut behind him. A phalynx of officers approached, led by Field Marshal Ezr Sergoyan. The Warlord was clad in the traditional Imperial dress uniform: an elaborately crafted, custom fit garment dominated of course with black, with white and red trimmings. Behind him flowed a long cloak, black on the outside and white on the inside.

The men exchanged salutes with the Warlord and the Field COmmander produced a datapad. "Welcome back, Lord Althalon. You've returned not a moment too soon," he says with a sigh as a series of holographic images flicker in the air before them as they walk.

The Warlord crossed his arms behind his back as they reached the hangar's exit. His aides and officers strode in formation behind, paying close attention to the conversation. Althalon cleared his throat. "I've been briefed," he announces with a nod. "Amalthea is to be destroyed," he finishes.

Sergoyan cracks a grin and chuckles. "The men will be glad to hear it, no doubt. I've already taken the liberty of mobilizing several divisions. Sectors twelve, fifteen, eighteen, and twenty-two are ready for action." He gestured to one of the holograms, showing a colorized readout of the bases' infrastructure, with readiness status coded by color. "As you can see, the mobilization is going roughly according to schedule. The men know where they're supposed to go and what tehy're supposed to do, so for the most part we've had few problems. The men have been trained well."

The party boards a massive lift, and one of the men keys in their destination, which was quite naturally far below them at present. Althalon drew in a breath and closed his eyes. Sergoyan and a Dunlending Overlord exchanged a glance.

The Easterling's eyes fly open suddenly. "Call up ten or fifteen percent of our groundside labor force," he ordered, in practiced meter. "Load up the topside guns and keep the crews on their rigs night and day. I want fighter patrols doubled by nightfall and active commlinks engaged for GC sectors." Turning to his men, he hiked his chin slightly. "I will be in touch with Fleet Command to coordinate our assets up there," he says, pointing a finger heavenward.

Ezr gave a nod. "I'll see too it that all availible Ground Units are brought to full readiness ASAP, Lord Althalon. I won't be sparing the whip."

Althalon nodded. "Right," he said, bringing his arms from behind his back, crossing them instead over his chest. "We've got to move quickly, gentlemen. The Dark Eldar are moving inexorably towards Amalthea, and obviously the Thelasi have proven irresponsible with their holdings." He held up a fist and made a grasping gesture. The lift slowed gradually. "So we will take it." His eyes flashed. "It's important to make an example of Thelas while the international community remains rooted against them. The accepted consensus seems to indicate that most powers accept this situation as being a result of Thelasi aggression. Many, no doubt, have an idea as to what we're going to do with them. I've been asked by the Jovian League to deactivate our FTL inhibitor field, but I'll do so only after the present conflict is resolved. I want all of you to report to the War Room by eighteen hundred for your tac briefing: for now, though, I've told you all you need to know."

Althalon clapped Sergoyan on the shoulder, and the holo display faded and died. "Get us ready for war, Master Sergoyan."

Sergoyan nodded vigorously. "Certainly, Lord Althalon."

***

The Fleets were on the move shortly after Warlord Althalon's return. The Second and Fourth Fleets began to make their way to tactical positions between Amalthea and Io, both fleets flying in a capital ship phalynx formation with fighter and gunship support to the rear of the battle line. Weapons were brought to the ready and crews sent to battlestations. The 3rd Fighter group began patrolling Io regularly in shifts: 10 squadrons were in the air around the moon at any given time.

Battle readiness protocol had been enacted several days earlier for the remaining four fleets, and of them the third seemed the most likely to ship out soon. The Sixth, meanwhile, initiated its maiden launch from Horizon, which was still lumbering slowly away from the Jovian System and by now had reached near to the limits of the FTL restriction zone.

On Io itself, massive anti-air cannons swivelled to live in sector after sector, and troops could now be seen on the surface in large numbers, patrolling the base and preparing for the assault. Transport ships began to load up what troops had been made ready so far: 4500 and counting.

The pieces were in motion, and Warlord Althalon planned a chain of events that would lead Aurontel and Amalthea inexorably towards war.

Konrad, as usual, was confident in his chances for success.

“I shall return”

In fact, it seemed that the elves themselves were confident in the Warlord’s victory, for not long after Impirium movements, transports began to flee from Amalthea. It was obvious to the elves that they would loose any battle, and so, they had decided that it would be better to flee, and fight another day, rather than be destroyed by Impirium forces.


The transports left hurriedly, taking what they could from the base, most of it in fact, as the base itself was modular and easily removed. Guns were un-mounted and moved, and everything else that could be packed up and transported was carried away from Amalthea. Mean while, as the moon passed out of Impirium sensors, rotating around Jupiter, shuttles from the Thelasi core of engineers moved. Where in the past the space around Amalthea was clean, they laid mines. Millions of small, yet deadly mines, designed to go for a ships engines and for the air-locks on a ship. Most of the mines had active camouflage units, standard for Thelasi mines, yet many did not have this, simply to give the appearance of a hastily prepared defense.

Around the planet a solid shield of mines laid, the outer skin of which had no masking systems. Yet there was one ‘corridor’ where there were the visible mines were sparse. Not sparse enough to cause enemies to suspect a trap, but few enough for sensor operators to detect and signal. In reality, the Thelasi had laid the most mines around this area of space, and had even deployed several automated defense platforms in the area, it would truly be a nasty surprise.

When Amalthea re-entered the sensor range of the Impirium ships, the last of the transports had fled, and the warships were about to depart.

On the surface, final preparations were finishing. Materials of importance were destroyed, the computer core had simply been moved to a transport, and lastly, mines and demolition charges had been laid throughout the facility. Quickly the troops departed.

Finally, the fleet sped away, heading towards the edge of the Io system, were they could engage their FTL drives, and leave for the Asteroid Belt, were secretly, a small armada of eight Thelasi fleets were gathering, with over 900,000 Morchant Tirith at the ready.

Between Solar Orbits 5 and 6, Even with Jupiter

Solar System Observer 1049 orbited silently in the dark, its radial velocity around the sun even with Jupiter’s. It was one of many remote sensor platforms in the outer solar system emplaced by the Federation.

Well, its calm orbit was interrupted with a signal, over the ansible TacNet, bringing orders faster than the speed of light straight to the darkened platform barely gleaming the faint light of the Sun.

SSO1049 slowly began to come to life, active sensors coming online, no longer passively collecting data, but seeking it. And it was just in time to watch the beginning of the Thelasi flight.

The drive field popped into existence, and slowly imparted a tiny closing velocity, which would send the platform into a very high orbit around the fifth planet in a matter of hours.

Through the TacNet, and with its own sensors, it felt its nearest neighbors repeating its own maneuvers, to place Jupiter under close surveillance, with no part uncovered.

The other artificial satellites, bearing the Federation’s flag in relief upon their hulls, spread out, keeping the missing platforms from breaking the ring around the Sun.

"Admiral, CIC has confirmed its last report. We're looking at what looks to be a major Thelasi pullout from Almathea."

"After all that fuss, they're just leaving?" Admiral Fuyutski leans forward and studies the display her flag lieutenant had sent her. "There has to be a catch."

"There may be, ma'am," the young man replies. "A detailed composite of the gravscan, phased radar and lidar sweeps indicates an substantial increase in the number of small objects orbiting Almathea. What's odd is that the three don't quite match, as if some of them aren't putting out radar and laser returns. We don't have any data on what's happening on the moon itself, either."

"Mines. Those are probably mines, some with more stealth coating than the others."

"That's what CIC believes, and there may be some larger platforms as well. We'd have to get closer to get much closer to get better data, though."

"Those freebirths think they can just toss mines around the place? Jovian space is filled with odd gravitational eddies and tides from the moons. There's no way an unattended network like that will stay coherent for more than a little time. We'll be seeing those things drifting into trade lanes before too long." Fuyutski sits back in her virtual chair and ponders. Given Almathea's orbit between Jupiter and Callisto, those mines could easily endanger any passing ships headed to or from the Helium-3 collection stations in close orbit around the planet. With that in mind, and given the Emperor's dislike for the way things were going around Jupiter, a plan began to form in her mind.

"Jennifer," she said to the ship's Mind, "please have flight control launch a few recon drones. I want them to scout out the space around Almathea. Get a detailed scan of the area for CIC to work with. As for you, lieutenant, I want the fleet to prepare for minesweeping."

Within few minutes, a set of ten multi-purpose drones were vectoring in towards the moon at a leisurely pace, sweeping space around them with high-power scan beams. Meanwhile, the Cetagandan capital ships at Callisto sent out a message.

{General Broadcast}
x CVC Kusanagi Motoko (Flag, 1BF CSS)
o ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS

Attention all ships in Jovian space, this is the Cetagandan First Fleet. We have detected what may be a minefield near and around Almathea. All ships are advised to proceed through the orbital path of Almathea with extreme caution, as such mines may drift due to tidal effects. The First Fleet is currently making preparations for a minesweeping operation to remove the risk to civilian and military traffic in the Jovian system. We welcome any who wish to support such an effort. Please contact our flagship if you wish to coordinate.

Fleet Admiral Fuyutski Michi
CO, First Battle Fleet, CSS

Maccek Trade Station

"Evacuation Transport away! The supervisor's transport is away!" Azypka ran across the "pit," the circular nest of consoles that was the heart of the Command Center. Everywhere she looked, red tell-tales and warnings glowed. Somewhere in the distance another explosion boomed, and in response, another screen of indicators went from yellow to red. She tapped the young technician facing the console on the shoulder, and gestured him toward the emergency lock.

Through a view port she could see another Evacuation Transport backing in to dock. She shooed two other techs toward the lock, and instructed one of the handful left to shut down all the Tubes leading into the Command Center. She blinked. There was really nothing left to do, nothing left to command, and the waves of mines were closing in fast. A mine crashed down and exploded just outside the port, narrowly missing the now-docked transport.

"That's it," she shouted. "Everybody out! Good job people; now go join your families."

She paused to shut down a few more systems, before admitting to herself that it was pointless. What could be done was already done. She hesitated at the lock for one last look at the deserted Command Center, sighed, and ducked through the door into the transport, quickly dogging the hatch behind her. She thumbed her comm-link. "Let's roll!"

The transport was crowded, but people ignored her. They had their own problems and traumas to deal with. She fell into a simple web-backed seat and sighed. The job wasn't done. They still had to dodge those mines.

Aurontel, Io

Althalon lights a cigarette, hunching father over his desk, the cigarette poking out from his clasped hands. He peered through the gathering cloud at his link window with the Haradrim Admiral. "Hello Admiral" he says, nodding slightly.

Ahadi bows his head. "Hello Lord Althalon. I trust you've seen the Cetagandan missive?"

Althalon shrugged. "Didn't come as a surprise. Given the volume of traffic leaving Amalthea, it seems more than a bit ridiculous that the Thelasi wouldn't heavily booby trap the area. I'm sure the remnants of the base are lined with claymores," he chuckles, genuinely amused. "Nonetheless, I'm not accepting their cowardice and I'm planning an ambush."

Ahadi raised a brow. "Oh?"

"I just got off the line with Commodore Sorenson of the Vengeance and he tells me that elements of the 4th and the 6th are ready to go, and we couldn't help but notice that if combined, they'd make a nice raiding party. We're heavy on fighters, since all the carriers are ready. Lots of gunships and a few quick minelayers. Heavy capship support, but not so many frigates: those I suppose we can consolidate with the 5th and leave them at Aurontel for my own peace of mind. I'm disengaging the FTL inhibitors in applicable range of our shipyards, and jumping these fleet elements under the command of Commodore Sorenson to a remote location. Keep your men on their toes, I'll be in contact with you again when they are due to return. In the meantime, change you vector--" he pauses, punching up a display on Ahadi's communicator. Numbers scrolled by. "--to these coordinates. Halt gradually, and scramble all fighters."

"Of course sir. Anything else?"

Althalon shook his head. "No. Get going."

"Admiral Il-Amir out," answered the Haradrim, bowing his head.

Althalon raised his dying cigarette and grinned as the transmission shut off. He turned around and watched his CS as the FTL Inhibitors began disengaging their fields. Within minutes the first of the warships jumped out of the solar system for the first time in the history of the DDSI, destined for some remote locale between the stars, to assemble and prepare to strike. As the last ship disappeared from his scope, Althalon tapped his comm. "Raise the fields again," he commands, to another operative within the base. "Standby for further shutdown coordinates."

"Aye sir."

Althalon leaned back in his chair and lit another cigarette, peering at an enlargement of the sketchy long-range sensor data he had on the Thelasi fleets. He tightened his jaw, his eyes becoming slits. They had about half an hour.

No word was sent to anyone in the area, but the movement of the Imperial Fleets incicated that they had in fact received Admiral Fuyutski Michi's message.

