NationStates Jolt Archive

Space was quiet.
It was always quiet. Aboard Beansat 1, the research station orbiting a gas giant in the Varasha system, there had been a flurry of activity recently. Alien armour, recovered from the nation of Central Facehuggeria by Ineffable Lancers, had been delivered to this station. Techniques for penetrating it, and how to make it were being researched. It had withstood human weapons designed to penetrate all known armour. Clearly, it was more advanced than anything the Ineffable Empire had. And they wanted it.
James Clark gazed out one of the many windows. The initial flurry of activity had quietened down, and research was proceeding at a slow but steady rate. A few elements in the armour were still inscrutable, but James thought that, even with what they already had, a tougher suit of armour could be designed than anything ever before.
A brief flaring of light in the window drew his attention. He thought, just for a moment, that it might be new supernova, unseen by the Deep Space Observatories, or the research cruisers. But no, it died away as suddenly as it had appeared, and he realised it had merely been a slipstream event.

Out of the event slid twelve sleek, black ships. Violet flares illuminated the back of their hulls, and they sped silently towards Beansat 1. High Guard monitors detected the event. The ship classes were unidentified, and so assumed to be private. No other nation was known to use slipstream…
Thus it was that the twelve pirate craft were able to fire on, forcibly dock with, and mercilessly raid Beansat 1 before even a slipfighter was scrambled.

TAG

More info?

thanks

OOC: Space your posts out... It makes it easier to read... ;)

OOC: Heheh. Expect a telegram soon.
IC:
A small light began blinking, on the High Guard base orbiting Beanstalk, signalling an attack warning. It was from the station.
The soldier on duty saw it, but disregarded it. An attack so deep in The Seven Systems? With FTLi distributed all around the perimeter of the Ineffable territory, and High Guard ships everywhere? Impossible.
He sent a message telling them they had a warning signal going out, and to check it.

OOC: Waiting... ;)

OOC: Telegram sent!
IC:
Meanwhile, aboard the station, the pirates were looting everything of value. Schematics for Ineffable ships and weapons, and even experimental designs. When the message arrived, they knew they had another five minutes before the confirmation reached the High Guard station and was acted upon, and then about another ten before they were in weapons range.
Taking the last things of worth, they rigged the station to blow and set off, just as a squadron of Shrike fighters came into range. An anti-formation missile took care of them all, and the pirate ships accelerated to the slipstream portal. The heavy cruiser sent to investigate rescued the surviving scientists, and escaped just as the station blew. As the pirates escaped, James Clark spoke to the captain.
“Sir, they…they…” He sighed “they got the alien equipment, sir.”

OOC: Telegram received. sent reply...

You ready to start?

OOC: 'Nother telegram for ya! Just another post or two before you can go.
It was a few months later. The Ineffable government had seen and heard nothing of the raiders since the last attack. It was as if their black ships had disappeared into the space they resembled.
But, had the search parties been concentrating slightly closer to home than they were, they might have noticed something...interesting. Something very interesting indeed.
In the Bob system, orbiting a gas giant known as The Rouge Planet (reknowned for it's deep red colour), on a small moon affectionately known as "Redball", a careful eye or sensor system would note incredible energy discharges occurring on the planets surface. For a weapons-testing planet, or a world being mined, or a warzone, this would hardly be unusual. But when the planet happens to be about as inhospitable as the original Mars, and utterly ignored by everyone and everything, it might strike some as a little unusual.
But it might not if, as in this case, nobody happened to be looking…

Somewhere, a slipstream portal opened. As before, twelve sleek, dark craft slid out, but this time two other craft followed, as did perhaps two dozen fighters.
The fighters resembled a Centaur class tactical fighter, excepting the fact their weapons pods were much bulkier, and the standard markings denoting them as Ineffable craft were entirely absent.
The two other craft were far more interesting. They didn’t look as sleek or as carefully designed as their twelve large cousins did, but there was a raw power from them. They were fairly small, but even the AIE commanding an Ineffable High Guard XMC would give careful thought to engaging one of these. Two main cannons were visible, along with two smaller apertures which could have been more guns or missile tubes. It was too difficult to tell. Two odd, spiky-looking things arose from the rear wing-struts. Their purpose was entirely questionable.
All the ships were using the best Ineffable stealth capabilities short of an actual cloaking field. Sensors would more likely detect ship-shaped holes in background radiation than ships themselves.
The pirate fleet glided silently towards a small convoy of ships, eager to test their new toys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/gunship.jpg
A picture of the odd-looking gunship firing the "odd, spiky-looking things", which just happen to be weapons ;)
29k filesize
OOC: Moleland, take it away!

