NationStates Jolt Archive

Kharik

This rocky world is home to the Tidani and capital of Tidan. Here on this harsh stage the fragile avian Tidani developed into a hardy beast capable of galactic survival.

During the height of their power, Tidan's neighbor, the Abh controlled this territory and occupied the pre-interstellar world. Tidani growth after this was heavily influenced by the Abh. Since their decline in the area and withdrawl from Kharik, the Tidani were mostly left to their own ends though ever under the influence of their neighboring empire.

Content with living in the shadow of another, Tidan maked the passage of time as a 'backwater' port. Seeing many foreign visitors and trade routes pass through their space. In recent time, several important treaties have fallen in favor of the Abh leading to major trade losses and fleet cuts. This has angered much of the Tidani merchant fleet. Facing unemployment in the only field they are qualified to work, many Tidani have taken to ... unsavory professions.
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On board Tradewind Station, Cawdon Setter sat watching as ships arrived and left. The station sat on the edge of the system outside of the asteroid belt a short distance from Kharik. Several trade routes passed near the sector and so it was a vital resupply and refuel stop.

Things had been peaceful lately, the unrest over unemployment had finally died down. It had gone on for months, the government finally offered enough compensation to end the public displays. The government had consistently waved their more oppressive options, something not usually passed over during such disruptive critcism of the government. Tidani had always leaned toward strong arm order, but over the last few decades successive governments had been moving further toward a much less controlling state. This made the military more and more uneasy, tradition and order were even more important to them and things seemed to be taking a turn away from the way things used to be.

Setter continued watching the screens. An Abh freighter undocked and left the station, they were ariving more frequently these days.
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Near the outskirts of Tidani territory the freighter arrived at one of the border check stations. It was standard procedure, frequent traffic had to get scanned at these small autonomous stations to receive and maintain their permits for trade though Tidani space. This ensured cargo that entered and left their space was not tampered with or skimmed while inside, giving their partners added insurance and documentation of the security of their shipments.

As the freighter arrived however, the automated station spun smoldering in space. Then from the debris of the station a small group of out-dated, chop-shop ships powered up and fired on the Abh ship.
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Back on Tradewind Station a checkpoint maintinance beacon appeared, traffic would be deverted to other checkpoints and a repair drone would be dispatched.

Life at the station continued as usual...for now.

The Eternal monastery world of Ejiot had been established in the last few years and had experienced a number of dangerous pirate which had been beaten back, but at a great cost of apprentices to the base despite the fact of their natural powers and gifts gifted onto them by the genes the Eternals had given their ancestors. So in order to not use their inherent powers the Eternals have decided to commission a space defense force for the system where the planet is located.

In turn, the Eternals heard of skilled, yet they had fallen on unlucky times, so the Eternals decided to attempt to gain the employment of these people, or at least part of them, so they sent them a hyperspace message to their station.

Message from the Eternal Training World of Ejiot:

“Any persons of Tradewind Station who are both skilled warriors and pilots are offered an annual salary of 42 pounds of gold and 140 pounds of silver if they enlist in the planetary defense force. As well, they will receive a fertile temperate moon of a gas giant in the system as their home world there, which is rich in many metals both precious and useful for manufacturing and the gas giant contains large amounts of gas suitable for fuel. Yet, we ask in payment that you defend the system from attacks. Do you agree to this deal may come to the system to where their employment shall begin?”

Pirates at a time like this. Emperor Debuesec was not pleased at this point of time while he paced back in forth before the throne with the latest reports in his hands. He also contained the latest news from frontlines one of the invasion forces against the Extra Solar Union and they were encountering heavier resistance than expected as well as taking greater losses. However, there was a light in all of this. Many top Abh military personnel were still stationed in the empire in the event of retalliation. This had to be dealt with immediatly and efficiently.

There was a slight blip in the background before a holographic screen flashed to life. A female Abh was on the other end with a pleasant smile. "Greetings Majesty, how can I be of service?"

Debeusec climbed the few short stairs the dias where the Jade throne sat and crossed a small stone bridge over water that lead to his seat. Easing down, his eyes roamed back to the woman on the screen. "I need you to reach Banaij for me. She is currently on deep patrols with a small detachment and I want her rerouted to me."

A smile and then a quick salute, "I shall attend to it right away your Majesty. Communications out." The screen flashed out leaving the emperor to his thoughts.
--------------------------

"Still nothing?"

"No ma'am. The analysis crystal has determined that a solar flare tampered with a sensors causing a blip on the screen. Engineering has corrected the problem and our screens are negative."

Admiral Spoor sighed disappointed once again that there would be no one to fight this day. It had grown quite tedious in this sector with all likelihood that nothing would come this way but precautions had to be taken. She only wished that someone fresh from the acadamy would get stuck with these duties instead of her. By all means she was the next one to handle the upcoming engagements in the war. Unfortunatly no one knew when that was. Her chief of staff, however seemed quite content sitting out in the middle of nowhere checking on old listening posts.

Cufadiss's screen began flashing as an energy source was detected. Analysis showing that it was a transmission. "Admiral, message coming through from the capitol."

"What do they want now? I'm bored enough as it is so why do the Abriels insist on tormenting me? I swear they do it on purpose."

"Uh-ma'am?"

"Oh alright. Put it through."

The overhead holographic screen flared to life with the image of the same woman that was conversing with the emperor only a few moments ago. "Admiral Spoor, his Majesty would like to speak with you."

"Fine, fine, put him on."

It was a momentary pause while the screen flickered from the communications chief in the palace to the emperor in the throne room. "Hello Banaij."

Spoor's blood red eyes narrowed slightly while biting her bottom lip. "Majesty, how may I be of service?"

"As you are aware of, the Tidani have lived in the shadow of empire for many years with some having been in our military at one time. Now they run a few supply and refueling depots for us as a means of business."

"Yes but what does this have to do with me?"

"I have received reports from our merchants of recent pirate activity in that area. During this stage in the war, we cannot afford to have a supply lines disrupted by measly pirates. I want them disposed of as quickly as possible. You are to take some patrolships and attack vessels with you and hunt them down with or without the help of the Tidani government."

"And if they refuse to help and insist on stopping us?"

"We are Abh, admiral. We do not take kindly to pirates whether they are or are not protected by a government and I will not have them disrupting the business of my merchants and my ships. Besides, depending on how well they cooperate we may be able to reward them if they prove favorable to us. Perhaps even bring them into the fold."

"I understand. Is there anything else your Highness?"

"No, that will be all. Report to me when you are finished."

The screen folded in on itself and disappeared. Spoor's eyes slid slowly over to Cufadiss. "Chief, I want all ships to prepare their space time bubble generators. Set course for Kharik."

"Aye ma'am. All ships, move into the sord and lock on signals to the Latchkau."

Admiral Spoor's small fleet began moblizing and headed for the red swirling sord in the not so far distance. They entered in with a purpose to hunt down and destroy every last attacker of the transports. The pirates had the distinct misfortune of encountering Spoor when she was bored and if/when the pirates were weaker than her own ships.

With the rampant waves of unemployment, thousands of skilled Tidani merchant pilots and security personnel left Kharik for Ejiot. The lure of work in these scarce times was more than enough for many of them to leave all they knew for an unknown land.
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A small Abh taskforce arrived in the Kharik system. A small group of patrol ships moved to meet them, their weapons were not armed.

Chancellor Reldros waited impatiently in his chambers. Young Admiral Starfall entered nodding to the assisant as she closed the doors behind him. "Admiral, thank you for coming on such short notice."

"I am but a servant your honor. What do you do you wish to speak to me about?"

Reldros leaned back as the crisp officer approached. "You are well aware of what was recently discovered regarding the missing Abh transport. Now Abh ships arrive. I have little doubt why they are here. As you also know, we have not been able to locate these pirates as of yet. So I want to know what, if any, our options are if they decide not to wait for us to solve this. They are at war after all."

Kadus Starfall did not need to think long, he had been confering with the other admirals all day. "Your Honor, if the time should come we will stand between our world and the Abh." He paused very breifly. "I would also like to remind Your Honor that the military and navy stand ready to act on the information we have to track down the perpetrators before things escalate any further."

Reldros sighed. "As I have already stated, I am not about to unlease the military on our own people as a result of a hand full of criminals. Nor am I willing to restrict the freedoms our people have gained. The police will handle this."

Kadus clenched his fists slightly. "We may not have time for detectives and police to poke around. We must consider the reaction of the Abh if we dela-"

"I will not sacrifice the progress of one hundred years. The Abh are over reacting and cle-"

This time Kadus cut off the Chancellor. "They are over reacting, and they have every right to! They are at war! A fate we may also face if we do not consider this. If you do not use my navy now, you will be forced to use us later."

"Your navy is nothing more than an expensive coast guard." Reldros bristled.

"My family was trained by the Abh directly. My father was fighting pirates and raiders before you were born! And despite our funding or equipment, my sailors will still lay down their lives to protect this ungrateful government. What we will not do is sit and watch while you prepare our graves because YOU have tied our hands!" Kadus slamed his fist on the Chancellor's desk and stormed out of the office.

"ADMIRAL!...ADMIRAL!" The Chancellor shouted after him, but the Admiral ignored him and continued his march from the office. He had to share this with the other admirals. They needed to know what they now faced, so they could make preparations.

The patrol ships now reached the Abh force.

<Greetings Abh vessels. We ask you remain at your current possition due to space lane congestion and security reasons until your reason for visiting is known and arrangements have been made. Thank you for your patience.>

With the rampant waves of unemployment, thousands of skilled Tidani merchant pilots and security personnel left Kharik for Ejiot. The lure of work in these scarce times was more than enough for many of them to leave all they knew for an unknown land.The merchants and security Tidani were welcomed to the system with open arms by the Eternals and on the world the Eternals had left a large workforce of droids to begin the construction of the communities for the Tidani. As well, an Eternal was sent to the world to train a few of the most noble and skilled Tidani to be trained as leaders of the Tidani defense forces in the system. Also, as a sign of good faith the Eternals delivered the first year salary up front, but they also would give them half of their wag at the end of the first work year.

Spoor's ship was at the front of the fleet and she wasn't easy to miss since it was crimson red compared to the relatively plain ships around her. No ship had their weapons powered up because an engagement was not expected at this time but her expertly trained crew could mobilize and launch their first few shots in under a minute. The transmission was received by the communications officer. "Message coming through from Tidani patrolships."

Her voice carried a sense of boredom and reluctance. "Read me the message."

"Greetings Abh vessels. We ask you remain at your current possition due to space lane congestion and security reasons until your reason for visiting is known and arrangements have been made. Thank you for your patience."

A temporary silence broken by a slight sigh. "Please inform them why we have come."

"Yes ma'am."

This is the Latckau of the second fleet of the Abh Empire. We have received reports of pirate raids against some of our merchants and we are here to deal with the problem as speedient and efficiently as possible.