Frederico Thompson de la Kurita sputtered and swiped at the suddenly floating puddle of pseudocaf in front of his face.

"Of all times for an incoming bulletin..."

Sparks flew as the wire he'd been re-insulating connected with the floating pseudocaf and the speaker.

KSHHT all ships in Jovian space, this is the Cet*POP*an First Fleet. We have detected what may be a *SIZZLE* near and around *BUZZZZ* ships are advised to proceed through the orbital path of Al He fiddled the dial, switching to an alternate circuit.

...may drift due to tidal effects. The circuit blew out.

"Damnit! Some prankster smartass junior engineer playing a prank over emergency comms. I'd bet anything he's claiming they detected a gravity field, and that the orbital paths of all objects in the area may drift due to tidal effects." He snorted, mopping up the splatter as an air vent quietly hummed on to suck away the smaller floating droplets.

The small craft, nearly completely powered down to reduce onboard inteference effects, continued to swing down towards the ecliptic on inertia. A narrow pass by Amalthea - near miss, really - and a slow burn, some more gravimetric analyses, and then back out into free space to visit with his cousins Bongo, their wife Terry, and the rest of their commune.

It resembled nothing so much as a forty foot long irregular rock that had mated with two hundred years' worth of Soviet space engineers' LSD dreams by repeated collisions involving a glue factory, and it was emitting a scant handful of watts at the moment as it approached perpendicular to the main orbit ring of Jupiter, only a handful of m/s of approach away from the range of possible collision vectors...

Message To: Empress Ithenril, Star Empire of Thelas
Message Fr: Markhreif Errekeradh arTaelkh, NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io
Message Re: Further Thelasi Developments

Though I doubt that this missive shall reach you, Empress (as it appears my previous communiqués did not), it is my duty to inform you of the opinion of the Greater Ascendancy as regards your latest escapade in Jovian space.

Quite frankly, I, the full Court of the Ascendancy and the NDA Council do not appreciate your parting gift to the peoples of the Jovian system. I speak for Tsaraine and the Non-Democratic Alliance as a whole when I say that your irresponsible mining of Amalthean orbit is a hazard to all shipping in the Jovian system, as your mines drift out of orbit and into the paths of system shipping.

Thus I must insist that you remove your mines immediately, before your actions destroy any remaining chance of a diplomatic resolution to this situation. If you are incapable of or unwilling to carry this out, we shall have no choice but to brand you a rogue state and cut off all further diplomatic contact.

~ Errekeradh arTaelkh
Markhreif NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io



Message To: Fleet Admiral Fuyutski Michi, CVC Kusanagi Motoko
Message Fr: Senekhal Radukh tsaRega, Kel Meralkharant
Message Re: Mine Sweeping

Admiral Michi, as commander of the Greater Ascendancy's Outer System Fleet here at Kel Meralkharant, and coordinator of all Tsarainese shipping in the Jovian system, I thank you for your timely warning about the danger posed by the Thelasi mines.

Unfortunately, the Ascendancy lacks suitable vessels to assist you in mine clearance here in the Jovian system; however, I would very much appreciate being kept abreast of any developments in this endeavour.

~ Radukh tsaRega
Senekhal Kel Meralkharant

. <-- This dot here for "see if it will post now" reasons.

OOC: Note for reference. The Thelasi mines would not in reality drift anywhere. The gravitational eddies (whatever that is) in the Jovian sub-system are not severe enough to prevent navigation by modern space probes. To assume that a space-nation like Thelas would be unable to match modern stellar navigation is ludicrous.

The mines will almost certainly contain sufficient thrusters to remain in orbit for many years, after which, the most likely place they'll go is Almathea, and most certainly not other nation's space. Demanding that Thelas destroy mines because navigation in the Jovian sub-system is apparently so difficult is laughable. The numerous defence sattelites of Io remain do they not?

Indeed to 'drift' out of a stable orbit is actually flat-out impossible. In order to leave orbit, more energy is required. If such energy were being tossed around naturally, Almathea's orbit would be wildly unstable. If something drifts out of orbit, it hits the thing below it. Breaking orbit requires something to push or pull it out of orbit.

Clearly Tsaraine's government is attempting to bait and generally annoy the Thelasi, and the Cetagandan spacers are... mislead as to the nature of the Jovian sub-system.

OOC: Hey, I'm just going with what's already been posted (and because the Council told me to). Suspend reality a bit, don't break the RP.

OOC: The thing is, I doubt Thelas imagines his mines drifting like that. To do so is basically saying "your assets will violate the laws of physics in order for me to be angry with you even if you don't want them to."

Note to self, when attacking Io, claim NDA sattelites have all drifted away. Useful that. ;)

OOC:
For all purposes of striking a balance between reality and roleplay, Thelas can decide to assume that my people have evacuated anyway, not because of the mines but rather because of the (possible) conflict in itself. That would be all.

OOC: Uhrm ... I'm going to have to pass this one up the line, like the loyal little gopher I am. But not tonight, 'tis too late. Argh.

OOC: Tsaraine was going to just ignore this whole thread (and I don't blame him) except the Council requested he make our displeasure known. In every case, this last time included, he posted at our behest. The bit about the floating mines wasn't discussed (I missed that one), but we're letting him know we're not happy that they're there. And we're certainly not happy about Thelas moving in unannounced in a single post, then moving out and laying mines in another single post. He essentially gave no one any chance to react to anything except after the fact.

So therefore I think it's fair to assume that everything was done quickly, and in an extremely slipshod manner. That's certainly how I intend to handle it ICly. This means that the minelaying was done poorly, and there's a non-negligable risk that the mines will end up drifting somewhere they shouldn't be. It doesn't mean that they will, only that they could. Regardless, we're making our displeasure known yet again, and demanding that the offending party (Thelas, in this case) fix the problem.

Now, if we're all on the same page, let the role-playing (such as it is) continue.

OOC: Indeed? In any case, I've said my piece, and am done now.

OOC: Note for reference. The Thelasi mines would not in reality drift anywhere.Amalthea is tiny, and very close to Jupiter. It has an extremely low escape velocity, and experiences relatively extreme tidal forces. A person could easily jump into orbit from Mons Ida. (I'll have to double check my numbers, but it may be possible to be lifted off of the surface without bothering to jump. I'm sure that's the case with Metis and Adrastea, anyway.) Anything that wants to remain in orbit around Amalthea is going to have to be almost constantly firing thrusters/gravydrives/whatever to correct for tidal perturbation. Drifitng out of a stable orbit is impossible, but there is no such thing as a stable orbit around Amalthea. Something is pushing/pulling, that something being tidal forces from Jupiter. The numerous defense satellites of Io remain in orbit because Io is much larger and further away from Jupiter.

In your (and Thelas's) defense, however, the mines won't pose much of a problem for the rest of the Jovian system. The best they could manage is spreading out into a diffuse ring approximately 200 kliks wide. Not even enough to reach Adrastea, let alone Io or any other moon. On a related note, why the base was set up on Amalthea in the first place is rather beyond me; it's something of a waste of energy trying to fire anything from Amalthea to Io, especially when Thebe is available.

But enough OOC junk, onto the IC stuff:

Needless to say, the Guilders, both those in Amalthea and those approaching, were not pleased. The amount of displeasure differed quite noticeably between the two groups, however, as those already on the moonlet had a rather complicated puzzle to keep themselves occupied with, whereas those on approach had only the knowledge that their Hohmann transfer orbits would plop them down at the summit of Mons Ida in time periods varying between 6 and 1 hours, and that they would now have to change course, wasting not only fuel but also a very large amount of time and mental capacity working new orbits.

On the upside, a laser's usefulness as a weapon is usually directly proportional to its usefullness as a long-range communications device, and the communications terminals on Amalthea and Adrastea suddenly found themselves put to new use frying mines.

especially when Thebe is available.


Incidentally, it isn't. Konania, Kaenei, and I did a thread about turning it into an oversized spacedy station. Took about a month real time.

But that is just for your information.

In any case... As Spacer Guilds said (And I hate to agree with him), Amaltheas mass/ orbital space is possibly not enough to 1. hold millions of mines and 2. keep them in its orbit (You may forgive my lack of knowledge regarding orbital mechanics, and I'm open for correction).

I'm not sure if the mines would form another ring, though (Not inside the 1 1/2 planetary radii sector).

That said, while there is no risk for my assets at Jupiter, even if the mines are spread out, I hope you understand that I'm pretty pissed at others just laying minefields at Jupiter for no apparent reason.

And considering the interests of nations with assets closer to Jupiter (What Cetaganda mentioned), they might be all so slightly threatened.

---

ic:

Themisto

"So... a metric f*ckton of mines?"

"Yes. No idea why, though. Completely useless, they are. And the Cetagandans care."

"Well, understandable." Ivanova was sipping her tea while listening to her secretary. "Though they have basically just wasted their money... It is an act of war, and it is kinda annoying... Finally, they need to be teached a lesson. They can not just do what they want."

"True. So?"

Ivanova smiled.

From: The Psionic Godmode of Der Angst
To: Thelas [Knootian Embassy]
Subject: Your foolish actions

We are somewhat... Displeased with your rampant idiocy in the Jovian System, and, considering that you have no assets left there, we would like you to... Remove the mines you left. All of them.

Should you decide that it is more important to annoy just about every nation with Jovian assets that to listen to common sense, we would be sorta forced to... Consider ourselves in a state of open hostilities with you, due to your apparent (Though impractical) attempts of holding our, as well as others, assets in the region... hostage.

Or in other words, due to your unilateral aggression.

Though we are sure that you didn't intend to offend about a dozen nations, we would very much prefer if you realise your mistakes.

Nonetheless, should you decide that it is important for you to explain yourself, we're open to... talks.

~ Susan Ivanova, Jovian Council

Once finished and sent, Ivanova had the time to care about various allies in the System, who were doubtlessly displeased, too.

Time to send some other messages.

[ooc: all properly encrypted, of course.]

[ooc2: One question... the exact nature of the mines? I mean how do they do damage? My post may have been completely pointless, depending on the things the mines actually are.

Amalthea is tiny, yaddayaddastatingtheblatantlyobviousblah

I thought it would have been obvious that anything 'in orbit of' Amalthea is in fact in orbit of Jupiter, a fixed distance from Amalthea. Hence why I compared them, numerous times, to the various probes that have orbited Jupiter.

I thought it would have been obvious that anything 'in orbit of' Amalthea is in fact in orbit of Jupiter, a fixed distance from Amalthea. Hence why I compared them, numerous times, to the various probes that have orbited Jupiter.That, too, is impossible, unless they happen to be at the L4/L5 points- but it is quite clear from Thelas's post that they are not. Incidentally, in Amalthea's case, the L4 and L5 points aren't stable over long periods anyway.
Incidentally, it isn't. Konania, Kaenei, and I did a thread about turning it into an oversized spacedy station. Took about a month real time.Well, that's good to know. Amalthea still seems a rather silly place for a offensive base, though.
I'm not sure if the mines would form another ring, though (Not inside the 1 1/2 planetary radii sector).The 1.44 planetary radii limit is only applicable for a rigid body with a density equal to the planet's. A mass of mines is a fluid body (which all by itself kicks the coefficient up to ~2.44), with a much lower density.

That, too, is impossible, unless they happen to be at the L4/L5 points- but it is quite clear from Thelas's post that they are not.
Oh?
Incidentally, in Amalthea's case, the L4 and L5 points aren't stable over long periods anyway.
I'm sure any civilisation capable of making a working FTL drive would consider this a trivial annoyance.
Well, that's good to know. Amalthea still seems a rather silly place for a offensive base, though.

On that at least, we can all agree.

----

Honestly folks. Thelas' post contains far more objectionable things than that. The fact that there are "millions" of mines for example.

Oh?Yes. If they're closer to Jupiter, they'll orbit faster and drift away. If they're farther from Jupiter, they'll orbit slower and dirft away. If they are the same distance from Jupiter, they'll be drawn in by Amalthea's weak but still present gravity.
On that at least, we can all agree.We can also agree on the fact that the mines really pose no threat to the rest of the system. Which, I believe, was the whole point of this interchange, so I'll stop now.
Honestly folks. Thelas' post contains far more objectionable things than that. The fact that there are "millions" of mines for example.Personally, I'm taking that either to be an exaggeration for literary effect, or else proof that the mines are itty bitty cheapos consisting of little more than a package of hydrazine and a proximity sensor.

Yes. If they're closer to Jupiter, they'll orbit faster and drift away. If they're farther from Jupiter, they'll orbit slower and dirft away. If they are the same distance from Jupiter, they'll be drawn in by Amalthea's weak but still present gravity.

