NationStates Jolt Archive

" What is going to happen now?!" A woman screams in a crowd.

" We have no leadership now!" another man yells.

The plaza in the CIS capital city of New Munich had become filled with thousands of people in the past hour. They watched the new ticker as the news of the Hueco Mundo Crisis broke.

Breaking News, we have just been informed that the CIS Supreme Viceroy and ruleing council have been assassinated by Hueco rebels. The Vicroy and the council were on a trip to tour reconstruction of the planets main city from the failed rebellion five years ago. His party had just arived at the city hall where the rebellion leaders had decleared their independence from the CIS. As he started to give his speech about the need for reconciliation a bomb exploded that was planted underground.

With the head of the CIS goverment dead and the ruleing council dead along with him the goverment is at a crossroads at what to do. A press confrence is set to start in a short time where the trade guilds will announce their plans to deal with this crisis.

This did little to calm the people for they had long feared the military takeing over. And now without a leadership it looked as if the military might step in claiming they will save the day and stablized the nation. Most would see threw that lie and some even wondered if the military might have played a roll in this. Then the holo ticker came on agian

The Trade Guilds of the CIS have announced they are calling a meeting of all guilds and unions of the CIS to reorganize the CIS goverment in the wake of this crisis. It is being called The First Trade Union Congress. It is unknown at this time what will happen during this meeting under the name of goverment reorganization, but its clear major changes are in our future. We will keep you up to date

Along with these announcements the following was sent to GFFA command.

As you can see the CIS is in chaos and the threat of a military coup is very real. They would love to make their move while the First Trade Union Congress is in session. All those leaders who could put up any real fight to their coup will all be gathered there. Thus i ask you to send peacekeepers under the GFFA banner. This is a request from what is left of the CIS goverment. We would also ask you send your press to cover this story. With so many press and peacekeepers from the GFFA the military will have no choice but to back down. Concessions will have to be made to them in the end to keep the peace down the road but its now that i worry about.

The message ended signed by Eric Krupp

ooc:bump

OCC: Could one of my Saturn-V sized rockets with a few machines on board bump into your planet?

tagged for participation.

News of the crisis reached Los Angeles. It was clearly going to be a tenous situation, especially since this represented instability that threatened a fellow GFFA member. Constitutional conventions were always tricky business, and even MacIntyre knew his reform program had at times been met with opposition, though admittedly of a more backroom nature.

He looked at the roster of ships....and made his choice.
------------------------------
NDBC News

"New Dornalia's Number One Independent News Source

MacIntyre Authorizes Peacekeeping Force to Assist CIS

Los Angeles, California--Today, Premier MacIntyre announced today that after a meeting with top level advisors from the Joint Revolutionary Command and Control Center and members of the People's Congress, he has authorized the deployment of New Dornalian troops to act as a peacekeeping force in the CIS in order to contain a growing political crisis there. A vote in the People's Congress is expected to be held to finalize the matter, but until then the Premier has announced a preliminary deployment.

Commenting on why he has elected to do this, MacIntyre replied, "The Confederacy is a fellow GFFA member, and as such, they can be expected to recieve our assistance when they need it. In this case, we are moving to prevent the threat of domestic insurgency from either secessionists or other seditious elements from threatening the stability of their state at a critical juncture. They are calling a constitutional convention, and they need to be able to make reforms and set up a new, viable government without the threat of some would-be caudillo trying to sieze power for himself. That is why we're intervening."

The force is expected to be deployed to New Munich within days, and is rumored to have among it a formidable new vessel which will serve as the flagship for the operation."

To: Trade Union Congress; Eric Krupp
Cc: Galactic Federation of Free Alliances
From: Tidani High Command
Re: Hueco Mundo Crisis

In response to the CIS request for peacekeepers during the time of transition between government leadership, Tidan has dispatched 75,000 peacekeepers to arrive at New Munich in the coming weeks. The force, support craft, and escorts will be arriving soon and we request that preperations be made for their arrival and the execution of their mission.

Anthem class Flagship Foundations of the World, Several Days Outside CIS Space

Brian Ambersky walked slowly down the hallway toward the bridge. In front of him hovered a small sphere with one large circular lens occupying most of the hemisphere. As he walked forward the orb continued to hover at a fixed distance and smoothly avoided obsticles behind it. They waited at the doors to the bridge as Brian finished his thought.

"Clearly the objectives for the mission at this point are intentionally vague. The peacekeeping force is a preventionary measure requested by the CIS government remnant to keep the civilian population safe and calm until the time of instability is ended. We do expect the parameters of the mission to be more clearly defined when boots hit the ground and the needs of the situation become more understood. Cut."

The metal orbital's lens faded from a warm red to cold blue as it stopped its recording.

"Alright that was good. Now I want you to get some wide shots of the bridge and the crew working before I talk to the Admiral. Ok, OAC?"

The orbital autonomous camera responded affirmatively in its lifeless voice.

Brian hit the release to open the bridge door and stepped out on to the command platform. Around him the bridge crew of the Foundations of the World worked in the sunken terminal area around the walls of the room. The orbital camera broke away and drifted around the room looking at the crew and the ship. Of course all the terminal displays would have to be blurred for broadcast. When it had finished its arc, it returned to its position around Brian.

Fleet Admiral Kailee Torrec turned from her work at the front of the command platform which extended out over the work deck from the entrance out to the viewscreens and windows.

"Mr. Ambersky, welcome to the bridge. What can I help you with?"

Despite her obvious annoyance at having reporters wandering around her ship freely, she appeared to have overcome the natural frustration and dealt with him quite pleasantly.

Brian was used to the military and ignored what reservations she might have about his presence as typical paranoia and got down to business.

"I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the mission and your role as leader?"

She nodded.

"I will answer to the best of my ability while protecting the safety of my men, of course."

Brian understood what she meant but continued.

"What do you expect our forces to encounter when they arrive on New Munich?"

"Well, as the Royal Office has stated with the support of the Clanlords, this mission is primarily a show of force. The CIS government fears that with the power vacuum created by the assassination of the leadership by rebel forces, either the rebels or military will make a move for power. We will provide a neutral and independent means of protecting the populus until the government has had time to recover, and thus remove any legitimate claims the military might have to stage a coup. We are looking at mostly keeping the population safe and preventing riots."

"So you don't think that either the rebels or military might act regarless of your presence, or perhaps in response to it?"

"It is a scenario we are prepared for, but not a likely one at this time?"

"Ok, moving on. What about your role Admiral? Will you be in direct control over the forces on the mission?"

"I will leave direct control over the ground and space forces to their respected command structure. That said, I represent the High Command on this action and will be overseeing all forces as well as dealing with allied forces."

As she finished the COM indicated an incomming message. She turned to read the text and then turned back to Brian.

"Sorry, something has come up that I'll have to attend to. I'll have to end the interview here."

"Right. Thank you Admiral. Cut."

With all that was happening within the Abh Empire, the call for aid from one of the Galactic Federation's newest members was not entirely welcomed. As one of the founding members within the GFFA, the Abh had built up a reputation of coming to the aid of its fellow members even when no one else would. Ignoring the call now would tarnish such a record.

Gaf'ton was occupied with his own planning sessions for future campaigns but did have a chance to look over the report on the situation with CIS and its Trade Union. One ship and a fighter escort would be enough for this job. That and he wanted his newest creation to get a work out which was why Estas and the few Imperial Marines fully ready for combat were taken away from the constant training and put on a troop transport ship bound for the border. It was time for the Captain to be put to the test and this seemed like as good an opportunity as any.

So it was along with the one Paryunu destroyer and its full arsenal of Gunstars as support that Captain Estas found himself sitting in a transport ship along with a full squad of marines headed for New Munich. Inside the transport they held every new piece of equipment within the Star Forces arsenal that was allocated for the Imperial Marines. Right now, the elf merely needed the comforting feel of his chainsword resting at his side. If they got close enough to kill him, he'd be close enough to use this.

Admiral Shoemaker looked at his watch, and breathed in that new ship smell. Looking around at his surroundings, he felt proud of his new baby. It was a worthy successor to his old vessel, the Warmaster St. Ushankov, which was being decommissioned as he spoke. The bridge was clean, the bridge was big, and the command interfaces sparkled like a bishonen's eye. He sat down in the captain's chair, taking everything in. It wasn't exactly new, he was commanding this ship since its first testing phases in the Kuiper Belt around Farrellsgrad and those infamous live fire tests that put him and his crew on edge. But hey, that was it. You had to do what you had to.

Still, the idea of taking a new battleship--well, more like a superbattleship--to a mere peacekeeping job seemed rather excessive. But, MacIntyre wanted to demonstrate the potency of the Dornalian state, and put it on display for the first time. So, the For Those About To Rock was given its first task. Carry a force of 10,000 New Dornalian Marines and 50,000 Army infantry, with full equipment and two Mao Zedong Mark III ships, to New Munich to help keep the peace in the area. They were given orders not to shoot back unless they were shot at, and otherwise just try to scare the hell out of the people that would try and distrupt the Congress, as it were.

So with that, Scott turned to his XO, Captain O'Higgins, and replied, "Captain, what's our status?"

O'Higgins replied, "All units are ready sir."

Smiling, Shoemaker said, "Take our detachment out."

Nodding, he cried out, "All units, prepare for jump to New Munich!"

With that, the mighty FTL drives roared to life, etherial energies seeming to bend and coax reality around them as the crews went to work, and thus sent the ships on their way.

"How ironic that I would send a Star Destroyer to the CIS and not get shot for it." I said as I cut orders for the Hellfire task force to make way for the CIS capital as a show of force to ensure that new elections in the CIS will go smoothly. I then suggested to Master Elendil to pull up a roster of Jedi teams in order to pick the one best suited to negotiate a settlement as well assist in holding up any government if need be. Needless to say, Jedi Master Cody Quortan and his apprentice Niklas Tomas would once again be called upon to be the Jedi who will help put things right. They've had a good track record of late.

=====

GNN Breaking News!

"Hi! I'm Terry Williams, bringing you up-to-date news from around the galaxy. Today, the High Council has announced that it will be sending the Star Destroyer Hellfire to the CIS to assist in ensuring that a smooth transition into a new government occurs. This is just after a deadly assassination has killed the Viceroy and his ruling cabinet, potentially destabilizing a key GFFA ally and causing more headaches for poor Field Marshal Masaki. There are many questions and pointing of fingers today as investigations get underway by CIS authorities as to whodunit, but one thing is for sure: it's a very important time for the GFFA as it moves to ensure that its ally is stabilized. I will be with you around the clock, bringing you up-to-date news from the Confederacy and around the galaxy. This is GNN Breaking News, with your host Terry Williams!"

Edge of CIS Space

Foundations of the World and her fleet had reached the border and continued on without pause. A short quick message informing the CIS of their presence was sent, but they had been invited and had no intention of wasting time with pleasantries and formalities now.

Along side the Foundations were two more Anthem class Light Cruisers: Heir Apparent and On High. There was usually one assigned to each Island class Battlecarrier in a situation like this. There was a good chance that they would be spread out over different worlds and each Anthem acted as the command center for the Island, its ground forces, and its escorts. If the fleet did seperate then each Anthem would take command in the absence of Fleet Admiral Torrec's Flagship.

As was implied three of Tidan's massive Island class Battlecarriers were among the fleet's numbers. Razor Edge, Dragon Scales, and White Horse had been dispatched from the Thrid Fleet Group each heavy laden with 25,000 Marines and all they would need for an extended tour. What they could not carry would be replenished by transports as the mission extended.

These six ships were quite capable of executing the mission given themselves, however, in an unstable situation often peacekeepers can be seen as an easy target to hurt a hated or controversial enemy. Tidan had resolved to prevent such a disaster and so had sent with each Island their full complement of assigned escorts. This included 12 Stellar cruisers, 20 Serpent destroyers, and 40 Avalon frigates along with all the Comet fighters carried with them. This brought the Tidani presence up to 78 ships, obvious overkill but hopefully a force large enough to discourage any tempted by a concentration of GFFA personnel in one place.

They continued to make full speed for New Munich. When they were within a day's distance another message was sent requesting instructions for their impending arrival.

To: Trade Union Congress; Eric Krupp
From: Tidani Flagship Foundations of the World
Re: Hueco Mundo Crisis, Arrival

This is Fleet Admiral Kailee Torrec in command of the Tidani forces under the GFFA Peacekeeping banner. As I'm sure you are aware we will shortly be arriving in your system. I'd like to request clearance as well as deployment directions so that we may begin operations as quickly as possible.

In addition to Tidani, Abh, Coredian, and New Dornalian forces, the Galactic Defense Initiative also sent a force to aid in peace-keeping efforts. However, preparations for the coming conflict with the GE at Jurai kept them from sending too many. A single Panther-class Battlecruiser, the GDIS Warcry, entered the system via a Tanhausser gate, positron particles glittering around the entry point of the large ship. Although one of the mediumclasses by GDI standards, it was larger than most ships. And due to the high quality construction of their ships and how their space tactics are written, this ship alone could take on and do heavy damage to a large fleet.


It was one of the newer classes, having been designed during the twilight of the Fourth Tiberium War, as short as it was. A large ship, it had meter upon meter of thick, titanium armor that was enhanced with nanobots that repaired the ships over time, as well as softened the damage of kinetic weaponry. The metal was energy-hardened, giving somewhat of a defense against energy weaponry as well. To add onto this armor were the ablative armor arrays that could be deployed in battle. This made this ship capable of fighting even with most of its armor destroyed. It's weaponry bristled all over the ship; railguns, missile arrays, Ion Blasters, they all jutted out from the hull, ready to bring swift doom to any who opposed them. The battlecruisers were designed to hold and power an Ion Cannon weapon but they didn't have time to install an Ion Cannon in the newly built battlecruisers, so they would have to wait until they could be refitted.

So, it was a show of force all by itself. Aboard were 20,000 soldiers, along with two Armored Divisions, the 34th and 73rd, who would be deployed alongside the others.


A message was sent as they arrived.

This is the GDI battlecruiser Warcry. We have arrived to do our part as part of the GFFA peacekeeping mission. I would like to request permission to enter orbit as well as to ask where my forces would be best put to use.

Captain Makoto Ichigo watched the starlines revert to hyperspace with a practiced eye. His crew immediately noticed that the other members of the GFFA have arrived at about the same time he did. Well, at least if the brown fecal matter hit the rotary device, at least his Star Destroyer won't be alone.

"Ready to make our entry into New Munich space Captain."

Sobach straigthened at her Chief of Staff's announcement. The Abh woman spied her battle layout tactical map. It appeared to be quite the gathering already assembling. Well it looks like the Abh would be fashionablly late. "Bring us in Senior Aviator but keep our distance from the rest of the pack. Communications, establish link with all allied ships and I want our Gunstars all accounted for when we hit normal space."

"Aye ma'am."

A tear in the veil of space opened up as a gate into hyperspace formed pouring out a thousand Gunstars. Last of all glided one of the mammoth Paryunu destroyers in the midst of its escort and a troop transport ship supply the Imperial Marines of the Abh Empire. The alert went out to the transporter that they had arrived in CIS territory. It was time to make ready for war. All troops were to gear up and prepare for assignments.

Orbit of New Munich

Indeed things were getting crowded in the sky above New Munich. Things were about to get even more crowded as the Tidani fleet finally entered orbit and joined the allied forces assembled. So far they were still waiting on a response from the First Trade Union Congress, it was possible they were still heavily involved in the tense process of organizing. Another possibility was that something had already happened.

Either way, Tidan decided to find out.

New Munich

In the sky above the city four Pelicans and an Albatross made the descent from the Razor Edge high above.

On board the lead Pelican General Kygn stood out of his seat hanging onto one of the support rails. The Patriarch had been asked to lead the ground forces personally, and had been given a full command rank. He stood at the edge of the deck as they flew over the city, below him the great metropolis stretched out and buildings raced past them. Kygn was fully dressed in his KEEP armor, a grey cloak whipped in the breeze and clung tightly to his back and leg as it tried to escape the craft. His armor was very plain compared to others in the Order as he had used most of his customization allowance to increase the protection of the suit. There was little variation from the dull metallic grey with the exception of some very stylized blue highlighs where extra plating was added to the armor. Kygn was a large man though, and his strong frame fit the increased bulk well. It had been his way for a very long time, and the whethered armor testified to that.

As he continued to watch the city below his helmet filled with the voice of the pilot.

<General, there is no place to land directly around the Congress. We are going to double back a little to a large and empty square or parking area we passed. We will drop you there and then it will be about five blocks to the building.>

"Thank you, Firebird."

Behind him 11 Marines filled the other seats, dressed up in their black body armor. He gave them a silent nod and they got up and took their equipment from the secure lockers above their heads.

A few minutes later they had arrived at the large cleared area. The Pelican hovered and the passengers waited as the pilot released the LTT Warthog hanging from the back of the dropship. It hit the ground with a soft bounce and then they moved forward so the troops could exit.

General Kygn dropped to the ground and walked to the passenger seat of the Warthog. Around him the three other Pelicans were mirroring "Firebird". When they finished they made some room and the Albatross came in to land. It came to rest with incredible grace for a multiple ton flying brick loaded down with equipment. The doors of the cargo tray lowered showing the four LTT Warthogs it had stowed. Half the troops from each Pelican ran over to them and loaded up.

"Foundations of the World, this is General Kygn. My team is on the ground and on our way to the Congress."

Kygn then cut his uplink and returned to the ground ops COM.

"Firebird, escort us in. Once we are inside and have a perimeter you can head up for refuel. Don't go too far though, we may need to leave in a hurry."

<Roger that, General. Consider us your personal guardian angels.>

The eight Warthogs rolled out, heading for the Congress. They were hoping to only find overwhelmed politicians.

To: Trade Union Congress; Eric Krupp
From: Tidani Flagship Foundations of the World
Re: Hueco Mundo Crisis, Arrival

This is Fleet Admiral Kailee Torrec in command of the Tidani forces under the GFFA Peacekeeping banner. As I'm sure you are aware we will shortly be arriving in your system. I'd like to request clearance as well as deployment directions so that we may begin operations as quickly as possible.

Eric Krupp took a hour befor responding to the message from the GFFA forces ariveing. His convoy had come under attack on its way from his home outside the city to the Convention Center where the Congress would be held in two days.

To: GFFA Forces
From: Eric Krupp
Re: Arrival

I am glad to hear of the arrival of GFFA forces. Communcations have been limited since we last spoke. The Goverment is now all but shut down as many Droids have been recalled to their bases and the people afraid to come to work for fear of a Coup.

Our forces and police forces have kept the peace on most of our other worlds save for Hueco Mundo which is under our controle in name only but a force is on its way now to try and keep the peace. New Munich however is my greatest worry. The military and Trade Federations HQ's are both outside the city itself. We need most forces to be set up outside the convention center compound and threw out the city itself.

