NationStates Jolt Archive

This thread is the planning phase for the Jurai Invasion. This thread is closed to all except those involved in the defense of Jurai in The Emperor is Dead (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=530939&page=21).

All was well, as the loyalist Colonial Fleet stood watch over the frozen wasteland of Jurai. Jurai was scarred, torn apart by war, by convection and by greed. Like the loyal colonial fleet above, they both had their wounds.

Admiral Adama walked, flicking his fathers lighter, as he walked down the crowded hallway to the CIC. His mind wandered, as he continued down the hallway, accompanied only by the memories of his home that now laid in ash. Would Admiral Cain come here? He dreaded the thought.

Colonials fighting Colonials. How could it have come to this? How could it be, that brothers and sisters now stood with daggers at each others throat, waiting for one to make the first move. He continued to walk, as the white florescent light lead him to the brain of the Colonial Fleet, the Galactica’s CIC.

Adama looked to the marine, and saluted. The man dressed in black, his rifle at his side, returned the salute, and opened the CIC door for the new Admiral of the Fleet. The man, who now commanded fifty seven Battlestars, and subsequent Gunstars, Missilestars, and Defender Class Battlestars.

“Commander on the deck.” was ordered, as the crew stood and saluted, their leader, the only one who knew the enemy, the one who was the enemy. Adama ordered, “As you were.” as he approached his XO.

“What is the status?” Adama asked, as he looked up to the rotating lights of the Draidus.

“Well Bill, Colonel Tigh replied, It would seem that we are the cause of the social event of the season. Within the last half hour, the Coredians have sent a great number of fleets here. The Woodian Navy should be back within the hour, as well several nations we have never heard of have sent scores of ships.” Colonel Tigh rolled out a map of Jurai, across the planning table, below the Draidus screen. Colonel Tigh, pointed at several portions of the planet below. “The woodians have deployed troops here and here. The Tidans are currently assessing where to position their troops. It would seem that they are preparing for an invasion.” Colonel Tigh replied, as a smile cracked across his face.

Adama looked at the map, as he reached into his pocket. Fumbling for a second, he found his glasses, and put them on. “Looks like a text book defensive action.” Adama replied, disappointed in the tactics used on the world below. “Too bad it will never work.”

“Sir.” Colonel Tigh responded. Adama looked to his old friend, who had fought beside him since the first cylon war. “You know Admiral Cain, as do I, old friend. She would be outnumbered and outgunned. If she comes here, you know what will happen, how she will act.”

Colonel Tigh, “Yes sir I do, she is a frakkin stubborn bitch.”

Admiral Adama smiled, “That may be, but she is not stupid. She will come when she chooses to, when she has the advantage.”

Admiral Adama looks to Lt. Dualla. “Have a raptor preped to take me to the Jedi temple in five minutes, as well as a marine detachment. I will go to speak with Daniel personally. ”

Lt. Dualla responded, “Jurai, this is the Galactica, Admiral Adama needs to meet with Emperor Daniel Massaki in person as soon as possible. Be advised, a marine detachment is accompanying him.”

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Somewhere in deep space
On board ship designated Resurrection

The room was bright, as lights emminated from an unknown source. A small waterfall ran over several panels, as a large red light circled the room. Here stood the known seven models of cylons. Two Centurions stood watch over the entrance, as the debate occured.

Cavil stood, leaning over one of the panels. “We need to make a decision.” he retorted, his voice calm. “For too many years we have stood, captive by the Colonials, subjecated by the Coredians. We need to go somewhere safe, until we can build our fleets back again, and the skies of the human worlds are once again dominated by the raiders of our fleet.”

Sharon sighed. “Have we not learned already the cost of war. The humans with their allies have defensive technologies that as of now we have not been able to over come. Humans are not the true enemy, they tried to live in peace with us....” Sharon replied, as she was soon cut off by Leoban.

Leoban, “Yes but now things have changed Sharon. The Coredians have held your daughter captive on one of their planets. In retaliation, we have scourged the human worlds, but they will take to the stars, to hunt us down. This is not a war of aggression, we must preserve ourselves. We must live on, as God intended us to do.”

Caprica scoffed, as she replied. “Does that mean we need to continue this war? Is there not any other way.”

Cavil chimed in. “We are at war, we always have been. ‘God,” Cavil said, as he held up his hands making the quotation sign in pure sarcasm, Has provided us with a way to win. Atrox, who is more machine than insect, who is not a human has invited us to his worlds. There we can upgrade our systems, and become once again the mighty nation we were prior to the Coredian intervention. With these upgrades, we can show them the same “Kindness and understanding” that they showed us.

The cylons looked downward, as Leoban, Doran, D’Anna, and Simon agreed. Cavil sighed, relieved that the debate no longer raged on. He reached his hand to a panel. The water was cold, as his mind up linked to the cylon network. His mind joined that with the five basestars above Jurai.

The five basestars above Jurai, then vanished in a blaze of white light. They were just gone.

Arcturus momentarily glanced up into the sky just as the five basestars vanished from the immediate vicinity, then returned his attention to those gathered around.

"Interesting," he said, more to himself than anything.

Lt. Dualla responded, “Jurai, this is the Galactica, Admiral Adama needs to meet with Emperor Daniel Masaki in person as soon as possible. Be advised, a marine detachment is accompanying him.”
At the same time, I was pouring over the latest reports coming from my soldiers. The 1st Mechwarriors Company has been deployed around the city, preparing their Woodian-made Battlemechs alongside their counterparts. The mechanized divisons, comprised of a mix of walkers, Zoids, and Godulan mechas and the infantry units patrolled the three continents, with the majority of forces deployed around Temple City and the Jurai Administrative Center (due to an oversight, that city was never actually named), while the others hung around the depleted cities of the cold, twin-of-Hoth planet. While most of the population has fled to warmer places like Konoha and Atlantia, the hardy ones stayed behind as a show of defiance to the Empire. Makes us look Russian, I'd wager.

The Jedi Order and the Shinobi were busy planting presents for the Empire should they start landing ground troops. Unlike the last time, we are far better prepared to make it a very phyyric victory for the Stormtrooper Legions and even the Sith Lords. The Dark Lords will soon learn that they no longer have a monopoly on underhanded tactics, mark my words. Hardliner Jedi would consider us no better than our enemies if they saw the kind of bloody and deadly traps we laid out, but the influence of the Shinobi brought a pragmatism to the Order that it rarely utilized before. It's all well and good to have peace and serenity and knowing there's no death but the Force, but it doesn't really work out well when you're unable to influence things directly because you've become a Force Ghost. I mean, the worst you could do there was haunt your enemies. Hardly a useful tactic in the war against the Empire.

It was the same matter in space, with the mines being laid out at every important location, from the outer mining planets Hades and Devin to Jurai itself. The Gas Giants Gennai and Weyern had numerous moons pimped out with heavy-duty turbolaser, ion cannon and superlaser cannons while the asteroid fields were studded with hidden mines, missile emplacements and turbolaser stations along with elements of the Second Fleet. Next came the planet Haven. Most of its industrial sections survived relatively unscathed during the Second Invasion of Jurai, but owing to the fact that it wouldn't survive a second assault, the factories were in the process of being dismantled and taken offplanet to other locations. And Jurai itself...

The three moons were damaged during the last assault, but time had passed and each one of them were now boasting combined Coredian and Godulan technology. And that's not mentioning my own weapon designs on the moon Rakurai. There was also a vertible armada of defense stations and orbitial cannons. Although many of them were destroyed during the Imperial invasion and the planetary defense grid was yet to recover to full health, many were either repaired or replaced, providing a strong last-ditch defense nevertheless.

For the Empire to win Jurai once and for all, it will have to pay a heavy price indeed.

"Sir. Admiral Adama wants to come down. He's bringing a marine detachment." A soldier said.

I nodded to the boy. "I see. Tell him that he is welcome to come and help with the preparations. His insight will be useful."

"Yes, sir." The lad replied and commed the Galactica.

"Galactica Actual, Admiral Adama can come down at any time. The detachment is allowed as well."

Along with me, Hokage Tsunade and the Dragon King -who just arrived with his forces- were General James Solomon of the Marine Corps, General Mike Haruko of the Starfighter Corps, Major General Roy Mustang of Special Operations Command, Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, High Admiral Heydrich Rommel of Naval Operations who commands the Second Fleet, Admiral Hector Achilles of the Third Fleet, Admiral Saiyuki of the Sixth Fleet, Dragon Lord Seito of the Issus Seventh Fleet, and Jounin Admiral Shikamaru of the Konoha 8th Fleet. Also in person are Godulan General Arcturus, Ganoxan Major Jarvis, Tidani Admiral Perth, Panderian Lee Storm-Scout, Woodian LTC Raúl Vigil, and other various high-ranking brass of various nations and principalities. Soon, Admiral William Adama will join the colorful summit to defend Jurai. Hope he won't be intimidated.

Meanwhile, a report came to me that five Basestars have left the orbit of Jurai, blinking away to places unknown. I frowned, for they were supposed to help the Colonial remnant defend the planet. Hmph. As soon as the Colonies fall, they split. Figures.

While any support from the Myths at this point in time would be minimal given the only recent meetings of the nations present, Captain Lukien still thought it prudent that he be present for some parts of the planning for the defense of a system that his own warriors and fleets might be called in to defend one day. Though that possibility was a long way off without anything official in the terms of treaties or alliances. And he was betting his broad chainsword the Elder Alurial would hotly debate any such commitments.

He was an outsider, there was no other way around that. Not a single represnetative in the room knew where the elf hailed from much less had knowledge of his people. For that reason, the elven captain remained in the back allowing the more closer knit allies to better plan the defense. Afterall, they all knew this foe better than he and both sides' capabilities. Lukien thought it best to only comment when his opinion was asked or when he saw an obvious flaw in the plans. If there was nothing else, the military mind would learn a great deal about these potential allies while they planned for war. Not shy, Lukien would voice his opinion where needed.

Lee Storm-Stout turned around. "They what?" "HQ says that we should inform the Coredians that a Pandarian force of 50-150 ships will be sent to aid in the fight against the Empire." the officer stated again. Lee blinked. "Eh, and what are we supposed to do after that?" "Return to HQ, it seems..." Lee blinked again. "Oh, well, I was under the impression that this wasn't our war quite yet, I guess I was wrong... a little first encounter with the Empire might not be all that bad after all..." He turned to the comms-officer. "Inform the Coredians." The officer nodded and set about it.

FYI: A Pandarian taskforce numbering from 50 to 150 ships will be arriving to aid in the fight against the Empire. The aid will be mostly concerning the space-battle, although ground-forces may also be landed.

OOC: RL is keeping me insanely busy, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better for these next two weeks, so my activity will be limited...

Twenty minutes later, a mark II raptor, gently landed on the platform designated for it. As the doors opened, Eight colonial Marines disembarked, as the Admiral of the Loyalist Fleet soon exited the vessel.

The cold here was unbearable, as the old man began to walk briskly to the jedi temple. The winds whipped around him, freezing him to the bone, as he walked as quickly as he could against the dreaded wind.

When he approached the door, he could feel the relief from the wind, as the air moved over him. He could feel a slight semblance of warmth as he entered the frozen halls of the Jedi Temple, and their planning room.

The old man walked into the room, as he took off his glasses to wipe the fog from the massive temperature changes. Once they were clean, he continued to walk forward, to the Emperor himself, and his cohorts, his comrades in arms.

Admiral Adama looked to Daniel, “What are the provisions you have planned?” he asked brashly, avoiding the unnecessary diplomatic talk that would do nothing more than waste valuable time. War loomed, and everyone had to be ready. And no one on this planet had ever met the woman who would bring fire to the ice, besides Adama.

A lone fighter came out of hyperspace over Jurai and flew towards the surface. It started its landing cycle and landed at the temple strip. It was a Ganoxian fighter and while it was being taxied into a hangar the pilot immediately climbed out yelling, "Who's in charge here?" in a hurried manner. Ground crew pointed towards a building and the pilot immediately ran to it. He barged into the room to find a group of people in different uniforms. He scanned the room and found the familiar Ganoxian uniform. "You're Major Jarvis?" he said huffing and puffing.

Jarvis looked over at the tired pilot. He noticed he wasn't one of his due to the squadron insignia on his flight suit. The Signal Corps Squadron? Must be a message from HQ.

The Signal Corps Squadron is the main means of communication until the subspace transmitters had been install. Then they would only courier messages between battle groups that do not wish to break radio silence. Their fighters were made for speed, maneuverability, and had an advanced sensor array, so dogfights were not an exception.

"Yes thats me. What is it Corporal?"

"I have a message for you sir. Its from General Grenzer," he gave him a disk.

Jarvis uploaded the disk into his laptop immediately. He read it twice and clasped his hands with the elbows on the desk. He looked up and announced it to the other planners' attention.

"I have word from my High Command that the Ganoxian 1st Fleet is being organized and will be sent here for the defensive efforts. Upon arrival I will transfer command to the Supreme Commander of the Ganoxian Armed Forces, General Grenzer who will land with more reinforcements. I have no information on ship numbers."

Doron was long overdue back at the capitol and he knew the Imperial Admiral as well as his grandfather would chew off his pointed ears for not briefing them fully on matters happening. But there was the defense of Jurai that he felt would warrant a little longer stay as the Coredians were an ally afterall.

The Abriel had every inclination that the Empire would still fight the Sith no matter the battlefield especially if an ally came under attack. There was still unfinished business between the two powers afterall and Doron walked into the room with the prospect of looking for a suitable place for Abh forces to fit in.

Asfaltum is many things

It was the home of the League. It was the original home of Asfaltum as well as Ganoxia. It was the battleground of several wars, an invasion of machine men, and an invasion of the Galactic Empire. It was the site of great victories and devastating defeats on all sides. It was the source of the Fall of an Empire as well as the Rise on another. It created enemies out of allies and allies out of enemies. It has been the cause of countless betrayals by supposed allies and it has witnessed not only the powers of god-like beings but also the nuclear fires of mankind. It has been torn asunder and built up again. Yet it still stands as secure as ever.

The massive Force Storm surrounding the entire system, permeating it to the core was the first line of defense. The presence of Balrogga was a close second. The massive Fist of Darkness drifted within the inky blackness of the perpetual Force Storm. The Heart of Darkness orbited the planet of Asfaltum, being the primary center of restoration of the planet after their allies had started bombarding the planet years ago. There were several fleets of ships patrolling the ebon cloud, only seen in the flashes of electrical discharges in the Force Storm. The black hulls easily blended in with the darkness.

It was easily understood why nobody visited the system. There is also great understanding that there was much interest when half a dozen white flashes at the edge of the system signaling the arrival of visitors. Several ships were immediately dispatched to investigate the newcomers.

This is the Imperial Frigate The Inquisitor, Please identify yourself. You are entering prohibited space and we request you identify yourself. There is great danger in this area and we do not wish you to be damaged by the hostile territory.

As if to demonstrate the point, a massive bolt of crimson lightning from the Force Storm struck the shields of The Inquisitor, discharging harmlessly across the shields and the hull of the ebon vessel.

Arcturus turned to Admiral Adama and favored the other with a sly grin. Of the two other avatars standing at his side, the one on the right also smirked slightly at the question Adama had posed to the gathered military minds. As Arcturus spoke, his eyes took on the coldness of an unrepentant killer, a stark contrast to his almost cautious and apologetic demeanor aboard the galactica.

"Provisions? Lots and lots of reinforced concrete. And maybe some other amusing things."

He exchanged a knowing glance with Daniel Masaki, then seemed to begin something of a silent conversation with the two other Avatars at his side.

"I have word from my High Command that the Ganoxian 1st Fleet is being organized and will be sent here for the defensive efforts. Upon arrival I will transfer command to the Supreme Commander of the Ganoxian Armed Forces, General Grenzer who will land with more reinforcements. I have no information on ship numbers."
"Very good." I nodded to the Major and to the Panderian. "We do need all the help we can get."

Admiral Adama looked to Daniel, “What are the provisions you have planned?” he asked brashly, avoiding the unnecessary diplomatic talk that would do nothing more than waste valuable time. War loomed, and everyone had to be ready. And no one on this planet had ever met the woman who would bring fire to the ice, besides Adama.
Straight and to the point. I like that. I thought. "We have provisions for about a month's worth of seige warfare. After that, well let's just say that it's going to be much like the darkest days of the Rebellion, when we were only inches away from death at any time. Best pray that we don't get that far."

I caught the glance from Arcturus with a knowing smile. "Of course, it is possible that depending on the tactics we use, we won't need that month."

"Very good." I nodded to the Major and to the Pandarian. "We do need all the help we can get."

"The Pandarian" was in fact admiral Jet Brewster, who had recently arrived at the coredian planet and had been filled in on the more vital aspects of the situation by Ambassador Lee, who had then left in a hurry. Admiral Brewster drifted in the background of the assembled commanders. Being a force user, he secured a drink for himself from a passing waiter, in order to "shut the cold out" as he would put it. (No, you don't want to bring that alcoholic beverage back to the kitchen, you want to place it in front of the giant bear sitting over here...)

The First Fleet of the Ganoxian Navy came out of hyper space over Jurai. Admiral Brivun, sitting in the bridge of the new battleship class the Forellia, watched as the destroyers settled in escort position. Five of the Providence-class Cruisers found in a ship graveyard and repaired to the best of the engineers ability, were also brought. Brivun looked over to the communications officer, "Hail the Cordians!"

"Yes sir. Hailing now."