I meant, "Oh, it was made clear in his post that they're not meant to be at Lagrange Points was it?"

I meant, "Oh, it was made clear in his post that they're not meant to be at Lagrange Points was it?"I believe thatAround the planet a solid shield of mines laidmakes it quite clear that the mines are around Amalthea, not floating out in the middle of nowhere. Of course, I'm assuming that by "planet" he meant "Amalthea", not "Jupiter", as that would patently insane.

Ok, here's what the good Admiral and staff were thinking.

1) Almathea is rather tiny. Not a lot of gravity.
2) Jupiter is rather big and close.
3) There's also a lot of other large objects in the general area.
4) This 'solid wall of mines' was assembled in a matter of hours, seeing as how no one had a chance to even see it being constructed and respond before the Thelasi were gone.
5) Thus, that minefield probably isn't constructed with a great deal of planning.
6) Its entirely possible that at least a few mines will get perturbed from their current orbits, and thus endanger shipping. There are a lot, you know, so there's got to be some in fairly high orbits.
7) The Thelasi have blocked acess the entire moon, which isn't terribly neighborly for anyone who wants to move in now that the current inhabitants have left.
8) Admiral Fuyutski really doesn't like the Thelasi, and thus is using any possible, even if remote, reason to get rid of the silly thing.

And why look, there's already a civilian craft making a close approach to the moon. A moon which the Thelasi haven't even told anyone they can't approach.

So, can we please get back to IC posts?



"Admiral, longscan has picked an object that's on a trajectory that will have it making a close approach to Almathea. We're not sure if its a ship or not - looks like a rock, but there's some odd radar returns from some angles that may be artificial and the density is low enough that it may be mostly hollowed."

"Probably a rockship and the pilot, of course, doesn't know about the mines because its beneath the dignity of an elf to tell any civilians about their new navigational hazard. Have comms warn them off. "


"Attention civilian craft. Be advised that the space surrounding Almathea has been mined. Suggest you alter course at once." The message was repeated several times in a dozen different languages.

[OOC]
7) The Thelasi have blocked acess the entire moon, which isn't terribly neighborly for anyone who wants to move in now that the current inhabitants have left.It's not very neighborly for anyone who was already there, either.So, can we please get back to IC posts?Yes.

As the tiny civilian ship shoots ever closer to the moon, the fleet far behind it begins sending more transmission towards it. "Attention civilian craft. Be advised that the space surrounding Almathea has been mined. Suggest you alter course at once." The message was repeated several times in a dozen different languages.
"Dangit, what do they think we're doing? Bloody waste of fuel it is, too."
The cargo ship's co-pilot poked the pilot in the arm and pointed out the window.
"I think, Pavlos, it's safe to say that they were talking to that one."
"Whoa. Looks like somebody handbuilt that baby. How big is that thing?"
"Em... lidar puts it around 15 meters."
"Bloody shame we can't help 'em."
"Aye, 'tis. Well, I guess we could try getting ground control to clear out the area along their flight path."
"Probably won't do much good."
"Oh well."
Pavlos flicked a silver toggle switch on the control board. "Eh, hello there, Jupiter V, this is Cap. Pavlos speaking. Incase you haven't noticed, ah, there's a rather large blob headed 'round this way. If it's not too much trouble, might try blowin' up a few o' the mines that cross closest to their flightpath. Pavlos out."

Althalon drew his jaw, staring at his desktop comm device. He lit another cigarette and exhaled sharply. "God damn it," he muttered, pulling up the device. "I hate doing this."

A few moments later, he initiates contact with the Cetagandan Fleet via a tightbeam transmission. He appears slightly worn, and visibly irritated. Drumming his fingers on the desk while they validate the message, he ashes his cigarette and takes another hit, resting it in the already full ashtray for the upcoming video transmission.

"Hello," he starts with a slight nod of his head. "I am Warlord Althalon of the Five Kindgoms," he continues, clasping his hands on the desk. "As I'm sure you're aware, we have mobilised our fleets to deal with the irresponsible and idiotic Thelasi. You may have noticed that we jumped out a large number of ships not more than ten minutes ago. We will avoid Amalthea for the duration of your minesweeping efforts, and for the service, we're prepared to allow for Cetaganda to make a claim on Amalthea in conjunction with ours, should you wish to do so. Normally, we probably wouldn't recognise it, but then again we don't normally have people clearing mines for us. I'm well aware of the non-agression treaty that still stands between us, and I have no intention of violating it. Our ships will maintain at least 500 kilometer berth from yours while you work."

He leaves the lines open in case the Cetagandans want to exchange dialogue..

A comjockey by the name of Evstathios took Pavlos's message and promptly fired one back.

"Pavlos, this is Jupiter V. I'm afraid we really can't be much use. Too much computation to figure out exactly what to blow up. We'll keep an eye on 'em, though." Evstathios barely suppressed a chuckle while saying "Have a nice trip back to Adrastea. Jupiter V out."

"Jupiter XV calling Jupiter V, over."
Evstathios clicked open another circuit.
"Jupiter V here, proceed."
"You get that message from the Cetagandans?"
"Yup. Came up the queue about an hour ago. Patroclus took it down."
"Well, seems a good idea to inform them of what we're doing, yes? I mean, it wouldn't be very good if they accidentally wandered through the beam."
"Yeah, I suppose that's right. Oh, I get it. You want me to transmit for you."
"Hey, you're the one with the slower orbit by 4 hours. You've got a better window."
"Oh, gimme a break. Alright, I'll pass it on and get Zakynthos to write somethin' up."
"Thanks, Jupiter XV out."

{Tightbeam Transmission}
x Mons Ida, Jupiter V
o CVC Kusanagi Motoko (Flag, 1BF CSS)
Greetings, this is the Guild city station of Mons Ida on Jupiter V. Concerning you're minesweeping operation around Jupiter V, we are rather involved whether we like it or not, so we're just calling to inform you of our support. We're doing our best to reprogram a couple of long-distance comm lasers here and on Jupiter XV to help clear things up a bit, just so you know. If there's anything else we can do, don't hesitate to call.

Listening to Althalon, Fuyutski smiles. "Poor man, trying to be polite to us. Bet he wishes some other warlord was dealing with this situation." She then taps a few keys to send a reply.

"Greetings, Warlord Althalon," she say cheerfully. "Thank you for your offer of space on Almathea. We hadn't really considered it before, but now that you've mentioned it an Almathean base would make a good tracking station for monitoring traffic through Jovian space. Even on a smaller moon like this, I'm sure we can stay out of each other's way." She hadn't been expecting anything along these lines, but she wasn't going to complain. A small base would be convenient for emergency landings and for watching the ever-growing number of nations around Jupiter.

Her smile then takes on a decidedly grim look. "As for whatever it is your fleet plans for Those Idiots, its none of my concern. We're just going to clear mines for safety purposes - I couldn't care less that your traffic happens to be a battle fleet." She flips the channel back to standby.

Flagship of the First Fleet; Spycimir,
Asteroid Belt

The probe sat in space overlooking the remains of Maccek. The scene was hellish, the few structures that remained intact floating in a lake of mines, like raisins in a bowl of oatmeal. Even as she watched from her vantage point, the last hydrogen fuel tank exploded in a cloud of fire. The clouds remained, leaving the cored-out hull of the structure to slowly slump into the mass of mines. Much as it hurt, she couldn't stop watching. It somehow seemed appropriate that she might be the last person to gaze upon the dying colony, the rest of the survivors, except for the technicians of course, long having been relocated to Mars.

The flagship's hatch swung open and Vlachko climbed out, his suit blackened and scorched in several places, as was hers, a result of their near-disastrous return to the doomed station. He didn't look down at it. She'd noticed that he intentionally averted his eyes every time the wreckage was in view.

"We can't tolerate them. We will never tolerate them."

Spycimir and her escorts had gone to salvage the station. Their convoy consisted of two scouts, a few drones that will clear an opening on the drifting minefield and salvage the wreck. Several of Zvarinograd's early-model missile barrage frigates were escorting Spycimir, many of them were irregular in shape, most likely prototypes. It was highly unlikely they'd meet with any Thelasi ships, but they'd been ordered to be on full alert

OOC: Okay, I screwed up yet again, THESE ARE NOT CONTACT DETONATION MINES, these mines are basicaly floating gun turrets, designed to be cheap, expendable and easily replaced.

And yes, these things do have engines

And yes, I was overstating when I said 'millions'

And yes, these things are STAYING in Amalthea orbit

And yes, they were laid hastily, in WW2 a full minefeild could be laid out in hours, in modern time, it could be laid out even faster. Large transports fly around the moon, dropping these things as they go, not that hard

And next time I do something thise stoopid, at least ask me what type of mines these things are?

And don't give me trouble about "OMG TAHT SI GODMODDING!!!!!111" there are mines in development today that can tell an enemy tank from an allied tank, and choose wether or not to detonate, now these things are not even close to perfect, every now and then one of them mistakes a car for an enemy jeep, but given several hundred-thousand years of technology, I think the Thelasi can make a mine that actualy can tell the difference between a space station and a Impirium battleship. (That was directed twoards you Zvar)

Now, I know we have gotten a bit of a long way into this, and I know most of you are going to accuse me of being a wuss who wants this thread to die, well i don't, I have a nice answer post, and an even nicer story line thought out for this. All I am suggesting is that we work backwards with knew knollege and try to make this thread work.

Now, mea culpa, mea culpa, I should have realised that most of you would think that mines=explocive thingies that go boom, not realising that the Thelasi use 'smart' mines. Again, mea culpa, mea culpa.

Next order of buisness, to clean up this mess...

And please excuse me if I make no sense, I have had little sleep for a week now... and I am about to fall off my chair from exhaustion.

OOC:
Sorry if I offend you in any means, I have no problem with your technology, or your mines. Now, for all purposes of roleplay, what do we do now? By saying that, you just effectively destroyed every post after yours. Well, you wrote the thread, you decide. I'll just wait on your word.

That's nice, Thelas, and doesn't change my actions a bit. ICly, it was hastily made from our viewpoint, and hastily made means wide room for error. In WWII, minefields stayed put and didn't have to deal with countless neutral vessels pass by. As for asking what kind of mines they are, what would you call sending in a flight of recon drones to scan them? Now, since you have time to rant, would you please tell me how your minefield reacts to my drones and what the detect? And, for that matter, the TJ ship that's zipping through?

Listening to Althalon, Fuyutski smiles. "Poor man, trying to be polite to us. Bet he wishes some other warlord was dealing with this situation." She then taps a few keys to send a reply.

"Greetings, Warlord Althalon," she say cheerfully. "Thank you for your offer of space on Almathea. We hadn't really considered it before, but now that you've mentioned it an Almathean base would make a good tracking station for monitoring traffic through Jovian space. Even on a smaller moon like this, I'm sure we can stay out of each other's way." She hadn't been expecting anything along these lines, but she wasn't going to complain. A small base would be convenient for emergency landings and for watching the ever-growing number of nations around Jupiter.

Her smile then takes on a decidedly grim look. "As for whatever it is your fleet plans for Those Idiots, its none of my concern. We're just going to clear mines for safety purposes - I couldn't care less that your traffic happens to be a battle fleet." She flips the channel back to standby.

Althalon wearily drew in another hit off his cigarette and doused it, whirling around in his chair to punch up his reply.

He's less overt now in his discord, but it's clear something's still bothering him judging by the slight tightness around his eyes. "Well, we'd better be able to stay out of each other's way, as I'm not too interested in sticking around to check out the consequences of a conflict between us. We're going to stake a larger claim, of course, since it was us that initiated the Thelasi departure. No objections I assume?"

Warlord Konrad Althalon
First Advisor, Imperial Armed Forces

And yes, these things are STAYING in Amalthea orbit No, they aren't. You may not remove them. Others will.

And next time I do something thise stoopid, at least ask me what type of mines these things are? I did.

Reminds me. How do you get the idea that OMG CLOAKED MINES are cheap?

ic:

The Thelasi seemed to enjoy staying silent whenever they srewed up... Which was basically, well, ever.

It wasn't too bad, though, one got used to it. Their problem of likely being shot at whenever they came near someone who had had previous contact with them... Well, that was their problem.

Meanwhile, technicians were working on a solution.

The 'mines', or rather, floating gun turrets, being the cheap products they were, would of course likely have serious problems when it came to energy sources. It was unlikely that their effective range was actually capable of threatening, say, a (way larger, with more significant energy ressources/ more expensive, more capable weapons) cruiser.

The disadvantage was, of course, that there weren't too many cruisers.

But still, their energy was cheaper than an entire gun turret (Though the time they would need for this as well as maintenance problems would rise the overall costs), so it wasn't too bad a deal.