The merchants and security Tidani were welcomed to the system with open arms by the Eternals and on the world the Eternals had left a large workforce of droids to begin the construction of the communities for the Tidani. As well, an Eternal was sent to the world to train a few of the most noble and skilled Tidani to be trained as leaders of the Tidani defense forces in the system. Also, as a sign of good faith the Eternals delivered the first year salary up front, but they also would give them half of their wag at the end of the first work year.

The blessings shown by the Eternals were great in the eyes of the Tidani. As months passed word would spread through Kharik drawing more and more Tidani down on their luck. The Tidani worked hard with what was given to them, they took what they had and increased it.
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Messages were relayed and flew back and forth. Soon one arrived that was returned to the Abh.

<Approach vector confirmed. Lanes have been cleared for your arrival to Kharik. Chancellor Reldros has requested a meeting with you regarding recent events. A landing zone has been designated for you at Eyrie Citadel. The Chancellor awaits your arrival. Open skies to you Abh.>

On Kharik below Reldros anxiously waited to see how the meeting would go. He knew progress made in the investigation would satisfy the Abh, but he had done all he was prepared to do at this time. He had built his legacy on the progress started by his predacessors, to retreat on these now would mean the end of his political career. He had to hope it was enough to buy him some time.

Meanwhile Kadus Starfall was meeting with the admiralty. While they were still divided on what should be done, they were agreed they must do something. Things had been slipping out of their hands for years, and now they threatening to spiral out of control for good. Action must be taken to secure the proper place of the admiralty for the future.

The message was received and acknowledged by the communications officer. Her fleet moved on through the system until they arrived at Eyrie Citadel. Spoor stood up and stretched slightly then adjusted the command saber hooked behind her back. "Take care of things here for me chief. I'll be back soon."

"Yes ma'am."

A pale hand with the clyuno attached to it rose near Spoor's red lips. "Pilot trainee, meet me down in the hangar and prepare the calicke." She let her hand drop back down to her side and walked off to the bridge to the elevator.

In good time, the pilot trainee and Admiral Spoor were away in the small transport heading down towards their landing zone.

The blessings shown by the Eternals were great in the eyes of the Tidani. As months passed word would spread through Kharik drawing more and more Tidani down on their luck. The Tidani worked hard with what was given to them, they took what they had and increased it.With the growing number of Tidani the Eternals began to send them shipments of materials in order for the Tidani to branch out their economy into manufacturing and extracting of resources on the moon and from the nearby gas giant. As well, the Eternals did allowed any Tidani who wished to migrate to the moon as long as they pledged not to seek to harm the Eternals or anyone else dwelling as residents of the system. Further, the Eternals only required that the forces be trained about 8 hours a week and be on duty for 12 hours a week in order for them to receive their annual pay.

When the Abh had landed they were quickly met by a government aide. Bowing politely he quietly guided them through the hallways to the Chancellor's chambers.

Reldros was sitting at his desk going over the relevant reports. He quickly stood up. "Ah Admiral Spoor, under other circumstances I might be glad to see you. I'm afraid though, that recent events do not make for glad meetings. What does His Majesty Debuesec wish to convey to the humble Tidani in such...direct terms?"

OOC: By the way would you mind the Eternals establishing a branch of their fighting order within the Tadani on the moon as currently the numbers of the Order of Eternal Watch were decimated in the last war against the Dark Eternals?

(OOC: sure thing, I'm handling them as emigrants right now. I don't think they will have any problems with the Eternals helping them further, and my government wont interfere with them.)

The small newly founded territory began a period of unimpeded growth. Using all the equipment at their disposal the emigrant Tidani began transforming their moon, which they now call Edan, from a raw rock into a sprawling colony bursting with potential.

OOC: Thank you for that then.

IC: The Eternals sent a number of their own to the moon Edan to search for people with the potential to be trained as part of the Order of the Eternal Watch, though the chapter would probably be no more then a few hundred it would be enough for a chapter to be created here. As well, they sent mining and refining equipment to help the Tidani colony.

Spoor was the only one to exit the shuttle leaving the trainee to mind the ship while she was away.

"His Majesty has sent me to deal with the recent pirate activity in your region. Normally we would not intervene but with the attack on an Abh transport, it nowe becomes an affair for Star Forces. So I have come to speak with you first to inform you of my mission and to collect any information you might have collected on the pirates. Numbers, class of ships, tactics, areas of activity, level of technology, you get the idea."

"I am most saddened by your loss, and rest assured we are doing everything we can to track down and prosecute those responsible for this traitorous act.

Of course I will release all information we have managed to obtain so far in the interests of mutual protection and security and out of respect for the families of those lost in the attack. Unfortunately, our investigation has turned up little so far about these pirates. The signatures of the ships that attacked your transport have been collected from the remains of the checkpoint station. They appear to be mostly outdated hulks pulled together from numerous sources. I have our security forces looking into the matter and I am certain we will know enough to begin a search for these pirates and any others very soon. Unfortunately, in matters like this the red tape can be time consuming to get through but I am told much progress is being made, and that we have already identifed several of the components of these craft and can now begin checking for where they could have been obtained.

As for Abh military action within our borders, however, I feel I must protest in the name of Tidani sovereignty. I do not feel that in good conscience I could allow a foreign power, no matter how genuine their intentions or friendly their government, to act independently in our space. Our methods may be slower than you would like, but they are our ways. I ask you respect the methods of our investigation.

Naturally you are welcome to take part in a joint investigation and arrest of those responsible, should it come to that. Until then, I'm sure your merchants will feel much safer knowing you are here to protect them."

Some may have expected her to be slightly annoyed or even angry with the Chancellor's lack or inability to move the investigation along in a more timely fashion. However, Spoor did not come here for a joint investigation or to simply listen to the man and then be turned back home. The emperor did not send one of his admirals on pirate hunt unless he wanted the matter resolved immediatly. So, Spoor collected the data and prepared to leave. "Thank you for what you have collected so far. It will save us some time in hunting down possible targets. Now that this has been taken care of, we will be taking control of the investigation and our merchants will feel much safer knowing that one of their own kind will be dealing with the matter."

With one final bow, she spun around letting her blue cape and long blue braid whip around behind. She walked out the door and back to her shuttle. There was work to be done.

As Spoor turned and left, Reldros stood and tried to think of something he could say. "You will be violating the Salentor Treaty! I will not allow you violate any Tidani rights or interfere with our investigation! Your Emperor will hear about this!" Was all he managed as she left. "DAMN IT!" He screeched in tidani after she was gone. He could feel the ideal world he had created for himself shattering. He had to something quickly to save himself.

As Spoor arrived at her shuttle, she may have noticed the tidani honor guards that had been guarding her ship when she left were now gone. As she entered the shuttle an unexpected voice greeted her.

"That took even less time than I expected. I am coming with you, there are important matters we must discuss Admiral." Admiral Kadus Starfall, youngest member of the Tidani Admiralty and leader of the intelligence wing of the navy known as Eclipse, sat in the darkened rear section of the ship. Then almost as an after thought he added. "Off the record, of course."

Spoor looked at the pilot with slight agitation for allowing the admiral onboard her shuttle. The poor pilot merely shrugged. With a sigh, she climbed inside as the hatch closed behind her kicking on the internal lights. "The Chancellor does not concern me. I merely needed the information his pathetic excuse of an investigation team had aquired at this time. Takeoff."

Thrusters fired from underneath the shuttle lifting it up and taking it back out into space. The ride was quiet as Spoor said nothing into they were back among the stars. Now with the vastness of space before them, her mood ligthened but only slightly. "Well, you better talk fast. You have oh...about thirty seconds to interest me before you find yourself floating home in a vaccum."

Kadus smiled, "Thats why I like you Abh, so direct."

He folded his leg and leaned forward. "I have information that may interest you more than what you got from the government. As you know, the government has been anything but quick during the investigation. What you probably don't know, is the extent to which they are hidding and stalling. The last few administrations have staked their legacy on giving the people more and more control over the government. As power was diverted from the military to the civilian legislature several unions grew into major controlling bodies. The power of the current administration is more closely tied to the unions than any before it. These unions lost substantially during the latest round of unemployment, they are the funding behind these rogue pirates. Their goal is to undermine faith in your shipping and to try to devert contracts back into tidani union hands.

"Since the government owes much of its power to these unions they are activly delaying the investigation to protect them. The military has been severely underfunded since this began to prevent us from mounting a successful coup, however we still have much of our intelligence capabilities intact. We have much more information about the pirates than the government is willing to give. We share your understanding of the severity of this problem and are willing to act, but as I said the civilian government still currently holds more power and if we act now we would be further cut and those responsible imprisoned.

"Our hands are being tied, but with our help you could easily accomplish your mission in a matter of weeks. We have discovered the location of every major pirate base of operations. We long for the old days of order, responsibility, and accountability. Power is best held in the hands of those trained to resist corruption since youth. All the admiralty asks in return is the Abh's continued friendship and support."

Kadus finished and leaned forward interested to hear Spoor's response.

The actions of pirates in one place oft affected the economic condition in many other places, which would leave quite a many people very displeased when materials began to vanish in a furor or fire, and revenue along with them. Though this was detrimental to the product market in nearly all regards, the service market - or at least some portions of it - absolutely depended on it.

Sell swords, security contractors, rent-a-cops, whatever term one wished to use in describing hired help was irrelevant to the mercenary; getting paid was the bottom line.

This mode of operations held no truer than with Trevan Oran, CEO of Cerberus Security Forces. Whenever a report of some bandit harassing the commerce routes of a nation, any nation, was delivered to his desk, he immediately spurred himself into action: drafting letters to potential clients of their credentials in the field, alerting captains of the gunboats and cruisers that they may soon be needed, and having the commanders ready their troops for action. All within a very short amount of time which was astounding to some, and frightening to others.

So it came to no surprise by anyone that Trevan was flying through his office when reports of pirate activity in Tidani space reached his office.

"Lancaster! Why haven't you gotten the Sky Captains up here yet? Every moment we waste is money lost you fool!" Trevan screamed in his n-relay as he paced silently about his office. Every few moments he would clasp his strong hands together as if struck by divine revelation, while also scanning the room in front of him with piercing off-blue eyes hidden behind a pair of thick sunglasses.

"Lancaster, damnit! I want those space rats up here ten minutes ago!"

"Yes sir, Director Trevan Sir!" The voice of Arnold Lancaster said somewhat frantically through his own n-relay as he poked around for some status reports that lay astrewn about his desk.

"Lancaster! What are you doing that is so important that my commanders are not yet here?" Trevan said as he finished drafting his message to the Tidani government. He looked over the message a few more times; white block letters floating over a background of black. He made a few more corrections; obvious errors he missed when creating it in such a frantic state of mind. Though his outside appearance never belayed more than a sense of anxiety or nervousness, despite what went on inside. The very tall man advancing in years, though still remarkably healthy and strong, was always one to bottle things up inside. What happened with those confined dilemmas no one knew.

"Sir, I'm trying to get to you these reports that need your signing, they have for the past few days sir but you always bring them back unsigned telling me that you'll 'do it tomorrow', I'm sorry sir but it's hard for me to do so many things at once!" Lancaster replied with some degree of hostility. Trevan knew that trying to get Lancaster up to his pace would cause problems like this, but that was a problem to worry about after business was concluded.

