NationStates Jolt Archive

Hereditary President Calimar shifted in his heated leather chair at the head of the conference table as Fleet Admiral Harris began his presentation. His Cabinet and several high ranking military officers were sitting around the black marble conference table, and a holoprojector sat in the middle of it, displaying a 3-D map of the sector. A tiny green dot was positioned in the center of the map, representing their system. Several blue dots near it represented Erewohn, a protectorate, and several regional allies. Most dots were a neutral gray, but four others were yellow.

"These yellow spots are the systems your Foreign Ministry proposed annexing, Sir. All have a population of below 5 million, except for Yalta, which has 10 million. These two, Madras and Stocurm," Harris pointed at two of the stars, "have only a few LAC squadrons for defence, and only small numbers of ground troops. A single light cruiser squadron could take each without much of a fight. Acler's heaviest ship is a cutter, so they aren't much of a problem either. The only one that could put up any real resistance is Yalta, and its flagship is a destroyer."

Calimar studied the map for a moment, "And what benefits do we gain by annexing these systems? It seems to me like there isn't much."

Secretary of Commerce Cordelia Stanton spoke up, "By annexing these systems, we ensure that we control their economies, meaning more markets for our large corporations. All our economic projections look positive for our economy." She was followed by Secretary of Defence Ronald Bergen, "by controlling these systems, we establish a line of defence in the event of a war with another power. We can also establish naval bases in these systems as launching points for strikes on other systems if the need arises."

Admiral Harris spoke again, "Sir, all you need to do is authorize it, and Commodore Banton's heavy cruiser squadron will leave the system within an hour to attack Acler. Two hours after that, Commodore Heathman's light cruiser squadron will hit Madras and then move against Stocurm. After those systems are secured, Admiral Rollin's battlecruiser squadron will attack Yalta and secure that system. Maximum total operation time is estimated at 2 days."

Calimar reclined in his seat and thought for a moment, then decided. "Admiral Harris, you are authorized to take those systems."

Commodore Banton entered the flag bridge of VNS Mars, one of the navy's newest heavy cruiser classes, and sat down in his command chair.
He activated the communications link to the ship's main bridge. "Captain Passehl, our orders are to exit the system and secure the Acler star system. Signal the rest of the squadron to form up in formation."

The six heavy cruisers, each with a complement of 900 men and a displacement of 300,000 tons left the Gregor system behind as they headed for the hyper limit at 408 Gs, then lept into hyperspace.

*five hours later in the Acler system*

The six heavy cruisers exited hyperspace, light flaring from their impeller nodes as transit energy bled off. Shields were raised as each ship went to General Quarters, each missile tube was loaded and grasers were charged. The squadron set course for the third planet, Acler.

OOC: Is this an RP, or merely an announcement of your plans?


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(Good point)

(Vernii, I have been enjoying reading your work. Is it in anyway based on David Weber's Honorverse, or am I just imagining that? Either way, keep up the good work!)

OOC: Yes, I do base my nation on Haven from the Honorverse. I'm glad to see someone else on this forum likes the series.

I don't use Honorverse tech exactly, since an impeller wedge would definitely be god-modding, with how they are impervious to all weapons fire. I still use the impeller system, but in this I consider it more of a bubble-like field around the ship that only provides movement.

I should've done this when I formed my empire. You are getting praised for this, when I got flamed.

"Sir! We are picking up a mass hyper transit at the edge of the system. Gravitic sensors have not yet identified them." A captain wearing the purple and red uniform of the Acler Space Navy stepped over to the sensor officer's station and gazed at the plot in puzzlement. A few minutes later the station beeped again as the signatures were identified. "What the hell?" Send out an alert to the fleet and all ground units. Notify the government immediately."

In low orbit above Acler, the cutter Osprey powered up its impeller nodes and brought it's shields online. Three squadrons of six LACs each rose from the surface.

The government sent a hail to the Verniian squadron as it passed the orbit of the fourth planet.

"If your intentions are not hostile, we welcome you to our space. If you have come to attack us, we will defend ourselves with deadly force. State your intentions."

"Incoming signal, Captain. It's from the government of Acler, they sound a bit worried." stated VNS Mars communications officer.

"Ignore them. Tactical, how soon to missile range?"

"One minute until missile range Sir."

Captain Passehl opened up a comlink to the ship's flag bridge. "Commodore, we will soon enter missile range of Acler's fleet, your orders?"

"You may fire as soon as you are ready Captain, carry on."

VNS Mars and her squadron mates Fearless, Warlock, Implacable, Apollo, and Rapier, turned on their vertical axis to present their broadsides to the Aclerian vessels, and 12 missiles shot from each ship, for a total of 60 missiles.

"FIRE!!" screamed the captain of the Osprey, and three missiles shot from it's tubes as the small ship's PD laser clusters began firing madly. Counter-missiles raced out to intercept the horde of incoming warheads, but they were too few to stop the massive horde.

Ten of the LACs got off two or three missiles each, before being blotted from existence when the remaining enemy missiles reached their attack range of 20,000 km and detonated, spewing high-powered laser beams at the fleet. The Osprey bucked as lasers chewed into its hull, incinerating crewmen and killing others with shrapnel tore into their bodies. The Osprey vanished in a ball of flame, taking with it all 105 of it's crew.

Mars shook slightly as two lasers chewed into its hull, destroying Radar Two, knocking a missile tube out of its ammo feed, and killing fifteen crewmen.

The squadron settled into low orbit over Acler, turning to present it's broadsides to the planet. Commodore Banton sent a message to Acler's government.

"We have destroyed all orbital defences of your planet and now control it's skies. You have six hours to surrender before I begin a limited bombardment of military and political emplacements. Should you choose to surrender, control of this planet will pass to Vernii and a governor appointed by the President will rule your world. I have been authorized to inform you that your leaders will be allowed to live, but they are to be exiled to a planet of their choice outside of this sector. After you choose to surrender, I will send a pinnace to bring your leaders to my flagship, for the official signing of the treaty. You have six hours to make your decision.

A small, cloaked Riquian spyship watches this development, transmitting data back to the homeworld, back to the Emperor.
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Ahh...this is interesting. Vernii appears to have begun a small war of conquest. Their military and economic might is impressive. Perhaps someday, my empire will have a comparable level of influence and power. But my empire is still small; its' population is small, its' economy is average, its' military might is moderate. Maybe an alliance with the Vernii could benefit us....

The President of Acler, a man of about 50 years of age, sent a message to Mars.

"My advisors and I await your pinnace."

A small pinnace left Mars docking bay and landed in Acler's capital. After the President and his advisors boarded, it shot back up toward the flagship.

Inside the docking bay was an honor guard of thirty Marines wearing gold and black dress uniforms, several news reporters with cameras and a 3-D video camera set up on a tripod, and an envoy of Vernii's government standing next to a small table holding the surrender treaty, with an ink pen laying next to it.

A small Raider Class patrol frigate watches the proceedings from a distance.

The President stepped into the docking bay, and walked slowly across it to the table, avoiding looking directly at the cameras and reporters. His hands trembled as he picked up the treaty and read it over, then reread it to make sure nothing was getting past him. Then he slowly put it back down and signed it. His world was no longer his.

"If you will follow the Lieutenant here, he will show you and your advisors to your quarters for the voyage to Vernii, where you will be kept in a hotel until a decision is reached about what planet to send you." spoke Commodore Banton.

After that, the cruiser spun about and set course for the hyper limit to take its passengers to Vernii. The other five ships settled into orbit over the planet until troop transports could be brought in.

*Two hours after Commodore Banton's squadron left Gregor*

Commodore Heathman stepped off of his VIP pinnace into the docking bay of the light cruiser VNS Alexander. The honor guard of marines snapped to attention and saluted, and boson's pipes sounded. The commodore returned the salute, and stepped over to Commander Corell.
"Permission to board?", he spoke. Corell saluted, "Permission granted Sir, if you will follow me I will show you to the flag bridge."

A few minutes later, light cruisers Alexander, Napoleon, Starcrest, Athena, Breslau and Adonai left the system hyper limit.

*Ten hours after leaving Gregor*
"Hyper translation complete Sir," Alexander's Nav officer reported.
"Go to General Quarters and raise shields." Corell ordered, "inform the Commodore we've arrived in Madras."

Madras Armed Forces weren't taken by surprise like Acler's were. A freighter at the edge of Acler's hyper limit fled to Madras, and so it's forces were prepared for Heathman's light cruisers.

All of Madras's 18 LACs were launched, including one squadron (6) that shut down it's impeller drives and coasted onto a ballistic intercept course with the incoming cruisers.

Once the Verniian cruisers entered missile range, they all flushed their launchers in a desperate attempt to ward off the attackers. A total of 90 missiles are launched.

Klaxons screamed as the cruiser's point defense lasers opened fire and counter-missiles raced out to destroy the incoming missiles. Twenty of the incoming missiles lost their targets from the Verniian EW and ECM abilities, and another thirty were destroyed or disabled by point defence fire.

The remaining fourty missiles detonated, spewing laser beams into the formation of cruisers, and Alexander bucked as hits pierced through its shields and several beams chewed into its armor. Commodore Heathman clung tightly to his command chair and grimaced as sections of the ship turned red and yellow all over the damage control display. Sixty five crewmen died, and starboard missile tubes One and Three were disabled, along with Laser One.

Adonai fared worse, losing a third of its port broadside, and Starcrest drifted out of formation with over a third of it's crew dead.

But now it was the Verniian fleet's turn, and the five remaining cruisers opened fire with their energy weapons upon the six LACs, wiping them from the sky like they were bugs.

OOC: Would anyone care terribly if I pitched in? Partially because I'm based on Weber to a degree and partially because it just sounds good and interesting.

Telegram me about what you have in mind. I'll have to continue the rest of the war tomorrow.

OCC: Can I join?

Sure, both you and Valinon can join. It'll make things more interesting.

The five remaining light cruisers entered missile range of the remaining twelve Madran LACs. Each of the cruisers fired their broadside missile tubes, for a total of 35 missiles, at the LACs. In his flag bridge, Commodore Heathman gave a predatory smile as the tactical screen displayed a horde of green dots descending upon the Madrans.

The Madran LACs went into evasive maneuvers, trying to present the smallest targets possible to the beams of the missiles, and their point defence lasers fired wildly, but they couldn't stop all of them.

Squadron Commander Givens muttered a prayer as the wave of missiles crashed down upon his command, and the twelve LACs, each with a crew of 25, were torn apart under the storm of lasers.

The small Raider frigate continues watching proceedings from afar.

"Let's get a closer look. Mr. Sulu!"
"Yes, capt?"
"Hail the Vernii ships."
"Roger that. Vernii vessels, this is the LRRSV Nevil Norway. Could we tag along with proceedings? Our mission is strictly observatory."

"Have the Breslau take Starcrest under tow, and prepare for orbital bombardment." Heathman ordered. Alexander took up a stationary orbit over the Madran capital.

"Send this message to the First Minister: We now control the space around your planet. You have thirty minutes to unconditionally surrender. If you refuse to surrender after the time limit has run out, we will begin bombardment of political and military structures, and blockade your world."

As a demonstration of Heathman's threat, a single graser beam was fired into a mountain near the capital, shattering it.

OOC: LRR, what system is the scout ship in? And could you be a bit more detailed about it's intentions? A military commander in RL would be a bit jumpy if another vessel just happened to appear in a war zone.

OOC: LRR, what system is the scout ship in? And could you be a bit more detailed about it's intentions? A military commander in RL would be a bit jumpy if another vessel just happened to appear in a war zone.

It is in the.........let me check back........


In the Alcer system. About .4 AUs from the planet itself, twoards the edge of the system. Their intentions are as stated. Thats the mission of most LRR scout/explorer frigates. I probably should have used an Olof Palme frigate, since those are unarmed and not very threatening, unlike the Raider class, a converted assault frigate.

"Shit! A first contact situation with a foreign power. Someone find me the navy's regulations on those, quick!" The captain of VNS Fearless sends a message to the LRRSV Nevil Norway.

"LRRSV Nevil Norway you are permitted to approach, if your ship has any weapons, they are to remain unpowered. You are invited to send a shuttle aboard VNS Fearless to meet with Commodore Banton.

OOC: I forgot to mention earlier that Banton would have transferred his flag to another cruiser since Mars was leaving the system.

"Shit! A first contact situation with a foreign power. Someone find me the navy's regulations on those, quick!" The captain of VNS Fearless sends a message to the LRRSV Nevil Norway.

"LRRSV Nevil Norway you are permitted to approach, if your ship has any weapons, they are to remain unpowered. You are invited to send a shuttle aboard VNS Fearless to meet with Commodore Banton.

OOC: I forgot to mention earlier that Banton would have transferred his flag to another cruiser since Mars was leaving the system.

"Roger that, er.....Vernii vessel. Powering down shileds and weapons. Prepare to recieve a small shuttle."

A hastily gathered honor guard of marines gathered in Fearless's main docking bay, and Commodore Banton strode into the bay, brushing off his dress uniform with a gloved hand, and with his flag staff trailing behind him, to await the shuttle.

A hastily gathered honor guard of marines gathered in Fearless's main docking bay, and Commodore Banton strode into the bay, brushing off his dress uniform with a gloved hand, and with his flag staff trailing behind him, to await the shuttle.

The small shuttle issues forth from the small docking bay aboard the Norway. It carries the XO and a pair of engineers. The XO is a bentusi, and the engineers are humanoid. It slowly approaches the docking bay of the Vernii ship.

"Vernii vessel, this is Shuttle Alpha from the Nevil Norway. We request permission to come aboard."

"Permission granted Shuttle Alpha. You are cleared to land in Boat Bay One. An honor guard has been assembled to meet your delegation."

OOC: Whats your Bentusi look like? I know they are from HW, but it never shows. Any special things I need to know about (oxygen being poisonous would be important to know, etc)

Right before the thirty minutes ran out, Madras unconditionally surrendered to the Verniian force. The First Minister, his advisors, and key government leaders boarded a shuttle for transport to Alexander.

On the surface, many soldiers threw their weapons into incinerators, and then blew demolition charges in bases across the planet. Hundreds fled into the wilderness and countryside to form resistance groups.

In the wilds of jump-space a small convoy of Syberian Industrial Conglomerate are on a course to Madras. Aboard the frigate Errant Venture, Lieutenant Commander Kaimen of the Inter-Solar System Security Force (ISSSF a security concern of many ships and personnel operated by the United Interstellar Commerce Federation which has members that are mining guilds, ship magnates, and several other large conglomerates) looks at the four freightors he is protecting along with his picket ship line of three gunships. He turns back to look over the bridge as he hears the footsteps of an approaching bridge officer.
"Commander, we will be entering Madras space soon."
"Good, I expect this to go well, Lieutenant, I will not have pirates raiding this convoy as is becoming more common in this area of space."
"Of course, sir."
"Inform the freightor captains and the gunships."
"Yes, sir."
Ten minutes later the small convoy exits jump-space and enters the Madras territorial space. The arrive in the outer system and move toward Madras.

OOC: Valinon is modeled after a combination of the Andermani Empire and the Star Kingdom of Manticore. Kind of a more militaristic Manitcore if you will. Hope this is acceptable.

"Contact! Detecting multiple hyper transits at the system's hyper limit! CIC has not yet confirmed indentity." the sensor officer aboard Alexander suddenly reported. Captain Davis jerked from his thoughts and turned in his command chair toward the tactical plot, as eight purple blips appeared on it.

"Launch recon drones immediately and raise shields." ordered Captain Davis. He opened up a com-link to the Commodore and reported. "Sir, we have multiple hyper-contacts at the edge of the system. I will let you know once CIC has them identified."

"Commander," says one of the sensor officer, "we are picking up multiple signatures from the inner system. They appear to be recon drones."
Kaimen sits down at his command station, "Probably just the Madras home fleet. Prepare to broadcast transponder ID codes and lay in the final course for Madras."
"Yes, sir," comes the replies from the helm and sensor stations.
"Also have one of the gunships move out front," the comm officer moves to carry out Kaimen's order.
Kaimen meanwhile calls up the tactical display at his station to enlarge and focus on the inner system. He watches the movement of the recon probes toward his fleet as the ships begin to transmit their ID codes to the Madras orbital flight control.
"Finally a smooth trip," he mummers to himself.

OOC: For information on the ISSSF ships go here http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86758&highlight=
But note that the frigate and gunships of the ISSSF are not armed with the Mobile DOS system and are weaker in some areas.

Davis swallowed his last bit of tea, gave the tactical plot another glance, and then set the cup and saucer on the armrest of his chair, then opened the com-link to Heathman.

"Sir, the ships have sent their transponder codes to Madras Traffic Control. They been identified as a convoy of Syberian Industrial Conglomerate vessels. Our recon drones have identified what CIC gives a 75% probability to be four military vessels. They all appear to be inbound to Madras. Apparently they are still unaware of our presence."

Heathman rubbed his forehead, "Continue to monitor those ships, and form the squadron into wall formation."

Kaimen watches his display as the frigate puts itself in a position to best escort the freightors he is protecting.
"Gunships to picket line escort postions," he says.
"Yes, sir."
He then looks at the overall inner system display, and notices the Madras are forming into a wall formation.
"Odd," he says. "Hail the Madras ships, see if there is anything wrong."
"Yes, sir."
"And scramble fighters, we may have pirates in the area."

The small shuttle pulls into the docking bay, and lands quite unceremoniously, with a loud metallic clang as the foreward leg strut fails. The pilot climbs out of the emergency airlock at the top of the cockpit. Before he is all the way out, a chorus of alarms go off inside the craft.

"CUT THAT RACKET OUT!!!!!"
"Uh..... right away!"

The copilot dives below the cockpit console with a pair of wire clippers, and begins to snip wires. After a few seconds more, the alarms go out. The pilot slides down the front of the shuttle, and lands on the deck.

"Oh! Er.....hello! We are from the LRRSV Nevil Norway."

He salutes the honor guard, and surveys the damage to the landing leg. Meanwhile, the three LRR delegates file out of the back of the ship.

Commodore Banton and his staff quickly recover from their stunned silence as the delegates leave the shuttle.

"Welcome aboard Fearless." He extends his hand in greeting, "I am Commodore Banton of the Verniian People's Navy, and you are?"