Of course, one had to be careful, since turning a drone into a small cloud of debris wouldn't be too good... But being the technicians they were, finding a solution wasn't too hard... After a while, the necessary calculations were done.

Camouflage/ Cloaking was, of course, far less of a problem. Nothing is ever completely without some sort of emission, or whatever, that betrays its presence. And having invested a metric f*ckton of money and thought into their overall IT, their sensors and other things, the technicians were quite convinced that they would be able to find what was hidden, anyway, a few (though vague) sources having betrayed at least some vague things about them... And it should be much clearer, soon.

Encoded message
From: DAJ
To: Whom it may concern, various nations with Jovian assets
Subject: The Thelasi thingies

"After due consideration, we intend to take part in the removal of this annoying... things the Thelasi bastards left.

Since they are, apparently, floating gun turrets, we intend to fire at them with long- range energy weapons, rendering them dysfunctional without actually destroying them (The debris would be kinda annoying), while at the same time staying out of their range, to collect them once this process has been finished.

Though there seem to be sort of... 'stealthed' objects amount the general annoyance, we are quite certain that identifying and taking them out should be possible within a couple of days. We will dispatch 66 ships (six of them being actual combat vessels, the rest being sufficiently eqiuipped civilian vessels) to begin the process, shouldn't you have distinct problems with this idea.

Sincerely,

~ Ivanova, Jovian Council

PS: Since I didn't understand most of the Techbabble my technicians mentioned, I will spare you the details. However, since I am sure your technicians want some, attachements with the necessary data are included.

Meanwhile, the ships prepared... Equipped for everything necessary. And the soldats technicians could hardly wait to get a few of the Thelasi mines, or drones, or whatever they were... It wasn't often that one got such nice examples of technology hostiles were using... And them using their shiny cloaks was really, really nice, at least from the point of view they had.

ooc: After a relatively detailed discussion and after getting ooc clearance with/ from Thelas

Thusly, forgive the immediately following post. Well, that and since I and Thelas agreed that his next post will happen after this...

ic:

The ships moved in, slowly. Of course, not all of them. Just the first six... It would take a short while until the others could come.

Well, the first group of them.

Morning Mist Feh. What an interesting job. Clearing a minefield.
Mad Machine Hey... It's safer than actual combat...
Morning Mist Well... Hopefully.

Despite the ships tendency of not liking the work, demanding higher payment, and other such things, the work was done... Quickly. Staying out of range, firing, careful not to entirely destroy the mines... Just destroying their sensors and communications, though occasionally, weapons/ reactors were hit, too... But that was fairly rare.

The mines, a hivemind, basically an AI (Incidentally, not unlike Angstian tech, though not telepathy- based, and, of course, the Angstians had no idea that this was the case) responded... in a surprising way.

Everything had been prepared. Though nobody believed that they had a lot of accel, one was generally fairly certain that they would try to fight back...

They didn't.

Instead, they catched some... transmissions.

Caspar Well... Uh...
Morning Mist Blocked. You have drones at the other en... Oh, f*ck.[/i]
Caspar Huh?

The rather small, black shape of the Morning Mist was barely visible, despite having Jupiter in its background.

Morning Mist It changes frequencies. We can block parts of it, but...
Melchior I see. Meh. Well, lets continue. Reminds me... Check if they are general things or tightbeam, if the latter is the case, we should soon know where their fleet or craftworld is.
Morning Mist Done.

And they continued, tiny, black shapes, occasionally visible due to Jupiter illuminating the background, mine after mine was basically... Well, blinded.

And slowly, shuttles moved, this being basically parts of the ships, And whereever it eemed to be possible without being shot at, they took the 'blind' mines, carrying them back.

Caspar Say... Are they ready, yet? You know...
Achilles Yeah, yeah, I know. Here we are.

The Achilles, and seventeen other ships coming with it, moved in. Most of them were simply there to reinforce, however, a few, the Achilles, the Burning Sun and the Pink Fluffy Bunny had a more... special task.

Their shuttles and drones moved, quickly, accelerating towards the (almost) secured areas... Heading towards a few mines that hadn't been shot, yet.

It were a few of each kind. They were the ones they intended to get without damaging them beforehand.

Pink Fluffy Bunny Well, now... This should be interesting... Ok, Noise ON.

The shuttles didn't have an actual 'crew', though they were full of drones for various kinds of jobs. After all, taking a fully functional mine, Making sure it doesn't suddenly fire around, and then doing some in depth research... Not that easy.

A red dot appeared on one of the shuttles. A few moments later, its hull was cut, another few moments, its engine section was hit. A small explosion, destroying whatever working parts of the engine section remained...

And the shuttle descended, slowly, towards Jupiter.

Achilles More noise, I guess. Jam the f*ckers.

Meanwhile, on Themisto, a few people were watching various sensor logs... Being fairly satisfied with the results.

The mines they had got were already rather good. Now, a fully functioning one... Well, they would see.

[OOC: Thelas, you know, for a while there I was just going to go ahead and wait for you to post again, and then it occured to me that waiting for you to post would essentially just give you an opportuinty to do a ridiculous amount of ordering around/mobilizing/what-have-you in one post, thus nullifying my ambush, or some such equally infuriating response. I realised that in the course of this thread, you have built a base, threatened to use its guns, and abandoned said base, all the while undoubtedly mobilizing your fleets without bothering to RP it anywhere. I, on the other hand, have provided detailed expositions as to my fleet activity, and I've actually taken the time to mobilize and otherwise prepare said fleets. Given that you've already gotten away with an awful lot [that last bit about the amazing one-post exac was particularly priceless], I don't see why I should let you weasel out of this ambush, too.]


Commodore Sorenson glanced over the datapad one last time. The fleets were fully ordered, weapons were manned, and as far as he could tell, everything was good to go. He turned to an aide. "It's showtime," he said with a nod, tucking the now-deactivated datapad behind his back. "Send word round to the Captains and have them initiate Jump procedures. We'll be coming out within 2 clicks of the Thelasi, so I want everyone to stay on their guns. Fighters to seek targets upon exit: they should know what to do."

The aide nodded. "Right away sir," he says quickly, saluting the Commodore then running off down the corridor. He checked his watch.

***
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Althalon chewed on his fingernails, compulsively shooting a glance down to his watch. He nodded to an aide, who slid over to one of the control panels and started pressing buttons: pulling up commlinks and punching into the inhibitor network.

"We're on," came the cue from Aurontel, and with that the FTL inhibitors in the area immediately surrounding Amalthea were turned off completely...

... just long enough for the fleets to juxtapose. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Simultaneously engage their drives, disappreaing off the scope in seconds. 52 Warships* the exited hyperspace just within weapons range of the retreating Thelasi Fleets. Right in front of them. Commodore Sorenson sent a message to the Thelasi fleet. I t was short, sweet, and to the point:

"You die now."

He was scarecly done speaking these words when the first volley of heavy missiles cleared their tubes. Small pricks of light could be seen from the fleets as they releived themselves of their ordinance: each missile frigate cleared about three fusion warheads for the initial strike, totalling close to 80 missiles. Immediately, these frigates started to fall back as crews scrambled to prepare their tubes for a refire, relying on suppressive fire from the long range kinetic drivers on the battlecruisers and destroyers to cover their retreat. The fighters lurched towards the Thelasi fleets in practiced unison, breaking formation only to engage. Bombers and laser corvettes slow and allow the fighters to pass, taking a more indirect flight path towards the Thelasi, trying to keep them guessing on the strike targets. Missile gunships stayed not too far behind the advancing fighter wave. As the missile frigates fell back and the fighters advanced, a small line of assault frigates forms up to draw fire from the precious missile frigates, and to consolidate against a possible fighter strike on the frigate/capship line.

Also, the Battlecruisers had evidently taken the time to charge and ready their plasma cannons. Four high-powered plasma bolts fred from each of the ships in rapid unison, ripping through the void of space towards their targets in the Thelasi lines. Obviously, these aim for the largest of the ships, since the weapon can only fire once in a great while.

*[52 warships is 2 ships ove rthe standard Imperial Fleet size. The designations of my vessels are as follows:

27 Heavy Missile frigates
15 Assault [anti-fighter] frigates
2 carriers
5 destroyers
and
3 battlecruisers

Attacks, total: 80 or so capship killer class fusion missiles, 35 or so kinetic drivers firing constantly, and 15 shots from my battleships' plasma cannons. I've got 16 squadrons of fighters [7 per squad] incoming, 10 or so squadrons of bombers [6 per squad] and 5 lance fighter [5 per squad] squadrons inbound, along with 7 squadrons each [4 units per squad] of missile and laser gunboats, respectively. My fighters will move to intercept anything that even looks at the bombers funny, so I dont want to see any unmolested strike on the bombers from you. Given that I stated in my previous post that you had thirty minutes, I'll do you a favor and assume your technicians would notice 52 warships jumping out of Io space when they did. I will also allow you to describe, in your next post, what your fleets did while my raiding party was jumped way the hell out in space. If it's a bit vague where I'm attacking, I'll clarify: I'm shooting at the Thelasi fleets still within the restriction zone: the ones leaving Amalthea.]

Meanwhile around Callisto, the First Fleet breaks orbit and boosts into a trajectory down towards Jupiter, leaving only its policing squadrons behind. It arrives in an orbit thirty-eight thousand kilometers lower than Almathea, with the planet between them and the moon. Here, fifty-two ships, half of the fleet, accelerates ahead while the other half slows slightly. The two halves converge on the moon from either side, approaching slowly, until they take up loose formations in powered positions about a 127 thousand kilometers from the moon on either side. Inside these formations the capital ships are spread dozens of kilometers apart, with clouds of fighters, drones, and dropships interposed between them and the moon.

A transmission is sent towards the DA ships near Almathea. "While we appreciate your assistance, we ask that you clear <distance from Almathea> for a short time while we take a, ah, less delicate approach. You can probably be of more assistance later in making sure we cleared everything."

After letting the shuttles clear out, the ships begin firing, filling space with several hundred of destructive beams and pulses. Massive capital EM beams, with wavelengths from ultra-low frequency radar to gamma rays, begin to sweep through space around the tiny moon. At the same time, gravitonic lineguns begin firing as well. These powerful beams of gravity not only create great internal tidal forces, but also have both tractor and pressor beams inside. Thus, a single object may experience a hundred gravities pointing one way on a particular section, while half a meter away another section experiences a force in the opposite direction. The escorts fire their own tractor-pressor beams to sweep any debris away from the fleets.

These beams are calculated to insure that nothing beyond the moon is harmed. Not only are the weapons deliberately set to lower power, but they are firing in wide conical beams that, by the time they reach the moon, are several kilometers wide and continue to disperse even more passed that. Still, around the moon the beams are more than powerful enough to harm fighters or even assualt shuttles and small dropships - especially as anything orbiting the tiny moon will be exposed to the beams multiple times. The sweep patterns are carefully calculated so that anything orbiting the moon will be hit - because of the positions of the two battle groups, there no blind spots not covered by at least one of the groups. These sweeps continue over a span eight or so hours, just to be extra thorough, and during this period the ships maintain their positions relative to Almathea using their drives.

[OOC: A diagram can be found at the link below. It is roughly in scale, with one pixel representing a thousand kilometers. The violet dot is Almathea - at only 270 kilometers long on its largest axis, it shouldn't even get an entire pixel. The red area is where we suspect there may be mines. The blue and green represent firing zones of the battle groups, with yellow being the overlap and gray demonstrating a potential blind zone. The two groups of ships are not quite stationary - not only are they spread out over a few hundred kilometers, but they adjust their positions so that any possible blind zones caused by the moon shift. If you can't figure out what the big round thing in the center is, I don't think I can help you.

Diagram 1 (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~chigbee/Cetaganda/alm1.GIF)

/OOC]

Edits for clarifications, spelling, and grammar.

As her fleet goes about its business, Admiral Fuyutski studies maps of Almathea while sipping on a cup of tea. The moon is small - roughly 270 by 165 by 150 kilometers in dimensions. It was barely worth the effort to put a base down, but if the Imperium was planning on putting a base down, then she wasn't going to let an opportunity to peacefully (well, for everyone but the people of Thelas, that is) put one down of her own.

"Warlord Althalon, I have no objection - after all, the fools were threatening you directly. I suggest we meet once all this is cleared up to discuss specifics." (See here (http://www.solarviews.com/eng/amalthea.htm) for information on Almathea.)

After sending the message, she then turns to an aide. "Send a LAC to pick up that rockship. Be polite, but make sure it doesn't zip through our fire zone.

A short time later, a fifty-meter Light Attack Craft sidles up to to the TJ ship. "Hey, there. We kinda need you to alter your course a bit, unless you like an unhealthy dose of radiation. We can boost you if you need it."