"This is Admiral Brivun of the GAS Forellia First Fleet. Our land forces will drop into your location. General Grenzer will be coming down to command the First Division in the defensive campaign. As for space, tell us where we can be most effective.

Ship statistics as is (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a287/GeneralZhukov3333/?action=view&current=FirstBattlegroup.jpg):

50 Mk II Kotor Class Destroyers
10 Forellia Class Battleships
05 Providence Class Cruisers

General Grenzer's transport landed at the strip. He was greeted by Major Jarvis after excusing himself from the meeting. As Grenzer stepped out he was met with a salute from Jarvis and his squadron. "At ease," he said.

"Welcome to Jurai sir," Jarvis said.

"Good to be here Major, now where are they planning the defense."

"This way sir follow me," Jarvis looked over to the squadron, "Fall out!"

Grenzer followed Jarvis to the planning room and met with the other commanders. "I'll be commanding the Ganoxian forces here. Can you update me on the past proceedings?"

OOC: Since when were there waiters in a planning room?
"

(OOC: Panda, you do realize that waiters are not a usual part in a war room briefing. And if they were, why would you use a jedi mind trick to get a drink, simply order one...)

Adama could feel it, the Coredians, the Godularians did not seem to trust him. It did not take a force sensitive to realize this, it was obvious. Who could blame them though? Somehow without any notice, without any warning, they have come to the conclusion Admiral Cain, the Admiral of the Fleet would indeed be arriving here, and would begin an invasion of this planet, without cause or reason.

Adama wondered if Admiral Cain was correct, for a moment, as the delegates told him that the colonies were lost, yet here under a percived threat to Jurai, they amassed an armada capable of retaking the colonies with ease. Here they wished to use those who ran for aid, as shields to protect the world of Ice and Rock, of little importance other than symbolism.

Adama was the only one who knew Admiral Cain, who met with her on a regular basis, who knows her tactics. Yet no one was asking about her. No one wanted to know their enemy, to learn from experience what she would do, how she would do it. Did they have spies next to her already, one could only wonder. He watched the holo screen at the impressive defenses they had gathered, thousands of warships, Hundreds of thousands of infantry, and still with all their might they believed they could not retake the colonies. WHat power did they think the colonies had, even weakened by civil war that would need such implacements? Again how would they know Cain would even come?

These thoughts ran through the old man's mind, as he watched the generals prepare for war. "Tell me gentleman, why is it that you think she will come here? Adama asked the men in the room. "With such a build up of resources here, most of which I can assume is diverted from other planets, I can tell you that she would only use this as a smoke screen, to get to her real objective? he replied to the men and women of the coalition.

Lukien hid the small smile on his face. At least he was comforted that someone else in the room was thinking along the same lines as he was. Tactically, very little of this made sense to him. All of the generals, admirals, and other military advisers were putting the bulk of their forces over a planet that had very little value in his mind.

He could only assume that this was hopefully a fraction of the allied strength while the rest was being put into fortifying more important areas. Still, the elven captain kept his comments to himself and observed the planning. Without much of an official stance, he really had no legitimate ground to speak as an ally.

Arcturus continued with his silent conversation with the other two avatars, then broke off suddenly to speak to Adama after his question.

"We had in fact pondered that very consideration ourselves," he began, "there are two worlds to account for in the event of an attack on the Coredians, Jurai and Konoha. We have noted that thus far the majority of fleet strength is located around Jurai, leaving the other world painfully open to assault.

"We have said again and again that mobility is the key to any tactical scenario. The simple fact that space is really really big counters any attempt to craft a standing defense line and two-dimensional concepts of strategic maneuvering fail when applied to a frame that allows for three dimensional travel.

"Truth be told, we only know that an attack MAY be coming. Where or when that attack might be, or whether the Cain-Colonials will come by themselves, with friends, or whether they'll stand in the back and watch some form of cannon fodder do the work is not known to us. Those of you who have sent fleets as some form of fast reaction force could be here for months or even years while the attackers just sit back and drink mai-tais.

"Now, if Cain is in league with the Imperials as is generally assumed, there are a couple points to take care of before we begin..."

Arcturus turned to Daniel. "Mister Masaki, we regret to inform you that the Kythonic Coredian Third Fleet, functioning as Balroggan Strain Kythons, is compromised. The fleet was offered as a sincere token of alliance, but like the Staff of Sojun you carried with you for some time, it was also meant as a tool of surveillance and a guarantee against breaking your word. Even now they, and likely the rest of the Imperials, have a real-time view of the defenses in this system. This means that as of now, they have the intelligence factor on us. This must be nullified.

"For the second point, in accordance with our policy of utilizing mobility above all things, we feel that it is necessary to employ an alternate method of defense for the Coredians that might place those fleets sworn to defend in an interesting situation.

"And lastly," Arcturus turned back to Adama, "We have no damn clue how Cain's mind works... apart from what we can guess by her extensive contact with the Chronosians. This seems the easiest problem to rectify, considering present company. Perhaps you would indulge us in this aspect, Admiral?"

OOC: Sorry for being gone for so long...I was on...a binge of playing other computer games, at the expense of NS. Due to the length of time I've been absent, I will RP both the dropping off of refugees from EiD and the return of my navy in this post. Though I am pressed for time atm.

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White Diamond

For six million refugees of Kobal, the arrival at the Woodian capital system might not have spelled the relief they had hoped for, mostly because Admiral Makaryk, expecting imminent attack on Jurai, wanted to return the Navy there as soon as possible. Memories of the Woodian failure to show up the first time burned through his mind, even though the Konoha intervention about two seasons later had atoned for it. To this end, the refugees could be put through the transporters again...the return to Jurai was that important. The refugees could stand to panic for another hour or so before Customs calmed them down. After all, once the refugees got over themselves, they were going to be treated well, right?

The man revealed none of this cold tactical calculus to the refugees, or even his commandant, for that matter. Instead, he simply gave an order over the entire fleet's collective PA systems that the refugees had precisely two minutes to mentally brace themselves for getting teleported again. Customs would deal with the ensuing mass panic, it wasn't the Admiral's problem. Defending Jurai was.

Sure enough, exactly 120 seconds later, the first of the refugees vanished and reappeared in a large holding area in Great Woody City's largest commercial spaceport. The bureaucrats were already there to go through the refugees' asylum application, though in reality, after confiscating prohibited goods like death stix (to be replaced by real tobacco, which the government had raided military rations to obtain and was now purchasing bulk quantities to replace the military rations), such asylum applications would be rubber-stamped, and the refugees would be given a Woodian immigrant ID, a set of keys to an apartment or condo that had gone unused since the civil war, a debit card with a thousand credits loaded on it for immediate procurement of necessities, like groceries and clothing, a map, directions, et cetera. After they stopped panicking, that is.

Meanwhile, while Customs had the refugees dumped on them, Admiral Makaryk prepared to jump straight back to Jurai. After the refugees were dumped upon Customs with the same efficiency of cattle getting shipped to slaughter due to the time constraints, the entirety of the fleet present jumped into hyperspace.

Three hours later, the Woodian Navy appeared over Jurai, without comment, the only thing standing between the Navy and the wrath of the Jurai Defense being the allied IFF signals.

General Arcturus' words fell like a scythe upon us all. He has basically boiled the issue down to two things.

1. The Attack may not happen after all, despite the late Ambassador's warnings. That's going to put egg on the faces of the High Command and likely prompt the Senate to laugh at us, not to mention the Empire.

and

2. The Third Fleet was compromised. Poor Admiral Achilles. His ambition -yeah, I knew all about his wanting to command the Navy- was dashed to pieces in a matter of seconds. That would be a problem because it's not just one spy, but an entire fleet's worth of spies that has come to Jurai. And it'd be hard to destroy an entire fleet asset's worth of equipment. Quite a problem.

"We'll table that problem for another time. At least we will know that there would be no surprises on either side, for as the Empire knows what we know, we will know how they shall react." Admiral Pellaeon said. "Which comes to another point, Baron. It seems to me that the Kythons are all similar in nature, with some differences depending on the fundamentals of their original nations. Would you perhaps be able to do to them what they are doing to us with the Third Fleet, to level the playing field, so to speak?"

I knew what he was hinting at. The Godulans and Balroggans have a Mind-link, so to speak. What one nation knows, the other does as well. Although I had to wonder when did Balrogga join the Empire? It couldn't be before Asfaltum as I knew they hated the Empire as much as we did. It could only happen after Palpatine became a big hole in the sky. Hold the comlink...did they join because of Palpatine's Unlimited Power madness? I recalled what occurred immediately after Asfaltum became a massive Force Storm. I remembered the vast disturbance in the Force precipitated by Balrogga's fall. Palpatine...even after he was murdered, was still capable of darkening entire nations. Old Bastard, why couldn't you just stay dead?!

The one consolation I did have was that Balrogga and Godular are tight enough that the Balroggans wouldn't directly strike at Jurai. They would merely use Imperial minions, which is small consolation indeed. And then that came to a third point which is that Chronosia actually helped Godular that one time at Tervine. That meant that Remiel likely wouldn't strike directly at Jurai either due to that mutual understanding they made at Tervine. A cold smile played on my face as I realized just how deep Remiel machinations went and how far he would go to neutralize Coredia. Very clever, Remiel. Very clever indeed. You tied up Skye and had us all dancing to your tune. Your Black Crusade will be conducted without the Godulan cavalry to rescue us. And speaking of the Crusade...

I looked at the deployments across the Coredian nation. 3/4s of the fleet was covering Jurai. Blah. Too many with my allies bolstering the defense. "Baron Skye, you have made several very good points. Admiral Rommel, prepare the Second Fleet for deployment to support Konoha's assets. It's likely that the enemy will strike there as either a feint or a second front. Jounin Shikamaru, send half the Eight Fleet home as well. We won't need them all. Admiral Achilles. Prepare the Third Fleet for deployment to the Milky Way Galaxy. Admiral Saiyuki, prepare the Sixth Fleet to back up the Third. That should do it for starters."

"Why, Emperor Masaki, what do you intend for us?" Admiral Achilles asked.

I began to grin. "You two will prepare for a preemptive strike on Chronosia. Remiel has sent me a dire warning of a Black Crusade with his vaunted Chaos powers. That will be his greatest and last mistake. I am hoping that some of you would endeavour to join my Admirals on this deadly but important task. The Colonial Remnant fleet are of course exempt from this little task due to their circumstances, if they wish."

Three hours later, the Woodian Navy appeared over Jurai, without comment, the only thing standing between the Navy and the wrath of the Jurai Defense being the allied IFF signals.
"Admiral Makaryk. You're late!" Was the basic response from the Jurai Traffic Control system. Although he was only a few minutes late, but whatever. He needs to get down right the hell now!

OOC: Although I'm sure that Whitfield's still around to make comments and such.

"The Kython overlink is a strange yet wondrous thing," Arcturus began, making a show of straightening his shirt even though he could have just willed it straight, "it allows us unsurpassed communication and coordination capability. However, if necessary, we can seal ourselves off from each other as required to prevent each other from learning critical information. Such is the present circumstance now. Unfortunately, our ability to scan through the other strain is reduced in and also subject to such controls. The 3rd fleet is Balroggan-Strain Kython. They know what is going on with the fleet situation as instinctively as you know that your hand is still attached to your wrist. Even if we could reach through and see to what is going on over on their end, they would KNOW we were doing it. Knowing is a significant part of our relationship with the Balroggans...

"We'd known of their entry into the Galactic Empire after the fight at Asfaltum through the link, along with..."

Arcturus turned to Skye with an odd look, as did both of the other Avatars beside him. They carried on silently for several seconds before Skye eventually waved dismissively. Arcturus raised an eyebrow and turned his attentions back to the others.

"or should I say, as part of the combined Kython plan to take over entirely. Plans within plans, so the saying goes."

"Ah, I see. Even with the Kythons, there are limits." Admiral Pellaeon nodded.

Then...

"Take over? As in having an insider in cahoots with Tarkin and Vader to take down the Empire?" I asked with a grin. Whispers of "WTF!" "OMG!" "I wish we were able to do this!" abounded in the meeting. "Well, that certainly points to a spin on things. So even if Coreworlds goes down in flames, there will be someone to oppose the Empire..."

=====

Jurai Temple Wormhole Network Central Command

"Incoming wormhole!" The Chief reported as the Wormhole Network activated. It wasn't often that the Network was used, mostly because it's useless for anything but infantry, but it was an interesting novelty created by Vector Industries. And it does cut down on travel time to friendly nations and back. Enemies, however, have that pesky FTLi to deal with...

"From where?" Professor Ian Wiggum, creator of the network, was also it's first director. He didn't trust anyone else to take care of his baby.

"Caprica, Professor. Strange, isn't it? Thought the Empire took control of the Embassy."

"Indeed. They must have escaped nevertheless." The Professor replied. "Open it."

Spilling out of the wormhole were 300+ Caprician refugees and two Jedi, one Ninja and one Betterman, then closed immediately. The Professor's eyes grew at the poor sight of them. "Oh dear! Notify the Emperor and the Colonial fleet, immediately! And get some medics in here!"

=====

The Chief inserted himself into the meeting with a slight *pop*. "Lord Masaki! Forgive me for interrupting, but three hundred Caprician refugees and what remains of the embassy staff has arrived through the Wormhole Network."

My attention was undivided towards him. "Is the Ambassador or Master Sakir among them?"

"I'm afraid not. Apprentice Derek Nanoya and Chuunin Takuya are the only ones to survive the embassy invasion, it seems. But here's the kicker. Two members from the Humankind Abh have arrived with them."

"Abh?! What?" I glared at Doron. "What the hell were they doing there? No, never mind. Prince Doron, go and notify your grandfather, immediately. Use the secure comms down the hall. Tsunade, will you go and debrief our people, please? Admiral Adama, it seems more of your people managed to escape Caprica via our Wormhole Network. Short Version: It's kinda like your FTL, but with different mechanisms and only works for infantry. It would be a good idea to delegate someone to debrief them as well."

A whisper in the air. Of cruel delight. Of undying passion. The Abh, Daniel, erstwhile allies at best...Always with a hand on your shoulder and a knife in your back. Perhaps they did less than you to prevent the invasion...Fire and gasoline Daniel, how much can you really trust them?

The voice of evil was for me and me alone to bear, but it was unnerving to hear Him in the midsts of allies. I refused the voice's call, closed my ears to the one who calls himself Warmaster. But he would return...oh, yes. Until my dying day, Remiel will continue his little fireside chat with me. Commenting on my failures. Laughing at my weakness. Until he himself laid his hands on me...

Doron ignored the glare from Daniel as well as his orders. He was more interested in seeing his fellow Force user as well as Lamia. More importantly, he wanted to know why there was one missing. Forget the alliances, forget the protocols of being in the presence of others; the Abriel turned for the table and walked passed Admiral Adama. He gently placed a hand on the man's shoulder. Whispering in the ear quiet enough that he was sure no one else would hear. "Meet me by the bar after awhile, I might have something for you Admiral. Something that will erase any previous misunderstandings."

With that complete, the Abriel dashed out of the temple and out into the confusion surrounding everything that was happening on the frozen planet. He wanted to speak with Erickson first before any official from CoreWorlds could or from any other nation for that matter.

--------

Being the first time travelling through a wormhole, Erickson came out stumbling and hitting the pavement. Lamia on the other hand landed gracefully as ever bending down to help the young man up.

In his hands, Erickson held the tiara belonging to Jessyka as well as the patch containing images from the invasion forces of the Galactic Empire.

During all this, Admiral Jet Brewster had been quietly listening and making mental notes. He now approached Lord Masaki, his towering figure looking down at the coredian, yet he spoke with sincere goodwill: "It seems to me that we are dealing with multiple threats. I have 150 ships under my command, 1 of which is essentially a big-ass gun capable of taking out a deathstar, while heavy nuclear weaponry is onboard all of my 150 ships. Do you have any suggestions as to which planet/system I should deploy my forces in order to facilitate a better defence? I would prefer to keep my forces in one big fleet, as it greatly enhances my tactical options during battle, instead of sending them to different systems... maybe we could make a strike at Chronosian territory, although I feel that my resources would be better used in bolstering deffences, but that's your call...

OOC: Tag cause I am back for good now. As long as everyone here is ok with me joining. Ill replace this with an IC post if I get the okay :)

Grenzer looked over the defense maps and a bit of nostalgia hit him. This all reminded him of the war twenty years ago. The war that ultimately changed his people from a post industrial planet divided to a united spacefaring planet, the Cyveron war. This was like the defense of Kpor, the Forellian capital and the first and last battle of the war, but unlike the former they weren't rigging the city to vaporize in a nuclear explosion once the bulk of the enemy was in the city's center. The horror of men turning into those things and having to end their misery with a grenade.

"I'll order the First Fleet to defend Konoha and divide the division accordingly. Once again just tell us where we can be most effective."

Meanwhile something strange was happening on the Forellia. Brivun seemed to hear a strange voice. I am here.

"What? Did you say something" he said outloud.

"Sir? No one is talking to you. Are you alright?"

I am here Admiral. The ever growing hunger is upon us. We are ready to feed again.

Niiat?!? he thought.

Yes Admiral. I am coming.

OOC: Panda I think that is a bit wankish.