OOC: Thanks!

IC: [b]Onboard Modified Corvette Ranger 1[b]

'Sir, we have drifted a few lightyears off course. We need to stop, and regroup the freighters...'
'Very well... Order Ranger 2, and 5 freighters to stop here and prepare to plot a knew jump course.'
I'll be in trouble... This shipment will be a bit late...

The Small Cargo fleet Exited hyperspace in an unfamilar sector.

'Sir, we have detected unknown ships... What should we do?'
'Ignore them... prepare to get us out of here!'
'Yes sir!'

The fighters streaked towards the freighters. The pirate's antimatter production capability was clearly less than that of the Ineffable Empire. Instead of the anti-proton cannons normally on this fighter class, they were armed instead with plasma cannons which they proceeded to use upon the freighters, targetting engines and defences.
The twelve pirate vessels fired offensive lasers at the small escort, aiming to cripple rather than destroy.
Sensors scanning the gunships would read a massive energy buildup in the weapons systems. A few seconds later, two phat, aquamarine beams lanced out from the spiky projections. As they came into contact with the target cargo ship they passed straight through the hull. When the beams faded, a cherry red glow could be seen around the edges of a hole. A starscape twinkled through the hole, shaped like an 8 on it's side, made straight through the ship. Fearing for their target’s cargo, the gunships refrained from firing again, and it was left to the fighters and cruisers to subdue the enemy.

OOC: Slightly confused... Have you rP me?

OOC: No(t really). I said one of your ships had a hole blown through it which is a slight infringement on normal RPing rules, but I'm waiting for you to make a retaliation before I try to board.

OOC: What, one of the bulk freighters? BTW: They are unarmed ;)

IC: The pirate weaponry easily broke through the sheilding on the Freighter. The Engines were taken out. the remaining 4 tried to escape the attack, but could not out run their foe.

Meanwhile....

'Launch defence fighters, intercept those raiders!'
'Fighters launched'
'Target the nearest enemie with both laser turrets, give them no quarter!'
'Firing now'

Both corvettes choose a ship and fired with both turret.

6 Hyper fighter were launched from the corvettes...

OOC: Yes, 'twas a freighter I shot
IC:.
The fighters clashed. Blue and violet globules of plasma were thrown from the pirate weapons. A few of the pirate fighters were destroyed, but they exacted a heavy toll on the enemy.

Holes irised on the pirate cruisers and gattling-gauss cannons were deployed. The fighters were engulfed in a hail of bullets.

Laser fire cris-crossed space, incoming shots were absorbed by the pirates shields, but one suffered slight engine damage. The cruisers launched a missile barrage, aimed at destroying the corvettes weapons.

Four of the cruisers then broke off, and began forcibly docking with the freighters. Intermittent laser fire kept the shields at a low, and harpoons were launched. The missiles were designed to penetrate the ships hull and attatch it to the original ship by incredibly strong bucky cables. The two ships were then drawn together as the cables were retracted, and boarding craft were deployed.

These small craft had wing protusions giving a face-on look of an "X". In front extended the main part of the hull. This was made of an indeterminable metal substance which was vaguely blue, while the front was more of a dark silver-grey, and sharp, while from the wing-protusions extended a scythe-like blade as long as the main hull with a point like an arrow-head.

Each cruiser deployed five of these craft. They swarmed round the freighters, and then attacked. They accelerated straight towards the trapped craft, and their nose buried itself in the hull. The ends of the four wing-protusions did likewise and, like some sort of insect, the point of the hull was mechanically lifted back out while the ends remained embedded, and was then thurst back in again, the sharpened point hammering into the hull.
This was repeated until it broke through, whereupon the nose of the pirate craft opened up and let loose fifteen pirates in what could be mistaken for Ineffable High Guard Lancer armour. Splitting into twos, one remaining to guard the boarding craft, they proceeded through the ships to the bridge and cargo hold(s).

OOC: Ok, I RP my reaction to this now.

IC: The fighters, although advance were overwhelmed by the pirates, and were easily destoryed. The corvettes sheilding was weak, and easily penetrated. bothe turrets on both corvettes were destoryed.

'Lock onto them with the concussion missile launcher!'
'Firing!'

Both corvettes launched missile after missile at the enemy.

MEANWHILE....

The weak hull of the bulk freighter was easily breached. As the 'Nose' went through it, a few unfortunate passerbys were killed, many others ran scared away...