As her fleet goes about its business, Admiral Fuyutski studies maps of Almathea while sipping on a cup of tea. The moon is small - roughly 270 by 165 by 150 kilometers in dimensions. It was barely worth the effort to put a base down, but if the Imperium was planning on putting a base down, then she wasn't going to let an opportunity to peacefully (well, for everyone but the people of Thelas, that is) put one down of her own.

"Warlord Althalon, I have no objection - after all, the fools were threatening you directly. I suggest we meet once all this is cleared up to discuss specifics." (See here (http://www.solarviews.com/eng/amalthea.htm) for information on Almathea.)

After sending the message, she then turns to an aide. "Send a LAC to pick up that rockship. Be polite, but make sure it doesn't zip through our fire zone.

A short time later, a fifty-meter Light Attack Craft sidles up to to the TJ ship. "Hey, there. We kinda need you to alter your course a bit, unless you like an unhealthy dose of radiation. We can boost you if you need it."

Althalon nods. "I think it would bve prudent to discuss with each other at some point what we plan on building there. Amalthea isn't a practical location for a military base, so I was planning on building a few reserach facilities out there, maybe a trade outpost--something like that." He picks up his cigarette and takes a drag. "I was hoping you were on the same page. I cant ignore the fact that Cetaganda is in the Triumvirate, so obviously if you choose to build some sort of military oupost there, I will be obligated to respond in kind." He grins. "But I don't want it to come to that. Besides, I'm sure you're intelligent enough to realise the fallacy of such a base in that location, unlike the Thelasi."

Warlord Konrad Althalon
First Advisor, Imperial Armed Forces

Dmitrei Tefenekov sat in the darkened and nearly empty command pit, waiting out his shift at salvage duty. On his console, a panoramic map was scattered with small yellow icons. Each represented a salvage corvette searching for ship debris, including the one he was in, and all of them were coming up empty. The fleet was begging for resources, and unless they could be found, the fleet construction program was going to grind to a halt. Behind him, Dmitrei heard the door cycle. It had to be Terekh Omel’ianov, his assistant. "Howdy, Terekh," he said without looking.

"Arr, me bucko, searchin' for buried treasure is what we be doing. Gold, nickel, uranium, doubloons!"

Dmitrei groaned. "Have you been watching movies again, Terekh?" He knew the answer already. Much of the cultural database that had been brought from Earth was still a corrupted and unreadable mess, but Terekh had recently discovered that the collection of 20th century pirate movies had somehow escaped the ‘accident’ intact. Terekh sat down at in the chair next to him and swiveled to look over the map. "Things don't look so good matey. Ol' Blackbeard hid his treasure well."

Dmitrei slumped back in the chair. "We need a hit, and we need one fast." He indicated a cluster of markers in the northwest quadrant. "I'm hoping one of these is it, which one will it be?"

Terekh studied the map intently, then pointed to a location crossed by a marker. "To find a chest o' treasure, any pirate knows, 'X' marks the spot. We just received word that a conflict nearby Amalthea has recently started, after the smoke clears we can salvage all the hull pieces and parts we want. The other corvettes have been informed as well, they're heading for the main Jupiter station right now."

Dmitrei considered that for a moment. He didn't have any better ideas. Well, if you can't beat them, join them. He punched up a control pad and redirected the corvette. "Hoist the jib, bucko. We be setting sail."

OOC:
Second attempt at roleplaying.

Sky Marshal M'sha sets her green officer's wheel cap on her console, shoulders resting heavily on its support and her chair's armrest as her fingers massage points just ahead of her folded-in batwing ears. When will Thelas... ch'rowl, when will Jupiter not be a problem? At least instantly-appearing minefields are relatively simple to deal with. "FleetCom, inform the Jovian task force to move to extended formation and prepare all energy and particle weapons, full effective dispersal. I like the Cetagandans' style."

The fleet communications officer nods with a quick "Acting" as the sensors officer highlights a region of the strategic situation indicator board, red icons becoming less populous. "Looks like several Ardan fleets are pursuing the Thelasi."

"Not a surprise." M'sha settles the cap back on her head and leans back. "Comms, prepare a missive."

* - * - *

Admiral Fuyutski, this is Sky Marshal M'sha of the Triumvirate's Jovian task force. We offer our assistance in clearing mines, or at least in providing site security for the time being.

Sky Marshal M'sha
CO, 2TEF
TYWS-BB Vinegaroon

ooc: Yes. They are there, as mentioned by Thelas on irc

Oh, and this is happening while Cetaganda goes on with his mineclearing

Jupiter may be large, its orbital space may be almost... gigantic, but for a medium advanced spacecraft, it is still rather easy to cross... Well, apart from the insane noise in the system that tends to play havoc with sensors and other such expensive and absolutely necessary instruments.

Well, necessary.

The Andromeda seemed to work quite well, even though her sensor data wasn't exactly... serious.

Granted, occasionally, one had to be lucky, evading one of the damn moons floating around, or the wreck of a ship (The Imperial ones being especially annoying examples, bulky, and not even looking good, about as attractive as a sweating Knootian at the beach), but so far, she hadn't suffered too many accidents.

Now, why they had contracted her to catch a few of this sats, that was beyond her understanding... but Andromeda tended not to think too much about it.

Neither did it know that there were five more vessels (Better equipped, though still rather poor vessels) about, doing the same...

It wasn't exceptionally easy, identifying the satellites... But hey, it was possible.

Ah, there is one... I think... Or not? Bah, get it now, apologize later, should it be someone else.

And the maneuver to catch it begun, the drones, basically highly maneuverable satellites, were released...

Lets see...

A short time later, a fifty-meter Light Attack Craft sidles up to to the TJ ship. "Hey, there. We kinda need you to alter your course a bit, unless you like an unhealthy dose of radiation. We can boost you if you need it."

Frederico Thompson de la Kurita thumbed the receiver queue silently as passives indicated an incoming craft keeping course. Mischief is afoot here. False alarms and now a threat. "Boost" my craft out of my hands indeed, you pirates.

"Nobody's here," he whispered to them. Best case was to play dead for a little bit. As he continued his high approach vector, he'd wait for perhaps a minute if they kept hanging around. His patience had limits, as did the patience of any pirate confronting an apparently deserted rock.

OOC: And to save a reply exchange:
He readied a plan just in case, looking at the vectors of his ship, their ship, and Amalthea. If they didn't bug off, or started coming for him, he'd snap his ship around. No maneuvering thrusters would fire; the bogey would simply see the craft suddenly twist, reorienting itself, and then stop its spin just as suddenly and inexplicably. With a maneuvering thruster pointed at them, he'd be ready to pop them one if they tried anything so hostile as to fire a weapon. The main thruster would point perpendicular, prepared to thrust him in a tangential direction. He wouldn't be able to make quite as close a pass to Amalthea as he'd originally intended, but he'd make a sharp course change if startled.

In preparation for this, he readied for acceleration, tying down anything loose, as he headed unwittingly for the minefield at high speed.

After letting the shuttles clear out, the ships begin firing, filling space with several hundred of destructive beams and pulses. Massive capital EM beams, with wavelengths from ultra-low frequency radar to gamma rays, begin to sweep through space around the tiny moon. At the same time, gravitonic lineguns begin firing as well. ... The escorts fire their own tractor-pressor beams to sweep any debris away from the fleets.(OOC: Would any particular care be taken to avoid damaging the moon itself?)

ooc: I'm gonna just sit here and pretend that none of this is taking place anywheres near Europa.

This is me pretending not to care - :headbang:

*mumbles to self* please let them stay away from here.....

ooc: I'm gonna just sit here and pretend that none of this is taking place anywheres near Europa.
Don't have to pretend. At the very least, it's 589,600 kliks away.

[OOC: Guess what, kids? Its super Paint diagram time!

We're not firing directly at the moon, really, as we don't want to toast it. We're firing around it, as show in these out-of-scale diagram:
Diagram 2 (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~chigbee/Cetaganda/alm2.GIF)
Diagram 3 (http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~chigbee/Cetaganda/alm3.GIF) (Red is zone where nothing is being zapped.)

We are simply be firing from a few hundred meters off the surface upwards. This would still be enough to insure hitting every possible orbiting object. With two such zones (remember, they're not planes, but rather volumes ahead and behind the 'edge' of the moon from a group's viewpoint, and the precise blocked area varies as the ships and battlegroups move around a bit) nothing could possibly be low enough to never pass through at least one possible field of fire - the moon's shape simply won't allow for it. Only an object directly on the moon would be missed.

/OOC]

"Oh, for the love of - I hate Belters. Paranoid bunch of buggers." The lieutenant commanding LAC Kusanagi-23 mutters, before flipping on the comms again. "Hey, is anyone in there? You're about <fairly short time> of flying through a rather large barrage of capital weapons. I really, really think you should let us tractor you into a safe trajectory. If you've got fuel concerns, I'm sure the CSS will reimburse you."

{Edit: Ok, so my host is acting a little funny. I'll try to get the, um, pretty pictures up tomorrow.}

(Oh good. I shan't have to worry about Spacers dying horrible deaths, then. Hm. I suppose I should put something IC in here....)

Makarios dug into the green rocks of Amalthea with a glassteel spike built into the glove of his mechanical counter-pressure vacuum activity suit, crawling along the slopes of Mons Ida in the miniscule gravity. A Hopper drifted by a few decameters away, on its way to check out the remains of the abandoned Thelasi base.

Most spacewalkers on Amalthea found themselves digging into the deep red rocks that dominated the surface, and that in fact was what everyone currently gathered around the Thelasi base were doing. But Makarios did not particularly care about the Thelasi base, and Mons Ida gave a much better viewpoint for his current preferred activity: watching the pretty lights.

"Oh, for the love of - I hate Belters. Paranoid bunch of buggers." The lieutenant commanding LAC Kusanagi-23 mutters, before flipping on the comms again. "Hey, is anyone in there? You're about <fairly short time> of flying through a rather large barrage of capital weapons. I really, really think you should let us tractor you into a safe trajectory. If you've got fuel concerns, I'm sure the CSS will reimburse you."

Threatening me with capital weapons, eh? If I don't miss my gauge, you're not in a capital ship, chummer.

After a moment, the ship snapped around, with a loud, short groan/clang audible only to the inside. No visible thruster or gravy effects marked the inexplicable sharp pivot of the ship, which spun its partial rotation and then stopped just as suddenly.

"Unidentified vessel, if you have capital weapons on that tin can, I'll eat my hat." The broadcast was heavily distorted. No need to let them know exactly who and what they were dealing with.

Momentarily, he fired a hard tangential thrust, and a vent of freshly fused matter drowned out radio conversation for the moment; the new approach vector would provide a near pass on the opposite side of Amalthea intended, provided he didn't have to evade further.

He held off on firing maneuvering thrusters in the LAC's face... after all, full of threats or not, they had yet to actually take hostile action, and he was loathe to engage in undue violence.

With a crunch, a wrench smashed through the open console to his left as he braced in his restraints against the sudden acceleration.

The lieutenant groans. "Shields full foward. I wouldn't put it past this guy to fire on us." He then sends a message back to the carrier. After recieving reply he again signals the civilian craft. "Look, buddy, let me be frank. We've got a large mineclearing operation going on around Almathea. There are about a hundred capital ships firing through the area up to about a thousand or so kilometers out. We suggest you raise your trajectory by at least that much, unless you want a coherent EM beam to melt you. And just in case you don't believe me, look about a click straight up relative to Jupiter."

A moment later, one of the battlecruisers sends a sixty centimeter plasgun bolt through the indicated area.

Either unnoticed or ignored, an Observer swung through the Jovian orbit, silently recording everything it saw.
The automatic brains controlling the tiny robot were programmed to find news of conflict, of war, and of weaknesses. This one, detecting the angry messages broadcasted between moons, swung closer to one. This moon, little more than a glorified asteroid, had recently been converted to a military base.
The Observer faded, then burst back into existence over the planetoid of Amalthea. It swung its entire array of detectors toward the surface, and prepared a message.
http://www.evula.com/starcraft/protoss/units/unit_faces/observer.gif
Somewhere in the anonymity of the great Asteroid Belt a great fleet waited. Though to most watching it seemed to be but a few ships, the insectoid folds of a few hundred Arbiters in a mad dance around empty space, a sense of... bigness permeated the place.

A burst of gibberish reached an unseen starship, and was quickly decoded. As the Protoss engineers paged through the data, the Observer still waited, silently witnessing whatever it could see...

Somewhere in the middle of the pretty fireworks display of dying mines, Makarios noticed something new showing up in the sky. He thought for a moment that it must be just another exploding bit of automatic armament, until it failed to disappear. Flipping over, he launched himself up the slope towards the nearest door into the city.