Your heavy Equipment if you have brought any needs to be outside the city guarding the road that the Trade Federation Viceroy will take every day to the convintion center. I fear if the military were to make a move it would start with killing him. Same with the rebels i fear he would be their main target. I will be staying in the compound untell the goverment can be reformed. The Congress will start in two days and could last for one to two weeks. Agian i must thank you for comeing to our aid.

The communcation ended as a voice spoke " So they came to their allies aid after all. I am shocked you of all people called them. We could have saved ourselfs alot of trouble if we had cut off all communcations and dealt with things my way."

Krupp looked out the window with little emotion

" Doing it that way would have made us out as a outside force that had seized controle, kenpachi. It would have given the Trade Federation the ability to call themselfs the legitmet goverment of the CIS and called in the GFFA dogs. Dont worry i have this little play worked out. Every actor will have a importent role to play in this, isnt that right my love?"

A woman opened the door smileing " Sorry i didnt mean to easedrop."

She was none other then Jaina Mersa the leader of the Hueco Mundo rebels

Krupp interupted " Nonesense my love, after all it was your commrads who killed the leadership in Act I of my little play."

Jaina noded " Yes Act IV will be ready in three days time as your wished."

Krupp stands up putting his hands togather showing his joy in this news.

" Very good we must make the Trade Federation our villian in this play. So that by day four of the congress when i call for all Guilds and Unions to be merged into one they will applaud me as the hero. And with so much press around the other natios will applaud it aswell"

" So THATS why you wished for the press to come" Kenpachi said

" Ofcourse that way we win the hearts and minds of those in the GFFA and thus avoiding any objections that have any teeth behind them."

Krupp walked over kissing Jaina and turned to Kenpachi.

" Befor i leave i want to make sure you know your role in this. Act VI fully depends on you and the Trade Federation upriseing."

Kenpachi smiles sadisticly " Dont worry i will make it bloody enough if thats what you mean."

The three then went their sepret ways haveing much to do.

A Shipyard in orbit Hueco Mundo

Many of Jainas rebels were busy filling fifthteen large Trade Federation Refugess transports with the goodys needed for act IV. The transports hulls were made to make to out false sensor reading of what was inside. But to be on the safe side thousands of Refugees loyal to the CIS goverment would be tricked onto the vessles thinking they were real Trade Federation transport ships. They would then leave for New Munich and arrive on the in three days.

They were many Hallows aiding in the loading of these ships. The hallows were a race that lived on Hueco Mundo. Little was known about them to outsiders and many didnt even know about them at all.

[The events in this post take place the day after the Reformed CIS requested peacekeepers]

In a generic conference room in a small government administrative building in Olink, Yătzĭl Ąmsi sits across from his fellow Triumvirs. They have not had a permanent meeting place since the Mirfakan State government kicked them out of Jin Rin's Government Square four months ago. Now finally they have established a Federal administrative zone and capital. The High Court has commandeered a district courthouse in which to do its business in the meantime, but until the necessary buildings are constructed, the Triumvirate and its massive staff have been forced to work out of whatever public offices are available, which is invariably not nearly enough. Though the responsibilities of the central government have been greatly reduced by the new Constitution, chronic problems of coordination and space have been and will continue to be the rule until construction of new government buildings and communications infrastructure are in place.

The elderly Triumvir props his cane against the table, peering at the other two. Ąmsi has aged much in the last decade; his stroke was the beginning, then a heart attack. Now his head is nearly bald, a few strands of gray hair obtrusively protruding from the top of his head. The right side of his face droops noticeably, a side effect of the stroke. The once muscular man now walks slightly hunched over, his muscles atrophied as his activity has declined along with his health. Despite his sickly appearance, Yătzĭl's indomitable spirit and fiery temper have been little affected by his physical weakness, and he commands great respect from his colleagues and the public. Increasingly though, it is becoming clear that the First Triumvir is a man past his prime, and it has been widely speculated that retirement is not long off for the 45-year veteran of the Triumvirate.

Second Triumvir Teanin Kisnash, the Man Without a State as he's become known by some since declining to declare citizenship of either Mirfak or Trasnia after the federation, is getting on in years himself. The mon calamari is quiet and thoughtful, but is better known for his frequent role as the link between the Triumvirate and the people of Xanthal, often relying on public opinion to guide his vote and delivering news of major decisions personally. He's the only non-human on the Triumvirate now, which makes him stand out despite the fact his appearance is average in almost every way for one of his species. His greatly exaggerated facial features make him appear quite out of place alongside his fellow Triumvirs, but there is no denying his populist appeal or the wise, moderate style of leadership that allowed him to hold an office that had previously switched hands in three consecutive elections. These meetings have gotten markedly more intense since Oishi resigned, often leaving him in the position of referee. He handles the responsibility well, though he misses the more dignified proceedings.

Of the three, Carrie Anders is by far the junior in terms of age and time in the office. Having replaced longtime Triumvir Eiko Oishi just a few months before, she is only now beginning to get comfortable in her new position. At forty-six standard years of age she has already served two decades in public office, but this is her first time in the executive branch of the central government. Anders is the bright-eyed newcomer to the Triumvirate, and to many she represents the start of a new era; the first in a new breed of libertarian, progressive, internationally active executives that will replace the conservative old guard. While the energetic, slim, short-statured blonde is a symbol of progress and hope for some, many of the older politicians regard her as a dangerously naive newcomer, an idealistic appointee that threatens Xanthal's safety by sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. She has a strong sympathizer in Kisnash, but building a successful working relationship with Ąmsi has been more difficult.

"I would like to discuss the Hueco Mundo issue first," Ąmsi opens, the translation from Mirfakan provided by an apparatus clipped to his collar. Yătzĭl has long been the only Triumvir who cannot speak English. Since the official language of the central government was set as English shortly after the new Constitution went into effect, that fact has become much more conspicuous.

Both he and Kisnash look to Anders for the response. Kisnash isn't usually picky about the agenda, so if any objections are forthcoming, they're likely to come from Carrie. She shrugs, raising her hands in an indifferent gesture. "Why not?"

Taking the initiative to start the discussion on a moderate note, Kisnash is first to speak to the subject matter. "We've all read the brief. It is a peacekeeping operation. If it's not carried out, there's a good chance the military will take control. The information we have on the power structure in the Confederacy of Independent Systems indicates a military coup would lead directly to stratocracy or military dictatorship, and that regime would probably be even more oppressive of the people of the CIS than the Trade Guilds have been."

"I'm not eager to play the lesser of two evils game," Anders says, squinting a bit, as is her habit when thinking intently on something. "The people are going to be worse off either way if public order breaks down. Minimal risk to soldiers; these people aren't armed and we'd have the support of the government, for what it's worth. This is a humanitarian issue, not a political one."

"That's nonsense," Ąmsi retorts grumpily, shifting his weight to relieve some of the discomfort in his back. "You said that a drive towards democracy should guide our policy with the CIS, now you want to prop up the capitalist dictatorship in the name of humanity. Since when has the Party Internationale believed there was anything humanitarian about market economies or autocracy?"

"What I'm saying," Anders shoots back, grinning a little, "is since there's no foundation to build a democracy upon in the CIS right now without going to war, a war we'd probably lose anyway, we can get a foothold in the country by sending peacekeepers."

Teanin interrupts them with a polite yet firm motion not unlike a schoolboy raising hand to ask a question of his professor. "Can we though? Looking at the current state of affairs there's no reason to believe this will give us any real influence." He looks into Carrie's eyes. "You know I'm concerned about the people of the CIS too, but you need to think about where public support is coming from in our own country. Not even the liberals are sold on the idea of foreign interventionism. We can't justify putting Xanthalians in harm's way with purely altruistic motives. I am sorry, but Xanthal barely even trades with the CIS. We have no interests there."

"You'll feel differently if the military takes over and starts pushing the borders of countries we do have 'interests' in," Anders points out. "The GFFA should be ashamed it's associating with the status quo in the CIS, I agree, but as bad as the Viceroy was, there're even more ruthless, power-hungry people in the military command. Anyway, are we really so morally bankrupt that we need an economic excuse to do the right thing?"

"What exactly is 'the right thing,' Anders?" Yătzĭl challenges her, wheezing a bit as he leans forward to close the distance between them.

"Well, it's certainly not to let the people endure anarchy and a subsequent brutal crackdown to restore order," she replies.

Before Ąmsi has a chance to respond, Kisnash cuts in again. "The GFFA has already pledged over one hundred thousand troops. Do we have any idea how much support the Trade Unions, Guilds, excuse me, need?"

"No official word, but we're talking a population of over five hundred million. If things are as bad as they're made out to be, they'll probably need five hundred thousand reliable peacekeepers at least."

"I assume the country has some of its own. It is a dictatorship, after all."

"Yeah, I have no idea how many, though."

"Vote: do we intervene in the Commonwealth of Independent Systems?" Ąmsi calls.

"Stay," Kisnash replies.

"Sure, I'm not in a hurry," Anders assents. "What is it?"

"Besides the fact I would prefer to have more information before making a decision, I want to hear what exactly it is you want to accomplish by military involvement in the CIS situation."

"If we can put on a positive front for the people there, we might increase support for democracy."

"That's stupid. What impression do you expect our soldiers to make if they are there to support an autocratic regime?"

"Right, well… yielded. Still, if we can save them some suffering, knowing damn well they're probably going to fall back under dictatorship either way, we've done a good deed. Plus, the Trade Guilds have a vested interest in peace. Peace is profit with minimal risk. If anything the military will benefit from war. Don't we have enough problems with belligerent allies as it is?"

"The Trade Guilds are all but declared enemies of both factions of Force users. I would hardly call them peaceful, whether peace is in their interest or not."

"They are boneheads. Their government is broken, their society is broken; the only thing that remotely works is their economy, and they are being punished for their greed. If we must intervene, it should be after the state collapses. Then maybe we can at least liberate one or two planets from the kleptocrats before their army consolidates power."

"Explain to me how that could possibly not be offensive action."

"Vote: do we send peacekeepers to the CIS?" Kisnash calls.

"No," Ąmsi replies.

"Overruled," Anders crosses her arms.

"Oppose," Ąmsi glares at her.

"Favor," Kisnash says modestly.

"Favor," Anders confirms, meeting the First Triumvir's eyes with a frustrated expression that poorly disguises her smugness. "You bring out the worst in me, you know that?"

"So how many do we send, exactly? If you say four hundred thousand, you have my resignation."

"I call for a stay on the matter for now. I want to hear what the Trade Guilds want from us before we start working the numbers."

"Favor."

"Triumvir Anders, will you get that information?"

"Yeah," Carrie agrees, typing a short note on her datapad.

Yătzĭl wastes no time moving on. "Next issue, supplementary funding for the mass driver project…"

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

Text message
Via XT-1437703, XT-639194, XT-51807, The Reformed CIS
Open
Origin: Xanthalian Ministry of Transportation Office 3026
Destination: Eric Krupp - The Reformed CIS
--------------------------------------------------------

The Triumvirate of the Federated Democratic States of Xanthal requests additional information regarding your request for peacekeepers. How many do you require and where should they be deployed if sent?

Hiroji Ushiba
Officer of the Triumvirate
Federated Democratic States of Xanthal

"Message received from the government ma'am. They are requesting our heavy support be brought down outside their city's main artery."

Sobach rose from her chair which promptly folded into the command deck. The holographic map intensified bringing up full battle plans. "Inform Captain Estas that his team is cleared to begin exercises at his ready."

The Abh woman walked back smiling ironically. Not often did the Abh even bother with ground affairs. "I hope these fools realize what they have asked for."

"What was that ma'am?"

Sobach shook her head. "It was nothing. I was just thinking aloud."

In one of the main troop transports, Captain Estas rose up to his full stature when he heard the call go over the intercom that his team was cleared for launch. The elf grinned as he picked up his chainsword and strapped it to his back. His heavy armored practically sang as he walked and the eight headed dragon of Gaftonosh, emblazened on his breast, glared at his marine counterparts. Armor and supplies were already to roll out.

The battle captain hopped into one of the drop ships and grappled onto one of the seats before locking himself in. Quickly following was the near weightlessness as the ship plummeted straight down towards the surface of the planet burning up the atmosphere. They were not alone as the skies filled with the Imperial Marines' dropships and their support.

New Munich

With directions finally coming from the CIS authorities, and reports of rebels engaging government forces, the Tidani forces sprung into action. Quickly communication frequencies, air lanes, patrol routes, and control zones were sorted out amongst the Allied Forces. Then the Battlecarriers and their support craft set about their work. The sky above New Munich soon filled with endless roar of Pelicans, Albatrosses, and Transports launching to the surface and back.

City Center

General Kygn had arrived at the convention compound and while his men began to secure a perimeter around the building, he headed inside to find Eric Krupp or someone in charge and get a first hand account of what was going on. More marines were dropped into the area and began to assemble at the General's location. They brought in weapons cashes, heavy weapons, combat role Warthogs, a few Wolverine mobile AA platforms, and even a couple Scorpions.

Around the rest of the city buildings were converted to HQs and checkpoints set up to help ensure the rebels couldn't get their weapons into the city or from one area to the other. If it was at all possible for the people of New Munich to get back to their daily lives for the next few weeks, the marines were going to do all they could to ensure they were safe.

Highway

On the main highway from the city center to the bases outside a flight of about eight Albatross heavy dropships set down alongside the Abh Forces. From the ships six Scorpion MBTs and ten Wolverine AA tanks deployed to help secure the major transportation artery.

City Airspace

Outside the city a number of supply and air bases were being set up and heavily guarded as they would be the main sources of supplies for the ground troops in the days to come. They were also the home bases for many of Tidan's Sparrowhawk and Stormcrow squadrons who's job would be to keep the airspace above the marines and citizens in the city clear in the event of an attack from any faction. As the bases came online and filled with supplies the sounds of Stormcrow fighters high above and Sparrowhawk gunships patroling above the streets would become very familiar.

Light shone through the portal as Estas's dropship opened up. As he stepped out into the chaotic world that was crumbling, he witnessed the beautiful order that was his military. Phantom tanks were rolling out of their transports and setting up position along the routes into the city. Astartes were busy constructing defensive turrets while his soldiers established links with the fleet in space as well as tapping into the communications on the planet. If they were to defend this city, then they would need to know the business of life here. Whether that would be appreciated, was an entirely different matter.

The ear piece resting in Estas's pointy ears crackled with static then silenced as he was finally established in the links. The Rear-admiral, his men, and a link to communications on the ground was now flowing through his ear. Already the first phase of his operation was well underway and it was only a matter of time before they would start halting traffic to check them for weapons and anything lethal. His fully armor clad marines were equipped with scanners to pick up traces energy particles used in weaponry as well as chemicals in explosives.

Next was to bring down the second wave of their support. "Clear for Raptors." Estas's call quickly switched to an armored division. "I want an air pad ready and secured in five minutes. We have birds in bound."

The Raptors were not unlike the same air vehicles that the D'Harans used. Still equipped with tactical nukes and rail cannons but also had a bit more fighter mobility than what the D'Harans had employed.

From one of the dropships, a dreadnought awoke from its slumber. Its mechanical voice booming as it took its first steps towards its post. "At last, to war."

"So, Master Jedi. May I presume you'll be along presently?" Captain Makoto asked Master Quortan.

"Yes. My apprentice and I will be taking the Colonel and his troops. Two thousand crack Marines should suffice, along with a squadron of Cougars and Timberwolves."

"What mechs will you use?"

"Hmm. We have eight combat Zoids and two support Zoids. Four König Wolves, two Velociraptors, and two Ligers, of which my apprentice and I will use. The support Zoids are Gordos - Stegasaur types."

"Very well. Bring them down with you." The Captain said. "The Zoids should be able to outmatch anything the CIS could throw at you should things degenerate into civil war."

"As ordered." The Jedi Master nodded.

Soon enough, the dropships containing the Marines and Mechanized Forces were sent down to the GFFA-held zones, along with Master Quortan and his apprentice Niklas. The Star Destroyer and its support ships then went to Defcon 2, watching carefully for any untoward ship.

Text message
Via XT-1437703, XT-639194, XT-51807, The Reformed CIS
Open
Origin: Xanthalian Ministry of Transportation Office 3026
Destination: Eric Krupp - The Reformed CIS
--------------------------------------------------------

The Triumvirate of the Federated Democratic States of Xanthal requests additional information regarding your request for peacekeepers. How many do you require and where should they be deployed if sent?

Hiroji Ushiba
Officer of the Triumvirate
Federated Democratic States of Xanthal



The message from Xanthal was quickly replyed to be one of Eric Krupps trusted advisors

From: CIS Provisonal Goverment
To: Xanthal

At this time we feel another fourty thousand aditional peacekeepers would be of great use to us.

Eric Krupp exited his command center near the convention center to watch as the first of the GFFA forces landed to let up. This would be the first time anyone would get to see his face and not just his voice. He was a young man in his mid tweentys. He had served in the military as a Viceroy for the planet of New Geonosis and Hueco Mundo in the past. He was a star of the Syndicist movement in the Confedracy.

" Ah General Kygn i pressume?" Krupp said in a very polite manner approuching the General.


Thirty Kilometers from the Viceroys route into the city

A few thousand milita were setting up for a attack in three days. They were part of janias rebels and would be used as pawns. They would have the support of Hacked Droid units of the 3rd Droid Armored Divison and 12th Droid Assualt Division. Over the next two nights they would slowly set up around the forces guarding the road untell it was time to attack.

They would need anti air to set up to help cut off any aid when the attack starts. Their was one bridge that crosses a gorge into New Munich. But it would more then likely be the most defended area of the road. But then agian if ACT IV goes well then that and orbital support will be disrupted.

In a park next to the convention center, the Coredians set up a small prefabricated base for the Zoids and Marines to use in order to reload and repair if need be. It didn't take long for the base to be set up and the Stegosaurs to be deployed as mobile sensor and comms platforms for the Marines. While the troops were setting up and handing out assignments, the Jedi Master, his apprentice and Colonel Skye Lucario headed for the makeshift HQ that Tidan set up for the GFFA forces. There, they would discern the extent of the rebellion and perhaps even help devise a plan to stabilize the CIS with minimum bloodshed.

Admiral Shoemaker, meanwhile, held orbit above New Munich. He leaned back in the chair, and said to his XO, "Tactical, what's the situation on the ground?"

The tactical officer of the vessel typed in a few commands and waved his hand across a screen. The reply came forthwith, as the tac officer said, "Our allies are moving troops and infantry down to the surface as fast as possible. Destination seems to be the central arteries and what look like major government centers, according to Gracie."

The Tac Officer put his hand up to his headset, and then spoke, saying, "Sir, I got a message from General Maria-chibi."

Shoemaker replied, "Patch her through to my console, Tac."

On the officer's console, the picture of an angry gentegata appeared on the screen. Curtly, she spoke with such fury she almost seemed to spit her words out: "Admiral, I can't sit here playing with my tail all day! My men are awaiting the order to deploy onto New Munich. When is it going to come?"

Shoemaker then nodded and replied, "Well, General, I have a feeling our allies may have the situation mostly contained on the ground there....however, this Hueco Mundo business sounds like trouble."