As the corvettes missiles streaked towards the pirate craft they launched their own defensive missiles, almost lazily. The defence turrets too opened fire on the incoming missiles, though most of the turrets were too slow to hit them.
The surviving missiles impacted on the pirates shields, and on the previously damaged craft they broke through and badly damaged the ship. The crew abandoned ship using the only available vessels; the boarding craft. They swarmed towards one of the corvettes, and the black ship detonated a few minutes later with a blinding white light.
The craft began their boarding procedure, and inside the crew could hear an ominous pounding as they began smashing through the hull.

OOC: Sorry about the delay. I've exams at the moment, so revision is taking up time.

OOC: No prob! BTW You haven't mentioned about your the freighter you have boarded. 3 of them are still moving!

IC:Target destroyed reported the computer.

'Sir, the ship has lauched boarded craft!'
'Target what you can with the missile launcher. Open the ships alert channel!'
'Channel open!'
'All hands, this is your Captain speaking. Stand by to repel boarders!'

A massive energy buildup could be detected within the gunships weapon systems. It was clear they were firing again.
As four of the aquamarine energy beams lanced out, one after another, with perhaps a second between them, a nanosecond later they hit the corvette not being boarded. As the first of the beams impacted on the already-drained shields, the others would penetrate through. Perhaps the ship would survive, perhaps not. Clearly the pirates barely cared, as with the corvettes subdued, the remaining freighters were each subjected to a harpooning, as the pirate boarders decided if there was anything of worth.

[applies to both the merchant ship and the corvette]
The pirates swept through the ship. They wore some sort of powered armour, details were difficult to make out, it was bulky but almost a monotone black. Here and there illuminated bands of colour were visible, but the purpose behind these was not forthcoming. Their heads were hidden behind oddly shaped helmets. They could be human, but could just as easily not.

The pirates worked in pairs, moving through the ship until they met defenders. Wherever a defence was mounted they found themselves confronted by waves of purple and/or blue plasma being belched forth from wrist-mounted cannons. It seemed as if a hatch opened and a gun barrel was deployed, but it was difficult to tell while trying to dodge the outpouring of plasma blasts.

They awaited retaliatory fire standing in the middle of the corridors. They were either stupid, trusting the superiority of their armour, or had been ordered to test it. Each was a likely as the next.

[corvette only]
The missiles destroyed two of the boarding craft, but in its death the ship had launched far more than the other had. It could have been to save the whole crew, or perhaps because they knew it was a military vessel and they might need more support. Either way, with the complete destruction of the ship it was unlikely anyone would ever know.

On the corvette, a large pirate was present. He was perhaps one and a half times the height of the others, stooping to fit in the corridors, and wearing a red armour with black highlights, and he had a guard of five other pirates.
As the defenders faced him, he waited until all but one was left, and then raised a hand to signal an end to the firing. A hatch on his thigh slid open, and a weapon was deployed on a thin arm. He picked it up, his red-armoured gloves looking capable of crushing it to tiny pieces, even though it appeared to be made of something stronger than steel.

It was a cruel-looking weapon. It vaguely resembled a force lance, in that it was thicker and slightly longer, but was about the same proportions as one and was in proportion to this giant pirate. It was made of some stikingly blue metal, highlighted with gold. It was ornately decorated, in a gothic, sharp fashion. Around the maw, presumably where it fired from, it was all gold and looking like nothing so much as the jaws of some circularly-mouthed, and sharp-toothed beast.

The pirate looked at his weapon appreciatively, then turned his gaze to the petrified crewman.
"Arr, what nation does this tub belong to? What be those freight'rs transportin'? An where be yer Cap'n? I be wantin' a chat with him..."

IC: (corvette only). The small amount or light infantry put up a brave fight, but over run by the beter armoured, and armed, pirates. The freighters ahd nor troops,a nd quickly surrendered.

The crewman looked scared as he motioned down the corridor, 'That... way...'

If the Cap'n smiled, it was hidden by his mask. He signalled to his bodyguard and motioned in the direction the crewman had pointed. He moved off to, but then turned as if on an afterthought. Charging his weapon he pointed it at the crewman, and pretended to fire. He laughed at the cringing crewman.
Then shot him.
He went to find the captain.

OOC:LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Carry on, eneter. He is in there.

BTW: I have given you a border with me...