During all this, Admiral Jet Brewster had been quietly listening and making mental notes. He now approached Lord Masaki, his towering figure looking down at the coredian, yet he spoke with sincere goodwill: "It seems to me that we are dealing with multiple threats. I have 150 ships under my command, 2 of which are essentially big-ass guns capable of taking out any planet or deathstar, while "planetkiller" bombs are onboard all of my 150 ships. Do you have any suggestions as to which planet/system I should deploy my forces in order to facilitate a better defence? I would prefer to keep my forces in one big fleet, as it greatly enhances my tactical options during battle, instead of sending them to different systems... maybe we could make a strike at Chronosian territory, although I feel that my resources would be better used in bolstering deffences, but that's your call...
I scowled at the mention of Panderian planet killers. "Admiral Brewster, let me make it clear that under no circumstance will you use your planet killers without my direct order while you fight alongside us. If you defy this order, our alliance will be finished. The Rebel Alliance abhors the use of such things and they are only to be used in an entirely defensive capacity, if at all."

"Now, I believe it will be most useful if your fleet is sent to bolster Konoha's defenses, seeing as Chronosia would have no compulsion about attacking it if they so choose."

OOC: I agree. Planet killers at the age of your nation is wanky. I recommend not even mentioning them anymore.

=====

The Hokage led the two members of the Order into a private room for debriefing. "So, tell me. What happened to the Ambassador?"

"He used a singularity bomb to destroy the embassy and prevent the Imperials from taking it." Takuya said.

That made the Hokage skip a breath. "You are serious?"

"The fact that we sensed the space-time warping seems to indicate it, Lady Hokage." Derek said.

"Kuso." Tsunade cursed. "Then the Empire will have a field day with the propaganda. And Master Sakir?"

"He gave us time to escape by holding off Darth Atrox, the new Imperial enforcer." Takuya said.

"Darth Atrox? So, Vader has a new apprentice..." Tsunade mused.

"Appears to be that way, my lady." Takuya nodded.

"Very well. I will report this to the Emperor. You may rest, but be advised that we are preparing for an assault on Jurai." Tsunade said.

"Then the ambassador's message went through." Derek said in relief.

"Yes it did." Tsunade nodded and without another word, she headed back to the meeting hall. So, Ambassador Halson used that thing. Hmph. I had to admit, it probably wasn't a good idea to allow him the use of such a device. We'll probably have to publicly condemn him or something...

Doron found his companions soon after. Both of them were tending to the Colonials that had travelled through the worm hole and Erickson was explaining what had happened and where they were.

Grabbing the young man, Doron pulled him off to the side away from the refugees as well as the Coredians mulling about. The Abriel also waved Lamia over. "Where is Jessyka?"

Erickson snapped to attention in the Abriel's presence whereas Lamia merely put his hands in his pockets and leaned to the side. Flusterred by the quick questioning, Erickson managed to stammer out an answer. "Captured my Lord by the Empire. She was with one of the Coredian Jedi when a Sith lord followed us. The train separated and the rear car crashed blocking off their escape to us."

Unemotional as ever, Doron analyzed what the man was saying. "A sith lord you said. Was it Vader?"

Erickson shook his head. "No. It was Bael or now known as Darth Atrox. Sorry my Lord but it looks like he didn't die on Asfaltum."

Doron waved off the comment. "A slight that will be remedied. Did Jessyka give you anything?"

The young man reached around into his cloak and pulled out what remaind of Jessyka's affects. "Her tiara and some information she gathered about the Galactic Empire's fleet during the invasion."

Doron took the items holding onto the tiara and putting the computer patch into his cloak. "I don't know how useful this will be with the time lapse but perhaps I should present it to the military brass in the council room. Though it won't make much of a difference. We aren't counter attacking."

Erickson's eyes widened. "What?! We aren't going back in? But highness, Jessyka is still there and we have an alliance to honor."

"Calm down Erickson. We will get Jessyka back in time. Too much has happened for us to turn around and head back in there. Most likely the Empire is consolidated into a few key areas and rushing in might only get Jessyka killed along with everyone else that follows us. No, we have to plan this carefully. We've got the information we need and the Colonials have already been separated. What of the cylons?"

Erickson shrugged. "Don't know but I'm not entirely sure we can trust them. They almost did hand me over to the Sith."

Doron had much to think about now. I wish Richard was here. He would know what to do. Now I'm left with my own path and hardly a soul to help guide me. "Erickson and Lamia, I want you two to stay here. Help the refugees as much as possible. Make them comfortable, heal whoever needs it, and try to put on a good face. We're supposed to be the good guys in all this. And Lamia, try not to frighten any little children."

Running to erase pass lapses in judgement as well as to avoid future mistakes, Doron sought out the Admiral Adama. He needed to speak with him immediatly. Frochaj and eyesight all working together as he went to retrieve the Admiral to speak with him privatly.

"Daniel. A word, if you please." Tsunade said sternly as she came to the hall. "In private."

"All right. Admiral, you continue with the planning." I said to Admiral Pellaeon, who nodded.

Moments later, there was a very loud "WHAT?!?"

"Tsunade, how could you do such a thing?!" I roared, my fists clenched in anger. "Giving him a singularity bomb...why not just stick me with your lightsaber while you're at it? What if it had consumed the planet?!?"

"As soon as you told me that Chronosia has entered into negotiations with the Colonies, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before the Empire would come. It was to ensure that the embassy would never fall into their hands. And for the record, it was antipersonnel."

"That's not the point! They will condemn us for it, and rightly so. You should have told me!" I growled. Then, I sighed. I probably would have ordered the same thing myself. After all, I was trained the same way Tsunade was trained, in the way of the Ninja. To achieve victory over your enemies at all cost...Damn. Bad karma, Daniel. Bad karma. "Well. You've tipped my card, Tsunade."

"Daniel..." Tsunade began, but I held up my hand.

"I'll take responsibility. There's no need for you to do anything. Konoha needs its Hokage after all." I said. "My father did the same thing when he BDZed that Ork world." I chuckled darkly. "The circle is complete. The sins of the father and the son are the same. Just different degrees." I sighed. "It sucks playing Emperor."

Tsunade grumbled. "Don't tell me you're giving up the job."

"Oh, yes. Katrina can manage the administration while I step down. Mind you, I'll remain as a High Council member and as a royal advisor." I proclaimed. "I never was very good at this politics shit."

"Very well, then. Shall I inform the Council, then?" Tsunade sighed.

"Yeah. While you're at it, inform the media. First, I will let Adama know of my lapse in judgement." I sighed. "Then, I will step down."

"I see. Oh, and as your first task as royal advisor to the Empress, I will have to inform you that Derek tells me the Cylons have nuked Caprica City the moment the Empire landed its forces. Surely they did far more damage than the bomb ever did." Tsunade said, knowing I'd blow up at that moment.

"Those bastards!" I growled. "So that's why they left...they knew we would find out...Thank you, Lady Hokage. But you still owe me a favor. Oh yes, and I'm going to ask Shizune to withhold your secret stash of sake for a month. You aren't getting away without punishment, Tsunade."

I left her swiftly before she could kill me. I snickered when I heard: "Noooooooo!"

At the meeting hall, I looked around for the Admiral. Not finding him, I decided to face his wrath myself. Of course, the two ANBU guards trailed me whereever I went...Loyal guys, those two.

“The first thing you need to know about Admiral Cain, is who she is.” Adama replies to Arcturus. “Know who they are, and you have won the battle. She is cold, uncaring, willing to win at any costs. However she is cunning. If she has set her sights on Jurai, then I can promise you this, she has the advantage. She knows we are here, she knows your location and it is a safe bet that she knows you are preparing for war. She will lay in wait, like a snake in the brush waiting for you to make a mistake. Then she will strike, poisoning your alliance, slowly kill you from the inside out. Make no mistake about it, she is a predator.” Adama said, his voice cold, and stern, as if he were instructing a class on tactics. “When you make your mistake, she will insure that you will die.”

Lord Masaki! Forgive me for interrupting, but three hundred Caprician refugees and what remains of the embassy staff has arrived through the Wormhole Network."

My attention was undivided towards him. "Is the Ambassador or Master Sakir among them?"

"I'm afraid not. Apprentice Derek Nanoya and Chuunin Takuya are the only ones to survive the embassy invasion, it seems. But here's the kicker. Two members from the Humankind Abh have arrived with them."

"Abh?! What?" I glared at Doron. "What the hell were they doing there? No, never mind. Prince Doron, go and notify your grandfather, immediately. Use the secure comms down the hall. Tsunade, will you go and debrief our people, please? Admiral Adama, it seems more of your people managed to escape Caprica via our Wormhole Network. Short Version: It's kinda like your FTL, but with different mechanisms and only works for infantry. It would be a good idea to delegate someone to debrief them as well."

Adama raised his hand, his eyes tired, yet his heart felt restored. More Colonial were safe, waiting to be reunited with their brother’s in the stars. He slowly folded up his glasses, and placed them in his pocket. “Thank you so much, Emperor Daniel.” he replied, you have truly honored your alliance. I just hope that there will be even more survivors to the Civil war. Unfortunately there is no one else here, who has the command authority to debrief them. Her replied, his voice filled with gratitude.” He turned to his marine guards, his head held high his shoulders straight, as any man with pride would do. “Please excuse me while I talk to the refugees and begin preparation to take them to the fleet.”

Adama, with his eight marine guards in tow, walked briskly to the room, to the awaiting nightmare yet to be discovered. If only he knew, what he would find, he would not be so joyful. The guards watched him, watched any sign of trouble, watched for anyone to approach the Commander and Chief of the colonial fleet. They watched, as the man who had with held information, the ally that could not inform anyone of possible treachery approached. Doran, walked closer, as the marines eyed him. Would he try to kill the Admiral? What would he do? The guards raised their rifles to Doran, the great suspect. “Step away from the Admiral now.” one of the guards yelled, as Adama turned his head. The moment was tense, as Doran stood for a moment, as Adama glared at Doran, the man who disrespected his command, the man who tried to resist arrest, the man who would have pulled his lightsaber had it not been for his cohort Daniel Massaki talking him down. Adama just looked into the Abriel’s eyes, as his muscles tensed. Hate bubbled from the inner void in his soul, as the Abriel waited, with eight red dots covering and moving across his body, waiting for the Abriel to make a deadly mistake.

Oh Adama wanted to give the order to shoot, we desired it greatly, everything was beckoning him to give the word, but now was not the time. Six million people stood to lose, all for Adama’s pride. Adama turned to the guards, “It is alright let him pass, what is it Doran?”

Doron had finally found the Admiral unfortunatly he also found his marine escort. Even with the eight dots trained on his body, the Abriel was unafraid. If the Admiral was stupid enough to start a war with the Abh Empire, then he would certainly be unworthy of the information Doron was carrying. That and there wouldn't be a Colonial left alive to carry on a war.

"Walk with me Admiral. I have much to discuss with you and there is much to clear up between us."

Doron could sense the Admiral's hesitation but there was no time for misgivings or debates. Adama fell in with Doron, if even just a few breaths away from the Abh's presence.

They turned and headed back towards the waiting refugees. "First off, events have been put into motion that I can now disclose to you as I have learned them. My team that was sent to the Colonies has just returned with a few refugees and members of the Coredian embassy. Our lack of involvement in preventing this catasrophe has slightly been exaggerated. I sent a team of Force users to your world to warn your president once more about the Chronosians and to stay and serve as protectors in the event that they came to visit your home. Unfortunatly it was too little too late. My team was isolated and not even able to get word out to the Empire about the invasion which prevented a full military involvement on our part. While I do not know how effective it would have been, you would at least have not been alone.

By the time they arrived, your president as well as staff had been executed. They could not find out who but I believe it was Admiral Cain's doing. With their primary objective of warning your government and posing as foreign visitors compromised, their secondary objective took over. All members were to gather as much intelligence as possible. A fellow Abh Force User by the name of Jessyka came across information making up the invasion fleet."

Doron pulled out the computer patch and plugged it into his tiara, similar to that of Jessyka when she displayed the information before the Cylons. Flashing to lift before them was a holographic representation of the Imperial fleet with Sith, Chronosians, and other players from the Galactic Empire represented. "As you can see, this appears to have been in the works for some time for the GE to amass such a fleet. Finished with that part of the mission, they were to save as much of the populace as possible. Unfortunatly their ship came under inspection by the Balroggans. They were forced to find an alternate route out."

The Abriel took a deep breath. "This is where the story gets...interesting. During their stay on Caprica, one of the team members, Erickson, made contact with the Cylons. He has the whole information but they ultimatly decided to side against cooperating with the Galactic Empire for now but he has the distinct impression to not trust the Cylons. I would have to voice my agreement with his feelings. I believe they are true in this matter. The other part of this story involves the Coredians. During the invasion, their embassy came under heavy attacks by air and ground forces. Eventually they were overwhelmed and one of their Jedi diplomats detonated a singularity within their embassy destroying parts of the city. While this did great damage to your capitol, the Cylon bombing did far more as it was a full nuclear bombardment. My team has come back now with much on their minds and heavy hearts."

Doron showed the Admiral the tiara that belonged to the one that did not make it through the wormhole. "I have a comrade left behind to ensure that at least some of your people were safe as well as trying to bring back valuable information. The Coredians have someone left behind as well but mine is going to most likely be tried as a spie when the team was sent to try and prevent this madness from happening."

He stepped infront of Adama to block his path and look him square in the eye. Abriels had an eye stare that could melt the courage of the bravest of men. The only thing that could best that feature was the smile of an Abriel. Fortunatly Adama had done nothing of yet to warrant such a response. Looking around one more time to make sure there was no one else in the hall with them and even using the Force to butt out eavesdroppers. "Admiral, you can see what is going on in that room. You see how much strength has already been amassed in such short notice and where is it going? We are allies of the Coredians as well, but that doesn't mean we Abh agree with every little move they make. Now we Abh still honor our alliance with you and your refugees as they represent the original functioning government. We typically do not support usurpers-well unless it suits our purposes-but this case it does not. The Abh can help you and are willing to if you provide information about Admiral Cain. We can help you become more. Those military advisers in there will be restricted by their senses of morality or some false sense of honor and travelling the high road. We are not so restricted in our methods of war. Your territories and homes are not lost Admiral, not if we can work together. But you and I must get pass some differences we have had earlier."

Doron gave a friendly smile. "Like it or not, I am going to be one of the friendliest Abriels you will ever come across. I know I have just divulged a lot of information into your lap. I will be around this planet for a little but while longer but do not wait to long to think of an answer to my proposal."

A single drop, was all that was needed. A single red drop was all that was significant. A single red drop of blood, hits the floor, as pain and suffering smashed the trust of nations, of friends, of allies. The room fell silent, as one man stood, and another laid on the floor, betrayed and attacked by his ally. He was given trust, he was given friendship, something far more important than land, or water. Now that trust laid dead, vanishing like vapor in the desert sun.

Five minutes before:

Adama stood still, in disbelief, as the words rolled of the Abriel’s tongue inciting a internal volcano to erupt within Adama’s heart. The words, more painful than daggers reached into him cutting into his very being, slicing his heart in two.

His home, his land, his people, the ideals that stood the test of time, everything he had fought for was gone. The old enemy had surfaced, those that he believed would be better off if they were with humanity, those who he fought for to do the ethical thing of forgive, blend, rejoice in a new era of peace and prosperity, reached out and with their cold silicate grip destroyed everything he loved.

People had told him that this would happen, but in a moment of opptimism, he disregarded that. He signed the peace treaty with the cylons, Adama with his own hand set forth the chain of events that would lead to the third Cylon war.

He looked across the room, as Daniel Massaki re-entered.the room, his heart hardened. Here Adama’s mistakes were made clear. He trusted the Coredians, he trusted the cylon peace treaty, he trusted those in this room with the lives of over six million colonials. It was all in vain, the hopeless optimism of an old man.

Adama just looked at the Abriel, the man who had witheld knowledge, now was all too willing to bear his soul, as if he was confessing the sins of his soul, or as if he was placing all the blame on others. It made little difference which was true, what was important now was revenge.

Adama said nothing, as he walked over to Daniel.

“Admiral I need to speak with you...” Daniel Massaki ushered out

He was greated with only one reply. Adama, a skilled boxer, filled with anger and aggression, and lashed out with all he had, his fist. The room went silent, as the old man with all his force and might hit his once friend, directly in the nose.

Stunned Daniel fell back, falling onto the floor off balance, as the blood began to stream down his face.

“Is this how you frakking treat your allies, by bombing their capitols?” Adama shouted, loudly so all could hear. “By sneaking in weapons of mass destruction on a unsuspecting populace?” Adama reached down and grabbed the Emperor of the Coreworlds by the throat, and began to squeeze, trying to suck the life out of this traitor as his other hand lashed out again, against the face of the emperor.

The Jedi were stunned, but resolved, as they reached down and ignited their lightsabers, to save their emperor from the wrath of the admiral.

Click, was all they heard next, as the guards raised their rifles, and set them for full auto. Red dots lined up against the jedi. Even the most talented lightsaber fighter could not block a full clip of bullets flying at them.

Adama picked up the Emperor and threw him across the table. Adama raised his hand once more, burning with a rage hotter than a star. Then he saw it, a glimpse of shame, through his eyes, he could see sorrow. Adama lowered his hand, his hand which stood cut open from Daniel’s face, that shook like an earthquake.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

White Diamond

The refugees waited in horror as they disembarked the Woodian navy. Unlike the first time, they had an idea of what to expect. Un-easiness replaced the former chaos, as in moments they vanished in a brilliant flash of light.

It was unsettling to be turned into energy, and reassembled against your will, but the big surprise was about to come.

Several people began to walk through customs, to be reunited with their friends and family. The mood was joyous, as they met those they did not think they would see again. All was well, until they began to have their bags searched.