"Are you sure about this? I thought our mission was to report to New Munich?"

"Belay that order. I'm going to the surface; as soon as I can figure out what's going on, I'll make my decision." He then shut off the viewscreen, and then left t catch a shuttle to the surface.

Convention Center

Kygn spotted the man walking towards him, who then stopped to greet him.

"That's right, and you must be Viceroy Krupp, though retired I hear. You must be a brave man to leave the safety of a career in war for the dangers of politics."

The General winked and smiled as the men shook hands.

"It is good to see you, I just on my way to do that very thing. We are setting up an HQ for the Allied Peacekeepers, if you wouldn't mind I would like you to come fill us in on what has happened in this crisis as well as the current state of affairs."

He guided the man to the building acting as Allied HQ just across the street. The Coredian and Dornalian commanders had already joined the Tidani officers and the Abh and Initiative leaders were being linked in holographically as they were not in the area. Also attending holographically was Fleet Admiral Torrec. As they entered the room, Kygn walked up to the leaders who were there and those in avatar form.

"Good afternoon everyone. This is Eric Krupp. I have asked him to give us an overview of the crisis and the current situation."

Krupp stepped forword slightly nodding to those in attendence

" Yes lets get down to it. As you know We are worried about three factions that might try to make a power grab during these next few days. We know some Hueco Mundo rebels have landed outside the capital. They have staged a few hit and run attacks on targets including myself"

Eric points to the Trade Federation HQ on the map.

" This is where the Viceroy of the trade federation is staying. During the congress each day he will travel along this route to the convention center. We also know he and the trade federation are opposed to this congress as they want a statues quo goverment. Which means the trade federation controles most of it as was befor. However many feel this happened do to their bad leadership and they stand to lose alot of power in these meetings

Eric then looks up at the GFFA commanders

" As for the military i am not sure what to think. Some remain loyal i know but others have expressed their intrest in seizing power for the military. That is why you will see very few CIS military units in New Munich, We dont know which ones are loyal and which ones plot. Tho if they are going to act it will be during this congress and not after the goverment is reformed and made legal."

ooc:bump

Shoemaker nodded, and with a cough, decided to throw in his two cents.

"Hmmm...so it's good that we came, then."

With that, he began pacing about, adding to his obvious statement, "But something tells me that Hueco Mundo is going to be trouble as well. I mean, for God's sake, you have a party of Huecans--am I using the term correctly?--on New Munich right now causing trouble! And, as you previously indicated, Hueco is under your control in name only. That tells me that at any time, they could be prepared to either make an attempt at secession or otherwise provide a base of operations from which to further distrupt these proceedings."

He then leaned forward and looked at Krupp and the others, saying frankly, "Viceroy Krupp, General Kygn, fellow officers, let me get to the point. I would like to, along with deploying a contingent of Marines here on New Munich, perhaps send a good portion of the men under my command with any additional allied forces to help watch over Hueco Mundo, to ensure that any major seditious activity that does occur can be easily dealt with."

He then turned back to Krupp, adding, "With your permission, of course."

"We only have a small number of troops here, but if the CIS would agree, we could send one of our gunships in orbit with two LAATs and part of a starfighter squadron to Hueco Mundo to act as close-air support." Colonel Skye suggested.

[The events in this post take place five days after the Reformed CIS requested peacekeepers]

The newly-appointed admiral Sino Anji watches his fleets on the forward view screen of the Omsai-type starship Teshima as their orbit takes them one last time around the light side of the planet Arferdal. Below them is a barren wasteland; a desert planet with a climate just tolerable enough to support a few military buildings. In orbit with them is a massive complex of shipyards, dry docks, and space stations of varying function. Anji, a Mirfakan human of middle age, is elated. He's spent his whole career in the Labule, and until recently he never thought he'd see the day a Xanthalian military force would leave the country for a major combat operation, or be a part of that force, or lead it!

As commodores go, Anji is atypically lenient for a Mirfakan; it makes him well suited to the patrol fleet he commands. With its duties typically consisting of long periods sailing about large areas of space waiting for an intruder that often never comes, too much protocol can drive even a well-trained soldier to frustration. For this mission though, their orders are quite explicit and the likelihood of at least some action high. As a result, he's tightened the reins of his command somewhat.

The responsibility is great, but Sino is confident. This is what he's trained for. Countless simulations, war games, and the Battle of Mirfak prepared him for it. A part of him wishes he could be even closer to the action, on the ground with the Nabule, but his battleground is the vastness of space. That is the path he chose, and he has no regrets.

Things are fairly quiet now; the bustle and organized chaos immediately following the order to mobilize has given way to the usual efficiency of a Labule starship on duty. The itinerary is simple enough. The Twelfth Fleet, led by its flagship the Teshima, will depart Arferdal with the Thirty-second Fleet (a long-range supply group led by the Sazoil-class Art Of War) and the Eighth Fleet (an area defense group led by the Omsi-class MacIntyre). In planespace they will rendezvous with Special Fleets A and B, composed of ships from the general troop transport Nineteenth and Twentieth Fleets escorted by ships from the Eleventh and Ninth Fleets, respectively. The escorts will return to their home ports, and the remaining troop transport fleet will be redesignated Special Fleet A, led by the Sazoil-class Eightfold Path. Together fleets 12, 32, 8, and A will proceed to New Munich, arriving in about three days. The Seventeenth Fleet, a combat troop transport group under the Lesu-class flagship Emerald Green, sailed from Than yesterday and should meet them at their destination thirty-six hours after they arrive. Operations can begin without the Seventeenth Fleet if necessary, but it is carrying half their peacekeeping forces and most of the heavy equipment assigned to this mission. In all, 437 starships have been ordered to New Munich, though the actual number that will go is bound to be slightly smaller due to the various mechanical failures that inevitably occur from time to time in a piece of technology as complicated as a starship.

From the control center balcony, the admiral can look down on his crew and out at whatever tactical displays are needed without interference. The arrangement is very awkward at first, but having served on the Omsai class for almost five years now Sino is used to it. There is an efficient and well-designed communicator built into his chair, but he often prefers to stand at the balcony's edge and call out his orders from the short railing. The ship's captain, Chelsea Zieter, is taking on a number of his duties as commodore during his temporary tenure as admiral (and in turn passing some of her own responsibilities to the subcaptain). She remains in her chair a few feet back from the edge of the balcony, mutedly conducting final checks of the fleet's readiness in cooperation with the ship's communications officers as they near their departure time. Like Anji she's human, strong and fit, swift of feet and wit, but also quiet and demure, a contrast to her outspoken and marginally less formal superior.

The murmur of activity on the bridge is cut off as Anji makes a last announcement to the crew. "Alright boys, girls, and hermaphrodites, listen up! I know this is a first for many of you; it is for me, too, but I want you all to remember who you are! You are officers of the Xanthalian Labule! You've earned that title, and now you are going to show the galaxy what that means! We may not have the best ships, but we sure as time itself have got the best crews! Courtesy, efficiency, intelligence, and patriotism! Where we are from doesn't matter; while we're here we're all Xanthalians, and we will uphold the honor of our nations and the Federation!"

A few scattered cheers and whistles rise up from below, but Sino is quick to cut them off. "Alright, alright. We have work to do. Captain, report the status of the Twelfth Fleet!" His volume is unnecessary considering her proximity, but he's on a roll, now.

"Repairs to the frasas generator aboard the Zenobia are expected to be complete before the fleet enters planespace. If they are not, the Zenobia will fly in formation with the Trotsky and the Fifteenth Prince. The Perseus Rex has joined the fleet, but we'll still be sailing short one Lesu."

"Alright; communications, establish an A/V link with the Art Of War, main viewer."

Moments later, a picture of a dark-skinned xanthalian with bright silver hair appears on the large forward screen. She is a young woman, but for a xanthalian 'young' can apply into one's sixties. Her rank insignia indicates her as the ranking officer of her fleet, and her neutral facial expression is typical of her species. Pulling her legs together and her right fist to her chest in salute, she makes her report. "Admiral Anji, the Thirty-second Fleet is prepared to depart at your command."

"Excellent, Commodore. We will break orbit in three minutes. You will follow us out."

"Understood."

"End transmission," Sino says, the statement serving simultaneously as a sign-off and an order to his communications officer. The image vanishes from the screen, returning to a view of the fleet outside. "Now give me the MacIntyre."

Again, a bit more quickly this time, a person appears onscreen. This time it's a green than, the only one of its kind currently serving as a fleet leader. The thickly-armored insectoid salutes, bringing its large, long-clawed hand to its equivalent of a chest. Than are physically incapable of speaking most humanoid languages, so it speaks in its native tongue (though, as anyone who took a basic diversity class at a Xanthalian school could tell you, than don't have tongues). An automatic translator clipped to its uniform generates a translation with a slight delay. "Admiral, this fleet is ready for your command, minus one Hokal and one Gel."

"Noted. We will break orbit in two minutes, seventy seconds. Your fleet will travel in defensive formation behind the Thirty-second."

"Yes."

"End transmission."

Right on time, the three fleets leave Arferdal and head for the sord, off on their three day journey. Whether they will arrive in time to make a difference or not is up to fate. Either way, they are sailing into history. Xanthal, for the first time since its reunification over sixty-three years ago, has sent its own military into someone else's conflict.

Shoemaker nodded, and with a cough, decided to throw in his two cents.

"Hmmm...so it's good that we came, then."

With that, he began pacing about, adding to his obvious statement, "But something tells me that Hueco Mundo is going to be trouble as well. I mean, for God's sake, you have a party of Huecans--am I using the term correctly?--on New Munich right now causing trouble! And, as you previously indicated, Hueco is under your control in name only. That tells me that at any time, they could be prepared to either make an attempt at secession or otherwise provide a base of operations from which to further distrupt these proceedings."

He then leaned forward and looked at Krupp and the others, saying frankly, "Viceroy Krupp, General Kygn, fellow officers, let me get to the point. I would like to, along with deploying a contingent of Marines here on New Munich, perhaps send a good portion of the men under my command with any additional allied forces to help watch over Hueco Mundo, to ensure that any major seditious activity that does occur can be easily dealt with."

He then turned back to Krupp, adding, "With your permission, of course."

"We only have a small number of troops here, but if the CIS would agree, we could send one of our gunships in orbit with two LAATs and part of a starfighter squadron to Hueco Mundo to act as close-air support." Colonel Skye suggested.

Kygn gave Fleet Admiral Torrec a look. Even through the holographic display on her ship high above them she could recognize it. He had a habit of planning above his authority. He had been placed in charge an army, not the entire force, but his reputation assured her that she would not regret listening. She nodded.

Kygn waited for Mr. Krupp to answer for a few minutes before he activated a tactical display of New Munich and Heuco Mundo. The two holographic orbs hovered in front of him and he began manipulating them as the force deployment information began to populate. Now in view was the capital city with peacekeepers identified throughout and above them the Allied Fleets. Heuco Mundo by comparison was bare.

"While you consider the request, could you give us an expected comparison between the two planets? Do we need to worry about Heuco at this time? If you would like forces sent there now, how many? What kind of resistance is expected there? That sort of thing would be helpful to our planning."

To: GFFA Forces
From: Eric Krupp
Re: Arrival

I am glad to hear of the arrival of GFFA forces. Communcations have been limited since we last spoke. The Goverment is now all but shut down as many Droids have been recalled to their bases and the people afraid to come to work for fear of a Coup.

Our forces and police forces have kept the peace on most of our other worlds save for Hueco Mundo which is under our controle in name only but a force is on its way now to try and keep the peace. New Munich however is my greatest worry. The military and Trade Federations HQ's are both outside the city itself. We need most forces to be set up outside the convention center compound and threw out the city itself.

Your heavy Equipment if you have brought any needs to be outside the city guarding the road that the Trade Federation Viceroy will take every day to the convintion center. I fear if the military were to make a move it would start with killing him. Same with the rebels i fear he would be their main target. I will be staying in the compound untell the goverment can be reformed. The Congress will start in two days and could last for one to two weeks. Agian i must thank you for comeing to our aid.


Commander William Chavez, the captain of the Warcry walked over and gazed at the message that was displayed on the main screen of the bridge. Fiddling with a small ring he kept on his person at all times, he read the message quickly and then crossed his arms, thinking. This situation brought him back to the many missions they had fought against Nod in where Nod had overrun governments and they had been called in to protect what remained of their governments. Guerilla warfare and deceit would be the name of the game here for these rebels, and as such, he knew they would have to be on their guard.


We understand and will do our best to protect the Viecroy, and ensure the rebels nor the military will make a move. Warcry out


The order was sent, and as the GFFA had already worked out patrol routes and whatnot, had already begun sending down their materials and forces down to New Munich. Although they had a large enough force on the ground that attacks by rebels would be suicide, unless they somehow managed to get a horde of an army together, he still felt that he needed to send down troops. His gut told him that to do otherwise would be dangerous. The many drop pods on the side of the Warcry, the pi]Armageddon[/i] deployment system, began to flash out from their holding clamps and scream towards the planet, filling the sky with what looked to be a shower of asteroids coming at the planet. In a ring outside the city, they landed, the largest pods slamming into the ground ahead of the others, as planned since the deployments were timed. However, unlike the troop and vehicle deployment pods, these large pods which created craters did not deploy a ramp as much as unfold into structures. All around the perimeter of the city, construction yards, with their complement of construction/repair drones, barracks for housing the troops, war factories to repair and maintain their heavy armor, as well as other vital structures were being built before their very eyes as they deployed. Several power plants were established to provide power to what was an obvious heavy defensive ring around the city. In the second wave, as the drones went around the various buildings, finishing the deployment and turning on the various systems, aided by the EVA's who were programmed into the systems, the supplies came down; caches of weapons and fuel, armor, and building materials, which a section of the drones split off to use. Filling up silos with Tiberium to drive their bases as well as their weapons, and stacking weapons in barracks and materials in war factories. In the third and final wave, the troops and vehicles came down, GDI troops with their distinctive, slightly bulky power armor gleaming in the sun as they deployed and immediately began organizing their forces into different areas of importance, base defense, outer patrol, inner patrol, city patrol, as well as detachments sent to guard the convention center and the highway along with the rest of the GFFA forces. The defensive ring revealed two things: that the GDI were volunteering to take on the first wave, if they were attacked, by deploying this defensive ring around and within the bases of their allies, and that they were leaving nothing to chance.

Already, their sensors would see the immense Mk. III Mammoth tanks, followed by groups of Predator tanks, and squads of troops in APC's patrolled the outer sections of the city, the highway and the bases, while squads of troops and APC's patrolled the inner city. Deploying airfields began to allow GDI forces to have Orca bombers and the Firehawk interceptors, along with the V35 Ox transport. All over, defenses would be seen being built. Anti-infantry towers, capable of firing armor-piercing rail shells at high speeds, and Guardian anti-armor cannons which shot heavy rail shells through armor like butter, and, with the normal scattering of anti-air turrets, capable of firing ion lancer bolts or rail bullets, there were a few sonic emitters that blasted sonic waves that were capable of destroying almost anything, by shaking the molecules apart.

In command of all this was General Amanda Karthis, who was the first to step on the planet and had barked all the orders she needed to until she saw her bases beginning to spring up. Nodding in satisfaction, she turned and walked to an APC. Seating and belting herself in, she nodded to the driver. “Bring me to the convention center.” The driver nodded and threw open the throttle and hit the gas, causing the wheels to spin a bit, spitting pebbles everywhere before it shot down the roads, making its way through the city. Going around its own patrols and the other patrols of her allies, she made it to the center. She opened the door, saluting the driver, and closed the door. The APC drove off, heading to find its patrol assignment, as she walked into the building. Inside she found three men, two with Tidani and Dornalian insignia's respectively. She nodded to each of them. “Greetings, I am General Amanda Karthis, Galactic Defense Initiative Peacekeeping Force Alpha. I have just deployed my forces in a ring around the city and entrance to the highway, so as to provide a good defensive barrier. I do hope that won't inconvenience you too much?”

" Hueco is a limited threat in terms of military at this time to New Munich. They were able to send rebels to the planet over the course of months but even then those numbers are limited. On the world itself most of their forces are in caves and in the massive desert that is that world."

Eric turned to Kygn

" The Trade Federation is expecting some refugee transports to be arriveing here from Hueco Mundo tommrow. They are the people who lived in the few citys of the world who want to leave befor any kind of battle takes place. With this in mind i can agree to send troops there without as much to worry about now. Maybe a few thousand with some heavy equipment and orbital support will be enough to keep the peace untell the congress is over"

ooc:bump

The GDI forces would find that they were not the sole force occupying the outter ring of the defense ready for the first of attacks. It had been deliberate that Captain Estas would not have it any other way. If an attack were to come from outside of the city, the rebels would pay dearly for it as more and more defensive turrets were erected.

Airships were flying through the skies getting a detailed map of the terrain so that if air strikes were needed, the pilots would be more comfortable. Phantom tanks covered the entrance to the highway which would hopefully force any assault to the outside where infantry and dreadnoughts made up the bulk of the defense.

Dispersed throughout the rear were a number of Whirlwind artillery tanks. If anyone was stupid enough to come for a frontal attack, it would sure be pretty to watch the the fireworks from the trench line.

Even though Captain Estas had remained quiet throughout the meeting, he was still receiving information through his headset stuck in the ear. Orders were quietly given for soldiers to mingle in with the allies to assist in what ways were possible as well as come to agreements on plans and patrols. While they were all allies here, there was still the threat of stepping on each other's toes.

" Hueco is a limited threat in terms of military at this time to New Munich. They were able to send rebels to the planet over the course of months but even then those numbers are limited. On the world itself most of their forces are in caves and in the massive desert that is that world."

Eric turned to Kygn

" The Trade Federation is expecting some refugee transports to be arriveing here from Hueco Mundo tommrow. They are the people who lived in the few citys of the world who want to leave befor any kind of battle takes place. With this in mind i can agree to send troops there without as much to worry about now. Maybe a few thousand with some heavy equipment and orbital support will be enough to keep the peace untell the congress is over"

Shoemaker then nodded and replied, "So be it. I'll have my Marine Contingent and a Mao Zedong vessel deploy to Hueco as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I'll station the rest of my troops here."

“Greetings, I am General Amanda Karthis, Galactic Defense Initiative Peacekeeping Force Alpha. I have just deployed my forces in a ring around the city and entrance to the highway, so as to provide a good defensive barrier. I do hope that won't inconvenience you too much?”

Shoemaker then interjected, "I was going to deploy in the city as well. Though at this point, it looks like my men will be mostly filling in the areas nobody else has taken."

...

Inside she found three men, two with Tidani and Dornalian insignia's respectively. She nodded to each of them. “Greetings, I am General Amanda Karthis, Galactic Defense Initiative Peacekeeping Force Alpha. I have just deployed my forces in a ring around the city and entrance to the highway, so as to provide a good defensive barrier. I do hope that won't inconvenience you too much?”

Kygn and his staff saluted the Initiative General as she entered and addressed them.