OOC: Okay, but I warn you I'm about to be invaded by Shivans...Won't be a long term problem though. I'm between fifty and seventy lightyears from Sol.
I can't be bothered logging in to Redball just now, which is why I'm posting as TST
IC:
The Red Armoured Pirate entered, his weapon in his hand. He looked at the captain.
"Arr, we meet at last, Cap'n. Seems t'me like I 'ave a bone t'pick with ye. Yer the one who blew up me ship. A'll be needin'...compensation fer that. Whit do ye suggest?"

The captain looked nervously from side to side. The other officers on the bridge had hidden out of sight. He was alone.

This isn’t why I joined the MSC. We escorting this convoy…

At last, courage reached his lips.

‘I advise you to leave as fast as you can. We are already late, and this delay will only make our Government concerned for our safety…’

"I admire yer courage Cap'n. However, ye'r forgettin' one thing..."

He paused for a moment. Unbeknownst to the captain the pirate had just recieved word from the boarders on the freighter. Apparently they were carrying nothing of worth.

"Well Cap'n, it seems ye be escortin' nuthin' o' worth. Arr, I can't jist go lettin' this expedition go tae waste, can I? I think I'll be takin' this ship. D'ya think that's a fair trade?"

Without waiting for a reply he barked orders into his com. Two black-armoured pirates appeared momentarily and dragged the captain out the room.
He shortly met the other surviving members of his crew, and they were promptly shoved into escape pods [OOC: or whatever you use, assuming you do] and cast out from the ship.

Aboard the freighter, the pirates placed a few plasma mines around the reactor and then went back to their boarding craft. Gaping holes venting atmosphere were left, but it should have mattered little; as soon as the craft were out of range the mines were remote detonated, and they awaited the ship exploding.

The other freighters were released, but not before the pirate's lasers carved "Rouge Firey Death" accompanied by a symbol* above the words.

Meanwhile the pirates on the corvette went about trying to figure out how to drive it. Perhaps kicking the crew out hadn't been such a wise idea...
As the pirate ships went to slipstream, leaving the surviving ships where they drifted, the comandeered corvette jumped clumsily to hyperspace as they figured out how to work it, in a fashion.

OOC: That's really it. Make a response if you want, perhaps mentioning the tracking, I've got another post to make before your government can yell at mine.
*It's the outline of a metroid...

The shuttles left the ship, as the Pirates entered Hyperspace. The captain looked around at what was left. Only 4 freighters were left, most of them still mobile.

'Transmit a messege to Moleland.'

*HQ filled in*

20 minutes later, a MCD, 2 interdictors and 3 frigates arrived.

'This Captain Stuart, of the MCD Recovery... We are just here to recover you...'
'Hang on sir. We are detecting Hyperspace trail... It appears they were careless entering hyperspace... We can track them!'

The SIlver Turtle had ordered 200 RSD-1 Mallard fighters from the shipyards of Al-Imvadjah. This was in no way unusual, and so the delivery was being carried out by a simple heavy space frieghter. Al-Imvad frieghters follow one of the basic tenents of their design theory, which is to make it well suited to its necessary task. This frieghter in particular is a rectangular box made of 0.5 inch structural steel about one kilometer long and a quarter as wide and tall. The storage area is of course completely unpressurized and protected only by a basic shield to protect against micrometeors. It has a fifteen man crew in a detachable engine/control pod at its rear, as well as 250 loading droids. Inside its cavernous bulk are the fighters. Escorting it is a single Mallard, armed with an EMP bomb and a full loadout of AAMs.

The frieghter exits FTL and rotates to make its final jump to the Andromica System, where TST had specified the delivery.

The stolen corvette dropped out of hyperspace as it entered Ineffable space.
"Arr, what be goin' on?"
"Cap'n, seems we be hittin' some FTLi."
"What?"
"Government set it up. Stops anything short of slipstream. Only goes down fer scheduled movements."
"Arr. Call back one o' the ships, get us a slipstream tow."
"Yarr, Cap'n."
"Yarr."

Half an hour later, the pirate fleet drifted into the Na'treak system. More or less uninabited by Ineffable forces, it was the perfect pirate base system. The black ships of the fleet cruised almost leisurely towards the gas giant of the system. Sensor scans would identify a large mining and ship construction facility. Visible was the hulk of a large ship, in the process of being built. Obviously the pirates were wasting no time.
Half of it was alrady complete. It had two semicircular wings, curving round forward from the main hull and almost meeting. Several weapons equivalent to those on the gunships were visible.
It was still far from completion, and the pirates would wait until their next attack.