"Yes well, whatever. Just get them up here!" Trevan said, cutting himself off from the private channel.

Trevan ran his hands through thinning ash hair as he gave the message one final look over, before finally deciding that its perfection was unquestionable, and sent it off through CGNet to the unsuspecting Tidani.


TO: Executive Branch of the Tidani People
FROM: Trevan Oran, CEO of Ceberus Security Forces
SUBJECT: Piracy

Hello,

It has come to my attention that you have been so unfortunate to now be experiencing some degree of agitation by the actions of barbaric raiders. Our condolences go out to you, however I offer more than mere words in aiding to resolve your current crisis. My company is own renowned throughout Conglomerate space for ending the threat caused by vicious pirates, with minimal loss to our own forces as well: a testament to the skill inherent to all flying under our banner. All that is required of our services is a negotiable fee.

I sincerly hope you respond to this message, and regardless of the course of action you choose to take: good luck.

-Trevan Oran

OOC: Thank you for that then.

IC: The Eternals sent a number of their own to the moon Edan to search for people with the potential to be trained as part of the Order of the Eternal Watch, though the chapter would probably be no more then a few hundred it would be enough for a chapter to be created here. As well, they sent mining and refining equipment to help the Tidani colony.bump for response

A delicatly manicured nail tapped the edge of her ruby red lips while the admiral went on with his accounting of the recent government activity. The shuttle was just about to dock with Spoor's ship. "If you turn over the evidence that you have on the pirates and help us track down the pirates by designating a few military ships to our cause, then your people will keep our friendship and protection. Does that sound satisfactory to you Admiral. . .?"

TO: Executive Branch of the Tidani People
FROM: Trevan Oran, CEO of Ceberus Security Forces
SUBJECT: Piracy

Hello,

It has come to my attention that you have been so unfortunate to now be experiencing some degree of agitation by the actions of barbaric raiders. Our condolences go out to you, however I offer more than mere words in aiding to resolve your current crisis. My company is own renowned throughout Conglomerate space for ending the threat caused by vicious pirates, with minimal loss to our own forces as well: a testament to the skill inherent to all flying under our banner. All that is required of our services is a negotiable fee.

I sincerly hope you respond to this message, and regardless of the course of action you choose to take: good luck.

-Trevan Oran

A message soon returned.

<Mr. Oran, we thank you for your interest in the security of our people, however our security forces are capable of handling the current situation. We will keep your offer on file should events progress beyond our capabilities.>

Piggybacked on the file though, the reader would find a second message.

<Our government does not have the capability or desire to combat these pirates. They will not ask for help. If you wish for employment in combating these criminals do not return communications. Send a representitive to the following coordinates where you will meet with your contact in our space.>

The second message had no identification as to the sender.
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The Eternals sent a number of their own to the moon Edan to search for people with the potential to be trained as part of the Order of the Eternal Watch, though the chapter would probably be no more then a few hundred it would be enough for a chapter to be created here. As well, they sent mining and refining equipment to help the Tidani colony.

The Eternals easily found Tidani willing to join the Order. Over two thousand applied but only a fraction would be able to be trained. Again the added equipment was put to valuable use by the hard working Tidani of Edan.
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A delicatly manicured nail tapped the edge of her ruby red lips while the admiral went on with his accounting of the recent government activity. The shuttle was just about to dock with Spoor's ship. "If you turn over the evidence that you have on the pirates and help us track down the pirates by designating a few military ships to our cause, then your people will keep our friendship and protection. Does that sound satisfactory to you Admiral. . .?"

Kadus smiled and pulled a small data crystal from it's hidden location on his person. "That is all we have ever wanted my Abh friend. Here is the information you need. Also included in the data is a set of coordinates where we can rendezvous with a tidani taskforce to assist in the mission."

The Eternals easily found Tidani willing to join the Order. Over two thousand applied but only a fraction would be able to be trained. Again the added equipment was put to valuable use by the hard working Tidani of Edan.From the few thousands volunteers the Eternals ran signaled out 280 of the most noble and skilled of the group to be trained by the Eternals to be part of the Order, but from them a number would be sent to the training world to be further trained each by their own Master in the Order and even from that a few would be trained by the Eternals themselves. With that training they would become some of the most fearsome and skilled mortal fighters in the universe. As well, to those who were selected they were granted a life span thrice that of others of their kind and given a mission to maintain balance in themselves and upon the worlds that they were assigned to.

The silently confident tidani would take quickly to the teaching of the Eternals. Their harsh world developed a people dependent on order for keeping them alive and prospering, self-sacrifice for the better of the community was another quality they took to easily. For the once down on their luck tidani of Edan, the prospect of becoming powerful beings capable of effecting worlds was impossible to turn down.

The Eternals and members of the Order trained the Tidani mostly as warrior Knights for the Order as they believed that would be best suited for their nature. As well, the Eternals began to teach their students the deeper secrets of the universe and the purpose their Order. Also, they taught the students of the Order which was,”

By my blood I pledge myself to the Eternal Watch,
Though I stay stare at death itself I shall not yield,
Yet, I may cry in pain my heart shall not give into evil,
Evermore shall I seek to bring peace and order to the universe,
As I do battle for the Order I shall not forget its teachings,
Never shall I unjustly harm others,
Always shall I seek peace,
Till then ends of time and the universe I will uphold this creed,
Before the Highest One I pledge this.”

Trevan was surprised, though not shocked: he had seen many things during his time not only in the private sector, but also during his long stay in the Conglomerate Stellar Navy. This was not exactly abnormal though still uncommon. Still he was now quiet both inside and without; something about these situations always brought him to a state of tranquility foreboding something inevitable.

He told the sky captains to be ready still, but cancelled all the other usual activities that went along with negotiating a contract even if the offer was rebuffed. Trevan did his best not to appear unusual, though that attempt met with little success in the eyes of all his employees, and he knew it, though as of right now he cared not; business was still business even if under-the-table was the form the business took shape.

"Lancaster, take care of anything of menial importance by yourself. Have Deputy CEO Allaen Clarce come in to take over for myself. That is all." He said tersely as he walked in just as quick a fashion out his office, into the lobby, and towards the craft complex.

After twenty minutes, he had taken his personal ship out of the massive CSF station and warped towards his home at speeds that would have led to his arrest had he not beheld such clout.

"Alright, time to bust out the big guns." He said to himself after arriving home about five minutes later, departing from his craft and entering a secret facility below the basement of his vast asteroid home. Within it contained ships, guns, and amour of all sized. Relics from his time in the armed services, and other things he picked up from sources legal, and not so legal. All resting quietly in a dark room the size of several large warehouses, stored in boxes or under sheets of nigh transparent plastic, beasts of war that had so far been restrained by the lack of opportunity.

But the room wasn't so dark anymore: Trevan activated the lighting system with his entrance, and made his way quickly to the center of the room, where the big guns were held. Surrounded by ordnance of all flavors, mostly packed in metal crates, the center of his personal sepulcher was dominated by small starships: drone-star fighters, small gunboats and missile tugs, and a few commando corvettes all usually used in operations that dictated some degree of stealth and mobility.

However, what Trevan was looking for lay off more to the side: a form of total blackness that refused to reflect light off its perfectly polished surface. It's eerie appearance was made all the more menacing by it's shape: a three-pronged outstretched claw, with the center-most talon longer than all the rest. It drifted above the floor like death's scythe intent on swinging, yet there it stood, quiet as the void that surrounded Trevan's abode.

He was teleported unceremoniously into the cockpit, which glowed with a surreal blue hue from the myriad of virtual consoles emanating from no point within in particular. "Well Chelsey, I guess you finally got your date." He said as several wires sprung forth from behind him, imbedding themselves in his flesh.

Systems fully operational, Sky Com Oran.

A soft feminine voice said within Oran's subconscious said in a gentle monotone.

"Never was one for words, eh?" He replied with a chuckle and a groan; reintegrating with military grade hardware after so many years was never easy, nor painless.

Do you have legitimate need of me, or is this another one of your long-overdue joyrides through the over-militarized cosmos?

The AI Chelsey replied with some sense of agitation; it had been a while to be sure.

"I see I'm not the only one in a hurry to conclude business, then." Trevan replied with an annoyed sigh. "We're actually doing something this time, here." He gave Chelsey the coordinates while he ran a final system check and readied the UMC drive for operation.

Good, then let us be on our way then.

The ship disappeared in a ripple of reality from the Armoured confines of Trevan's home, reappearing far away with just as little fan fare.

Ready?

"Of course not, just go." He said as he braced himself; the UMC drive was not a fun system to experience, no matter how many times one had gone through it.

The ship then vanished from the material plane, entering into a dimension as colorless and desolate as the surface of the ship now traversing through it. A dimension created by the efforts of military scientists through the decades, meant to be the epitome of stealth travel for the stealth ship Trevan had long ago stolen with none being the wiser. Wholly uninhabited and infinite like space before the universe's loud conception, it was a place of insanity for any trying to fathom the loneliness that was its only offering.

The ship manifested back into reality, at the coordinates given by the anonymous sender of the piggy backed message. With Trevan sweating from his experience and Chelsey seeming to enjoy his suffering, at least they had entered undetected, or so Trevan hoped; Chelsey and the ship in which she was designed for were both rather outdated by modern standards. Though the chances that anyone developed a counter for such technology, which had never actually been utilized, was a rather slim prospect indeed.

"Just tell me I'm alive; that's all I ask." He said with a slight whimper.

Of course, would you complain if you were dead?

Chelsey responded coldly.

"Yeah, that's all I needed. Now let's see who it is I am soon to be doing business with." He said, deactivating some of the stealth systems and broadcasting a short-range signal alerting whoever was supposed to be around of his presence, waiting to see what the future may bring.

Kadus smiled and pulled a small data crystal from it's hidden location on his person. "That is all we have ever wanted my Abh friend. Here is the information you need. Also included in the data is a set of coordinates where we can rendezvous with a tidani taskforce to assist in the mission."

Armored plating on the upper decks of the Latchkau slid open revealing the docking bays for the shuttle. Their approach was soft and smooth with no hint of uneasiness. A side hatch opened and lowered a staircase for the passengers to disembark.

Spoor's chief of staff, Cufadiss, was standing at attention. He snapped a salute at seeing the Tidani admiral descending behind the admiral. "Chief of Staff Cufadiss Suisbeyia. Welcome to the Latchkau, flagship of the second fleet and welcome back Admiral Spoor. All crew members are at their post and ready to launch as soon as we have a desitnation."

The data crystal tumbled end over end through the air until it landed in Cufadiss's hands. "This holds the information we need and the rendezvous point to link up with a Tidani task force." She looked back at the admiral once he stepped down. "We'll see how sincere this proposal is."

Not exactly sure what was going on, Cufadiss simply nodded and went off to have the crystal's data put into the ship's crystal for analysis. The maps would link up with the star charts already in the computer system helping to plot a spediant course.