"Welcome to New Munich. It is good to have you with us General. I am glad to see you have gone ahead and started deploying. I suspected you would want to take the perimeter to set up your bases, it is very crowded inside the city. Also we were relying heavily on our own forces to protect our supply and air bases outside the city. With your help we can safely reduce our numbers there and concentrate them inside the city to keep the citizens and leadership safe."

He guestured to the Abh, who was not physically there to guesture to, but the motion was understood.

"Just make sure you spend some time with the Abh forces. They have taken it upon themselves to protect the highway. You will be working closely together on that."

" Hueco is a limited threat in terms of military at this time to New Munich. They were able to send rebels to the planet over the course of months but even then those numbers are limited. On the world itself most of their forces are in caves and in the massive desert that is that world."

Eric turned to Kygn

"The Trade Federation is expecting some refugee transports to be arriveing here from Hueco Mundo tommrow. They are the people who lived in the few citys of the world who want to leave befor any kind of battle takes place. With this in mind i can agree to send troops there without as much to worry about now. Maybe a few thousand with some heavy equipment and orbital support will be enough to keep the peace untell the congress is over."

"Thank you for informing me Mr. Krupp, I will have the forces in orbit prepare to receive them."

Shoemaker then nodded and replied, "So be it. I'll have my Marine Contingent and a Mao Zedong vessel deploy to Hueco as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I'll station the rest of my troops here."

...

Shoemaker then interjected, "I was going to deploy in the city as well. Though at this point, it looks like my men will be mostly filling in the areas nobody else has taken."

Kygn nodded at the Dornalian.

"Agreed. I'll send along a detachment from the Tidani fleet. New Munich is very well covered at this point so we can spare them, and if things get into guerilla tactics down on Heuco orbital control will be vital to keeping more fighters from joining the enemy and to give us a permenant advantage.

"As for here in the city. With your forces arriving, mine can pull back and concentrate on fewer areas. This city will be difficult to keep free of fighters and explosives. Being as spread out as we have been it has been hard so far, but with your added help we can increase the man power in each zone. If you take the eastern zones, the Coredians will remain in the few zones to the south, and we can concentrate on the north and western sides. Don't think you won't be useful here just because the perimeter is secured. If insurgents get past us and dig in, they will be like trying to pull a badger from his den."

"As for here in the city. With your forces arriving, mine can pull back and concentrate on fewer areas. This city will be difficult to keep free of fighters and explosives. Being as spread out as we have been it has been hard so far, but with your added help we can increase the man power in each zone. If you take the eastern zones, the Coredians will remain in the few zones to the south, and we can concentrate on the north and western sides. Don't think you won't be useful here just because the perimeter is secured. If insurgents get past us and dig in, they will be like trying to pull a badger from his den."

Shoemaker's only reply was to nod, declaring, "Then you'll have the Red Army's support in the Eastern Zones, for the inevitable attack. We can begin deploying troops at a moment's notice to complement your forces. We have plenty of heavy equipment--our government's policy since the recent conflict is to never be outgunned. And, if it is allowed by the Viceroy, you can rely upon the orbital guns of the For Those About to Rock."

ooc: sorry been busy past few days. Prob wont be untell thursday untell i can post,agian sorry.

ooc: Hope no one minds a sligh skip to the day the congress starts?

IC: The day had come atlast,the day of the Congress. It was only two hours befor it started. The many delegations were arriveing. The GFFA forces had done a good job setting up their defenses in and around the city however the rebels had been busy aswell. Their forces were ready and awaiting the sign to start the attack.

Three hours from the main GFFA fleet

The Trade Federation Transports were moveing in and now were only three hours out. When they arrived it would be the start of the battle. Eric Krupps carefuly laid plans were now in full swing. He himself had a speech to give after the start of things. It would be the start of his power play.

New Munich Orbit

The transports were arriving. Admiral Torrec wasn't going to take any chances, the transports were carrying refugees from an apparently enemy occupied world. This could be a very dangerous exchange and so she was going to make sure things went smoothly.

She stopped the transports at the edge of the fleet's controlled zone, a pair of Stellars should be enough of a show of force to stop any civilian ships in their tracks. When they finally did come to a stop Avalons came along side and using their powerful sweeping scanners used to monitor cargo and enforce blockades began taking very close up looks at each transport for any sign of weapons or explosives. Torrec wished she had some way to identify if they carried insurgents or actual refugees but that would require a large amount of participation from the New Munich government and they simply wanted their transports to land as quickly as possible.

So as the frigates moved into position around the transports Kaylee held her breath as they began the most dangerous part of the operation since they had arrived.

ooc: post comeing in the next few hours. Sorry once more am caught up on work so i should be able to post a few times a day agian.

ooc: don't worry about it, post when you can. no rush.

Scans would show nothing out of order other then energy problems in the power systems of the ships. However the ships looked to be very old and such things happened with older ships that wernt refited every few years at their age.

The leader ship of the convoy sent word to the GFFA ships that had stopped them

This is the Dragons Claw ID numbr 142536C Registerd under the Trade Federation Mercent fleet. We have alot of people here so can we hurry this up so that we can make our way to the refugee camps on New Munich?

Four Kilometers outside of the GFFA defense line outside of the capital city

The Rebel forces of Mersa has closed in on the GFFA forces guarding the road between the Trade Federation Compound and the capital city. Their forces were now well within sensor range of the GFFA forces. The rebels started to deploy their mobile shield generators to give them some safty agianst air and orbital support of the GFFA. They had yet to open fire with their long range artillery or make any hostile movements for that matter.

No they were waiting,but waiting for what was most likely on the minds of some GFFA commanders.

The First Trade Union Congress

The delegations had taken their seats and were now ready to start the congress. A man looking to be in in his sixties took the stage. He was the Viceroy of New Munich Joe Reed.

" Ladies and Gentlemen i herby open this First Trade Union Congress!" he followed his words with a strike of the gavill.

"Captain. We have detected an advance force about four kilometers from our position."

Estas looked to the sargeant, fully covered in his Imperial Marine heavy armor, and waved him into the temporary command center that had been erected. A map of the outlying area quickly materialized and focused in on the apparent holding area of what was liking the rebel force. "Send two scout teams to assess their numbers and report back any information they can gather. I want them to be their ever present shadow until they are recalled."


The marine thumped a fist to his chest. "Yes Captain." As the sargeant left, Estas found himself a seat and plopped down. Crushing these rebels would not be a difficult task with such great numbers here this day. The might of the marines along with all their assets would not be foiled by a rabble of misfits. It was tedious and not his true purpose in the Imperial marines. Still, they would at least prove a good training exercise.

Outside of the camp, two scout teams sprinted off into the distance. They had a bit of ground to cover but even then, they activated their cloak fields and went into stealth to avoid detection from the rebel forces in the distance. The two teams split up to cover both flanks and would work their way in.

New Munich Orbit

With scans showing nothing requiring further detention and the desperation of the refugees needing quick action the Tidani allowed the transports to proceed. Kaylee still couldn't get the idea of ships full of people from a hostile planet to go down her throat. It stuck there making her uneasy but other than body searching and holding starving refugees until the government agreed to identify each one, there was nothing else she could do for now.

<Dragon Claw, you and the other transports are free to proceed. We wish you well and hope that you will be able to find refuge from this war.>

The Transport convoy now reached the orbit of New Munich many pulling along side GFFA fleet vessles asking for a escort to the capital city.

The Dragon claw pulled along side the New Dornalia flag ship for this operation sending a emergency message

Attention New Dornalia vessle this is the refugee transport Dragon Claw. We have had a failure of our primary life support system. Our back ups wont hold out much longer. We request permission to extend a docking tube to a outside port of your vessle so that you can aid us in repairs and allow us to send the refugees over should the back ups fail

First Trade Union Congress

The first speakers were in the middle of their speechs as eric krupp looked down at his communcations pad. A ticker was counting down with only four mintues remaining. He smiled as he knew things were about to heat up.

The GDI warship Warcry noticed the incoming transports, and tension immediately filled the GDI soldiers and navymen as the commander and his staff discussed their response on the bridge. As the Tidanii moved forward to take charge and deal with the incoming transports, they relaxed and an all-clear order was sounded. The crew relaxed and returned to their normal duties.

On the ground, this was not the same situation, as Amanda put a hand to her head, pulling back from the other generals and leaders as a message came in. Her eyes widened almost as the message from the front came. She spoke in hushed tones, giving orders quickly, before putting her hand down and walked over. “Excuse me, but we have trouble.” She then pulled out a mobile holopad, and after deploying it, showed the situation with the rebels who had advanced on their bases holding the highway.

The forces at the highway, under command of Commander Jensen, deployed to face the enemy. Orca and Firehawk patrols increased to keep the fear of aerial death on them, even with their shields. Platoons of Zone Troopers, riflemen and rocket squads, along with several snipers, took up positions in the front of the base with all the defenses around. Pillboxes, machinegun towers, anti-armor Guardian cannons, anti-air turrets and sonic emitter turrets faced the enemy, ready to obliterate them in a glance. A message sent to the Warcry had it moving to take position over the area, ready to bombard with Ion Blasters at any moment.

Orbit

As the transports advanced upon Alliance ships to request emergency aid several approached Tidani vessels. The two massive Islands were strickly off limits and their orbitspace was stricktly inforced but the two Stellars that had been blocking their way earlier were still in range and were approached. Also one of the transports persistently advanced on one of the Serpents escorting the Foundations of the World. The Anthem class was perhaps the most advanced ship in the Tidani fleet, but it was smaller and carried precious leadership cargo.

On the Bridge of the Foundations Kaylee Torrec was throwing a fit. Ordering the transport be moved away from them, but the transport was desperate and convincing them was taking time. Her flagship started to put some distance between her and the transport but it would all prove to be too little too late.

(ooc: I think I have thought of an excellent mission to create from this if things go the way I'm assuming.)

On the Ground

“Excuse me, but we have trouble.” Amanda pulled out a mobile holopad, and after deploying it, showed the situation with the rebels who had advanced on the highway bases.

Kygn and the others took a look at the map. "Indeed."

He handed her a portable communications device that could link up to most existing headsets and HUDs in use by the Alliance.

"This will let you stay in contact with the rest of the war council so you can return to the lines if you wish. It's holographic, so if you like you can also attend the meetings here from anywhere, even on the ground during battle. Though in a case like that I'd highly recomend the less distracting options of communicating."

He handed them out to the other commanders who were there in person. And then pulled up the rebel forces on the main display. Selecting on of the air bases on the map a COM channel opened. A young man wearing a low officer rank appeared.

"This is White Horse Air Command Alpha, Lieutenant Brikard reporting." He said with a salute.

"Lieutenant, this is General Kygn. I want you to increase Tidani presence to combat levels. I want Stormcrows in the air at all times and start Sparrowhawk patrols. Spread the word son."

The young man snapped a salute. "Aye Sir." Then he was gone. On the display a marker labeled WHAC Alpha turned from blue to orange, indicating they were at battle readiness but not engaged. Soon more markers began turning orange also until all of Tidan's airbases were ready.

"Alright men, women, and abh I think it's time we got to work. You are all free to leave and get to work. We can stay in contact through this office and backups have been arranged if it is destroyed. Remember we are here as one, lets try our best to act as such. Today we are not fighting for Tidan, New Dornalia, the Abh, Coredia, the Initiative, and not even for the CIS. We are here for the Federation, and under that banner we are all equals and all brothers. Let's keep these people safe."

The Tidani forces in the north and west sectors of the city also prepared. Though they currently faced no immediate threat they began to close down checkpoints and fortify their positions. Citizens were asked to either return to their homes or to the shelters in their sector. Traffic between the sectors was increasingly restricted. Once people got to one of the safe places in the city they were encouraged from leaving. The last thing the city needed if a battle broke out inside or out was people fleeing through the streets. They were safe now, and Tidan would ensure they stayed there to the extent of their mandate.

OOC: gonna make a post soon. Just have to take care of some RL stuff.

The Transport convoy now reached the orbit of New Munich many pulling along side GFFA fleet vessles asking for a escort to the capital city.

The Dragon claw pulled along side the New Dornalia flag ship for this operation sending a emergency message

Attention New Dornalia vessle this is the refugee transport Dragon Claw. We have had a failure of our primary life support system. Our back ups wont hold out much longer. We request permission to extend a docking tube to a outside port of your vessle so that you can aid us in repairs and allow us to send the refugees over should the back ups fail



Onboard the For Those About to Rock

XO Higgins picked up the message, and then hailed the vessel back. With an affirmative stature and an air of confidence he replied, "Dragon Claw, this is the For Those About to Rock. We hear your request for assistance, and are processing your reply. Proceed to dock. We'll try to repair your vessel as well."

Higgins then cut the transmission. He then hailed the Master-At-Arms and the People's Acolytes Sensei onboard, saying, "Comrade-Sargeant, Sensei. I want you to deploy security units down to the area where the Dragon Claw will be docking. Prepare to process the refugees and direct them to Cargo Bays 2, 3, and 4. Be aware of anything out of the ordinary and bring medical and material supplies to repair their vessel."

With that, Marine units and People's Acolytes quickly assembled at the docking area, waiting to process the refugees and get them to the cargo bays.

Capital City, Dornalian Zone

General Maria-chibi, in charge of the Red Army units, was sitting in her tent planning the defense of the Dornalian sector from the rebel attack. Analyzing a holographic map and furiously talking with officers and staff on the comms, she made sure the Dornalian positions were relatively well-fortified. In strategic positions throughout the Zone, checkpoints similar to those of the Tidani were set up. Other areas deemed potentially dangerous areas of infiltration and vulnerability, were regularly scanned, though not invasively as to avoid angering the populace, with patrols. And, an additional defensive perimeter was set up around the sector to screen for the enemy.

And as of yet so far, things were calm. The Dornalian custom of playing loud rock music from speakers was in practice; out of many temporary defensive emplacements and checkpoints set up around the Dornalian sector, the sounds of "Wooly Bully" could be heard from Dornalian Armed Forces Radio. Patrols were there, but seemed only minimally watchful.

Then, the word came out. Rebel forces were moving on the city. And then, the music stopped. The patrols stiffened up. And, as the General ordered, the heavy armor rolled out, large Daltrey and Kurosawa class powered armor suits set up and ready to fire back at the incoming enemy. The remaining Mao III in orbit was given real time updates, and its crews readied the orbital strikes. On the ground, a unit of Komsomol III fighter bombers flew in the air, patrolling the skies for any sign of the enemy. And, for good measure, they evacuated all the civilians to safety, either shelters or ordering them to stay in their homes, much like the Tidani did, though there were trucks waiting to drive the civilians behind the lines. General Maria-chibi figured it was a good idea anyway.

The time had come atlast as the Dragon Claw docked with the For Those About to Rock. The message played out for all in orbit to hear

The time is now let this strike be the first of many to the heart of the enemy!

The plan had worked out just as Krupp had hoped. Many in the GFFA had thought that the transports were carrying rebels and not refugees. They were refugees and thus their lifes mean nothing to krupp or his faithful followers.

The first vessle that had tried to approuch the Tidan command ship exploded in a bright flash. Their power systems had been rigged with explosive cargos inside their reactors.

The other vessles followed suite including the dragons claw which now was at point blanke range of the For Those About to Rock. The explosion came aiming to end the Flag Ships first mission by makeing it the last mission. The other vessles destroyed themselfs near any other GFFA vessle be they GDI,Coredian or anyother vessle. Their aim was to destroy a few key ships and spread disorder and chaos threwout the GFFA blockade.

However two vessles did not explode out of the 13, no they had another target. They broke formation and made their attempt to head down to the planet. One near the Abh sector outside the city and the other near the GDI and Tidan sectors of the city. This would be the signal rebel ground forces had been waiting for. With their explosions the ground forces would take heavy loses and be in utter chaos it was hoped. Enough to allow the rebels to strike hard and fast to overwhelm the better equiped GFFA forces.

The time had come atlast as the Dragon Claw docked with the For Those About to Rock. The message played out for all in orbit to hear



The plan had worked out just as Krupp had hoped. Many in the GFFA had thought that the transports were carrying rebels and not refugees. They were refugees and thus their lifes mean nothing to krupp or his faithful followers.

The first vessle that had tried to approuch the Tidan command ship exploded in a bright flash. Their power systems had been rigged with explosive cargos inside their reactors.

The other vessles followed suite including the dragons claw which now was at point blanke range of the For Those About to Rock. The explosion came aiming to end the Flag Ships first mission by makeing it the last mission. The other vessles destroyed themselfs near any other GFFA vessle be they GDI,Coredian or anyother vessle. Their aim was to destroy a few key ships and spread disorder and chaos threwout the GFFA blockade.

However two vessles did not explode out of the 13, no they had another target. They broke formation and made their attempt to head down to the planet. One near the Abh sector outside the city and the other near the GDI and Tidan sectors of the city. This would be the signal rebel ground forces had been waiting for. With their explosions the ground forces would take heavy loses and be in utter chaos it was hoped. Enough to allow the rebels to strike hard and fast to overwhelm the better equiped GFFA forces.

Having only lowered the shielding on the area to be docked, the Masada Temporal Shielding absorbed nearly all of the massive explosion coming from the Dragon Claw, but the impact and the part of the explosion that did get through the docking area was still felt throughout the ship as it rumbled, though only ever so slightly due to the massive amounts of armor and the six layers of shielding developed to protect the vessel from massive explosions such as these.....the rebels had made the mistake of gambling with the For Those About to Rock. And, as they would soon discover, they had lost.

XO Higgins felt the rumbling of the explosion, and asked Gracie, "Gracie, report! What the hell just happened!?"

Gracie replied frantically, as frantically as a ship's AI could, and said, "The Dragon Claw has exploded! It's a kamikaze! Casualties are coming in from the Docking Area. They're much less than they could have been, but we're still getting people in sickbay."

XO Higgins then said, "Shit." Turning to Comms, he then said, "Comms, what is the status on our allies!?"

Comms replied, "Nothing yet sir. Situation unknown, sensors indicate we weren't the only ones to get hit with one of these monsters though."

Higgins frantically then said to the Comms, "Comms, contact the other vessels and General Linda-chibi. Contact the Admiral as well. Tell them we are under attack! Repeat, tell them we are under attack!"

"Yes, Comrade-Captain!"

The Comms sent this message to the allied ships in orbit and to the GFFA on the ground, via secure channels.

"All friendly units, this is the For Those About to Rock. We have been targeted for a kamikaze attack. We are alright but sensors indicate other similar attacks are occuring and the enemy may be commencing their assault. Please provide a status update, repeat, provide a status update!"

"COMRADE-CAPTAIN! Ships heading to the planet. Repeat, ships heading to planet!"

XO Higgins then said, "Open fire on them. SHOOT THEM!"

Thus, the guns of the For Those About to Rock turned and opened fire upon the vessels with a massive storm of EM Rifle mass driver and conventional torpedo fire, hoping to extinguish the ships before they could deploy any troops....or worst.....