Yelling began, as the customs officers began to explain the laws of white diamond. Caprica smooth’s , Geminion delights, and other brands of cigarettes were confiscated, by the repressive laws of the Woodians. They stole the cigarettes from the refugees, who had a good reason to smoke. Their homes burned, their lives destroyed, and still they took a comforter from them.

How much more could they endure? Would the Woodians try to take their alcohol next, the wonderful camilla abstract used in religious rituals? What would happen next. Soon though the good gracious people of the Woodians, handed the colonials as promised, keys to an apartment money, and the promise of fine jobs. They replaced all of the stolen cigerettes with real tobacco. Some labled from some odd place or person called Cuban. What a silly name some of the refugee's thought, before they lite the sweet taste of Woodian tobacco. Who ever this Cubian guy is, he makes some good tobacco. They were told, that they could do what their skill sets allowed, and that work was easy to find. White Diamond, after all the confusion would be a good home. It had good people.

Doron saw the look in the eyes of the Admiral, saw the rage taking control. Before the Abriel could attempt to calm him down, or take care, Adama was off headed down the hall back towards the conference room. Afraid of what the Admiral might do with his emotions taking control, Doron ran after the man.

As soon as he reached the room, Daniel was already on the floor blood dripping from his nose and Adama stood steele eyed glaring down at the Coredian. That went better than Doron was afraid would have happened. Adama went at him again and again leaving Doron with little to do but to intervene. Even as lightsabers were drawn and rifles cocked, the Abriel jumped into the middle of it before anything could go further.

"Easy, easy. Both of you please go to your separate corners here. Jedis put down your lightsabers and you marines, put down your weapons. There is no need to let this escolate any further. Admiral Adama, I believe you have vented enough for now. You still have civilians that are confused and frightened right now. Everyone else here has a war to plan, I suggest getting back to it. Now, take time to cool off and we can come back to this 'discussion' later when cooler heads prevailed."

Doron wasn't exactly sure how much of anything he said would be listened to so he called for backup. Lamia, get up to the council room. There is a situation.

Hearing the Force connection within his own lipid channel, the Betterman flew through the halls in a flash and was instantly standing in the doorway. The Betterman was sort of Doron's enforcer in this case, capable of clearing out the room with ease should there be some fight left in everyone. Jedi or no Jedi the fighting was going to be allowed to continue, at least physically.

OOC:

Pandaria and Communistic Govts, please delete your posts. I understand you are trying to keep up with the times but that does not mean you cannot do it all in one post. Godular and I have put up placeholders out of respect for response times. Ignoring them is disrepsectful in ooc text. I would appreciate compliance on this.

Bal, thanks for the cleanup. You may receive the honoray "broom 'o cleanup"

OOC: Thanks OG for hitting the pause button.

Arcturus' jaw dropped at the accusation brought forward by Adama and seemingly admitted by the Coredian Emperor. The smaller of the two avatars trembled with suppressed rage, while the larger seemed to be dealing with some kind of violent headache. Skye, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile slightly at Adama's reaction in regards to the rather impressive bruise now forming on the Masaki Patriarch's face. Less due to schadenfreude and more to the fact that a punch to the face had caused the minds simmering within his body like a white-hot puddle of molten fury to cool off somewhat, satisfied that at least somebody had clubbed him over the head.

The Godulans had tried in long past to halt the wholesale slaughter of innocents. Tried and failed, due to the strength of the perpetrators and their allies, but they had tried. Here they had seen the results of two representatives' decision not only to stand idly by as what they knew was coming to the Colonials came, but also to completely annihilate very nearly every possible angle of recovery from that mistake. They wanted to kill the Abriel prince for condescending to put himself forward as a voice of supposed reason even though it was his own damned fault to begin with. Some of them even wanted to kill Daniel Masaki for having put forward by way of negligence and incompetence the very thing that the Godulans had fought against since that fateful day so long ago, tempered though such voices were by the other voices speaking of too much death already, and such fractiousness being exactly what the Imperials would wish for.

Another thing to make amends for... too many in one day... too many mistakes, too many wrongs, too many dead...

When he spoke, it came in measured tones, but the undercurrent of rage was palpable.

"Despite the fact that Doron started this latest fiasco in the first place, and his people are responsible for their own role in the overarching catastrophe that has tainted these proceedings, we must agree with his words just spoken. Enough fighting has taken place this day. Immeasurable suffering has been inflicted by friend and foe alike. The time is here to rectify the situation. This is the time to find some method of recovery."

He turned at the arrival of Doron's supposed enforcer, and Arcturus continued the statement as if he'd been speaking the entire time.

"Admiral Adama, there are no words to describe the anger gripping us now. This whole catastrophe is anathema to the very way we think, and to know that our allies and," he looked at Doron, "former allies are responsible for this very thing as much as anybody else due to their inaction and incompetence sticks in us like a sword point. More than anything, we wish to make this right, but in order to do so we need to know how.

"Thus far, we have done nothing but look after our own hides, and stroke our supposedly wounded conscience by assisting your tired and hurt refugees. I am ashamed to say that even I felt the compulsion to 'compete' over who would take the better care, and you saw exactly that. Now, I simply wish to ask you. Your people are taken care of. The refugees are somewhere that the Imperials will be hard pressed to find, much less get to. What do YOU want to do? What do YOU feel would fix this? Do you wish to bring the fires of hell upon those who were truly behind this travesty? Do you want the colonies back? Do you want to bring justice to the threat the Imperials wrought and the Abh and Coredians failed to challenge? You have but to ask, and our guns shall join yours. You deserve that much."

Words once more came from Skye's mouth, as the Godulan 'Leader' stared directly at Lamia.

"Call off your dog, Doron. This is our realm. You do not enforce security here."

IC:OOC: Nation size has nothing to do with tech-level, besides, if the Empire decides to go with conventional warfare I wasn't planning on utilizing any "planetkillers"... they ruin the fun if u ask me...

Sorry if I am intruding but I am forseeing an argument about to start. Before it does and ruins this Thread I ask it be taken to my Arguments Thread linked in my sig.

Now back to your reguarlly scheduled program...

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13069490#post13069490

OOC thread is now up. All people are highly requested to use this instead of here.

"Admiral, I need to speak with you--" Those words were barely out of my mouth when Admiral Adama smashed my face in with an angry fist. I stumbled backwards with the force of the blow and Adama again shoved me backwards, tightening fingers strengthened by decades of military service on my throat.

“Is this how you frakking treat your allies, by bombing their capitols?” Adama shouted, loudly so all could hear. “By sneaking in weapons of mass destruction on a unsuspecting populace?” Adama reached down and grabbed the Emperor of the Coreworlds by the throat, and began to squeeze, trying to suck the life out of this traitor as his other hand lashed out again, against the face of the emperor.
He smashed another fist in my face, forcing me to block that one, but the Admiral would not let up. For someone without the aid of the Force, the Admiral was a serious fighter, surprising me with his fury. We landed blows on each other, an impromptu Trial of Greviance. Whitfield would have to take a number...

The Jedi were stunned, but resolved, as they reached down and ignited their lightsabers, to save their emperor from the wrath of the admiral.

Click, was all they heard next, as the guards raised their rifles, and set them for full auto. Red dots lined up against the jedi. Even the most talented lightsaber fighter could not block a full clip of bullets flying at them.
Nothing could have prevented the bloodbath that would come from those who feared for their Emperor. Not the Abriel. Not the Godulans or the other voices of reason. Nothing...except the voice of their ex-Emperor. "Hold! This is between me and him!"

Only my word kept the Colonials from death by the ANBU. And the ANBU from death by lead poisoning.

Adama picked up the Emperor and threw him across the table. Adama raised his hand once more, burning with a rage hotter than a star. Then he saw it, a glimpse of shame, through his eyes, he could see sorrow. Adama lowered his hand, his hand which stood cut open from Daniel’s face, that shook like an earthquake.
Bill Adama stood over me on the table, his face a mask of fury, his bloody fist ready to strike. He seemed to hesitate for a moment. I took that as a sign. "I deserved it, Admiral. Every blow you've landed...I deserved it. Words cannot begin to describe the shame of my failures, the result of my stupidity. I can never atone for the deaths of billions on my hands, through my inactions, through my foolishness. From this day forth, I am no longer Emperor. My failure is too much for me to keep it. I will help defend the nation. I will even help you free the Colonies. But I no longer deserve to be Emperor of Coredia, not after what I did to your people."

"Bloody hell, my dad's going to kick my ass for this..." I muttered, wiping blood from my lip and broken nose.

Lukien's hand went immediatly to his chainsword that was strapped to his back when the fight broke out. Thinking better of it, he relaxed his grip sensing that this was more of an internal matter. Being out of the loop of this "friendly" circle, Lukien reserved judgement and actions for another time. This was not his fight nor did he truly have a friend amidst this confusion.

He listened to the words of the Abriel, pleased that someone was attempting to stop this brawl before it escalated as it soon did with a familiar click of weaponry and the humming of energized blades. The words of the Godulan seemed somewhat shallower taking stabs at the would-be intervener. Lukien could sense an undercurrent of bad blood between the two though for whatever reason was unknown to him.

To the elf that was looking to build alliances with those of like minds, this whole fiasco did not bode well. Frankly he had no idea how to explain this to the Elders without making the situation look completely hopeless. Maybe Elder Alurial was correct in all of her long winded speeches. Foreigners couldn't be trusted.

Doron feigned personal hurt then simply smiled at the Godulans. Always pleased to interfere in anything that they are doing. "Such hurtful words coming from someone we tried to help save. A lapse in our judgement I assure you, one that won't happen again."

The Abriel looked around the room at the lightsabers drawn and barrels pointed and friend and foe alike. He couldn't help but laugh at Skye's words. "You enforce security? Well you sure have done a marvelous job so far. Next time, don't be so quick to help Daniel up. Such a good friend you are for letting the blows land and a lot of good your psionic abilities are for not predicting that."

Finished with this area, he turned around to collect Lamia and head back towards where Erickson was waiting. "Don't worry about my presence anymore, Baron. What I have come to see to has already been accomplished. We will honor our alliance with the Coredians as well always do and shall send our own support when it is needed. But mark my words Kython-scum, our two nations were never friends, never allies. And do not think for one second that anything Daniel or I might have done with regards to the Colonials can ever measure up to your treachery in the past. What happened to Bael on Asfaltum was unfortunate for he was an honorable person and I had nothing against the man except being at war with him. But for you Skye, I would happily do the same thing only I would make sure you were dead."

Done with his speech, Doron let the pressure door close behind him. As they walked down the halls alone, Lamia and Doron remained silent for a time. Lamia was the one to break the silence though. That might not have been wise. The Godulan race would like to see you exterminated.

"Perhaps but it no longer matters now. What's done is done. And don't forget, they would like to see you dead as well old friend."

Behind his dark sunglasses, the Betterman simply grinned in his eyes remembering the encounter with Maximillian.

Skye trembled with even greater rage. The psionic energy rippling throughout the room like waves of energy. Not only his, but those of all the Godulans. Even Arcturus and the other two Avatars were overwhelmed with the sudden onslaught of mental energy being pushed forth, collapsing to their knees under the sheer weight of their own frustration and despair. As the waves strengthened, the four individuals seemed to start chanting something, with one uttering one sentence, and then another continuing with the next.

"Pompous... Arrogant... No more... No more..."

"No matter what we do... its always the same..."

"We can't hold... them... anymore..."

"They were right."

"They were right all along."

"His own stupidity and ineptitude killed them..."

"Billions of innocents, wiped away..."

"And he walks away as though his hands are clean..."

"There's blood in the water..."

Skye collapsed to the ground, and thudded his hands to the ground so hard the entire room reverberated with the impact.

"Remiel... you... were... riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight..."

And then, with a suddenness belying its sheer power, the rippling stopped, shrinking back into Skye's body and lifting itself off of Arcturus and the other two Avatars. Skye took one look at the three of them from his kneeling position, then stood back up. Arcturus and the other two gave a visible sigh and vanished.

He turned to Masaki, ignoring the shocked looks around him, and spoke. "We recognize that you have assisted us in the past. We recognize that you have been our friends through thick and thin, and we wish that such a thing could continue. You have at least shown remorse for what happened under your watch. You have at least shown regret. For that... we will not kill you.

"All we have done. All we have wrought. It has gotten us nothing. No more. No more. We simply cannot deny ourselves anymore... we cannot restrain ourselves anymore. We are sorry. We hope that we might still be able to protect you, but some are beyond saving... and they must... die."

Skye stepped back from Daniel, then turned towards the door and moved a couple steps forward. "We go to rejoin our brothers, the Balroggans, who were never truly hurt by the events at Asfaltum. We go to rejoin those who assisted us despite our animus. Remiel had no reason to assist us when Terivine was threatened, yet he came. Time to cleanse the weak... I go now to kill a man who shows no remorse... and then... I fear our relations will become... strained."

As he approached the door, the wall itself seemed to dissolve in front of him and he stepped through, reaching out through the void...

REMIEL. YOU WERE RIGHT. AS IN ALL LIFE, A TIME COMES WHEN THINGS MUST BE REMADE. A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT KILLS MANY, YET LEADS TO BETTER THINGS. LET THE PURGING FLAMES BURN... WE SHALL REJOIN THE CRUSADE...

"DORON!" he then screamed aloud, vanishing as his cry finished, and rematerializing right before the prince and his enforcer with a kinetic pulse directed at both of them.

"Get me Grenzer. I need to speak with him in private," Brivun said.

"Yes sir. Contacting General Grenzer, I'll relay it to your cabin."

Brivun got out of his chair and headed for the cabin. He did not want to talk about Niiat and the Kraetons in front of his crew. If it was the old crew they would have surely understood the situation but this fresh crew would deem him crazy and unworthy if they found out he hears voices in his head.

He was about to sit down on the couch when the intercom rang. "Sir I have General Grenzer on Line One for you"

"Good," he pressed the L1 button on the touchscreen.

"James. I am hearing them again."

"Hearing who, George? Hold on."

Grenzer walked out of the room to hear Brivun better. Although the commotion was dying down, he could barely hear him.

"Now who are you hearing?"

"You know, them."

"Are you certain? The Kraetons?"

"I am positive, I had the same feeling back a month ago. The hairs on the back of my neck stood, the chilling sensation down my spine. They are coming Jim."

"Thanks for the information, Pete. Grenzer out."

The Kraetons are coming, but why? For their promise to our people or their insatiable hunger.

He walked back in to hear the words of Daniel renouncing his position. Great more problems. He hadn't seen this much chaos since the talks with the Forellians fifteen years prior. He looked over to see Doron leave the room and Lukien with a look of disbelief at the current actions. I can hardly blame him. When the hell are we going to stop this goddamn drama and actually focus on this war?

The appearance of Sky was not unexpected, and the Baron had picked an inopprotune time to strike out at Doron. At least with Lamia standing there. A kinetic pulse having no effect on the Betterman as he simply reached out and snatched Doron as he was flying back.

"Good catch. I think I'll let you take this one."

Lamia nodded and stepped infront of the prince. The lithe figure in all of his black clothing simply stared back at Skye through his dark sun glasses.

You do not want to do this. You will gain nothing from this fight and your anger clouds your judgement.

Time stood still for the old man, as words buzzed past him at the speed of light. Movements were quick, blurring as the actions happened. Pain was all he felt, the throbbing of his hand, the bruises on his face and torso but none of this compared to his own conscious, the guilt of he who ran away.

Adama watched in surprise, amazed at the guilt of the man before him, the hostility in the room. How could he have been so foolish, so stupid. Here laid a nest of vipers, struggling to fight for dominance, held by petty jealousy and anger. Only one thread held everyone together, and that was the mutual hatred of the Galactic Empire. Adama turned, and walked towards his guards, who still held their rifles high, their aim true.

Adama said nothing, he did not need to. He was consumed with wrath, his anger boiling inside of him. He needed to cool off, he needed fresh air. He turned to walk to the door, the large ornate doors that lead to the cold outside. He reached to his pocket to grab his glasses. He reached in and put them on, as his left lens was cracked, and distorted. Adama lowered his head as he began to walk to the door.

The marines soon followed, watching the room, prepared to defend their Admiral if need be. They like their leader were pissed off, wanting revenge. Slowly they backed up, lowering their rifles to the ground. They did not know what he would do next, what he would order, but they trusted him. He did what was right.

Grenzer looked on at the spectacle before him. The tensing situation of it all. This is like something out of a soap opera. he thought. Never in his forty-two years of military service has he seen such an act of undisciplined behavior. Such chaos in a planning room. If such a thing occurred during the Cyveron war, I would probably be assimilating them by now.

He shook his head at the thought of that horrible fate as some of his men suffered twenty years ago. "Now that this drama is over, there is still a war going on here gentlemen. Mr. Masaki despite your resignation, you still have an obligation as a commander. For that I must speak with you in private about an urgent matter. Something that you would find most intriguing."

I watched Adama go with some sorrow. It was done. But now...there was another problem. This meeting has gone to shit yet again between the Abh and the Godulans. Doron's words have pissed off Skye and his cohorts to no end. And now...now they were about to war. "One minute, General Grenzer. Pardon me."

I knew what I had to do. I stormed out of the room after the two idiots. Or more precisely, I teleported between them, lightning crackling with deadly intent. "ENOUGH!"

"I have had enough of this childish bickering!" I thundered. "Baron Skye. You have played right into the Remiel's hands with your declaration. Somewhere, he is now laughing at the antics of this poor excuse for a meeting. I don't doubt for a moment that he planned for something like this since Tervine. Doron. You are the Prince of the Abh, but I will no longer tolerate your stupidity. You also play into the Empire's hands with your words and deeds. Look at you two. Going to war over insults and childish words. Choosing this petty duel over what is really important: dealing with the Empire. Forgive me, you two, but I am TOTALLY SICK OF YOU BOTH!!"

