NationStates Jolt Archive

With the sudden certainty made possible by the new Ticonderogan jump engines no less then fifty men-of-war and a dozen heavy merchants as well as a pair of accompanying Jump-ships with another score of sub-light pack ships tethered to these FTL carriers appeared on the edge of the Gregor System. This system once again the bastion a rebuilt Verniian people now once again the dominant political entity of most powerful nation in the Central March, now called the Imperium of Vernii.

The system itself had changed much since its occupation in the not to distant past, everyone onboard the war fleet that approached the system understood to well the price of resistance to an opposing regional power, which went a long way to explaining why the powerful fleet arrived in the Gregor system this day, as well as the baggage they brought with them.

However the fleet jumped into the system along its fringe and slightly above the ecliptic, it was not a position an expected and allied fleet would enter the system with, if fact it was more likely a position an invading fleet would take. To the Verniian sensors the vessels could only be identified by mass and their magnetic distortion giving the Imperium Navy the general number of vessels that have enter their capital, though that was all. Also at this distance the massive freighters and dreadnaughts of the fleet would appear to fit the profile mass wise as an Phoenix class dreadnaught, one of the preferred vessels of the Solar Navy.

The vessel second from the center of the line of battle that compromised the main body of this group had a similar profile as seven other of the large battleships of the fleet. It was a new design with elements of a WIckian Pod Dreadnaught to the rear of amidships but the fore of the vessel was much more squared and rugged looking then any WIckian dreadnaught, of course such details would not have been observed my the Imperium’s sensors until the force entered deep into the system. Also the ship lacked the Impeller rings that would produce the impellor wedge that would allow propulsion for a WIckian ship-of-the-wall.

(Here it is in all its splendor :) http://img235.echo.cx/img235/7795/dreadnought0nj.jpg )

In the center of this vessels hull was the flag-bridge for the 3 km long vessels, over two dozen men and women staffed that immense holo-tank that displayed every known and probable contacts in the traffic heavy system.

One man stood looking into the three dimensional depths of the tank, he like all those on the bridge was fully dressed in a naval skin-suit that the navy were into any potential danger zone incase of violent decompression should the large vessel’s hull be breeched by weapons fire.

“Commander Bradford the Fleet will advance, launch all tethered ECM remotes, deploy a full screen of Recon drones, and have all ships deploy bucklers and moons, lets make this look as real as possible, its time to stir up a hornet’s nest I’d say.” The voice sounded almost emotionless and was without inflection.

“The Fleet will advance, deploy tethered decoys and defense grid, aye aye sir.” His aide repeated her admirals orders as was tradition before she issued them to the various squadron commanders of the fleet. The Concordat Space Navy has arrived though two days before their flight plan stated.

Bastion, Gregor Defense Comand

Admiral Hilldebrand sighed, putting down the message viewer he'd been handed by his aide, and looked back up to the main holographic display toward the red blob in the outer system.

"Sir, Outer system gravitic platforms identify them as Solar Navy Phoenixes. ECM and distance make it hard for an estimate on numbers, but current numbers put them at somewhere between fourty and sixty capital ships, with an unidentified number of escorts."

Captain Wright, station CO, who had been listening in from the other side of the display, walked over. "Well, that's good news at least, not too many, we can definitely handle that."

"They're in Morning Star."

"Pardon Sir?"

"The Solar Navy is in Morning Star. Oddly enough, they haven't attacked yet. Apparently they want to meet with Setties." Hilldebrand handed Wright the message viewer. "I'll go inform the government."

***

As befitting of his role as leading officer of Gregor Defense Command, Hilldebrand's office on Bastion was quite spacious, even by the standards of flag officers in the Imperial Navy. He placed a priority com from his desk computer to the Imperial Palace, to Duke Bergren's office.

"Your Grace, my apologies for any interruption, but I must inform you that a number of unidentified ships have transited into the system. Positive identification has not been established yet, but I feel that with the current news of the Ortagan incursion into Morning Star, that this is a probable Ortagan force. Fleet Admiral Leveson is already on his flagship, and I presume will be taking the fleet out to meet this incursion."

***

Five full battle squadrons of dreadnoughts and two battlesquadrons of superdreadnoughts broke orbit over Vernii, the first reaction to the possible enemy fleet. They were commanded by Admiral Meredith on the superdreadnought Valiant.

Escort ships closed in around the formation as civilian ships dove out of their path of travel.

Behind them, more ships brought their impeller drives online as Leveson's flagship, the monitor Indomitable, prepared to leave orbit.

***

The capital system of the Imperium was well covered by sensor platforms, increasing in both sensitivity and density as one approached the inner system. One common joke was that a spacer could walk from Vernii to Endicott if they were all lined up. This meant of course, that as the unindentified ships approached the inner reaches of the system, they would find their stealth and ECM systems up against more of a challenge.

“What do we have commander?” The Admiral spoke for the first time in a half an hour.

“CIC confirms it Admiral, Impellor returns state that there are 68 ships of the wall heading our way, at least 15 to 20 Super Dreadnaughts the remainder mostly CLACs or Dreadnaughts.”

“It seems our allies have rebuilt themselves quite efficiently, it warms my heart to see that fleet again commander. Don’t listen to every thing you hear from UVNN, the Peoples Navy fought with honor in the war of the Lion and I had the distinction of serving along side them.” The last time he was in the Gregor System the WIckian admiral then only a mere Commodore of a Light CLAC group fought desperately along side the PN to defend this system, and the screams from the demons of that battle still haunted his nightmares late I night. Too many good men and women died in that war, far two many…

“Switch on the transponders commanders I think this drill is over.” the admiral stated as he noticed his ships were only a minute from the outer sensor ring. “Open a channel to the Imperium’s home fleet.”

He waited for the orders to be completed about thirty seconds later he spoke.

“ This is Admiral Brooks of the Concordat Space Navy, I command the First Expeditionary Force. I offer the compliments of President Villers who bleed along side myself in defense of this system nearly a century ago. I see the proud tradition of the Warrior still burns in the heart of our Verniian allies…Admiral Harris lives on through your proud tradition. We await a flight plan, we come with supplies for the Gregor Free Legion, I await your reply.” The WIckian admiral stated firmly.

Hm, Wickians. If this is true, it's among the first good news today. Admiral Meredith turned his command chair toward the coms officer. "Give me a link to the new contacts."

"This is Admiral Meredith of the Imperial Navy's Home Fleet. Please hold your current course and acceleration until you are cleared by system control."

Two minutes ticked by, and then the tactical plot updated the red icons to green.

"Welcome to Gregor, System Traffic Control will provide you with a flight plan and parking orbits."

"We copy and will comply Admiral Meredith" Admiral Brooks stated. "I believe that Fleet Admiral Leveson is expecting my arrival as is Commodore Maxwell of the GFL, I would appreciate a means to contact them for a meeting, we have much to discuss." The admiral in command of the Concordat's most powerful expeditionary force said issuing perhaps the understatement of the day, after all he knew nothing of the events in Morning Star.

Sorry friend i forgot to say that this is a private party...

Fleet Admiral Leveson had been rather...annoyed at the Wickian arrival. Coming in with ECM online and mimicking enemy warships was a good way to get shot out of space, and create a general panic. But he could forgive them, as it'd given his navy some valuable training experience, and shocked the Opposition in the Lords nicely.

"Admiral Brooks, this is Fleet Admiral Leveson. Welcome to Gregor, and my compliments on arriving earlier then expected. We do indeed have much to discuss. If you and Commodore Maxwell would be so kind as to join me at my estate, we can discuss matters privately and in an 'unofficial' capacity."

“I shall be delighted to greet you at you manner Admiral Leveson, I could arrive by 1800 local time tomorrow evening if that is agreeable…Admiral Brooks, Out.” The transmission was terminated as the conversation concluded, the flag bridge only moments ago was cast in the red hue of a battle alert, now was light brightly as the ship was ordered to normal duty stations.

Commander Bradford voice was heard in the back ground informing the various squadron commanders of the task force that the exercise was completed. At the same moment Flag Captain Vincent’s voice came over the ships intercom ordering the ship to third watch, relived crewmembers went to their quarters for needed sleep and others went to the lounge for another needed substance.

“Commander if you would be so kind to join me in the mess for some caf, I would like to discuss some details of our meeting with you personally.” Brooks told his chief of staff.

“As you wish sir.” she said pleasantly as they exited the flag bridge.

+ + +

The 1st Concordat Expeditionary Task Force was the most modern and sophisticated flotilla of ships ever assembled by the WIckians. It was a force designed with the knowledge gained from the sacrifices of millions who fought against the Solar Navy in the last two wars. The WIckians may have lost their home world to the Ortagans and most of its population with it, but they still stood.

Indeed, the WIckians have persevered in the two decades since their last encounter with the Solar Navy, the encounter which almost saw the termination of an entire people. For all their loss the WIckians could claim one thing no other star nation in the Raumreich could, something even the Valinor and all their ego could not claim. They had fought against two full scale invasions comprised of the best the Solar Navy could offer, and they have done something no other single nation has done in the face of an Ortagan invasion, they survived. This task force which now laid in “anchor” in a parking orbit above Vernii along side the Gregor Free Legion, is comprised of warships built to accomplish one task, to defeat the units of the Solar Navy.

Admiral Brooks looked out of the porthole of his cutter, he saw the fifty ships of his taskforce representing nearly a fifth of the entire Concordat Space Navy. It was an impressive force evolved from what only fifteen years ago was a savaged and battered Navy being controlled by the manipulative Merchant Guilds in the “dark times” after the fall. His people had a chip on their shoulders to prove themselves in battle again, Wickians knew the horrors of war all to well but they at the same time reveled in conflict and it seemed even in its darkest moment to bring the best out of them. He didn’t think many of his contemporaries in the other navies of the Raumreich doubted his peoples experience, for only a few of the Verniians could claim the same terrible experience, those were the few survivors of Alcer. They both earned their blood names, but unlike the Imperium his navy in its most current manifestation needed to prove its legitimacy still, and it needed to prove something to itself, that they could not only slug it out with the Solar Navy but that they could win.

As the cutter entered the atmosphere of Vernii the porthole was obscured in flames. It was a fitting omen the admiral thought to himself. His people wanted to beat the Solar Navy, his only fear however was that they would get their chance…and soon.

(Brooks' Cutter)
http://img299.echo.cx/img299/2287/dropferry38oj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Leveson's servants ushered Admiral Brooks, Commodore Maxwell, and any others they brought with them into his study. It was decorated in typical Verniian aristocratic fashion, fine wood floor with expensive handmade rugs, nicely cushioned furniture, and expensive and finely made oak furniture. The Wickians weren't Leveson's only guests though. Three other men and one woman, all wearing the uniforms of admirals, were sitting around the room.

"Ah, Admiral, Commodore, so nice of you to join us this evening. Come in, have a seat. Allow me to introduce Admiral Reed, Admiral Portman, Admiral Meredith, who I believe you've met, and Admiral Windsor. We were just discussing Admiral Eldeman's transfer to Erewohn system command. The poor man will probably be shocked at how the Erewohnese run things in their navy."

As his new guests took their seats, a servant quickly entered and offered each a glass of red wine.

Leveson reclined in his chair and took a sip of his wine, "We were wondering what sort of actions the Concordat Navy will take in the event of hostilities with the Hegemony, and how best to integrate our forces to make the maximum use of their capabilities. Everything said here tonight will be off the record and 'unofficial', to keep things simple."