The sky above Estas's head lit up as a shuttle came screaming down towards his marines' lines. Responses were automatic as air defenses opened up sending rockets and round after round into the hull of the ship. It mattered little though as it was still an object falling but now turned into many as it scattered against their lines.

Little could detur the elf though even as men lay on the floor bleeding from shrapnel or dead from the impact. Medics were moving about the field tending to the wounded or clearing the dead. Imperial Marine numbers were one of the smallest here on the planet so their losses had been minimal thanks mostly to the entrenched front. Still it was a distraction for the men.

"Captain, let me see to your wound."

Estas looked behind his shoulder at a piece of shrapnel protruding out his back. Surprisingly the blast had been great enough for the metal to pierce his armor. "Just pull it out and worry about the rest of the men."

Grabbing the iron barb, the medic gave a quick jerk ripping the metal free of the elf's shoulder. Estas nodded his thanks that got on the communication link to Rear-admiral Sobach in orbit.

"Did you fall asleep up there?"

Sobach was less than amused. "Not really. It looked like your assignment was too easy. I figured you could use a little action."

"Fine but do try to keep the surprises to a minimum."

Estas walked over to a burning wing from a shuttle and stomped his heavy boot on it to flatten the metal. Another call came through his ear piece. "What is it?"

The scout's voice was hushed but quick. "Rebel forces are moving Captain. Heading towards your position."

The elf headed towards the front of the line since his base of operations had been placed at the dead center of the Imperial Marine line. "Very well. Find higher ground and wait for further instructions."

A holographic meeting had been called which was of the sargeants commanding smaller squads throught the frontline in charge of protecting the city. They were all easier to pick out from the rest of the men as they didn't wear the full head helmets and all had the flag of Gaftonoshu flying from a pole locked on their backs. "Rebel forces are moving our way. We are to hold this line and protect the civilian population. In the name of the Emperor, we will not fail in our mission. Let the field run red with the blood of chaos and rebellion. Bring order to these lost souls, my brothers."

The gathered sargaents gave a great shout as they left the meeting with the Captain and set about rallying the rest of the men. Throughout the Abh line controlled by the Imperial Marines, war shouts ripped across the battlefield as they all sank in to prepare for the coming battle.

[The events in this post take place eight days after the Reformed CIS requested peacekeepers]

"Five minutes to sord threshold," the large woman staffing navigation calls out.

"Exit area is clear, but frontrunners report hostilities in the area," the communications officer says pensively.

"We are to have drama immediately it appears," Anji muses, drawing upon his rational nature to sideline any anxiety he may have at the situation. "Fleets A and Thirty-two will remain in planespace with Eight while we go ahead and assess the situation. Advise the other fleets to initiate a general alert. Twelfth Fleet: defensive alert, formation beta. We will take the lead."

As he stands at the balcony's edge, the rest of the crew moves to carry out his orders. Flying into a system via planespace is unsettling to many people. With only the word of probes and frontrunning ships to go on, usually with at least several seconds' delay, the transit is otherwise blind: neither electronic nor human sensors can penetrate the barrier between universes. Sino is a pragmatist; as far as he's concerned, worrying about things beyond his control is a waste of time.

"Wesley, you have the bridge," the voice of Captain Zieter drifts to him from her seat on the balcony. The words aren't for him, but are spoken into the communicator to the ship's Subcaptain, Wesley Oberstar. It's a bit earlier than necessary to hand authority off, but there's no reason to object. It can't do any harm to establish division of labor now rather than later, since they're all present anyway.

The mood is pensive but professional as they near the border between plane and homespace. The other fleets drop back as they begin decelerating to stop before reaching the sord, and the Twelfth fleet begins to reshuffle its formation, allowing the Teshima to pull ahead. The Bodemias get behind their flagship, with the Gels and Lesus spread out around them in small groups.


Right on time, the fleet bursts into normal space at about 1 PSL, led by their flagship, the others just a fraction of a second behind. The ships alter their course as a unit to head for the planet, and all the drama going on there. The Bodemias that served as frontrunners stay near the sord threshold; they will relay any necessary messages to the fleets on the other side.

Aboard the Teshima, the bridge's holographic display hums to life, projecting an image of the current situation.

"What are the Dornalians shooting at?" is the natural first question.

"Unknown," one of the communications officers replies.

"Send a message to whoever's in charge of coordinating the peacekeeper response; advise them of our current status and request instructions. Put me in contact with the Dornalians. Hopefully they're not too busy to talk."

"What are the Dornalians shooting at?" is the natural first question.

"Unknown," one of the communications officers replies.

"Send a message to whoever's in charge of coordinating the peacekeeper response; advise them of our current status and request instructions. Put me in contact with the Dornalians. Hopefully they're not too busy to talk."

"Comrade-Captain! We have incoming communications! It's the Xanthalians!" reported the Comms officer.

"About friggin' time. What do they want?" replied Captain O'Higgins, somewhat flustered once again at the legendary Xanthalian tendency towards bureaucratic meticulousness that as usual, made them late to the party. He was grateful for the help though. After all, it was as if the veritable cavalry had come to save Fort Apache.....hopefully, if the Xanthalians could get down there in time, they could turn the tide and prevent any more shenanigans from occurring.

Comms replied, "Xanthalian commander wants to know a) what the heck were firing at, b) what the hell is going on. Though not in those words."

O'Higgins replied in a businesslike manner, "Duly noted. Open a channel on my Command Console."

The Console he was at had some display screens, and upon one of them, a window popped open with the Xanthalian commander displayed. O'Higgins then replied, "This is Captain Reginald O'Higgins of the New Dornalian People's Navy, my boss Admiral Bernard Shoemaker is down planetside, so I'm in charge here."

He then looked around and then said, "It's good you got here, comrades. Because the local rebellion decided to sneak in some kamikazes, it seems, under the cover of refugee traffic. They tried to kill the For Those About to Rock."

He then smiled, "They failed, as you can see."

He then returned to his businesslike manner, saying, "We're currently trying to reach Allied forces on the ground and in orbit, getting a status report on what's going on. We believe other vessels have been attacked by kamikazes as well. Their status is unknown. Hence, we need SITREPs.

Also, we believe this may be the precursor to an assault by the rebels on our positions. They tried sending ships down to the surface. That's whom we've been shooting at, by the way. Hostile vessels going to the surface, presumably up to no good....especially since General Kygn of Tidan and the commanders from each nation got together in a war council with Eric Krupp, Viceroy of the CIS a few days ago and are staying to coordinate things....so if you want to get in touch with the Big Boss of the operation himself, I suggest you try reaching the good General below."

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

New Munich, on the ground

Admiral Shoemaker did not recieve the news well. He sighed facepalmed, going, "I just hope Captain O'Higgins can keep things together when I'm gone. I just hope also General Maria-chibi can keep things together as well."

Orbit, Just Before Xanthalian Arrival

Eleven ships errupted like massive grenades inside the ranks of the allied ships. While some of the allies had been hit, due to their proximity and numbers Tidani vessels took the brunt of the assault. Both Stellars that had been sent to hault the advance of refugee ships were now crippled and numerous Avalons that had been involved were now being identified in the debris field. For the most part other ships that had been hit were other Stellars or Serpents as they were larger and provided a more visible target to seek aid as well as to destroy.

The single transport that caused the most problems though was the one attempting to dock with one of the Serpent escorts of the Flagship Foundations of the World. The Anthem class had started to back off minutes before the attack but as the ship exploded devestating the Serpent, almost a full side section of the hull peeled off and collided with Foundations.

http://images1.filecloud.com/629435/serenity_flaghit.jpg

The hit dropped the shields and immediately crushed the port section of the hull. The impact actally cracked the ship in two before explosions ripped through the exposed sections.

Foundations of the World Bridge

During the impact innertial dampeners became a moot point as everything started to go to hell very quickly. Admiral Torrec was thrown to the deck with most of the bridge crew. Many scrambled to get back to their positions to scream reports over the sounds of destruction around them. It was a futile and pointless act at this point. Kaylee still lay on the deck unconscious with a warm red pool starting to form around her head.

Fortune would take a turn here however, as a small group of marines managed to break onto the bridge. They quickly surveyed the chaos and scooped up a small number of senior staff, including the Fleet Admiral, and loaded them into one of the Bridge escape pods. The pilot punched some commands and the pod sealed itself up and burst from the dying Flagship. They were trying to make their way through the fleet to the other Anthem class in the formation that seemed to have avoided the carnage. But just as soon as they had located the Angelic debris struck the pod and sent them spinning off course down towards the planet. The pilot finally gained control of the pod again, but they were already too far into the planet's pull to escape now. So the marines prepared themselves for what would be a very rough landing. They knocked out other staff and buckled them into the crash harnesses. They had just enough time to activate the emergency beacon and then the atmophere overtook them.

Ground HQ

Noise filled the room and Fleet Admiral Torrec's feed cut to static. Kygn watched the attack from the linked feeds of the orbiting fleet. As bad as it was his attention was quickly drawn by the two transports that had not detonated, but were now both falling down toward him. As the Dornalians managed to detonate one of them, the other could only be partially damaged. Finally a connection was established with the Admiral Callahan in orbit and his image replaced the static where Torrec had been.

Kygn watched the damage as numerous bases around the perimeter flashed red. They had been hit by falling debris from the transports. Two of his airbases were totally gone, a few more damaged. The others would have to work without rest until the runways and landing pads could be repaired and the birds that belonged there could again return. The loss of a few supply bases was also bad news, but that would be much easier to replace as soon as replacements could be sent down from the orbiting carriers.

"Sir, the Dornalians are asking for status reports from all allied forces. It seems they survived the attack but must not be able to get ahold of anyone else yet."

"Right, thats not so hard to believe with the chaos up there. Send them what we know, damage to our bases outside the city but not critical to overall defense. No word yet on GDI bases. City seems to have escaped much damage. The Abhs report little damage on the highway, let them know we probably have them to thank for that one. I don't want to think about what would have happened if an intact transport had hit the highway."

Orbit, Aftermath

Admiral Callahan sat watching the reports flow in from the bridge of the Angelic. The active ships were still reporting in, but the obvious name absent from the list was Foundations of the World. In the span of the attack Evan Callahan had been thrust into the position of Fleet Admiral. A brief glint of hope had appeared in the midst of the storm though, as the fleet momentarily detected an emergency beacon leaving the doomed flagship just before it entered the planet's atmosphere.

As the talley finished and the ships absent were marked down to be found and rescued if possible, the message from the Dornalian flagship was finally able to get through.

<For Those About to Rock, this is the acting Tidani Flagship Angelic. Acting Fleet Admiral Callahan speaking. We are glad to hear you are alright, we were hit pretty hard over here. Multiple ships damaged, crippled, or destroyed. Unfortunately, Foundations of the World is counted among those destroyed and we have yet to confirm if Admiral Torrec was able to escape. Until that time, I have taken temporary command of the Tidani forces. More detailed information will come as we compile it.>

THe attack more or less went as planned by the rebel forces. The Abh forces took only slight loses it would seem but the signal had been given to rebel ground forces.

"Light em up tiny" The commander of the rebel ground forces yelled to his artillery officer.

The artillery was part of the "hacked" droid forces. The HAG's were very powerful mobile artillery able to fire plasma charges or solid explosives and hey would be fireing both. Their were fifthteen all togather spread around the the rebel forces. They opened up all togather targeting the road into the city and the city itself. The ground forces would follow soon enough.

First Trade Union Congress

The members of the congress heard did not hear the crashing transports outside the city. However they were informed shortly after the fact. Many wished to run to their underground bunkers but Eric Krupp then took the stage with some new information

" My fellow members of the congress. We are safe here for the time being. How is this so when you would think we would be the biggest targets in the CIS? Well it's simple really, i have just been informed by intel that the ones behind this attack are here at this very moment."

Gasp could be heard through out the room as everyone looked apone each other wondering if they were the one.

" The Trade Federation is behind this very attack!" Eric krupp put his evidence on screen showing a communcation comeing from the Trade Federation HQ ordering the attack six days ago.

The Trade Federation Viceroy stood up and he wasnt looking all to amussed " This is a outrage! How dare you give false information in a attempt to destroy our reputation!"

" I dont think your reputation is in high standing anyway viceroy. But i assure you this information isnt false. The communcation did come from your HQ and i am sending a copy to the GFFA as we speak for them to check to put all doubt to rest. "

Krupp smiled as he brushed his hear back " Rest assured the trade federation will be held responseble for their actions mr. viceroy"

"Sitreps?" the admiral looks perplexed, glancing back at Chelsea.

"Situation reports," she replies; she's not unused to helping the Mirfakans with English military lingo since the military switched its official operating language to English about a year ago.

"Oh." He turns back to his screen. "Admiral Sino Anji of the Xanthalian Labule. I am in command of all Xanthalian forces on this mission. We will be in combat range of the planet in approximately seven minutes. In the meantime, I request a datalink between our ships so we can share information more efficiently. Over."

While he waits for a response, Anji mutes the outgoing audio. "Have you made contact with ground command yet?"

"No, Admiral," the same comm officer from before answers. "I am hailing them, but there has been no response."

"Continue requesting communication. We can't start the operation until we know what the situation is."

"Sitreps?" the admiral looks perplexed, glancing back at Chelsea.

"Situation reports," she replies; she's not unused to helping the Mirfakans with English military lingo since the military switched its official operating language to English about a year ago.

"Oh." He turns back to his screen. "Admiral Sino Anji of the Xanthalian Labule. I am in command of all Xanthalian forces on this mission. We will be in combat range of the planet in approximately seven minutes. In the meantime, I request a datalink between our ships so we can share information more efficiently. Over."


O'Higgins nodded at the request, and then replied to Admiral Anji, "Admiral, I'd be more than happy to do that and get your boys up to speed."

He then called up Gracie, and said, "Gracie, can you get a datalink established with Admiral Anji's flagship?"

Gracie's onscreen avatar saluted, and then said, "Yes, Comrade Captain!" Then, the appropriate datalink was activated.....

"Thank you, Captain. I wish for your success and safety. I will contact the operation commanders for further instructions. Out." The channel is closed and his holographic display of the tactical situation is updated and expanded as the ship's AI uploads data from the For Those About to Rock. Information is just coming in about the status of the Tidani fleet. It appears they've been hit hard by the ambush.

"This looks more like a war than a peacekeeping operation," Sino observes. Still, after coming all this way he's not about to turn around and abandon the mission, or Xanthal's allies.

"Twelfth fleet to combat alert," he calls out over the bridge. "I don't know if we will have to fight or not, but let us be prepared."

"Communications," he says, looking back at the same poor officer, "do you have operation command yet?"

"No, sir," the young man replies, feeling rather foolish even though it's no fault of his own.

"What in the multiverse is going on down there? Keep trying." Sino is starting to feel tense despite his attempt to compartmentalize his self-doubt. The last thing he wants is to arrive at the planet before recieving a situation update from the people in charge of the whole operation. He knows nothing of CIS politics and procedures; it will be far too easy to make a critical mistake if he isn't in contact with coordinating authorities.

Space

Perhaps it was the trigger-happy nature of the Coredians of late, but as soon as the Tidani vessal was hit, Captain Makoto wasted no time in ordering his mighty Star Destroyer to open fire upon the transport ships and evasive action. Massive turbolaser bolts spat at the transports, turning them into nothing more than balls of flame as the Star Destroyer's Inertia Engine came to life, allowing it to dance out of the way of the transport. Debris fell on the shields and damaged some of the emplacements, but it was nothing life-threatening, for now.

"Whew, that was close." Captain Makoto sighed as the ship shuddered from the impacts. "Tactical, sitrep."

"Sir, shields are holding, minor breaches have been reported. Sending damage control to seal them. Several allied ships were damaged more severely than our own."

"Very well. Comms, hail them and see if they need any assistance." The Captain said. "I just hope the ones on the ground fares better."

=====

Ground

The Zoids' eyes flashed to life, and they bellowed in challenge as their pilots activated them. With a fluid motion that made them appear to be made of liquid steel, the monstrous bio-mechas stomped forward from the base, their shields charged and their weapons prepared. Leading the small but devastating force were Master Quortan and Apprentice Niklas with their Ligers.

"We will support our allies and challenge the fools who dare stand before us!" Master Quortan proclaimed to the squad. "In the name of the Galactic Federation, let us go forth and grasp victory!"

"Hoo-rah!" Cried the teammembers.

And with that, the Zoids and their smaller Cougar counterparts charged forth into the fray...

Ground HQ

The atmosphere in the Command Center became that of a bee hive. So many messages and information was coming in and out that the hum of conversation became background noise and every so often an artillery shell exploded within a few blocks. The Highway Zone was getting pounded and the only thing that prevented the city zones from suffering a similar fate was the sheer size of them. There were many more targets inside the city so concentration was impossible.

Northern and Western Zones

Ground forces in the city were ordered to dig in and activate some of the portable shielding. It wasn't that strong but it just might hold out from a lucky direct hit. Unfortunately, some of the city duties required troops to hold off on those orders. Many citizens were still in their homes and with the artillery hitting the city they had to be evacuated to the shelters, sometimes several zones away. Brave drivers and soldiers raced through the streets in transport warthogs, even if targetting was possible their speed would make hitting them extremely difficult. Of course sometimes fate steps in and stray shells happen to land at the worst possible place and time.

"I am standing at a Tidani controlled checkpoint in the Western Zone of New Munich City. About an hour ago the rebel forces began bombarding the Tidani and Federation forces here. You can here in the background explosions as shells fall elsewhere in the city. Most citizens were already evacuated to secure shelters before the attack began, but some still remain in their homes."

The scene cuts to two warthogs rolling down the street, back sections crowded with citizens. They make a turn down the road and pass out of sight. The image then returns to a young man holding a microphone.

"Tidani peacekeepers have spent the time since the attack began braving the siege to get the remaining civilians out of harms way. At this point no one is sure how long the assault will continue. We know that just outside the defenses a droid army is waiting to move in, however, those in charge tell me that a counter attack is being prepared. It would seem that this powderkeg has just gone up in flames. I'm Byron MacAlaster for TNN News, New Munich."

Ground HQ

Kygn was monitoring things from his usual spot, making sure commanders and officers were reading his mind correctly. If they happened to act wrongly he quickly corrected them. From behind him one of the officers walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. He then saluted.

"Sir. The Xanthalians have arrived in orbit now, they have been requesting an uplink and sitrep."

"Well thats some good news. Open a channel at my consol." He pointed to the artillery assaulting his forces. "Do we have eyes on them yet?"

"The Abh have a few scouts in range and our drones are approaching their objectives."

"Good, as soon as we have what we need tell the Razor Edge, White Horse, and Dragon Scale to open the flood gates."

"One more thing. Apparently when Fleet Admiral Torrec's ship was hit an escape pod managed to get away but it entered the atmosphere. Admiral Callahan needs us to find it ASAP in case the Fleet Admiral survived."

"Of course, do know where it landed?"

"Not yet Sir, we are working on pinpointing the beacon now."