"Sir, we have an incoming hail from the ships. They apparently think we are the Madran Home Fleet --", the Alexander's com officer reported before being interrupted by the sensor officer. "Sir! The recon drones detect new engine signatures, apparently they are launching small vessels, probably fighters."

"Load missile tubes and send a hail to the inbound vessels.", Heathman ordered. "This is Commodore Heathman, commanding officer of Light Cruiser Squadron III, of the Verniian People's Navy. We now control this system. State your intentions."

"Vernii People's Navy?" Kaimen says as the comm erupts with the new message. "What is going on here? Give me an open channel, and send a report back to homeworld on ISSSF emergency codes. If Madras has fallen, it is a matter that His Majesty should know about at once."
"Yes, sir."
"Channel open, rerouted through command station."
Kaimen motions for a hologram and a visual to be attached as well, "This is Lieutenant Commander Kaimen, of the Inter-Solar System Security Force. I am here on the business of protecting commerce between the Empire of Valinon and Madras. I also demand to know what authority you have over the Madras home system."
Kaimen ends the link, "What forces does their force consist of?"
"We have six light cruisers, sir. One appears to be moving slowly and staying toward the rear of the formation."
"Six cruisers....." Kaimen breathes. "Helm, keept the Verner drives hot, and tell the freightors to move to the rear of the formation now! I want them as far away from us as possible. Have the gunships form up on the Venture now. Keep the fighters close, and task Able Squadron to be ready to intercept anything that may go for the freightors."

The tactical plot updated as the ISSSF ships switched formation. The vessels CIC had indentified as warships appeared to be moving toward the front of the formation.

"Well...crap. Launch EW drones, bring up our ECM emitters, bring point defence clusters online, and sound General Quarters."

Klaxons sounded throughout the squadron as crewmen slipped into pressure suits. Gun stations were manned, and eight EW drones were launched, assuming slightly different courses from the squadron and emitting signals that would mimic the impeller signatures of the light cruisers. As the ECM emitters were brought up, the fleet disappeared behind a background noise of electronic "fuzz".

"Get me the Starcrest's captain." Heathman ordered. A few seconds later the face of Captain Kieper appeared on his screen. "Is your command still hyperworthy?" Heathman asked. "Yes, we lost a good portion of our weapons and propulsion, but we can still make it back to Gregor, although it'll take twice as long as usual." Kieper replied.

"Good, if this turns into a fight, and its going against us, I want you to run back to Gregor, and inform them that we ran into unexpected resistance at Madras, and that we don't expect to be able to continue the attack on Stocurm."

"No response, Commander," now Kaimen is standing at the end of the command catawalk, looking out toward where the unknown assailants of Madras lurk.
"Sir," comes a voice from sensors, "we are picking up jamming on the ships in Madras orbit."
"Is it affecting our primaries?"
"No, sir," says the sensor officer. "However, our missiles might have problems establishing a firm lock."
Kaimen drums his fingers on the catawalk, "Helm, bring speed to 1/3, tell the freightors to bring themselves to a stop until we can fully understand what is going on here. Meanwhile, what of our message back to Proxima?"
"We have a response, sir," says the comm officer. "ISSSF Command says that they are dispatching the heavy cruiser Bellmaker and her group to support us. They are coming from system K-X19999, ETA is at 47 minutes 54 seconds."
"Continuing hailing those ships, but bring all batteries and launchers to the ready. Sound battle stations."
"Yes, sir."

"Sir, they are continuing to hail us."

"Send this message: ISSSF ships, you are currently violating the territory of Vernii. You are ordered to withdraw from the system. If you continue to approach, you may be fired upon."

Commodore Banton and his staff quickly recover from their stunned silence as the delegates leave the shuttle.

"Welcome aboard Fearless." He extends his hand in greeting, "I am Commodore Banton of the Verniian People's Navy, and you are?"

The XO and the two engineers walk up to the guard and commodore.

"Hello, Commodore banton! I am Sub-lieutenant George Beeblebrox of the People's Space Fleet of the Cognitive Totality of Lunatic Retard Robots."

He extends his bionic hand out to the commodore's and gives it a good, hearty shake.

"And these are some trainees who are embarked on our ship. Engineering students, they are. We thought the sight of some other humanoids like themselves might cheer them up. They haven't seen one of their own species for....oh.....a few months now."

The two cadets walk up to the commodore and salute smartly, a mark of being trained in a forigen military academy. LRR doesn't have any, and saluting is not encouraged.

"If you will follow me, we will head to the Officer's Mess, where our chefs have fixed a banquet."

"Fourty-five seconds to the hyper limit, Admiral."

"Good. Form the fleet into wall formation and set a least-time course for Yalta."

As the six massive 858,000 ton battlecruisers emerged from hyper, they moved into formation.

Invincible, Reliant (flagship), Ramilies
Lightning, Nike, Intolerant

"Sir, sensors detect a large amount of civilian traffic over the planet, but no military signatures yet."

"Good, we caught them by surprise. Helmsman, take us in."

Kaimen is nervous, "All ahead stop, form the fleet up, keep full tracking on the Vernii ships. And get me an open comm channel."
"Yes, Commander."
Kaimen waits for a few moments then activates the comm, "This is Lieutenant Commander Kaimen of the ISSSF ship Errant Venture and as an official of the Empire of Valinon, I demand to know what gives you the authority to take precedence in the home system of the Democratic Republic of Madras."
He deactivates the comm then looks at his crew, "Any word from the Bellmaker or homeworld?"
"Yes, sir. Bellmaker is still enroute, once they arrive we should be able to force whoever these marauders are to stand down. The Admiralty is also dispatching a heavy cruiser group under the Merlin here as well."
"Begin to directly hail the planetary centers, see if we can find anyone in charge besides those cruisers."

"The Madras system has been annexed by the People's Republic. The First Minister and his cabinet are in our custody. Madras is now a territorial claim of Vernii. Withdraw from this system."

"If you will follow me, we will head to the Officer's Mess, where our chefs have fixed a banquet."

"Oh, why thankyou! Our ship is rather lacking in cuisine. Although I have no need for food, I am sure these cadets would enjoy a meal."

Kaimen knows his dreads has just been confirmed.
"Have the freigtors return to Outpost 388, meanwhile lay in an intra-system Verner jump to take us to the system edge."
"Yes, sir."
"And get me another channel."
"Done, sir."
"Vernii Fleet, the Admiralty will be informed of your actions here. His Majesty will not tolerate the armed occupation of another sovereign state of the interstellar community. The Empire does not look kindly on such abuses by other states."
He cuts the comm, "Prepare for jump, we will exit their sensor range and hide outside the immediate system boundaries. Inform the Bellmaker and the Star Armada forces that they should rendezvous with us as well. Once they have arrived I think these would be occupiers will sing a different tune if confronted with superior forces."
"Yes, sir."
Several minutes later, the small ISSSF force seemingly withdraws.

OOC:
Incoming ISSSF Forces
1 Heavy Cruiser Bellmaker
2 Light Cruisers De Argent & Commerce Protector
12 gunships Sun Dragon and Cobra Groups

Star Armada Emergency Force
3 Virgo class Heavy Cruisers: HMS Merlin, HMS Warmaster, & HMS Thunder Child
1 Libra class carrier: HMS Thorwald
3 Light Cruisers: HMS Damien, HMS Royale, & HMS Sun Fire
3 destroyers
8 gunships

"Sir! The ISSSF are leaving the system." The red dots on the tactical screen vanished as they activated their jumps engines.

"Good, dispatch Starcrest back to Gregor."

OOC: Starcrest will reach Gregor in 20 hours, and a mixed cruiser squadron (6 ships) will arrive in another 10 hours after that.

"Oh, why thankyou! Our ship is rather lacking in cuisine. Although I have no need for food, I am sure these cadets would enjoy a meal."

An envoy from the government is waiting in the Officer's Mess, which is a finely decorated room, the plates have the ships seal emblazoned on them, the food is rather good for military cooking, and a fine wine is served from the Commodore's own collection.

"I propose an information trade about our nations." states the envoy.

"Oh, why thankyou! Our ship is rather lacking in cuisine. Although I have no need for food, I am sure these cadets would enjoy a meal."

An envoy from the government is waiting in the Officer's Mess, which is a finely decorated room, the plates have the ships seal emblazoned on them, the food is rather good for military cooking, and a fine wine is served from the Commodore's own collection.

"I propose an information trade about our nations." states the envoy.

"Well, all basic information is available in public sources. What else do you require?"

*inside a command bunker on the planet*

"What the? Sir, sensor probes have picked up military impeller signatures on the outskirts of the system, we're trying to identify them now."

A colonel wearing the blue and black uniform of the Queen's Navy approached the sensor officer's station. "Notify the fleet and all ground based defences. Don't alert civilian traffic yet, we don't want a panic."

Over the planet, the light cruiser Warrior, destroyers Warhawk and Sinjar, and 12 LACs formed into formation.


OOC: One of my friends is going to roleplay as this nation when the fighting starts, instead of me vs me in the previous fights.

The tactical plot on the flag bridge of Reliant beeped as it updated.
"Looks like the Yaltan's have a couple of tin cans, a couple LAC squadrons, and possibly a CL." the tac officer reported.

Rollins noticed a red blip on the screen, and read the information sidebar entry for it. A small sensor outpost, estimated crew of 50.

"Destroy it."

A single missile was launched from Reliant, carrying a 20 megaton contact fusion warhead, it's impellers accelerated it to a speed of 95,000 Gs as it hurtled toward the outpost.

"Oh, why thankyou! Our ship is rather lacking in cuisine. Although I have no need for food, I am sure these cadets would enjoy a meal."

An envoy from the government is waiting in the Officer's Mess, which is a finely decorated room, the plates have the ships seal emblazoned on them, the food is rather good for military cooking, and a fine wine is served from the Commodore's own collection.

"I propose an information trade about our nations." states the envoy.

"Well, all basic information is available in public sources. What else do you require?"

Well, as a representative of the government, I can answer any questions you may have. I am also authorized to propose limited agreements, such as if it would be possible for our government to establish a treaty port in your territory for commerce, we are prepared to pay a reasonable amount, or reciprocate by letting you establish a port."

"Oh, why thankyou! Our ship is rather lacking in cuisine. Although I have no need for food, I am sure these cadets would enjoy a meal."

An envoy from the government is waiting in the Officer's Mess, which is a finely decorated room, the plates have the ships seal emblazoned on them, the food is rather good for military cooking, and a fine wine is served from the Commodore's own collection.

"I propose an information trade about our nations." states the envoy.

"Well, all basic information is available in public sources. What else do you require?"

Well, as a representative of the government, I can answer any questions you may have. I am also authorized to propose limited agreements, such as if it would be possible for our government to establish a treaty port in your territory for commerce, we are prepared to pay a reasonable amount, or reciprocate by letting you establish a port."

"Well, as for establishing a port in our territory, that might be problematic, because we are primarily nomadic. We use other people's spaceports, as well as international ones. Not to mention, we share territory with the Capsule Corporation as our homeworld. We have come to ask you about your imperial tendancies. What do you plan to do with the worlds you conquer? Imperialism makes relations somewhat turbulent at times."

"By acquiring these systems, we increase our territory, which give us more population, a boost to our economy, and resources. And there's military advantages to it as well. Once we fortify these systems, we have a first line of defence against any attackers, and bases from which to launch strikes from, instead of just depending on one for all our purposes."
Banton glanced at the clock on the wall, "Right now Commodore Heathman's squadron should be rolling over any resistance in Stocurm about now. I propose a toast to his success!" He lifted up his wine glass.

The sensor outpost and its crew of 45 men were vaporized as the nuke hit it. In the central command bunker on Yalta, an area of sensor coverage blacked out.

"Well, that settles the question if they are hostile or not. Alert all planetary defences."

The red blip winked out as the nuke vaporized it. "Target destroyed sir."
"Excellent. Helm, set course for Yalta." All missile tubes were loaded and shields were raised. The six battlecruisers continued on their way.

*as the BCs approach the planet*

"Captain Goldstein, you may open fire." The six massive, but sleek, battlecruisers spun about on their vertical axis to present their broadsides to the enemy vessels, and 120 laser-head missiles erupted from them in staggered launches (Four waves of 30 missiles each).

"By acquiring these systems, we increase our territory, which give us more population, a boost to our economy, and resources. And there's military advantages to it as well. Once we fortify these systems, we have a first line of defence against any attackers, and bases from which to launch strikes from, instead of just depending on one for all our purposes."
Banton glanced at the clock on the wall, "Right now Commodore Heathman's squadron should be rolling over any resistance in Stocurm about now. I propose a toast to his success!" He lifted up his wine glass.

The two cadets rase their glasses, but the XO does not budge his bionic arm.

"As much as I would like to toast your military success, my culture and society does not take pride or joy in victory, especially when it is at the cost of so many other lives. Now, consider this. you are violating their national soveriegnty because you want defense against aggressors. This simple act of imperialism, as you probably know, generates far more enemies, both inisde and outside your borders, than would peaceful relations."

"Its not that we don't want peaceful relations, its just that these systems have more value as part of our territory then as independents."

<tag for intel and alliances purpouses>

[OOC: Mind if I join in? If I can:]

A small, green fighter of unusual design and size appears as if from nowhere just below the Yaltan flagship.

A small, uncoded transmission ensues from within the ship [note: Translation includes name changes for ease of understanding]:

Secondary Officer: "S.O. to Pilot: What the hell was that, Tom?! I thought this was supposed to be an empty system!"
Pilot: "I thought it was! What the heck? I'm going to pull us out of this, Bob. What's the engine status?"
SO: "We can't start up the 'drive now! It hasn't even started recharging yet!"
P: "Well, what are we supposed to do? Are you reading this, Bob? We've got huge alien things all over us! They're shooting! Get us out of here!"
SO: "I'm telling you, the engines can't take it! Try to get us behind something while we recharge!"
Computer: "Y100 Error. Experiencing mechanical jamming from the reactor. Attempting to compensate. Faster than light drives cannot reactivate at this time. Would you like to send Control an error report?"
SO: "Yes! Computer: Open a channel to Control in the Big Crater. Report astronomical error in astronomy: this star has a bunch of planets around it. Report astronomical error in tactical preparation: This system has a bunch of big ships in it. And try to fix that reactor!"
C: "Message sent."
[The ship spins under the Yaltan flagship, and dives away from the Yaltan fleet, towards free space]

"Its not that we don't want peaceful relations, its just that these systems have more value as part of our territory then as independents."

He sighs heavily.

"You must be aquainted with the concept of soverigenty. Now, this empire is fully acceptable as long as the political freedoms and Civil Rights of your new territories are the same as you have at home. We would like it very much if we could send some observers to the newly taken-over worlds."

"I don't have the authority to authorize that. I'm afraid you'll have to take that issue up with the President and his Cabinet."

"I don't have the authority to authorize that. I'm afraid you'll have to take that issue up with the President and his Cabinet."

"Where could we see them? Well, actually, I should probably be heading back now. We'll send Slartibartfast, our top envoy to an audience with your cabinet."

Proximity alarms went off aboard the Warrior as confusion reigned on its bridge.

"Where the hell did that ship come from?! Take it out!" the CO screamed at the gunnery officer.

The ships point defence clusters assigned the fighter a high threat priority and several swiveled to engage it, while the countermissiles screamed out at the enemy swarm, and the rest of the PD clusters began picking off incoming missiles.

"Launch missiles!"

The Yaltan fleet fired off its broadside, firing a total of 15 missiles from the capital ships, and 60 from the LACs.

Anti-missile systems and ECM succeeded in destroying or disabling 90 of the incoming missiles, but the other 30 detonated at 20,000 km from the fleet, showering it with high powered energy beams.

Warrior was hammered into an air bleeding hulk, Warhawk disappeared as its fusion reactor exploded, and Sinjar was crippled as the beams lanced through their shields and ripped through their hulls. Six of the LACs were also destroyed or crippled.

OOC: Craterships, your fighter has a high chance of being hit by one of the beams.

The Yaltan point defenses poured their energy toward the swooping fighter, managing to take out a small weapon mount on the left wing. The fighter spun, its pilot losing control as the ship's computer lowered the left engine power to compensate for the loss of mass. A low-fired beam from one of the missiles shot past the cockpit, singing nearby glass and tearing a hole through the bottom of the right engine. Coolant met the energy of the laser, and exploded, nocking the fighter back toward the middle between the two fleets.
A transmission echoed from the broken fighters communication system. It went something like this:
SO: "Mayday! Mayday! High level emergency! Fighter damaged; engines down! Send help! Send help! Power beginning to fail! Mayday! Release the SOS pod!"
C: "Your message has been sent."

A tiny pod ejected itself from the rear of the fighter, and began broadcasting: "Help! Help! Help! Help! Help..."

"I don't have the authority to authorize that. I'm afraid you'll have to take that issue up with the President and his Cabinet."

"Where could we see them? Well, actually, I should probably be heading back now. We'll send Slartibartfast, our top envoy to an audience with your cabinet."

"Vernii is located in the Gregor system. We'll send a courier boat later to let them know your coming. A diplomatic transponder code will be provided for your envoy's ship. It's been a pleasure to meet you gentlemen."

Counter-missiles hurtled from the battlecruisers, EW drones broadcasting fake impeller signatures were launched, and PD laser clusters fired wildly.

As the remnants of the missiles began to reach attack range, the battlecruisers rolled to present their heavily armored ventral sides to most of them. Twenty of the 75 missiles reached attack range and detonated, spewing beams into the squadron.

Lightning bucked as beams pierced its shields and chewed through its hull, and air streamed from gashes torn into Intolerant's hull, but the battlecruisers were large enough to be able to soak up most of the damage, compared to the smaller Yaltan vessels.

OOC: Hey Valinon, how soon till your reinforcements arrive? I think mine will arrive about an hour after yours do.

"I don't have the authority to authorize that. I'm afraid you'll have to take that issue up with the President and his Cabinet."

"Where could we see them? Well, actually, I should probably be heading back now. We'll send Slartibartfast, our top envoy to an audience with your cabinet."

"Vernii is located in the Gregor system. We'll send a courier boat later to let them know your coming. A diplomatic transponder code will be provided for your envoy's ship. It's been a pleasure to meet you gentlemen."

"Thankyou, and goodbye."

The small shuttle lifts back off, and returns to its parent frigate. The frigate then dissappears into hyperspace, bound for Zarahemla.