Admiral Brooks was not shocked by the luxury in which the Vernii lived. He served under joint operations with the People’s Navy almost a century ago and was used to their standards. The other officers with him with the exception of Maxwell haven’t and so the study and the residence as a whole was shocking to those used to the CSN’s Spartan nature, or those who grew up in the crowded conditions of the habitats in Ticonderoga, which made the Navy seem like comfortable living. It was perhaps the abundance of wood that was most shocking for wood was an extinct thing for the WIckians, except in the gardens and then it was devoted entirely to fruit trees, there was no space to waste in the orbital farms. To their credit though the officers did not gawk for more then a few seconds

“Greetings gentlemen” Brooks said greeting the admirals after they were introduced. “You all know Commodore Maxwell, this is my CLAC commander Rear Admiral Dorset and my chief of staff Commander Bradford.” He said indicating a tall even for a WIckian at close to seven and a half feet and just as thickly built, Admiral Dorset and the more lithe built Commander Bradford who stood just under six feet tall. Brooks and Maxwell wore more of an average build for a WIckian at about six and a half feet and both lacked the elemental build of Dorset, though not an once of their weight was devoted to fat, something Brooks laughed for a second that their Verniian counterparts could not claim.

Although at the mention of the Erewohnese his face and Maxwell’s faces hardened both were veterans of the War of the Lion though Maxwell was only a lieutenant at the time and Brooks a brevetted Commodore, both remember well the betrayal of the Erewohnese and it was something that any officer of the old Commonwealth Navy could not forget…though the other two WIckians and the Verniians did not share their views, WIckians often take their grudges to their grave.

“Well I can not say that I envy Admiral Eldeman though I gather that he will acquit himself honorably in that command.” Brooks stated evenly, before he sampled the red wine, only recently had such vintages started to be produced from the hydroponics farms.

“It has been a while since I have had the pleasure of sampling such a fine vintage. Its true we WIckians view the inner march powers as wine snobs, I do find myself sharing your love of the vine. The first emerald vintages have been produced from the orbital farms but it lacks the pungent tones of the original, have not yet quite spliced the right genes I think.”

“The Hegomony yes…” the word came out more like a curse then a nation’s title. He considered the Admirals next question about their responses to Ortagan aggression would be and continued though he seemed not to notice about three minutes had past.

“My taskforce has come here for a variety of reasons admiral. We have brought with us supplies and the facilities for the GFL to construct their own modern ships within the system. With the support of Vincetti Shipworks, several modest ship yards will be constructed in Gregor with the intention of providing new vessels for the GFL and the maintenance of their existing assets. These will be more then enough for the GFL’s needs true, which brings me to its second purpose, these shipyards will be a fall back point for the CSN should the Hegemony move on Ticonderoga. When the war comes your own domestic yards will have too much on their plates to worry about our vessels.”

He considered that statement and knew full well without support the CSN could not halt an incursion by the Solar Navy. He looked to commander Bradford who continued in a soft voice one would not expect from a woman of her height or muscular build.

“Gentlemen the current thought at NAVINT is that the Ortagan’s first strike will not be against Ticonderoga, we believe that the Hegemony no longer considers our force to be a threat. Which explains the Joint Chief reasons for sending roughly a quarter of the Navy to Gregor with the mission of reinforcing the GFL. Should the Ortagans attempt a coup de main by striking first at Gregor we will be here by your side.“ With her conclusion Brooks spoke again, his voice was laced with a hint of anger as he spoke.

“We have learned from past experience how best to fight the Solar Navy. Admiral Strength violated a cardinal rule of war he neglected the power of offensive action against the Solar Navy. We turtled and that kind of defensive war only delays your defeat. “he paused a moment before continuing in a more sedate tone.

“Home Fleet and other Mercenary units will strike deep and rapidly into the Hegemony. Our intention is to act as a sort of Light Calvary, we will strike hard and fast we will do as much damage as possible but the major objectives will be to destroy their Jump gates in the system, without those the Solar Navy’s vaunted response time will be minimal.”

“Our Navy has fought two major and bloody battles with the Solar Navy, we know how to fight them and we have learned how to beat them. Home Fleet and my own forces’ disposition reflects our new doctrine, and I think it will mesh nicely with your own forces. To find out how we can best coordinate our forces in a joint operations setting I think we will first need an explanation of your navies doctrine against the Solar Navy and see where we stand.”

"Ah, well if you like the wine, I can arrange to have a few cases sent to your flagship as a gift. Speaking of the GFL and establishing shipyards here, I was in communication today with the head of Acler Shipworks, he asked me to tell you that your nation's order was on schedule."

A pause for a sip of wine.

"Our plans for a war with the Hegemony also consist of taking the offensive as soon as possible. Massive quick strikes do work, as we showed in the first battles of the War of the Lion, and you're right, turtling up only means they'll crack open your shell. Also, our old fleet battle tactics would be suicide against the Solar Navy. A wall of battle is just asking to be eaten by singularity missiles, which is why our new tactics consist of each squadron operating in a loose network, tied together by escorts. Battlecruisers will be cut loose from the main fleet to raid and pillage to their hearts' content. NavInt does share your opinion that an Ortagan attack will most likely be made on Gregor or Erewohn in overwhelming force. The trick is to guess where, to marshall the fleet to beat off an attack and then take the war to them."

Brooks considered his counterpart’s words carefully before finally finishing the remaining wine in his goblet. He had seen the latest dispositions of the Imperium Fleet and its allies, at least what the Vernniians transmitted to him on his arrival in the system. And it all caused him some alarm.

“I think admiral that the trick is not whether we marshal enough force to overwhelm whatever attack comes our way but to be able to defeat that thrust when it does.”

He continued candidly,

“ When it is all said and done there is only one system in the Imperium that is vital to your nation’s survival and that is Gregor. Erewohn while important to your security is not vital. The system is a death trap to whomever defends it. I think it is a system where the Erewohnesse can bleed the Ortagans, but it will cost them most of their fleet and in the end they will lose. The Solar Navy will butcher the Erewohn navy with its Vortex missile if it has to, and by the time your Home Fleet could transit through the wormhole it would be far to late to be of any help to them, and would only result in any relief fleet sent being overwhelmed.”

Brooks stated all of that fully aware that without their help Erewohn surely would fall, but to send in reinforcements to save an already dead fleet would result in a gluttonous waste of resources that not even the hedonistic Imperium Navy could afford.

"You wanted to know where to marshal our forces for the best effect, the answer seems simple right here in Gregor. We should force the issue here, as a president on Old Sol said once, “The Buck stops here”, and when that beast translates from Hyper the only hope we will have at victory is to fight him in a way no one has expected. You are correct that a traditional wall of battle with our fleet’s current technology in a slugging match with the Solar Navy invites only death, the Commonwealth Navy proved that.”

He paused another second knowing that the Verniians may not take his next words well, but they were the truth. He continued grimly.

“Your fleet’s current tactic to combat the Solar Navy will result in the annihilation of Home Fleet and it will be Vernii burning not Roum, when this war is over.”

The friendly smiles had vanished from the four other Verniian admirals in the room, but Leveson retained an expression of curiosity.

"I think you may underestimate our Erewohnese comrades. I've seen the Grand Fleet's defenses first hand before the annexation, and the dedication they have to their military buildup is amazing. They may have less ships then the navy, and their technology might not be as good, but they make up for it in sheer amount of static defenses, minefields, gun batteries, and sheer bloody ruthlessness. But that's a matter for debate. But anyway, you say our loose wall will end in us being butchered? What makes you think this, and what would you do in our stead?"

"The Erewohnese are fools if they think static defenses will save their worthless elitist asse-"
Commodore Maxwell stated rashly before Brooks managed to cut him off with a glare. Maxwell was an old war Veteran like Brooks and the feelings among the WIckians about Erewohnesse died hard. If the Two Battles of Thetis or the Valinor's Invasion of Gregor proved anything it was that static defenses could not thwart an enemy invasion, Bastion fell with as much of a flick of Forrest’s wrists. Brooks feared that the Vernii and their counterparts may be too traditionalist to like or believe what he was going to say next.

“Static defenses will prove worthless against the Solar Navy Admiral, but as you say that is a matter for debate though I think that debate’s been pretty conclusively proved over the last century, no?”

“A loose wall with detached flanker squadrons as your Home Fleet wishes to deploy against the Ortagans is a sound principle in theory, but in practice, in combat it has proved to be flawed. You can accept this as my word, or watch this batrom.” Brooks looked to Bradford who handed him a flat disc about six inches in diameter. The Admiral placed it on the table and a globe roughly 100 cm was projected from it, the Icons and interface were dated by modern standards but it was clearly a warships holo-tank. A massive angry hoard of red icons plunged through now shattered and scattering wall of green Icons. As the mass entered the system it moved un abated by minefields and harried only by LAC strikes.

“This is the Second Battle of Thetis just as Hellings breaks the back of our wall of battle. What you see now…” Two score of new Icons appeared in the holo-tank as Admiral Strengths and Admiral Defiance’s relive fleet arrived in system above and below the ecliptic respectively enveloping the Ortagan fleet, the Icons spread out in distinct squadron sized elements. “Admiral Defiance used the tactic you suggest against Hellings 100 years ago in this maneuver, they caught Hellings by surprise and inflicted damage on numerous units but…” Walls of distortions moved towards each WIckian squadron, thousands of countermeasure race out to interdict them but one by one the WIckian Squadrons fell as singularities devastated there ranks.

“The proof is in the pudding Admiral, granted this battle was 100 years ago, but our tech at that time was comparable at least to the Erewohnese now…granted our technology in the coming war is better, but if anything our enemy has become that much better also. And I doubt they been sitting on there thumbs when it comes to designing a newer nastier Vortex missile. We must not repeat my navies’ mistakes in the past, if we don’t we dishonor all those millions who have died for the cause.”

Seeing the Verniians change in attitude thier frowns only caused Brooks to speak with a clear hate in his voice, a fury not at his allies but towards the enemy he spoke of.

“All we have ever heard of the Ortagans is how hard they can attack, how they are unstoppable with vortex missiles, their Phoenix dreadnaughts fire a beam that can cut a dreadnaught in half at 12 million kilometers. With the exception of the Valinor ship per ship we can not match them, Navies have chosen to stay at a distance because, with loose formations because it increases their survival rates by maybe a few hours to bleed the enemy as much as possible because…No one has ever defeated the Solar Navy in a slugging match, ” A cold icy smile crossed the WIckians lips.

“There is only one way to win this battle we give the Ortagans a taste of their own medicine, we enter energy range with them, Its an old Zulu tactic from Sol, your heavy units will be the head of the bull forming a wall of battle, slug it out with his units give them exactly what they want, but all the while moving closer. My Taskforce and your Battle cruisers will act as the horns we move swiftly and turn their flanks, then plunge deep into there formation, I assure you admiral at that range my units reinforced by your Battle Cruisers can rip the balls off the Solar Navy! In the confusion your own Ships of the wall will finish the envelopment and they are ours.”

Leveson's eyes never wavered at he stared into the holographic destruction of the Commonwealth Navy.

