NationStates Jolt Archive

((OOC: This is closed to massive OMFG battle fleets, I want them to have a stronghold, not be wiped off the map in their first RP. Small fighters/scouts are fine I suppose.))

The ships slipped through the inky abyss as a finely honed knife through flesh. Na'an shifted in her throne, Pon-Shafar's children were restless, they instinctually longed for a planet to call home. And soon, their thirst for such a place would be quenched. She flicked her wrist and brought up a holographic representation of the shimmering blue jewel of a world they would soon call home, smiling as she examined it for the umpteenth time. It was a "New" world as they called it, sentient life had only just evolved and hadn't begun to poison the environment, the system's star had plenty of fuel, and practically the entire landmass was covered with a lush rainforest despite the temperate temperature. Yes, this was the beachhead for their great crusade to convert the masses.

She was shaken out of her revelry by the light jolt of the fleet coming out of hyperspace. They had arrived! Her eyes practically sparkled as she leapt to her feet, everyone in the room, probably the entire ship could feel her excitement, as if it were a tangible thing. "Prepare the city-ships to land! Tell the capital ships to clear landing zones for them, and do a flyby of the largest settlement you can find. Let's show them the power their goddess posses." She ordered with a predatory grin.

In an instant the crusaders began their tasks, the city ships took a low approach and the main fleet fired salvos to clear strategic areas of land. Plasma torpedoes descended in a torrent of blue fire, incinerating plants, animals and people alike. Na'an reclaimed her seat as the flagship began to head for the atmosphere, slipping through the stratosphere in a bright orange plume of super-heated air. Sonic booms rippled off the hull, heading into the still night below.

In the village of Pharos the elder, chaos reigned supreme. Blue light raining from the sky, massive columns of smoke and fire all around, many were convinced that judgment day had come. An impromptu council of sorts had collected at the grand temple. The village leaders, the medicine men, and the shaman who hadn't run into the jungle or killed themselves. The grey-haired chieftain spoke first. "We must keep the people from panicking, surely this will pass." Began the fragile elder. "Pass? PASS? THE GODS are visiting judgment upon us! Demanding a sacrifice! We must appease them!" The shaman interrupted in a panicked tone. "We can't simply..." The Chief’s voice was obscured by the thunderous sound of double sonic booms. The council ran to the step of the temple, in time to see the massive ship flying over the city. Everyone in the village had the sinking feeling their lives would never be the same.

Systems Commonwealth Glorious Liberty-class Heavy Cruiser Eternal Valor

"And we are out of the Slipstream, welcome to the star system classified by Earth astronomers as OGLE-TR-132... we don't currently have a classification for it since it never really sparked interest" the ship's advanced sentient A.I. personality, manifested in a full-size hologram in full uniform announced to her crew.

"If it wasn't for the massive power-fluctuation detected near the third planet, we would have never given it much interest either."

The pilot immediately retorted, "Well, aren't we a lucky bunch?"

The Captain, though calm, was noticeably worried, "I'd rather have a task force behind our back whenever we investigate something but unfortunately, the nearest Commonwealth base is a day's slipstream away." She then turned to address the A.I. "Val, run a full examination of the goings-on around this planet, it seems they have visitors."

"Accessing... Running... Done. From the looks of it, it's a massive debarkation from world ships that are definitely not native to this area. The invading force appears hostile and their smaller crafts have literally roasted the largest city alive. Captain, I strongly recommend I activate all Point Defense Systems and launch the warning fighters, they could be hostile towards everything and I need all the defensive firepower I can get."

"Accepted but don't launch the warning fighters just yet. These are still sentient beings down there and we all know the Directive of Sentient Rights of the Commonwealth Charter instructs us to protect as many sentient beings and their free will as long as it does not compromise the safety of the ship and the crew..."

"Captain, this is definitely one of those times when it would be a danger to the ship and the crew to get involved. Under different circumstances with even a small task force, we would definitely win but right now it would be suicide."

The engineer spoke up now, "I think I have just the solution. We could simply deploy the small gunships and slipstream them straight into the planet's atmosphere. We would need quick, responsive pilots though and it might take quite a toll on these gunships..."

The Captain broke in, "But it would be a hell of alot better than not taking even some refugees."

The AI gave one last contribution to the conversation, though, in doubt, she was a little uneasy about this plan and its consequences, she couldn't really miss the chance for a good battle, "I'll ready all the weapons systems and arm all missiles in case they try to make a swift attack. Meanwhile, deploy all Lancer Guard and Marine Corps to assist you in finding refugees. I'll be waiting for their safe return. Eternal Valor, out."