I glared at them, breathing hard, preparing my powers for the worst. "I tell you this right now. One move. One strike. And I will act. I will stop you both from making the stupidest mistake in your lives. I will fight you both to knock sense into you two with every last bit of my power. I do not expect you to be friends, but I will be damned if I let two of Coredia's best allies go to war over your stupidity."

"The moment you two act, REMIEL...HAS...WON!" I declared.

And now enters the second actor in the play. Judging by Skye's quick arrival, Doron figured Daniel wouldn't be far behind. There was no doubt in the Abriel's mind which side Daniel would truly side with, despite his words being proven true with Skye verbally joining the Galactic Empire. Afterall, they had betrayed one alliance; why not another?

"Alright Daniel. I have no desire to fight you so we'll let this slide. I have one last thing to do while collecting Erickson. After that, you will not see my face again."

Doron stepped aside going around. "Now if you'll excuse us. I'm late on many things."

"Did you never stop to wonder what we meant by those external covenants, Masaki?" Skye hissed, his own eyes crackling with latent psionic energy and only slightly lessened rage. "We've been allied to the Chronosians for years. We never condoned their actions, and thought of our crusade against the Imperials as one of liberation for the Chronosians.

"But we have the Imperials precisely where we want them. The Balroggans, our own brothers in arms past, present, and future, are inches away from Tarkin's and Vader's respective throats, with lots and lots of knives. They BOUGHT it, Masaki! The Imperials bought the whole thing hook, line, and sinker! We OWN them. You think that in our actions the Imperials have won? Those are the deluded dreams of a decrepit old man standing on the command bridge of the biggest piece of garbage the universe has ever known.

"We will join the Chronosians, but rest assured, we would gladly slit that old geezer's throat and rip the bemasked one into his component elementary particles even if it cost us our own existence in the process. If we get the opportunity, we would jam a knife into Thrawn's eyes without hesitation. And Lady Nightshade would experience many creative applications of razor wire. All the same as we would aim to be the one who pulls the trigger of the gun that ends that Abh Ambassador's miserable existence. There are people that need KILLING, Masaki, and our own sense of morality has stayed our hand on too many occasions to count."

It became quickly apparent as he continued his rant that were he human he would have been sending spittle flying in significant quantities, but he was not human, so he simply showed an expression that resembled Doctor Frankenstein screaming 'Its Aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!'

"But even still we do not seek to be indiscriminate in bringing the fires of vengeance upon the enemy. Even still we see what we can do to benefit our allies present here even now. We have a method, Masaki. We can get to Admiral Cain. We can negotiate on good terms with both sides of the Colonial Conflict, and maybe, just maybe, while you prepare for this war... We can stop it. Do you think us childish, Masaki? Do you think us short-sighted? You are permitted to think that. We will not bother to persuade otherwise. We will be too busy working."

Skye's expression took on a strange turn, with a determined and wholly mirthless smile.

"Our will shall be DONE."

And he vanished from the corridor, leaving Masaki in silence.

"Get me Grenzer. I need to speak with him in private," Brivun said.

"Yes sir. Contacting General Grenzer, I'll relay it to your cabin."

Brivun got out of his chair and headed for the cabin. He did not want to talk about Niiat and the Kraetons in front of his crew. If it was the old crew they would have surely understood the situation but this fresh crew would deem him crazy and unworthy if they found out he hears voices in his head.

He was about to sit down on the couch when the intercom rang. "Sir I have General Grenzer on Line One for you"

"Good," he pressed the L1 button on the touchscreen.

"James. I am hearing them again."

"Hearing who, George? Hold on."

Grenzer walked out of the room to hear Brivun better. Although the commotion was dying down, he could barely hear him.

"Now who are you hearing?"

"You know, them."

"Are you certain? The Kraetons?"

"I am positive, I had the same feeling back a month ago. The hairs on the back of my neck stood, the chilling sensation down my spine. They are coming Jim."

"Thanks for the information, Pete. Grenzer out."

The Kraetons are coming, but why? For their promise to our people or their insatiable hunger.

He walked back in to hear the words of Daniel renouncing his position. Great more problems. He hadn't seen this much chaos since the talks with the Forellians fifteen years prior. He looked over to see Doron leave the room and Lukien with a look of disbelief at the current actions. I can hardly blame him. When the hell are we going to stop this goddamn drama and actually focus on this war?

OOC: Thank you for the intro. Ill post something. If its ok to join then Ill stick around but if this is closed then I will promptly delete this post...

IC:

Conquered.

Throughout the lost cluster of stars lay three solar systems, once homes to thriving and powerful civilizations. That had changed since they appeared...

A massive super predator, going from planet to planet to feed upon the populace and their resources. All life herded like cattle into the maw of the fleet. Smaller creatures all mere cells in the organism that was known as Kraeton...

Upon each planet lay a thriving landscape of alien lifeforms. Massive spires jetted from the planet, scattered across the worlds. All fauna and flora were either digested by the Kraeton or being grown and fed to each and every creature. Each creature was capable of tearing through other creatures with their teeth and their acidic saliva. Hives littered the toxic wasteland, piercing the red miasma that had replaced the original atmosphere. And through it all, there were little traces of the existence of another race.

Rising from the massive wombs on the planet were the broodships, each one about 3/4 mile in length. The ships pierced through the filmy placenta, spewing the embryonic fluid around the massive womb. The ship rose towards the sky to feed upon the resources from the spires.

Evolution at its most destructive capabilities for each creature would eventually become a stronger and better creature than the previous. new strains would replace old and older genetic blueprints would become outdated and destroyed.

It had been sometime since their previous contact with any sort of life, other than the original owners of these worlds. But there was one creature that ruled the others with his psychic might. Amongst the galactic gestalt that was Kraeton, only one was fit to rule them all. And he had not forgotten about a certain admiral...

Niiat's ship had fed and was awaiting further instructions from its master. Imbeded within the very neural passages of the creature was the Kraeton's lord and master, their cold and powerful primagenitor.

Niiat.

It was time to meet with an old friend, he had thought. From his synapses to Brivin came the words that sent a chill through his spine.

I am coming...

I scowled at the mention of Pandarian planet killers. "Admiral Brewster, let me make it clear that under no circumstance will you use your planet killers without my direct order while you fight alongside us. If you defy this order, our alliance will be finished. The Rebel Alliance abhors the use of such things and they are only to be used in an entirely defensive capacity, if at all."

"Now, I believe it will be most useful if your fleet is sent to bolster Konoha's defenses, seeing as Chronosia would have no compulsion about attacking it if they so choose."

OOC: I agree. Planet killers at the age of your nation is wanky. I recommend not even mentioning them anymore.


IC:
"Emperor Masaki, let me make one thing clear to you. The Royal Empire of Pandaria does not construct weapons of genocide. We construct defensive weaponry purely for defensive purposes, and for the sole purpose to be used against this Imperial "Deathstar" which frankly is scaring the shit out of our grand council. We have thus constructed 1 ship which is designed to neutralize this threat and "make the odds a little more even". Should the Empire decide to fight a fair fight and not bring any "superweapon" along, we will not utilize the ship which we have brought, we are quite capable of fighting a fair fight even if numbers are against us, and do not need "superweapons" to aid us, as these Imperials do. As for the alliance, no such thing exists. This is a co-operation between nations who consider the Galactic Empire a threat, nothing more, nothing less. And as for fighting at your side, we will follow your lead as best we can, upon my word, a Pandarian citizen does not let his friends down. Now, I will make preparations for the defence of Konoha, if you don't mind." Admiral Jet Brewster turned around and marched off. After a few steps he abruptly turned around, noticing some sort of obvious commotion was occuring, and found that Lord Masaki and Admiral Adama were on a notably hostile footing. He waited to see what would happen... as the meeting slowly dispersed, he turned and left, hoping that he would be able to avoid this kind of mess when preparing the defences at Konoha.

IC:
"Emperor Masaki, let me make one thing clear to you. The Royal Empire of Pandaria does not construct weapons of genocide. We construct defensive weaponry purely for defensive purposes, and for the sole purpose to be used against this Imperial "Deathstar" which frankly is scaring the shit out of our grand council. We have thus constructed 1 ship which is designed to neutralize this threat and "make the odds a little more even". Should the Empire decide to fight a fair fight and not bring any "superweapon" along, we will not utilize the ship which we have brought, we are quite capable of fighting a fair fight even if numbers are against us, and do not need "superweapons" to aid us, as these Imperials do. As for the alliance, no such thing exists. This is a co-operation between nations who consider the Galactic Empire a threat, nothing more, nothing less. And as for fighting at your side, we will follow your lead as best we can, upon my word, a Pandarian citizen does not let his friends down. Now, I will make preparations for the defence of Konoha, if you don't mind." Admiral Jet Brewster turned around and marched off. After a few steps he abruptly turned around, noticing some sort of obvious commotion was occuring, and found that Lord Masaki and Admiral Adama were on a notably hostile footing. He waited to see what would happen... as the meeting slowly dispersed, he turned and left, hoping that he would be able to avoid this kind of mess when preparing the defences at Konoha.
"I must point out, my Giant Panda friend," Admiral Pellaeon began as his Admiral counterpart turned away. "That Lord Masaki has asked you this simple request because the Empire will surely use any superweapon action you make to bolster its propaganda arm. Keep your weapons home and we shall not have any issues."

It was not only the Tidani, the Abh (damn them), and the other various allies of the GFFA that has come to get a piece of the Empire, but a message was sent to the Global Defense Initiative to the tune of "OMG! WE ARE ABT TO B PWNED @ JURAI! HELP PLZ!"

Inexperienced they are, but the Coredians believed that this was the perfect chance for the GDI to prove themselves.

((Once my mercenary company thread is up, I'm willing to give you a special 25% discount if you want to hire anything off me.

Just throwin' that out there, bro.))

OOC: thanks.

((It's fixed now.))

The call of Coreworlds and her allies was heard even in far-off Initiative space and so it was that the GDI were drawn into the war that they had been warned that was coming. It was not forced, however, their participation. Nay, they had known of its coming and had acquiesced to fate, to their part in the battle. So it was, that the Second Fleet was gathered at Mars, while the GDI High Command met in the Command Center in Geneva. It was here a council of war was assembled. Director Granger, leader of the GDI and supreme commander of the entire military, Director Kirce James, leader of InOps, High Admiral James Conway, High Admiral of the budding GDI Navy, and the soldier who was known simply as "the General". He who had fought Nod to a standstill, had broken their forces, driven back the Scrin, and even crushed the Brotherhood after their surprise attack on Mars.

They gathered to begin the prelude to what would be known as one of the most cataclysmic and horrible wars the galaxy had ever known....


The Director sat in his chair, flicking his pen through his fingers. He had just recently returned from a worldwide tour of military installations, air defense bases, and Ion Cannon control sites. He had wanted to make sure they had everything as secure as possible before they committed any forces. He still wore his dress uniform, showing he had been rushed here after coming off the hoverplane. Turning to the rest of the table, he smoothed out his brown tunic and he spoke.

"Well, we've all gathered here again. The last time was because of Kane's new offensive, and we were overlooking the task of assaulting his capital. Back then, we thought that was the toughest thing we would have to face. Yet, we have found the GFFA as well as ourselves faced with a threat that makes Kane look like a simply rebellion." He nodded to Kirce. "Madame Director?"

Kirce cleared her throat, lifting up a remote and clicking a button. The fierce visage of Remiel appeared. "This is Remiel de Drakan, current Emperor of Chronosia, Dark Apostle and what appears to be the leader of what is called Chaos Undivided. He worships the four Chaos Gods, and is one of the strongest beings alive. He has proven himself to equal even Emperor Masaki countless times. He is a dangerous threat, as his countless wars and battles have shown. Naboo, among others, are mute evidence of his power and brutality. And, as we have been informed, has seen fit to declare a Black Crusade. An attempt to spread his evil and the influence of the GE, his "faith" across the stars. From what we have gathered, he intends to bring all that he can under his rule, or that of his allies, which basically equals the same thing." Kirce paused, setting down the remote.

"Gentlemen, we face a threat that has only been found in sci-fi stories and movies, one of an immense evil which threatens to overturn all the sovereign nations still out of their reach and still able to resist. We must do all we can to resist them. Else, all we have ever worked for will be lost." She grabbed the remote and pressed again. Several pictures of ships appeared, Thrashian, Balroggan, even Colonial, appeared on the screen.

"Our intelligence, along with data gathered from Sky Sentry point to a huge meeting occurring somewhere in this sector." She clicked again and a map of the Chronosian Empire appeared, and with another click, it zoomed in on a certain spot.

"We have evidence to believe that he is calling together his allies to plan and begin his Dark Crusade." Kirce turned to look them all in the eye. "If what fleet numbers we managed to obtain are correct, they have a staggering large force, one that if turned soley on us, will surely wipe us out, no matter our strength." High Admiral Conway spoke.

"Excuse me, but if its so dark and hopeless, why are we even here, discussing resistance?" Kirce held up a hand.

"Let me finish, James. You see, they cannot afford to do just that, unless we are their first target. Which is unlikely, seeing as Remiel's focus on Coreworlds and the coming assault on Jurai have proven that won't happen. Once they attack, the GFFA will respond and all out war will break out. From there, I imagine they will break off into groups, each pursuing their goals in a sector of space. It is that which protects us, along with the GFFA forces. Now, Coreworlds has sent out a call for help to reinforce Jurai and help protect against the coming storm. We cannot spare much, as you all know. However, I do believe we can spare Second Fleet to go aid them." Conway grunted.

"And that is why they have gathered at Mars?" She nodded.

"Yes, I thought we could cut down time if they were readied beforehand." The High Admiral nodded.

"Understood. I have also, as directed by the Madame Director, ordered the Second Fleet to bring several Ion Cannons to the world of Jurai, to bolster their defenses there. That should be enough, along with all the other ships and defenses, to hold off the coming assault." Granger nodded, before turning to the General.

"Thoughts?" The General stirred, opening his eyes which had been closed the entire time.

"You know as well as I the fear and shyness running through the GDI right now. Our people feel our still fresh break into space, and feel the stares of the member nations of the GFFA on us. We need something to prove ourselves, Director, and it needs to not happen on our home space. This action will give us experience, respect, trust, as well as help us to prove to ourselves that we can handle the darkness that galaxy can throw at us. I say we go for it. After all, even with the Second Fleet, if the worst case scenario happens, we will still lose." Jack nodded, letting out a breath.

"Blunt as always." He turned to Kirce. "Alright, Madame Director, you've made your point, although this was a foregone conclusion anyways. Send the fleet; Jurai needs us. Dismissed."

******************

Two hours later

A large vortex appeared, and a fleet of eight ships appeared. This was Second Fleet. At first, one would think that the GDI could not count, as that was much too low to be called a fleet. But, upon seeing their ships, it would become apparent why. Massive, armored behemoths; bristling with weaponry of railguns, missile batteries and the massive Ion Blasters which could tear through capital ship armor like water. In the center of this fleet was the Predator-class Dreadnaught, the GDI Shield, along with three Grizzly-class Destroyers and four Peregrine-class Cruisers. A fleet that could take on fleets five times its size and come out on top. And with the Ion Cannons stored inside their holds, along with their complements of troops, supplies, vehicles and aircraft, they could conduct a defensive or offensive campaign if ordered. Led by Lieutenant Commander Rachel Kascadis, Second Fleet had arrived to aid the Coredians.

A message was soon sent to Jurai:

This is Lieutenant Commander Rachel Kascadis of the Galactic Defense Initiative, and commander of the Second Fleet. I have come to bring aid and support to our fellow GFFA allies, as well as supplies and equipment to help prepare for the coming assault. Request permission to approach the planet.

"Did you never stop to wonder what we meant by those external covenants, Masaki?" Skye hissed, his own eyes crackling with latent psionic energy and only slightly lessened rage. "We've been allied to the Chronosians for years. We never condoned their actions, and thought of our crusade against the Imperials as one of liberation for the Chronosians.

"But we have the Imperials precisely where we want them. The Balroggans, our own brothers in arms past, present, and future, are inches away from Tarkin's and Vader's respective throats, with lots and lots of knives. They BOUGHT it, Masaki! The Imperials bought the whole thing hook, line, and sinker! We OWN them. You think that in our actions the Imperials have won? Those are the deluded dreams of a decrepit old man standing on the command bridge of the biggest piece of garbage the universe has ever known.

"We will join the Chronosians, but rest assured, we would gladly slit that old geezer's throat and rip the bemasked one into his component elementary particles even if it cost us our own existence in the process. If we get the opportunity, we would jam a knife into Thrawn's eyes without hesitation. And Lady Nightshade would experience many creative applications of razor wire. All the same as we would aim to be the one who pulls the trigger of the gun that ends that Abh Ambassador's miserable existence. There are people that need KILLING, Masaki, and our own sense of morality has stayed our hand on too many occasions to count."

It became quickly apparent as he continued his rant that were he human he would have been sending spittle flying in significant quantities, but he was not human, so he simply showed an expression that resembled Doctor Frankenstein screaming 'Its Aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!'

"But even still we do not seek to be indiscriminate in bringing the fires of vengeance upon the enemy. Even still we see what we can do to benefit our allies present here even now. We have a method, Masaki. We can get to Admiral Cain. We can negotiate on good terms with both sides of the Colonial Conflict, and maybe, just maybe, while you prepare for this war... We can stop it. Do you think us childish, Masaki? Do you think us short-sighted? You are permitted to think that. We will not bother to persuade otherwise. We will be too busy working."