"Interesting idea you have. The Zulu were eventually defeated though, since the British had superior technology. Not before they killed thousands of British soldiers though, but not that it matters, since we aren't Zulu. I like it. I like your idea, it could probably use a bit of refinement, like perhaps having long range missile squadrons to stay out of the energy combat and continually pound the enemy, but the basic idea seems sound. Carrier based fighters and LACs could approach and intercept from above and below the enemy formation at the same time they deal with the battlecruisers coming in from the flanks. Encirclement and destruction, rather nice plan."

"The measures you suggest Admiral are of course sounds and should be used when battle comes for us. Commander Bradford has a full tactical analysis of my force and the GFL, and the roles our LACs and fighters can play in the engagement. Given the current economical constraints of the CSN we can no longer employ MDM missiles on a full scale, in fact only a few mercenary units still employ them at all." He sipped some more wine before continuing,

"In fact if you reviewed the tactical analysis of my taskforce you will have noticed that every ship in it is of new construction or a resent refit. The CSN have received numerous tech-transfers from the Star Empire in light of the cold relations now shared between that state and the Hegemony."

"The ships of my force represent a new doctrine in the Concordat Navy, our vessels are smaller then previous classes yet with the new gravimetric engines they accelerate much quicker and also more maneuverable. While more compact these vessels contain fearsome energy armaments, our RD department has had plenty of time to take apart many Ortagan weapon systems and our new vessels express this new energy heavy armaments. Also rapid fire Rail guns are employed on these new warships, all of these changes of course represent our desire to take the fight into close quarters with our enemy and to beat him where he perceives himself strongest."

The admiral if anything underscored the changes that have occurred over the past decade and a half of rebuilding. The Concordat Navy was nothing like its predecessor it was a smaller force for sure but it was a "lean mean fighting machine!" as Brooks' mentor Admiral of the Fleet Peregrine stated. As with many officers in the CSN Peregrine also designed many of the new light vessels in the Navy, including the new fighters and LACs, In addition Brooks thought of the new Wolf Class Corvettes of the CSN, a ship that was designed to be the WIckians answer to the fearsome and agile Ansel Class Monitors of the Solar Navy.

"I caught the Emperor's speech the other night over the Nu-space channels, I must say Admiral that as much as our navy has changed over the past years, I am intrigued by the new Puppetmaster class carrier that you've just put into production." Admiral Brooks asked his host.

"Very interesting. Our navy still prefers having a traditional battlefleet and screen. Anway, I can't give you all the details on the new Puppetmasters, but your rank and your nation's status with us gives you clearance for the basics. We've pretty much taken the Valinor Precentor drones and scaled them up into small warships. These ships are launched and operated from a pocket dreadnought type base ship. The drone warships aren't fully AI controlled, they'll have nu-space link to operating crews on the base ship, but if it is destroyed or if the link is severed, they can operate on their own."

With that, a servant entered the room.

"Dinner is served."

Leveson rose to his feet. "Ah, well comrades, shall we retire to the dining room? I had the cooks prepare standard fare for tonight, steak and potatoes."

Brooks and his fellow officers followed their hosts into the Dining room which like the rest of the Admirals manor was exquisitely decorated. A long rectangular table was at the center of the room. Brooks took his place to the left of the Verniian Admiral and his officers sat to his left from most senior to most junior rank.

Taking their seats the WIckians made small talk until the meal was brought in, it looked delicious, common fare in Vernii would be considered a delicacy back home. Meals came in many varieties in TIconderoga unfortunately all of those varieties consisted of a flavor-less piece of meat smothered in a gray bland gravy...

The WIckians did not touch their plates instead they waited for whatever loyalty toast was custom for the Imperium's navy to give, and they would respond with their own as was traditional at Naval dinners.

A hush fell over the table as Leveson and his fellow officers looked expectantly at Admiral Windsor. Verniian tradition called for the most junior at a table to give the toast, and Windsor was the newest of the Admirals present. She flushed a bit, she'd always hated being the focus of attention like this, and hesitantly rose. She lifted her glass of wine into the air, "Comrades, to the Emperor and His Imperium!" The toast was chorused by her brothers in arms.

Commander Bradford stood and raised her own glass,

"Ladies and Gentlemen I Give you The President and the Concordat and its Navy!" She said loudly and proudly which was echoed by her fellow officers. This was only the first toast though, after they all drank to their respective nations rear admiral Dorset stood and raised his glass,

"To our Wives and Lovers !" The WIckians again repeated this, Brooks even heard a couple of the Verniians join in, he smirked as he knew what was coming when they finished repeating the toast.

The Mercenary Captain of the GFL stood with a smile only partial hidden by his thick beard.

"And may they never meet!" He bellowed with a bit of a laugh, which he noted broke into full laughter on some officers parts. Brooks laughed heartily because he figured in Maxwell's case he was most likely sincere.

Now Brooks stood raising his glass and waited for only a few moments, his previously jolly face now hard and serious.

"It is important to realize that these uniforms we wear represent something more then cloth and fiber. They are the embodiment of our duty, they are symbols to our people who we shield from harm, and they are icons that put fear into our enemies, finer officers then us have died wearing them in our stead...

“To Absent Friends!" He said gravelly and the echoed response showed due refection. Those three rounds of toasted normally consisted the standard chorus for the CSN, Brooks thought that he should add just one more for this occasion.

"And finally my friends one last toast,

To Hegomon Ansel ! May he soon be a festering corpse and his nation brought accountable for its crimes."

Side Six
Capital of the Concordat
Ticonderoga System

It was a small flat whose own modest furnishings caused few to expect it to be what it was, the personal quarters of the President of the Ticonderogan Concordat. Music flowed into the chamber a reflective stream of wildwoods and brass instruments. A wooden cabinet stood next to a blank view screen, a rare family heirloom that has survived the holocaust inflicted upon the WIckians, an air loom that now would never be given to an heir. On top of the cabinet stood an old weathered picture in a simple brass frame, it showed the smiling face of a tall and beautiful woman, who had the grace of an angel about her. Two men sat across from one another at a simple aluminum table, spread across its top was a selection of half eaten crackers and cheese. Both men were aged each over 200 years, there calloused hand held glass tumblers with a dark amber liquid in them. Their bodies bore the scars of numerous campaigns, it is documented that limbs, digits, even sight returned to a WIckian once lost,. Yet for all the advantages their bodies granted them, something as superfluous as scar tissue was not seen repaired by their bodies and the current medical situation dictated that their limited resource be applied to more dire afflictions. Besides for a warrior scars were badges of courage, or reminders of friends lost much like the picture on the cabinet.

The taller and more solid of the two WIckians regarded the picture for a moment raising his glass.

“To absent friends” Admiral of the Concordat Navy told his closest friend.

“To absent friends” the president replied as they downed their toast, Villers refilled their glasses after a moment.

Admiral Peregrine placed a small holo-projector on the table it displayed what the WIckians called the Central March of the Raumreich notably Gregor and the nearby systems.

“Tell me Frank just what the Verniians are thinking throwing more Battle squadrons into Erewohn?”

“Well I just received a Dispatch from Brooks in Gregor, apparently the Imperium Navy believes that it can bloody the Ortagans if they strike there.”

“They cant hold the system with their current doctrine, the Erewohnesse are fools, they may be able to make fearsome weapons, but the Solar Navy is blooded, they know their business and will take that system apart just like Forest took about Gregor or Hellings did to us.” The WIckians learned from their mistakes. But much to the President’s chagrin he could see others repeating them. “Any new news out of Morning Star?”

“The Thetian Hussars arrived in system yesterday without incident, the situation seems stagnated as all parties are in negations.” Peregrine stated announcing the arrival of a Ticonderogan mercenary unit to LNH purchased by Admiral Setties. “I never thought the Orts would make this their first move, LNH is a third rate power why waste the time dealing with them in this fashion.”

“If negations bog down or the Solar Navy is allowed a presence in the system it does effectively cut them out of any conflict between the Imperium and the Hegemony. But I don’t like the way it smells, understand Saharin’s actions is like trying to see through smoke and mirrors, there is always some hidden agenda nothing he truly intends is ever overt. I suspect that this stunt is all a cover to something more, I doubt we will find out what until to late.” he paused for a moment, “What do you think about their new carrier the Puppetmaster?” The president asked referring to the new weapon in the Imperium’s arsenal.

“Basically it’s a crude drone carrier, sorta like a flipper child of a Enigma I guess. It has the same purpose however its not as efficient or I think as effective. it’s a dammed waste of resources is what it is Mark, they should be refitting their ships to combat the Ortagans on a equal grounds not chasing after some supper carrier that’s beyond their technological ability still, like some boy having wet-dream after discovering his father old porno mag…” the President waved his hand cutting his friend off.

“I agree Frank the Verniians ever since the War of the Lion have been to obsessed with closing the tech gap between themselves in the Valinor they haven’t realized that their ships will be unprepared for the Solar Navy.”

“By the Unfinished Book! Its their damn ego is what it is Frank. Von Richter gave it to them hard in the occupation, without any lubrication…can you blame them for not chasing after the Valinor ?” the president stated to his friend quickly.

“Aye, but people say the same about our since of pride Mark, frack, all you have to do is look at the armament of the Space Armada SD to know that our doctrine is on the right track! The new Liberties will be a surprise to any who tangle with it, at least now we can claim parity with an Ort Dreadnaught, couple that with the Imperium’s numbers we may stand a chance if it comes to blows” Peregrine stated before finishing his drink and pouring himself another. He laughed harshly for a minute,

“If it comes to blows, HA! Guess the rest of the nations here are blind its never a matter of if but when with the Ortagans, hell our war with them has never ended nor will it until Roum burns.” The Wickians admiral’s hand shook in rage the amber liquid spilling onto the table.

“Your words are fine when you placate the merchants Mark but I know you better, you are like me, we want our revenge and we will have it by the tester ! They’ve taken so much from us and no body has ever given two shits nobody. The Valinor would never lift a hand lest risk upsetting their ‘Balance’ and the Verniians are too scared to take action unless the dagger is pointed at their gut instead!”

“Easy friend easy…” Villers cautioned

“It makes me sick Mark sick to see the moral standards of our closest friend. You know the truth, we were almost exterminated, a holocaust waged against our people for a hundred years now…too much blood our on our hands and thiers, the war is ongoing its only now that it threatens our allies proper that they suddenly start lending us more aide. Erewohn is threaten all of a sudden war with the Hegemony is unavoidable… A billion and a half of our people murdered, and they did nothing, our friends, my wife, my boy…your Alyss-”

“Stop it.” those two simple words never before carried so much weight, it was not a request. “Alyssia died honorably, while that pains me she died doing her full duty may we die as well as her. Every life lost under my command I’ve felt and each has taken a piece of me with it, you know. It maters not how we got to this point in the road but we are here now. The important thing is that in the next battle between our forces and the Ortagans at least we will finally be not alone.” The president’s eyes grew cold for an instant.

“We will avenge our people, I promise you that Frank, We will have our revenge.”

No stronger vow has ever been spoken between two scarred warriors.

Ticonderoga had never been considered to be of great import to any branch of Her Imperial Majesty's Armed Forces. Ever since the Ortagan Hegemony had finally conquered Thetis in its pursuit of its manifest destiny to rule the Great March, the Star Empire had barely given Ticonderoga a second glance. Diplomatic recognition had been extended to Villers' recently forged Concordat, although the soul envoy of Her Imperial Majesty remained only a small trade legation that had been in place when the Commonwealth of the Wick was still a going concern. The Kriegsmarine had been content to observe Ticonderoga from afar, from its installation in distant Vakutu and from the stars the long-range patrols of the Kriegsmarine occassionally ran on this side of the Hegemony's Great March.