OOC: AI, I'll deal with you next post. It's going to be several months on from this, since this started about a year before the Shivan war.
Moleland; The FTLi I have allow a nice little thing. This way, you know it's my space, but with the slipstream you don't know any specific area. Which is good since the pirates are meant to remain hidden. Feel free to yell at my government now ;)

Several Months Later
The pirate's first capital ship was ready. As the Al-Imvadjah transports entered the system, the pirates opened fire. Five of the slipfighters swarmed towards the escort fighter, while two of the small cruisers fired a combined laser and missile barrage to bring down the shield, while the rest encircled the cruiser and harpooned it, holding it fast between them.
The pirates knew this had to be a rush job; the Alexandrian system was crawling with High Guard, even more so since the war with the Shivans began.
As the pirate fighters opened fire, a heavy cruiser battlegroup was already on its way.

Pics of the Raven class Deep Standoff Attack craft
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/unused/raventop.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/unused/ravenside.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/unused/ravenbottom.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/unused/raven1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/unused/ravenfront.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/TheSilverTurtle/unused/ravenback.jpg

The Mole Fleet entered Hyperspace, tracking the 'Bread crumb' trail left by the Pirates. After a while, they hit the FTLi...

'What the hell is this?' Yelled the Cpatain
'Don't know sir, butn we better Exit Hyperspace, unless you want us to be ripped apart...'
'Do it!'

The Fleet exited hyperspace.

'Sir, whatever that thing was, it has interfered with the trail... We've lost them.'
'DAMN!'

'Sir, incoming transmission!'
'Let's hear it!'

OOC: Post a messege!

Unidentified vessels, you have entered Ineffable space. The High Guard has been alerted to your presence, a wolfpack is on its way to meet you. Please identify yourself and state your purpose in Ineffable territory.

Unidentified vessels, you have entered Ineffable space. The High Guard has been alerted to your presence, a wolfpack is on its way to meet you. Please identify yourself and state your purpose in Ineffable territory.

'This is Captain Stuart, of the MCD Recovery. We are tracking a stolen Corvette, wish has gone through your territory. The Pirates are responcible fo detruction of 1 corvette, 1 freighter, damage to several other freighters and the deaths of roughly 233 moles. Requesting permission to pass through your territory.'

Within minutes, a heavy cruiser battlegroup confronted the Moleish fleet. Centaur fighters [same basic design as the pirate fighters...] were in escort formation around the heavy cruiser.

"Captain Stuart, I am Captain Joseph R. Cooper of the Ineffable High Guard Vessel Denslow. You mentioned pirates? Normally, I wouldn't be inclined to believe you. However, a pirate force using some our technology recently attacked one of our outposts, stealing many of our plans in addition to experimental new technologies.
If these pirates truly are within the Seven Systems, we have much to discuss. We will require any data you have regarding their attack, and also their projected course. We will be glad to have some aid in tracking them down.
If, however, our inhibitors have disrupted your tracking, perhaps you would care to make this a diplomatic visit as well? We are relatively new to this region of space, it would be good to get to know our neighbours.

As this transmission was sent, the FTLi field in the immediate area was deactivated.

OOC: The field just surrounds my space, marks my border if you will. It isn't present inside because it would take too much energy and resources.

'Ok. I'll send you allt he reports we gethered from the attack'

The Captain flciked a few buttons, and a few minutes later, all the data gathered was sent through.

'Does this technology look familar to you?'

OOC: The possessive for us is mole ;)

OOC: I'll remember that for next time, hehe.

A fraction of second after the data was sent, a hologram appeared on the bridge of the Denslow. It spoke.
"Data recieved and analysed sir. The majority of the large ships match those that attacked Beansat One. It would seem they have since constructed slipfighters from the plans for the Centaur. I'm concerned, however, it would seem they have created a new ship since we encountered them, an extensively powerful one. I hypothesise that it was engineered using research stolen from the station during the attack. I will need further time to "
"...Take that as a yes, Captain."

OOC: noted.

Yarr, Al-Imvajah, I be awaitin' yer post. I'll be goin' ahead without ye if ye don't hurry up...

OOC: There isn't much I can say. I have no chance.
IC
The pirates quickly overwhelmed the unarmed frieghter and its escort. The frigate crew deactivated its reactor containment fields before the boarders reached the engine room, but instead of blowing, it only leaked low level radiation. What a shame. The captain sent out a distress call to Al-Imvad high command.