Skye's expression took on a strange turn, with a determined and wholly mirthless smile.

"Our will shall be DONE."

And he vanished from the corridor, leaving Masaki in silence.
When Skye left, I was left reeling as if he punched me himself. Neither Abh nor Godular would ever reconcile now. Godular has joined Remiel, even as they will still fight the Empire. Abh continues to shirk responsibility for their actions. With friends like them, who needed enemies?

Betrayal on all sides. Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends. Friends fight friends. Trust between all is shattered like glass. With a heavy sigh, I returned to the meeting hall. The Abh will be kicked off Coredian space. The Godulans...they can have Jurai. We will be leaving this cursed planet and we will go and find another capital base from which to operate our fight against the Empire. No longer can the Coredians trust the ones they once called friends, for we can now only rely on ourselves to carry on the fight. It's time for Operation Exodus to begin.

By the time I returned to the meeting hall, Katrina had also arrived and boy, was she furious. "I've heard from Tsunade. You're such a screw-up Daniel!"

Yikes. Not the Glare! "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Kat'! I had to do it!"

"Hmph. I won't feed you to Mr. Fuzzy just yet." Katrina huffed. A small sigh of relief escaped me. Bad mistake, for Mr. Fuzzy was Katrina's favorite Giant Venus Flytrap, with jaws big enough to eat a man whole. Guess who's on the menu. "But Haylee's been looking for a chew toy lately. You are looking more perfect every day."

I went down on my knees in horror, my face planted on the ground as if worshipping her. "Forgive me, my Lady! Please, don't sic Haylee on me!"

Katrina simply smiled coldly. "You're lucky I'm feeling merciful, honey. As my first act as Empress, you shall remain as my Royal Advisor, catering to my every whim. But first, we have a battle to fight! Stand at attention, boy!"

I stood up sharply, a cadet to his General. Now everyone knew who wore the pants in our relationship. "Ma'am, yes Ma'am!"

Katrina whirled to face the allied forces involved. "Right, I've been brought up to speed, so I know what's happening. Third Fleet will continue to plan for the assault on Chronosia. Sixth Fleet will back them up. The defenses of Jurai will be dispersed equally such that no one force will be overwhelmed by any incursion but still have overlapping fields of fire. We now know the Enemy knows what we know thanks to the Baron, so they will react accordingly to this plan. For this reason, we must stay on our very toes in the dance. But what they won't know is..."

"Operation Exodus, ma'am." I reminded her meekly.

"Right. Sounds obvious, but I'll tell you anyway. Jurai is too well known to survive a third battle. We will defend ourselves when they come, but we will also prepare to evacuate at the same time. We will not tell you where we go at this time, but we will definitely be contining the good fight from a mobile standpoint for the time being. Any questions?"

I stepped back carefully and moved to the General from Ganoxa. "My apologies. What was it that you were asking?"

=====

This is Lieutenant Commander Rachel Kascadis of the Galactic Defense Initiative, and commander of the Second Fleet. I have come to bring aid and support to our fellow GFFA allies, as well as supplies and equipment to help prepare for the coming assault. Request permission to approach the planet.

"Milady, the Initiative has arrived. A Lieutenant Commander Rachel Kascadis is asking permission to approach the planet." A soldier reported to Katrina.

"Very well. Grant her permission. Tell her that she is to disperse her forces at equal intervals like everyone else and that a landing pad will be prepared for her. " She replied.

"Yes, ma'am." The soldier nodded and gave the Lt. Commander her instructions.

"Commander, we are to disperse our fleet as has the rest of our allies around the planet and a landing pad is being readied for your arrival." Rachel nodded.

"Understood, Ensign. Do as they say, but keep the Pariah and the Hyperion together, as they have the Ion Cannons the Director requested us to bring."

"Yes, ma'am" The Lieutenant Commander gave her final orders, ensuring things would not fall apart in her absence. Then, gathering a small bodyguard of soldiers, she proceeded to enter a large drop pod that was made specifically to act just like a shuttle but be used with the GDI drop pod delivery systems. On the right side of the GDIS Shield, a small flare of light flashed as the drop pod blasted towards Jurai, the Second Fleet slowly dispersing itself to assume patrol routes around the planet. Fire swathed the pod as it screamed through the Jurai sky, and it looked like they were going to crash into the spaceport.

However, halfway to the ground, jets activated and the pod dived to the right, bleeding off their momentum as it made a 360 circle around and then calmly landed at the spaceport. Four strong support legs deployed, keeping the pod stable and a ramp deployed. Five GDI marines filed out, followed by the Lt. Commander. Rachel had piercing gray eyes, and short, military grade blonde hair. Her dark green uniform was awash with all the awards received from the Third Tiberium War and the short conflict after where Nod was toppled. Gazing ahead, she waited for the representatives of Jurai to meet her.

Common courtesy was important, after all.

It was still snowing when the representatives walked up to the Lt. Commander and saluted in respect, their cloaks floating in the wind. "Welcome to Jurai, Ma'am. Come with us, please."

They escorted her to the warmer Temple and into the meeting hall. Another in a long list of allies that have come.

Silence in the void around Jurai, save the fleets which were just leaving from the previous meeting. Then, a bright blue spacial object appeared behind the planet and an Alliance shuttle appeared carrying Major General Verneal and, as Verneal has come to call her in recent months, the bitch of the Malkir Council.

"I hate these Viper shuttles. They're so cramped, little room for leg space. Honestly, Jorrus couldn't send a tiny Destroyer for an escort..."

"Bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch. Is that all you ever do?" General Verneal's hoarse voice grumbled, "we're on a mission of extreme urgency and these Vipers are the quickest ones we got. Jorrus couldn't afford to send an escort of ships over at this time due to repairs. You should know that. "

"Yes, and you're the reason why the entire fleet is undergoing repairs General," Melisha ever so kindly pointed out.

"... ... ... Shut up and just pilot this damned thing. That was an one time incident and you fucking know it."

"Whatever General. Jurai Traffic Control this is the Huntarian Alliance shuttle Intrepid requesting permission to land."

"Whatever General. Jurai Traffic Control this is the Huntarian Alliance shuttle Intrepid requesting permission to land."
"Permission granted, Intrepid. Please be informed that a representative will meet with you soon." The traffic controller replied and sent a landing transponder to the ship. It seems to be a pad on the Temple grounds, with snow falling rather heavily.

Grenzer gestured to move to a more private area. Where he can say what is on his mind without any eavesdroppers. "I need to divulge you with some information," he said in a low voice.

"In the early part of the invasion we were evacuating the civilian population from the planet. Long lines of transports made their way to Balroggan space, but amidst the transports was a strange group of ships. Organic ones. We hailed them to see if they were friendly or either hostile. They looked hostile, but remained in a neutral stance. Then the Overmind known as Niiat contacted Admiral Brivun through telepathic means. Brivun went inside one of their ships and met with this Overmind."

"We had struck a deal with them, if you can call it a deal, we let them stave off their insatiable hunger by letting takeover imperial controlled worlds while they defend us. At a time when we barely begun building a fleet, we were desperate. As soon as the deal was struck Wanderjar vessels attacked our convoys. The Kraetons, as they called themselves, attacked the Wanderjar fleet and dispatched them, but they had to spread themselves across the galaxy because of the attack."

"Now they are 'calling' Brivun again, saying they are coming. ETA is unknown, location unknown, all we know is that they are coming. I am ashamed that we had taken the deal, but it was Brivun's call and I respect his decision."

I sighed. This just gets better and better. "Does the universe hate the Rebellion that much? They'll be a big problem if we defeat the Empire...reminds me of that Tyranid incursion we had a few years back."

Through the cold void of space, a behemoth speared through the cosmos, fleeting erratically to avoid being tracked. Each jump would tire the creature a bit, but it had to be done for the safety of the gestalt...

Aboard the creature sat Niiat, metamorphosizing into a more human form so as to not scare the inferiors. His tendrils were still imbedded into the synapse of the creature, guiding the whale through the galaxy towards the faint psychic signature of an old friend.

Brivun...

The ship entered normal space, 100 kilometres from the Battleship Forellia. Niiat's membrane open and appeared as wings as the metamorphic fluids dripped from the cocoon-wings. The tendrils disconnected from the brain and fell to the side of Niiat as he stood, a gruesome yet stoic figure amonst the denizens of his ship.

His hand rose as his minds beckoned Brivun and the people of his ship.

"Brivun and all others on your vessel. Do not be alarmed as I come for bussiness and only bussiness. Allow me to board your ship as we have much to discuss." Niiat "spoke". He left for his shuttle to board the battleship.

"Sir? Do you know this 'thing'?"

"Yes. This 'thing' saved the refugees from certain peril. Refrain from using that word, Sargent."

"Uh...y-yes sir."

Brivun stood in the hangar area, where Niiat's shuttle had arrived. A detail of troops was behind him, a routine protocol for new arrivals. Brivun remained in a neutral pose, not dreading or showing excitement, just neutral. "Welcome to the Forellia Niiat, come this way to the conference room," Brivun said and nodded towards the XO Commander Peterson.

Peterson was in the bridge and came towards the comms officer. "Begin to broadcast the meeting to General Grenzer's laptop so he can get up to speed on the proceedings."

General Grenzer clicked on the urgent message from the Forellia. Interesting move, Brivun.

"Empress I believe you should see this," he gestured at the Masakis.

"Hmm?" Looking up from her holotable, Katrina. She walked over to me and Grenzer. "What is it?"

Niiat followed Brivun towards the conference room, his tendrils dragging behind him. His wings covered his body like a cloak.

They entered the room.

"What is the situation Brivun?"

Brivun gave an explanation of the current situation. "As you see we our conducting a defense of this planet from a probable Imperial attack. We are in the planning stage right now with the proceedings happening planetside."

Niiat stared at the holoscreen intently, then turned to Brivun and spoke through his mouth this time.

"Are there any others on this planet with you protecting this planet?"

It was still snowing when the representatives walked up to the Lt. Commander and saluted in respect, their cloaks floating in the wind. "Welcome to Jurai, Ma'am. Come with us, please."

They escorted her to the warmer Temple and into the meeting hall. Another in a long list of allies that have come.

Rachel returned their salute as the pod closed up behind them, the ramp retreating. The soldiers around her glanced at the snow that was falling, something that never occurred on Earth anymore. Or at least, while there was still all that Tiberium infesting the planet. So, for them, it was a first time experience and their faces showed their inexperience with this type of weather. "It is good to be here." She made a hand motion and her guards followed her as she walked after the Coredians. They walked after them, waiting to find the official they were going to talk to, she had a few things that needed to be cleared up. After all, the attack could come anytime, so time was of the essence.

"So far from recent reports, it is the Cordians, Colonials, Pandarens, and," after receiving an update from his subordinate,"annnnd the Galactic Defense Initiative. " Hmm sounds familiar.

Grenzer looked at the screen. "Thats as far as he knows. Katrina who else is here. Amongst all this confusion I cannot tell who is left to defend."

"I have situated the fleet at several key defense points to put it in the best effective positions available."

Outside the Temple on the landing strips more Arms Slaves are being fueled and armed for routine patrols outside the defensive lines. The frontline units lumbered with their HEAT hammers and 40 mm Assault Rifles. One of the advanced squads with the Arbalest types would venture deeper for their patrols.

Loading up his sniper cannon Sargent Kurz Weber, designation Urzu 3, looked in one of the screens to see a detail head for the temple. "Yet another ally for the cause eh?"

Sargent Major Melissa Mao was cross checking systems and equipment, "It would seem so. Well enough talking you ready?"

"Hey when am I not."

"Well there is that situation in Baljanistan."

"Ah thats cold. Can't help if I was ambushed from the start."

"Ya ya stop making excuses. Lets go. AI get met ground control."

"Yes ma'am. Contacting ground control. Stand By,' the AI' said.

"This is Urzu squad ready for deployment."

"Copy. Sending you the information you need. Should be on your deisplay screen."

"I received it. Making our way there. Over and out."

She looked at the map. Mostly tundra with high hills and the occasional mountain peak. She and Weber moved their units out of the city and started to run.

Niiat stared intently at Brivun and spoke, "Indeed, it seems as though this planet is of some strategic importance, no? Well then I will bring some of my fleet into this airspace." Niiat looked away and continued, "You had better hope that they are indeed attacking this world because it is unwise to spread one's forces so thin."

Niiat contacted the Kraeton Worlds. One by one Broodships woke from their cold slumber and ascended into the cosmos. aboard each ship were thousands of battle ready monsters, each with an unmatch voracity for the blood of their enemies.

80 Behemoths were in the cosmos, their warp drives activating. Inside each beast were countless interceptors and anthropoids, each readying themselves for battle against the enemy ships. Scythes and teeth were clawing through the corridors of the beast as they set sail to lay waste against their enemies, psychic shields and cannons ready to demolish all.

The fleet entered Jurai airspace group by group and floated amongst the stars, awaiting further instructions.

Niiat spoke finally. "So when do I get to meet everyone else?"

Brivun looked up to the ceiling in the way of the small security camera. Grenzer saw his face and loosened his tunic. He is really going to bring him here?

"Well we can meet with the rest of commanders anytime you would like. Here is the location of the proceeds," he pointed on the display,"of course I must stay here with the ship."

Grenzer looked over at Daniel and Katrina. "Looks like we are going to have more guests," he said dryly.

As reports came in of the Broodships in orbit, looking for all the world like giant bugs, we dryly replied. "So they are. So they are."

I shook my head. "I just hope we don't need any Raid after this..."

Even as Baron went off about his great plans and his perfect strategy, Doron let it all go and decided best to continue on his walk. There were more important things in the universe than one person's tirade afterall. Lamia was soon in step with him, the Betterman thinking about whatever they constantly thought about. Possibly how to maintain the balance between humanity and the void. It was all above the Abriel, not that he paid much attention to it anyway. They were mysterious in their ways, rarely appearing and typically only after being asked to help by the Abh.

Doron instead found himself walking a long road to where a man was weighing his thoughts heavily. It was not an unexpected burden placed on any leader in such times. Still, there is always hope as long as hope remains among trusted.

He found the man out in the frigid temperatures enjoying the coolness of the climate and most likely welcoming the solitude. Unfortunatly, Doron could not grant the Admiral such a reprieval at this time.

"Admiral Adama? Might I have another word with you? You look ready to leave and I wanted to speak with you one last time before you left."

The Broodships (http://store.us.games-workshop.com/storefront/newimage.asp?Size=A&Img=214100) gathered around the planet, readying their defenses against the enemy. The Assualt Cysts inside each ship were ready for launch to board the enemy ships and slaughter the crew.

Niiat said, "I would like to speak with your peers now. I should get to know these people I am protecting so that I may trust your allies."

"I must point out, my Giant Panda friend," Admiral Pellaeon began as his Admiral counterpart turned away. "That Lord Masaki has asked you this simple request because the Empire will surely use any superweapon action you make to bolster its propaganda arm. Keep your weapons home and we shall not have any issues."

"Of course my friend, I am well aware of that... we only intend to utilize extreme measures if the Imperials bring their Deathstar... surely you would prefer that instead of having one of your planets blown to bits... besides, if we destroy his precious DeathStar, Vader would hardly use it as propaganda..." Jet Brewster replied with a pleasant smile. "Also..." he continued, "it seems as if my forces could do more good here at Jurai, if I may say so. I have no intentions to add them to the planetary defences mind you, my ships are fully cloaked and I intend to avoid rushing them into battle and point blank combat. I had another tactic in mind; using them as a hit-and-run fleet. Pandarian ships have after all some quite astounding agility. Thus my ships would simply attack the rear of the Imperial battle formation, thus drawing them after me and weakening the main Imperial battle line... with some luck, I might actually dispatch quite a few Imperial ships before they realize what's going on... thus slowly bleeding their forces..." the Pandaren bear smiled at Admiral Pellaeon.

Lukien didn't know what to make of all this. For the elven captain he could call this unorganized at best. What would be worst case here? His vantage point was that of allies arguing amongst one another, some unsound battle planning, and what appeared to be allegiance switching. Lukien had no idea how he would report this to his Elders. Certainly an alliance was important in this matter in order to strike back at those that attempted to rape their world, but for the Captain things did not look so hopeful.

Lukien decided that unless conditions did improve, he would be leaving shortly. It would be a long ride home with much time to think about how to shape his report. If he should even do so at all.

"Admiral Easton calling Jurai High Command. Please respond, over!" Came the reply. Admiral Pellaeon took it, but we all could hear it.

"Yes?"

"Caligulia's under attack by an unknown force. Commodore Oakson's force is responding, but...well...I think you'd better take a look at this..." Admiral Easton said, and sent a realtime image of fifty six-km capital ships with 250 smaller ships bearing down on the Commodore's forces. "Looks vaguely Woodian. Seems like they have cousins out there."

"I see. Thank you, Admiral Easton. Do everything you can to take out the enemy. I will be sending help soon." Admiral Pellaeon promised.

"Hope Jurai can handle a loss of manpower." Admiral Easton noted.

"Oh, I think we can manage it." The Admiral smiled thinly. He turned his old eyes to me. "Third Fleet, perhaps?"

I nodded. Sending the Third Fleet to assist will be a good idea, as it'd be a reasonable way of getting it out of Jurai. Then, I had a stroke of genius. I wonder... "Has the Admiral left the planet?"

"No, sir. He's in one of the other rooms, talking to his staff." The Old Man of Space replied.