But the Raumreich is rapidly moving toward an era of rapid change, and the Star Empire is not so blind as to believe that the remnants of the Wick will not play a roll in it. The animosity between the Hegemony and the Wickians will not allow for that to occur. But the Star Empire, especially the Kriegsmarine, remembers all to well the previous conflicts between the Wickians and their Ortagan "neighbors". Before the Star Empire even begins to fully consider courting the remnant Wickians, they wish to see if the Concordat has learned from the mistakes of its predecessors. And so the HMS Chimera, a Agamennon-class battlecruiser, along with its escort the HMS Broadsword, a Romanov-class destroyer, enter the Ticonderoga system.

There is the tell-tale ripple of disruption, the blue-white rift of energy that to this day marks the successful return of a Kriegsmarine vessel to normal space. Kapitan zur Sternen Ekaterina Tereshkova stands with hands clasped tightly behind her back gazing into the feeds and vid-screens showing the system around the flaring blue system primary. Her eyes are filled with a deadly cool fire as she sweeps toward the asteroid field encircling and shielding the Wickian orbital colonies. She reminds herself of the duty that is required of her office, as the head of the Office of Kriegsmarine Intelligence's operations in the Great March.

"We have successful entered the Ticonderoga system, Madam."

Tereshkova gives a curt nod, "Comm, hail Concordat traffic control and state our intent. Then prepare a tight-beam link to our consulate's communication satellite to confirm our new orders in this system."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Ticonderoga System Control, this is the HMS Chimera. We are requesting permission to enter your system for the immediate duration. We are currently carrying observers and envoys of Her Majesty's Kriegsmarine and Government to meet with Her Majesty's Consul so that may open dialogue with the Concordat Government. I repeat this is-," Tereshkova sweeps past the communications officer in the surprisingly compact of the Chimera. She rapidly approaches Alexei Stucov, her second.

"You have the bridge, Alexei. Contact Fregattenkapitan Delane and tell him to prepare for travel to Side 6. I am off to inform Director Togashi of our arrival."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Tereshkova exits the bridge, and tells the lift to take her to the officers' quarters. She waits for the lift to stop with a sense of growing unease she moves rapidly to surpress. Her years of service with OKI, and her time during the Occupation of Gregor, have taught her all too well what truly lies behind the title of "Her Majesty's Special Liaison Service". The lift stops and she moves to enter the corridor, and inform the passenger the Chimera was ordered to pick up in one of the nameless stars of the Great March of her ship's arrival.

After all, she adds quietly in her mind if nothing else it is my ship.

“Chimera permission for entrance into this system is granted. Be advised that FasDiv12 is en route to escort you to outer marker beta 2 and guide you trough the asteroid fields. If you are ready we will send you a download of the transit channel you will be utilizing. For your own safety do not deviate from the assigned channel, System Defense Commander Flint sends his compliments and welcomes to Ticonderoga.”

+ + +
“Helm bring us up to cruising speed we will take the lead and have 17 fall in the rear, 18 will remain on station as picket.” Lt. Ginske ordered. He then opened up a communication channel to the Valinor warships,

‘Valinor vessels welcome to Ticonderoga, my command is to escort you into the inner system and through the fields. The Channel is pretty narrow for any vessel larger then a cruiser however I am sure your helmsmen is up to the task.” For a moment their could have been a hint of brash competitiveness in the young officers voice. He was young for his command though that was because some of his superiors recognizing his potential, not because of the hereditary concessions his surname granted him.

“Our ETA to your position is One-Eight minutes, over.” Ginske stated concluding his message he awaited any reply as his pair of agile monitors sped quickly to the Valinor craft.

These monitors were the sleekest most agile vessels in the Concordat Navy relaying on their heavy firepower and agility granted to them from their new gravimetric engines for survivability in battle. They were constructed obviously to counter the resounding effectiveness of the Ansel Class monitors employ by the Solar Navy. They were a type of vessel that the Concordat could not have constructed without power plan and engine components from the Valinor themselves. The emissions from these vessels would have made it clear that the WIckians were utilizing that technology in their new constructions. An astute observer may also have noticed that those components seemed to be operating at a unsafe level to increase performance, the effect was minimal now but when the vessels operated above maximum safe military levels it was a case of increasing output at the cost of endurance. It was a dangerous game to play but when a Navy doesn’t have the technological supremacy that the Valinor can claim such modification could be the only thing that gives one a chance of survival.

Wolf Class Monitor
http://img168.echo.cx/img168/1496/segendogship1dt.jpg

Stucov turns as Tereshkova returns to the bridge. The Chimera had just started to alter its course, taking it further in-system. Tereshkova eyes the two Wickian pickets riding in front of the Chimera.

"Alexei, signal Korvettenkapitan Renders. I want him to maintain station on the opposite side of the Ticonderogan asteroid wall and deploy his Ferret drones. He is to stay in contact with the Chimera regular, updates every two hours."

"Yes, Ma'am," Stucov signals calmly to the commsman, then quietly approaches Tereshkova. "Surely you do not expect the Wickians to ambush us. Their existence is already fragile enough as it is, and judging by the readings we have gathered on their pickets, they are growing increasingly reliant on our assistance."

"I do not fear the Ticonderogans, Alexei," comes the harsh whisper. "They have enough problems clinging to their remnants and dreaming of ways to kill Ansel. But their are far worse things to fear in the Great March, especially with our own patrols from Klein reduced to virtual nothingness. I do not intend to be on the receiving in of a Solar Navy barrage merely because Ansel decides to finish his vendetta against the Wickians before he moves against the rest of the Inner Marches. Now, what of these new system pickets?"

Stucov extends a comp-pad, "A hybrid design, Ma'am. Distinct elements showing design carry overs from both the old Commonwealth navies and what appears to be modified Ortagan elements. Plus there are signatures consistent with our own gravimetrics and anti-matter reactors."

"There is an unstable control spike in the reactors?"

"Regularly."

Tereshkova inhales deeply, "The Wickians always were willing to destroy themselves before they reached the enemy. A wholly foolish strategy in my opinion, and compounded to the point of outright humor by the irony of the Concordat 'borrowing' Ortagan technological elements."

Alexei nods, having learned it is best to allow his commander her more bitter moments.

"What word from the embassy?"

"Consul Sharp has said he will await us at Side Six's port with an embassy vehicle. He has also spoken to President Villers that we wish to meet with himself and his flag officers at their covenience, and also that their is a envoy of House Alderman onboard as well."

"An envoy of House Alderman is the understatement of the Third Em-" Tereshkova is suddenly cut off as the lift to the bridge opens.

"I do hope we can make it through the asteroid field safely, Kapitan," comes the smooth, flowing tones Tereshkova has come to know far too well over the past week. Tereshkova forces indifference onto her face as she turns to face Togashi, and quashing the momentary feeling that it makes little difference either way.

"I assure you, Director, that my helmsman is utterly compotent and will discharge his duties in a manner in which no fault can be found."

Togashi inclines his head and then bows it, "I have utmost fate in your crew and your ship, Kapitan. Certainly your record at Klein speaks volumes of your capacity to perform quite well in the harsh environment of the Great March."

Tereshkova momentarily wonders what exactly the punishment would be for ripping Togashi's head off and launching it out a missile tube. Togashi inclines his head to one side again.

"It is not worth the effort, Kapitan. I will return to my quarters and prepare for the shuttle to Side Six."

"Of course, Director," Tereshkova says with a sardonic smile and hurls whatever untoward thoughts she can at the Liaison director. When the lift closes, she spins around on one heel and her eyes light with an angry fire until they rest on the world rapidly advancing.

"Chim."

"Yes, Kapitan?" the AI's voice exudes from the bridge's wall.

"Bring the grav-beams online. Integrate them with your point defense network, if anything comes to close reduce it to dust."

"It will be done."

"I will be in my quarters," Tereshkova says with cold anger as she moves past Alexei.

For all the concern and caution that was apparent navigating any asteroid field much less one as dense and fortified as the Ticonderoga fields the transit to the inner system went without incident. The pair of monitors led the much larger ship safely through the fields, even though they were not actively attempting to acquire the Valinor Vessel undoubtedly would have detected or the EMP obscuring the thousands or so remote weapon platforms, missile pods, fusion warheads in there near vicinity.

With sudden starkness the asteroids were gone replaced with the orbital infrastructure of the Ticonderogan system. Freighters, ore haulers, civilian vessels and warships clustered in the cleared area between the 2nd planetoid in the system and the asteroid field. Even though the asteroids were now gone navigation would prove just as difficult as the rocks were replaced by space craft and the rapidly grown industrial base of the Concordat’s capital. While most heavily traffic systems like Gregor or AC had strict flight patterns, lanes of travel, the WIckians did not bother with such superfluous things. Vessels darted to and fro in a sort of chaotic travel that often caused new visitors to the system much chagrin. The trained eye may recognize amongst the chaos a sort of organization, though just enough to avoid collision. Shipyards, refineries, foundries all were scattered throughout this clear area also, though most would be considered medium sized at best by most nations they were representative of the WIckian doctrine of producing projects without being restricted by the constraints of a centralized location. The Battle cruiser would have moored not far from Side Six.

The Side was one of the largest orbital bases in the system at more then 120 km in diameter. It was often the center of activity in the system and was quite possibly one of the most populated areas in all the Raumreich per square kilometer. Close to the center of the orbital base near the original navy shipyard, were the governmental offices. Given the relative importance of the Valinor Consulate it was located close to this section only a short walk done the congested walkways would be all that is needed.

A security perimeter was established at the entrance to the governmental section of the base, eight marines in bulky looking ceramic/composite armor and skin suits stood behind a barricade that required anyone who wanted to enter the governmental sectors to enter the government sector. At the main entrance stood two imposing looking marines in full battle armor, the grey-green marines stood more then ten feet tall and held heavy pulsar rifles in their hands.

All this protection at times proved useful in the past food shortages, high taxes and unemployment caused riots, though the past few years have been more quiet as the governments reforms dramatic increased the standard of living to what most nations would consider low class. At least school and medical services were now guaranteed to all, and conscription for governmental service no longer used.

A woman in a smart looking business suit waited for the Valinor party. She was tall and looked as athletic as any WIckian innately was, though she was new to her position and was quite excited at the prospect of escorting the Valinor to their meeting.

After a few moments, the delegation assembled from the consulate's small staff and the Chimera's crew walks out of the embassy. Consul Sharp talks jovially with an apparently inanimate conversationalist in the form of Tereshkova. Behind Sharp and Tereshkova are a pair of Kriegsmarine officers (one a Korvettenkapitan and one a Oberleutnant) and a strange man dressed in an all black suit wearing a pair of old, mirrored data-specs. The 'specs almost, but don't quite, hide a strange series of tatoos that drift downward from the edge of his eyes.

The small group walks between a pair of Sardaukar that look somewhat more tense than usual. Even the specially trained units of the Reichswehr's Emergency Response Teams know all to well how fragile the balance of civilization is in Ticonderoga. And it has been the protest of many the officer charged with security of the Ticonderogan consulate that even a full regiment might not forestall an assault on the embassy should one day the fragile balance spiral hopelessly out of control.