As the Edan tidani began their training, word started leaking back to Kharik. Slowly people began hearing of what was happening.
________________________________________________________________

In a lonely sector outside the Kharik asteroid belt a small Echo corvette sat and waited... though they knew not who they awaited. So they held position with every scanning device at their disposal searching.

On the small bridge the captain stared at his blank screen and sighed. How did I get pulled of espionage for this? He thought.

The ship's lookout broke the silence. "Sir I have detected strange particle emissions. Very breif and very faint. The computer has no match for known events."

The captain woke from his brooding. "Very well make a log of the event and inform SpecCom."

"Wait." Aeroh Stormwing rose from his oversight station, he walked over to the sensor displays. Leaning over the lookout he played back the emissions. "Delete all records from the databanks, this is nothing. Discontinue scans and lower the cloak." As he left the bridge he could see the confusion on the faces of the crew. "Good work, mission accomplished. I'll be in my quarters."

Shortly after a wideband, short range transmission filled the area around the small tidani ship.

<Greetings to any ship in the immediate area. If you are here I assume you have decided to respond to our request. For that I am thankful. We may now begin negotiations.>
_____________________________________________________________

"Reldros warned us this might happen." One of three tidani sitting in a dark room spoke.

"We all knew this would happen, we have prepared for just such events. The navy cannot stop us, even with the small Abh taskforce we can stand against them. We have heavily invested in this endeavor." Said the second.

"You are very sure of our purchases. I am not so certain we can match the training and experience of the military with our ex-merchants." The first argued.

"The workers are as strong as any military drone. The will of our people is much stronger than any of you give credit." The second responded.

"You both enjoy the sound of your own voices much more than you should. Of course that is why I chose the both of you. Our preparations are well worth the effort but I fear that real battle may prove more than we can prepare for. I think it is prudent to use some of our gathered wealth to seek out the aid of like minded warriors." The third finally spoke.

"Yes Chairman, I will see to it myself." Said the first.

Very shortly a message would be found amongst the network of galactic communications. It was left in places where those most likely to respond would easily find it.

<I represent the union forces of a small state. We face subjugation from the facist forces of our military and their allys. We seek out warriors for hire to train our forces to resist these forces and succeed in our revolution. May the will of the people overcome all.>

(ooc: I should probably say, if anyone responses to this message that the union forces will eventually lose, I just want to make it a really good fight.)

Trevan was thusfar relieved: it was not some sort of elaborate trap coordinated by the efforts of a rival corporation. Indeed, it appeared to be legitimate. Though shields were still up, and a great deal of spare power was poured into the armor and engines just in case.

"I came as soon as I was able to. Now, not that I am an enemy of small talk in any regard, but I feel it appropriate if we were to get down to these negotations, as time seems to be of the essence." Trevan said while still breathing heavier than was normal.

--

Meanwhile, Lancaster noted the new message from the Tidani calling for help. He prepared a brief in what spare time he could find for the deputy CEO; it looked like they had changed their mind. "If only Trevan was still hear; this might cheer him up a tad from the rather sullen mood he appeared to be locked in after being rebuffed first." He said as he gathered more papers for the waiting deputy.

Aeroh received their reply and understood the sense of urgency, infact he shared it.

<I understand. I am Aeroh Stormwind, a member of the Tidani Star Forces. Here is the job we have for you. Our government is supporting the pirate activity you have become aware of. They have cut our funding significantly and we have very little capability to do anything about the illegal action taken against our neighbors the Abh. If we don't find a way to put a stop to this not only do we face open war with the Abh if they continue to provoke our neighbors, but our military will soon be unable to even defend our own space. We have secured enough funds to hire you to assist us while we attempt to defeat the union pirates. They have risked our very survival for power and money. With your help we can stop them.>

It was silent. The void stood indomitable in its mute triumph. For eons it had waited the ages away, the purest black cloaked in voiceless dominance. The grandeur of this nothingness stretches beyond comprehension, though epochs and ages. However, for this moment, it is in an unimaginably small blip of this silent god that we tell our story.

There was nothing, as was most common of space. There was something, as was most uncommon of space. What was most astonishing was the rate at which that common nothing had become an uncommon something. In an instant’s instant the darkness of a bit of space many kilometers off of the Tradewind Station was permeated with light. A thousand spheres of rippling energy, each glowing a brilliant gold, came from the dark. No spike in energy, no warning, not even the faintest disturbance heralded their appearance.

There they sat, pulsing faintly, their light faintly bathing the station in an unnatural glow. A few began to shift, seemingly with anxious intentions, though the void, orbiting around a single imaginary point in space. The orbs sputtered with light as they rolled through the void, leaving glowing trails that slowly faded into the infinite black of their backdrop. As dozens and then hundreds joined the convulsing light show, a single orb floated to the fore, a tad larger and more brilliant than the others. It hung like a Christmas ornament caught in the sun, glinting brilliantly.

From its intangible surface emerged another tiny sphere, no larger than a fist, which quickly rocketed towards the station. If scanned the advancing fist size sphere would seem to be far too weak in energy to be a weapon.

As the Edan tidani began their training, word started leaking back to Kharik. Slowly people began hearing of what was happening.The Eternals welcomed all the Tidani to Edan, but were weary of people seeking the deeper knowledge of their order because its secrecy was necessary to prevent the deeper powers and purpose of the Order needed to be kept safe.

The station, though usually servicing the same visitors, would frequently see strangers. As the light show went on around them little changed. It was observed, but this was a trade station not a military base. A few small patrol frigates moved closer to the object but no actions were taken until it was determined what this was.

So the small black sphere continued it's voyage to the stations seeming undetected.

"How much longer until we reach the rendezvous point chief?"

"Umm...less than ten minutes ma'am. All ships have reported in and are now logged into our communication network. Our fleet has taken a wedge formation with our ship at point along with the Guardships forming the outter wall of the formation leaving the patrolships to make up the center."

"That's all fine chief. Remember, I like my answers nice and concise. Communications, dispatch a mobile message with the destination of the capital. Inform the emperor of our destination and current situation. Recomend headquarters to have a fleet of Whitestars on standby in Hyperspace should we need them for anything."

"Yes ma'am."

A small probe fired from the rear of Admiral Spoor's ship and sped through Space-time towards the gate that would exit out into the imperial capitol. She looked back at the Tidani who had taken to standing. "Let's hope your crew has slacked in their training. I would be very disappointed in you if they have."

Kadus returned the Admiral's gaze. "The lessons of the Abh have not been forgotten on Kharik."

Gathered outside of Kharik's asteroid field was a small Tidani Taskforce. They were disobeying orders from the government by being there and so were not displaying their identification codes. Here Kadus' small force awaited the Abh.

The Eternals welcomed all the Tidani to Edan, but were weary of people seeking the deeper knowledge of their order because its secrecy was necessary to prevent the deeper powers and purpose of the Order needed to be kept safe.OOC: A good comparison would be a mix of the Medieval Monks with the Jedi in their beliefs.

"I knew members of the Starfall family. He served with Lord Dusanyu years ago before the whole mess with the alliance and his praetorship. If memory serves me, he served well on board and was discharge honorably with full benefits. Your family would have Abh status within the Abh empire if you had immigrated. . . . a pity you did not."

The Abh fleet exited the nearby sord in the asteroid field. Already scanners were at full taking readings from nearby ships and counting their numbers. A few sirens sounded throughout the ship signaling that vessels had been detected. "Well it seems that we've been expected. Communications, open a frequency to our friends here."

"Yes ma'am."

Trevan thought for a moment; something of this nature was not beyond the capabilities of his corporation, but it could get messy quickly Either he would be helping the still-so-far legitimate Tidani government, or he was actually helping a rebel faction. Such things might be unimportant to small companies, but he had a reputation to think about as CEO of one of the largest mercenary corps in the Conglomerate. These thoughts rebounded through a still recovering min as he starred into the vast emptiness of space beyond the hull, with his head resting lighting in one hand.

"Well..." He began to say in a tone that sounded of reluctance, "... It wouldn't be right of me to claim that I've seen this before; I've seen coups and alike more than I would have wanted in my life, but never something as well, odd as this. Usually a group of rebels wants to take over their country without destroying it. However, the people you describe seem intent on having the nation conquered and burned before they profit, if that is truly their motive."

Trevan took a deep breath before he sat casually back and continued, "To a degree, I'd say that makes them more dangerous. They want destruction, they want death, and they want everything to burn. It obviously precludes them from giving a damn about the lives of their citizens, and considering it's the actual government, well that makes it all the more worse. What's to keep them from setting forth procedures and laws to maximize the destruction?

"It may seem odd, for a mercenary to talk like this and ask these questions albethey rhetorical; we're known more for our wallets of infinite depth than our hearts. But even so we do have some sense of honor an duty; it's why we do what we do, not just the profit motive. We wouldn't risk our lives if what we did didn't have some meaning or purpose. Protecting trade routes, or securing logistics lines does something more for us than pay the bills; it adds a sense of meaning to our existence. To know that what we do, as shameful as being a hired gun may be, actually has an impact means a lot."

There was a pause. Not more than perhaps a second or so, but its existence was unquestionable. But then that cessation of communication ended as quickly as it began, and his tone quickly became terse and business like, "So yeah, we'll help. This brings the word meaning to a whole new level. It's still gonna cost you though." He concluded with a slight chuckle.

"You honor me Admiral. My father was very proud of his service to your people. He spoke of Lord Dusanyu as a son would his father."

When the tidani ships were raised a brief moment went by in silence. Then the reply came. <We are glad to see you Abh vessels. Please inform Admiral Starfall we are go for mission. All ships check out and battle ready. The government has not yet caught wind of our action, however they have ordered Admiral Festor to intercept the Abh fleet and escort them from our space.>

Kadus listened to the message. "Alright good. The government may have cut much of our funding, but they were unable to cancel the projects we were currently working on. Much of my fleet out there is what has resulted from a series of upgrade prototypes. They are one of a kind and brand new. We delayed and fought to increase the budgets of numerous projects seemingly unimportant to the government and used them all to give the military state-of-the-art fighting machines. Their comissioning is not set for another six months, and so the government has no way of knowing they are ready and missing. Six Gryphon frontline cruisers and the Gallant command dreadnaught, first of her kind. Tidan has had nothing like these ships before. As for Admiral Festor, I have not spoken to him since leaving Kharik but he is a member of the Admiralty and we are united in our defiance. I trust he will not be a problem to our mission."

Kadus stepped forward and saluted Admiral Spoor. "I thank you for your hospitality Admiral. The Gallant awaits me. If you would kindly inform them I am awaiting transportation, we can begin the hunt. Open skies to you Admiral."

"We'll be in touch Admiral but this is goodbye for now. One of my pilots will shuttle you over." Spoor brought her clyuno up. The teal jewel flashed with her voice and commands. "Trainee, report to the bridge."

She looked back up to the admiral. "He will take you to your ship. The shuttle should still be fueled and ready to go."