As the pirates began dragging the captured Al-Imvadjah ship to the systems edge, for exit by slipstream, the first of the Ineffable fighters caught up with them. The pirate fighters, while less well-armed than the Ineffable fighters, were nonetheless a roughly even match. Coupled with the anti-fighter fire coming from the pirate vessels, they were quickly dispatched. Then the first long-range missiles came into reach. Even a single Ineffable High Guard heavy cruiser can deal out a significant amount of punishment; with an entire battlegroup, this engagment shouldn't last long. Long range anti-ship missiles took out one pirate cruiser, then another. The others were showered with shrapnel. Then the barrage of kinetics slammed straight through a third and into a fourth, destroying both, while a fifth and a sixth were also destroyed in the barrage.
The majority of the pirate fleet damaged, the battlegroup turned its attention to the large pirate vessel. Almost a kilometer wide, and half as much long, its capabilities remained a mystery to the Ineffable commanders. Halting at optimum combat range, the battlegroup halted. They opened fire as one. In a single second, nearly three thousand kinetic missiles streaked towards the ship at near-c. They didn't hit the ship.
http://aa.1asphost.com/AllyG/crap,shields!.JPG

A massive energy shield blocked what should have been an unbearable barrage for one ship. While the battlegroup was aware that shields of such power existed, they had never encountered them before. And they hadn't wanted to.
Firing at will, they tried to take the shield down. Sensors showed an energy buildup in the pirate weapons.

There was little the Ineffable fleet could do, save keep firing. The pirates decided to do the same, and six azure beams of death leapt from the pirate vessel.
Despite their shields being up, the weapons sliced through the battlegroup with little difficulty. Two of the DSAs were instantly destroyed, along with seven of the frigates; several of the beams having passed through unfortunately-aligned ships.
The Ineffable fleet, unaware of what to do when faced with such firepower, continued to fire. The six beams of death leapt again, and again, from the pirate vessel’s cannons, until only the heavy cruiser remained. By this time, the pirates shield had changed from a green to a dull red, but whether this was a result of power-drainage from the weapons, or from damage from the 45 petajoules of energy every single kinetic missile brought with it the High Guard were unsure. But the answer would come soon enough.
Another energy buildup could be detected, larger than that in every one of the smaller weapons combined. Glowing rings became visible, between the two massive claws of unknown purpose. Between the glowing rings, green pyramids became visible. A fraction of a second later, violet beams seemed to corkscrew through space, before they tore through the heavy cruiser, and it exploded silently in space.
With no discernible change, the pirate ship seemed to grin, and then vanish. A few minutes later, a cloaked ship left the system via the slipstream.

The Ineffable Palace, Ineffability, The Silver Turtle, Earth.
“Explain this.”
“Eh-Eh-Eh-Explain what, sir?”
”This. A request for a replacement battlegroup.”
“Well sir, space is a very dangerous place, and –“
”And a battlegroup is a very dangerous thing. Tell me, how did an entire battlegroup get destroyed, without my knowledge we’re at war?”
“Well sir, I’m not too clear on the precise details, but- graaaak…..ugh.”
The reason for this last incomprehensibility was that The Great Ineffable Bob had just killed his underling, using a rather handy axe that swings in front of his desk for just this purpose, when he presses a little button.
”Now, get me that Holtzmann fellow, I want to hear what this is about his design for shields…”

Holtzmann entered. A gifted mathematician, he had been working on a project to do with the mathematics of slipstream. He’d noticed something about the nature of the space/time continuum, however, and his work had spun off on a tangent. It was this tangent that had led him before The Ineffable Emperor.
“Well your Ineffableness, I’ve been working for some time on a set of equations. I believe if we modified a Gravity Field Generator or GFG to my specifications, these would allow us to warp the space/time continuum to our advantage.”
”Our GFGs already do this, in a manner, to open a slipstream event, do they not?”
“Yes sir, but with these equations I believe we could go further. As I believe the briefing stated, I think we could create a sort of wall of warped space, as a shield for our starships. Lower settings would, I believe, also create some sort of a repulsor field. I’m not entirely sure, I don’t have access to the computing power I require. That is why I’ve come to you.”
”So your coming to us had nothing to do with that the fact this technology belongs in government hands..?”
Holtzmann was visibly terrified by this. The Great Ineffable Bob had gone to war over less…
“Oh, of course I meant the main reason apart from that, your Ineffableness, sir.”
He was safe. Bob didn’t kill useful people.
”Good. Now, our military computers are a bit more advanced than those you have access to, or even knowledge of. Viper, if you will..?”