Sharp approaches the young Wickian with a warm, grandfatherly smile. He had original started his tenure at Ticonderoga when all the Star Empire maintained in the system was a small trade legation. When the Star Empire formally recognized Villers' Concordat, he had stayed on as the consul until a permanent ambassador was appointed. After close to a century in Ticonderga, Sharp is now a balding man and it is apparent that he is reaching extreme age--even by the standards of the Star Empire.

There is a hint of question in Sharp's eyes as he approaches the woman, "Mein Frau, I am grateful that the Concordat sent us an escort. However, I am afraid this is the first time we have met. If it is not, I hope you will forgive me--the memory is the first thing to go they say."

“Its an honor to meet you sir,” She said to the consul bowing her respect to the older man. “I am Deidre Baen, an assistant to the President. If you would be so kind as to follow me I will show you to his office.” The corridors within the governmental sector were much less crowed then the public parts of the station and so they moved quickly. Soon they approached a door way with two marines posted outside its door.

The Marines came to attention and presented arms when the party was in front of them. Deidre send to them now,

“The president is expecting you he awaits within, please go ahead and enter.” She said as she pulled the door open .

The President stood behind his desk engaged in conversation with a Naval officers next to him. Villers wore a pin-stripped suit, he was relatively diminutive by WIckian standards no taller then 5’8 his face however was scarred even pitted with harsh burns all wounds suffered in many bloody conflicts, there was no mistaking the aura of a soldier that emanated from him. He turned and waited for the Valinor to enter.

Sharp detaches himself to approach Villers with a casually eased gained from inhabiting Side Six for so long, his hand extended. There is another reputation the Ticonderogan consulate has besides going through Reichswehr adjutants like an assembly plant: that it is far from the strict, formal air that prevails many of the other embassies of Her Imperial Majesty.

"Mr. President, it is good to see you again. Once again I would like to express the thanks of Her Imperial Majesty to you in regards to the recent incident in Morning Star. Your reserve officers handled themselves admirably in all regards, and greatly aided in diffusing the situation from the risk of an immediate conflict."

Sharp turns back to the rest of the delegation, "Allow me to introduce Kapitan zur Sternen Ekaterina Tereshkova, of the HMS Chimera; Korvettenkapitan Arthur Winkelmann, of Her Majesty's Reichsprotektor's General Staff; and Oberleutnant Sonja Banan, also of Her Majesty's Reichsprotektor's General Staff. And finally Herr Chang Gui-Jin, my new attache recently transferred from Vakutu."

Tereshkova finds herself strangely drawn to regarding Chang carefully. She feels her eyes narrowing at some half-remembered discontinuity. Yet Sharp's adjutant is non-descript, his suit with the collar pins of the diplomatic service is outstanding. Indeed, the only notable feature of Chang is the intricate, electric blue dragon tattoo that spirals from around his ear and onto his cheek. It marks him as one of the members of the Dominionite region of Alpha Centauri that still follows the strange "Taoist" religion of the long defeated Dominion of Outer Centauri.

Yet there is a nagging doubt in Tereshkova's mind, a vague sensation that something simply is not right. And then it slowly starts to dissolve, and she turns back to Villers--offering a wintry smile and a polite, if somewhat curt, nod.

Sharp has bowed his head a little, "I do hope you will forgive Her Majesty's direct envoy, Mr. President. He extends his deepest apologies, but he was called into an immediate Nu-space conference after arriving at the consulate. He realizes that this is an extreme inconvenience and will of course wait as long as necessary for you to see him."

As the Valinor party entered for a moment Villers felt a chill, then he found out why he did. The President of the Concordat eyes if only for a quick second hardened as he watched the Kapitan enter his office. Her reputation preceded her most in the navy had forgotten her infamous contribution during the War of the Lion but Villers remembered it well. Hate welled in his stomach for the hardship her action had on the million plus WIckians on Endicott. He reminded himself though that she was only following orders, if there was something WIckians respected it was discipline. But animosity would always remain.

The President smiled now widely as the consul enter and shook his hand as he offered it,

“Its good to see you again Consul Sharpe.” He also acknowledged the rest of the party. And introduced the Admiral in the office as Admiral Flint. Villers was intrigued by the one man’s tattoos he could not place them but he remembered something about it from one of the millions of reports he read during his administration but could not remember, no matter.

On the President’s desk there was a pot and several mugs, obviously coffee along with several pastries.

“It is only mid-morning so I had these refreshments brought in, could I interest any of you for some Caf, its strong stuff, I find it to be the only way for me to deal with the Merchant Guilds…”He joked for a minute and would have poured anyone a mug if they wanted it, he laughed at the fact to that it probably wasn’t ever day one would be served coffee from a President of a star nation. He sipped his own and savored it a minute.

“It is unfortunate that the esteemed direct-representative was detained, but I would be more then willing to meet with him in the next coming days…Tell me consul what is it I can do for you today?

Sharp accepts his coffee and takes a quick draught from it, of the delegation only Tereshkova declines the offer. A look is exchanged between the Kapitan and Sharp, a brief contest of wills that the consul seems to lose. Sharp eyes flit back to Villers.

"Mr. President, Her Imperial Majesty and Her Majesty's Government are increasingly of the opinion that there will be a war between the Verniian Imperium and the Ortagan Hegemony. They feel that the scope of this war, and the resulting casaulties, will be astronomical--sweeping aside the deaths of the War of the Lion, the entirety of the last Great Raumreich War, and even our own losses during the Outer Dominion Wars. And this is one reason Her Majesty intends to pursue a course of neutrality for as long as possible. I do not think I need to explain in detail how quickly the casaulties--military and civilian alike--would rise if the Hegemony and our own Star Empire were to go to war with one another."

"Yet, Her Majesty is not naive enough to believe that this war, or any war, will sate the Hegemony's need for conquest. Due to this decision I have been authorized by both Her Majesty and Duke Sterling to present and offer to your Concordat in the hopes of working to end this war as quickly as possible. Kapitan Tereshkova and her fellow officers from the Kriegsmarine are here to--only with your permission of course--inspect the readiness and capabilities of the units of the Concordat Navy so that they may present a comprehensive report to Her Majesty, Reichsprotektor Adonis, and the Admiralty to see if the Concordat Navy would benefit in any key areas from discreet transfers in regards to technological and tactical capabilities."

"Furthermore, Her Majesty and Prime Minister Rolt concluded that a general aid package will be granted to the Concordat next month. This aid package will include basic supplies--foodstuffs to supplement your own reserves in particular--and a more comprehensive infrastructure side to assist in the construction of three new orbital habitats and a joint study by your own civil planning agencies and orbital construction firms contracted by Her Majesty to see how existing habitats, like Side Six, can benefit from improvements from the Star Empire."

Sharp hesitates for a moment, "I will not say to you, Mr. President, that this offer is selfless. Indeed, Her Majesty has forwarded instructions to me to impress the fact on it that it is far from it. If there is to be war between Emperor Calimar and Hegemon Ansel, it will not be long before the war spreads to the allies of the Imperium. For the foreseeable future, this war will be the war of Vernii and its allies--not the Star Empire. All Her Majesty will do at this point is work in whatever way possible to make sure the other nations of the Raumreich are prepared for the threat they face."

"That is by far the largest price of this aid, but there are a few others. In the interest of securing this assistance Her Imperial Majesty and Her Majesty's Government formally request that the Concordat sign a mutual non-aggression pact with the Star Empire. And also, in order to have the proverbal bone to throw at the Opposition in the Lords, open negotiations with the Star Empire to generate a comprehensive trade agreement."

“Consul you need not tell me the cost of war with the Hegemon, any Wickian is well aware of its astronomical losses, even if we lost the remainder of our numbers that loss would pale in comparison to the losses we have already sustained.” The presidents face now darkened for a moment,

“Neutrality will serve to only prolong the inevitable, you talk in terms of the war that is to be, the war in reality has been ongoing, and people will be killed the innocent will be massacred until Ansel and his minions are removed from power. Until your nation commits itself fully in the conflict the Hegemony will always remain a threat, If the Solar Navy moves on Gregor the combined Concordat and Imperium Fleets may be able the thwart any attack but we both know how the Ortagans fight and the initial civilian casualties will be devastating.”

He took a long swig from his cup of joe.

“Your offers for a tour of the navy and the aid package and a comprehensive trade pact will all be accepted gladly, my government will have no problem signing a non-aggression and trade pact with the Star Empire, we never had nor never will have any interest in your assets that would cause a shooting war to arise.”

“I should tell you that there is a significant proportion of my government that believes the best course of action in the coming conflict would be to do nothing and to let the Vernii burn as they let us 15 years ago, well please tell your empress this…

This will not be a war between two men, Calimar and Ansel to presume it to be as such will dishonor those will be this war’s victims. This is a war waged by a sadistic government against the next target on their hit list. As a result my nation will fight along side the Imperium against the Ortagans, honor and protection of innocent civilians demand that we must.”

This is not a war that has the potential to spread like a cancer across the Raumreich, it already has. The only question is when the Valinor will feel its disease. I know all to well the devious politics practiced by “Oppositions” sometimes a wise leader must do what they know is right in their hearts over what common sense tells them is prudent. Tell her majesty if she feels that neutrality is the best course for her nation I shall respect that decision however do remind her that for evil to overcome the Raumreich all that is necessary is for good people to do nothing.” The President of the Concordat stated in a low and cynical voice.

Sharp momentarily looks weary for a moment, "Mr. President, I am afraid I cannot agree with this assumption. Although I will convey your message to Her Majesty in your exact words."

"In basic, it is the firm belief of the Star Empire that this war is preventable to an extent. The Hegemony remains unwilling to confront the Star Empire directly, because even the Hegemon and his Council know where such a war would lead. The Star Empire has protected the Vaku from such action, and has created the so-called 'Valinor Reserve' to protect several developing races and nautral phenomena from the Ortagan war machine. In this coming war we will ensure and uphold the neutrality of all other nations with our full support and resources."

"You speak of past wars, Mr. President, and of their horrors. Do you honestly think that the Star Empire is so willing to unleash the same horrors that Gustav II did to win the War of the Lion? It would take ten-fold that to stop and then turn the Ortagan Hegemony back in on itself. In order to fight the Ortagans, we would have to emulate their tactics. Perhaps you are willing to return slaughter with slaughter, but the Star Empire is no-"

"Do not waste your breath, Consul," comes a harsh reply from Tereshkova. The kapitan's eyes are laced with a cold menance. "I have seen this before. I have seen this on the face of Vaku, Verniian, and now Wickians. All of them expect us to hand our salvation, to deliver them from a fate that is not entirely of the making of Ansel."

She leans forward, "Oh, yes, I say Ansel, Mr. President, because that is who truly has fought every war against your nation and is conspiring to make another. Perhaps the Verniian Imperium is not Emperor Calimar's personality cult, but to deny that the Hegemony is not personified and controlled personally by Channing Ansel is stupid."

"The Hegemon, Great Leader of the Ortagan Revolution," she laces those words with as much sarcasm as possible, "leads nothing more than the greatest--and largest--personality cult in the history of the galaxy. And there is only one way to fight a personality cult and win. You isolate it, you allow it to burn itself out when its leader finally meets the fate of all cult leaders and they die like everyone else."