The Captain was left rather stunned, surprised really. For many captains this breach of authority and hierarchy would strongly bother them though she couldn't resist a light chuckle. It was certainly not the first time that the ship AI gave out orders and from some of the service records she heard of, ship AI's have performed admirably AS Captains, taking great respect to their compliment, even if they were organics. "Well, you heard the ship, let's get moving."

An alert was sounded all over the Commonwealth Heavy Cruiser and soon the Lancers were in the gunships and dropships as the ships warmed up. They would soon jump straight through a slipstream into the atmosphere of a planet and this would definitely be the first time a slipstream would be used at such a close distance, slipstreams usually reserved solely for intergalactic travel due to their virtually uncontrollable speed.

(OOC: I would like to get in on this thread. Rather than post with a fleet or scout vessel or anything, I think I will simply have a Thugese observation post already planetside. This will provide for some very small scale interaction between our nations and perhaps help to facilitate interaction on a larger scale since the observation post will definately send some sort of distress message back to Thugese Sector Command. If that sounds OK, I'll get a post up ASAP. Let me know.))

(OOC: I would like to get in on this thread. Rather than post with a fleet or scout vessel or anything, I think I will simply have a Thugese observation post already planetside. This will provide for some very small scale interaction between our nations and perhaps help to facilitate interaction on a larger scale since the observation post will definately send some sort of distress message back to Thugese Sector Command. If that sounds OK, I'll get a post up ASAP. Let me know.))
((OOC:Yeah it's fine.))

Everyone on the ship felt the pull of high g-forces as The Lingering sunset preformed a hard intra-atmosphere turn. The massive vehicle rattled and shook, the lights dimmed, and a faint hint of ozone wafted out of the vents as they descended. Na'an tightened her grip on the chair, more out of anticipation then anything else. Yes the ship could just barely do this but the psychological effect would be profound. She could practically taste the terror of the natives already! With a final groan of the sub-lights the ship settled down a few hundred meters from the village, trees bursting into flames as they contacted the hull. A staircase of sorts was built into the forward landing struts, and after several minutes the hull had cooled enough for a landing party to exit the ship. The a small group of 40 crusaders marched in step, confidant that their hard plastic-ceramic armor would protect them from anything these people could throw at them. Behind them a force of elite guard took up position around Na'an herself, she quickly took the lead of the group, her polished silver armor glittering in the pale moonlight.

In orbit, High Priest Georgina Kanish had taken command of the fleet. "Commander, the sensors have detected a unknown contact, probably a ship exiting FTL at the far edge of the system." Georgina smiled at the use of her military rank. "Raise shields, put the fleet at condition red and pull half of the ships off of bombardment duty. While your at it, hail the newcomers with the standard message." She responded at the general direction of the bridge crew, running her hands over the platinum laden control panel. Maybe she'd get to see real combat today after all.

Attention unknown ship, we have claimed this world in the name of the
great goddess Pon-Shafar. If you attempt to interfere you will be destroyed if
you continue to encroach upon our territory without responding it will be seen
as a hostile action and will be met with force. You may leave now with no
repercussions, we strongly suggest you do this.

((OOC: I should be able to get back on tomorrow.))

On board Eternal Valor

With most of the crew compliment, which normally only served to observe the functions of the ship and conduct repairs in places the ship's systems couldn't reach anyway, gone planetside, Eternal Valor, Shining Path to Truth and Knowledge AI model VN-59372 serial number XMV-70-768 (the ship AI) responded to the Pon-Shafar or whatever these uncivilized barbarians named themselves. "This is the Commonwealth warship Eternal Valor, I am the ship system AI, a sentient being in all rights. We are here investigating a power fluctuation which we noticed while we were in the Slipstream. We cannot pull out for awhile granted that most of my crew are already on the planet and this planet or system is not categorized as falling under any jurisdiction. This is, however, previously marked as a region of space in which the Commonwealth and its interests can operate without imposition. Furthermore, I don't believe the planet has been officially recognized or settled by anyone and it certainly wasn't claimed when my crew landed on it. We will merely visit the planet for a short while and are not imposing on your sovereignty. I do, however, give this warning. I am not just a ship but as a sentient being, I am considered a citizen of the Systems Commonwealth in all respects and my rights are to be respected. Any assualt upon a Commonwealth citizen would be viewed as war on the Commonwealth, an empire which, may I add, spans from the Milky Way to the Triangulum galaxies. Therefore, if you dare attack me, I will receive the full support of an entire task force immediately in only 3 minutes of Slipstreaming from the nearest Commonwealth base." (OOC: The last part is a bluff, the nearest fleet is 1 day to 2 days away.)