On the very fringes of the Madras system, multiple jump signatures open up. Lieutenant Commander Kaimen watches as his reinforcements arrive. First comes the Bellmaker, her light cruiser escorts, and a flotilla of smaller gunships. But following the group of ISSSF ships are the Star Armada ships, the true navy of the Empire.
A comm signal comes across the Errant Venture's bridge.
"This is Commodore Trisdant of the Merlin, I have orders from Sanctuary to take command and ensure that the Madras government is restored. Both fleets are to form up on my ship, we will make for in-system once our Takan allies have arrived. In the meantime all ships are to sound General Quarters and assume full combat status. Trisdant out."
Kaimen turns to his crew, "You heard the Commodore, sound General Quarters and ready the Venture and our fighters."
"Yes, sir!"

******

Meanwhile at the jump point the HMS Merlin and her group jumped through earlier, a trio of battlecruisers and a quartet of battleships waits in the center of a larger task force. Aboard the bridge of the lead battlecruisers, the HMS Alexander, stands Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest, perhaps the most capable Admiral in the Star Armada. He monitors the situation in Madras carefully.
His adjutant approaches, "Admiral, the latest reports."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Forrest says as he accepts the data disks. As he begins to go over one, he notices the Lieutenant stands unsurely nearby.
"Yes?" Forrest says.
"With all do respect, Admiral, would it not be better to jump with Commodore Trisdant?"
Forrest looks at the officer, his youth reminding him of his own entrance to the Armada, "I want to see how the Vernii forces will react to a small detachment initially. Besides, Lieutenant, you never unveal the full scope of your strategy at once. We will move if it is necessary."
"Of course, Admiral," the Lieutenant salutes and retreats.

"...ALL HANDS TO GENERAL QUARTERS, REPEAT ALL HANDS TO GENERAL QUARTERS..." Klaxons blared aboard the Verniian ships, shielding went to max strength, and and every weapon aboard the ships was powered up or loaded. EW drones were launched and immediately began broadcasting fake transponders and impeller signatures and ECM emitters came online.

Commodore Heathman finished zipping up his vac suit, then turned to the tactical plotter and gazed at the mass of red light dots. This is going to hurt, but I can't cede this system without a fight....for the honor of the flag I guess, he thought grimly. "Captain Davis, as soon as the enemy vessels enter firing range, give them a missile broadside concentrated on their lead vessels. In the meantime, launch three recon drones to see what they have."

The Takian fleet appeared as if on cue, folding out of a rip in space/time. The flagship, a Takian battleship, pulling astride the flagship of the ISSSF group. A communications transmision comes through, a gaunt man with a long scar, a reminder of battles long past, ran the length of his face, ending on his hook like nose. He saluted curtly as the screen flickered on, reguarding the Valinion commander, sizing him up as if he were an opponent or a prize fighting dog.

"Forrest, I presume. . . " he drawled out, his hand never leaving the ornate naval katana at his side "By order of the Prince, my wargroup is here to reinforce your. . . expedition. . ." a dark smile crossed his face, "I am glad you've decided to let us show you how war is to be done."

The Takian fleet appeared as if on cue, folding out of a rip in space/time. The flagship, a Takian battleship, pulling astride the flagship of the ISSSF group. A communications transmision comes through, a gaunt man with a long scar, a reminder of battles long past, ran the length of his face, ending on his hook like nose. He saluted curtly as the screen flickered on, reguarding the Valinion commander, sizing him up as if he were an opponent or a prize fighting dog.

"Forrest, I presume. . . " he drawled out, his hand never leaving the ornate naval katana at his side "By order of the Prince, my wargroup is here to reinforce your. . . expedition. . ." a dark smile crossed his face, "I am glad you've decided to let us show you how war is to be done."

((OOC: Takian forces consist of

1 Battleship
3 Battlecruisers
1 Super carrier
2 Carriers
10 Heavy cruisers
10 Light cruisers
15 Frigates
20 Destroyers

OOC: Vernii, if you could not detect the Errant Venture when it went to the system's edge how can you detect all my other ships? After all, we haven't started moving in-system yet. And if memory serves me, the Havenite military dodged the Manticorian sensors by being far enough out and behind the asteriod belt in the Yeltsin system in The Short Victorious War.

Forrest nods cooly to his Takan counterpart, "I am as always glad for the assistance of the Takan star fleet. However, I think that you might learn that His Majesty's Star Armada is a very capable force within itself. I take it you will be sending a detachment of your own forces to join Commodore Trisdant and our other forces rallying at the system's edge?"

OOC: Vernii, if you could not detect the Errant Venture when it went to the system's edge how can you detect all my other ships? After all, we haven't started moving in-system yet. And if memory serves me, the Havenite military dodged the Manticorian sensors by being far enough out and behind the asteriod belt in the Yeltsin system in The Short Victorious War.

OOC: Sorry, I thought your group was already heading in. Unless you have some special idea first, then we could assume my previous post is after your ships start traveling in-system. And the Havenite ships were on completely ballistic courses, radiating as little power output as possible and only using passive sensors.

OOC: As the Valinon ships are now. We haven't charges our batteries or shields up fully yet and our engines are just keeping us from erratical drifting. I'll quote the post when Taka and I start moving.

"one step ahead of you commander, we have a small frigate floatilla and escorting destroyer floatilla on hand to push through, lead by one of our light cruisers, should htey require heavy fire-support to defeat any patrollers. . . though if I may offer my oppinion, I belive this will kick over the nest so to speak. . . we have folding drivers prepared for a fold on our second generators, however, our carriers and light cruisers will ahve to stay back here with you while the larger ships reinforce our possition. .. unless of course you didn't have an ambush in mind. . . ."

"Actually, Star Commander, I did have an ambush in mind. With the support of your ships I intended to have both of our forces jump in close to Madras itself. With the suddeness of this attack I think we should catch the Vernii People's Navy nearly completely by surprise. Meanwhile our main force would stay here and unless it is needed we can just wait until resistance is subdued and move in to help resecure the Madras government."
He looks at the reports on his comp-pad, "And I will say that the Admiralty is dispatching some additional elements as well. My force was just the one immediately in the vicinity."
"Besides, an ambush is probably the best. It will show this "People's Republic" that other members of the interstellar community will not stand idly by and let them seize nations we enjoy good trading relations with."

"Excelent, you aren't as slow as you look. Might I suggest you try and get your forces near a planet before you are found out? we will need its gravity well to fold to, and can hide ourselves on the otherside of it, swinging around to hammer them from the rear just about the time you arrive at the front. Enough talk though, more action, less we let old age kill our foes, rather than our weaponry."

He turned in the darkened bridge, barking a few short orders to one of his underlings, and the small cluster of frigates moved off into the inky darkness, a larger cluster of sleek destroyers followed suit, the smaller craft taking up escorting possitions around the larger frigates. Two light cruisers also joined them, the approaching fleet looking like a swarm of flies over rotting garbage. The remainder of the Takian armada segragated itself, the largers ships, those with the double fold engines, moved to one side, lining up in combat lines, while the light cruisers and carriers moved closer to the Valinion starfleet. Weapons checks began on all ships, and shields started to powerup, the massive fusion reactors turned on, powering the ship up fully, and ordinance such as smaller fighter craft and torpedeos were loaded into thier individual bays.

Commodore Trisdant watches as the Takan ships fold in close to his own combined Armada and ISSSF task force.
"Takan task force reporting in as green, Commodore."
"Excellent, have we found a suitabl planetoid to use as a stable gravity well?"
"Yes, sir," says a sensor officer "At coordinates 0-33-89-AA there is a very large asteriod on the fringes of the system's asteriod belt that will suit our purposes."
"Good, inform the group to lay in a course, and transmit those coordinates to the Takans as well. Keep engine output at an absolute minimum I don't want to alert the Vernii yet. In fact, try to maintain stable course using mainly directed inertia."
"Yes, Commodore."

******

Back aboard the Alexander Forrest has retired to his ready room after finishing his "conference" with Azrael.
Captain Delman, master of the Alexander sits at the table with him.
"The commander that the Takans have sent us has enough ego to power the shields of his own fleet several times over."
Forrest reads the various reports on Vernii, "You forget, Captain, that the Takan shields have multiple one use generators, so you could say his ego can be popped very easily. I take it my ship is ready?"
"Yes, Admiral. All fighters have been fueled and readied as per your orders. We have reoriented the fleet so that the jump to Madras will take only moments. That way we can move quickly if need be."
"Excellent. Begin to bring the long-range pickets back in, that way we won't have to worry about any fighters having to make the jump on their own."
"Yes, Admiral," Delman stands and salutes then prepares to leave.

((OOC: the comander you are talking to is Commander Ikari, Star Commander Azrael hasn't made his apperance yet, sorry for the confusion))

Not far from the site of Vernii's conquests, a David Byrne class fast carrier watches the two large battlegroups of Taka and Valinon mass together with its long-range sensors. It is flanked by a pair of fast destroyers, and carries only a compliment of 50 scimitar corvettes. It is obviously not a war mission. The fighter bay is packed with all sorts of equipment, monitoring the system, as well as a very large medical bay. The carrier, the LRRSV Graham Nash, motors closer to the Takan and Valinon battlegroups. A tallish, well-clad bentusi appears on the viewscreen.

"Greetings, Valinon vessels! I am Captain Alexander Franken of the LRRSV Graham Nash. We have been monitoring the area for quite a while alone, and would appreciate some company. We are running on about a fifth of regular fighter strength, so we won't be much help militarily, but our medical facilities are second to none."

OOC: Theres nothing my squadron can really do for now. Valinon, once your ships approach within the orbit of the fourth planet they'd prob be spotted, once they approach within 125,000 km they are in my missile range.

Forrest watches the LRR captain from the screen at his command station.
"Open a channel."
"Yes, Admiral."
Forrest brushes som dust of his uniform then activates the link, "This is Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest, as always the help of the LRR is appreciated. You may enter our defensive zone, Captain, however I would ask of you what your intentions are concerning recent events in the Vernii border states."

*in the Yalta system*

"Yaltan fleet has been destroyed sir. We are detecting several distress signals in orbit, mostly from escape pods and shuttles, but theres one that doesn't match anything in our database."

"Take us into high orbit over the planet. Send a signal to any civilian shipping to power down all non-critical systems, and that if they comply that they will not be harmed. If they run for it, follow our rules of engagement." Rollins glanced at the tac screen, "fire a contact nuke on any orbital defences."

All orbiting merchant vessels power down their systems and assume stationary orbit.

The three orbiting automated energy batteries are destroyed by the nukes, and the mass driver concealed in a bunker on Yalta's moon Acheron opens fire on the BCs. Ten shots are fired at 110,000 Gs.

On the other side of the planet, a small hyperspace capable yacht lifts off, carrying Queen Stewart III and the Royal Family, and sets course for the system hyper limit.

Forrest watches the LRR captain from the screen at his command station.
"Open a channel."
"Yes, Admiral."
Forrest brushes som dust of his uniform then activates the link, "This is Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest, as always the help of the LRR is appreciated. You may enter our defensive zone, Captain, however I would ask of you what your intentions are concerning recent events in the Vernii border states."

"Our intentions are strictly observatory, however we have the operational freedom which I am sure you are all aware of which is given in the LRR fleet. Our large medical bay has been put there to accomodate any refugees we might come across."
"We're moving into the defensive sphere now."
"Roger that."

In the background, "Carry On" can be heard playing over the ship's loudspeakers.

Proximity alarms wailed aboard the Lightning as two of the mass driver shots impacted into it, the massive kinetic energy from the impacts bleeding through the shields. Lightning spun wildly out of formation, its aft hammerhead a crumpled wreck, and about 1/4 of its crew dead.

"Ready bunker buster missiles, and fire them into that gun emplacement immediately!" Rollins barked the order at his gunnery officer, then cursed as Lightning lost helm control. "Have Nike and Intolerant bring her under tow." The deck (barely) shuddered under his feet as the Reliant's broadside missile tubes fired deep penetration missiles carrying high explosive warheads into Yalta's moon.

A hundred feet under the surface of Yalta's moon, the crew of the mass driver erupted in cheering as one of the battlecruisers tumbled out of formation. They may have lost the planet, but the enemy had gotten a bloody nose. Then the alarms went off as the base's sensors detected the signatures of the Verniian missiles.

PD autocannons began firing, hurling a wall of lead into space, in the hope of scoring hits on the incoming missiles, and suicidal counter-missiles raced out of their launchers. Fifteen of the incoming missiles were shot down, and the other five buried themselves into the surface, traveling dozens of feet down before exploding. The concussion collapsed part of the base, killing over two dozen men and sealing off the magazine, but the mass driver remained operational, and fired off its last remaining shell.

Rollins hammered a fist into his command chair and bit his lip as the shell smashed through the already crippled Lightning, tearing straight through its central hull and sending debris hurtling out of it. The ships lights flickered and went out. Escape pods began jettisoning from the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the ship, and pinnaces launched from it's docking bays.

"Begin recovery operations, we'll have to leave her behind after we get the crew off. And silence that damn gun!"

Fourty missiles shot from the Reliant and Invincible, hurtling toward the moon at 96,000 Gs.

The remaining thirty crewmen of the mass driver stared grimly as the tactical map, as the missile storm surged toward them.

The autocannons and counter-missiles again met the incoming enemies, and managed to shoot down twenty of the missiles.

The remaining ten burrowed into the soil, and exploded, sending concussion waves through the ground and hurling dirt and dust hundreds of feet into the thin atmosphere of the low gravity moon. The underground base collapsed in on itself like an egg being struck with a hammer.

The LRR carrier moves under the protective guns of the combined Takan and Valinon battlegroup.

"So, where are we headed?"

"All remaining crewmen have been taken off of the Lightning, sir."

"Good, take us into low orbit of Yalta and prepare for orbital bombardment. Transmit this message to them: Queen Stewart of Yalta, this is Admiral Rollins of the People's Navy of Vernii. My ultimatum is simple, you have until I reach low orbit to present your surrender, or I will conduct the bombardment of military facilities on your planet. Should you choose to surrender, I can guarantee the safety of yourself and your officials."

OOC: Taka and Valinon, I'm ready to start the fight for Madras whenever you guys are. Remember, your ships would definitely be spotted when they approach within the orbit of the fourth planet , and maybe a bit before that. My missile range is 125,000 km.

(OOC: Haven't seen Valinon for a few days, I'm going to let him lead the charge and then follow suit, rather not start something without his back up.)

OOC: Alright, I hope he gets back soon. I'm eager to start the battle. In the meantime I'll fill in some of the other events that are happening.

IC: VNS Mars approached Vernii. "Bring us into orbit helmsman." Captain Passehl ordered, "Transmit to the Admilitary: Acler has fallen, formal surrender treaty is onboard, along with top government officials." he turned, "Prepare my shuttle."
----------
President Calimar entered the Central Operations Planning room of the Hexagon, Vernii's central military headquarters. The thirty or so uniformed men looked up and came to attention. "At ease." Fleet Admiral Harris strode up to him, "Sir, if you will follow me, I have a report prepared for you." In the middle of the room a large holo-emitter displayed a 3-D map of the Gregor system and its neighboring stars. The star representing Acler turned from red to yellow, representing its occupation.

Commodore Trisdant sits at his command station, making the final checks before the fleet moves to action. Everything was in order, he turns to the comm station.
"Signal the Takans, tell them we will be jumping now."
"Yes, Commodore."
"Good. The fighters are ready for the jump?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then prepare all forward batteries, and inform all other ships as well. We will take these would-be conquerers by surprise, Madras will be liberated. Signal the jump!"
And with that the 37 ships of the combined ISSSF and Star Armada force engage their Verner drives and jump in-system toward the Madras planetary system. If all goes well, the ships will re-enter normal space 95,000 kilometers from the line of orbiting Vernii ships, ready to deliver a deadly wave of energy, missiles, and with over a wing of fighters ready to deal further damage.

the smaller Takian ships gunned the Verners, likewise making a subspace jump, but the larger Takian ships stayed stationary for a moment longer, the fold generators warming up. All systems switched to battle mode, as the AS systems reverted holographic forms to include the armor and weapons that they took with them to battle. All hands readied at thier stations, as the latest additions to the absorbtion shields were finalized. Soon, they new systems, and the Takian fleet as a whole would join in battle, a noble quest, too long forgotten by the Takian Empire.

Klaxons howled throughout the squadron as the ships went to General Quarters. Crewmen zipped up their vac suits as they ran to their duty stations, atmosphere was vented from the outer hulls of the ship, shields raised, and the energy mounts on board the ships began charging.

"Target the lead vessels and give them a broadside!" Commodore Heathman shouted to the Alexander's gunnery officer. A vibration passed through the deck as the missile tubes fired.

Thirty-five missiles shot toward the lead enemy ships.

OOC: There are five light cruisers in the squadron, they are Courageous class CLs, stats are in my store thread. http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94575&start=0.
Glad to see you back Valinon. :) Oh, energy range for my ships is 50,000 km, and the missiles detonate at 20,000 km, theres a description of them also in the store.

The Takian frigates quickly shot infront of thier Valinion counterparts, anti-aircraft streamer beams lancing out against the missiles, tracing wide archs with a constant stream of laser fire. Between the five frigates, fifteen missiles fell, the remaining twenty screaming towards the Valinion point ship. A Takian destroyer flew between them and it, its HEPD fields catching three more and sending blossoming explosions around its shields, shaking the tiny ship and sending it spirlalying out of formation, atmopshere leaking from its torn bulk, the HEPD fields out of comision and its shields blown from absorbing the hits. The remaining seventeen missiles fly close in on the Valinion ships.

The larger ships, the Heavy cruisers, battle cruisers and Battleship finished prefold, targeting a course inside the system, locking onto the gravity well nearest the invasion fleet. This was going to quickly become a turky shoot, Commander Ikuri though to himself, waiting on the right moment to fold the fleet.

"All ordiance, load and prepare for launch, Carrier group, be ready to send long range bombers and gunship on my mark."

The LRRSV Graham Nash follows the Valinon ships into hyperspace, arriving at the start of the combat.

"General quarters! General quarters! All hands, man your battle stations! Full EVA suits!"
"All weapons systems are on-line. PD system at 100% power and tracking full!"
"Prepare to launch Valhallah squadron!"