The trainee walked out of the elevator that was located off to the side of the bridge. He snapped a salute and indicated for the admiral to follow. Spoor nodded slightly to her communications officer informing the Gallant that the admiral was ready to be transported over.

snip

Aeroh had struggled over the same sense of disbelief. "To be fair we believe the govenment does not share the desires of the pirates but are no longer controlling their actions. Too much power is held by the union to reverse their course and to cover the plot the government is little more than a show. I cannot understand the motives of the union pirates, perhaps they believe any actions by the Abh will simply remove the government giving them a chance to take full control, or perhaps they are insane. That is something I plan to discover if we can locate the leaders."

He checked another screen. "Now perhaps we can negotiate the price. We have set aside 100 billion at this time. We believe this to be a very generous offer considering the mission and risk, but we do expect to face more than just pirates. The union also has vast resources and we are sure they have purchased some military grade ships."

"We'll be in touch Admiral but this is goodbye for now. One of my pilots will shuttle you over." Spoor brought her clyuno up. The teal jewel flashed with her voice and commands. "Trainee, report to the bridge."

She looked back up to the admiral. "He will take you to your ship. The shuttle should still be fueled and ready to go."

The trainee walked out of the elevator that was located off to the side of the bridge. He snapped a salute and indicated for the admiral to follow. Spoor nodded slightly to her communications officer informing the Gallant that the admiral was ready to be transported over.

Kadus bowed. "I am most grateful. As soon as we are ready we will make full speed for the first base." Then he followed the trainee to the shuttle.

Back on the Gallant coordinates were transfered to the Abh fleet. By the time Kadus arrived on the bridge things were ready to go. "Status."

The captian of the ship turned. "We are ready Admiral, awaiting your command."

"Good. Notify the Abh and make for the first pirate base."

The Eternals welcomed all the Tidani to Edan, but were weary of people seeking the deeper knowledge of their order because its secrecy was necessary to prevent the deeper powers and purpose of the Order needed to be kept safe.

A young tidani lost in the world found herself on Edan. Work was scarce at home and she had heard of the boom on the moon. She could hardly believe her eyes as she walked through the busy streets where a year ago had been nothing. Amara had heard about the strange benefactors of the moon and decided to try their training program. She walked up the steps to the recruiting building and signed in.

"A hundred billion is good, it's good. That gets you about twenty five or so of our best warships, and if you need many troops, about twenty thousand of them." Trevan said after considering for a few moments. "And don't worry too much about these pirates and military grade equipment: yeah, we're just mercs and don't run on the budget a nation might for its military, but we've always been good at what we do, and with that usually entails better than average equipment."

He rested back and began to set up the engines to take him back home after the contract had been concluded, "What I'm saying is, unless they bust out a fleet of warships - which neither of us desire no doubt - we should fair pretty well against them in combat. Just tell me where and when, and we'll be there."

Trevan was almost finished and ready to go, almost enthusiastically as it had become apparent this was serious: something besides guarding simple freight lines or commerce raids. It almost made him feel giddy inside, not that he would ever admit to that. "Aside from that, is there anything else you will be needing of me?"

==

The Deputy CEO Allaen Clarce was going over the brief that Lancaster had given him while also fiddling with some trinkets on Trevan's desk; he was less renowned for his work ethic than Trevan was to be sure.

"Huh, interesting this is." He said as he went over each and every word with piercing brown eyes. "Lancaster, get the commanders and such up here: looks like we have something for them to do after all." The still quite young Allaen almost jumped into Trevan's office chair, reclining back and crossing one long leg over the other. Things were easier than Oran made them appear to be, he thought.

The tiny orb fell with increasing speed, its silhouette invisible against the backdrop of space. Whether it was detected or simply ignored did not matter, as only moments after detachment it impacted the side of the station. Its once opaque features turned a brilliant dark red, slowly shifting into orange, and blooming after an amazing metamorphoses into the shining gold of the orbs that had just arrived.

Massive arches of energy coarse out across the surface of the station, but like the biblical bush, not burning was left in their wake. Slowly the arches peeled from the surface, and formed massive strands of glowing particles which abruptly dove back towards the station, seemingly passing through its exterior. All the interior of the station was aglow with rippling strands of energy that danced along the walls like animated mosaics. Slowly from the chaos words began to form.

Along every wall and ceiling the same phrase repeated, like some prodigious and divine graffiti, “Hide us, help us, they come, they come with the dark, they come to evaporate the light!” The words writhed and conformed once more, “Hide us, help us, they come soon!”

"Admiral, we've just received the coordinants for the first base. Tidani fleet moving in position to depart."

"Thank you chief. All ships, follow the Latchkau."

The Abh force moved to follow the appropriate coordinants towards the pirate base.

"Chief, inform me when we are half a minute from our destination."

"Aye ma'am."

snip

<Then it is agreed. The first confrontation is getting under way. We will make contact when it is finished and we are ready to move on to the next target. There will be much to do, and soon we will have a much better briefing for you. Stormwing out.>

The tiny orb fell with increasing speed, its silhouette invisible against the backdrop of space. Whether it was detected or simply ignored did not matter, as only moments after detachment it impacted the side of the station. Its once opaque features turned a brilliant dark red, slowly shifting into orange, and blooming after an amazing metamorphoses into the shining gold of the orbs that had just arrived.

Massive arches of energy coarse out across the surface of the station, but like the biblical bush, not burning was left in their wake. Slowly the arches peeled from the surface, and formed massive strands of glowing particles which abruptly dove back towards the station, seemingly passing through its exterior. All the interior of the station was aglow with rippling strands of energy that danced along the walls like animated mosaics. Slowly from the chaos words began to form.

Along every wall and ceiling the same phrase repeated, like some prodigious and divine graffiti, “Hide us, help us, they come, they come with the dark, they come to evaporate the light!” The words writhed and conformed once more, “Hide us, help us, they come soon!”

Traffic on the station came to a halt. Visitors fled for the safety of their ships. Guards and workers stood helpless staring at the writing. They knew neither what it was or what they should do. For now the Port Authority placed the station under quarentine.

"Admiral, we've just received the coordinants for the first base. Tidani fleet moving in position to depart."

"Thank you chief. All ships, follow the Latchkau."

The Abh force moved to follow the appropriate coordinants towards the pirate base.

"Chief, inform me when we are half a minute from our destination."

"Aye ma'am."

The force entered sensor range of the pirate base. It was inside the asteroid belt, like most of the others they had detected. The seven ships in the tidani fleet quickly scanned what they were up against. Three floatillas of Quor destroyers and two carriers guarded the asteroid complex. The ships were slightly older versions, it appeared the union took full advantage of the large mothballed fleet after the naval purge, however the ships appeared to be in anything but disrepair. Energy signatures were also being detected from dozens of smaller asteroids surrounding the complex. Visual scans also detected what appeared to be two pairs of heavy MAC turrets.

The tidani dreadnaught and cruisers deployed their figther compliments. They charged weapons and defenses.

Starfall had a channel opened to Admiral Spoor's ship. "The base is just ahead. We are ready to strike. As soon as our tactical computers are linked you may give the order to begin."

A young tidani lost in the world found herself on Edan. Work was scarce at home and she had heard of the boom on the moon. She could hardly believe her eyes as she walked through the busy streets where a year ago had been nothing. Amara had heard about the strange benefactors of the moon and decided to try their training program. She walked up the steps to the recruiting building and signed in.The building she entered was constructed of the finest of white stone that had been hand carved by unknown craftsmen of remarkable skill who had refined to a degree beyond all human skill. As the place progressed the meditating students could be seen and from the background the training of students could heard. Then in the recruitment center there was a Master of the Order who sat and seeing her asked,” How may I help you?”

A fairly small ship appeared on the edge of sensor range, travelling at high sublight velocities straight towards the station. One of its engines was heavily damaged by what looked like a weapons impact, and the craft left behind it a glittering trail of debris, charged particles and high temperature plasma like a trail of breadcrumbs making their course. The ship was propelled more by momentum than its own power, and did not appear to have full control of its own movements. Several deep gashes marked the dark hull of the craft, and its only weapon - an immobiliser pulse cannon - had been sheered right off by some kind of kinetic impact, leaving nothing but a crater with exposed circuits on its bow.



"I'm reading a station sir!" a female officer yelled over the sound of venting gases and sparking electrical circuits. The entire ship felt like it was being shaken about by a giant, which as well as giving the occupants a headache, made it very difficult to move around or even remain still. As if it weren't hard enough to move around in this cramped cockpit as it was.

"One of ours?" the leader of the small group asked, nursing a slash across his cheek.

"It's not Peacekeeper-controlled, and I'm not familiar with the configuration sir," the woman shouted back. "Without navigational control circuits I can't even be sure where we are though!"

"Anywhere is better than here Lieutenant!" the leader shouted. "Head straight for that station! Are our comms still online?"

"I have no idea sir," she shook her head. "I always said they should station Techs on these things."

"Frell, I'll try it anyway!" he growled, clicking on the comms system and yelling into it, hoping someone would hear them. "This is Commander Jaylin in command of this Peacekeeper Marauder, to the unidentified station ahead! I am requesting an emergency landing as soon as possible, repeat, I am requesting an emergency landing as soon as possible. This ship isn't going to hold together for much longer!"

The message escaped the ship, but it didn't escape intact.

This is Comm...er J...lin in command of this Pe...er Marauder, to the un...ed station ahe...d! I am re...sting emer...ncy landi...g as soon as poss..., rep...t, I am reques...g an em...ency l...ding as so... po...le. This ... isn't goi... to ho... uch lon...!**)("%

+++At the edge of the Fuller Limit of the Khalik System, which would be approximately forty light-seconds out if the system's primary was a G0 star, the signature of a massive gravitational anomaly would splash onto the station's sensor consoles. The source was travelling initially at .99c as it dropped out of the wormhole, but quickly began decellerating at a rate that would bring it to a complete stop over the planet.
+++If observed directly from the fore, it would seem as if a black hole were heading straight for the station, but if any ship, drone, or sensor platform should observe it from the side, they would record information that revealed the source to be a ship, approximately three thousand metres in length and around three hundred forty in diametre, with a bulbous protrusion at its fore which housed its Fuller Drive.
+++It mounted no obvious armament (though it did carry on it eight missile launchers and seven two-hundred-centimetre lasers on each broadside), and was most certainly a freighter (albeit a fairly well-used one, to put it kindly), and on further inspection, was squawking a transponder that indicated it as the Svetit', which the station's records would list as a Dyesyatyzstani freighter, belonging to the Jaimov Trade Cartel. Any further looks marked it as a VKF auxilliary ship, with its armament listed for the sanity of port authorities.

A glass screen folded out from the side of. It stopped with the bottom edge on level with Spoor's hip and angled up to give a visual of her face. "Well Admiral, this is your nation so show us how serious you are about carrying through with your plans. Our guardships will provide you with plenty of room to work through the asteroids once we begin our bombarment. The Patrolships will see that your flanks are covered from any ships in waiting. Everything is up to you this round."