A bit over ten minutes later, he exited again, this time encased in an MMU. After securly attaching an anchor to the rocks, he jetted a little ways off of the moon, and focused the sights of the unit's harpoon gun on the new object. The city's communications facilities could not be bothered to realign just for the benefit of a UFO, so Makarios was quite happy to make use of his own suit radio for first contact purposes.

Jupiter V to unidentified object, please state your purpose and origin. If there's anybody listening, and you are not simply a stray rock, be advised that failure to respond will result in my harpooning you and dragging you into Mons Ida.

((Uh... I think Thelas forgot about my strike force. You know, the one practically on top of the base...))

As the Protoss engineers paged through the data, the Observer still waited, silently witnessing whatever it could see...[/i]

Like the forty meter asteroid-like ship blasting by it on a near collision course as it continued hard evasive maneuvers.

Wait a minute... is that a collision course? Uh oh...

Fred had not heard a word of the latest messages, thanks to a freshly severed wire, but he did pick up the plasma bolt just fine. He was quite disturbed, and headlinked a message for direct [secure] transmit, thanking quantum mechanics as he did so.

<I><COORDSTAMP:TIMESTAMP></I> I have been closely approached en route to Amalthea by a vessel slightly larger than my own <I><SPECIFICATIONS/READINGS ATTACHED></I> which appears hostile, having threatened me repeatedly. Have observed heavy plasma fire; either this is the boarding vessel for a much larger pirate, or they are being pursued by Jovian authorities, who even now are tracking them down. I am attempting evasive maneuvers and will attempt to set down at <I>COORD</I>, using Amalthea as cover to break LOS sensors and as a hiding place. If that does not secure temporary safety, I may have to hide elsewhere in the system - possibly even within the stormclouds of Jove itself.

Slamming hard into maneuver, he jinked back and forth on a hard path for Amalthea, placing high velocity plumes of hot plasma in the likeliest paths for the LAC to follow him in. He carefully watched the transmitter file bit by bit through the data attachments, impatient. It would be a very bad thing if something interrupted the transmission before all the pertinent data about his attacker got out. I knew I should've built a better bandwidth transmitter system...

"I would Like this opportunity to claim the moon Amalthea for the Five Kingdoms. For their efforts in stabilising the area, we are prepared of course to honor our agreement with Cetaganda, and will soon seek dialogue with this nation concerning the volume and nature of their claim. Any nations with assets in or around Amalthea--excepting Cetaganda--are advised to withdraw these assets within the next twelve hours. If a pre-existing claim exists on Amalthea that for some reason we have not been made aware of, please contact me as soon as possible with proof of this claim."

Warlord Konrad Althalon
First Advisor, Imperial Armed Forces

"I would Like this opportunity to claim the moon Amalthea for the Five Kingdoms. For their efforts in stabilising the area, we are prepared of course to honor our agreement with Cetaganda, and will soon seek dialogue with this nation concerning the volume and nature of their claim. Any nations with assets in or around Amalthea--excepting Cetaganda--are advised to withdraw these assets within the next twelve hours. If a pre-existing claim exists on Amalthea that for some reason we have not been made aware of, please contact me as soon as possible with proof of this claim."

Warlord Konrad Althalon
First Advisor, Imperial Armed Forces(This is, I assume, a public and general broadcast?)

Kepheus listened to the message with quite some interest in the communications center of Mons Ida. Wasting no time, he opened a circuit to Adrastea and requested the exact frequency and time on and at which they were recieving the message. When it completed, he forwarded it to Zakynthos, and waited for a response to be sent back. Meanwhile, a comparison of arrival times and frequencies provided a two regions of space from which the transmission may have originated. A quick telescopic search revealed which one contained an object, and so the high-gain dish was aligned to transmit as soon as Zakynthos readied the reply.

Jupiter V calling Warlord Althalon, concerning the matter of ownership of this celestial body. As proof of pre-existing claim to Amalthea, I present the fact that this transmission originates from a station located on said celestial body. This station services the Guilder city Mons Ida, constructed within the mountain of the same name. We are in the early stages of also constructing a spaceport within the crater Pan. Our needs for this moon do not extend beyond these locations, and Mons Lyctas and the crater Gaea are free for the taking. If you or the Cetagandan authorities so wish it, we are willing to negotiate for the relinquishment of the crater Pan in exchange for space on the inward face.
A reply to this message may be directed here, or to Adrastea.

Slamming hard into maneuver, he jinked back and forth on a hard path for Amalthea, placing high velocity plumes of hot plasma in the likeliest paths for the LAC to follow him in. He carefully watched the transmitter file bit by bit through the data attachments, impatient. It would be a very bad thing if something interrupted the transmission before all the pertinent data about his attacker got out. I knew I should've built a better bandwidth transmitter system...
Makarios was not the only one to notice this new intrusion. In fact, aside from the many heads that turned outside the city, a number of commjockies were well aware of the event, having been tracking the object on Pavlos's suggestion. Just in case, a suborbital Hopper was quickly prepped to rescue the rockship if it came to significant harm.

Only a single burst of plasma hits the LAC, as it does not pursue but rather continues along its original trajectory. Most of the stream is delfected by the plasma screen, and the rest causes the Langston Field to glow a sullen red for a few seconds before it radiates the energy away into space.

"Shall I return fire, sir?" asks Kusanagi-23's weapons tech.

"No, we're supposed to save this bastard, not turn them into slag ourselves. Still, we've done all we can. I'm sure the tac coordinators will try to arrange the fire pattern to miss them - and if they do get hit a few times, its not our fault."

The burst of communication hit the small machine with a great deal more power than the sensitive equipment usually handled. A spare transceiver, a small fuse, and the circuits for the empathy detector were completely destroyed. This in itself would not have been harmful, and the Observer would have completed its mission with no real change, had not the overload from the spacer's radio temporarily shut down its navigation system.

A forty-meter asteroid ship in a frantic series of evasive maneuvers brushed past the Observer. The plasma shielding boiled away perhaps half an inch of bare rock before the body of the dog-sized robot impacted on the surface. A bright blue explosion flashed off of the asteroid as hydrogen fuel met kinetic energy, and the Observer's expendable "life" ended.

The course of the manned rock was not altered in the slightest.

One Arbiter silently changed course. Alone in the dark vacuum, it flew towards Jupiter.
http://membres.lycos.fr/ajfo/dossiers/starcraft/protoss/arbiter.jpg

Fred heard the crunch impact his hull, and wondered at what weapon it might have been.

Not all that much damage, and that pirate is breaking off pursuit...

He wasted no time in braking into a rough jolt using cold propellant. It might be a rough landing, but he was going to hide there and disguise his ship after moving it slowly over to a convenient crevice, crater, or whatever else seemed likely. Best hope they didn't have a good high resolution map of the moon on hand.

The burst of communication hit the small machine with a great deal more power than the sensitive equipment usually handled. A spare transceiver, a small fuse, and the circuits for the empathy detector were completely destroyed. This in itself would not have been harmful, and the Observer would have completed its mission with no real change, had not the overload from the spacer's radio temporarily shut down its navigation system.(All that from a suit radio? Jeez, if the thing is that stupendously weak, it ain't got no business bein' in Jupiter's radiation belts in the first place.)

Nadezhda Main Station,
Inner Gossamer Ring

It was Ekaterina Afonas'eva's first day in salvage duty. She was fresh out of technician training, and a little in awe of everything. She'd wanted to be a space mechanic since her father had taken her for a ride to the shipyards when she was a little girl. Now, her dream was becoming a reality. Old Nikolai, the head mechanic and the captain of the salvage ship fleet, was just completing her tour of the station.

The Nadezhda was a sizable station, but today it was crowded with metals, salvage, parts in various stages of observation, reverse engineering and reconstruction as it was the focus of the country’s salvaging operations. "So, where do I start?"

Nikolai smiled, and a scar puckered across his left cheek. Nikolai was something of a legend, the only mechanic to be decorated as a war hero during the insurrection. "Got just the job for you, something you can prove yourself with." She followed him between a pair of parked salvage corvettes to the back corner of the module they were in. There, looking worn and tired was a satellite.

She looked at him questioningly. "You want me to fix this?"

He shook his head. "I want you to dismantle it. Save any useful parts, and send the rest to the refinery for recycling."

She looked up at the satellite. It was a big job, but she could handle it. But where to start? As Nikolai watched her closely, she inspected the satellite and wiped some of the dust off its frame with her hand. On the faded white paint was painted a large black number 1. She blinked in surprise.

"This is the first spacecraft the country ever launched." She'd watched this same satellite from television during her young life as it was launched into space. She ran her hands along the metal, knowing that it had been assembled by aspiring technicians such as herself in the hopes that they will live to travel between the stars. She turned to face Nikolai. "I can't disassemble this."

Nikolai just looked at her. "It's your job."

"I can't."

"And if it means you'll lose your job?"

She hesitated only a moment to square her shoulders. "I'm sorry, I just can't."

Nikolai cracked a smile. "Brave lady. Stick by your principles no matter what. I like that. You pass the test."

She looked at him, confused.

"Get down from there," he said. "We'll find you a real job. A salvage corvette just came in that needs it's load of ship parts analyzed for possible reverse engineering."

She shook her head. "It was just a test?"

He chuckled. "Government told me I could keep that old satellite around just as long as she was useful. Well, you can see she's still got a use, as long as there are new recruits to evaluate."

OOC:
Just passing the time; waiting for the battle between Thelasi and Melkor to start, or end for that matter.

OOC: Sorry for the delay in posting, but unusual circumstances have kept me away from my computer, a combat related post will be forthcoming as soon as I have a chat with Melkor over mIRC.


IC:

"I would recomend the Impirium against any action to take the moon of Amalthea, any such action would be seen as an act of war against the Thelasi Empire and associated alliances.

We wish to resolve this peacefully, as shown by our compliance with Impirium demands, and the evacuation from the moon of Amalthea. As previously stated, we would be happy to pay costs directly incured by our hasty actions on Amalthea.

We would also like to remind all nations that Amalthea and associated instillations are still Thelasi property, and we would also like to ask that nation which have stolen such property, i.e. the nation of Der Angst, please return the property that has been taken. My government would be only too pleased to provide a invoice of stolen matiriels.

Also, we here in Thelas wish to open diplomatic negotiations for a new Thelasi base on another moon of Jupiter. Said base would only be equiped with defencive weaponry, and would serve as a construction base for several projects that are being designed by Thelasi companies.

Thank you for your time"

~Empress Ithenril

EDIT: Goddamn my bad thought process

Protectorate Headquarters, NDA Protectorate of Burninatonian Io, Io, Jovian Planetary System, Sol

Like his counterpart, Senekhal Radukh tsaRega, on Kel Meralkharant, Errekeradh arTaelkh had been subsisting on caffiene, vending-machine meals, and hasty scraps of sleep since the beginning of the Thelasi crisis. TsaRega might be overall commander of the Outer System Fleet, but Errekeradh was NDA Representative for the Jovian System, and to him fell the responsibility of the diplomatic side of things. Not that any of his messages to the Thelasi had been answered.

Messages from the Thelasi were still coming in, however, and though his staff might laugh at the Thelasi's tenuous grasp of Lingua Franca spelling and grammar, Errekeradh was unable to.

They want another base? On a moon of Io? Io has no moons! Either the Thelasi Empress has no grasp of geography, or she meant Jupiter ... and she's mad if she thinks she's going to get another moon after the stunts her people have pulled. The Imperium alone would blast her ships into radioactive atoms! And if she thinks she's going to get land on Io itself, I think I shall have to write my reply on a Mk.3 Missile.

Sky Marshal M'sha ground her molars. Rrrraaaah... ahh, the Council can uphold it later.

* - * - *

Your request for a base on a moon of Io--or on Io itself--is denied on the authority of the gravitas of the Triumvirate of Yut Jovian Theatre Task Force.

Sky Marshal M'sha
CO, 2TEF
TYWS-BB Vinegaroon

The Vein was bulging again. The Vein had by now become quite famous through the ImpErium for its tendancy to appear whenever Foreign Minister Jay Reaven made a particularly impassioned speech. It bulged from his forehead prominently as he spoke.

"Are you out 'cher goddamn mind?!" he demands angrily in response, his fist slamming on his desk to punctuate the expletive. "Empress Ithenril, with all due respect, you could fuck up a wet dream," he adds with a snort, folding his arms across his chest.

He laughs humorlessly, throwing his hands up in the air a moment later in disgust. "You know what? To hell with this, and to hell with you. I think I speak for everyone when I say that when it comes to Jove, you, Empress Ithenril, can get fucked," he says through clenched teeth, levelling a finger at the screen. "Given this wholly undescribable and wonderfully idiotic display of impotent rage, I can only hope that the deaths of your space crews are quick and.. " he pauses. "Oh, what the hell am I saying," he laughs. "I hope they're entertaining for our boys. It's been so dreadfully long since they've had any fun."