"Even the Great Hegemon cannot defeat death, and the nature of his rule leaves no room for a true successor. It leaves room only for a civil war that will destroy his legacy and everything he ever touched. For almost a century now the Star Empire has worked to isolate the Hegemon and his unthinking hordes of followers. And every time we have succeeded some outside power has destroyed the system we had in place. First it was Strength, dreaming he could actually win a war against Ansel with his Thetis fleet alone. And now it is the Verniians, irresponsible disregarding the repeated statements of the Hegemony that the Great March is its realm."

She smiles cooly, "And now Calimar is reaping what he has sown, occassionally the universe show it still has a sense of justice where the abdominably irrreverant morons are concerned."

She grimaces, "However, as usual this sense of justice is perverted beyond measure. Faced with having to fight the Hegemony, rather than let it destroy itself, Vernii and its ilk will run to the Star Empire, begging us to save them. And the lot will honestly expect that we can wave a hand and make the Ortagan Hegemony just lay down and submit like a dog."

She glares at Villers, and Sharp looks as if he is about to strangle Tereshkova.

"Where do any of you get off? A war between the Hegemony and any nation is a war that will lead to utter misery for either side. The Solar Navy controls a clear numerical advantage on the Verniian Navy, Mr. President. The Solar Navy is undisputably the largest naval force in the Raumreich, and probably one of the largest in the galaxy. The Imperial Verniian Navy is the second. We are third, Mr. President--third. And do not seek to speak to me of technological superiority. If it is one thing history has shown us it is that superiority does not always equate to victory."

"Yes, we can save you and we can fight your war for you, but now it will be the worst case scenario. Are you willing to see Gregor burn in order to defeat New Ortaga? Are you willing to see Ticonderoga obliterated from all existence? Are you willing to have every other star in the Raumreich traded for the sake of one mad cult leader in Roum?"

Tereshkova leans in, "Because if so, Mr. President, let me know. Because I will personally go before the Star Lords and have every single sunbuster and singularity weapon in the Kriegsmarine's arsenal and I will stand and watch as you--you personally--have to pull the trigger to 'win this war'."

She sets back in her chair, "We have tried for a century to win this war in a way that can save some semblance of sanity in the Raumreich. Apparently that is of no consequence or concern to our neighbors. So by all means, if you want to burn and annihilate one another out of existence have at it. And when the names of the leaders of Vernii, Liberated New Hope, and the Wick are remembered with the same revulsion as Channing Ansel, I personally will find satisfaction in the perverted justice of the universe. However, bitter it may taste in my throat."

Both the WIckians in the office erupted into laughter at about the same moment, Admiral Peregrine and the President had their own version of humor and the Valinor officer just struck its cord. After about a half a minute it subsided.

“I only know one other women who ever reamed you out like that before Mark.” the Admiral told his friend quickly. Few would catch the reference and it would not be explained.

“Ho- its don’t every day I get told that I have my head up my ass, Kapitan Tereshkova.” the president stated “I respect officers who speak there minds even if their words are laced with the pig shit that’s spouted by Valinor centrists.” His voice became hard with his last sentence.

“Wake up and smell the coffee that’s right in front of you Kapitan, The Raumreich is not as black and white as your politics portray it to be. Ansel may be a mad cult leader but his cult is established and its roots run deep. Ansel could die tomorrow but his doctrines and policies would survive through the council and men such as Galt. We need to kill the roots of the Hegemony’s established government to rid it from the Raumreich.” His eyes were now like ice daggers staring at the Valinor officer.

“Your politics have cost the lives of more people then you know, while you wait for a man to die he has killed billions. Over a billion WIckians have paid the price for the presumptions of your politics and its flawed theory. It is easy for you to spout your politics when your people are not being exterminated. The Hegemony is larger then Ansel now, he may be its voice but in the end even he is expendable, his comrades can carry on. More and more nations will die until at some point in the future the only powers that will remain in the Raumreich will be the Star Empire and the Hegemony, and you like us Kaptian will find yourselves very alone standing against the night.”

“You presume much do not presume that I care for Calimar’s politics or his choices in fortifying his colonies. Each of his colonies were established by sacrificing my nation, he captured Boroglia as we died in Thetis. We will not abandon any nation to Ortagan occupation. I would push that button of yours Kapitan, if the alternative was subjugation. I ask what would you choose, to be the slave of the Hegemon or his daughter, or death, its no goddamned choice at all…”

Tereshkova smiles in a sardonic sort of way, "We can agree to disagree, Mr. President, as the nations that have given us birth have so often in the past. But remember this, Mr. President, just because the Star Empire has not fought bloody wars in the time it has known of your people does not mean they have never been fought. The wars of the Second Empire before the War of the Lion were bloody and hard, and in terms of precentiles-if not numbers-we Valinor have fought and felt lost just as devestating as the Wickians. And I will always ask if you would share these same sentiments so quickly with the likes of Grossadmiral Forrest or Reichsprotektor Adonis. Some of our older generations only half-joke when they say the worlds of the Twin Suns have drunk so much Valinor blood they can be considered relatives."

Tereshkova carefully crosses her legs and eyes the aghasted Sahrp with errant disregard, "And I will also maintain that if Ansel himself does not sow the destruction of his own Hegemony, then that which he bred will. Unless I can find someone willing to dispute the fact that Kendra Ansel is not simply insane."

Tereshkova turns to look at Peregrine, "I will perform my duties here as commanded by the Star Lords, Mr. President, Consul. My oath to Her Majesty and Her Majesty's Kriegsmarine demand no less of me. But it will be noted, as it has been already by myself and others in the role of commanders of Her Majesty's ships, that this is a fool's errand, and that we are fighting a war that has only one logical conclusion: the mutual destruction of both ourselves and the Ortagans."

"I have no doubt that you are an officer Kaptain that would fulfill her duty no mater the consequences," There was an edge in his voice Villers position in the War of the Lion was the Commodore of the Gregor Flotilla he knew of her past. "Consul as always I have enjoyed our meetings coordinate your efforts for an inspection of the Navy through Admiral Flint’s office. If there is no more further business to discuss I think this meeting is over." the President stated.

"Then we will leave you to your work, Mr. President," Sharp says calmly. "I will leave Kapitan Tereshkova to coordinate with Admiral Flint. If you have any further need of me in regards to this matter or the aid package, you know where to find me. And I will have my office transfer the necessary documentation for the non-aggression agreement as soon as I return."

With that Sharp stands and the others move to follow. Tereshkova studies Villers for a moment, as if to try and discern the meaning to the bite in his words before she withdraws.

Strangely though, Chang does not move to leave. Yet none of the Valinor mention this, in fact they seem not to notice it at all. Even Peregrine seems blissfully unaware of Chang's continued stay.

Then Chang's features begin to change rapidly, and a new face rests atop his neck. It is a exceedingly calm, yet disciplined face, with strange black tatoos spiraling from the corners of each eye onto the temples of a shaved head. Chang's new face wears mirrored data spectales for a moment, then he carefully folds them and slides them in his coat pocket.

"Mr. President, it is an honor and pleasure, even if it is our first and most likely only meeting in the immediate future."

The sockets behind the data-specs are sunken, as if they have not held eyes in years, and they are covered by a simple black band that raps around Chang's head. The obviously blind man is clamly digging through a pocket in his vest with the ease of a man with sight. Villers feels an indistinct sensation in his head, like a vague tingling.

"Allow me to introduce myself," Chang says as he approaches Villers desk and lays an ornate coin-sized disc bearing the crest of House Alderman on the surface, "I am Togashi, personal envoy of Her Imperial Majesty and member of Her Majesty's Special Liaison Service. And under the orders of Her Majesty I am to speak with you as privately as possible."

"So I would ask you, Mr. President, if you would like Admiral Peregrine to remain here, if I should dismiss him, or if you would like to dismiss him yourself. He is...far more...determined than I had anticipated. A credit to your people I often find."

"I think it would be wisest Mr. Togashi to leave Perry as he is, when he awakens it will be as if he never left. I suppose that I should thank you for the illusion of choice though." He chuckled harshly. He was alarmed and impressed by the man’s ability to hide himself in the midst of the government sector, Mr. Togashi was not a man to be messed with, if he still could be called a man anymore, well Villers supposed he and his kind were technically human anymore either…

"There was once a time when my navy tried to kill your people in Yetti's Star but that was another era, a different Myrmidon who served a different master. Besides I'd never reach the flechette gun under the desk would I?" The President asked the blind man in front of him.

"What is it that I can do for the direct representative to the Empress?" Villers asked standing and buttoning his suits jacket as he considered the man before him. Anyone else may have been intimidated by the man reputed to be Director Vacit protégée and he apparently did have considerable power of direct influence Villers considered it most ironic that this blind man was considered to possess great foresight.

The president also knew that his office was being watched at all times with sensors and cameras his security teams would find it most odd that this man remained behind while the others of his group left. If this man meant him harm he would not leave Side Six alive… Villers though was a warrior and a man of honor, Togashi was here at his Empresses’ behalf and so Villers knew the man came to him not will ill intent, Valinor honor would prevent that. The man’s mission would soon be clear enough Villers supposed as he awaited the Myrmidon’s response.

Togashi smiles quietly, "There is always choice, Mr. President. Sometimes it is merely necessary for us to make choices we do not wish to, and sometimes we need assistance in reaching the right choice that can best serve the whole."

"As to the matter of Yetti's Star, I assure you that there are no old animosities present from my side of the conflict. Director Vacit himself always loathed what happened in Yetti's Star, and tried as much as possible to keep us out of direct action in Gustav II's war."

Togashi seems to almost sigh for a moment, "We learned through the bitter hand of experience that sometimes being ruled by your own kind is not as grand an arrangement as it is made out to be. Although I do trust you can keep that particular fact politely withheld."

"As for the flechette gun, you will have to forgive me, Mr. President, if I would rather not find out based on experience. I am not as young as I once was, and I am not quite bold enough to find out if age slows the minds as much as it does the body."

“And also, I would politely request that you inform your secretary—and your security personnel—that an emergency courier from the Navy has arrived to brief you and Admiral Peregrine of a disturbing development in the Great March. Such an approximation of this meeting is true enough, and I will attend to the other details in fleshing out this little illusion.”

"But now for the business at hand, Mr. President, and Her Majesty has entrusted me to take it up with you. Before I digress, I must warn you, what I am about to discuss is to be treated with utmost confidence and is not become common knowledge outside of your own offices--and perhaps what few military commanders need to know it. Trying to use this to provoke additional action or blackmail Her Imperial Majesty and Her Majesty's Government will result in the matter being handled personally by my agency."

"Her Majesty realizes the Star Empire cannot remain neutral forever, and it being discussed at the highest levels of of the Ministry for Imperial Affairs and the Kriegsmarine that should Gregor be invaded the Star Empire will most likely intervene. However, Her Majesty does not wish this to become known to either Emperor Calimar or the Verniian high command because we firmly believe that if the Verniians were given such information they would merely withdraw to Vernii and wait until the Ortagans invaded and we were forced to intervene."