She stepped around the glass panel and walked over the railing on the bridge. Down below was a holographic tactical display map showing the field of battle and the ships in the area. "No need to launch challenge signals. All ships, mobilize to combat stations immediatly. I want the guardships to spread out and prepare to attack the asteroid field itself but do not use any mines under any circumstances. We have a limited number so I want to save them in case we get into a sticky situation. Patrolships are to break formation with squads one thru ten to take the right flank while squads eleven thru twenty take the left one."

Throughout the fleet, munitions were loaded into their proper tubes along with energy spikes in the anti-proton cannons. Cartridges were eased into the electromagnetic rifles and readied to fire. Patrolships went to battlespeed while making a mad dash to cover their area of the battlefield. They were also there to let no one escape. They would see that this asteroid field would become a pirates graveyard.

All ships looked in place on the tactical map which pleased Spoor immensly. This was a nice warm-up round once the real battle would come calling soon. In one fluid motion, Spoor drew her command saber and pointed out over the holograph. "Let's go get'em!"

From one end of the line to the next, the guardships began their barrage of the asteroid field and pounded away at it. Slugs and energy were poured out raining down and providing a nice manicured space for the Tidani to attack.

The building she entered was constructed of the finest of white stone that had been hand carved by unknown craftsmen of remarkable skill who had refined to a degree beyond all human skill. As the place progressed the meditating students could be seen and from the background the training of students could heard. Then in the recruitment center there was a Master of the Order who sat and seeing her asked, ”How may I help you?”

Amara had been taking in the scene around her. She stopped suddenly as the Master addressed her. "I...I'm not really sure. I heard you were teaching others to be strong, to defend the defensless. My brother protected me all my life. He taught me to defend myself, he's in the military, but he was always stronger and braver. I always felt bad that he worried about me. I want to be like him, to protect others, and so he wont need to worry about me anymore." She nervously tugged at the strap of a small pack slung over her shoulder.

snip
The message escaped the ship, but it didn't escape intact.

With the station currently undergoing unknown changes and under quarentine, a small group of Sickle frigates approached the Maurader. Much of the message received was useless but they did make out something about an emergency and with the state of the ship they could fill in the rest. A short message was returned to the ship and one of the frigates locked onto it with a towing beam. The small ship was pulled away from the station at full burn to Kharik where it would be taken care of at the military station there.

<Attention Marauder. This station is under quarentine, you will be taken to the planet for emergency repairs. Please disengage your engines and prepare to dock.>

+++At the edge of the Fuller Limit of the Khalik System, which would be approximately forty light-seconds out if the system's primary was a G0 star, the signature of a massive gravitational anomaly would splash onto the station's sensor consoles. The source was travelling initially at .99c as it dropped out of the wormhole, but quickly began decellerating at a rate that would bring it to a complete stop over the planet.
+++If observed directly from the fore, it would seem as if a black hole were heading straight for the station, but if any ship, drone, or sensor platform should observe it from the side, they would record information that revealed the source to be a ship, approximately three thousand metres in length and around three hundred forty in diametre, with a bulbous protrusion at its fore which housed its Fuller Drive.
+++It mounted no obvious armament (though it did carry on it eight missile launchers and seven two-hundred-centimetre lasers on each broadside), and was most certainly a freighter (albeit a fairly well-used one, to put it kindly), and on further inspection, was squawking a transponder that indicated it as the Svetit', which the station's records would list as a Dyesyatyzstani freighter, belonging to the Jaimov Trade Cartel. Any further looks marked it as a VKF auxilliary ship, with its armament listed for the sanity of port authorities.


A small Sickle frigate also approached the massive freighter, and transmitted a similar message to the damaged Marauder which arrived before it.

<Attention Dyesyatyzstani freighter. This is Kharik Port Authority. Tradewind Station is currently under quarentine. Please identify your business here so we may redirect you accordingly. Thank you for your understanding.>

A glass screen folded out from the side of. It stopped with the bottom edge on level with Spoor's hip and angled up to give a visual of her face. "Well Admiral, this is your nation so show us how serious you are about carrying through with your plans. Our guardships will provide you with plenty of room to work through the asteroids once we begin our bombarment. The Patrolships will see that your flanks are covered from any ships in waiting. Everything is up to you this round."

She stepped around the glass panel and walked over the railing on the bridge. Down below was a holographic tactical display map showing the field of battle and the ships in the area. "No need to launch challenge signals. All ships, mobilize to combat stations immediatly. I want the guardships to spread out and prepare to attack the asteroid field itself but do not use any mines under any circumstances. We have a limited number so I want to save them in case we get into a sticky situation. Patrolships are to break formation with squads one thru ten to take the right flank while squads eleven thru twenty take the left one."

Throughout the fleet, munitions were loaded into their proper tubes along with energy spikes in the anti-proton cannons. Cartridges were eased into the electromagnetic rifles and readied to fire. Patrolships went to battlespeed while making a mad dash to cover their area of the battlefield. They were also there to let no one escape. They would see that this asteroid field would become a pirates graveyard.

All ships looked in place on the tactical map which pleased Spoor immensly. This was a nice warm-up round once the real battle would come calling soon. In one fluid motion, Spoor drew her command saber and pointed out over the holograph. "Let's go get'em!"

From one end of the line to the next, the guardships began their barrage of the asteroid field and pounded away at it. Slugs and energy were poured out raining down and providing a nice manicured space for the Tidani to attack.

"I guess they are ready." Kadus said as he listened to her response. Then the Abh opened fire. As the dust and molten rock began clearing a hole began to appear in the field.

Kadus watched on the screen and display, then looked up to the captain. "There is our opening Captain, move us in."

The Gallant's Captain began calling out orders to his crew, which were passed along through the ship and fleet.

The Tidani pushed forward into the field, gravity beams at full strength to make the hole larger where it needed to be. The Gallant moved at the center of the formation, the six Gryphons escorting. Two were above, one on each side, and two below.

Around the base they waited for the attackers to advance. The small asteroid platforms began coming to life. Shields raised and torpedoes began pumping out of them. The defensive ships also sprung to action, carriers launched their fighter screen and destroyers began their assault. The station itself though remained mostly silent.

The Gallant and it's Gryphons took a heavy pounding, but they were much larger and had the advantage of youth. The Gallant charged up it's heavy Tremor Cannons, targetting asteroids turrets the large slugs popped their shields and reduced them to dust as it advanced on the station. Gryphons followed suit with their medium Tremors, and as the ships closed in on the defenders their Razor beams opened up on the ships. Targeting engines and weapons, they hoped to disable the ships instead of destroy them but time would tell how many casualties they would be forced to deal.

Now the fighter screens met. Warhawks on both sides lauched their Talon interceptor missiles and then attempted to dodge the ones locking onto them. A cloud Tidani and machine filled the space around the capital ships.

Things were going well, the heavier and more advanced Navy ships were pushing ever forward. The asteroid defenses were almost gone, and the defender ships were taking heavy losses. Now though they entered firing range of the base's heavy MACs. Massive magnetic charges set off alarms on the incoming ships, as they charged and then fired their slugs.

The first two hit the Gallant dead center on the fore shields. The shock caused damage to the generators and drained much of their strength. The second pair contacted the Gryphon on the starboard side. The first slug was deflected but left it's shields dangerously low. The second slug broke them and entered the ship in the bow exiting about a third of the way down the starboard hull. Explosions ripped through the large hole in the front of the ship, and she began banking to the right with the transfer of momentum.

"Damn." Kadus said as he contacted the captain of the damaged Gryphon. An aging captain appeared on his screen. Sparks and chemicals venting could be seen behind him. "Status Captain."

"Sir, we're still alive over here...more or less. I am attempting to reroute controls and regain control of most major systems. We are not in great fighting shape though." He yelled grimly over the background noise.

"Understood. Do your best. We'll keep them off you. Starfall out." He closed the channel and turned to the Gallant's Captain. "Focus on the MAC batteries. Bring us around to cover them."

The Gallant's Tremors recharged and fired a full volley into the base's MACs. With the assistance of their escorts they punched through the protective shields and destroyed all four. As the slugs left the Gallant it banked right and put it's hull between the damaged Gryphon and the base. Gravity beams were also trained on the damaged ship to keep it from drifting into further danger.

Amara had been taking in the scene around her. She stopped suddenly as the Master addressed her. "I...I'm not really sure. I heard you were teaching others to be strong, to defend the defensless. My brother protected me all my life. He taught me to defend myself, he's in the military, but he was always stronger and braver. I always felt bad that he worried about me. I want to be like him, to protect others, and so he wont need to worry about me anymore." She nervously tugged at the strap of a small pack slung over her shoulder.The Master said,” Do you realize the difficulty of the training and the dangers of the being a member of the Order? I am asking you this because of my concern that you are throwing yourself into the Order due to emotional pressure, but if you are doing entirely of free will I will accept you into the order?”

The Master said,” Do you realize the difficulty of the training and the dangers of the being a member of the Order? I am asking you this because of my concern that you are throwing yourself into the Order due to emotional pressure, but if you are doing entirely of free will I will accept you into the order?”

She thought for a moment. "This is something I want. I have always wanted the strength to stand with my brother instead of behind him. I heard you might be able to give me that strength."

She thought for a moment. "This is something I want. I have always wanted the strength to stand with my brother instead of behind him. I heard you might be able to give me that strength."The Master replied," What you say is a paradox as only you yourself can truly give you strength. Me and the Order can only help you on your way to getting strenght."

The Master replied," What you say is a paradox as only you yourself can truly give you strength. Me and the Order can only help you on your way to getting strenght."

"Then this is where I should train."

(ooc: helping you show off your Order is harder than I thought lol)

Spoor watched the battle with a small smile on her face. It was quite impressive and lovely to behold. On one hand she was bored to not really be in their destroying the weak and helpless but this way she wouldn't have to worry about a single casualty. "Chief, direct the patrol groups to start tightening the noose. The Tidani almost have them beat and I don't want anyone making a run for it."

"Yes admiral."

Guardships began moving closer through the asteroid field and occasionaly using a laser turret to remove an inconvenient asteroid. Patrolships began circling around behind the pirate's base to hem them all in. They managed to find some cover among the asteroids and refocused their shielding to withstand a couple beatings from tumbling rocks but point defense systems remained active always in the event a rock was being too stubborn.

"Then this is where I should train."

(ooc: helping you show off your Order is harder than I thought lol)“This is where you will be initially trained and later you will be brought to the nearby training planet where you will advance to the rank of Knight after your training with a Master or Knight of the Order.”

OOC: Sorry about that. Yet, I thank you for helping me advertise my order.

"Receiving a message sir," the lieutenant shouted, covering her mouth as fumes began to replace oxygen in the ever-darkening cockpit of the small vessel.

"Well at least the comms work. Replay it Lieutenant," Jaylin commanded.

"There isn't much of it left sir, but I believe it says to shut down our engines," she informed him. She span around and quickly ducked as a small explosion occurred behind her. A metal girder fell from the ceiling and swung towards her. Fortunately she ducked in time to avoid her head being removed, but as the cold metal impaled her through the shoulder, she quickly found herself forced backwards and pinned against the wall..