Crews run to their corvettes inside the launch bay of the Nash, boarding them very quickly in the heat of battle. They are converted Cavalier class corvettes, with the chin mass driver replaced by a fast-tracking ion cannon, making for a dangerous ship. Each corvette holds both a pilot and gunner, who sit in a staggered manner one behind the other. The 15 corvettes of Valhallah squadron power up their fusion reactors and motor out of the carrier's launch bay.

"Valhallah squadron, form up and stay close to the carrier."
"Roger that."
"And watch for stray missiles!"
"Roger that too."

The two destroyers escorting the Nash power up their weapons systems and prepare for ship-to-ship engagements.

Aboard the LRRSV Season of the Witch, a Jimi Hendrix class Patrol destroyer..........

"Shields!"
"Shields are at full power!"
"Primary ion cannon batteries activated! PD fully powered and tracking!"
"All hands, man your battle stations!"
"Reactor operating within safety perameters!"
"Bring us out of the flight path of those missiles!"

bump

OOC: Good Lord, Vernii, I feel bad now. I thought your light cruisers were far better armed then that. Well I'm sorry about this......

Commodore Trisdant watches as his formidable flotilla sends its first barrage away after coming out of jump-space. The four Virgo-class heavy cruisers, five Capricorn-class light cruisers, three Sagittarius-class destroyers, and single Libra-class carrier send a crippling wave of over one hundred missiles streaming toward the Vernii ships, along with blinding beams of light launched from their primary energy weapons. Meanwhile, the gunships, fighters, and bombers break away moving rapidly for the out-gunned Vernii force.
Trisdant watches as the seventeen remaining missiles bear down on the point riding light cruisers and destroyers.
He turns to the hologram beside him, a man dressed in a long flowing robe with a stark white beard stands beside his station. He is the ship's AI, the hear, soul, and mind of the HMS Merlin.
"Merlin, activate the Mobile DOS system. Inform the rest of the Armada ships to do the same, and put the ISSSF under our DOS defense net. It is time to see how effective this new system is," Trisdant says, the AI nods.
The Mobile Direct Operating System or Mobile DOS or "funnel" system as it was called was a joint effort between the military Department of R&D and the secretive agency known as His Majesty's Special Liaison Service. The end product had been deadly countermeasure probes that carried a single particle cannon, three rapid fire lasers, and two light missile pods all under the direct control of a Star Armada ship AI.
Breaking out of special tubes come the deadly probes, rapidly jetting away from their parent Armada ships and moving toward the remaining missiles. The AIs of the Armada ships coordinate their movements, selecting the best targets for their new "hands" and then unleash an appropriate response, all in a matter of heartbeats. The probes stitch the blackness of space with interception missiles and glaring laser fire. Destroying all but three of the missiles, which are consumed by the coordinated auto-fire missiles and lasers of the main ships defenses.
"Excellent," Trisdant says. "So they can stand up to field testing. Good, good."
He turns back to his bridge crew, "Helm, full speed close fully with the Vernii ships and order all ships to fire another forward barrage. Coordinator, Instruct the Thorwald to have her fighters lead a bombing spear to that light cruiser that is straying to the back of the fleet. And send a message back to Admiral Forrest, tell him that I expect this engagement will not take long."

OOC: For my fancy review thread on the Star Armada, of which I am very, very, very, very proud of :D, go here http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86758&highlight=

OOC: Good Lord, Vernii, I feel bad now. I thought your light cruisers were far better armed then that. Well I'm sorry about this......

Commodore Trisdant watches as his formidable flotilla sends its first barrage away after coming out of jump-space. The four Virgo-class heavy cruisers, five Capricorn-class light cruisers, three Sagittarius-class destroyers, and single Libra-class carrier send a crippling wave of over one hundred missiles streaming toward the Vernii ships, along with blinding beams of light launched from their primary energy weapons. Meanwhile, the gunships, fighters, and bombers break away moving rapidly for the out-gunned Vernii force.
Trisdant watches as the seventeen remaining missiles bear down on the point riding light cruisers and destroyers.
He turns to the hologram beside him, a man dressed in a long flowing robe with a stark white beard stands beside his station. He is the ship's AI, the hear, soul, and mind of the HMS Merlin.
"Merlin, activate the Mobile DOS system. Inform the rest of the Armada ships to do the same, and put the ISSSF under our DOS defense net. It is time to see how effective this new system is," Trisdant says, the AI nods.
The Mobile Direct Operating System or Mobile DOS or "funnel" system as it was called was a joint effort between the military Department of R&D and the secretive agency known as His Majesty's Special Liaison Service. The end product had been deadly countermeasure probes that carried a single particle cannon, three rapid fire lasers, and two light missile pods all under the direct control of a Star Armada ship AI.
Breaking out of special tubes come the deadly probes, rapidly jetting away from their parent Armada ships and moving toward the remaining missiles. The AIs of the Armada ships coordinate their movements, selecting the best targets for their new "hands" and then unleash an appropriate response, all in a matter of heartbeats. The probes stitch the blackness of space with interception missiles and glaring laser fire. Destroying all but three of the missiles, which are consumed by the coordinated auto-fire missiles and lasers of the main ships defenses.
"Excellent," Trisdant says. "So they can stand up to field testing. Good, good."
He turns back to his bridge crew, "Helm, full speed close fully with the Vernii ships and order all ships to fire another forward barrage. Coordinator, Instruct the Thorwald to have her fighters lead a bombing spear to that light cruiser that is straying to the back of the fleet. And send a message back to Admiral Forrest, tell him that I expect this engagement will not take long."

OOC: For my fancy review thread on the Star Armada, of which I am very, very, very, very proud of :D, go here http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86758&highlight=

Aboard the Nash, the crew prepares to engage the Vernii ships. The carrier arms up its torpedo tubes, and readies its battery of six anti-cap ship ion cannons, the point defense system already armed and tracking. The two patrol destroyers in its escort form up behind the nash, and by now two 15-ship squadrons of corvettes have launched from the carrier, Valhallah squadron and The King's Head squadron.

"All vessels, prepare for combat! Full EVA suits! Prepare escape pods! Ready the damage control teams!"
"All weapons are armed and ready!"
"Load plasma torpedoes into bays one and two! EMP torpedoes in bay three!"
"Torpedoes armed and loaded! Seeker heads are tracking full!"
"Prepare manual guidance!"
"Targeting......seeker heads have been targeted on the largest closest Vernii ship!"
"FIRE!!!!!"

Out from the carrier, a wave of 75 missiles streaks twoards the Vernii fleet, 50 plasma missiles and 25 EMP missiles. They are targeted at the ship's drive system and fire control centers, in the traditional LRR bid to disable the ship with minimal crew losses.

"All destroyer escorts, fire at will!"

Aboard the LRRSV Season of the Witch.........

"Prepare a volley! Plasma and EMP, tubes one and two. Tubes three and four cluster heads!"
"Torpedoes armed.........loaded!"
"Target the Vernii frigates! Standard hit placement!"
"Roger that! Volley away!"

Aboard the various corvettes of Valhallah flight......

"Loose claw formation! Warm up your cannons, and set them to track."
"Watch those missiles!"

A Vernii missile streaks past the formation, and one of the corvettes blasts it with an ion cannon shot.

"Valinon and Taka vessels, where can we be of service to you?"

Aboard the Merlin, Trisdant is in his element. His somewhat risky in-system jump has given him the first round advantage in this arena. The Merlin, her two other Star Armada sister ships, and the ISSSF Bellmaker are rapidly moving toward the line Vernii light cruisers. Meanwhile the carrier Thorwald and the ISSSF task force under the frigate Errant Venture are moving toward the rear of the fleet, so the valuable fighter platform will not be as large a target. He hears the LRR query through the mob of comm traffic blaring across the system.
"Give me a channel to the Nash!"
"Done, Commodore!"
"Nash this is Commodore Trisdant! Coordinate with Captain Meridor and the HMS Thorwald that way your carrier and ours can work better too coordinate each others defense and the primary fighter tactics of the fleet."

The flag bridge of Alexander went quiet for a moment as the bridge officers stared incredously at the tactical plot. A coffee cup intterupted the silence, shattering on the deck as Commodore Heathman jumped to his feet. "Fire another broadside, all units roll ship!" The decks shuddered again as the squadron hurled another 35 missiles, this time at the two closest enemy vessels above the size of a fighter. Point defence clusters fired madly at the oncoming swarm, and suicidal counter-missiles raced out as the cruisers rolled to present their heavily armored ventral surfaces to the incoming warheads. Between ECM and anti-missile fire, 30 of Valinon's and 15 of LRRs missiles were shot down. Heathman stared at the tactical plot again as the swarm of missiles detonated, and light enveloped him.

Adonai, Breslau, and Athena disappeared in flashes of light with total casualties. Alexander broke in half as its forward magazine detonated, and escape pods streamed from it's wreckage. Napoleon emerged with its starboard broadside gutted, and it's stern hammerhead wrecked. It began evasive maneuvers, trying to abandon the planet to reach the hyper limit at the edge of the system.

OOC: 2025 total casualties. Heh, the rest of my fleet isn't as shabby. And remember, theres a heavy cruiser squadron of 6 Mars class inbound. They'll arrive a bit after this battle is over.

Trisdant sees the Napoleon begin to break away from the planet.
"Helm bring us around! Prime all batteries! Have the Warmaster and her element follow us. We will mkae a complete sweep, not one survivor. Meanwhile have the Thunder Child take charge of the overall operations until we return and take the ISSSF group and the Thorwald into orbit and make contact with the Madras government."
"Yes, sir!"
Trisdant watches as his force moves to intercept the soul survivor of the Vernii attack group.
"Fire all forward batteries! Target the engines! And have Alpha and Beta squadrons move to cover Sigma squadron on a heavy bombing run. They will not escape me."

******

Meanwhile Admiral Forrest listens to the reports and watches the relayed tactical of the battle in the Madras system.
"Once Commodore Trisdant has sent the word that the system has been secured inform the rest of the fleet we will jump into the Madras planetary system at nav-point 337-AA-Alpha."
"Yes, Admiral."
"If we secure Madras I think the Vernii will see that the states under imperial protection are not something to be trifled with in the future."
"Admiral," approaches an officer from recon, "we are getting reports of attacks by Vernii across the sector."
"Interesting," Forrest says resting the side of his head against a raised index finger. "Send word back to Sanctuary and Proxima. Inform the Admiralty that reinforcements will more than likely be necessary to insure the complete stability of this region."
"Yes, sir."

OOC: Ummm, Valinon, the First Minister of Madras and his advisors are dead. They were being held aboard the Alexander.

IC: Napoleon swung around to present it's undamaged port broadside to the oncoming enemy vessels. Another broadside of seven missiles leapt out of their tubes, and its four energy mounts fired beams, all targeted at the nearest Armada capital ship. Point defence clusters engaged the enemy fighters. Enemy energy beams pierced through its shields, wiping away a sensor station, an ECM emitter, and crippling its aft impeller ring. Napoleon's acceleration began to fall.

OOC: I was under the impression that Taka got the majority of them, and I finished off the ones that got through to my ships. As for the Minister, ah well, I will get my spin doctors on it and blame it on the Vernii People's Navy. God knows they might as well do something for once.

Trisdant watches as the sporadic missile fire from the Napoleon is mostly destroyed by the Mobile DOS system or by the ships own countermeasures. The energy eats away at the lead light cruisers shields, allowing a missile to slip through.
"Damage report on the Damien?" Trisdant says as the light cruiser takes the hit.
"Limited damage to sensor equipment, Commodore. The Damien also reports it has lost a few forward point defense batteries."
"Inconsequential, we can affect repairs when the fleet gets here. Any word from the planet?"
"No, sir."
Trisdant watches his tactical display as two Longshard interceptors are destroyed by fire from the surviving Vernii cruiser.
"Sir, acceleration is slowing on the enemy light cruiser."
"Excellent," Trisdant sits straighter in his chair. "Open an all comm hailing channel."
"Yes, sir."
"Vernii light cruiser, this is Commodore Trisdant of His Majesty's Star Armada. You are ordered to stand down and surrender. Your vessel is heavily damaged and you cannot win against our forces, stand down and I will let you and your men live."
Trisdant deactivates the link, "Move to encircle that ship, and prepare nine squadrons of Sardaukar to deploy at once."
"Yes, sir."

Commander Ellis pounded his fist on his chair as he listened to the incoming com signal. His bridge officers stared at him in silence. He finally looked up at them. "Transmit this: We surrender." He flipped on the ship-wide intercom, "All hands, abandon ship. Wipe the main computer core and all sensitive military data, set scuttling charges." Escape pods and shuttles launched from the Napoleon, behind them, internal explosions wrecked the Napoleon beyond repair, reducing it to a drifting hulk.

Commander Ikari stood shocked to silence, in a matter of moments, the Valinion fleet had singlehandedly handed defeat to its foes.

"all crews, we are switching to code three readiness, fold generators ready to fire at the first sign of trouble, but it looks as if we are out of the worst of it."

The Takian frigates and destroyers moved in towards the crippled light cruiser, marrines preparing to board along side thier Sadukar counterparts should the ship refuse to surrender peacibly.

EDIT: Drunken stupidity deleted.

"Order all fighters to break off attack runs at once," Trisdant says. "Contact the Alexander and tell Admiral Forrest that we have retaken the Madras system. As of yet we have not established contact with the Madras government, but we suspect they are still in hiding somewhere on the planet."
"Yes, sir."
"And get me Commander Ludre."
"Yes, sir."
The captain of the Warmaster appears moment later, "Commodore, sir!"
Trisdant nods to the captain's hologram, "Captain Ludre, move your own ship to help mine in collecting the escape pods from the last Vernii light cruiser. Have Sardaukar ready at the hanger when they are brough in. Once the Alexander has arrived we can transfer them to it, but for now I believe our brigs will suffice."
"Yes, sir. But what of the pods from the other cruisers?"
"The Thorwald is dispatching shuttles to pick them up and take them back to its hangers, Captain Meridor can deal with them there. We will send what prisoners need medical attention that we cannot handle to the LRR ship."
"Yes, sir."
Trisdant breaks off the comm. He worries over the fact that there has been no contact from the Madras government, and wonders momentarily what they will find when they send men down to the planet itself.
"Contact the LRR medical carrier, tell them that they might want to prepare for wounded."
"Yes, sir."

******

Admiral Forrest stands calmly at the end of the command catawalk of the Alexander one jump away from Madras. One of his aides approaches.
"Admiral, Sanctuary is dispatching the battlecruiser Thor and two additional battleships along with supporting forces to assist us. We are to maintain the security of the Madras system and surrounding trading partners as we are able."
"As I suspected. I take it the Thor will rendezvous directly in the Madras system."
"Yes, sir, Admiral."
"Inform the fleet to prepare for the jump then. It appears that Commodore Trisdant has the system secure. Once we arrive inform Commodore Ikuri that I wish to speak with him along with the other senior officers of the Takan fleet with my own staff."
"Yes, Admiral."

OOC:
Forrest's Command (includes current forces in Madras and ones en route)
5 battlecruisers: HMS Alexander, Thor, Xerxes, Agrippa, and Perseus
4 battleships: HMS Death's Head, Nemisis, Judicator, and Stormhawk
2 carriers
9 heavy cruisers
12 light cruisers
3 frigate
10 destroyers
30 gunships

Commander Ellis grimaced as his pinnace was guided into the hangar of one of the Armada vessels. He sighed, brushed dust off of his uniform, and then checked his ceremonial sword in it's scabbard. The light above the airlock door turned green as atmospheric pressure equalized, and he and his officers stepped through it into the custody of the ship's security.

The LRR crews were not surprised at the power of Valinon's fleet, but they are somewhat surprised at the Vernii's quick surrender.

The Nash, which by this time had moved in close to the Valinon carrier, recalls its squadrons of combat corvettes, this time sending out a 10-ship flight of salvage corvettes to pick up escape pods and wreckage.

"Damage report?"
"Long-range sensor took some light damage. The 'bots are on it now. Other than that, not much was aimed at us."
"We're certainly lucky today."
"The Warmaster is haling us. Its a Valinon ship. They want us to be ready for wounded."
"Medical bay?"
"Yes bridge?"
"Prep the medical bays. Be ready for burns and bone fractures. I wouldn't expect that many projectile wounds."
"Understood, bridge."

The medical bay is soon fully staffed with doctors and nurses. Carts of Hagfish oil can be seen coming down the asiles, and the zero-g medical 'beds' are ready for occupation. Meanwhile, that flight of salvage corvetts continues out into the field of Vernii wreckage. One, mercy 7, approaches an escape pod. Its crew of four, plus a marine armed with a plasma rifle, prepare to capture it within the corvette's magnetic grippers.

"Hold steady........course correction one degree x axis."
"Corrected........brace for impact in five.....four.....three....two.....contact!"
"We have aquisition. Checking for atmosphere within the pod......atmosphere confirmed."
"Alright bob. Deploy the airlock."

Two of the corvette crewmen and the marine float out of the door in the front of the corvette, and drag with them a long telescoping airlock, which they attach to the Vernii escape pod. They then start to cut through with medium-intensity plasma torches.

Commander Ellis grimaced as his pinnace was guided into the hangar of one of the Armada vessels. He sighed, brushed dust off of his uniform, and then checked his ceremonial sword in it's scabbard. The light above the airlock door turned green as atmospheric pressure equalized, and he and his officers stepped through it into the custody of the ship's security.

Ellis and his men are created by three Sardaukar squads in full battle armor. The hanger itself though is a spartan affair, with only the bare minimum of room for the Merlin's six Longshard interceptors, a few shuttles, and a few assault transports. Several of the imprisoned crewmen from the Napoleon can be seen, kept under the watchful eye of additional Sardaukar. Suddenly one rank parts and salutes, several others do the same and a man with his helmet tucked neatly under one arm, and his armor bearing the rank pips of a major comes forward.
"I take it you are the Captain of the Vernii light cruiser?" he says in a clipped accent. "I am to take you and your most senior officer to Commodore Trisdant at once. All other crewmen will be put in the brig or taken to the LRR hospital ship as needed. Once Admiral Forrest has arrived you will be taken to the Alexander. Now who shall be accompaning you?"

******

"ETA is fifteen minutes, Admiral," Forrest looks up from the tactical displays.
"Prepare the long-range probes for deployment once we exit jump-space. I want the Madras system covered as completely as possible."
"Yes, sir, Admiral!" Forrest then turns to the helmsmen.
"Excellent. Once we have exited jump-space move toward a stationary orbital course."
"Yes, sir."