"There is also a second matter which deals specifically with the participation of the Concordat in this war. We have a unique opportunity, Mr. President, to finally break the endless cycle of war and violence in the Raumreich. Her Majesty would like to express her personal desire to see the Concordat and its military display due and proper restraint while conducting a war against the Ortagans. She, and I personally support this belief as well, feels with full conviction that the bulk of the Ortagan citizenry has little, if any, idea of what atrocities are being carried out in their name. It is not the people of New Ortaga that we need to make war against, it is the likes of Ansel, his Revolutionary colleagues, and his admirals that need to be defeated. Her Majesty realizes she asks the Concordat and yourself much to perform this duty, but to persecute and hound the bulk of the Ortagan citizenry will only lead to another era of hatred and tensions that will inevitably generate another war.”

“And if you need evidence of this,” Togashi says, his tone growing more severe, “Her Majesty has ordered me to present such evidence to you.”

Admiral Peregrine's face flushed red as he heard the myrmidon talk, the President placed his hand upon his friends shoulder to calm him.

"This painting behind me Mr. Togashi is of the Fields of Athenrey considered to be one of the most tranquil locations on Thetis. I bought a plot of land, even built a small ranch there, I once dreamed to retire to that ranch with the women I loved. All of that is gone now Mr. Togashi like so much dust in the wind. I would not wish that upon any one else, not even our worst enemies. My people know their duty, they will conduct themselves with honor on the fields of battle. Such honor can not be attained by massacring civilians and the innocent." The President said with conviction.

"I do not like reasons that this war is going to occur for, Erewohn..."the word came out with utter disgust, "I have tried at length for the Vernii to concentrate their force in Gregor, to no avail. My admirals and I are well aware of the policy of the Kreigsmarine when it comes to wormhole terminii leading to AC. But this is the first time in our war that we will have supporting forces, so we will seek justice on all those who have harmed my people.

So there it is, my orders will be to limit damage to civilian areas but not at the expense of my own forces security, we want Ansel and his government to be brought to justice that more then anything else is our goal." After a moment of silence Admiral Peregrine spoke.

"If I had the opportunity to kill Ansel at the expense of an entire city , I would order that strike, the difference between us and them is that we will regret the deaths inflicted to attain our goals, the Solar Navy could care less."

"True my friend" The president confirmed. "What evidence do you wish to present Mr. Togashi."

Togashi nods, "You will pardon me, Mr. President, if I use the sentiments of Admiral Peregrine to justify Her Majesty's reasons to send me to the Ticonderoga system."

"As for the evidence I have to present, I am aware that my gift--as well of that as a handful of other of my kind--are not as secret as we would like it to be. Yes, we have an ability of foresight to a certain extent. However, none of us--not even myself--will claim that we have the level of control, understanding, or perception that Gustav II seemed to be able to manifest on a whim."

"What we see is glimpses, echoes of what may or may not happen. Often enough they are mere pinpricks, barely giving even us enough time to interpret their meaning. But occassionally, an image of such clarity--such undeniable truth--comes to surface that it can be taken as a virtual fact."

"It is that which I have come to present."

Togashi turns to Peregrine, "You wish to trade Silesia for Ansel's life, Admiral, allow me to show you where thoughts like that will see the future of the Raumreich go."

Peregrine and Villers suddenly have their vision turned into a darkened tunnel, racing toward a blazing white horizon. Then the assault of images that come almost too fast to comprehend. Yet they act as if they are being slowed, as if some desperate attempt is being made to compressed to a level of more probable comprehension.

A blue, green, and brown world being circled by a massive fleet of Wickian, Verniian, Vaku, Liberated New Hope, and even Valinor warships. They are surrounded by the broken remnants and scarred hulks of wrecked and savaged ships. Some are of the ranks of the massive fleet, but many bear the all-too familiar red cross of the Ortagan Hegemony.

The vision spirals downward, a massive city of ruined and broken spires, of shattered factory and residential districts, and on its horizons the scarred and shattered outline of a behemoth, pyrmidal structure--the Whisper Palace. The bodies of Ortagan soldiers and civilians alike filling the streets of a city that is becoming a ghost.

The images race ahead, brief glimpses of a world without the Hegemony. The remnants of the Ortagan government isolating themselves, and then the ensuing conflict. Vakutu, Vernii, Liberated New Hope, and even the Concordat squabbling over borders and systems in the former Ortagan Great March. The Valinor withdrawing to their home stars, becoming a cold and distant figure, a power whose abilities and might are reduced to a whisper when discussing old wars. And then the feelings of anger, of uncontrollable rage, and of betrayal rip into the Wickians' minds. The minor wars of the rest of the Inner Marches seem pale when compared to it.

A red arm grasping a whip that spirals in a circle around it against a black background. A man speaking, wildly gesturing, and moving with a mad, frantic, anger-possessed determination across a stage in front of endless banners of the same emblem. He is watched by hundreds, then thousands, then billions of angry eyes, and behind those eyes are wills bent to revenge.

A massive fleet, hundreds of small, agile warships surrounding a handful of hulking behemoths studded with massive weapons arrays. They fall upon the chrome-plated, silver hulls of ships bearing the crest of the Collective Protectorates with a zealous abandon, eradicating the silver fleet in what seems like a few heartbeats.

Horrified reporters and headlines joining in the panic of an equally horrified region. Telling of how entire star systems have been obliterated using weapons thought to be long buried--long forgotten.

A massive fleet of warships marshalling, the harsh, irregular hulls of Vaku warships in formation with ships that have obvious ancestory in the current ships of the Imperium's navy. They fire their weapons in a frenzy, scattering hundreds of small parasite drones and fighters to bear down on a growing swarm of the same agile warships bearing the arm-and-whip. Then the entire system dissolves in fire, its sun tearing itself and its children apart.

The calm of a great chamber lighted by massive circular windows, the Throne of the Twin Suns in its great hall. Vaku, Verniian, and Liberated New Hope ambassadors standing before an assembly of Valinor nobles attending to an old--and very tired--woman that seems to be Empress Friedelinde. The Empress points out of the hall with the hooked and gnarled finger, and the ambassadors stand as solemn beings accepting an inevitable fate.

The same raging demagouge, delivering another soundless, hate-filled tirade from a hundred holograms over a broken and shattered skyline. Soldiers dressed in black armor with mirrored visors ruthlessly fire into fleeing civilians, shooting them and then bayoneting them as they fall.

A system that is all too familiar to Villers and Peregrine, a system with a massive asteroid belt. Smooth, simply designed warships bearing massive energy batteries rush to meet an approaching tide of the horde of agile warships and their massive command ships. Explosions flash in the vacuum of space as massive discharges of energy are unleashed. The asteroids and the ships, enemy and friend alike, warp and distort as the gravitational forces of a blackhole are unleashed.

Then the flaring brilliance of a sun going nova.

A desperate war, elegantly curved and streamlined forms of Valinor vessels of new and strange designs sparring with the same enemy. Hundreds of gunships die and even the behemoth command ships fall, but it is quite clear that even the Valinor warships are fighting a losing battle.

It becomes a desperate fight, a fight of endless blow after blow against a relentless enemy. Star after star goes nova, faster and faster. Fire after fire consumes world after world. And then—nothingness.

Villers and Peregrine fine themselves snapped back into the office. Togashi sits across from them, face gaunt and slightly strained, as if recovering from some great effort.

“The war of slaughter will gain nothing, Admiral, Mr. President,” Togashi says quietly. “To kill a million, a billion, souls for the sake of one man is not worth the final cost.”

“Let me tell you something few in the Raumreich realize. The Ortagans are just as old as Valinon, and perhaps just as powerful. But in all their existence, in all their long centuries of nationhood, the Ortagans have never learned control or confidence. They have never matured. Deep inside they are still governed by fear, just as their original nation—a loose federation of provinces—was.”

“And when the citizens of the Federation of New Ortaga feared their government could no longer protect them they elected an archduke and installed an aristocracy. When the archduke failed to win the Colonial Wars and lost the first Ortagan empire the citizens turned more power over to the aristocracy. When the aristocracy failed to restore the empire, failed to hold Falasmayon, they turned to Ansel and his Revolution. And the Ortagans have felt safe, secure, for the first time in many long years.”

“Destroy their fragile psyche, destory their fragile faith in their safety in such acts of unimaginable destruction and you will be writing your own epitaph, and the epitaph of the entire Raumreich. Because the Ortagans will give themselves over to the first madman or group of madmen who promise to save them from their nightmares and make them safe. And they will do so again, and again, and again until either they or everyone else around them are dead. Until every possible threat is gone, until every possible element that generates fear is dead and buried by an Ortagan hammer.”

Villers feels a gnawing emptiness inside his head, as if a great void of boundless fear of destruction and defeat was welling from unknown source into him. And then it starts to unravel.

“Unless we can break the cycle this time, Mr. President. Unless we can forge a peace where the defeated are not treated with such utter contempt and punished regardless of their guilt. Unless we can stop the cycle that has always governed the Ortagans, and indeed the entirety of the Raumreich, our existence is doomed.”

Togashi’s sunken sockets bore into Villers, “Does this do justice to the case Her Majesty is trying to prevent, Mr. President?”

Throughout the experience Villers fists were clenched almost white knuckled, his muscles flexed veins bulged in some places. He may not be tall for a WIckian but he was well built, when he spoke his voice was low and trembled with rage, but it was not directed at Togashi.

“I am a believer in the Unfinished Book Mr. Togashi” The president said alluding to the most popular religious movement of his people. “Predestination is not something I believe in, our fate is what we make of it. I would do anything to prevent the eradication of my people, I see the logic you’ve presented here. If we take continue unabated violence against our enemy it will become a circular pattern.” He sighed for a moment before continuing.

“I’m a bitter old man Mr. Togashi but what disturbs me most from your vision is not the tactics that the war was waged with but rather its aftermath. The Ortagans I think are too much like my own people, they are pragmatic, they could tolerate loss but their character their pride is something not so easily repaired. The cause of the horrors you depicted here is not just the methods of war making but the methods of peace keeping. Petty squabbles or territory have carried on in the Raumreich for much to long, my nation was the victim of such squabbles. War is a tough bitch no doubt, but it seems to me that the conditions of peace are what truly cause the next conflict.”

“Tell your Empress that the Concordat Armed Forces will do its best to limit civilian casualties there will be innocent killed it is unavoidable. No Concordat forces shall commit any atrocities under my administration. We desire nothing out of the coming conflict but the security of our nation we are a people sick of war and will do what is necessary to prevent the next. Tell her that troubling times are ahead and there will come a time when we must choose the easy wrong or the hard right, my nation will do the hard right, we will swallow our thirst for revenge to secure a future for our posterity. What scares me the most is that I doubt any of my allies will do the same…”

Togashi stands and assumes a stiff formal posture. He bows slightly at the waist in the manner of the Dominionite populace of Valinon.

"I thank you, Mr. President, and I will convey your message to Her Majesty. And I will also extend Her Majesty's personal thanks for your candor and your commitment to put aside past conflicts for the benefit of the future of the Raumreich."

"You are correct to say a fair, just peace is the only way to truly secure a new era in the Raumreich. But the only way to ensure that peace is to fight a war that is one governed by the decorum of the rules of war, such as they are, and not lower yourself to the level of your opponent--no matter how despicable his actions may become. You have given us your word to meet our terms in regards to the war, Mr. President. Now you have the word of Her Majesty and the Star Empire we will do everything in our power to ensure their is a fair and just peace."