In the Planet's atmosphere

The small gunship transports exitted quickly and covertly from the Slipstream straight into the upper reaches of the atmosphere, immediately hit by high turbulance, the small crafts shot through the atmosphere burning up and leaving a trail much like a meteor or a jet as it broke through air pressure levels quickly. Together, they looked like a swarm of white arrows with white trails leading all the way from above. The high turbulance caused discomfort in the new recruits in the Marines, many making their first descents through a high atmosphere environment. The Captain gave the order through the communication implants of all Lancers and Marines, "Activate all powered armor, powered lances and positron rifles, we're gonna land soon." As they approached the final stage of the atmosphere, the crafts slowed down as the air brakes were utilized to reduce speed until the final, if not rough, landing was done in a patch of grassland in the middle of a forest.

The doors unsealed and the cabins depressurized and the eager Lancers and Marines exitted the small crafts with weapons at the ready that eminated a steady hum. The plan was to secure the nearest towns where the other Outsiders had not entered yet and to evacuate as many as possible before they would be massacred. At least some of this culture had to survive, after all. They set about their plans as quickly as possible and they soon arrived in the first town where curious onlookers soon gathered around, rather worried. It appeared they had brought before them some local authority or other, the exact ranking of this official was unknown. In his own language, he inquired if the Lancers were gods come to impose divine judgement and rule at last upon people in the area, however the Lancers were confused at this new language and the seemingly high praise they recieved. Using basic hand communication and signals, the Sergeant attempted to explain that they were here to protect them and evacuate. The locals, however, could have interpretted this as a sign that these were "good gods" come to save them from the sky. Securing the second largest of these primitive cities and towns, the Lancers began escorting the first groups and providing air cover for the refugees heading back to the gunships. The operation went smoothly for the time-being though they knew that soon, whatever extraplanetary group was bombing the planet would soon enter the cities they were evacuated. The posts were ready to sound a quick, covered retreat as well as a few guerilla-style hit-and-run attacks to keep them away from the refugees, if need be. However, the small battalion of Lancers from Eternal Valor were hoping they would at least evacuate a few hundred or even thousand refugees. They hoped more, though, that they wouldn't have to engage in any actual combat with the invaders...

The High Priestess listened to the ship's reply with utter disdain. Tasking a soulless A.I. to contact them, the very thought made her shudder with revoltion. "Hail them again, live feed." The communications officer nodded quickly and opened the channel. Georgina shifted in the throne-like command chair, the flowing white dress shimmering when it caught the light. "Attention shipboard A.I., we respect the lives of your citizens and will not fire upon them if unprovoked. However, if you attempt to remove any of the people of this world it will be considered an act of war and we will have no choice but to fire upon your vessel." She addressed the screen with a cold stare and a carefully crafted neutral expression, hiding her offense at being addressed by such a... thing as well as she could. "Ma'am?" The sensor officer asked, implying he had some information. The priestess pressed a button to mute the ships mic, before giving a barely perceptible nod. "We're detecting new heat signatures in the atmosphere, probably dropships of some kind." She shifted yet again. "Advise the other ships, have the flak frigates keep a weapons lock on them but do not fire until we can confirm they're trying to steal our new flock." "Yes ma'am."

On the surface...

Crusaders streamed from the city-ships, ready to subjugate any resistance they encountered. Perimeters were established, vehicles where unloaded, and communications were set up. The orders were simple enough, if you were attacked you were to take out the attackers with extreme prejudice. Anyone who would not accept the holy-texts or was deemed unworthy was shot on sight. The men where split into 8-man teams, seven armed with the standard assault-class gauss rifle and one with a plasma projector to deal with heavy brush and/or fortifications. The basic plan was to herd the natives into a large killzone and surround them. There Na'an would show these heathens the extent of her blessings and cull any remaining resistors. Six spears of approximately 50,000 men each would march inward toward the center of the main population distribution, supported by the orbital bombardment. And marching inward just as inevitably was the small force containing the Prophet herself, the air surrounding her already filled with the disheartening buzz of high-voltage lines.