Commander Ellis turned motioned to one of his officers to come forward. "This is my exec officer, Lt. Commander Oles will accompany me."

"Very well then come with me," the officer turns on his heel and two other Sardaukar fall in behind them. The rest of the crewmen are lined up in the quey with the other rescued Vernii naval personnel. They are sorted for retainment at the brig or to be taken to the LRR hospital ship by one of the shuttle runs.
After several minutes of riding lifts and a trek through several corridors. The small party arrives at a door that bears the lettering CnCQ-119. The Sardaukar presses a button on an inset pad beside the door. A few seconds later the door opens. Inside is one of the tactical conference rooms that are usual unused aboard a heavy cruiser, but still partioned in the ship's construction. In a situation of dire emergency, modular tactical and control interfaces could turn it into a temporary war room, but the equipment that can be seen is darkened.
As they are ushered in, three men are already seated toward the head of the table. One is dressed in the formal attire of a Commodore of His Majesty's Star Armada, the other as a junior captain, and finally one in the somber charcoal and black uniform of the Sardaukar with the rank pips of a lieutenant colonel. The Sardaukar salutes.
"Commodore Trisdant! The command personnel of the Vernii light cruiser as you requested!"
"Thank you, Major," the man at the head of the table says formally. "You are dismissed. Please station yourself and your men outside the door until you are called."
"Yes, sir!"
After the major has left Trisdant speaks in clear and formal tones, "Please be seated, Commander?"

"Thank you sir, my name is Ellis. First though, our naval tradition requires me to present you with this." He pulls out his sword, and hands it to Commodore Trisdant, then he and his exec take their seats.

Trisdant accepts the sword with a formal half-bow, "It appears that our naval traditions are similar, Commander Ellis. Your own ships fought with dignity and with honor, and those of your under our....jursdiction will be treated with both honor and respect while under our charge. And to clear out the last of the formalities, this is my second and commander of the Merlin, Captain Richter, and this is Colonel Garret, commander of the Merlin's Sardaukar forces."
Trisdant takes his seat after the other two have stood, "Now it is time for more blunt affairs, though, Commander. For starters, the Madras system now enjoys the full protection of His Majesty and the Empire of Valinon, along with our ally, High Prince Taka and the Principality of Taka. Secondly, we are aware of your nation's other military engagements in several nearby systems and the Empire is considering what stance to take on those affairs as well. With that being said, here is what will become of you and your men. For starters, Admiral Forrest will be arriving soon and he will speak to you on more depth on the subject. Commander Ellis, you will be allowed to meet with any officers we recover aboard the Alexander. There a representative will be picked and sent on to one of the positions that is the closest point to intercept representatives of your government. That representative will then inform his superiors of events in Madras and that the Empire wishes to conference with Vernii. Is this clear to you?"

"Yes, it's clear, and I extend my thanks for the care my men are receiving. I do have a question though, why exactly did you attack us?"

Trisdant's face grows very cold suddenly, "Because you have sought to occupy those with who Valinon trades and interacts with. The Empire does not act kindly toward such treatment of those that it considers its friends in the international community. In too many cases did we not act in situations such as these, and in too many situations we watched as others have payed high prices for such expansionism. We ourselves have paid the price for not monitoring nations that would be so quick to use military force to extend their influence, and we are not going to allow it to happen unopposed. Is this understood, Commander Ellis?"

"Understood, Commodore. I will point out however that any further military actions by your navy may be interpreted as acts of war."

Trisdant accepts the sword with a formal half-bow, "It appears that our naval traditions are similar, Commander Ellis. Your own ships fought with dignity and with honor, and those of your under our....jursdiction will be treated with both honor and respect while under our charge. And to clear out the last of the formalities, this is my second and commander of the Merlin, Captain Richter, and this is Colonel Garret, commander of the Merlin's Sardaukar forces."
Trisdant takes his seat after the other two have stood, "Now it is time for more blunt affairs, though, Commander. For starters, the Madras system now enjoys the full protection of His Majesty and the Empire of Valinon, along with our ally, High Prince Taka and the Principality of Taka. Secondly, we are aware of your nation's other military engagements in several nearby systems and the Empire is considering what stance to take on those affairs as well. With that being said, here is what will become of you and your men. For starters, Admiral Forrest will be arriving soon and he will speak to you on more depth on the subject. Commander Ellis, you will be allowed to meet with any officers we recover aboard the Alexander. There a representative will be picked and sent on to one of the positions that is the closest point to intercept representatives of your government. That representative will then inform his superiors of events in Madras and that the Empire wishes to conference with Vernii. Is this clear to you?"

OCC: Hey! Don't forget the 3rd LRR fast Carrier squadron! (Its inbound from our Starchaser 3 base. ETA 22hrs.)

IC:

The salvage corvette crew continues to cut through the wall of the escape pod, until finally the wall gives way.

Inside the pod are 5 crewmen from the Alexander. The highest ranking officer, a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) speaks. "Thank you for rescuing us. We are unarmed and have a couple of wounded aboard."

"Understood, Commodore. I will point out however that any further military actions by your navy may be interpreted as acts of war."

Trisdant looks at Ellis hard, "If your government continues to pursue this policy of invading its neighbors, Commander, it may very well find itself in a war. And I am not so sure that a war with the Empire would prove beneficial to People's Republic plans for the future. And I think the lesson that may be drawn from today could hold true in the future."
A steady beeping comes from a recessed panel in the table near where Trisdant is setting. He activates the comm channel.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Commodore, my apologies for interrupting," comes a young voice, "but the Alexander has arrived and is making for an orbital course. Admiral Forrest wishes to see the Vernii officers as soon as possible, sir."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Trisdant cuts the link. "It seems you will be meeting with one of the higher powers that be, Commander."
The door opens suddenly and the major reenters and salutes.
"The major will escort you and your second to the hanger, Commander Ellis. We will leave for the Alexander momentarily," with that Ellis and his second are escorted back toward the hanger while Trisdant leaves and walks farther down the hall from the conference room.

******

On the bridge of the Alexander Admiral Forrest watches as the rest of the fleet moves toward an orbital course around Madras.
"Order the mine layers out and have them deploy a sensor network. Begin to set up a regular pattern of reconnaissance flight consisting of Longshards, gunships, four destroyers, and three light cruisers."
"Yes, Admiral."
"Sir," says the comm officer, "Commodore Trisdant sends a reply. He will be coming over with Commander Ellis of the People's Navy presently."
"Good," says Forrest. "Any word on any other Vernii officers (OOC: Are there any Vernii?)?"
"Not so far, Admiral."
"What of the Madras government?"
"Still no response from our broadcasts, sir."
Forrest turns to the Sardaukar officer standing at the tactical display, "Colonel, prepare a group of three platoons from our own forces and any other expertise you deem fit from the rest of the fleet. Send a party down to establish contact with the Madras government. They have probably sought refuge from the Vernii assault and do not realize the tables have changed. I give you my full authorization to put together a suitable team."
"Yes, Admiral."
Admiral Forrest then turns to look out the viewpanels, seeing the LRR hospital ship before him.
"And contact the Captain of the Nash. Tell him he has my personal gratitude and the gratitude of His Majesty for his invaluable assistance to our efforts."
"Yes, sir," says the comm officer.

OOC: Vernii, Valinon is kind of like a more militant Manticore and I'm trying to put them in the position of the Manticorians, trying to defend the weaker systems around Vernii. Also, are there any other officers that escaped or are they all deceased?

OOC: I kinda figured you were based on Manticore. I based my nation on Haven, but without the crappy economy. Commander Ellis is the highest ranking officer still alive. Napoleon's command staff is mostly intact. Commodore Heathman and his staff were killed when Alexander's magazine exploded, and that ship's survivors would have been the gunnery, sensor, and impeller crews stationed in the hammerheads. Theres not really anything to post IC right now, since Ellis can't really do anything but wait for the meeting.

Thirty minutes later Commander Ellis is ushered into what has been called by the aide guiding them as Admiral Forrest's personal study. The first door of the main corridor takes them into a a tactical breifing/debriefing room much like the one aboard the Merlin, only for appearances better appointed and obviously receiving greater use. However, instead of staying there they are escorted to another room with a door behind the chair at the head of the conference table. Inside the room several other officers are already present, but in the center of the room is a chair that is connected to the ceiling via a long cylinder that appears to be partially for movement and partially for link to the Alexander's AI and computer network.
In the chair sets a man dressed in the brilliant white uniform of a full Admiral of the Red, other than standard rank insignia and the golden epaulets atop the shoulders the uniform is incredibly unadorned. The man himself has black hair just beginning to show the merest hints of grey at the temples, with pquiet brown eyes that burn with an intelligent fire. He motions for Commodore Trisdant, Captain Richter, Commander Ellis, and Lieutenant Commander Oles to approach.
"You are dismissed, Captain," he says in a quiet and steady, yet almost cold, voice to the Sardaukar who escorted them in.
"Yes, Admiral."
The Admiral then stands and steps down from his chair, the Armada officers draw themselves up and even the man dressed in the less formal ISSSF uniform grows stiff.
Trisdant moves forward with Ellis' sword, but Forrest holds up a hand to stop him.
"No, Commodore, that is yours this engagement was won by your skill and the prizes due will go to you and your men."
"Thank you, Admiral."
The man then turns to Ellis and Oles, "Commander Ellis, Lieutenant Commander Oles, I am Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest, of His Majesty's Star Armada. With most of the escape pods and personnel rescued, it appears that you two are the only surviving command level officers of the Vernii force deployed here. It is under my impression that Commodore Trisdant has outlayed our plans to you. With the information presented to you concerning survivors I will take this time to ask if you are in a position to nominate a representative, Commander?"

"Yes sir, I select my executive officer to be the representative, with your permission. And might I inquire as to how long my crew and the other survivors are to be in your custody?"

Inside the pod are 5 crewmen from the Alexander. The highest ranking officer, a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) speaks. "Thank you for rescuing us. We are unarmed and have a couple of wounded aboard."

The marine still points his Plasma Rifle warily at the JG.

"Alright, alright. Come aboard. Who is wounded?"

Soon after this, a five-carrier squadron, plus 10 battlecruisers and a gaggle of destroyers pulls out of hyperspace near madras.

"Valinon fleet, this is the LRRSV David Crosby, along with the Neil Young, the Bob Dylan, the Lester Pearson, and the Blues Traveler. We are here to help with your protection of Madras, and carry, give or take, around 500 fighters and 200 corvettes."

Forrest nods solemnly, "Yes, you may, Commander Ellis. Your men will be detained and kept under the joint custody of the LRR and ourselves until such time that we have negotiated your release with your government. I am hoping that once Lieutenant Commander Oles has delivered our message that we can begin this process and expediate your return as quickly as possible."
"Now though, since we know who your chosen representative is going to be I can give you this," Forrest hands Oles a small holographic projector baring the sigal of House Alderman and the Empire of Valinon, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs crest riding in the center of the projection disk. "In basic this message says that the Madras system now enjoys the protection of the Empire of Valinon and its allies. It goes on to say that the Empire will not tolerate further destabilization of this region by the People's Republic of Vernii and if necessary will take further action to insure the safety of the other independent states in this sector. Finally, it says that we will meet on neutral grounds, at a location chosen by your government, to discuss the transference of prisoners from the engagement here back into Vernii hands. Are there any questions?"

******

"LRR fleet this is the HMS Alexander, flagship for operations in this sector. We welcome your support on this matter. The assistance of the Nash has already been indispensable. Feel free to join us in orbit, we are transmitting you the coordinates of our own orbital patterns and that of theNash now. Finally, Admiral Forrest was wanting to speak with the other fleet officers involved in this. We will be contacting you later as to when this meeting will occur."

"No, no questions sir."

OOC: I do have a question OOC though, I assume transportation to the Gregor system is being provided for Oles?

OOC: Yes. Here is the plan I've worked out so far: the destroyer Verding will jump in to the outer fringes of Gregor and deploy a stripped down civilian class shuttle with Oles onboard. The destroyer will then jump out and Oles will be left to reestablish contact with the Vernii high command and government. Then Vernii and Valinon can open lines of communication. Although I doubt that either of us will be willing to bend completely to the others terms, as I will be looking to see you withdraw completely from your "unjustly annexed" territories.

OOC: Alright, the plan sounds fine to me. Theres nothing Oles can do right now so you can go ahead and do the drop-off if you want. I think after they leave the system my CAs will show up (remember, Starcrest escaped to summon reinforcements earlier).

OOC: Yes, yes I am aware of that perfectly. However, it still only is a heavy cruiser group correct? With Forrest arriving I have a fairly decent group of my own ships of the wall present, and as Oles is leaving the reinforcements from Proxima will arrive. Oh, and in case you are wondering, Vernii, Forrest still has no idea about the Madras government. I don't suppose you can reactivate what I believe is quasi-your puppet Madras and interact with the landing party a few posts later?

The bridge of the Verbing are small by most standards, Lieutenant Commander Dodgson, master of the HMS Verbing has his doubts about the man standing beside his command station. The two flanking Sardaukar only moderately releave his discomfort.
"What is our ETA to jump, Helm?" Dodgson inquires.
"Sir, we are being momentarily delayed. The [i]Thor and the additional ships from Sanctuary are jumping in."
"Hold position then, but prepare the final intialization process on the Verners."
"Yes, sir."
Oles watches as suddenly flashes break the dark viel of the void in front of the Verbing. Another battlecruiser bearing the crest of House Alderman, the banner of the Empire, and the lettering labeling it as the Thor reenters normal space. On its immediate flank are two more battleships with support craft in the form of heavy cruisers, light cruisers, destroyers, gunships, and two additional carriers."
"Alexander has given us the go ahead," says the comm officer.
"Helm, make the jump," says Dodgson. With that the Verbing leaves the Madras system.

******

An hour later, Oles has been secured in the stripped down shuttle sitting ready for launch in the destroyer's small hanger. The Sardaukar have been an ever vigilant presence throughout the trip.
An inter-ship comm call comes over the shuttle and is activated. The face of Dodgson reappears.
"The transponder is in place aboard the shuttle, Lieutenant Commander, once you are away begin transmitting and it will act as a hailing call to your naval forces in the system. I am to remind to deliver the diplomatic comminique to the fleet officer in command of this system to be sent back to your government and your high command. In five minutes we will reenter normal space and be in the Gregor system. Once we are there you will jump off and then the Verding will leave. Understood?"
Dodgson barely waits for Oles' acknowledgement before breaking the connection.
At the time the reentry call is sounded the Sardaukar at last leave and seal the shuttle. Almost immediately after reentry, Oles is guided out of the hanger by the [i]Verding[i]'s flight controller. After waiting for just a few minutes for the shuttle to clear the immediate vicinity, the Verding reenters jump-space leaving the shuttle to fend for itself.

OOC: Yeah, Ill log in as Madras in a bit. Its a joint account, one of my friends decides on the issues, and I RP with it. I'll prob end up handing it over to you, since you control the system.

*After the shuttle is picked up*

A fist thumped down on the table after the holographic message ended. "Unacceptable. They want us to withdraw from the occupied systems, thats completely unacceptable," Secretary of Defence Ronald Bergen spoke through clenched teeth. "This is a delicate situation Ron, they do have a lot of our crewmen in their custody. Perhaps we should send a diplomat by courier boat to Madras and meet with them."

"I agree Elaine, we'll send a courier boat to meet with their Admiral. And I want a squadron of battleships sent to Yalta and Acler each." said President Calimar.

******

"Notify the Commodore we are approaching the Madras hyper-limit."

Commodore Irwin stepped onto the flag bridge of Sulieman. "As soon as we exit hyper I want recon drones launched, Heathman's message warned of possibility of imminent hostilities, sound General Quarters."

The six 300,000 ton heavy cruisers translated into real-space and formed into wall formation.

OOC: This is the formations appearance.
Magnificent Sulieman Cassandra
Scimitar Trident Borodino

Three recon drones were launched toward Madras, and the ships began to move in system at 480 Gs.

Cheering crowds greet the landing troops. They are showered with flowers and offered various candies. Eventually they are lead to a government buiding where the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs waits, who had come out of hiding.

"It is a pleasure to see you, I am David Trax, and you are?"

With the arrival of the Vernii heavy cruisers the probe network and recon squadrons sensors are screaming alarms. Admiral Forrest is alerted almost immediately and at once sounds General Quarters and battle stations for the entire Valinon fleet. A first response force has already been formed up in Madras orbit, and the fleets main line is ready to break orbit at a moment's notice.
Admiral Forrest arrives on the bridge, finding it abuzz with the activity of a ship commanding a fleet on the verge of combat.
"Comm get me an open channel at my station."
"Done, Admiral."
After a few moments Forrest activates the comm, "Vernii ships, this is Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest of His Majesty's Star Armada and of the United Star Empire of Valinon. The Madras system is now under the protection of the Empire, along with its allies the LRR and the Imperial Principality of Taka. You are requested to stand down immediately and return to Vernii territorial space at once. I will also take this time to tell you that ships of both the Star Armada and the LRR Navy have detained personnel of the People's Navy onboard."
Forrest breaks the link, "Have the carriers scramble fighter squadrons, be prepared for the worse. Order the recon pickets to pull back to position Delta-Zee-Nine-Alpha and await further orders."
"Yes, Admiral."
"Helm, break orbital holding positions and take us into outer lunar course."
"Yes, Admiral."
Meanwhile the recon probes of the Vernii ships arrive within sensor range to see the activity near the Madras planetary system. They see a massive force assembled consisting of numbers that dwarf their own force, and wreckage from the Vernii light cruisers that should have been in control of the skies above Madras. The signatures of multiple fighters scrambling from carriers become visible and its is readily apparent that a large portion of this fleet is rapidly preparing itself for possible engagement with the incoming Vernii heavy cruisers.

Commodore Irwin whistled as the tactical plot updated with the information transmitted by the drones. That's a lot of firepower to liberate some dinky little planet.

"Helmsman, plot a course, take us between the orbits of the fourth and fifth planets and back out toward the hyper-limit." He turned to Captain Marcus, "NavInt will want detailed scans of those ships for their database."