"Lieutenant!" Jaylin called. He heard her mumbling something, but he couldn't see her face. "Are you alive Lieutenant?"

"I... agh... yes sir!" she called back.

"Alright, Lieutenant Crav, you heard what the message said, cut the engines!"

An officer poked his head above some debris that had fallen in front of his console, which covered the body of their captain, and called back, "no need sir, the last engine just failed. We have a massive fuel leak... somewhere."

"Alright," Jaylin said. He grabbed the helmet for his combat suit and firmly fitted it above his head. The blackened visor obscured his face from outside view, but on the inside he was presented with tactical displays, zoom functions, and more importantly to his present situation - short range comms and an atmosphere readout. He took deep breaths as he felt fresh air flood over him.

"Crav, put your helmet on, and find Oeress' helmet for her!" Jaylin said, his voice taking on a mechanical quality as it came through the suit. "We've got about thirty microts of air left in this ship!"

"Oeress' suit has been punctured sir!" Crav said, glancing at the bloody hole that the metal pole passed into.

"It doesn't matter, it'll buy her enough time!" Jaylin said.

The ship lurched to one side slightly as though some outside force had grabbed hold of it and begun pulling away from its course. Lieutenant Crav struggled to stand as fixed his helmet in place, before attempting to fit Oeress' helmet on her around the metal girder that held her to the wall. The air reached lethal toxicity levels shortly afterwards. Now all they had to do was sit and wait, hoping the hull wouldn't break up around them.

[ Sorry for the delay. :/

Posting when I get some rest. ]

Spoor watched the battle with a small smile on her face. It was quite impressive and lovely to behold. On one hand she was bored to not really be in their destroying the weak and helpless but this way she wouldn't have to worry about a single casualty. "Chief, direct the patrol groups to start tightening the noose. The Tidani almost have them beat and I don't want anyone making a run for it."

"Yes admiral."

Guardships began moving closer through the asteroid field and occasionaly using a laser turret to remove an inconvenient asteroid. Patrolships began circling around behind the pirate's base to hem them all in. They managed to find some cover among the asteroids and refocused their shielding to withstand a couple beatings from tumbling rocks but point defense systems remained active always in the event a rock was being too stubborn.

With just a fraction of the defender fleet left active they began to attempt a retreat. The Tidani fleet continued disabling the destroyers as they tried to flee and drove them into the Abh patrol ships laying in wait. As things began to calm down in the space around the base, the Gallant began launching boarding parties to capture the base.

Also at this time Aeroh sent a message to the Cerberus Security Forces. It provided them with the coordinates of the base and instructed them that the fleets would be waiting here while the base was captured and analysed.

“This is where you will be initially trained and later you will be brought to the nearby training planet where you will advance to the rank of Knight after your training with a Master or Knight of the Order.”

OOC: Sorry about that. Yet, I thank you for helping me advertise my order.

"Thank you for taking me, you will not regret this. I know that my path takes me through here."

OOC: I'll let you take this how ever you want, you can skip through the training to highlight any aspects or parts that you want.

snip

After a short intrasystem trip at full burn the Sickle carrying the Marauder arrived at the military base on the moon of Kharik. The craft was transfered to the stations gravity beam and was drawn into one of the many repair dry-docks. Large blast doors slammed shut behind it and the dock was quickly pressurized. Repair crews ran out to the craft as fire supression systems kicked into action. Hazmat teams entered the craft to search for survivors. Once located they would be evacuated to the quarentine medical bay.

When they were stablized the commander of the base came in to see how his guests were doing.

With the retreating forces being driven back into Abh lines, Admiral Spoor dispensed with the pleasantries and ordered the attack. The Roths opened fire with their electromagnetic rifles and anti-proton cannons spewing out gouts of yellow energized orbs and antimatter filled slugs.

Sounds of fire ringed out through the small group accompanied by the vibrations of their massive engines coming online propelling them forth.

The occupants of the craft were quick to instinctively draw pulse pistols and aim them at the unidentified people boarding their craft, before realising that they were rescue workers from whoever had brought them in. Jaylin nodded at Crav and they both holstered their pistols.

"We are not leaving without our cargo!" Jaylin shouted to the rescue workers, the voice coming through his suit helmet radio. "Crav, take them to the hold and get it out of here!"

"Yes sir!" he called, showing the rescue workers to the back of the hold.

"Take her first," Jaylin said, pointing to the officer who was impaled against the wall.

He turned and fumbled around with a console, pulling several pieces out and storing them in various compartments within his suit. As Crav and the rescue workers carried a seven-foot coffin-shaped container out of the ship, Jaylin followed them out. The container looked to be heavy, and it was constructed out of hard metal with no symbols or indication of what might be inside.

"This cargo has to be stored somewhere secure and safe," Jaylin said to them sternly once they were outside. "You don't want it to be damaged any more than I do, trust me. Now, I am Commander Jaylin, Peacekeeper Special Operations. This is Lieutenant Crav, and the injured officer is Lieutenant Oeress. There are also two bodies in that craft, one of which was our Captain. Please put them into storage somewhere so that we can give them a soldier's burial later on. I thank you for picking up our Marauder; with our navigational computer destroyed we had no idea where we were going. If you have any stellar navigation charts I would appreciate it if I could see them, as I have no idea how far away from Peacekeeper-controlled space we are."

OOC: Just waiting a little longer to see if EX is still around before I go ahead and advance the plot behind him. If not I'll move on.

The occupants of the craft were quick to instinctively draw pulse pistols and aim them at the unidentified people boarding their craft, before realising that they were rescue workers from whoever had brought them in. Jaylin nodded at Crav and they both holstered their pistols.

"We are not leaving without our cargo!" Jaylin shouted to the rescue workers, the voice coming through his suit helmet radio. "Crav, take them to the hold and get it out of here!"

"Yes sir!" he called, showing the rescue workers to the back of the hold.

"Take her first," Jaylin said, pointing to the officer who was impaled against the wall.

He turned and fumbled around with a console, pulling several pieces out and storing them in various compartments within his suit. As Crav and the rescue workers carried a seven-foot coffin-shaped container out of the ship, Jaylin followed them out. The container looked to be heavy, and it was constructed out of hard metal with no symbols or indication of what might be inside.

"This cargo has to be stored somewhere secure and safe," Jaylin said to them sternly once they were outside. "You don't want it to be damaged any more than I do, trust me. Now, I am Commander Jaylin, Peacekeeper Special Operations. This is Lieutenant Crav, and the injured officer is Lieutenant Oeress. There are also two bodies in that craft, one of which was our Captain. Please put them into storage somewhere so that we can give them a soldier's burial later on. I thank you for picking up our Marauder; with our navigational computer destroyed we had no idea where we were going. If you have any stellar navigation charts I would appreciate it if I could see them, as I have no idea how far away from Peacekeeper-controlled space we are."

The Deck Chief acknowledged Jaylin's concern and called for a hoverbarge to be brought in and carry the cargo to a containment cell. "It will be safer there than in anywhere else on this base. As for your expired crew I can stow them in the freezer if you want, or I can have our doctors see if there is anything we can do to revive them. Which ever you wish." The injured crew member was now freed from the wreckage and quickly but carefully taken to the infirmary. He turned and extended his hand indicating that Jaylin should follow and began to leave the deck. "If you would follow me. I will take you to a planning room, there you will be able to talk with those incharge and have a look at those charts."

They arrived in a small room. A table took up most of the space in the center and on one of the long walls a large screen was mounted. "We'll get someone to come talk to you shortly." The Chief said as he left them alone in the room.

After a few minutes one of the base sub-commanders walked past the two guards outside the doorway and joined the two Peacekeepers. "Welcome to Tidan. I am Commander Yalo. I have brought some charts to see if we can't figure out where you are from, but before we get to that I would like to know how you came to be in our space."

With the retreating forces being driven back into Abh lines, Admiral Spoor dispensed with the pleasantries and ordered the attack. The Roths opened fire with their electromagnetic rifles and anti-proton cannons spewing out gouts of yellow energized orbs and antimatter filled slugs.

Sounds of fire ringed out through the small group accompanied by the vibrations of their massive engines coming online propelling them forth.

The noose was tightened and the pirates silenced.

On board the Gallant Kadus oversaw the preparations of boarding teams. Each destroyer and carrier had to be salvaged if possible, and the base itself must be raided.

Assault craft burned towards their targets and for several hours the marines fought the survivors of the battle for control of their ships. Eventually all the ships were cleared and salvage work began. The base though was another story.

Inside the base the pirates had remained mostly unharmed, protected by the asteroid crust. Now the operation to recover anything of value from the base turned into an all out siege. Gaining a foothold in the hanger deck itself took well over three hours, and was finally settled when several dropships were dispatched and unloaded a small lance of CRAAB tanks.

With operations taking so long Kadus had been worried about letting the pirates send off warnings to the other bases, so he had made sure all of their communications equipment accessible from out side the asteroid was destroyed. They constantly monitored the base for signs of any attempts to send a message, ready to block it at a moments notice.

Slowly they made progress as the trapped pirates were over come by the crack marines of the Gallant. After several more hours they had gained control of the major centers of the base. From the computer they gained the locations of the other pirate bases, two remained, and several communication records which when analysed later would shine some light into the mystery of the pirate leadership. They also found a large cash of weapons and cargo, other than that the base was clean.

It took a couple more hours to capture or kill the rest of the pirates holding out in the base. Once the base was completely cleared, eight hours later, Kadus contacted the admiralty to inform them of his progress and sent them along the information he had uncovered. Requesting a few ships arrive at his location to ensure the base remained clear, he prepared to move out again.

A channel was opened to the Abh fleet:
<Thank you for your assistance Admiral Spoor. We have learned much from this base and the location of two more such bases in our asteroid belt. We are ready to proceed to the next base once we have cleared the asteroid field.>

The Tidani ships moved clear of the ships and once the Abh had followed jumped to the position of the next base. The damaged Gryphon, however, jumped to a military repair yard where it could repair and wouldn't be noticed to quickly.

The remaining pirates had been mopped up by the Abh forces. Few shots were even landed on an Abh vessel thanks to the asteroid field and their superb training. On board the Latchkau, Admiral Spoor and Cufadiss watched as the Tidani took control of the pirates base. Losses were encountered but in the end, they were victorious.

"So it seems they do have the will to attack pirates that may even be their own people. This is a good sign for a continued relation."

Cufadiss blew out a sigh, thankful that her majesty was having fun. "Message coming through from the Gallant. They've discovered another base location and they are jumping to new coordinants."

"Good. We'll take the lead on the charge on this one. All ships prepare to jump to Hyperspace."

"Aye ma'am."

The Abh squadron moved in behind the flagship just as a temporal distortion opened. In they all plunged as the hole closed behind the last ship.

Exit vectors were exchanged with the Abh and then jump bubbles formed around the Tidani ships. When they collapsed the ships were gone from realspace.

A short time later they arrived on the other side of the system, again just outside the asteroid belt. The Abh were just ahead of them and on a vector to enter the field.