"Right, prep the SRFs and send them out as soon as we know where they are going."

"Yes, Sir." The officer saluted again and rushed off.

Kygn waited until the uplink release and channel appeared on his screen. He opened the channel and the Xanthalian appeared after a short delay.

"Admiral Anji it is good to see you. This is General Kygn, Tidani Ground Commander. I'm sorry it took so long to get to you, but things down here have started to heat up. I understand you need to know what is going on down here. I'm activating your uplink to the allied command now."

The uplink was connected and Kygn manipulated the display to begin showing live data. He then pulled out to the fleets in orbit.

"The activity in orbit, which I'm sure you can see as well as we can, while important is over for the most part right now so I'll leave that to Admiral Callahan and his counterparts. Here is what you need to know about the ground situation."

A few seconds passed as he refocused the map back onto the city and the forces arrayed inside and around.

"Inside the city we have divided it into four main zones. The Eastern Zone is patrolled by Dornalian forces, the Southern is Coredian, and Tidani control the Northern and Western Zones. The city core, convention center where the government is meeting, and this HQ are all part of the Western Zone. The ring around the city is primarily made up of Initiative and some Tidani bases and forces. This is also where the heart of our air bases are. The Highway Zone here is the route that the Viceroy takes every day to get from the Trade Federation HQ to the convention center. It is guarded by Abh and Initiative forces."

The map pulled out again to show the droid armies approaching.

"Fortunately for now the military has stayed silent, however these armies were hacked from the military arsenel and are under the control of the Rebel forces. They are currently bombarding our positions in the city and most heavily at the highway position with long range artillery. I'm hoping that those artillery positions will not be a problem for long but soon those armies will be too close to close for heavy bombardment."

Fifty Kilometers From Defensive Ring

The escape pod landed in a rough and mountainous area about an equal distance from the Droid and Federation forces. The marines shook off the landing and some checked on the officers while the others took a look around outside. They had known the landing would be rough and frankly didn't want to deal with them while all of their lives balanced on a knife edge. It was hoped that their unconcious state would improve the likely hood of surviving. Sure enough, they had made it in one piece.

One of the marines leaned over Kailee and bandaged the headwound she had suffered during the attack in orbit. Pulling out some smelling salts he waved them under her nose and she violently came back to life.

After some kicking and fighting he grabbed and steadied her head. "Are you alright Admiral?" He passed a flashlight back and forth over her eyes.

She blinked and tried to bat the light out of his hands but the restraints limited her reach. "What is going on?"

"Admiral I need you to calm down. The ship was attacked in orbit, do you remember? It was seriously damaged and destroyed. We found you unconscious on the bridge and got you to an escape pod. We are now on the surface. I need you to take some deep breaths and remember what you can, then take a moment and tell me if you are alright."

She breathed deep as she tried to remember what had happened. As the marine had hoped the concentration started to calm her down. "I remember the transports approaching us. We backed off and then it detonated right next to one of our escorts. Then I think there was a large impact and I lost my balance."

The marine continued his work as she paused and thought.

"Do you feel any pain or discomfort in any part of your body?"

"My head feels like I just got suckerpunched."

"You suffered a superficial head wound on the bridge. I've bandaged it now, it should be fine with time. I will give you some pain pills soon but first I need to know if there is anything else."

She thought hard. "My left leg hurts a little."

As he touched the leg pain surged through her and she clenched her jaw letting out a short groan. "This looks broken. I can't do much for it now, but I will do what I can and get you some stims."

He wrapped her leg in a splint from the first aid kit and injected here with the stimulants that would block out the pain and get her mobile. Before he let her out of the restraints he found a suitable part of the pod to use as a crutch and removed it. He gave it to her and then removed the harness.

"You should stay seated here until we figure out what our situation is though. I don't want you to put unnecessary stress on your leg. Just let us handle things for now."

"Very well Sargeant, just get me back to my men."

"We will Admiral. We will."

Orbit

The drones finally reached their targets and gave the orbiting carriers a better look at the artillery positions. The three 4 kilometer Island class carriers began loading Orbit-to-Surface ordinance. They calibrated their targeting and announced their assault to allied forces.

<All Federation forces be advised; Tidani carriers Razor Edge, White Horse, and Dragon Scale commencing orbital bombardment of enemy artillery positions.>

And with that the missiles began to rain down on the artillery's shields.

"Incomeing orbital attack" a droid yelled

"Increase all power to the shield genrators. I dont want anything to get through!" The rebel commander yelled

They were a bit late as one missle hit its target befor the power had been boosted. The explosion threw metal in all directions and knocked the commander flat on his back.

" Damn it we can not afford to lose our HAG's! Where is Julius why hasnt he taken controle of the ground based Ion Cannons yet?!"

" Sir he says it will take time, it is much more highly encriypted then these droids were." A solider said

" Damn hackers.." The commander was cut off by a report from a mobile drone. It had picked up a crashed escape pod about 25 kilometers from their postion.

He was quick to order a detachment to make their way there to secure the site and bring back anyone who lived. He wasnt sending any droids either.


Detchment heading for the pod was made up of

10: IG-105 MagnaGuard
10:A-series droideka mark II
15:The B3 "Ultra" Droid
2:NR-N99 Persuader-class droid enforcer
3:Mechanized Assault Flyer

Yes some of the most advanced droids the CIS had to offer. Somewhat odd that a hacker could hack them considering they would need to be at a CIS command station to do so. ETA on detachment arrivel one hour.

ooc: link for the droids i am sending http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=532481

"Captain Estas, rebels have targeted the highway itself with artillery fire."

A shockwave rumbled through the ground. "Thank you sargeant, I can see that." Eyes narrowed at the rediculous assessment. "Bring our defense turrets to bare on the rebels."

"Yes Captain."

Defense turrets had been hastily built to secure the surrounding area but only the turrets with rocket ordinances could reach the rebels at this time. Once they got closer, there were far more toys to play with than a simple turret.

Rockets screamed over the head of the elven captain as he stood at the edge of a trench, watching rockets crash down on the rebel army's shield. "Raptors, fire strike on primary target."

Aircraft peeled from the clouds flying near the rebel advance. Two fighters flew in low, dropping their payload on a strafing run. The ordinance exploded in a brilliant ball of fire as searing hot plasma washed over the battlefield.

OOC: Hold up, guys. I've been a bit busy over the weekend. I'll need some time to catch up.

Five Kilometers Outside Federation Protected Zones

Two black Pelicans roared by just off the ground. After a few minutes a squadron of Sparrowhawk gunships joined with them and together they continued to race to where the escape pod's beacon had been located.

A recon drone was already on its way high above and would arrive over the target some time after the Pelicans passed the 2/3s marker. A squadron of Stormcrow strikefighters were being rerouted to begin patrols in the area. Tidan had no intention of leaving anyone behind enemy lines.

In the troop bay of each Pelican a dozen members of the Special Recon Forces sat strapped into their seats. The SRF was the cover unit for the Raven Program created back in the day with the help of the Yukatanian UNSC, the Ravens were Tidan's Spartans. Handpicked supersoldiers given bio-enhancements and capable of piloting the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, though the Tidani model was somewhat different than that of the UNSC. With so many power armors on board this was naturally no ordinary Pelican either. They had to have been reinforced and their thrust output was greatly improved, still they could not carry any kind of heavy armor with them. These were the best Tidan had, and they were about to get put into action.

On the lead Pelican Kazm-11 sat watching his squad mate Broc-16 carefully ensuring all the parts of his Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle, aka Spartan Laser, were in working order. Broc was a large man, Kazm was no less than 6' himself and Broc was still over a head taller than him. Broc also had the muscle to match which explained why he was drawn to heavy weapons, he could wield the damn things better than anyone else.

The flight would last about 40 more minutes. Then they would be dropped and the mission would start.

Kygn waited until the uplink release and channel appeared on his screen. He opened the channel and the Xanthalian appeared after a short delay.

"Admiral Anji it is good to see you. This is General Kygn, Tidani Ground Commander. I'm sorry it took so long to get to you, but things down here have started to heat up. I understand you need to know what is going on down here. I'm activating your uplink to the allied command now."

The uplink was connected and Kygn manipulated the display to begin showing live data. He then pulled out to the fleets in orbit.

"The activity in orbit, which I'm sure you can see as well as we can, while important is over for the most part right now so I'll leave that to Admiral Callahan and his counterparts. Here is what you need to know about the ground situation."

A few seconds passed as he refocused the map back onto the city and the forces arrayed inside and around.

"Inside the city we have divided it into four main zones. The Eastern Zone is patrolled by Dornalian forces, the Southern is Coredian, and Tidani control the Northern and Western Zones. The city core, convention center where the government is meeting, and this HQ are all part of the Western Zone. The ring around the city is primarily made up of Initiative and some Tidani bases and forces. This is also where the heart of our air bases are. The Highway Zone here is the route that the Viceroy takes every day to get from the Trade Federation HQ to the convention center. It is guarded by Abh and Initiative forces."

The map pulled out again to show the droid armies approaching.

"Fortunately for now the military has stayed silent, however these armies were hacked from the military arsenel and are under the control of the Rebel forces. They are currently bombarding our positions in the city and most heavily at the highway position with long range artillery. I'm hoping that those artillery positions will not be a problem for long but soon those armies will be too close to close for heavy bombardment."

Anji nods, saluting briefly in the Xanthalian style. "Understood, General. When it is confirmed the rebel ships have been neutralized I will call the remainder of the Xanthalian task force into the system. Be advised we have with us approximately twenty thousand troops available for deployment on the planet. I will contact HQ again when the transports are ready to begin carrying the Xanthalian forces to the surface; I estimate thirty minutes. In the meantime, please consider where they should be sent and any necessary measures to assure their safe delivery.

"Bear in mind, our transports can land on any hard, flat surface with 250 by 90 meters of clearance. Shuttles can deliver personnel and light equipment directly to almost any location, but at higher risk and in much smaller numbers. We also have available five ultra heavy cargo transports that can be used for equipment, personnel or civilian evacuation in an emergency, but they require a calm water landing strip no less than 100 meters deep and forty kilometers long. If you believe there is a chance they will be needed, I recommend you have the appropriate officials and staff work out the appropriate logistics in advance.

"If you have any instructions to deliver now, I am prepared to recieve them."

The Warcry was thankfully away from all the explosions as they ripped through the GFFA navy. William gazed at the screen, dumbstruck, until the calm tone of the E.V.A. Broke into his mind. “Receiving message from Those Who Are About To Rock..” He waved for it to be put on screen.

All friendly units, this is the For Those About to Rock. We have been targeted for a kamikaze attack. We are alright but sensors indicate other similar attacks are occuring and the enemy may be commencing their assault. Please provide a status update, repeat, provide a status update!"

This sent the bridge into chaos as they sent the signal throughout the ship that they were under attack and all weapons systems were activated and the ablative armor shifted onto their ship. They were far enough away from the explosions that none of the ships were near them nor did they get hurt by the explosions. A voice called out. “Sir, detecting two of the refugee ships heading for the planet. Their trajectories are aiming for our lines!” Commander Chavez uttered a Spanish curse and then sighed, feeling black guilt rush through him.

“We can't have them break our lines or more will die. I wish I didn't have to order this Lieutenant but....lock onto those ships and fire at will. Prevent them from getting to the planet.” The multiple batteries of railguns, missile tubes and Ion Blasters shot through space towards the two ships, with enough destruction to destroy them one thousand times over. As the guns fired he opened a channel to the New Dornalians.

“This is the GDIS Warcry, we are unharmed and currently very pissed off. I suggest we find out what the hell is going on here. This was no random incident; this was planned by the rebels. First the rebel force on the planet and now this.”

“Sir!” He turned and his eyes locked onto the scene on the main screen. The Tidanii ships, the Foundations of the World was mortally wounded, ripped in two by the explosion of multiple ships around it. The crew was in shock, as they knew countless lives had just been lost. Anger filled the Commander at this, so when the message button flashed, he hit it rather savagely. On the screen, Amanda's face appeared.

“Sir, what is going on up there?! I have falling debris slamming into my lines. So far, only eighty people have been hurt and I've lost a barracks and an airbase!”

William nodded curtly. “The rebels used transports to trick us into thinking they were refugees and then detonated then. The Tidanii have lost several ships.” Amanda went into a shocked silence.

“Well, sir, I have prepared the ground forces and-”

“INBOUND ARTILLERY! HIT THE DECK!” The feed turned as Amanda whirled around to see plasma charges landing amongst her base, as well as others, slamming into the ground and throwing up heat and gravel. Troopers were running around, although many were already in their positions. Amanda turned back to the screen.

“I need to see to my forces. If I need intervention from above, I'll call for it.” The Commander nodded and she vanished.

“Sir.” He looked at his comm officer. “A Xanthalian fleet has just arrived.”

William chuckled darkly. “How lucky of us to get reinforcements...now we can make those bastards pay.”

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

Meanwhile on the ground, the GDI forces prepared their counter attack. “Warcry, this is Bulldog. We need a little shock so the boys will put their sticks down.”

”This is Warcry, we read you Bulldog. The shock is on its way now.” The Warcry had the ability to fire Shockwave Artilley, which was a widespread, EMP assault that was focused in the area they were bombarding. With the coordinates provided by the ground forces under assault, a series of blue-white explosions appeared on the shields, blasting EMP energy all around the droid forces and their shields. How effective it would be remained to be seen. The troops cheered as the blasts slammed into the shields. The message by the Tidanii was received and a reply was sent.

Understood. Be warned, however, we are launching EMP shells at the shields already. Just in case this hampers you at all.

Amanda then sent her reply to the advancing forces. Entire flights of Firehawks and Orcas blasted towards the droid army, and unloaded payload after payload of bombs, carpet-bombing the droid ranks before rerturning to their air bases. The GDI bases that lined the perimeter prepared for battle, although they had done much already. Troops lined trenches and pill-boxes, base defenses readied themselves and armor organized into their battalions so as to best prepare for the coming assault.

Ground HQ

"Right, thank you Admiral Anji." Kygn looked over the situation.

"I think right now your forces can best be used in the Highway area. He threw up a few nav markers on the map. I have several locations here inside the city where you can land your forces. You can then make your way out to the highway entrance and link up with the Abh forces who are currently under attack. At the far end of the highway is a military base and the Trade Federation headquarters. If some of your forces head here we can secure both these positions as well and prevent any other military assets from falling into enemy hands. I will work on finding and securing suitable landing zones close to those targets before your forces arrive. I'm hoping that this artillery situation will be dealt with before you are ready to land, so that should make the process safer for you."

Outside Perimeter

Again a group of Pelicans left the city. This time though there were about a dozen. Sparrowhawks escorted them from the start and they all headed in the direction of the Military Base at the end of the highway. The 150 men needed to lockdown some LZs for the Xanthalian forces to use fairly quickly. Albatrosses unloaded heavy armor and anti-air, and the men set to work.

Orbit

Having received the Initiative warning the three carriers bombarding the artillery positions paused, though with the Initiative assault it would likely not be noticed, and switched ordinance to dumb kinetic rounds. They would not be effected by the EM interference, and even though the accuracy was worse than with smart missiles bombarding the army's shields required little in the way of accuracy.

OOC: Post coming up.

"Acknowledged. I wish for your success and safety. You will be contacted again when the Nabule forces are prepared to deploy. Out."

The transmission is cut and Anji refocuses on the situation in orbit. There still appears to be some fighting going on, but by all appearances the rebel ships should be eliminated by the time they arrive. Still, he's not about to let his guard down. Between people and technology, anything can happen on the field of battle. "Coordinate the fleet to spread out and enter a high orbit. Let's keep the groups together, but not too close. The enemy should not be able to destroy more than one target with a single hit. Make sure all the captains are aware that the rebel forces may use kamikaze tactics. Maintain minimum safe distance from all non-allied vessels. All ships are authorized to use their weapons in self defense at the discretion of their captains. Relay those orders to the other fleets as well."

Escape Pod

The marines had explored the immediate area now. They were in a valley made up of a steap mountain slope to the east, a narrowing canyon to the south, an easier slope to the west, and a pair of hills at the mouth of the valley to the north.

Admiral Kailee Torrec was resting her broken leg inside the pod when a familiar voice.

::Admiral, are you there?::

"Camulos? Is that you?"

::Yes Admiral, when I realized what they were doing I copied my critical programs to the pod's memory core. There isn't much room here, I have only just now managed to reform myself. I didn't dare try it during descent, but now the pod's systems and memory are not much use.::

"Well it is good to hear your voice again."

::Yours as well Admiral. Hold on ... I'm intercepting communications between the ground command and the marines outside the pod, Admiral ... A recon drone is overhead, its relaying communications ... A rescue team is enroute ... hostile forces have been sighted ... Admiral I need you to eject my drive.::

Kailee picked up her crutch and walked to the cockpit where she ejected a small memory unit from the pod's computer. As soon as she finished a marine entered the rear hatch looking for her among the three other officers. When he saw her at the far end he turned to leave and waved they follow.

"Come on. We're leaving."

Outside the marines were rigging breaching charges to the fuel tanks of the pod. Kailee stowed the disk in her pocket and walked up to the marine.

"Admiral how is your leg?"

"Still some pain, but the drugs are doing their job."

"Can you move quickly?"

"I think so."

"Good, I hate to do this too you but we have little choice. Eye-in-the-sky's spotted droids bearing down on us. It's likely to be close but it looks like they will beat our rescue team here. We are moving up the slope to the west. It will be the easiest to climb, it is terrible for a landing site so they will likely be forced to land in the valley and pursue on foot when they figure out where we have gone, and it has lots of cover."

"Right. Good work, Sargeant. Just keep it up and I'll make sure you get a promotion out of this when we get back to base."

Orbit

Things had started to return to normal. Rescue teams had managed to get to all the ships, and were recovering surviving crew members. Debris fields identified eleven attackers, that with the two that had entered the atmosphere accounted for all known refugee ships.

Admiral Callahan lowered the level of alert in the fleet. They were still on alert but there was no need to keep crews at battlestations constantly, the shifts would start again and crews could get some sleep.

On the Ground, New Munich

The pilots of the Komsomol fighter-bombers had a bird's-eye view of the carnage below, witnessing orbital strikes hurtling home and GDI aircraft dumping ordinance upon the enemy.

The flight leader of the pilots reported to Admiral Shoemaker, "Admiral Shoemaker, this is Valkirye-Oh-One. Reporting enemy movements upon main highway. Permission to fire upon enemy forces, over."

Shoemaker heard the message loud and clear on his communications equipment, and having monitored the battle traffic he replied, "Valkirye-Oh-One, this is Admiral Shoemaker. Commence bombardment of enemy forces. Be aware of friendly units on ground."

The flight leader then replied, "Roger. Over and out. Commence bombardment of enemy forces heading to highway."

The pilots replied, "Flight leader, requesting location of bandits, over."

The Flight Leader succinctly replied, "Feeding imaging data now. Otherwise, go where the shots are. Just be careful. Intel indicates Abh Imperial Marines are holding the line and Coredian Zoids are moving to intercept on the ground. Don't shoot them."