Forrest nods solemnly, "Yes, you may, Commander Ellis. Your men will be detained and kept under the joint custody of the LRR and ourselves until such time that we have negotiated your release with your government. I am hoping that once Lieutenant Commander Oles has delivered our message that we can begin this process and expediate your return as quickly as possible."
"Now though, since we know who your chosen representative is going to be I can give you this," Forrest hands Oles a small holographic projector baring the sigal of House Alderman and the Empire of Valinon, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs crest riding in the center of the projection disk. "In basic this message says that the Madras system now enjoys the protection of the Empire of Valinon and its allies. It goes on to say that the Empire will not tolerate further destabilization of this region by the People's Republic of Vernii and if necessary will take further action to insure the safety of the other independent states in this sector. Finally, it says that we will meet on neutral grounds, at a location chosen by your government, to discuss the transference of prisoners from the engagement here back into Vernii hands. Are there any questions?"

******

"LRR fleet this is the HMS Alexander, flagship for operations in this sector. We welcome your support on this matter. The assistance of the Nash has already been indispensable. Feel free to join us in orbit, we are transmitting you the coordinates of our own orbital patterns and that of theNash now. Finally, Admiral Forrest was wanting to speak with the other fleet officers involved in this. We will be contacting you later as to when this meeting will occur."

"Roger that, Alexander. Moving into orbital pattern now. We will deploy EW frigates in positions decreasing by 1/5 increments from .5 AU from Madras."

The incoming Vernii ships, however, puts the squadron and all its ships on high alert.

Aboard the LRRSV Lech Walesa, an Abraham Lincoln class Battlecruiser.........

"All weapons systems on-line!"
"Antimatter cannons are fully charged and tracking."
"PD lasers fully charged and tracking. Missile and torpedo tubes loaded."
"Hold position. A-group, loose chevron formation. B-group, loose chevron formation above and behind."

The 10 battlecruisers assume their assigned fight patterns. This force is unusually large for LRR to deploy, but since each carrier has two battlecruisers assigned to it, things add up. The carriers also assume the loose chevron formation below and behind the last chevron of battlecruisers, and a gaurd force of 10 destroyers, the usual group, form up around the carriers. Fighters and corvettes launch, currently half of the LRR fighter and corvette force in that squadron is launched, and fighters form up into claw formations based on 9- and 18-ship wings and groups, which form up into four-group X shape formations known as attack groups. The fighters are Super Acolytes, LRR's finest and most bruteish combat craft. There is a force of 100 thunderbolt attack bombers, deployed from the battlecruisers, which forms up into 20-ship walls at the flanks of the battlecruiser chevrons. In front of the battlecruisers are the 25 destroyers, armed with torpedos and ion cannons, which form up into 5-ship claws. The corvettes form 8 25-ship spheres, which hang around the carriers as a deterrant to any fighters or bombers who think it safe to go after the carriers.

"Course correction in five seconds, four, three, two, one." The six cruisers swung onto the first turn of their U shaped path, passing the orbital path of the fifth planet. Several officers studied the holographic tactical plot displayed on the Sulieman's flag bridge. "Looks like they are forming up sir." Irwin turned to the ships Missile and EW officers, "Bring ECM emitters online, launch two EW drones."

Jamming systems and ECM emitters onboard the cruisers went online, and the two drones began broadcasting fake engine signatures, disguising themselves as warships.

*In the Yalta system*

"Still no response from their government sir."

"Alright, prepare for orbital bombardment." Admiral Rollins walked over to the holographic display of the planet on the Reliant's bridge, and selected a military base about 50 km from their largest city as his first target. "Open fire."

The eleven energy mounts on the side of the battlecruiser opened up upon the planet, wiping away the base from the surface in seconds. The other four ships in the squadron also targeted military installations around the planet, pouring energy fire into them. An orbital research facility caught the attention of Ramillies' CIC, and the battlecruiser launched three kinetic missiles into it.

All 50 scientists aboard the research station died as the missiles ripped through it. Melted craters remained where the bases had been, and over 2500 men died in the bombardment.

In his command bunker deep underneath the capital, Minister of Defence Willard McGuffin finally opened up a com channel to the Reliant. "We surrender, cease your bombardment."

Commodore Irwin whistled as the tactical plot updated with the information transmitted by the drones. That's a lot of firepower to liberate some dinky little planet.

"Helmsman, plot a course, take us between the orbits of the fourth and fifth planets and back out toward the hyper-limit." He turned to Captain Marcus, "NavInt will want detailed scans of those ships for their database."

Forrest watches the Vernii ships change position, "Will this take them on an exit vector judging from what we know of their FTL capabilities?"
"Yes, Admiral, the course will take them directly on a vector they can use to leave the system."
"Excellent," Forrest stands up and walks to the end of the command catawalk. "Have picket groups 1, 6, and 8 move to destroy the Vernii recon drones. They are to use long-range missile attacks, and only target the drones. I think that our friends have seen enough of us."
"Yes, Admiral."
"And inform the rest of the fleet that once the Vernii ships leave the Madras system they may stand down and return to yellow alert status course patterns."
"Yes, Admiral. And have the pickets and recon squadrons be ready to resume their missions."
"Yes, sir."

"Sir, they are going for the pods." The three green dots on the tactical projection winked out as the enemy missiles hit them. "Good, now we have an idea of their missile range at least. Launch two more, this time only using passive sensors and with minimal emissions. Send those on a ballistic course toward the enemy fleet. Have them transmit back info on com-laser only."


OOC: Valinon, I posted as Madras a bit above.

Cheering crowds greet the landing troops. They are showered with flowers and offered various candies. Eventually they are lead to a government buiding where the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs waits, who had come out of hiding.

"It is a pleasure to see you, I am David Trax, and you are?"

OOC: Sorry, Vernii, overlooked it. Nice trick with the probes by the way.

The Sardaukar standing before Trax salutes formally, "I am Colonel de Verdaut of His Majesty's Sardaukar and the United Star Empire of Valinon, Vice Minister Trax. His Majesty has placed Madras under the protective sphere of our resources, and we have several allies in this endeavor including the LRR and the Takans. I have been sent by Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest to establish contact with your government so that we may begin to work together to prepare your world for its defense in the future, and work to repair whatever damage may have been done by the Vernii forces."

******

Meanwhile aboard the bridge of the Alexander Forrest watches as the new wave of probes is launched from the receeding Vernii forces.
"Ah, further data gathering. It appears that they are capable in many regards," Forrest says to himself. "However, I think we have shared enough data."
"Inform Longshard squadrons Alpha, Gamma, and Beta to ready themselves at their current positions. Once the drones have approached their position between 30-35 kilometers they are to close and destroy these probes with pulse cannon weaponry. Have the gunships and destroyers stand down, I believe that our fighters can adequately deal with this matter from here on out."
"Yes, Admiral."

"Well Colonel, I am the highest ranking member of our government on our planet, unless you happened to rescue the First Minister and his Cabinet. As for damage, there isn't much, but we lost most of our communications satellites and our defence fleet was completely wiped out."

The green dots again winked out on the screen as the fighters destroyed the probes.

"I think we've thrown enough money at them. Continue our course, continue scanning with passive sensors."

OOC: I'm going to go ahead and finish this encounter.

"Next course change in five, four, three, two, one."
The six cruisers swung onto the final leg of their course and went to 500 Gs acceleration, heading toward the hyper-limit.

Damnit. Thats way too much firepower to tangle with, and I don't want to accidentaly kill off our own people or set off a war. Only thing I can do is get this info back to NavInt, Irwin turned to the captain, "I'm going to go to my cabin, inform me if those Armada vessels try anything."

"Admiral, the Vernii heavy cruiser group is retreating. They are increasing acceleration and moving toward their jump-point vector."
"Good," Forrest says. "Inform the fleet to return to yellow alert Delta-30 formations. Reform up the reconaissance and long-range picket squadrons. Helm, prepare to return us to a stationary planetary orbit."
"Yes, Admiral."
Forrest then moves to leave his station, "Captain!"
With that Captain Gilad Severn looks up from the sensor station he had been peering over.
"Yes, Admiral?"
"I shall retire. Join me at 13:00."
"Yes, Admiral," with that Forrest turns on his heel and takes his leave of the bridge. Severn wonders what has caused the Admiral to leave when he is usually on the bridge until the fleet is taken down to a lower alert level.

******

As he approaches Forrest's study Severn considers his career. He knows he is something of a misnomer in the Star Armada. Rather than being attached to a ship he is attached to Forrest, serving basically as his entire permanent staff. It was one of the last acts of the Admiral on his way out of the First Lord of the Admiralty office following the end of the Outer Dominion Wars. Nearly twenty years later, he has followed Forrest across the stars in the various campaigns since the end of the Outer Dominion Wars. And to the various backwater posts that Forrest has been assigned to because of his current standing with the new Admiralty.
Severn enters the outer chamber and then moves to key door to the Admiral's personal tactical room. The door opens almost immediately.
Severn steps in to see the Admiral setting in the circle of tactical data screens from the fleet and information garnered about Vernii capabilities. Nearby the AI hologram of Alexander, outfitted in the gear of an ancient Greek warrior, stands at attention.
"You wished to see me, Admiral?"
"Yes, Gilad, I did. Tell me have you seen the new orders from Sanctuary?"
"Briefly, sir."
Forrest smirks, "They have designated me as diplomat to Madras and that I am to directly handle on affairs in this theater. It appears that the Admiralty still wishes to see me stumble when a war erupts here."
"Admiral, may I speak freely?"
"As always in these chambers, Gilad."
"Sir, with all due respects I hardly think that His Majesty's Government will let a war happen in this front."
"War is inevitable, unfortunately, Gilad," Forrest sighs. "His Majesty and the Diet places impossible demands on the Vernii and expect them to accept it. Most of the points are absolutely non-negotiable, and those that are are so minor they need not even be mentioned. And I do not have the forces to liberate and hold the various systems the Vernii are pushing at and continue to maintain a war with them."
"Then I take it the request for additional forces was denied?"
"Until such time as they are necessary," Forrest says. "It is stupidty. We've become to use to being able to retreat to Alpha Centauri and hold out there. To use to believing that our defenses of the Fatherland are invincible since we vanquished our last enemies and will always be able to fall back to there and no further. This war that is brewing may make or break that point."
Forrest deactivates the displays and holograms and massages his temple, "And now I must go play diplomat. Alexander?"
"Yes, Admiral?" yes the AI.
"Have a shuttle prepared."
"Yes, Admiral," with that the AI's hologram vanishes.
"And you, Gilad, will come with me. I will inform Trisdant that he can carry out what is necessary for now with the fleet."
"Of course, Admiral," Severn follows in Forrest's wake as he moves toward the hanger.

******

De Verdaut looks taken aback for a moment about the First Minister being in orbit, "Our men and forces of the LRR are continuing to search the wreckage, Vice Minister, we will find the First Minister. However, I bare good news on the other subjects. Admiral Forrest will soon be arriving to speak with you on the matter of furthering your defense against future agression. The Empire wishes to see that Madras will continue to exist as a sovereign nation and we are willing to take full steps to bring your defense back up to full speed. As for the satellite networks, I am sure that something can be worked out with the Admiral."

the retreating ships flashed on the Takian sensor screens, warning that they were about to leave the field of battle.

"should we engage them?"

"yes, full engine power, flood the tubes and prepare a long range salvo, all gunners, repo. . ."

"Belay that order" The speaker, a thin faced man with a wide main of greying hair looked over the bridge from the holoscreen at the front.

"Good day Star Commander, any particular reason you feel like stopping us from glorious victory?"

"Shove it Ikari, all ships stand down and prepare to assist Valinon is liberating this planet. Do your mission first, wonton destruction can come later."

"Very well Azrael, I will do your bidding. . . good day commander"

OOC: Well, since my cruisers made it out safely, I'm going to go ahead and type up the diplomats arrival. Now things get interesting. 8)

*Ten hours after leaving Gregor*

The small courier boat flashed into existence at the hyper-limit. It increased acceleration to 510 Gs and began broadcasting a diplomatic transponder.

Ambassador Newlin sat in his quarters and began reviewing his orders, and his face was grim. The government was prepared to give up all claims on Madras, but it was keeping Acler and especially Yalta. He was also to negotiate the return of Verniian personnel. Looks like I'm going to be stressed....


OOC: The courier boat is a modified Star Falcon yacht, from my store. It's had most of its passenger spaces removed and replaced with communications and sensor equipment. Military and propulsion systems are military grade, so its max accel is 550 Gs instead of 528.

Forrest had been preparing to board his shuttle bound for Madras when an officer rushed across the hanger bay to reach him."
The young officer salutes, "Admiral!"
"At ease," Forrest says. "Now what is wrong?"
"Sir, a courier boat from Vernii just exited jump-space and is headed for the Madras planetary system. It is broadcasting diplomatic transpoder codes that have been verified."
One of Forrest's eyebrows arches, "Get word that the courier has full clearance to come to the Alexander at once, and have Major Delor ready four squads in parade uniforms and gear."
"Yes, Admiral," with that the officer rushes back to the bay's coordinator station.
"Captain," Forrest say to Severn, "our plans have been altered. We will remain here and receive the Vernii ambassador here."
"Yes, Admiral."

******

On the Alexander's bridge, the flight officer rapidly movs to contact the Vernii ship.
"Verni courier, this is the HMS Alexander. You are cleared to be received in our hanger. The course is being transmitted, we strongly recommend that you do not deviate from it. You will be received on the deck," with that data comes dictating a strict course that takes the courier to the Alexander and keeps it away from mnay of the ships in the rest of the fleet.

The Takian flagship moves slowly away from the rest of the group, fold drives prepared as it sends a tight transmition beam to the Alexander

Ikari's face appears on the screen, scowling.

"Commander, we request that Takian diplomats be allowed in this exchange. . . Our sources indicate possible. . . future security threats, that we would like to close as soon as possible. We will send a diplomatic frigate momentarily."

Well at least they didn't shoot the ship out from under me. thought Newlin as he listened to the incoming com signal, although that would've been easier.

The courier boat settled onto the course taking it to HMS Alexander


*******

The courier docked in its assigned hangar bay, and Ambassador Newlin gathered up his things, checked his briefcase, brushed some dust off his suit, and then then as the green light flicked on above the airlock door, he and his bodyguard stepped out into the hangar bay.

AS the Vernii courier prepares for landing, Alexander's hologram appears in front of Forrest.
"Admiral, the Takan commander is requesting that their own diplomats be allowed to attend. He is being very insisting."
"Inform the Takans that if they wish to attend to send their diplomatic frigate as soon as possible. Tell them we will receive them in the hanger bay as well."
"Of course," with that the AI disappears. Forrest watches as the courier finally sets down. The Sardaukar draw themselves up to full attention, the artificial lightening glaring of polished bayonets attached to their ceremonial Impaler rifles.
Forrest walks with Severn up the double line ranks to each side to greet the Verni ambassador.
"Ambassador, I am Admiral of the Red Sir Quentin Forrest of His Majesty's Star Armada and the United Star Empire of Valinon. I have been charged by His Majesty's Government to handle all affairs in this theater. If you will care to wait just a few moments until the representatives of the Imperial Principality of Taka can arrive, we will then dismiss to my personal quarters to handle the diplomatic details."

"Very well, and I am Ambassador Matthew Newlin of the People's Republic." He reaches out to shake the admiral's hand, "your troops are impressive."

OOC: I just realized the courier is actually probably too large to fit into the hangar, since its 400 meters long and 100 meters wide. We'll just say he took a pinnace from the ship to yours.

OOC: Uh Valinon, if its ok with you, I'd rather we not completely wait for Taka, we could just RP up to the talks, and wait for him then if its fine.

((OOC: Sorry, real life has been waylaying me lately, I'm posting as often as I can.))

The Takian delegation arrives shortly, the delegate, a thin set older gentleman steps forth and bows.

"good evening, I am Ori, the Takian delegate. Shall we begin? We have many things we wish to discuss with you. . . including reports of activity from your nation in other neighboring star systems."

Forrest nods at the Takan delegates arrival, "Seeing as how we are all arrived, gentlemen." With that Forrest leads them all off the hanger bay and into a lift that quickly departs for the inner levels of the ship. The Sardaukar hold their positions until the group has passed then is dismissed by their commander.

******

Forrest opens the door to the tactical conference center where he talked to Ellis and Oles earlier. The table has been set with glasses and pictures of water.
"Pleased by seated," Forrest says as he takes his position at his accustomed chair and Severn takes his position at the Admiral's right. Meanwhile the door chimes.
"Enter," Forrest says and the door slides open. A single Sardaukar escorts Commander Ellis in.
"Ambassador Newlin," Forrest says, "as you can see your men have been treated with all the necessaries due to them via the codes governing prisoners. I entrust that Lieutenant Commander Oles made it back safely as well?"

OOC: I assume that the bodyguards of Newlin and whatever you have sent, Taka, are standing at the door. If this does not work out please say something different to the effect.

Newlin nods to Ellis and takes his seat and folds his hands together. "Lt. Commander Oles is fine. His shuttle was picked up within two hours. Let's be frank about this, I'm here to negotiate the return our crewmen, and you have several demands of my government. What are they specifically?"

OOC: Its understandable Taka, sry for not being more patient. Anyway, Valinon, in one of your posts you mentioned the "Outer Dominion War". What was that, and could you post a link?

"Blunt and foward, I rather admire that. Very well, to put it bluntly we want you out of this system and all others you have taken beyond your own. We want you to reinstall the governments you uprooted, and make reperations for any and all damages you have dealt to them. The High Comand is worried that your aggressive behaviors may be repeated in the future, and would also like you to assure that the defence of the systems is bulked to provide additional defence should you or any other space nation attempt this type of a manuever again. . . I belive that is all, unless our Valinion counterparts have more to add."

Ori leaned against his chair, watching the delegates from both sides with steely eyes. . . it was a lot to ask, but for some reason, High command was getting paranoid and preparing for foes unseen. Just as well, in his years of work as a negotiator, he had worked harder bargins, the first volley of requests would be cut down, and he would simply have to insure that the important parts were left intact.

OOC: The thread no longer exists, unfortunate as it is. Basically it was the war that assured Valinon dominance in the Alpha Centauri system. We defeated the Dominion of Outer Centauri in what could be called "two" wars, but since only less than a year seperated the two we usually just lump them together and call them the Outer Dominion Wars. Basically I got what of Proxima III wasn't mine and in the next took control of what was left of the Dominion. The guy who played the Dominion played another country I warred with for a while and then I think he should it. It was called Lumbosa I believe. Frankly I think that was the best war RP I have ever done.
However, it wasn't a polite and easy war. I probably lost a good fourth or more of my Star Armada and the Sardaukar took horrible losses on Proxima III and on the orbiting cities of Prometheus. The Empire just full recouped from these losses probably about 8 years ago and it has been nearly thirty since the war ended.