Inside the field was the second base, itself very similar to the first one encountered by the joint taskforce. This base however, had more along the lines of static defenses. The field was peppered with turrets, as well as many asteroids with engines strapped to them. Also in this field were smaller asteroids with small anti-matter charges burried at their core. A proximity fuse would detonate the charge sending large chunks of debris in all directions. They had also added a tamperment fuse should someone try to move them without authorization.

Behind the defenses sat another flotilla of destroyers and one carrier.

Admiral Starfall ordered systems online and battlestations ready. "Commence signal jamming and bring us in behind the Abh."

Just like before, the Abh ships opened up with a large volley to clear away the asteroids in their space giving them a clear lane to the defense station. Energy laced out from anti-proton cannons and nuclear fusion slugs were launched from the electromangetic rifles sending at speeds near light.

Once a general lane was cleared of asteroids, the Abh fleet began moving in. With the Abh taking the front on this one, Admiral Spoor was slightly more cautious but only slightly. "Chief, I want scanners at maximum looking for any abnormalities in the asteroid field. Fill the mobile mines with anti-matter substance and prep them for launch. I want everyone to loosen up and keep your point defense systems up and running. There's no telling what we might run into in the middle of the field."

The Abh fleet moved into a new formation of one that was broader but looser in general formation as they moved into the asteroid field.

Asteroid and turret alike vaporized as the Abh assault pushed through the field. As they reached about half way the other defenses sprung to life. The larger rocks came online, thrusters maneuvered them as engines lit. From all around the Abh they began their suicide missions. Some of the larger ones were also mined. Most of these were being mowed away by the fire, but a few detonated sending debris towards the allied fleet.

Behind the rocks the rebel destroyers moved into formation to meet the Abh when they broke through. The base's cannons rotated to target the incoming vessels as well.

Gunners were already at their posts in case any attack should occur involving the asteroids or projectiles. Laser cannons opened fire on the incoming asteroids on all vectors. Shields vaporized the smaller particles colliding against the hulls. Larger chunks of rock caused energy to flare up along with damage to the hulls. One massive asteroid was too big for a single patrol ship to handle and it was bulldozed over.

Now came the attack on the station itself. Electromagnetic rifles were deployed to attack the station along with heavy anti-proton cannons. The rebel destroyers were marked and targeted by the mobile mines but launch was held back until they ventured out from behind the rocks.

The defenders would wait. The Abh had to come to them to reach the base, and they knew that. They would let the Abh waste their shots destroying the last layer of rocks and then they would have a clear shot.

The base's cannon operators were less patient, and they really didn't need to be. The magnetic coils charged and the first volleys pounded their way through the field, smashing through rock toward the leading Abh ships.

Enough rock and debris had been cleared to allow for mobility and manuevering but there wasn't an excessive amount to work with. Frontline ships evaded the best they could with a couple taking a hit in the side damaging their space time generators or having the side completely punctured and lose pressure. One ship was unfortunate to take a hit square in the bow, turning it into a floating carcass while shuttles spilled out in an evacuation.

Guardships moved up and began opening fire with their larger spinal anti-proton cannons, lobbing giant balls of yellow energy. Slugs pounded out through the remaining rock towards the station. Laser fire from defense system ignited space as a massive amounts of fire began clearing away the rock all around them.

The Abh came barreling through the rock and debris. Fire fell upon the base like rain and one of the large guns fell immediatly, its energy relay severed by an Abh shot. The second took pounding after pounding and let off one final shot before succoming. It was well off its mark though and flew off toward the very edge of the Abh formation.

More than one of the rebel captains cursed the base gunners for calling down the firestorm on them prematurely as the defenders snapped into action. Their defenses flared as the carnage washed over them. The destroyers took heavy damage across the board but true to their nature stayed alive. Tightly focused energy beams lanced out through the incoming fire to reach their enemy. More slugs a fraction of the size of the bases guns shot out towards the Abh ships, many knocked off course or melted by the Abh weapons.

The carrier which took more fire than the smaller destroyers fell in this first volley, almost before it could launch even a quarter of its fighters.

Kadus stood on the bridge of the Gallant admiring the display, "All ships fire at will upon any target openings."

Fire rained down on the Abh squadron taking some of the smaller ships down while the larger ones held. Admiral Spoor smiled at the pirates stubbornness. "Targeting solutions still aquired?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Launch mobile mines. Tear them to shreds!"

Mobile mines launched from pads all along every ship. Loaded with anti-matter, they darted and weaved in entricate patterns before striking out into their predisgnated targets.

Meanwhile, fire continued to lash out at the station continually until the weapon systems were brought down.

The base fell silent, or rather was silenced. Before it the defensive line was punished. The mines tore through the line as fire continued to rain down upon them.

This proved too much for some of these captains as squadrons began to pull away from the lines trying to escape before their fate was sealed. The defenders fell into chaos as those that remained tried to hold the line with ever shrinking numbers, while others launched in every direction. The crews of this base were less fanatical than the rebels of the first base encountered. As the outcome became clear many decided self-preservation outweighed their devotion to the rebel cause.

Of course they would have to make it past the Abh ships guarding their escape vectors.

The main defense ceased shortly after. Again the Tidani moved in to secure and scour the base.

With her foes fleeing before her, Admiral Spoor made a decision that would hopefully make things easier for her. She knew well that taking a space station would cause the lives of more Abh and she had surmised that enough lives had been lost already. Now her fleet turned to attack the remaining of the defending ships and anyone trying to escape. Those willing to surrender were allowed to do so but there was no mercy when it came to a fleeing enemy.

Her ships pursued them at top speed letting loose with cannon and electromagnetic fire. Lasers streaked across hulls as the remainding ships were swarmed over by smaller and faster ships.

(OOC: Oh right, last time I tried to post my browser died. Forgot about that, sorry I thought I had replied already.)

Kadus watched as the Abh took off after their prey. He calmly ordered his ships onward, "Instruct the cruisers to begin boarding operations on the surrendering ships. Bring the Gallant in close to the base and prepare us to capture it."

The Admirals flagship pushed forward through the field of debris and ships. When they arrived just a few hundred klicks from the base the gunners performed some pinpoint fire on the remaining defensive stations even though they showed no sign of activity. Once they felt sure it was clear a stream of dropships and gunships passed between the ship and the station.

Again the battle inside the station went on for hours. This time was much easier though as like in the battle in space, many of this facility's defenders were much more inclined to surrender to the stronger force.

When the base was finally secured the boarding teams reported back some extremely valuable information.

"Report." Kadus ordered his communications officer.

"According to the information they have uncovered on the station, we should be able to figure out when and where an emergency meeting of the rebel leadership is going to be taking place. First look says it will be in the next few days."

"Excellent, send this to our Eclipse contact and get them on it immediately."

OOC: It's quite alright. I wasn't going anywhere.

IC:
The few remaining pirates were quickly surrounded and dispensed with. Those few that surrendered were stripped of their ships and taken onboard Abh vessels. The remaining pirate vessels were summarily destroyed so as to prevent them from be used by others again. Pirates that remained stubborn to the end, didn't last long enough to attempt a surrender issue before they were blasted back to space dust.

Admiral Spoor plopped back into her comfortably cushioned chair and rested her head on the side of her fist. Red eyes scanned over the now clear tactical display map. The only thing left outside her hull were allies and debris. It was a good feeling to the Abh, to be destroying those weaker than you and giving it an artistic flare. "All ships have been destroyed and we have finished securing the prisoners."

Cufadiss had disturbed her from her quiet elation. "Very good chief. Inform the Tidani that pirate activity in this sector should no longer be a problem but we also have some prisoners that they can dispense with or we can tend to it for them."

"Yes ma'am. Sending message now."

While the message was transmitted, the Abh fleet reformed and began sifting through debris and worked to head back to the Tidani.

The clean up of the base continued for some time after the last battles had finished. Kadus sat on the bridge of the Gallant reading the Abh message. "Thank you Watch." He said thanking the young officer who had transfered the message from general fleetnet traffic to his display. Kadus then sent his reply to Admiral Spoor.

"I thank you for your help here Admiral. We will take possession of the prisoners you have captured so that we may determine their usefulness. Then we will put them to work in prison." He stopped his writing as another message appeared with Eclipse in the sender field. The secretive intelligence community struck fear into the hearts of many citizens and soldiers alike. Stories and rumors of all natures had circulated about their motives and actions for decades. Kadus, being the member of the Admiralty responsible for Eclpise, knew first hand that despite their secrecy and often less than legal dealings their motives were not sinister. He activated his privacy field and opened it.

From: Eclipse
To: Admiral Starfall, Gallant
Re: Rebel Meeting

Information determined genuine and accurate. Extracted location, time, and force projection follows.

Reading through the comments that followed the simple message it became clear this was what they had hoped for. One by one the rebel bases were falling. This caused the Rebel leadership to become worried enough to risk a meeting to decided what to do while consolidating their forces. They had gambled that they would not be discovered in time, they had almost been right. Certainly if the Abh fleet had not arrived to help they would have been.

Kadus resumed his message. "I have just been informed that information we have gathered on this base has been varified by Eclipse. The Rebel leaders are chancing a meeting in space with most of their forces. They never expected us to plow through their forces so quickly, they never expected you." Kadus let a wide grin show as he wrote this. "They are panicing and getting sloppy. This is our chance to cut off their head and scrap most of their fleet at once. This is an end-game scenario Admiral. The meeting will be in five days time. I suggest we wait here and conduct what repairs may be necessary until the time to move comes. I will have the navy prepare and supply as many additional ships as they can for this as well. The Rebels may not have put up too great a fight so far, but they do have deep pockets and all of their big guns will be in play for this fight." He forwarded the comments sent by Eclipse along with his message.

"It appears as if we can put the Tidani rebellion down in one solid attack." Cufadiss, Spoor's Chief of Staff, had been reading the message aloud when he decided to add his insight.

Spoor had been nibbling at the edge of her finger while listening. "So it would seem Chief. Well then, I believe we should call for some reinforcements oursleves if this is to be the big showdown. Bring up the communication link to Gallant."

"Right away ma'am."

The holographic image of Admiral Spoor flared to life with her long blue braid playing over her chest and crimson eyes staring back at the Admiral.This is good news you have uncovered Admiral. We will take this time to recover any lifepods still floating about while cleaning up the debris of our downed ships. Also, I believe I will put a call into my Dutchy and bring a few of my personal garrison forces to the last fight. They should prove marvelous in battle as they always perform beautifully for me. Talk to you soon.

"Chief, patch me through to my palace. I have a request for the next dance."

Cufadiss's fingers worked at his glass counsel until he nodded he was ready. "Go ahead."

To: Captain Paline
From: Grand Dutchess Spoor

You are to bring a small force of the Latopanyu garrison gaurds to these coordinants where will coordinate an attack on troublesom pirates. It should prove quite enjoyable and no doubt relieve your boredom as well as the other commanders. We leave in five days so don't be late unless you deliberatly want to disappoint me.

Ta ta for now.

One would have to wonder what kind of Captain would be on such good terms with a woman like Admiral Spoor.