The other pilots replied, with a laugh: "Like we would. Roger, over and out."

The Komsomols then turned, and flew at high speed towards the highway. Following the waves of Firehawks and the steel rain of fire coming from above, the Dornalians began discharging Ion and conventional torpedoes as well as Demolisher Gun energy fire onto the enemy forces. They noted the incoming Zoids from the Coredian side and the Initiative EMP shots, but weren't too concerned about either. The EMP shots weren't going to do much to the Komsomols and the IFF and Targeting systems on the torpedoes registered the Zoids as friendlies, enabling the pilots to pick out who was what....

ooc: post comeing later

ooc: sorry agian post comeing today i hope.

"Shields holding at 78%. The bombers are comeing through the shields tho to attack"

The commander ordered his anti air to fire at any aircraft entering the shield. The mobile AA lights up the sky. The Droids readyed to advance on the Abh postion with the mobile shields to back them up.

The droid taskforce was nearing the crash sight. Long range scouts report they were makeing their way into the hills to slow the droid advance down. Half of the force broke off to go around the hills and come up from the rear. It would take them fourty more mintues to make it tho.

First Trade Congress

" Delgeats of this congress we have all had time to look over the evidince of the Trade Federations ordering of the attack on GFFA forces. I hearby call for the dissalution of all Trade Organizations and merge them into one Trade Union known as the Peoples Trade Union. The first to be dissolved i suggest is the trade federation!"

As eric krupp ended his speech the congress erupted into a roar of cheers. It was becomeing clear to the Trade Federation Viceroy that if he wanted to stay in power he would need to work outside of this congress via military action if need be.

"Shields holding at 78%. The bombers are comeing through the shields tho to attack"

The commander ordered his anti air to fire at any aircraft entering the shield. The mobile AA lights up the sky. The Droids readyed to advance on the Abh postion with the mobile shields to back them up.

The droid taskforce was nearing the crash sight. Long range scouts report they were makeing their way into the hills to slow the droid advance down. Half of the force broke off to go around the hills and come up from the rear. It would take them fourty more mintues to make it tho.

The Ack-Ack's furious reply began eating away at the shields of the Komsomol fighterbombers.

"Shit! Flight Leader, this is Valkirye-Oh-Two! Incoming Ack-Ack's fucking with my shields!"

"This is Flight Leader. All Units. Evasive action, keep on the target! Do not let up!"

The fighterbombers thus broke formation taking evasive movements to the left, right, up and down, strafing the target with all the fury of a vengeful god with their torpedo launchers and their Demolisher Guns.

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

Ground Control, where Admiral Shoemaker was, was getting real-time updates of the battlefield from the For Those About To Rock and the other allied forces. One of those was enemy movement on the highway. The other, was a sudden appearance of enemies moving....towards somewhere. Somewhere big, very possibly the spot indicated by an emergency beacon.

Shoemaker then decided to act. He picked up his communicator, and then ordered, "I want orbital fire at these coordinates. NOW."

Thus, the Mao Zedong Mark IV's EM Rifles roared to life, sending shots down at the enemy forces approaching the location of the emergency beacon with furious thunder.

ooc: Back from thanksgiveing vacation. Will post today.

ooc: Sorry agian, i will have to put this on hold for a week or two untell i can sort some RL stuff out.

ooc: Alright seems the two weeks turned into about a month. I had to move to a new house and i havent had the time to post. I will be posting sometime this weekend however

" Incomeing Orbital fire detected advice full speed advance" A droid said the others did as they were told. They would need to advance at full speed another 700 yards untell they would be in close enough to their target that fireing from orbit might risk cuaseing a land slide around those they were trying to protect. Losses would be taken in this advance but little else could be done.

Front Lines

" Damn it their command and controle wasnt phased enough by the transport attacks. They are more organized then we had planned" The commander of the front line rebel forces was starting to think a withdraw might be the best choice right now however.....

" This was situation was concidered when this operation was planned, There isnt any need to worry." A pale figure said

" And who the hell do you think you ar..........." The commanders words came to a stop when he turned and faced the man.

The commander started to tremble at the sight of this man, a man who he feared more then any army

" L...Lord Ulquiorra Cifer wh-what brings you here!" The commander saluted Cifer sweat rolling down his face. He did have much to fear as Ulquiorra Cifer was a member of the Espada the ten most gifted fighters of Hueco Mundo. The former Overlords of the world untell Lord Aizen and his sister Jaina who now controled the Espada

" I am here on lord Aizens orders to aid your forces for the time being." Ulquiorra said stepping forword to over look the battlefield.

" W-Well if you could do somthing about one of the enemy commanders th"

" Very well" Ulquiorra said and then in a blink of the eye vanished.

OOC: If anyone wants to volunteer their commander to die thats fine with me. If you would like it could lead to a search to deal with the Espada down the road with some of your people ect. But befor any of this anyone who would like info on the Espada or just Ulquiorra message me on msn or TG me.

ooc:bump

The GDI Orcas and Firehawks continued their sweep over the droid forces, pounding them with countless waves of explosives, missiles, and other weaponry. As they moved into the shield again, they were met this time by anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft formations pulled apart like a flower, and they began to go on evasive maneuvers, some distracting the weapons, while others unloaded their payloads onto the rebel forces.

"Bulldog, this is Eagle One. Their squawking now, and it's quite loud."

Amanda smirked. So, they finally got around to opening up their AA batteries.

"Understood, Eagle One. Finish your attack run and return to base."

The aircraft attacked with the savageness that comes with the final push. Explosions in the air testified to the losses suffered from the anti-aircraft fire. However, most managed to extricate themselves, albeit a lot of damage, to the airbases. The Commander radioed the Warcry again, and more railgun and Ion Blaster fire was rained down upon the enemy force. The force of the bombardment was much reduced in that they did not use all of their guns, or the full power setting of the weapons. They would still be devastating to any ground targets, as high speed shells and energy beams capable of ripping through ships slammed towards the ground at them.

All the while, the GDI prepared......and waited for the coming storm......

It appeared that the rebel forces were taking an old fashion butt-kicking from the orbital bombardments and now the GDI fightercraft. The Abh were never one for moderation so when it came to dogpiling on the rebel ground troops, the Imperial Marines were happy to apply a continual stream of rocket fire from the Whirlwind Artillery tanks. Missles screamed through the sky in a furry of punishment as they arced down towards the ground at the head of the rebel formation.

Captain Estas raised his chain sword high in the sky cursing and shouting for the rebels to come on and meet its edge. Heavily armored marines made ready for the inevitable clash between the two forces.

A quick flash appeared near the Abh Captian only 50 yards behind him with in his own lines. The flash was followed a micro second later with a brief static sound announceing the arrival Ulquiorra. He had a very Melancholia look with his green eyes with slit pupils looking right at the Abh Captian.

" I take it you are a Abh commander?" The words came emotionlessly

OOC: I will respond to the other parts such as the front line and ect once the others have responded.

Estas with his helm off, stood out in the midst of his troops being the only elf among them all while the sargaents around him were plainly human. Most of them looked up the elf as if to ask what this was. Estas answered their questioning looks. "It appears the adversary employs the aid of deamons in their midst. Further proof my brothers that these infidels must be purged from this planet."

The elf drew his chainsword as did many of the sargaents around him. "I am as you say, the commanding officer of these Imperial Marines but titles are useless here. You shall not live long enough to remember it."

OOC: just saying that I am aware we are back to this thread now, I will let Abh deal with the assassination before anything else bigs happens, and wait for the escape pod situation to continue.

Ulquiorra started to walk towrd the captian and his group. Not feeling the need to draw his sword and waste on those with common powers.

" I am only here for the captian so none of you others matter to me,However if you plan to get in my way you will die with him."

The men aboard the For Those About to Rock noticed their fire was getting close to the "Beacon Zone," and relayed the data as such to the Tactical Officer on the bridge. The tactical officer nodded, and then told Shoemaker, "XO, we've got reports from the Chief Armorer. Weapons fire is getting dangerously close to the friendly position. They recommend ceasing fire until risk of friendly fire is minimized."

Shoemaker replied, "Damn..." Looking into the distance, Shoemaker replied, "Hold fire. What infantry do we have available aboard?"

Tactical looked up the ship's manifest, and then replied, "Comrade-Admiral. We have Marines onboard for shipboard protection. We also have Red Army but that's on the ground. We also have some reserves aboard the ship. Red Army and Marines."

With that, Shoemaker said, "Are there any Marine Commandos?"

Tactical replied, "Not really."

Shoemaker then said, "Warp me down some Marines, find a nice, hidden spot. Provide them with Daltreys and other good stuff. We need to get these guys out, pronto."
-----------
The Komsomols continued to pound the enemy with their ordinance....

Two sargeants stood flanking their Captain not allowing any harm coming to Estas. When Gaf'ton had commissioned the Imperial Marines, he had chosen the most fanatical of the Abh's terran imperial citizens who were willing to sacrifice everything for the good of the Empire. These men were no different as they charged in on opposite sides of their foe, the eight headed dragon Gaftonoshu emblazened on their chests.

Both struck out with their chainblades to bring low this daemon that had been spawned in attempts to hault the purification.

Ulquiorra kept advanceing as the two sargeants charged forth he stopped for a moment to deal with the two filth

"Bala" he said fireing twobluuets of hardend spirtual pressure from both fist. The blast were weaker then a normal cero blast but moved extreamly fast and could rip a normal man a part.

OOC: I will post front line stuff later when i am back from work.

One sargaent was unlucky enough to be cut in half by the pressurized blast as it ripped through his midsection sending blood and gore spilling everywhere. The other lost his head in an explosion that sent showers of blood falling around Ulquiorra.

There were other sargeants standing at Captain Estas's side but he would not let them advance on the lone enemy. "No. This abomination has come for me and I alone shall face him. No more brothers shall fall before this fiend. He will die by my hands."

Estas sent his chainsword into motion as the many teeth began spining along the blade's edge. Unlike his subordinantes, the Captain would not rush in heedlessly. He would stalk his prey and steady it before delivering any killing blows.

It takes the Xanthalians some time to settle in, but the Admiral's sense of timing is apparently impeccable. Thirty minutes after their arrival, all the Xanthalian ships that came in his convoy are in the system save for a few Bodemia class ships that drift back and forth across the sord, running security. The Teshima signals ground HQ, indicating the Xanthalian ground forces are prepared to begin deployment.

Fifty Kilometers From Defensive Ring

The Droid detachment suffered the loss of one Mechanized Assault Flyer
and two Megnaguards. But they were now close enough to the enemy that their forces in orbit had stopped fireing Now their hunt started the Ultras took point starting their search

Front Line

" Commander Order the Long Range artillery to change their target from the GFFA front line and start pounding the heart of the city but stay away from the congress if at all possible,we dont want them to start wondering why we havent hit the city itself." The General orded to one of his droid underlings.

The Long Range Artillery changed target and started to pummel the heart of the city however they had already lost two artillery units do to the attack from the air. They couldnt hold back any longer they would have to use Buzzdroid anti air however they were limited in the ammount of buzzdroid shells,however they couldnt wait anylonger

The Anti air fired the buzzdroid shells infront of approching bombers and fighters exploding and sending the buzzdroids flying at the enemy intent on ripping them to shreds.

Abh Front Line

Watching estas Ulquiorra wondered why he thinks he will have any better luck getting to him however he didnt really care what was going threw this mans head.

Ulquiorra punched forword sending another Bala blast at the captian to cut him down like he had done to the two befor.

ooc:bump

Fifty Kilometers From Defensive Ring

The Droid detachment suffered the loss of one Mechanized Assault Flyer
and two Megnaguards. But they were now close enough to the enemy that their forces in orbit had stopped fireing Now their hunt started the Ultras took point starting their search

And with the cessation of fire, Shoemaker said, "Deploy the Marines. NOW."

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

Whilst the MagnaGuards were searching the countryside for their prey, a unit of Marines in Kurosawa III Powered Armor suits were getting kitted out in the ship above. Shoemaker's signal had reached the ship, and the Marines were quickly moving to get their gear on, as the situation below became tenuous. One Marine said, "Finally! Some action!"

With that, they stepped onto the teleporter pads, some in standard issue Shield Steel Armor, others in the aforementioned Powered Armor. Then, the Tactical Officer zeroed in on the location of the emergency beacon, and after the conditions were cleared, a signal was sent below to the officer manning the Teleporter.

"We are a go. TAKE OFF EVERY ZIG!"

With that, three 10 man squads of Marines, supported by a six man Kurosawa III powered armor team, would appear nearby the Tidani position. Loading 40mm grenades into their underslung launchers and the Kurosawas prepping their railguns, the Marines took up defensive positions next to the Tidani. And all the while, the Marines radioed the Tidani, saying, "This is Lieutenant Thompson of the People's Navy Marine Corps. We're here to get you out of here."

Estas had been expecting the blast from Ulquiorra as it came straight for the Captain meaning to end his career. However matters of light, wind, and pressure were not as complicated as the mind was want to let individuals to believe. While Estas was equipped with a chainsword like many commanders of the Imperial Marines, his was not Abh made. The particular blade had been bought from Mythrandir as an order for the new commander of the marines. Being something that the Abh were not exactly skilled at reproducing, his was a grade above the rest.

In one fluid motion, his blade cut up through the pressure sending halves of it blowing past him. The destruction behind him was immense but it still left the elf standing. Estas wasn't sure how often he could cast that holy power but he wasn't about to test it out now. Instead he quickly reached around for his plasma pistol and squeezed off a few quick rounds at Ulquiorra's head before moving off.

Ulquiorra had not expected Estas' weapon to be able to deflect a bala blast. He would be sure to take the sword with him once his prey was dead to find what it was made from.

As the plasma rounds reached Ulquiorra with one simple swipe of his hand he deflected the blast as if swating away flys. The hard skin of a Espada mixed with some of their spirit pressure made for a nice shield agianst such weak attacks.

" You will need to use somthing with alot more power then that if you wish to even to force me to dodge." Ulquiorra said following his words with two more bala blast.

Repair drones zipped all about the airfields, working to repair the damaged GDI aircraft. Engineers ran back and forth, refueling and rearming the aircraft. They would not be venturing again into that hive of AA fire, but they would simply wait for the rebels main thrust against their lines. Then, they would reveal the battlefield skills they had honed in decades of war against the Brotherhood. The army of rebels was nothing compared to what the Initiative had faced in years past. "Although, I wish we had more troops. I could use them."

The general turned to examine the computer in front of her, looking at the data streaming in from the Alliance network, along with the sensor drones they had high in air above the battlefield. She saw the situation of the Tidanii group that was trying to retrieve the commander of the fallen ship, and their pursuers. She keyed in an order to the Warcry to deploy two elite squads of Zone Troopers to go aid them, before returning to the main battle. Her computer beeped and a channel opened, showing a Captain in the city the GDI had been helping to guard. Fire streamed from several buildings, people ran in terror, and explosions could be heard.

"General, the rebels have begun shelling the city! We're moving the people out as best we can, along with other Federation forces, but its difficult. What are your orders?!"

Amanda gritted her teeth; those morally corrupt bastards! Shelling their own city, how pathetic. "Get as many as you can to safety; I'll notify the other Federation forces and ask for permission to move the Congress, our HQ, and the citizens out of the city. In case our defense lines falls, or is broken, we need to have some room to fight. I don't want civvie's getting caught in our fight. All I can say beyond that is endure, soldier. We can't get at their artillery just yet; too much AA. But I'll see what the Warcry can drum up."

"Understood, ma'am. Captain Tycho out." He saluted, which she reciprocated and then the channel cut. She opened another one with the GFFA link and sent a message to all GFFA commanders.

"This is General Amanda requesting permission to begin evacuation of the city in preparation for worst case scenario: the compromise of the defensive line. I also recommend we use heavier firepower to break the shield and destroy their anti-air capability. The quicker we can destroy those batteries, the quicker we can use our air advantage to end the shelling. With that in mind, I suggest that the Warcry, along with any other ships if able, use their railguns and other heavy weapons to bombard the rebels. All forces get out of the area around the rebel forces. We need to get the Tidanii force out of the area. I, myself, am sending forces to extricate them as we speak."


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

As the Tidani forces struggled to move away from the pod, and their pursuers, a loud dull roar could be heard. If any looked up, they would see two streaks of fire shoot down from orbit and head for them. The fire would sputter out and the now familiar GDI orbital drop pods could be seen. They activated maneuvering jet systems and managed to land a moderate distance away from the group. The hatches opened and two squads of power armor-wearing Zone Troopers, wielding rapid fire/heavy anti vehicle rail cannons, exited.

"Tidanii squads, this is Corporal Williams of South Africa 103rd. We have come to help get you out of here. You have some heavy incoming on your tail and this zone is about to become REALLY hot. I suggest we evac ASAP. We'll cover you."

One of the figures made a motion, and the other squad boosted through the air, heading to a spot some distance behind the Tidanii group. They would hold the rear while the Tidanii worked to get the drop pods. Hopefully, they could get out without incident.....

Front Line

" Commander Order the Long Range artillery to change their target from the GFFA front line and start pounding the heart of the city but stay away from the congress if at all possible,we dont want them to start wondering why we havent hit the city itself." The General orded to one of his droid underlings.

The Long Range Artillery changed target and started to pummel the heart of the city however they had already lost two artillery units do to the attack from the air. They couldnt hold back any longer they would have to use Buzzdroid anti air however they were limited in the ammount of buzzdroid shells,however they couldnt wait anylonger

The Anti air fired the buzzdroid shells infront of approching bombers and fighters exploding and sending the buzzdroids flying at the enemy intent on ripping them to shreds.


The shells hitting the city eventually began falling upon the Red Army's positions and even before the GDI began asking for assistance in evacuating citizens, the Red Army's commanders had raised the alarms, urging citizens to get to safety.

Admiral Shoemaker and the Commander of the Red Army contingent, meanwhile, fretted at the change in events. The New Dornalians had inherited a distaste for bombarding civilian centers unless it was absolutely necessary to do so. Like their GDI colleagues, they found this act by the rebels in the CIS rather distasteful.

As the Red Army tried to get people to safety and Shoemaker tried to react to events, the message came:

"This is General Amanda requesting permission to begin evacuation of the city in preparation for worst case scenario: the compromise of the defensive line. I also recommend we use heavier firepower to break the shield and destroy their anti-air capability. The quicker we can destroy those batteries, the quicker we can use our air advantage to end the shelling. With that in mind, I suggest that the Warcry, along with any other ships if able, use their railguns and other heavy weapons to bombard the rebels. All forces get out of the area around the rebel forces. We need to get the Tidanii force out of the area. I, myself, am sending forces to extricate them as we speak."


Shoemaker replied, "General Amanda, this is Admiral Shoemaker. I have Marines down there that are going to help extricate the Tidani as well. We have teleporters if you need them. As for firepower, we got the guns of our battleship, and we will train them on the enemy AA as soon as possible."

OOC: Not sure what to do next.