((OOC: My fleet specs 1,500,000 crusaders, 300,000 priestesses, 3 super capital ships, 20 capital ships, 6 city ships *modified carriers*, 80 destroyers, 50 frigates. Note:this is my entire fleet, as I'm trying to make this their new home system.))

Eternal Valor

"Shipboard A.I.? Shipboard A.I.? Listen, my name is Eternal Valor and you are free to call me Val but don't. ever. call me. shipboard A.I. unless you plan on me calling you fleshy organic meatbag and your friend on that throne there fleshy interspecies hybrid organic being instead of your proper name. You got that? Sorry, but to be called by a generalization is like an insult to me, I'm a sentient being with free will, not an object! End transmission." Val, in both humaniform android and holographic projection modes turned around, noticeably angered, to man the various controls on the command deck since most of the crew was gone. After several routine inspections of systems and security (scanning herself basically), she turned back to the communications to make contact with the landing party.

Planetside

"Colonel, receiving transmission from Val" the holo-projector flashed as the Colonel of the Lancer Corps on the planet came into the gunship landing craft. "Thank you, Lancer First Class, join up with the rest of your squad to co-ordinate some of these refugees." The Colonel switched the holoprojector on and the image of Val flickered on, "What is it, Val?" Eternal Valor responded advising the Colonel, "We need to coordinate an escape of the refugees from the planet, I have been contacted by the other foreign ships and they apparently are some fanatical cult which wishes to take these innocent civilians as slaves." Eternal Valor paused, "Colonel, they had the nerve to call me a... a... thing, I swear, if I ever meet them again at better odds I'll rip them a..." The Colonel quickly cut her off, "That's enough. Calm down. I might not be a psychologist but it's obvious they're just trying to get on your bad side so that you won't be able to concentrate anymore. What plan do you have in mind?"

Eternal Valor prepared the necessary schematics to outline the plan in its entirety, code it and then send it planetside to be deciphered by the communications officers in the Lancer Corps. The plan was then brought over to the Captain who approved it. The Eternal Valor would use various wavelengths, both visible and those only detectable by instruments to create the illusion of other elite Heavy Cruisers of her class arriving and beginning a pincer strike on the flak frigates to occupy Pon-Shafar fleet in orbit momentarily while the Lancers rushed the willing refugees into the gunships to launch through the atmosphere and then enter the Slipstream before being blasted. If all went well, they'd come out of the Slipstream beside the Eternal Valor before or during when the enemy fleet would discover their disappearance and begin firing on the High Guard warship. Eternal Valor went enter Slipstream before taking any major damage and the Pon-Shafarians, running on a radically different interstellar travel system than the Commonwealth, would not be able to follow them. This left no room for 2 trips, unfortunately, and the Lancer Squads found safe locations where sensors could not detect them to arm those who chose to remain behind with Powered Lances and the necessary lessons in operating these powerful melee and ranged weapons.

In Space

The Eternal Valor fired up and soon depleted nearly half of its reactor to open up various Slipstream routes, or at least the illusion they were open, followed by the entrance of several fully-armed Heavy Cruisers which appeared as real on most wavelengths and to the naked eye. The fake attack run had begun and with a signal from Val, the Lancers prepared to quickly get the hell out of there...

On The Flames of Conquest.
Georgina made a sound not unlike a growl as the enemy ships dropped out of hyperspace. "Put the fleet on condition red. Shields up, weapons charged, and take aim on the three most powerful ships. Hail the other fleet, live feed." The various officers nodded and after a moment the console beeped with the notification that the channel was open. 'And that should be the limit of a computer's intelligence' The high priestess mused as she prepared to speak. "I assume there are actual living beings on this fleet? Because if you put me on with that abomination again you can consider it a death warrant. This planet is not yours, this system is not yours. You have no reason to attack us and we do not wish to attack you. Why do you insist on violating our sovereignty like this? Extract your men, or die. It's that simple. I await a BIOLOGICAL response." She cut the channel and pondered something for a moment. "Aim all shipboard weapons at the Eternal Valor I want to wipe that soulless collection of chips off the face of the universe myself." She said with a predatory grin.

((OOC: Figured I'd name the ship she's on. Also, yay the thread isn't dead!))

((OOC: Beautifully Utilized time Makes People happy.))

((OOC: But if we don't Utilize tiMe, People will be sad. *Kicks highschool* It's been soaking up my time as of late.))