Good. "I see. Please tell him I'm on my way." I said, giving Katrina a mental I'll be back, as I pulled out a piece of flimsiplast and a clipboard and began writing on it while walking to Admiral Achilles' room.

"Admiral? Change of plans. Your trip to Chronosia will be delayed on account that you need to take out an enemy force at Caligula. Also, take this. Read it, memorize it and destroy it." I ordered.

The Admiral took my paper, raised an eyebrow in surprise, smiled thinly and then tore it up, took out a lighter then burnt the pieces. "Yes, sir. I'll get going now."

"Appraise Admiral Makaryk of the situation. He might be interested in hearing about his long lost cousins." I suggested.

"Very well." He saluted and I returned it. "The Force be with you."

"And with you." I said, moving back to the main meeting hall.

He spun around crisply and headed for the nearest hangar bay. Once he took a shuttle up into space, he prepped the Third Fleet for deployment. Then... "Admiral Makaryk, there is something that you might be interested in..."

And he gave the Woodian commander the data from Caligula.

The Woodians had rushed to dump the refugees at White Diamond and back to Jurai to defend the system, but no real attack had yet come. Admiral Makaryk was a patient one, but truth be told the ground crews were the only Woodians in the area with something to do, as 'MechWarriors scrambled for components with which to adapt their equipment for the defensive operation. For the last few hours, the Woodian Navy had remained extremely quiet, almost to the point of radio silence. Not even news of a Clan invasion elicited more than a few words from the Admiral.

"The Clans are invading Caligula," he said aloud to no one in particular, eliciting gasps from the crew. What knowledge of the Clans the Woodians had had come from the Gaian Ascendancy fifty or so years ago, but that knowledge was incomplete. Bidding over who would command an expeditionary force, and what said force would consist of, started more or less spontaneously.

As word spread to the other ships in the fleet, various high-ranking officers shuttled or beamed themselves to the bridge of the Megadolon, a modified, six-kilometer long Super Star Destroyer taken as isorla from the Emipre. While Admiral Makaryk hated the bridgeless ship, some of his underlings rather liked it. He simply observed the cutthroat bidding, for he knew that he would probably be needed here more than over a mining colony.

The bidding got physical. Rear Admiral Aidan, who did not use his last name during the bidding ceremony because "pure" Clan tradition did not allow for last names except for those who had earned one through a Trial of Bloodright (a ritual that the Woodians had not yet adopted), decided to settle the bidding physically, challenging the only other person still bidding to a Trial of Position.

It ended with a rather unfortunate colonel collapsing to the floor, blood oozing out of his head, a hole in his skull. The six-and-a-half-foot Admiral Aidan looked down upon him with contempt as he jammed his boot into the dead colonel's neck, crushing it. "I bid one Immortal Star Destroyer, a Star of support destroyers, and all support craft stowed in their hangars," he said coldly. "With what the Coredians are sending, it will be enough. Please remind them of the price of their typical incompetence."

He beamed back to his Immortal Star Destroyer without further comment, and minutes later, six Woodian ships left the system, bound for Caligula.

OOC: bumping CW, see post #74

Rachel gazed around, looking for a commander to talk to. She had important orders to fulfill and she preferred to get them completed as soon as possible. Her eyes locked on an Admiral, as she could tell from the bars on his uniform, who was issuing orders about an attack at Caligula. Nodding to her guards, who dispersed and began talking to the other representatives, she walked forward to Pellaeon once he had finished speaking.

"Admiral Pellaeon, may I speak with you?"

Grenzer pulled his seat and got up from the table. "Well there is not much else to see here since the show will be live soon. I am going to check on the situation at the command station."

He walked over and saw Pallaeon standing there. He stood next to him. "So whats the situation so..." he peered over Pallaeon's should at the new visitor coming to the station, "far."

The loud thuds could be heard through the snow storm. Continuing to get louder and louder until it just stops. It was Mao's Arm Slave in the middle of the thick storm, with Weber trailing behind in his. "Not picking up anything on the thermal scanners. How 'bout you?"

Nothing much either, sis., she heard him over the radio.

She looked around the surrounding monitors, the system compensating with the motion trackers turned the AS head as well. Nothing, just thick weather. Then suddenly.

"Warning. Unknown object incoming at position 23.1," the AI said.

"AI are you sure. Thermal scanners are not picking up anything."

"Affirmative. RADAR shows confirmed object coming at position 24.5 now."

She readied herself with the 40 mm, Weber did the same. Eying the landscape, then a shadow appeared. "Attention unknown object, stay where you are," the external intercom blared.

"You guys shouldn't stand still. The enemy might have an easy job with you," the unknown person said in a serious and professional tone.

"Sousuke? Where the hell were you? Why didn't you report at the base?"

"My apologies. I was attending another mission. They had dropped me in just a moment ago."

"Still "guarding" angel eh?" Weber inquired.

"Yes. Miss Chidori is in perfect health." Sousuke said.

"Argh thats not what I meant..."

"Enough, lets continue the patrol," Mao ordered.

"Yes ma'am."

"Alright sis."

The Woodians had rushed to dump the refugees at White Diamond and back to Jurai to defend the system, but no real attack had yet come. Admiral Makaryk was a patient one, but truth be told the ground crews were the only Woodians in the area with something to do, as 'MechWarriors scrambled for components with which to adapt their equipment for the defensive operation. For the last few hours, the Woodian Navy had remained extremely quiet, almost to the point of radio silence. Not even news of a Clan invasion elicited more than a few words from the Admiral.

"The Clans are invading Caligula," he said aloud to no one in particular, eliciting gasps from the crew. What knowledge of the Clans the Woodians had had come from the Gaian Ascendancy fifty or so years ago, but that knowledge was incomplete. Bidding over who would command an expeditionary force, and what said force would consist of, started more or less spontaneously.

As word spread to the other ships in the fleet, various high-ranking officers shuttled or beamed themselves to the bridge of the Megadolon, a modified, six-kilometer long Super Star Destroyer taken as isorla from the Emipre. While Admiral Makaryk hated the bridgeless ship, some of his underlings rather liked it. He simply observed the cutthroat bidding, for he knew that he would probably be needed here more than over a mining colony.

The bidding got physical. Rear Admiral Aidan, who did not use his last name during the bidding ceremony because "pure" Clan tradition did not allow for last names except for those who had earned one through a Trial of Bloodright (a ritual that the Woodians had not yet adopted), decided to settle the bidding physically, challenging the only other person still bidding to a Trial of Position.

It ended with a rather unfortunate colonel collapsing to the floor, blood oozing out of his head, a hole in his skull. The six-and-a-half-foot Admiral Aidan looked down upon him with contempt as he jammed his boot into the dead colonel's neck, crushing it. "I bid one Immortal Star Destroyer, a Star of support destroyers, and all support craft stowed in their hangars," he said coldly. "With what the Coredians are sending, it will be enough. Please remind them of the price of their typical incompetence."

He beamed back to his Immortal Star Destroyer without further comment, and minutes later, six Woodian ships left the system, bound for Caligula.
The Third Fleet followed swiftly, although Admiral Achilles was slightly peeved that with the Woodians around, he knew that they would be able to overcome more with their six ships than with his ninety. They were worthy allies, but it still irked him that they were...efficient...*twitch*.

"Of course my friend, I am well aware of that... we only intend to utilize extreme measures if the Imperials bring their Deathstar... surely you would prefer that instead of having one of your planets blown to bits... besides, if we destroy his precious DeathStar, Vader would hardly use it as propaganda..." Jet Brewster replied with a pleasant smile. "Also..." he continued, "it seems as if my forces could do more good here at Jurai, if I may say so. I have no intentions to add them to the planetary defences mind you, my ships are fully cloaked and I intend to avoid rushing them into battle and point blank combat. I had another tactic in mind; using them as a hit-and-run fleet. Pandarian ships have after all some quite astounding agility. Thus my ships would simply attack the rear of the Imperial battle formation, thus drawing them after me and weakening the main Imperial battle line... with some luck, I might actually dispatch quite a few Imperial ships before they realize what's going on... thus slowly bleeding their forces..." the Pandaren bear smiled at Admiral Pellaeon.
"A fine tactic. I am sure it will help with Jurai." The Grand Admiral nodded.

Rachel gazed around, looking for a commander to talk to. She had important orders to fulfill and she preferred to get them completed as soon as possible. Her eyes locked on an Admiral, as she could tell from the bars on his uniform, who was issuing orders about an attack at Caligula. Nodding to her guards, who dispersed and began talking to the other representatives, she walked forward to Pellaeon once he had finished speaking.

"Admiral Pellaeon, may I speak with you?"
"Yes, what...oh, you're the GDI commander that we requested. Welcome to Jurai. How may I help you?" The Admiral said with a smile behind his white moustache.

Grenzer pulled his seat and got up from the table. "Well there is not much else to see here since the show will be live soon. I am going to check on the situation at the command station."

He walked over and saw Pallaeon standing there. He stood next to him. "So whats the situation so..." he peered over Pallaeon's shoulder at the new visitor coming to the station, "far."
"All the allies that could arrive in time seem to have arrived." The Admiral simply replied as he noted the Third Fleet leaving and half the 8th Fleet returning home, the Second Fleet is following, but the Sixth Fleet will remain until the Third Fleet has concluded its business. "Jurai and Konoha are well defended now and the other fleets (4th, 7th, 9th) are on standby for any other incursion, as the Fifth Fleet is doing at Caligula. It appears that we have but to wait for the enemy to show up."

Admiral Adama walked brisky out towards his raptor. The cold bitter winds smashed into his jacket, like the tide slams into a sandcastle, overwhelming the uniform of the Admiral, as the cold crept into his bones, into his blood.

The snow drifted peacefully, as he continued to walk. The winds howled with the anger and vicousness of a Chronosian Astarte. This meeting was a complete failure. Instead of learning of the enemy they faced, Admiral Adama noticed that these "Allies" were worse than the enemy. Sneaking a WMD into a capitol of an ally, withholding information that could save billions of lives, and still having the arrogance to believe in their moral highground, these delegates disguisted him. The only people here that seemed to be honest enough and sincere laid in the skies above, the Woodians and the Farstars.

The Coredian Alliance seemed to be a farce, and the Abh seemed more interested in their own self interests than aiding anyone. But at least the Abh was honest. They did not sneak WMD's and directly killed their allies people. With friends like these, it was easy to see why Cain found solace with the Empire, and the Chronosians. At least they are up front about who they are, what they will do. They had honor.

"Admiral Adama wait." he heard barely as the winds whipped around him. He turned, as did his marine guards, as Prince Doran rushed up to him.

Adama, his face bruised, turned to the price of the Abh Empire. "What is it?" he asked, as his teeth were chattering from the blistering winds.

Niiat nodded at Brivun and walked off towards his shuttle. The pod flew off towards Jurai, at the coordinates of the Temple City Landing Strip.

"This is Niiat of the Kraeton Gestalt. Permission to come onto your base so I may meet with your Admiral Grenzer," he sent psychically. Niiat knew he had to play the ally as long as the Epire would attack so that his race may reap the harvest of the Empire's lives. With so many worlds and so many people in the empire, there would be much biomass to consume.

Crimson took another brisk walk through the snow. How did the landscape remind him of Northern Linguna. The vast tundra, the rolling hills, felt like home. He continued to walk till he saw two men talking. He took interest as he walked towards them to hear the conversation. "What is it?" he heard faintly.

It was crunch time now. Doron realized that the Colonials had some misunderstandings of the Abh, but so did everyone else in the galaxy. In the snow with his cloaked wrapped around him, Doron needed to at least start removing those misconceptions from this man's mind.

"I know you and I have gotten off to a bad start here. Perhaps that is my fault for not making myself clear at the beginning or perhaps not but that does not matter now. I would like to provide an opportunity to make ammends for these actions. Perhaps give you something that you want and take a small step in the right direction. Will you listen to what I propose? Not here in this frigid weather, but else where at a place of your choosing. Say the capitol of the Abh Empire or anywhere you like."

Niiat nodded at Brivun and walked off towards his shuttle. The pod flew off towards Jurai, at the coordinates of the Temple City Landing Strip.

"This is Niiat of the Kraeton Gestalt. Permission to come onto your base so I may meet with your Admiral Grenzer," he sent psychically. Niiat knew he had to play the ally as long as the Epire would attack so that his race may reap the harvest of the Empire's lives. With so many worlds and so many people in the empire, there would be much biomass to consume.
"Permission granted!" Said the Traffic Control psychically after a short conference with the High Command. "Our representative will be waiting for you."

General Mustang himself will greet Niat. The reason is twofold. One, he has power over fire, meaning that even in the cold weather, he could blow stuff up with a snap of his fingers. That is for security as we don't exactly trust sentient bugs since the likes of the Tyranids came along. Second, he is interested in these folks, and how they would help the Alliance.

It was crunch time now. Doron realized that the Colonials had some misunderstandings of the Abh, but so did everyone else in the galaxy. In the snow with his cloaked wrapped around him, Doron needed to at least start removing those misconceptions from this man's mind.

"I know you and I have gotten off to a bad start here. Perhaps that is my fault for not making myself clear at the beginning or perhaps not but that does not matter now. I would like to provide an opportunity to make ammends for these actions. Perhaps give you something that you want and take a small step in the right direction. Will you listen to what I propose? Not here in this frigid weather, but else where at a place of your choosing. Say the capitol of the Abh Empire or anywhere you like."

Admiral Adama sighed. "It is not safe to talk here. The Galactic Empire has too many spies here, and the leader of the rebellion seems to have little issue with people openly declaring their allegance to the Empire. I on the otherhand do. You can not have an ally who is allied to your enemy. Sooner or later they will have to make a choice, and I will not allow myself to be on the wrong end of that decisison. If you wish to talk, come in the raptor. Adama replied.

Doron took this as a good sign. Already they had found some common ground. "I agree."

As Doron followed the Admiral into the raptor, he brought up his clyuno. The jewel ignited to life as it quickly established its communication link. "Erickson, finish what you are doing with the civilians then take Lamia and head back to Lakfakallae aboard the Whitestar. Imperial Admiral Gaf'ton will want to be informed of the situation. Once you are done, head back to the temple."

"Yes your highness, but what about Jessyka?"

"I will worry about Jessyka, you finish carrying out my orders."

Disconnecting the connection, Doron had one last matter to decide. He still held the computer patch that contained the information Jessyka managed to get of the Imperial fleet. He held it in his hands wondering if he should even bother giving it to the military congregation in the room. In the end he figured perhaps he should leave a parting gift. Trying out a new technique that was virtually unknown to him, Doron attempted a transportation through the Force with the patch. He had only attempted this once or twice and had no real assurance of where it would go.

In one quick flash, the patch was gone from his hand and hopefully headed for the conference room. Doron turned and headed up the ramp behind Admiral Adama.

Out in space, the Whitestar orbiting the planet lazily came to life and headed towards the surface of the planet. There were two figures that would be waiting to boad the craft and leave the planet.

"Yes, what...oh, you're the GDI commander that we requested. Welcome to Jurai. How may I help you?" The Admiral said with a smile behind his white mustache.


Rachel smiled lightly, something she rarely did. However, Pellaeon was reminding him of her father, a kind, old man who still served in the military as one of the Captains of the ships in the growing Initiative Navy. Holding out her hand, she shook his head, introducing herself. "I am Lieutenant Commander Rachel Kascadis of the Galactic Defense Initiative Navy. I have been sent here, as per your distress call, to aid you in defending this planet. I am happy to report that the Director has seen fit to acquisition forty planetary defense platforms that we use in our nation, known as 'Ion Cannons.'" She handed him a datapad, which if he activated, would show him the schematics, weaponry and other details of the massive war machines. "Armed with a single Ion Cannon, along with several Ion Blasters, and missile launchers, it is perfect for anti-capital ship work. The Ion Cannons works in the sense it targets a ship with a ring of plasma beams, which saturate it with plasma, so when the Ion beam itself is fired, it causes that much more damage. It can also be used as an orbital bombardment weapon in orbit for ground operations." She smiled confidently at the Admiral.

"I do hope this helps you a lot. The cannons are yours to keep and my people are setting up the grid as we speak."

"Permission granted!" Said the Traffic Control psychically after a short conference with the High Command. "Our representative will be waiting for you."

General Mustang himself will greet Niat. The reason is twofold. One, he has power over fire, meaning that even in the cold weather, he could blow stuff up with a snap of his fingers. That is for security as we don't exactly trust sentient bugs since the likes of the Tyranids came along. Second, he is interested in these folks, and how they would help the Alliance.

The shuttle landed on the platform, legs keeping the body up as an orifice opened. Out came three figures. The first was Niiat, walking through the blizzard. He stood 9 feet tall with wings covering his body like a cloak. The other two were large, quadripedal creatures with twelve tendrils on their backs. On the end of each tendril were four chitonous daggers, more than capable of stabbing through armour. They walked on either side of Niiat, guarding him intently.

Niiat scanned the man's mind and spoke through his mouth, "Greetings General Mustang," his wings loosened and his arms motioned to the creatures at his side. They backed away a bit but were still close to Niiat. "I am Niiat of the Kraeton Gestalt. I believe we have much to discuss about the defense of this world."