He grins. "The sight of your crews' lifeless bodies floating through the vacuum of space should do much for their morale. You, Empress Ithenril, have stoked a Furnace that will not forgive you, and will not spare you from your fate. The ImpErium will not suffer to pander to idiots like you. You will accept the deaths of your fleets as penance for your rash and intellectually bankrupt plans, unless you choose to up the ante by offering us your earthside armies as well."

He leans forward. "We could use another Home Game."

Jay Reaven
Foreign Minister of the Five Kingdoms
http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfolders/upload5/Reaven.JPG

Nathicana had thought she had seen it all. She was wrong. The latest missive from the Thelasi was, quite frankly ... unbelieveable.



Ithenril, I am going to put this plainly and use smaller words so that you understand.

I am furious that all the messages from our duly appointed representative, Tsaraine, have gone completely ignored by you, especially after I had so clearly pointed out the importance of your responses. You have again shown that you have no business ruling a nation, or dealing with the leaders of others. After this, I begin to understand the theory that the Thelasi are like an infection that needs to be excised from the universe as soon as possible to avoid tainting the rest. I expect full apologies to Markhreif Errekeradh arTaelkh for this oversight and insult, especially after all the effort that he has gone to on account. That being said, let me move on to the other points you chose to cover.

You talk of 'acts of war', you arrogant wretch? YOU initiated these acts of war when you chose to build your base, ignoring the concerns of your neighbors, and purposefully pointing weapons at Io. You then let loose your mines, and fled like a cowardly dog with your tail between your legs, and you dare threaten the Imperium and the rest of us with war, should we step on your toes? You dare claim to wish for peaceful solutions after your blatant threats, through word and deed? I hope whatever alliances you yet can lay claim to see you for the warmongering cretin you are when this idiocy is brought before them, and tell you what we are telling you now: Go To Hell.

You chose to abandon your so-called 'property', and we will in no way support or recognize your claims, especially after you mined the area. Clearly you had no intention of returning, and there was no warning given to any nations be they friend, foe, or neutral, of your intent. You can wave your papers and invoices all you like. This is what is known as 'the spoils of war', and one which you yourself initiated. You will accept the consequences for your actions if the rest of us have to cram them down your pretty elven throat - which it would seem, the Imperium is set up to do quite well.

As for compensation, expect a bill for man hours and resources wasted on this ridiculous matter.

There is no way in heaven or hell we will allow you space in the Jovian system, near Io or not. You have proven you are in no way capable of handling such holdings, and we do not wish to have to deal with you further on account. You can take your 'diplomatic negotiations' and choke on them. There will be no new Thelasi holdings, defensive or otherwise, in that system. This much, I promise you.

Now, to see if any of this got past your pointy ears and sunk into whatever grey matter still exists between them.

--Nathicana D'Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion


Being one who valued diplomacy, she did not take her harsh and decidedly rude approach lightly. Her eyes narowed, jaw clenched tight with irritation, Nathicana hit 'send', then stalked off to discuss deployment around Io with Admiral Talethian.

To: Imperium Fleet Command
Fr: Nadezhda Main Station
Re: Salvaging Operations

This is the fleet of Novaya Zvarinograd, requesting permission to perform salvaging operations on disabled/destroyed ships in the background of the battlefield. If there are any wreckages you'd like to stake claim to or you'd wish to be retrieved, we will be more than willing to return and even repair those ships for you en route to your nearest shipyards at no cost. We eagerly await your reply. That will be all.

From: The Psionic Godmode of Der Angst
To: Thelas
Subject: Your Requests

"We are, unfortunately, incapable of even discussing the theoretical possibility of you gaining any kind of presence in the Jovian System. We are also quite certain that The Federal Republic of Konania is thinking the same.

As sad as this is... Wherever Thelasi show up, things clash, and become a disaster. Until you have proven elsewhere that you can deal in a level headed, careful way, there is simply no way that anyone would allow you near his or her holdings.

Thusly, while we couldn't care less about the piece of assorted rubble that is Amalthea (You will have to tell us just how you build a base there, personally, we deem it to be either unlikely or impossible), your presence there is... Unwanted.

The same does, of course, go for any other object, or orbit, in the Jovian System.

Now, as for your... request [ooc: Since you didn't do ic posts regarding the few mines I wanted to get while they weren't damaged, or the satellites, I assume I got 'em as well], we will see... We do certainly respect the fact that it is your property. However, please, consider this operation to be nothing but an attempt to save your equipment from utter destruction by the Cetagandans.

We would, thusly, like to have you respect the expenses we had during the operation, and pay us for them. A Knootian bank account and the exact sum of money [ooc: assumed to be salvation costs + unfortunate destruction + 10% profit] we demand are in the attachement.

Once this is done, I'm sure we can give you back what is yours."

Sincerely,

~ The Jovian Council

Meanwhile, on Themisto, or rather, in its orbit, technicians were busy. It was like... Like a dream, having exclusive versions of a possible enemies technology, his weapons, his cloaks... Everything.

And they didn't waste their time starting their work. That is, after the mines and satellites had been thoroughly checked for possible threats. Once one could be sure that they were safe, the work would continue on Themisto itself.

And they smiled, for it was all brilliant.

Frederico Thompson de la Kurita was not happy. Q-comm was broken, there was debris and a torched spot on the nose of his ship, and it turned out there was stuff in Amalthea orbit. He had a suspicion that he'd thwacked into a few other things on his way in, and the rock seemed be inhabited, judging by the large tunnels everywhere. On the bright side, that made hiding his ship pretty easy.

OOC: Thelas, if your mines have any teeth, you should've blown him up by now; feel free to declare such. Otherwise, he's sitting grumpy on the surface with chunks of various things, including the Protoss probe. Not very big chunks of that, mind you, since most of it self vaporized.

((OOC: oops, you never said it was a belt radio. I guess it was configured just wrong or something. By the way, does anyone mind if I teleport an enormous Protoss fleet [more Arbiters, Carriers, Scouts, Corsairs] into the near-warzone? Or should I wait until Melkor flexes his RP muscles?))

[OC: Roseway: That would be a patently bad idea. Seeing as it's currently impossible for anyone to use a FTL drive in the Jovian system [at least, anything involving hyperspace or subspace], this is also not an option. Also, i'm waiting for Thelas to make some sort of post. I still haven't heard form him despite his intent to contact me on IRC. Big surprise there..]

OOC: Dropping in (A) as soon as the hyper/subspace lock is gone or (B) just outside the zone would probably be acceptable though. Actually, if you're coming from outsystem, coming an AU or three out from the Jovian system isn't much of a relative inconvienience.

The reaction to Frederico's message was tense, to say the least. Within a minute of the message being noted, information on the situation relayed to numerous ships across the system. For pirates to be publicly attacking Tahar Joblissans in a system with no lack for patroling governments could indicate that Jovian governments might be turning a blind eye or funding pirate operations, which would be a very bad thing.

[OC: Roseway: That would be a patently bad idea. Seeing as it's currently impossible for anyone to use a FTL drive in the Jovian system [at least, anything involving hyperspace or subspace], this is also not an option. Also, i'm waiting for Thelas to make some sort of post. I still haven't heard form him despite his intent to contact me on IRC. Big surprise there..]

OOC: Yes... very big surprise, seeing as how I seem to have a life... something some people are unable to understand... but really, I just havn't had time, IC post to come sometime today

Lady Ithenril was somewhat amused, Nathicana had once again demonstrated a total lack of knowledge about international law and customs. She tossed the letter into the receptacle for the incinerator, pondering who exactly was this Tsaraine person, she had never heard of them, and neither TMI nor any of the Force Commanders had heard of this place… odd. She was amused at the annoyance she had caused with her miss-spelling of the name of the Imperium. No doubt Reaven was cursing his head off.

On the other hand, Kentherin had some work to be done, and was busy sending off a little message.

From: Commander Kentherin
Live Video Link
High Encoding 2,000 Bit
To: Jay Reaven

Ah, Mister Reaven, it is good to hear that your vocabulary has remained as... soldierly as ever. It has reached my ears that my evacuation force has been decimated. I deeply hope that your victory has been hard won.

My ancestors would now complain about how it was not a fair fight, about how you broke our agreement. Yet I know that we live in the real world, and we both know that in the real world, and in the real world, war is not a gentleman’s game. I was a soldier once mister Reaven, much like you, I can curse the shirt off of a sailor, to use an outdated expression.

I wish to enter... negotiations, about a very sensitive matter."

(Minor OOC note, Tsaraine is not getting a response because we aren’t in the same mulitverse... a while ago, he/she ignored me because I built a star-ladder, and then said that they would IGNORE my star ladder, because they had not posted in my thread, and they are remaining on IGNORE for a while longer…)

Lady Ithenril,

As you've seen fit to ignore our representative on Io, I'll make this as simple and concise as possible, to avoid any possible misunderstandings:

Request denied. You made your bed. Now lie in it.

Devon Treznor
Emperor

The Meister was only one of the many patroulling vessels... With the Pointy Eared Vaccuum floating around, one needed to be careful. Thus, a few more than normal were moving around... Preparing.

Bah. Stupid job. It thought, as some more drones left it, securing another sector. It was part of a six- ship formation, six of them being around. Not to mention that two formations of three... And the others, who were still enjoying themselves close to their bases.

Goddamnit. They have free time, and what do I have? Fuckers. Bribed the command, or something.

Hey! Sector three! Don't forget!

Oh, yeah, yeah, right.

He moved a little, his ion- and plasmadrives pushing him forward... Adding a large object. Another inhibitor.

Done. I guess they don't like being dependent on Melkor?

Yes. Anyway... Six more drones... Completed. Not that the entire system is covered, but the sectors we need to cover. Good enough.

Feh. Finally. Now... How was that rendezvous yesterday?

A sigh. Don't ask.

Reaven's eye twitched. "Agreement?!" he asks incredulously, his jaw drawing tight. "What agreement was this? I don't remember an agreement." He throws his hands skyward once more. "Enough of this shit. I can feel myself losing brain cells just sitting here talking to you. Sod off."

The transmission dies. Any further attempt to contact the Foreign Minister is denied.

Jay Reaven
Foreign Minister of the Five Kingdoms
http://upl.silentwhisper.net/uplfolders/upload5/Reaven.JPG

OOC: That's odd, I don't recall ignoring you ... argh. Well, now I've consumed enough chocolate to go from "gibbering rage" to "calm", here's a post.


Encryption Level: No, you cannot claim knowledge of these contents. Unless you're the adressee.

Message To: Der Angst, Jovian System Command (OOC: Or whatever one calls DA's top person for Jovian affairs...)
Message Fr: Senekhal Radukh tsaRega, Kel Meralkharant Alpha Base
Message Re: A Final Solution to the Thelasi Problem

To (OOC: Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the name of this individual. Radukh, however, would know, so assume he inserted the correct name and honorifics here), greetings.

I am Radukh tsaRega, Senekhal of Kel Meralkharant and High Admiral of the Outer System Fleet of the Greater Ascendancy of Tsaraine.

As has everyone involved in this unhappy episode, Tsaraine has been keeping an eye on the situation around Amalthea, and we have noted Angstian freighters apparently collecting some of the Thelasi mines scattered near Amalthea.

If your activities have led to the discovery of the Thelasi craftworld's location, the Greater Ascendancy would be most interested in aquiring this data. I'm sure we can come to some kind of mutually satisfactory arrangement.

~ Radukh tsaRega
Senekhal Kel Meralkharant
High Admiral of the Outer System Fleet

For a while, they discussed the matter. Minimal contacts with Tsaraine, but rather close relationships to some of its allies... And what is bad for the Thelasi is good for everyone else.

"Give 'em what they need."

"We do not exactly..."

"Then give them the possibility."

Encryption: Shamelessly stolen from Tsaraine
From: DAJ, Jovian Council
To: Senekhal Radukh tsaRega, Kel Meralkharant Alpha Base
Subject: A Final Solution to the Thelasi Problem

Incidentally, your guess is right, and due to the Thelasi designs, it seems possible that we can calculate the position of the Thelasi craftworld from the data we have collected.

Or rather, the position it had not too long ago.

However, our technicians are not yet certain, and we will have to wait a few more minutes until we have a final result.

For the record, while we, personally, are not overly interested in this, we would like to know what exactly your plans are regarding their craftworld.

That is, if you deem it save enough to share your ideas. It isn't exactly necessary for you to inform us, and it might indeed be a security risk.