Forrest nods, "The Empire will negotiate the release of the Vernii personnel currently under its jurdistiction. I believe we might do well to address this first that way it will not be colored by other diplomatic agreements. As for the demands of His Majesty and His Majesty's Government, they are as follows. The Empire wishes that the People's Republic of Vernii withdraw from those nations that it has illegally occupied and see that their proper governments are restored. Obviously this would apply more to the Gregor and Acler systems seeing as how the Madras system can no longer be considered under the jurdistiction of the People's Republic."

OOC: Cool, too bad it doesnt exist anymore. Oh, Gregor is my home system, did you mean Yalta?

Newlin sighs and leans back in his chair, "I'm sorry, but a withdrawl from Acler and Yalta is unacceptable, especially from Yalta. My government put too much time, planning, and money into those operations to cede them. We give up our claims on Madras and Stocurm, but not Acler and Yalta."

"we understand where you are coming from, however, it is our best intrests if these nations are back in the hands of thier rightful governments. We wouldn't want a repeat, with a grab at a more closly allied system now, and the staging points at Yalta and Acler are a bit too close to Takian intrests for comfort. Perhaps we could work something else out, tell me, why did you move into those systems in the first place? Resources? or was it for the Military staging points themselves?"

"That's exactly what makes those systems valuable is their use as staging points for our navy. Yalta also has an orbital repair dock, and both systems see a fair amount of merchant traffic. The President apparently saw it as in Vernii's interests to take control of those systems and the People's Navy is prepared to defend our claim if needed. I hope it doesn't come to that however, but the decision doesn't rest in my hands."

OOC: Yes, I am crossing names, my apologies. Unless you want to ceed your home system to us! Just kidding.

"His Majesty and the Government are well aware of the excellent staging points that the Yalta and Acler systems provides and to allow them to slip into the possibility of what could be future attempts to destabilze this sector are unacceptable. I acknowledge the willingness you have to relinquish the Slocum, but the Empire strongly requests that the independent government of the Yalta system be allowed to stay in power. We might be willing to concede on points in the Acler system depending on the final agreement that decides the matter of the Yalta system. However, I fail to see how a nation can claim that a sovereign planet should belong to it when its people may think otherwise. Tell me, how willing is Vernii to hold Yalta against a long and possibly extended campaign of guerillia and insurgent activity that will no doubt cause problems in the Yalta system?"

OOC: Whoops, just read your post and realized I had made a typo. It's Stocurm, not Slocum, sorry about that.

"The planet itself, while valuable to us, is a lesser priority then its orbitals. As I mentioned, Yalta has a repair yard already in place, and besides it's location for military operations, Yalta sees a large amount of commerce.

Acler is of lesser value, but it still quite a prize, and as I said, my government is quite reluctant to give it up."

"And we have the Golan Heights delima, both sides want the strategical high ground, but perhaps there is a third option. Would you be willing to give up all claims in the system, and return the government to its rightful place if you could still use the jump point?"

OOC: Vernii, what other systems besides Madras does Yalta make for a good jump off point for. In case you are wondering, the Empire will be contacting those systems with independent governments in very short order.


Forrest nods in respect to his Takan counterpart, and it is clear to Ori that Forrest concedes that he is the master of this arena, "An excellent point, and one of the possible alternatives that the Empire is willing to consider on the matter of Yalta."

OOC: It's not that it has a jump point, it's just a somewhat strategic location. A good explanation for how my FTL works would be to compare it with Star Wars. Planets and stars generate a mass shadow in hyperspace, that prevents ships from activating their FTL propulsion. Thats what the hyper-limit is, its where the mass shadow ends and FTL can be resumed. The honorverse works pretty similar to that, but more complex with different dimensions of hyperspace.

"That option does appeal to me, and as a diplomat I do hope a peaceful solution can be found, but it isn't in my authority to agree to it. I'll submit your proposal to my government though. My primary mission here is to negotiate the return of our crewmen."

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

OOC: Right....anyway. As to what systems are nearby, I could make a map. It'd just be relative locations and not true to distance really, because that'd involve a lot of detailed math. I have an idea though, do you have a map of your sector? I could make one of mine, of Gregor and its region and the independent systems outside of the region, and we could assume the sectors are bordering each other.

"Then we will leave that matter to your government," Forrest said. "As to the matter of your detained personnel, what is the recourse you propose for their return, Ambassador Newlin. After all, you are closer to the policy regarding this transferral in your governments turns than either myself or Ambassador Ori are."

"Of course, we have no alms about letting those we've captured free, once we have your assurance that our nations will not be conflicting with one anouther in the near future. I would hate to know that we had let loose a man who could turn around and kill Takian soldiers. . . I would lose sleep at night, I hope you understnad."

OOC: Right....anyway. As to what systems are nearby, I could make a map. It'd just be relative locations and not true to distance really, because that'd involve a lot of detailed math. I have an idea though, do you have a map of your sector? I could make one of mine, of Gregor and its region and the independent systems outside of the region, and we could assume the sectors are bordering each other.

OOC: Good enough, I was just more or less wanting names for the places that may very well become critical points of battle. And maybe which places I should shore up more. Right now I of course now Madras will be a strong point in the buffer zone, with Stocrum as a secondary possibility. And of course I understand the Honorverse system in OOC, but IC Valinon is use to more stable jump-points than others. Military ships are fine, but merchant and other vessels usually have a different way of working and typically like set entry/exit points.

This was the Forums playing a merry trick on me. Ignore it.

"Well, there are several ideas. We could send a civilian transport here to Madras, you could send a transport to Gregor, or the exchange could be in a neutral system."

http://hpphoto.com/sessions/632191563787/29978743lg.jpg
There, that took all of 5 minutes, lol. Erewohn and Kerezin are run by friends, Eizen is an ally who moved to another region, Klein is an uninhabited system in which I have a small fleet station. The other systems in white are independent.

Forrest takes a sip from the glass of water at hand, "The Vernii personnel I am currently holding could be put on several assault transports and then they could be taken to the outer system. A rendezvous near the fifth planet of the Madras system was what I had in mind. The ships under my command would not come any closer that 80,000 kilometers unless something goes astray in the plans. The only Valinon ships in the exchange would be those that were transferring personnel directly to a Vernii civilian transport."

"Yes, that'll do nicely. I thank you for your cooperation Admiral Forrest."

Ori nods, silently stewing that he had been overstepped.

"Now that we have that sticky point out of the way, perhaps we should begin final arrangements with your nation as to the nature of the jump points that you will be allowed to keep. From our experiences, a joint effort would be best, say an orbital refueling platform, or perhaps an orbital space station. . . an embasy as it were, to regulate and assure all sides involved had free and open access to this strategic possition."

Forrest nods in grim-faced respect to Newlin, "I may not be a diplomat, Ambassador Newlin, but I am a soldier in the service of His Majesty, and in the same circumstances as Commander Ellis and his comrades I would not wish to remain in the hands of those which I would see as my enemies. Besides, although they have been cooperative, I feel it necessary to keep a unified ship under my feet, with no disrespect intended to you, Commander. And so, Ambassador, when can I expect the transport for Commander Ellis and his fellows? And also, in the interests of the other powers that be, when can I respect further say on the matter of the Yalta and Arcel systems?"

OOC: Seems the map is not working. But the names give me something to go on for a bit.

OOC: I have to go for tonight, I'll try and fix the map tomorrow.

Aboard the Nash, the medical bays are full of wounded vernii personell being treated for their injuries in battle. The treated are moved out of the medical bay and into a comfortable brig, much like a hotel lobby except with a pair of dual automatic cannon pods staring in at them and a squad of fully armed and armored marines at the door. LRR medical staff, some of the best, work their hardest to treat the casualties. Broken bones are casted and burns numbed. HSC, or Hagfish Slime Compound, is applied to cuts and bleeding, and amputation paitents are deep-sedated and prescriptions of Euphorics set aside as a laser cuts clean through the bone. Bionic limbs are brought up from the hold.

"Alexander, this is the Graham Nash. We have the majority of the casualties we picked up treated, and have collected all of the escape pods we saw. We are ready to transfer prisoners."

OCC: Sorry, double post.

Aboard the Nash, the medical bays are full of wounded vernii personell being treated for their injuries in battle. The treated are moved out of the medical bay and into a comfortable brig, much like a hotel lobby except with a pair of dual automatic cannon pods staring in at them and a squad of fully armed and armored marines at the door. LRR medical staff, some of the best, work their hardest to treat the casualties. Broken bones are casted and burns numbed. HSC, or Hagfish Slime Compound, is applied to cuts and bleeding, and amputation paitents are deep-sedated and prescriptions of Euphorics set aside as a laser cuts clean through the bone. Bionic limbs are brought up from the hold.

"Alexander, this is the Graham Nash. We have the majority of the casualties we picked up treated, and have collected all of the escape pods we saw. We are ready to transfer prisoners."

Aboard the Nash, the medical bays are full of wounded vernii personell being treated for their injuries in battle. The treated are moved out of the medical bay and into a comfortable brig, much like a hotel lobby except with a pair of dual automatic cannon pods staring in at them and a squad of fully armed and armored marines at the door. LRR medical staff, some of the best, work their hardest to treat the casualties. Broken bones are casted and burns numbed. HSC, or Hagfish Slime Compound, is applied to cuts and bleeding, and amputation paitents are deep-sedated and prescriptions of Euphorics set aside as a laser cuts clean through the bone. Bionic limbs are brought up from the hold.

"Alexander, this is the Graham Nash. We have the majority of the casualties we picked up treated, and have collected all of the escape pods we saw. We are ready to transfer prisoners."

Aboard the Nash, the medical bays are full of wounded vernii personell being treated for their injuries in battle. The treated are moved out of the medical bay and into a comfortable brig, much like a hotel lobby except with a pair of dual automatic cannon pods staring in at them and a squad of fully armed and armored marines at the door. LRR medical staff, some of the best, work their hardest to treat the casualties. Broken bones are casted and burns numbed. HSC, or Hagfish Slime Compound, is applied to cuts and bleeding, and amputation paitents are deep-sedated and prescriptions of Euphorics set aside as a laser cuts clean through the bone. Bionic limbs are brought up from the hold.

"Alexander, this is the Graham Nash. We have the majority of the casualties we picked up treated, and have collected all of the escape pods we saw. We are ready to transfer prisoners."

"Well, if I leave immediately, my government could get a transport here in 20 hours. I'll present your ideas to them also."

OOC: Is the map still unavailable? It shows up fine on my computer. If not, can you recommend a good hosting service?

OOC: A free one I cannot think of right now. Don't worry about it, the names will suffice for now. I was just more or less wanting to know who I should contact. If you can spare the time, just TG me a list of all the systems that are single or small-multiple system(s) governments nearby and I will make contact with them.

"This is acceptable," Forrest says. "Will you need access to a communication terminal, or will you be returning to Vernii space aboard your courier ship? I had hoped though that you would remain here in order to see that the personnel transfer goes smoothly, Ambassador Newlin."

******

On the bridge, the comm officer, "This is the Alexander, Graham Nash, we acknowledge your ready status. Negotiations with Ambassador Newlin are going according to plan, and we expect that the transports necessary to transport personnel aboard your ship and our own ships will be in-system in 20 to 24 hours. Admiral Forrest thanks you for your continued assistance in this matter. If necessary we can provide transportation, we understand that some of the craf carrying capability has been sacrificed aboard your ship for the excellent medical facilites."

"I'll use my courier ship. I will most likely return with the transports. Is there anything else of importance before I depart?"

"At the moment I can think of nothing else," says Forrest as he steeples his fingers. "Can you, Ambassador Ori?"

http://jadeite.free-host.com/sector.bmp

There, hopefully it works this time. Chandara, Pelledrine, and Seljuk are independent single-system governments with small populations and resources. Those systems are more likely to be battlegrounds then to take part, so there aren't any accounts for them. Klein has no habitable planets, and the naval station in the system orbits around a small planet.
Kerezin was recently made, so the largest ship in its fleet is a destroyer I gave him. Erewohn is run by a friend and has a somewhat respectable navy. And I just telegramed you Valinon.

"nothing so pressing that it must be handled now, but I would like you to deliver an ultimatum. If the every system you have taken in this series of raids are not returned to thier rightful place, we will have no choise but to move to liberate them. I pray that allowing you to use a neutral orbiting station for jumps will be sufficient to allow you to releace them."

"Very well," Newlin stands up and half-bows to Admiral Forrest and Ambassodor Ori, "I will depart now then." Newlin then leaves with his bodyguard.

OOC: WAIT! One moment por favor! The Forums ate a post of mine. And check your TGs as well, Vernii.

Forrest rises from his chair, "The Empire will await your government's response, Ambassador Newlin, but be warned we will not tolerate undue stalling of this matter. With that I do hope that your return trip will be as quick and easy as possible under the circumstances."
He then turns to Ellis, "Commander Ellis, I will give you the choice now. You may accompany Ambassador Newlin now, or you may wait until the transferral. This is up to your discretion and to Ambassador Newlin. However, I will say that whatever your decision it shall have no bearing on the treatment of your men in their remain time here, nor will it have any bearing on the transferral itself."

Commander Ellis hesitates for a moment before answering, "With your permission Ambassador, I'd like to remain here with my men until the transfer. Its my duty as their commanding officer."

"Agreed Commander, I will return as soon as possible for you and your men."

"Very well, Commander," Forrest nods to Newlin one last time.
"Captain Severn?"
"Yes, Admiral."
"Please escort Ambassador Newlin and his guardsmen to the hanger bay. I regret that I cannot accompany you, Ambassador, but I must discuss matters with Ambassador Ori, and I must then prepare for a conference with the officials of the Madras planetary government."
With that the door opens, and a Sardaukar enters.
"Please escort Commander Ellis back to his quarters, Lieutenant," Forrest says.
"Yes, sir!"
With that, Forrest waits until both Ellis and Newlin have left. Then sits back at the table with Ori.
"That was well played, Ambassador, you do your profession credit. Perhaps I could offer you something a bit stronger to drink?"

"yes, if you don't mind. I'd like brandy, and thank you Admiral, you seem to have a knack for the art of words yourself. Anything in particular on your mind?"

*After arriving in Gregor*

Ambassador Newlin sat in his seat at the other end of the conference room table. He'd just finished reading his report to the President, and the grim faces seated around the table did not fill him with optimism.

"Their demands are rather unacceptable," the President finally spoke, "has NavInt given us an analysis yet of what we know of their capabilities?"

Secretary of Defence Ronald Bergen sat up straight in his chair, "From what NavInt has gathered from the sensor scans of Commodore Irwin's squadron, they estimate that the navies of Valinon and Taka outnumber ours by about two to one. The fact that they pulled that many ships together to liberate that planet gives evidence to large amounts of resources, although there is the possibility that they overestimated our capabilites, and simply overreacted, meaning they may have left other installations and convoys relatively unprotected. As a military planner, I believe its always better to overestimate the enemy rather then underestimate him however, so any planning we do should reflect that."

The President nodded as he acknowledged Bergen's words, then turned to Fleet Admiral Harris, "And your opinion Admiral?"

Harris activated the table's built in holographic projector, bringing up a 3D map of the sector. "I've had my staff coming up with scenarios and war plans since Heathman's squadron was wiped out. I believe we should pull back our battleships from Acler, and leave Commodore Banton's heavy cruisers to picket the system, and to do the same at Yalta, leaving Admiral Rollins' battlecruisers. We could divert those battleships and another two squadrons from Home Fleet to Klein, where we can make a counter-offensive in full available strength if they attack Yalta or Acler."

Calimar glanced around the table, "Any other opinions? No? Then I think we'll go with your plan Admiral Harris. Meeting adjourned." The other Cabinet members gathered up their papers, nodded to the President and left the room. Harris remained behind though, and turned to the President again, "I just thought of another idea Sir."
************
Within the hour two civilian transports left Gregor en route to Madras with Ambassador Newlin aboard, and two battleship squadrons also left the system, heading to Klein.

"A man after my own heart," Forrest has a junior officer bring a decanter of the ships best and pours them both a snifter. "I, however, am not a master of words, Ambassador Ori, I have had to become skilled with them because of my current relations with.....with the powers that be. As for particulars, I wish to say that His Majesty harbors no illusions about what the Valinon response to our demands by the Vernii government will be. I doubt that they will make even the barest minimum of concessions to us concerning the Yalta and Acler systems. The Empire there fore is prepare itself for what we believe is inevitable. And we are making contact with some of the surrounding nations. And from what you have said here, I think the High Prince might share some of the same views."

OOC: Concerning my other plan, I wish to keep it a secret for now, but I dont want to raise any suspicions of "cheating" or something, so if you want I will telegram someone neutral my plan, and they can confirm it afterwards. It's not anything that could be considered a god-mod, just sort of clever, and I wish to keep it secret. :wink:

"I agree, we already have a Dreadnaught and three battle cruisers diverted to the outskirts of the Yalta System. . . They will remain out of sensor range, though I have authorized the use of the Nova Cannons for this conflict, and will be preparing the remainder of the fleet here for reinforcments. undoubtibly they will be prepared to attack our liberating fleet, perhaps even send in two waves to catch reinforcements, but if we force them to fight two places at once, we can catch them in the same trap that the Prince caught his brother in durring the Mizunian Split, we feight an attack here *he points at he Acler system* and wait untill they have thier forces tied down there, then we send a larger fleet to Yalta, force them to rush reinforcements there, pull back from that system, and have the final push to liberate Acler, keep them guessing where the next attack will come from, and slowly bleed them dry by keeping what ever they will be using as reinforcements in hyperspace, and away from where we really want to hit. A decoy to divert them from our attack on Yalta, wich will be simpyl a diversion to double our time to take Acler. From there, we can move dirrectly on Gregor. Press on the home front, and they will quickly surrender all claims to what they've taken. The only problem is this. . . will the bulk of the fleet begin in Yalta, or Alcer? Though it goes against every book on battle tactics written, we need to hit the most heavily defended possition first."