Rachel smiled lightly, something she rarely did. However, Pellaeon was reminding him of her father, a kind, old man who still served in the military as one of the Captains of the ships in the growing Initiative Navy. Holding out her hand, she shook his head, introducing herself. "I am Lieutenant Commander Rachel Kascadis of the Galactic Defense Initiative Navy. I have been sent here, as per your distress call, to aid you in defending this planet. I am happy to report that the Director has seen fit to acquisition forty planetary defense platforms that we use in our nation, known as 'Ion Cannons.'" She handed him a datapad, which if he activated, would show him the schematics, weaponry and other details of the massive war machines. "Armed with a single Ion Cannon, along with several Ion Blasters, and missile launchers, it is perfect for anti-capital ship work. The Ion Cannons works in the sense it targets a ship with a ring of plasma beams, which saturate it with plasma, so when the Ion beam itself is fired, it causes that much more damage. It can also be used as an orbital bombardment weapon in orbit for ground operations." She smiled confidently at the Admiral.

"I do hope this helps you a lot. The cannons are yours to keep and my people are setting up the grid as we speak."
"I thank you for this gift, my friend." The Admiral replied, going over the information. "Although some may be confused considering our own Ion Cannons have a different mechanism. Since they are beams of energy rather than bolts, I would say they shall be known as Ion Beamcannons. Might I suggest, though that you prepare to tow them at a moment's notice? We aren't going to stay at Jurai very much longer."

Niiat scanned the man's mind and spoke through his mouth, "Greetings General Mustang," his wings loosened and his arms motioned to the creatures at his side. They backed away a bit but were still close to Niiat. "I am Niiat of the Kraeton Gestalt. I believe we have much to discuss about the defense of this world."
OOC: Technically, you'd never be able to get past the mental shields as every Alchemist is a member of the Jedi Order, although the General never uses a lightsaber. I'll let it slide, once.

IC:
The General frowned as he felt a mental probing and although he allowed his name to be seen, he pushed it back before other memories are taken. "Might I suggest, first, that you don't do do that again? It is extremely rude to go picking around in someone's mind, especially that of a Coredian."

"Come with me." The General said, leading the bug-creature into the Temple. Niiat and his honor guard got many a shudder and evil glare for looking like an oversized bug, and not a few giant cans of Raid were being passed around among the ANBU just in case. He then called the Empress over. "Lady Masaki, this is Hiiat, the...person our Ganoxan friends introduced us to."

"I see." Having known a few Verpine personally, the Empress-with-power-over-plants wasn't so much as freaked out as most women would be (and were). Still, the roses in her hair quivered in fear of a nine-foot-tall bug... "You just keep away from my plants, you hear? I don't want any trouble involving giant insects and my flowers! Anyway, what are you bringing to the table?"

"I thank you for this gift, my friend." The Admiral replied, going over the information. "Although some may be confused considering our own Ion Cannons have a different mechanism. Since they are beams of energy rather than bolts, I would say they shall be known as Ion Beamcannons. Might I suggest, though that you prepare to tow them at a moment's notice? We aren't going to stay at Jurai very much longer."


OOC: Technically, you'd never be able to get past the mental shields as every Alchemist is a member of the Jedi Order, although the General never uses a lightsaber. I'll let it slide, once.

IC:
The General frowned as he felt a mental probing and although he allowed his name to be seen, he pushed it back before other memories are taken. "Might I suggest, first, that you don't do do that again? It is extremely rude to go picking around in someone's mind, especially that of a Coredian."

"Come with me." The General said, leading the bug-creature into the Temple. Niiat and his honor guard got many a shudder and evil glare for looking like an oversized bug, and not a few giant cans of Raid were being passed around among the ANBU just in case. He then called the Empress over. "Lady Masaki, this is Hiiat, the...person our Ganoxan friends introduced us to."

"I see." Having known a few Verpine personally, the Empress-with-power-over-plants wasn't so much as freaked out as most women would be (and were). Still, the roses in her hair quivered in fear of a nine-foot-tall bug... "You just keep away from my plants, you hear? I don't want any trouble involving giant insects and my flowers! Anyway, what are you bringing to the table?"


OOC: Ah, ok my bad. Didnt know :) I'll make sure to not do that again.

Also for future references for everyone in this RP, Kraeton are not insectoid looking. In fact they are a bit more reptilian than bug. here is their wiki. Ill draw one eventually...

http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Kraeton

IC:

Niiat scowled at the woman, his eyes piercing angrily at her. His psychic aura became more savage and noticeable around his body. Hs guards felt his anger and began growling.

"We are not bugs!" Niiat spoke sternly, hatred in his eyes. These inferior were all the same. Closed-minded fools. So arrogant. So prideful of their own flaws.

He relaxed and spoke softer, "You wish to see what we can do? Please allow me to show you images from my mind." Niiat raised his hand and the room transformed.

It was a hellish nightmare. Piercing the red skies were massive spires spewing a poisonous mist into the air. Around the planet lay a vast wasteland covered with a grotesque membrane. On the membrane were the screaming denizens of the planet, crying for mercy to their uncaring gods. Larvae covered them and began devouring their bodies live as the humans' screams echoed through the cold dead air. Larger creatures hunted down pockets of resistance. They were similar to the body guards of Niiat, about the size of horses but they lacked the tendrils on their back. They chased the humans tirelessly and picked them off one by one, ripping apart their bodies and consuming their entrails.

The few humans left were being herded towards massive hive structures, all suffocating from the deadly phage cells in the atmosphere. Some of the children were crying for their lost parents, friends, and siblings while the adults walked slowly, filled with despair as their hearts were completely devastated by the destruction of their world. They would all be digested by the Kraeton Gestalt.

Niiat stood amongst the world and turned to Mustang and Lady Masaki.

"This is our power. We go from world to world, consuming all in our path for the sake of survival," the images changed to an epic battle between the warriors of a planet against millions upon millions of Kraeton. "Our basic units are called Asesinos. You will be seeing them the most on the battlefield. They are fast and made for running long distances. Asesinos fire a Napalmic Bile that eats away at armour and burns through flesh..." A tank landed from the air, skidding passed Mustang. An unholy roar resonated through the air as a gargantuan beast barreled through lines of infantry men, then turn and vomited a fiery blast from its mouth, incinerating the screaming masses.

"That is the Vastaetor, our walking basilica of destruction. They will aid you in removing infantry and vehicles al..." He was interrupted by the explosion of aircraft as millions of bat-like creatures swarmed the skies alongside organic fighter jets, reaping the flesh of millions of helpless people.

The illusion zoomed out into space as the massive fleets of the Kraetons were shown at full strength. Ships in the thousands were showering destructive spores filled with more daemonic creatures to slaughter the innocent.

The illusion faded as Niiat stood seriously. "We have what you need to secure a planet quickly and efficiently. We do not give up and will not quit until the job is a success. Failure is death and death is not an option for us. Trust me when I say your plants are the least of yours and the enemies' worries." His tone softened. He still wanted to show some form of respect. "Now that you have seen a small ounce of what we have to offer, what shall we do to assist you in your defense?"

Empress Masaki was horrified at what kind of 'allies' these things are and the fact that she is about to make a mistake herself. "I see. So that is what you wish to do."

Everyone in the room could feel the Empress' fury, especially after the visions of what this race will do. In a flash, the Empress' rose-tinted lightsaber was out. So was that of the ANBU and the Jedi in the room. Guards had their blasters out and were pointing at the newcomers. Outside the room, the Jedi Order prepared for a fight as alert after alert filtered through the Force and through normal channels. The Empress proclaims! "Not even I will wish the Empire a fate that you will inflict! It was a mistake to allow you here!"

I stood by my Empress' side, lightning crackling around my fingers as my blue blade pointed at Niiat. "It appears we are about to make another mistake. No more. Be gone, foul beast."

As the General prepared to snap his fingers and the tension became almost palpable, the Lady Masaki spoke. "What you will do to the Empire is an abomination. We will not allow you to do what you will. You who seek to destroy the innocent to sate your hunger...remove yourselves from this place!"

In space, the ships in orbit prepared to fire upon the so-called bug ships upon Admiral Pellaeon's order. Every weapon, every missile, every defense system was primed to fire and destroy.

It was clear now that the Ganoxans made a horrible mistake in allowing them to come. It was clear now that the Coredians will not tolerate a race such as this one to be an ally. Call us hypocrites if you will, but even we cannot abide by such evil.

Empress Masaki was horrified at what kind of 'allies' these things are and the fact that she is about to make a mistake herself. "I see. So that is what you wish to do."

Everyone in the room could feel the Empress' fury, especially after the visions of what this race will do. In a flash, the Empress' rose-tinted lightsaber was out. So was that of the ANBU and the Jedi in the room. Guards had their blasters out and were pointing at the newcomers. Outside the room, the Jedi Order prepared for a fight as alert after alert filtered through the Force and through normal channels. The Empress proclaims! "Not even I will wish the Empire a fate that you will inflict! It was a mistake to allow you here!"

I stood by my Empress' side, lightning crackling around my fingers as my blue blade pointed at Niiat. "It appears we are about to make another mistake. No more. Be gone, foul beast."

As the General prepared to snap his fingers and the tension became almost palpable, the Lady Masaki spoke. "What you will do to the Empire is an abomination. We will not allow you to do what you will. You who seek to destroy the innocent to sate your hunger...remove yourselves from this place!"

In space, the ships in orbit prepared to fire upon the so-called bug ships upon Admiral Pellaeon's order. Every weapon, every missile, every defense system was primed to fire and destroy.

It was clear now that the Ganoxans made a horrible mistake in allowing them to come. It was clear now that the Coredians will not tolerate a race such as this one to be an ally. Call us hypocrites if you will, but even we cannot abide by such evil.

Niiat stood quietly as the people around them prepared to fight him. He spoke, "Madam, calm yourself. I have come here in goodwill as a favour to Ganoxa. I have brought ships to help with your defense and offered protection for no cost. You see, we had made a deal with Ganoxa that if we helped them with protecting their refugees, they would help us claim worlds of the Empire. However," Niiat tensed up a bit at the general atmosphere of the room. "That deal has changed. See we do not have any need for their worlds, their people, their biomass. Nonetheless, I am here to fulfill my promise to Ganoxa for betrayal is for inferior beings. However, you dare threaten me when this very planet is in danger?"

Niiat continued, "Now I will not be taking these worlds nor civillians because I have no need of them. You may do what you will to these worlds and their people. If I had wanted to take planets I would have brought my entire fleet. I am only here to defend an ally. Once this war is over we will depart from yours and Ganoxa's civilizations and you will never have to hear from us again. We will never attack you and quite honestly, I would rather return to our home galaxy. Now let us be civil here. Your protection is important and we must focus on that." Niiat tried showing a peaceful gesture by calming his guards.

"If you wish, to make sure of my loyalty, I will allow you to attach any remote bomb on my person, that way if you feel as though I will betray you, all you have to do is push a button and well, I become just a pile of burned body parts."

OOC: This stalemate isn't going to get us anywhere. They aren't going to infect any planets; just provide infantry support for planetary battles and ship boarding. I just want to continue this RP on Ganoxa's side...well time for Quantum Mechanics class :)

P.S. Glad to see I am not the only fan of Full Metal Alchemist (my fav anime CW) and Pandarens (Is that you Asfaultum?) :)

"A fine tactic. I am sure it will help with Jurai." The Grand Admiral nodded.

The big Pandaren bear nodded, content that he was granted the possibility of keeping his fleet in Jurai, small as it may be. As he was on his way out, he observed the Kraeton gestalt entering and talking to the Coredian representatives. Having some rather powerfull capabilities, he nonetheless decided not to scan this new life-form, however tempting that may be, as it might be seen as an afront. He was startled by the display of distruction which the Kraeton mind visualized, not so much out of fear, more out of anger. "I will have to inform the Emperor of this... this... new abominable life-form. If we ever get knowledge of their location, a full-out eradication of their planets will be hotly debated in the council, I know that much..." he concluded in his thoughts, happy to see that the Coredians also seemed to be rather disturbed. "Nevertheless, this meeting has been blown out of the sky... if a giant space-dragon arrived at the meeting and offered it's alliance, I wouldn't be surprised... this is so unorganized, if an Imperial representative were present, he'd go straight back to that Vader guy and tell him to keep the heck out from Jurai for his personal safety..." Jet thought as he walked out from the meeting. "All I wanted was a clean battle... now I know why the council is so slow to form alliances, even during the most serious of threats." He stopped in his tracks as he was passing by an elf, who had been obviously watching the proceedings from a secure distance. "Well hello there! You must be from Mythrandir... I remember ambassador Lee Stormstout was recently dispatched to your homeworld on a diplomatic errand... any word from that yet?" he asked the young elf, in a hearty manner. After all, they might be allies by now... and better allies than the bunch of chaotics back there... they ought to join Chronosia for all their organizatory skills are worth, he thought to himself.

The Empress lowered her lightsaber into a vaguely nonthreatening position, but continued to watch him warily. I sighed, taking charge before it becomes a bloodbath. "We Coredians have become extremely paranoid as of late. The visions triggered an unfortunate but necessary response considering that your fellows seem to have an insatiable need to consume life, destroying the lives of millions in the process. Too many invasions, too many nations who's only goal is to conquer and enslave and destroy. And recent actions by our erstwhile allies has not helped matters in the least. We shall apologize for threatening you, but we cannot apologize for what naturally comes to us as you cannot apologize for what you must do. I will allow your suggestion that you assist in defending Jurai, but as soon as the battle ends, you make all haste away from Coredian space and never return. Assurances of loyalty seems to fall on deaf ears of late."

"We shall watch you most carefully. Overstep your bounds..." I didn't need to say any more. Though lightsabers were extinguished, there was no doubt that our position has been stated and there will be nothing more to discuss on the matter.

Adama's raptor took off carrying the previously and shortest exile in colonial history prince doran up to the ship. As the raptor landed, Admiral Adama walked to the CIC, prince in tow.

The crew was shocked, as his face was bruised, his fists bloodied. "What the hell happened." Coloniel Tigh asked.

"I will tell you about it later, signal Daneh, and order the fleet to jump to Mon Cal immediatly. Adama turned to prince Doran. You may signal your fleet to come with us, it will be safer to talk at moncal than here.

Moments later the colonial fleet vanished.

OOC: The invasion has begun. Please see The heart of the empire (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=539240)

The Empress lowered her lightsaber into a vaguely nonthreatening position, but continued to watch him warily. I sighed, taking charge before it becomes a bloodbath. "We Coredians have become extremely paranoid as of late. The visions triggered an unfortunate but necessary response considering that your fellows seem to have an insatiable need to consume life, destroying the lives of millions in the process. Too many invasions, too many nations who's only goal is to conquer and enslave and destroy. And recent actions by our erstwhile allies has not helped matters in the least. We shall apologize for threatening you, but we cannot apologize for what naturally comes to us as you cannot apologize for what you must do. I will allow your suggestion that you assist in defending Jurai, but as soon as the battle ends, you make all haste away from Coredian space and never return. Assurances of loyalty seems to fall on deaf ears of late."

"We shall watch you most carefully. Overstep your bounds..." I didn't need to say any more. Though lightsabers were extinguished, there was no doubt that our position has been stated and there will be nothing more to discuss on the matter.

"Understood," Niiat said solemnly. "We shall leave with the Ganoxans after this is done. And I promise that this world and any controlled by you will never be harmed by my hand." Niiat's wings opened and lay to his sides. Underneath were four arms, two had claws with an elongated scythe-like index finger. The second pair of arms looked like twin biocannons, each arm filled with some unknown glowing liquid. The tendrils from his back drew towards the Empress slowly with a holomap on it.

"This is the location of our worlds," Niiat said. "It is only fair that you know. Now we are indeed even and hopefully there can be some form of trust between us, even if it is uneasy. Now if you excuse me, I shall take my leave. We have a planet to defend. I wish you the best of luck Empress."

Niiat made his exit, watched over intently by everyone in the base. He entered his shuttle. For a brief moment, remenants of his humanity resurface into his thoughts after meeting with Mustang and Masaki. They are good people, he thought. It would be good to get to know these creatures.

NO!! His Kraeton side had taken control again. They are inferior and we need not worry about them after this. We are here for one reason and one reason only. Don't show weakness after all we've done!!

The shuttle lifted off back towards the battleship so that he may coordinate with the Ganoxans.

OOC Ill be moving over to the Invasion thread as well after this post.

"I thank you for this gift, my friend." The Admiral replied, going over the information. "Although some may be confused considering our own Ion Cannons have a different mechanism. Since they are beams of energy rather than bolts, I would say they shall be known as Ion Beamcannons. Might I suggest, though that you prepare to tow them at a moment's notice? We aren't going to stay at Jurai very much longer."

Rachel gazed at the Admiral, shocked and puzzled. "We aren't staying at Jurai? Did something change after your distress call? We were informed that you were making a stand here and you needed all the ships that could be spared in order to save this planet? Forgive me, but we weren't informed about this and we don't like being deceived. As for what you name them, that is up to you." Her face took on a disappointed tone. "I am afraid we didn't bring any towing ships with us, so unless you have something to tow them, I will be forced to keep them in their packed boxes on my ships."

Rachel gazed at the Admiral, shocked and puzzled. "We aren't staying at Jurai? Did something change after your distress call? We were informed that you were making a stand here and you needed all the ships that could be spared in order to save this planet? Forgive me, but we weren't informed about this and we don't like being deceived. As for what you name them, that is up to you." Her face took on a disappointed tone. "I am afraid we didn't bring any towing ships with us, so unless you have something to tow them, I will be forced to keep them in their packed boxes on my ships."
"My apologies, my dear. I thought you were informed. Yes, we will leave Jurai soon. Deploy them anyway. We have more than enough tow ships for them." The Admiral said. "We haven't brought the entire tugship fleet into Jurai for nothing."

OOC: hearby exiting this thread... will post in Heart of the Empire thread...