Sincerely,

Susan Ivanova, Jovian Council

ooc: For the record, Thelas didn't answer re: is it possible, thusly, it is kinda impossible for me to say either yes or no. And since both possibilities have their advantages, as well as their disadvantages...

Depending on what he posts next, we will know. For the record, if he posts and doesn't even mention it, I suggest assuming that it is indeed possible. I wont post another message, though, just assume the data has been sent shortly afterwards.

((OOC: oops, you never said it was a belt radio. I guess it was configured just wrong or something. By the way, does anyone mind if I teleport an enormous Protoss fleet [more Arbiters, Carriers, Scouts, Corsairs] into the near-warzone? Or should I wait until Melkor flexes his RP muscles?))(OOC: Oh-ho-ho, I most certainly did. The city's communications facilities could not be bothered to realign just for the benefit of a UFO, so Makarios was quite happy to make use of his own suit radio for first contact purposes.Right there. And what exactly would be the purpose of such a fleet?)

((You said it was a suit radio :p . Seriously, maybe it just decided to destroy itself.
I think I'll save the major Protoss stuff for a while. I have a bad history of dropping out of threads.))

Therian Fuel Depot, Jovian Subsystem, Far From Combat

Hisses and low grunts flowed around a rough Earth-Oaken table, a language spoken mostly mind to mind. The soft glow of the Therian eyes was enough to show on the white walls in the chambers dim lighting.

These conflicts have spilled onto other worlds before, and now they are coming here. If they continue, they will ruin our resources as surely as they have wrecked the fourth planet. The Worldship captain dry-spit to emphasize his thoughts. We must move further outsystem.

And wait for them to ravage our mining operations there too? The third most senior captain answered, grunting his disagreement. And then what? Move to anouth system and wait for the mammals there?

Or move to another system now, claim it, and be sure they don’t get a foothold enough to bother us.

You know better! The humans and he meant the Wazzuians, can hardly reach the closest stars. That would severely limit our trade with them, and make our races survival harder when we need to expand again. We don’t need to run, and we don’t need to fight; we just need to show we are not a worthwhile victim.

You mean to show off the 6th worlders who have become Neanderthal he meant Orc, cronies? We would need all 13 Worldships and then 20, the 6th Worlders have too many resources.

There are only five captains here, and we observers can not make such a decision for our clans

Of course not, nor could we make a decision like that for our friends. The cold, glowing reptilian gazes of the assembled Therians followed the most senior captain’s sight to three aliens standing patiently in the corner. However, this is our task to do. While I believe we would all appretiate our allies’ support, we must be the primaries in any such conflict.

The choice of thoughts were not lost on any of the assembled, not even on the Protos, human, and (rather minute) elfe in the corner. Senior Captain Rashak’s ship was not the largest by any means, but as an individual he had unrivaled power among the Wazzu “protected” Therians. None would oppose his move…openly.

The Terran and I are in agreement. The alien thoughts of a Protoss came loud and harsh to the differently minded Therians. We are certain our peoples will agree to provide token support, but under your lead. The black jumpsuited Human nodded agreement, an expression of their species. But the Gaian the Protoss thinker indicated the extremely short elf is unsure what her people can provide. The presence of a large number of Norden (Northern variant of) Elves in Wazzu was unknown to many outside of what was becoming the Protectorate Commonwealth. But inside, the Norden Elves were known not to produce technology of their own. They had no ships.

Her people are welcome to join mine The old senior announced nobily, taking to his feet. One by one, the 4 other captains and the 8 representatives stood in seeming mutual agreement.

Telepathy was not required to understand this gesture, and the elf bowed in thanks for the honor.

The premise of the meeting was thus settled, and the high ranking Therians went about the business of contacting the non-present Captains and organizing the ordeal.

******OOC******

OK, here is the deal. In the past, I have RPed refugees (even Therian and Protoss) refugees coming into Wazzu, typically at the collapse of other, nearby nations. This will be my first chance to actually play them. It’ll let me develop them and show NS another side of Wazzu.

Keep in mind, I am RPing aliens here, not Wazzu central government. Please keep the idea that these ARE separate entities with separate goals.

More then that, this’ll help me get back into RPing on these forums.

Encryption: Still teh über

Message To: DAJ, Jovian Council
Message Fr: Senekhal Radukh tsaRega, Kel Meralkharant Alpha Base
Message Re: Re: A Final Solution to the Thelasi Problem

Unfortunately I'm unable to divulge Tsaraine's ultimate plans regarding this, as I don't actually know them. This comes from higher up in the command chain - and as there are only two people above me in the chain, I assume it comes from Arkhora Seingult herself.

I am confident, however, that any plans that may have been laid regarding the Thelasi craftworld do not involve genocide, as it tends to be frowned upon. Even when the victims are creatures such as these.

Think of this as an opportunity to be paid for doing a little work pro bono publico*.

~ Radukh tsaRega
Senekhal Kel Meralkharant
High Admiral of the Outer System Fleet


OOC: Pro bono publico: Latin for "for the public good". There's an American legal term derived from it, pro bono, which refers to a lawyer taking on a case for little or no money because it gives good karma/PR. This little transaction won't give good PR, though, because nobody will know about it. It will, however, be for the public good.

[OC: for posterity...]

"Fire!" Screamed captain Sorenson as the ambush force jumped into Jovian space just in front of the fleeing Thelasi battlefleets.

His order did not fall on deaf ears. Soon, the blackness of the Void that is space was filled with dozens upon dozens of heavy fusion missiles, which lumbered inexorably towards the Thelasi craft, exploding in grand fashion upon impact. AA frigates pushed to the fore as they anticipated a fighter rush from the cornered fleets.

The scope lit up as Sorenson watched the gruseome display from within the Vengeance. The Thelasi were caught at least partially unawares: Sorenson could tell that emergency measures had been taken when his fleets jumped out from Shipyard Two, but it didn't matter. Light losses were shown across the board on his end, and that's all he cared about. The fleeing Thelasi would be whittled down one by one until the last of them was destroyed.

Suddenly, Warlord Althalon appeared on his command screen. Sorenson looked up. "Yessir?"

"Report," the Easterling grunted, crossing his arms.

"Light casualties. So far we've lost about 14 interceptors, 7 assorted corvette craft, and two frigates. Little or no damage thus far to Capship--"

"Incoming!" shouted one of the officers, pointing at the scope.

Sorenson winced. "Until now," he corrected himself as a partial salvo of Thelasi missiles sent a shudder through his ship. The bridge was lit up by a shower of sparks, and various crewmembers were toppled over or sent flying.

Althalon's expression remained unchanged. "What of the Thelasi?"

"Almost dead, even already," Sorenson answered with a grunt, klaxons beginning to blare behind him.

"Good. Amir is inbound with the main force, and he has boarding frigates. Keep a few Thelasi craft alive: hail them and tell them to stay righ tthe hell where they are. Surround the survivors on all sides and awayt the Admiral. If he should arrive before your business is finished, he'll surely be in touch."

Sorenson nodded. "Of course my Lord," he says, bowing his head. When he nexxt looked up, the image of the tall Easterling had vanished. Instantly he cast his gaze back down to the scope, which was now flickering erratically. "One.. two... three more frigates down. a dozen more with moderate damage," he muses to himself.

Several more Thelasi ships erupted in brilliant flashes of light, and only a small force now remained. As if on cue, he saw the inhibitors go down, and Admiral Il-Amir was on the scene with three more fleets.

Shortly thereafter, the Haradrim fleet commander hailed the Thelasi himself. "Deactivate weapons systems. Stand down for boarding or be destroyed," came the simple message, as a handful of boarding frigates approached what was left of the Thelasi ships.

Onboard the command carrier Ali'Staan, Ahadi peered at his screen. The Thelasi craft weren't moving. In fact, they weren't picking up much from them, signal-wise. Most of their systems appeared to have been completely shut down. Maybe the boarding operation would go smoother than he thought....

OOC : Here's waiting for the Thelasi to purge their computers and possibly self destruct upon boarding.

[OC: for posterity...]

"Fire!" Screamed captain Sorenson as the ambush force jumped into Jovian space just in front of the fleeing Thelasi battlefleets.

His order did not fall on deaf ears. Soon, the blackness of the Void that is space was filled with dozens upon dozens of heavy fusion missiles, which lumbered inexorably towards the Thelasi craft, exploding in grand fashion upon impact. AA frigates pushed to the fore as they anticipated a fighter rush from the cornered fleets.

The scope lit up as Sorenson watched the gruseome display from within the Vengeance. The Thelasi were caught at least partially unawares: Sorenson could tell that emergency measures had been taken when his fleets jumped out from Shipyard Two, but it didn't matter. Light losses were shown across the board on his end, and that's all he cared about. The fleeing Thelasi would be whittled down one by one until the last of them was destroyed.

Suddenly, Warlord Althalon appeared on his command screen. Sorenson looked up. "Yessir?"

"Report," the Easterling grunted, crossing his arms.

"Light casualties. So far we've lost about 14 interceptors, 7 assorted corvette craft, and two frigates. Little or no damage thus far to Capship--"

"Incoming!" shouted one of the officers, pointing at the scope.

Sorenson winced. "Until now," he corrected himself as a partial salvo of Thelasi missiles sent a shudder through his ship. The bridge was lit up by a shower of sparks, and various crewmembers were toppled over or sent flying.

Althalon's expression remained unchanged. "What of the Thelasi?"

"Almost dead, even already," Sorenson answered with a grunt, klaxons beginning to blare behind him.

"Good. Amir is inbound with the main force, and he has boarding frigates. Keep a few Thelasi craft alive: hail them and tell them to stay righ tthe hell where they are. Surround the survivors on all sides and awayt the Admiral. If he should arrive before your business is finished, he'll surely be in touch."

Sorenson nodded. "Of course my Lord," he says, bowing his head. When he nexxt looked up, the image of the tall Easterling had vanished. Instantly he cast his gaze back down to the scope, which was now flickering erratically. "One.. two... three more frigates down. a dozen more with moderate damage," he muses to himself.

Several more Thelasi ships erupted in brilliant flashes of light, and only a small force now remained. As if on cue, he saw the inhibitors go down, and Admiral Il-Amir was on the scene with three more fleets.

Shortly thereafter, the Haradrim fleet commander hailed the Thelasi himself. "Deactivate weapons systems. Stand down for boarding or be destroyed," came the simple message, as a handful of boarding frigates approached what was left of the Thelasi ships.

Onboard the command carrier Ali'Staan, Ahadi peered at his screen. The Thelasi craft weren't moving. In fact, they weren't picking up much from them, signal-wise. Most of their systems appeared to have been completely shut down. Maybe the boarding operation would go smoother than he thought....


OOC: Again, for posterity.

IC:

The Thelasi ships indeed returned a furious fire, trying their best to take as many of the Imperium ships with them as possible.

As one by one their numbers dwindled, the remaining, damaged, ships swung around in space, engadging enginges, and firing, even as they headed twoards the Imperium battleships, with intention to ram.

Aboard the ships themselves computers were being wiped, and soldiers and sailors alike readied for a battle, indeed to the death. The Thelasi would not surrender, their capture, torture and imprisonment being worse than death.

"Seven? Is that all we could get?!" Senior Captain Rashak hissed over the interlink, wishing for telepathy. Technology allowed instantanious communications over long distances, but had some drawbacks. Speech was just so...limiting. It was no wonder the leaders of Therian society were naturally psychic; or rather, it was natural that the most powerful psychics were the leaders of Therian society.

"I appologize Senior, it is all. Four are in interstellar transit, two are too far away to make it here on time, they will be late."

"So seven, and two more late." Rashak mumbled to himself, then spoke aloud. "Some of these nations regularly stomp nations of the population of our protectorate. Even all thirteen Worldships would not have been enough." The old reptile collapsed thoughtfully into his chair, almost forgetting to stick his tail-stub through the seat's hole.

"Couldn't we invite others?"

"Yes, yes, but who would come? These are our interests, not theirs. It is bad enough we are moving entire populations away from resources and research just to try and impress the natives. We may have to give up this world afterall, I just hate to do it." Rashak sounded almost resigned. Perhaps his age was catching up to him? If so, it could still be a century or more before his mind went.

"Perhaps the aliens will have an idea." he finally determined. "Set up a meeting, lets see what their psychologies bring up."

"Yes, Senior." came the response, and Rashak cut the interlink.

As the Arbiter approached the Jupiter System, its insectoid wings fluttered. With a soft blue glow, it disappeared through a quiet space-warp, being replaced by a small, heavily armed, chunky shuttlecraft.

As it moved into a more central orbit of the gas giant it broadcast, on standard electromagnetic comm frequencies.

This is the I.D.S. Morra. We seek conference with leaders or representatives thereof re relations with the Empire. Ping for more info. This is the I.D.S....