Togashi pulls out his data-specs again, "As for the Verniians and Admiral Setties, you may leave them to us. Unlike your own nation, Mr. President, Vernii and Liberated New Hope are not free from outside influence or control. The Verniians know all to well the price for angering the Star Empire--and they are loathe experience again--, and the Collective Protectorates can be made aware that their continued existence also relies on at least the indifference of the Star Empire to its presence. If it becomes necessary to impress that fact on Emperor Calimar and Admiral Setties to secure this peace, it will be done."

Togashi bows again and moves toward the door. He pauses right before the door and turns back to Villers.

"You and your people may share much in common with the Ortagans, Mr. President, but you also share some elements in common with the Ortagans opposite number. The Valinor are an old people, Mr. President, older than most in the Raumreich truly care to think about. And like all aged lions they grow increasingly tired of caring the weight of maintaining sanity in the Oversector on their shoulders. The Wickians are not the only ones sick of these endless wars. Many Valinor swore the War of the Lion would be the last war, but now they are being forced to fight another."

Togashi's features, indeed his entire body start to spiral and grow out of focus, "Let us hope the rest of the Raumreich is prepared for a time when the presence of the oldest nations in the Oversector are no longer felt quite so frequently. And let us hope that all of these nations are up to the task of starting to control their own fate. Because that time may be coming faster than many realize."

With that Togashi has changed once again, and a young--if somewhat small--Wickian wearing the uniform of the Concordat Navy salutes Peregrine and Villers and then quickly exits the office, rapidly disappearing into the officialdom that inhabits the government sector of Side Six.

The WIckians returned the Myrmidon’s salute, when he left they waited about a minute before anyone spoke.

Villers pulled out a small flask from his jacket pocket and took a long pull from it he offered some to his friend who turned it down.

"Kinda like having a ghost walk over your grave isn’t it Mark." Peregrine said softly.

"Yeah..." The President Agreed after all what more could one say after that experience.

"You don’t really have a Flechette rifle under your desk do you?" Peregrine asked incredulously.

Villers left hand that had remained under the desk for the entire meeting almost casually. In his hand was a short-barreled Flechette Rifle favored by WIckian Marines, it would have turned anyone in front of the desk into so much goo.

The president smiled for the first time in a while and shrugged, his friend only laughed...

+ + +

The Next Day…

Commander Daniels waited by the shuttle port entry, he checked his wrist watch and noticed that the Valinor officer’s shuttle was due to arrive in about five minutes. It was his responsibility to escort the ambassador about the construction yards in Side Six, even onto a few of the newly constructed vessels all with the expressed goal of allow the Kapitan to complete her inspection of the Concordat navy so that Lord Adonis would receive an accurate report.

The rounded, almost tear-shaped shuttle smoothly descends to the deck with a quite efficiency. Moments later Tereshkova, Winkelmann, and Banan descend down the ramp. Tereshkova walks at a smooth, brisk, and decidedly unfemine pace toward Daniels. She carefully studies Daniels rank insignias on the way.

"Commander, I am Kapitan zur Sternen Tereshkova, and these are my colleagues Korvettenkapitan Winkelmann, tactical division of the General Staff, and Oberleutnant Banan, one of the General Staff's adjutants from the Kriegsmarine Bureau of Weapons. I understand you are to conduct us on this tour of Side Six's and the Concordat Navy's facilities and star ships presently in-system?"

“That is correct ma’am this base itself is the largest facility maintained by the Navy, whoever there are several civilian contractors who maintain yards just as large. If you would follow me Ma’am the tour can begin.” the commander said ushering the group down out of the shuttle bay and into the crowded corridors of the naval base inside Side Six. Like any base in the concordat Side Six was crowded with the bustling pace common with newly constructing facilities. There was no denying the boom-town aspect of Side Six or the Concordat in general. They approached a translucent battle steel window the scene witness ed beyond it was construction of two of the Concordat’s new Liberty Class Super Dreadnaughts. The ships were smaller then their predecessor only 2/3 the previous length at 2.5 km, and their hulls were no longer cylindrical but rather more angular, the fore and aft impellor rings were removed and replaced with Gravimetric drives. There also were no long any missile tubes along the ships broadside, instead there were half a dozen massive energy mounts along the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the ship, another six rail guns were mounted on the ships broadside in central turrets. The chase armaments would have been of particular note with dual grasers larger then anything previously mounted on a WIckian Vessel.

“The Vigilant and {I] Endurance[/I] two of our new class of Super Dreadnaughts you will notice that they are significantly different then anything our navy has produced. it’s a direct manifestation of the Navy’s new doctrine of naval combat as well as recent improvements of our tech base. You will notice that these ships employ gravimetric thrusters as well as a layer shield. This ships was a dozen 800cm grasers, these mounts are divided into batteries of three mounts which can target a specific point, which will prove most effective against enemy shields. You will notice the long range rapid fire rail guns as which will give our ships a long range and accurate punch, at closer ranges these guns can be equipped with scatter shot for a most devastating effect. The chase armament consists of two 1600cm grasers, we believe these weapon will have the same devastating effect of the Phoenix class dreadnaughts of the Solar Navy if only half its range.

I made this our first stop because these ships reflect the changes that will be implemented in our new construction and also in the refitting of older classes of ships. I did omit some things worthy of mention such as the vessels new jump drives, LAC bays, and plasma mortars. Questions?”

Banan's eyes flick nervously to the cold, distant figure of Tereshkova studying the new dreadnoughts with the chilling gaze of a predator. Apparently satisfied that the senior of the Kriegsmarine officers is distracted, Banan turns to Daniels.

"Although I will concur with your basic assessment that this arrangement of focusing your energy fire on one specific point should work well against the single-layer, gravimetric "field" shield favored by the Solar Navy, surely the Concordat Navy realizes that this is creating a fleet designed to fight a single enemy. And there is considerable evidence to suggest that the Solar Navy's time as a truly compotent force vis-a-vis with the rest of the Inner Marches may be numbered. Are there any plans to establish a class or doctrine with a more flexible degree of armaments?"

Winkelmann nods slowly, "Agreed, and I must also question the validy of maintain LAC bays on your warships, Commander. I realize the Concordat Navy has followed in the path of its predecessors by avoiding increased use of drones or unmanned fighter craft, but surely more adaptable and more agile small attack platforms would be more efficient? Small one-man or two-man crew fighters would reduce the likelyhood of vast casualties commonly associated with LAC and monitor combat. And also allow parent carrier classes to operate as more effective long-range mobile engagement platforms."

Tereshkova inclines her head for a moment, "Mass drivers have proven to be effective weapons in the past, Commander. But I would warn the Concordat Navy to distant itself from heavy reliance on them. Artifical intelligences and self-education software programs are growing increasingly fast, and I strongly suspect that the threshold has been crossed by several Inner March nations to where their systems can actively track, target, and address mass driver projectiles. If not destroy them, then at least alter their course through the use of grav-beams to prevent massive damage. I will not argue that the age of massed conventional missiles, for the most part, has ended. But to eliminate missile attacks wholesale as a tactical option is foolhardy. Missiles can be an effective attack and counter measure, especially if quality of individual projectiles is focused on over quantity."

“Daniels looks back to the Valinor officer who addressed him first, he smiled polite when he replied though it contained an icy edge.


“Yes Lieutenant, if the Navy was to pick a fight with say the Star Armada directly you would undoubtedly hold the advantage. Keep in mind unlike many of the other star nations in the Raumreich mine has been at war for a hundred years. We are a hunted people and our predator is the Hegemony, it is simply natural selection and as such we have adapted to our situation to enable our very survival.’ With that any ice in his tone was gone replaced with pride in his people and Navy, “When I view these new construction, and wall the halls of our habitats I am reminded that we have accomplished that we have lost much but at the same time we have come so far. Our new doctrine may be concentrated towards a specific end, but I think we could hold our own with any Naval force in the Raumreich at the moment.”

He considered the other Valinor officer present,

“Our new Adder class LACs have a crew compliment of five, we also recently have begun to employ fighters once again with crew of two, our monitors have a crew of only 15. If we knock out a cruiser for the price of a squadron of LACs or even a Lance of monitors it is still a loss ratio in our favor. Monitors and LACs are also far more economical for a nation whose economy is as fledgling as the Concordat. As it is we are having problems enough constructing capital class ships when forty percent of our people live in barracks maintained by the government. But make no mistake gentlemen the CSN is not in the habit of needlessly sacrificing its crew lives, if possible we will use such vessels in lightning raids they excel at not in slugging matches with dreadnaughts! Besides we WIckians feel that our sense of honor would be insulted should any AI vessel or drone be used when a warrior can prove a much more able pilot.” His last words held much levity.

Finally Daniels listen intently to the Captains comments, he thought for a moment that in many nations for example in the Imperium her name would be forgotten by the newest generations, the Vernii and the Valinor were long lived where as a WIckians bodies began to destroy themselves only after a couple mere centuries. But Daniels remembered her name well, his father was born on Endicott to refugee parents fleeing Thetis in the dark days of the past Daniels grandparent froze to death on that icy hellhole because of the orders she carried out during the occupation.

Bile rose to his mouth for a moment though Daniels believed none of his reaction showed outwardly, if he was anything he would be professional,

“BuWeapons agrees with your statement ma’am I understand that the Star Armada employs mass drivers on their own men-of-war. To supplement our energy armaments yes the CSN will be using rail guns whose targeting systems and projectiles are as advanced as we can make them. In addition we still employ missiles though doctrine has changed we believe our new missiles will be an unwelcome surprise for the Ortagans.”

Tereshkova turns toward Daniels, one eyebrow arched high with what could be either disdain or vague curousity.

"Surprises, you say, Commander. I am curious as to what sort of 'surprises' you refer to. To my knowledge, the Star Empire has not concluded any agreements transferring missile or warhead technology to the Concordat, and while that does not exclude the possibility some of our technology--or commerical grade material--finding its way into the hands of your navy, your tone suggest something more. Find some interesting trinkets from the Erewohnese perhaps? Or even by scavenging Ortagan hulks in Thetis?"

Tereshkova smile is nothing but the kiss of a winter's chill upon her face, "But I digress. You speak of favorable loss ratios in regards to combat situations--whether that is a realistic situation with the Solar Navy is an issue I will lay aside for now. Tell me, does the Concordat Navy also have to account heavily for losses from overstressed technology? The Chimera's sensor scans of your monitor classes that escorted us in suggest that might be an area of future--if not current--concerns with at least your smaller units."

“If anything has been salvaged from Ortagan wrecks Captain it is classified. But the Concordat does not have to depend on canalized technology from other nations for our weapon systems. Admiral Peregrine controls a large office that decided how best to employ our own technology and the beneficial technology from other nations. Our new missiles are a derivative of this synthesis.”

He considered for a moment.

“Captain you mentioned tech-trader from your nations, in many cases integrating such technology has proven difficult. Some of our engineers have even modified their designs to increase output at the expense of several safeguards.”

“I suppose that the new Wolf Class monitors are an example of this as you mention. Really I suppose the Class is only an interim design, like many of our new designs we are feeling our way into our new doctrine. There are bound to be some accidents, however unfortunate they are when the choice is the death of our nation what choice do we have. In combat conditions we have had the fusion reactors of a monitor up to 140% such bursts of power increase performance drastically. Some may consider such a method as foolish and it is risky on the smaller ships and is only ever used in critical times but larger ships as you know will have redundant systems, like most things in war it is a calculated risk.” Daniels shrugged finishing his last sentence.