OOC: no problem, Ori is assuming that you will pick one system over the other to defend more heavily, and simply rush reinforcements from that system to the other if needed, sort of a way to catch an invading fleet from behind. I'll take your word on your secret plans, rather looking foward to seeing what ya pull off.

OOC: Same here, Vernii, I have no qualms with that. Pulled that trick myself a time or two.

Forrest brings up the rooms tactical hologram map and zooms in on the sector with Vernii territory dominating the screen.
"I believe that the Vernii high command will reinforce the Yalta system over Acler. Most likely because they know that is the one we have the most interest in, and because they would feel that we would not split our own forces so that we would have to work around Yalta to seize Acler. Hitting Yalta in this position would seem the best course at this time. If we can seize it we will have Acler almost cornered off and we will be in a position to hit the Gregor system as well. Although the Admiralty has said that it is not in its desires to take Gregor, we can use that threat and it may be made into a reality if the situation alters."
Forrest zooms in on the Acler, Yalta, and Madras systems, "My reinforcements that are en route from Proxima and should arrive in the next 18 hours are being led by the dreadnought HMS Gustav Alderman. Once it arrives I will transfer my command reorganize the fleet. In basic I will leave a group here at Madras to defend it from further incursion, most likly a heavy cruiser group paired with a carrier or perhaps a battleship. Even breaking this off I will still have enough to effect combat in Yalta or Acler, especially with your support. As for the diversion in the Acler system, Ambassador Ori, I would request that be left to me. I have a rather interesting plan in mind that I have used once before, and I must speak with Captain Harmonthep of the ISSSF. If we can use his forces as I plan, it will mean we will have enough of a diversion and that our main force will not be hampered by a great loss in ship."
Forrest smiles, "In fact this operation would only require the ISSSF ships plus one a Magellan-class science vessel I have diverted to arrive with the Gustav."

Ori nods

"I belive this is acceptable, I will have to convince Ikari to go along with it, but if worse comes to worse, I can go over his head and get Azrael's personal blessing to lead the fleet. we will begin the thrust at the Yalta system as soon as your ships are in possition, A dreadnaught and a trio of battleships will lead the charge, the rest of the fleet will remain on station here in order to allow proper cooling of the fold generators. It will take about 12 hours for the fleet to be ready to fold once more, six hours after that the Valinion fleet will arrive, and if the Vernii government has refused to leave, the attack will begin 2 hours after your fleet has arrived."

"Excellent," says Forrest. "Also if Commodore Ikari is hesitant at first and you do not wish to burn your card of the Star Commander in the first move, I could speak with him. I can be very persuasive when it comes to matters of tactics I assure you. I will also discuss matters with the LRR commander and his forces. Hopefully they would not mind keeping a force here as well to help us in guaranteeing the security of this system as well."
Forrest raises his glass, "In the mean time, Ambassador Ori, to honor and to whatever the next day may bring us."

"Excelent, though Azrael and I are long time friends, he understandably is less than enthusiastic about being called every time there is a problem. No matter though, a first strike into impossible odds is exactly his style, though I belive we may have to secure a second admiral for the Dreadnaught, Ikari, as effective as he is, has a bad habit of not retreating untill he has met his personal quotas for destruction. . . I would hate to lose the larger ships in our fleet due to his arrogance. Ah yes, one final note."

Ori points to a section of Alta space nearest the habitated planet,

"if you would be so kind as to assure that this portion is vacant of your ships, we have a surprise for our enemy. . . if my intelegence report is correct, the data arrived on your latest intel report, we are looking foward to the first combat test of the Retribution"

Admiral Forrest allows a small smile to touch his face from behind his steepled fingers, "I look forward to seeing the test of the Retribution myself, Ambassador. You have my personal guarantee that no ships will be harmed when you test it in that zone. However, remember this, Ambassador Ori, trust my word and not what your sensors tell you. The diversion I have planned is very, ornate. Will there be anything else?"

"Ambassador, we are approaching the hyper limit."

Newlin put down his databoard and looked up at the lieutenant, "Tell the captain I will be up to the bridge as soon as possible."

Deep in the freighter's bowels, a humming could start to be heard as the ships hyper generators began the translation to real-space.

OOC: Sorry to be off-topic, but how do I make a pic also a URL? I made a storefront ad, and don't know how to make it a link. I should probably resize it smaller, I'll do that later. Heres the pic:
http://jadeite.free-host.com/gregor.bmp (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94575)

EDIT: It works now, thanks Taka.

"I will keep that in mind, though I do not think I need to remind you how much is riding on your plan working, so if you need any assistance, we will have a carrier group on standby, though we will not move unless you spesificly request it. . . we will keep it as back up for whichever system requires it. Now, we wait."

((OOC: Whenever you guys fee like starting the war, someone TG me, I've got school so I might miss part of it, but anything after 6 PM EST I'll be involved in.))

Vernii, try

['url=your URL here]['img]image URL here['/img]['/url]

The two freighters translated smoothly out of hyperspace, and set a course for the agreed upon transfer point, and began broadcasting diplomatic transponders.

Forrest stands on the bridge of the Alexander. He watches as the two freightors enter the Madras system.
"Inform the assault transports to prepare to initiate docking procedures with the Vernii ships."
"Yes, Admiral."
Forrest eyes the newly appeared objects on the tactical display uneasily, remembering the tales of Vernii Q-ships.
"Have six of our sensor net probes to a direct focus scan for energy signatures on the freightors."
"Sir?" says Severn who is standing across from him.
"Q-ships, Captain, Q-ships. I want all angles covered."
A look of realization crosses Severn's face, "Yes, Admiral."
Forrest nods, "Comm, transmit the message."
"Yes, Admiral," the comm officer turns to his console. "Vernii freightors, this is the HMS Alexander. We have six assault transports preparing to rendezvous with you. Please excuse the next brief sensor scan, it is to analyze compatibility with docking."
Forrest nods to the comm officer. Then turns back to the map, watching with great interest.

Ikari read the orders Ori had transmited to him, his already deep hatred for Ori growing with each phrase.

"pompous ass, does he think he has the rank to overstep an admiral. . . we will follow his plans, but I fully intend to win this battle by myself, reguardless of his half baked stratagy."

Bump for Vernii!

The LRR battlegroup remains at full combat readiness. However, the commander of the group of five carriers+combat vessels is somewhat confused as to what to do.

Group Commander 1st order (equivalent to Flag Admiral) Horatio Georges paces the bridge of his ship, the LRRSV Neil Young. The bridge crew monitors all of the ship's systems carefully, and a group of plotters stands around the 3-D tactical display. A nine-ship squadron of Super Acolytes flies in lazy circles around the carrier, ocasionaly passing the viewscreen in their flight.

"Alexander, this is the LRRSV Neil Young. What news have you of those vernii transports? We are not familiar with Vernii battle strategy and any information you could give us would be most helpful. The negotiations went well, I gather? It was a good thing we had the Nash around. We would never have been able to pick up escape pods without it. But anyhow, what is our long-term policy?"

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter fire imbibed,
Heavenly, thy sanctuary.

Thy magic reunites those
Whom stern custom has parted;
All men will become brothers
Under thy gentle wing.


(a.k.a. bump)

OOC: Sry, I was away tonight.

The intensive scanning reveals that the freighter Astaria, Newlins ship, has several energy weapons mounted on its sides.

Newlin opens a com channel to the Alexander, "Admiral Forrest, if I may I'd like to take a shuttle to your flagship, I have some business to discuss in person."

OOC: LRR, in interests of furthering the RP can we maybe fudge a little and say that your transports are with mine?

The comm officer reroutes a channel to Forrest's station, "Ambassador Newlin, this is Admiral Forrest. I will receive you on the Alexander, a course is being transmitted. You will receive a fighter escort as well to guide you in."
Forrest closes the channel, "Reports from the sensor scans?"
Severn looks at his comp-pad, "Ambassador Newlin's ship the Astaria has several energy weapon mounts. Cumulatively they could engage a light cruiser and expect to do a great deal of damage. However, they do not appear to be readied to fire immediately. Should we inform the transports?"
"No," says Forrest. "These transports care carrying their own men, Captain, I do give the Vernii at least some credit. Have the transports execute the unload pattern X-J-337."
"Yes, sir," Severn nods. That plan calls for each transport to quey up and dock individual. Transferring prisoners and then moving back at 3/4 speed to the main fleet.
"Admiral," says the comm officer, "message from LRR Group Commander Horation Georges."
"Put it through."
"Commander," Forrest says and nods his head in mutual respect, "the negotiations went well as far as the transfer as personnel was concerned. Ambassador Ori and myself are still waiting the results of our propositions to the People's Republic. Once we know the results of that I can go into more details as to long-term plans in this sector. However, I would like to meet with you as well when we hold the next tactical conference."

OOC: Sry, I was away tonight.

The intensive scanning reveals that the freighter Astaria, Newlins ship, has several energy weapons mounted on its sides.

Newlin opens a com channel to the Alexander, "Admiral Forrest, if I may I'd like to take a shuttle to your flagship, I have some business to discuss in person."

The LRR ships keep a close eye on the Astaria, not wanting any surprises.

"Alexander, this is Georges again. Do you mind if we send a representative of the LRR fleet to the talks between Vernii and you?"

Newlin stepped through the airlock into his pinnace, and the small craft dropped away from the Astaria's massive hull, and followed the course for Alexander.
****
The pinnace settled gently down in the hangar bay, and Newlin gathered up his things, and he and his bodyguard stepped out of the airlock into the bay.

"Not at all, Commander," Forrest says. "I will be receiving Ambassador Newlin in my personal conference room. Send a representative over and he will be escorted to it."

******

Forrest arrives just a few minutes before Newlin, who was being escorted by the hanger deck on-duty.
"Ah, Ambassador," Forrest says getting up to greet him. "May I offer you something?"

"No thank you Admiral, I'm afraid I must make this visit somewhat brief."

((OOC: I will be away this weekend, unfortunatly I do not have computer access very often on saturdays and sundays, but I might manage to sneak some time on later, if you don't mind, don't start the war untill Monday. Thank you))

"Not at all, Commander," Forrest says. "I will be receiving Ambassador Newlin in my personal conference room. Send a representative over and he will be escorted to it."

******

Forrest arrives just a few minutes before Newlin, who was being escorted by the hanger deck on-duty.
"Ah, Ambassador," Forrest says getting up to greet him. "May I offer you something?"

"Thankyou, Admiral Forrest. We will send Comrade Henri Zevon over immediately."

A small LRR salvage corvette pulls away from the Neil Young, headed for the Alexander.

OOC: LRR, in the interests of time I am accelerating Commander Zevon on up to Forrest's quarters.

Several minutes after Commander Zevon landed on the he is ushered into Admiral Forrest's personal conference room by Captain Severn.
"Commander Zevon," Forrest rises and shakes the LRR officers hand, "it is a pleasure. Please join Ambassador Newlin and myself, that way Mr. Newlin can return to his ship as soon as possible and go about his business."
After they are both seated Forrest turns back to Newlin, "Ambassador, I understand that you are working within a strict time table, so what news do you bring?"

"I have a message from my government for you Admiral." Newlin opens up his briefcase and withdraws a single sheet of paper, and reads it aloud.

[code:1:16dbf15cbe]From: People's Ministry of Foreign Policy
To: Admiral Forrest, of the Empire of Valinon

The government of the People's Republic respectfully rejects the proposals put forth by the United Star Empire of Valinon and the Imperial Principality of Taka. We feel they violate our sovereign rights as a nation to govern our own affairs. We will use any means necessary to uphold these rights.

~
Elaine Jurgens
Secretary of Foreign Policy[/code:1:16dbf15cbe]

Admiral Forrest takes the sheet and reads it, he then stiffly hands the piece of paper to Commander Zevon.
"I understand, Ambassasdor Newlin," he says in a grave voice. "In response, please carry this message back to your government. I can no longer be held responsible for the actions of my government when I report this to them. I do hope that those we made this decision were fully aware of the implication, and now I must ask if you have anything else that you wish to say at this time, Ambassador," although he said ask, it was clearly a very solemn statement than a true question.

"Personally, I wish it hadn't come to this, but neither do I have the authority to make that so, Admiral. I do regret that we will soon mostly likely be enemies. Is there anything else?"

Ori looked over the proclamation from the tiny scout drone's perch, reading from the screen with tired eyes.

"so, they want a war. . ."

He quickly tapped out orders over the vox all ships, prepare to execute battle plans

he finished the message quickly, sending it out in a tightly compressed, encrypted beam to all ships in the Takian Fleet.

"No, I am afraid there is not," Forrest says. "Ambassador, the Lieutenant outside of this room will escort you back to your shuttle. It will be cleared to leave the Alexander and return to the Astaria at your soonest convenient. I believe that the transferral of personnel from our transports and the LRR transports will be completed in short order."

"Very well, farewell Admiral."
******
The pinnace glided smoothly out of Alexander's hangar, and returned to Astaria. He had just gotten to the bridge as the transfers completed, and Captain Pavel ordered both freighters to set course for the hyper-limit, and went to 90% acceleration.

Forrest stands on the bridge of the Alexander watching the Vernii freighters rapidly moving away from the Madras system.
Severn walks up to him, "Admiral, the Gustav Alderman and the rest of the fleet is arriving. They will exit jump-space near the fourth planet."
Forrest looks at Severn, "I had hoped that the Vernii ships would be gone before Captain Brandywine had arrived, but I suppose that cannot be helped now. Prepare to signal the Gustav once it arrives, tell Captain Brandywine that I will be transferring to the Gustav momentarily and he can prepare to transfer to the Alexander."
"Yes, Admiral," Severn says and nods. Forrest then turns back to the tactical map, resting his hands on the edge of it. Watching the progress of the Vernii ships, and seeing the energy points open as the reinforcements prepare to exit jump-space.
"The game is set then."

******

Onboard the Astaria jump-points can be seen opening, blinding blue brilliance breaking the endless night of the vacuum. From four seperate jump points, a massive Valinon dreadnought emerges, surrounded by a host of smaller craft that includes light cruisers, destroyers, gunships, and a single super carrier.

The General Quarters alarm sounded aboard Astaria, crewmen slipped into their vac suits, and blast doors shut throughout the ship.

The bridge was calm however. Captain Pavel watched the arriving ships on his tactical plot, then turned to his tac officer. "Can you give me a course projection?" The officer keyed some info into his station, and a few seconds later a yellow line appeared in the image, none of the incoming ships were on an intercept course. They weren't going to die.

A few minutes later, the two ships leapt into hyper.

Commander Zevon contemplates the meaning of the message. The entire LRR squadron is put on high alert, and the ships prepare to assume battle formation. The fighters and corvettes (the super acolyte IIT has firepower to rival a corvette) warm up their fusion drives and prepare for action, and the Thunderbolt II bombers launch from their berths aboard the 10 LRR battlecruisers. Aboard LRR ships, klaxons sound, and crewmembers rush to their battle stations in full EVA suits. Cannons warm up, and laser turrets start tracking. Fleet commander Georges transmitts a message back to Starchaser 4, the nearest LRR heavy base, and home of the LRRSV Edmond Halley, the fleet's most powerful single ship.

At starchaser 4......

The LRRSV Edmond Halley slowly pulls away from the giant station's airlocks. Robotic arms wave goodbye from the sides of the massive berth for the dreadnaught. A trio of Cavalier II corvettes fly out alongside the massive ship, which dwarfs them utterly- like a whale to minnows. Onboard, there is 300 Thunderbolt II bombers and 100 Cavalier IIs, a formidable force in its own right.

"Edmond Halley, you are clear for hyperspace. Good luck."
"Roger that, control. We are all systems go."
"Charge the hyperspace drives, Mr. Donovan."
"Aye, sir. Prepare for hyperspace in five.....four.....three....two....one.....hyperspace!"

The dreadnaught dissappears into hyperspace, headed for Madras, ETA 14 hours.

Forrest is deep in thought over the tactical map, showing Gregor, Yalta, Acler, Madras, Strocum, and the other surrounding systems. He summons one of his adjutants.
"Give me a comm link-up to Group Commander Georges on the LRR flagship, full holo and vid."
"Yes, Admiral."
Several minutes later, Forrest activates the link, "Group Commander Georges, you help so far has been well appreciated and I am loathed to ask you for more, however I do have one point I must inquire to. The Takan commander and I intend to leave a force here in Madras to insure the security of this system from future Vernii agression. I thought you might do the same, but I must ask one other favor. Would you be willing to dispatch a small force to defend the Strocum system from further attack?"

Ikari looked over the holo display, the Takian fleets had reported readiness to fold, and so he punched in the coordinates. Yalta, the first target, spread out before him, its planets and moons soon to be a battleground. A divison of Marines had been deployed, the high command ready to make a show of force that would not be soon forgotten. He nodded to the engenere, who gave the signal for fold. The fleet stands in place for a moment, before winking out, hurrled headlong towards the Yalta System.

Forrest is deep in thought over the tactical map, showing Gregor, Yalta, Acler, Madras, Strocum, and the other surrounding systems. He summons one of his adjutants.
"Give me a comm link-up to Group Commander Georges on the LRR flagship, full holo and vid."
"Yes, Admiral."
Several minutes later, Forrest activates the link, "Group Commander Georges, you help so far has been well appreciated and I am loathed to ask you for more, however I do have one point I must inquire to. The Takan commander and I intend to leave a force here in Madras to insure the security of this system from future Vernii agression. I thought you might do the same, but I must ask one other favor. Would you be willing to dispatch a small force to defend the Strocum system from further attack?"

"Sure. We already have what we consider a large force in the Madras system as of now. I could dispatch one of the carriers in our squadron to Strocum, along with full fighter and cap ship escort. That force alone, however, would not hold back a determined Vernii assault. But we do have our fleet's largest ship, the LRRSV Edmond Halley en route to Madras. We could send it to Strocum instead. However, this is somewhat against LRR fleet tactics. We try to be as flexible as possible, and that means our carrier squadrons and battlegroups' only base is one of the starchaser bases or Zarahemla. However, we could easily deploy one of our new mobile defense stations to both Strocum and Madras. They have firepower easily capable of holding off a Vernii assault, and are second only to the Edmond Halley in terms of raw power. They are stationary once deployed and can only make hyperspace jumps, and its primary armerment is best against huge ships as opposed to the small, nimble craft used by LRR."