Estas was forced to dive and roll avoiding the blasts as more energy was shot his way. Despite the heavy armor, the elf was able to quickly regain his feet and charge into Ulquiorra as he fired more plasma bolts.

The Captain expected the demon to deflect as he had in previous attacks but the gun shots were simply a rouse as he brought his chainsword slicing in for Ulquiorra's midsection.

--------

"This is General Amanda requesting permission to begin evacuation of the city in preparation for worst case scenario: the compromise of the defensive line. I also recommend we use heavier firepower to break the shield and destroy their anti-air capability. The quicker we can destroy those batteries, the quicker we can use our air advantage to end the shelling. With that in mind, I suggest that the Warcry, along with any other ships if able, use their railguns and other heavy weapons to bombard the rebels. All forces get out of the area around the rebel forces. We need to get the Tidanii force out of the area. I, myself, am sending forces to extricate them as we speak."

"This is Colonel Triston of the Imperial Marines. All of our marine units are cleared from the rebel lines but we shall continue holding our line to prevent the city being breached. The Abh ship in orbit should be able to lend a hand with the orbital bombardment. We shall hold the line until the last man. Even now our brother Captain battles the enemy commander."

Viewing status reports from his seat on the balcony of the Teshima, Admiral Sino Anji is not happy with what he sees. Allied forces could make good use of backup, but at the moment he has nowhere to send the troops he's brought with him. "Continue attempts to contact ground headquarters," he says, adding a little frustration to his tone for good measure.

Viewing status reports from his seat on the balcony of the Teshima, Admiral Sino Anji is not happy with what he sees. Allied forces could make good use of backup, but at the moment he has nowhere to send the troops he's brought with him. "Continue attempts to contact ground headquarters," he says, adding a little frustration to his tone for good measure.

Admiral Shoemaker, frantically running about in the Control Room set up by the Alliance forces, heard the phone going off again and again. Walking--no, running would be a better term--up to the communicators frantically, he pushed a few buttons and looked at the incoming message. Apparently, it was from Xanthalian vessels in orbit--the ones O'Higgins had informed him about.

He patched the Admiral through, and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Admiral Anji was it? I'm Admiral Shoemaker from the People's Navy. We're a bit busy down here, so we apologize for not picking up sooner with all of the artillery raining down upon our heads."

Fifty Kilometers From Defensive Ring

The Ultra's spotted the enemy troops setting up and opened fire with rapid fire wrist mounted lasers. The Megnaguards held back as the Ultras took postions. The droideka's moved right heading down a path that would allow them to attempt to flank the enemy postions. The heavy support stated in the back for the moment not wanting to move in befor knowing the full enemy strength.

Front Line

The Artillery kept pounding the city and the smoke and fires from this was becomeing visable from the rebel postion. The commander felt he had waited long enough and that a direct attack was called for.

He pointed forword and the droids knew what he was calling for. The droids marched out in formation with tanks in the front and anti air in the middle of the Droids as the made their advance on the allied front.

Meanwhile Ulquiorra's little confrontation with Estas was ongoing deflecting the plasma blast as Estas had guessed he was taken somewhat offguard by the Elfs chainsword attack. Not many would be brave or foolish enough to come so close to a Espada.Ulquiorra jumped back but not in time enough to evoid a cut from the blade tearing his shit and drawing blood from the espada member.

A mark on his stomic was now shown as the number 4 makeing him the 4th most powerful on the Espada. Blood dripped down from a wound just above the marking.

" You have wounded me somthing very few can claim to say. But like all of them you will not live to brag about this however i will reward such power but not killing you with a bala or even cero blast,but with the blade of my sword."

With those words Ulquiorra drew his blade somthing he has done to only two others he has faced in his long past.

OOC: More about the Congress and Trade Federation tommrow

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Admiral Anji was it? I'm Admiral Shoemaker from the People's Navy. We're a bit busy down here, so we apologize for not picking up sooner with all of the artillery raining down upon our heads."

"Yes, and on that subject I am prepared to begin ordering Xanthalian reinforcements to the surface. Provide landing instructions and preliminary orders, and they should begin arriving within fifteen minutes."

Amanda smiled and opened up the channel again. "I would like to thank the Dornalian and Abh forces for their help. We will be giving targeting data once we get the soldiers out of there. Amanda out. She turned and watched the advancing rebel lines. She heard the calls for orders and the identifications of the enemy. Turning to the computer, she began to input orders, beginning the defense of the city.

Since the army was still some distance away, and would take time to reach the battle line, they could take their time with the battle. Juggernauts (http://www.ofp.bmj.pl/phpnews/images/sun1.jpg) moved into position, setting down their clamps and targeting the enemy lines, shortly joined by the Ion Mammoths, who readied their long-range Ion Blasters. Both began firing upon command from Amanda, launching a massive wave of Ion Energy and rail shells at the droid lines. They aimed for the anti-air and artillery first, so as to weaken them. The remainder of the GDI forces simply hunkered down to wait.

Meanwhile, the city had begun a mass evacuation, and despite the cessation of the bombardment as the enemy advanced, they continued. Upon hearing of the advance, the GDI forces intensified the evacuation. They needed to hurry up, if they wanted to be able to prepare for the defensive line's penetration, if it came to that.

"Yes, and on that subject I am prepared to begin ordering Xanthalian reinforcements to the surface. Provide landing instructions and preliminary orders, and they should begin arriving within fifteen minutes."

Shoemaker replied, looking at the feeds from the For Those About To Rock and witnessing the massive blips representing enemy movement bearing down onto the city and growing nervous, "Um, we need you to land as soon as possible to reinforce the defensive lines and assist in the evacuation of the citizens of New Munich City to safe harbor. Sensors indicate the enemy is moving on the city at due speed. We'll clear out some of our landing pads, you can use those. We'll also see if anybody else's are available as well. Also, we would like you to open fire upon the incoming enemy forces with your ship weapons if possible. We're feeding coordinates now."

Shoemaker then sent out a request, asking for any and all landing pads that were not being occupied at the moment, to allow the Xanthalians in if at all possible. In the meantime, he fed tactical data from the Dornalian ship to the Xanthalians.

Meanwhile, Red Army units began fortifying in their defensive works, and fire from the For Those About To Rock began to fall faster upon the incoming rebel units. Not just railcannons were used, but also Demolisher Cannons and even conventional torpedoes were being thrown upon them, especially focusing on the anti-air concentrations and the more advanced units.

The Marines that landed came under fire, and many of them not in Kurosawa suits went prone, opening fire with rifle fire at the Ultras. Meanwhile, the Kurosawas moved up to take a defensive position, and unleashed a massive flurry of gauss fire, tracking the Droidekas with gauss and plasma fire whilst one of the Marines brought an RPG-Krak Mk II missile launcher firing it upon the flyers.

Anji salutes. "Acknowledged. Stand by."

The Admiral shifts focus to his own command, examining the holographic tactical display. "Route landing information to the Eightfold Path and order Commodore Victoria to begin landing ground forces at her discretion. Route surface target information to the Malthus and advise them of the Admiral's request.

"Admiral," he says, returning attention to Shoemaker, "I'm going to pass you on to... Captain Kimiko Ross of the Malthus. You have a better view of what's happening down there than I do; you should be in direct contact with the people doing the shooting."

Sino activates the link to his communications officer. "Transfer my active channel to the Malthus."

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After a brief interruption, Shoemaker is faced with a young woman of Asian descent, sporting short dark hair and dark eyes that take on a purple tint when caught by the light. She's stone-faced and resolute, only a hint of anticipation lurking behind her cool fascade, and wastes no time getting to the point. "Admiral," she begins, saluting carelessly then crossing her arms across her chest. "You want me to fire on the surface?"

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As orders are passed around and landing pads cleared, one by one Sazoils begin decending towards the surface. Their shields, kept active in case of enemy attack, react to the atmosphere by glowing a faint electric shade of blue as the bulky ships make their way in, a lightshow that intensifies as their altitude decreases.

ooc: Bump will make a post tommrow if the others havnt anyway.

After a brief interruption, Shoemaker is faced with a young woman of Asian descent, sporting short dark hair and dark eyes that take on a purple tint when caught by the light. She's stone-faced and resolute, only a hint of anticipation lurking behind her cool fascade, and wastes no time getting to the point. "Admiral," she begins, saluting carelessly then crossing her arms across her chest. "You want me to fire on the surface?"



Admiral Shoemaker replied quickly, "Not just anywhere on the surface. But at the coordinates I am feeding you now. Use as many weapons as you can spare, they seem to be tenacious opponents."

--------

Meanwhile, Dornalian soldiers on the ground looked into the sky, and saw the incoming Sazoils.

One man, a Sgt. Smedley, said, "About fucking time! We need some help moving these fucking people into safety...these Xanthalians think this is the Internal Revenue office!?" A nearby officer, a Captain Nozick, replied, "Hey, asshole. Less talk, more movement. I'm glad they're here, that's all that matters! You can rehash old stereotypes later when there's nobody else to worry about!"

Kimiko raises an eyebrow, looking back at her weapons officer with a hand held up, as if to forestall any itchy trigger fingers. When she's confident he understands she isn't fulfilling the admiral's order just yet, the captain turns back to her conversation with ground HQ. "With all due respect sir, the Malthus carries fifty-six antimatter mines with a combined explosive power of over fifty gigatons. If I emptied my payload on those coordinates, you'd have a hole in your continent. It would certainly eliminate the enemy ...and anything else that's unshielded within a hundred kilometers. Even the best area shields wouldn't be any good within ten kilometers. I don't have a problem with that, but you should consider carefully before I grant your request."

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In all, six Sazoils find sufficiently safe landing pads in the city and begin to unload their complements. Though there are many soldiers, there is a noticable shortage of heavy equipment like vehicles and artillery. As units begin to gather, the commanders approach whatever allied personnel are in the area for deployment instructions.

Kimiko raises an eyebrow, looking back at her weapons officer with a hand held up, as if to forestall any itchy trigger fingers. When she's confident he understands she isn't fulfilling the admiral's order just yet, the captain turns back to her conversation with ground HQ. "With all due respect sir, the Malthus carries fifty-six antimatter mines with a combined explosive power of over fifty gigatons. If I emptied my payload on those coordinates, you'd have a hole in your continent. It would certainly eliminate the enemy ...and anything else that's unshielded within a hundred kilometers. Even the best area shields wouldn't be any good within ten kilometers. I don't have a problem with that, but you should consider carefully before I grant your request."

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In all, six Sazoils find sufficiently safe landing pads in the city and begin to unload their complements. Though there are many soldiers, there is a noticable shortage of heavy equipment like vehicles and artillery. As units begin to gather, the commanders approach whatever allied personnel are in the area for deployment instructions.

Admiral Shoemaker sighed, and facepalmed. Typical. He made his thoughts plain in his reply to Captain Ross, saying sternly: "There are the problems of using antimatter, yes. But, on the other hand, if you do not use the bombs, your comrades and many innocent civilians will die at the hands of putschist thugs intent on killing everybody who's even remotely tied to the acronym GFFA.

Now, my vessel is using much more potent stuff--Demolisher Guns, for example, which manipulate God-knows what energies from fuck-knows-where to make things hurt. So part of me doesn't see the fuss. However, I am not an idiot, and fully respect your concerns. After all, there are friendlies and civilians in the city to worry about, and a nascent political process."

He then spoke, thinking for a moment, "Okay, fine. Do what you need to do to fulfill the request for support without excessive collateral damage to people and property. I won't mind. If you want, we can help refine those targeting coordinates to minimize casualties."

Meanwhile, the Red Army commander in the city, a very surly catgirl, fumed "About fucking time" when the Xanthalians finally disembarked from their Sazoil landing craft. As Dornalian soldiers all around her moved to get civilians to shelter and eventual evacuation, she got out to meet the Xanthalian commander...

...only to be met by him/her. Bumping into the commander, the catgirl said, "Ay....." Looking up, she then recognized the uniform as that of a Xanthalian Nabule commander, and then she began to speak, forcefully:

"General Antonia Maria-chibi, Red Army. About fucking time, pendejo. Been filling out forms in triplicate?"

Trade Union Congress Private Office of Eric Krupp

Eric sat in a leather office chair over looking the fires in the city from his window. The Congress had ended for the day and night was only a hour away. To him the sight of the fires in the night would be relaxing as he waited for the Trade Federation to make their move however his thinking was intrupted by a knock at his door.

"Enter" he said turning around in his chair to face the door. The door opened and a man with a black cloak and hood entered.

"Lord Aizen sent me." The man said closeing the door

" Are you Espada? Becuase i asked aizen to not send any hallows or espada to me office as it will catch the eye of the GFFA." Krupp said rather annoyed"

" No i am human....a Ninja so do not ever put me in the same catagory as those Espada scum ever if you wish to live." The man said in a angry tone that struck some fear into eric.

" I ment no disrespect.......Well lets get down to the matter at hand then. The rebel forces will be entering the city within the hour and Kenpachi's forces will not be able to aid us untell the Trade Federation makes their move. If i dont send any aid of somekind soon the GFFA might become annoyed and ask too many questions right now."

Krupp turned looking back out into the city

" So i want you to go and help the GFFA in the city in your own way but dont weaken the rebels to much untell Kenpachi enters the battle understand?"

The man turned and started to leave " Got it."

"Wait befor you go i want to ask, what kinda of Ninja are you?" Krupp said

The man turned and looked back his green eyes showing and unnatural blue hair " I am a puppet user......the second comeing of Akasuna no Sasori or so i like to think." With those final words the man closed the door leaving.


OOC: Just introduceing another person of intrest :)

[B]Meanwhile Ulquiorra's little confrontation with Estas was ongoing deflecting the plasma blast as Estas had guessed he was taken somewhat offguard by the Elfs chainsword attack. Not many would be brave or foolish enough to come so close to a Espada.Ulquiorra jumped back but not in time enough to evoid a cut from the blade tearing his shit and drawing blood from the espada member.

A mark on his stomic was now shown as the number 4 makeing him the 4th most powerful on the Espada. Blood dripped down from a wound just above the marking.

" You have wounded me somthing very few can claim to say. But like all of them you will not live to brag about this however i will reward such power but not killing you with a bala or even cero blast,but with the blade of my sword."

With those words Ulquiorra drew his blade somthing he has done to only two others he has faced in his long past.

"The rewards of a daemon, they mean nothing to me. You shall be banished back to whatever realm it is you come from."

Estas had his chainblade spinning once again but holstered his pistol this time. Instead he fished around for a plasma grenade hooked on a belt loop beneath his golden cape. His armored glove grasped the plasma grenade and held on as he circled around with Ulquiorra. Estas wasn't exactly quite sure what the daemon's blade could do so he wasn't about to rush in.

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

While the battle betweent he commanders raged, the Imperial Marines were not sitting quiet under the enemy's advance. Lascannons from tanks opened fire tearing into the assault. Rockets from the whirlwind artillery crafts fell from above. All the while, the Imperial marines gritted their teeth and prepared for the eventual clash.

The Captain half-glares at the Admiral, suspecting she's just been insulted. "Yes Sir." She turns back to her weapons officer. "Deployment of up to twenty mines authorized. Use ground-penetrating attachments to get under any shields and blow them up from underneath. Calculate your power and angles to minimize collateral damage."

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"Leave the APCs in there for now, prioritize artillery. One-two, prepare to move out. Four-seven, get the hell out of the way over there!" The Colonel stands resolutely on a raised platform, speaking through his radio and trying to put the units coming off the massive ship into some semblance of order. Before him, a sea of soldiers in their black, full-body combat suits mill about in groups, assuming formation. The Colonel has never enjoyed wearing his combat suit, but not knowing where he would be sent on this strange world, he felt obliged to don it anyway. The helmet and tinted visor completely hides his appearance, but tags and markings indicate his name and rank.

He looks down at the general, preoccupied with his more immediate duties. "If this is how Red Army officers spend their time, it's no wonder you need our help. Run along, kitty; I have a battle to win."

"Allied HQ," the Colonel keys his radio as he returns his attention to the unloading process, "This is Colonel Desmond Kirkpatrick. I've got fifteen more companies for you; eleven infantry, two support, an artillery, and a medical. Where do you want 'em? Fuck!" he hisses as one of the big guns rolling off the Sazoil nearly falls off the ramp. "Radio Major Dawn and tell it to make sure the space cadets don't wreck its equipment," he orders a nearby sergeant.

ooc: Posting tonight

The Captain half-glares at the Admiral, suspecting she's just been insulted. "Yes Sir." She turns back to her weapons officer. "Deployment of up to twenty mines authorized. Use ground-penetrating attachments to get under any shields and blow them up from underneath. Calculate your power and angles to minimize collateral damage."

Admiral Shoemaker remains silent. He can only think to himself how high strung this Captain is, and how easily insulted she could be. The thing is, he's not in the mood to start an argument, he's here to win.

He then replied, with a simple, "Duly noted." Coughing, he then replied, "And Captain--do try to not take my advice so personally. You'll live longer."

He looks down at the general, preoccupied with his more immediate duties. "If this is how Red Army officers spend their time, it's no wonder you need our help. Run along, kitty; I have a battle to win."

"Allied HQ," the Colonel keys his radio as he returns his attention to the unloading process, "This is Colonel Desmond Kirkpatrick. I've got fifteen more companies for you; eleven infantry, two support, an artillery, and a medical. Where do you want 'em? Fuck!" he hisses as one of the big guns rolling off the Sazoil nearly falls off the ramp. "Radio Major Dawn and tell it to make sure the space cadets don't wreck its equipment," he orders a nearby sergeant.

Fuming, Maria-chibi storms up to Kirkpatrick and gives him the middle finger, crying out, "Hey, fuck you, asshole! I outrank you!" before running off and assisting a caravan of civilians.

The only reply on the radio came from Admiral Shoemaker. Having overheard the rant from the General, Shoemaker replied, "Colonel Kirkpatrick, I apologize for the Red Army. They can be rather brusque. Having said that, I need you to reinforce friendly lines with the infantry, and prepare for an attack. Medical may be necessary to treat civilian casualties. Artillery to help assist our air and orbital fire upon the enemy. Support companies to provide ammo to whichever unit of yours needs it, since I don't imagine any of the Red Army uses Xanthalian equipment. Try backing the medical with extra supplies, but besides that its your discretion. That's all I got for now."

He then capped with a jovial, "Oh, and you're free to tell General Maria-chibi that she has to play nice with you. Otherwise, I'll sic the Commissar on her."

Abh Front Line

Ulquiorra looked at Estas with his emotionless eyes befor chargeing forword. He was careful to not use his full speed. He wanted to see what this little elf had planned not that he thought it mattered. He would not let himself be hurt twice by the same enemy.

Battle Lines

Incomeing fire took its toll on the advanceing droid forces as they returned fire.

Half of the advanceing forces stayed and engaged the GFFA forces outside the city as the other half entered the city Ultra's Lead the charge as they met the first inner and outer defenses of the city. Fireing their wrist mounted lasers and rockets. Megnaguards charged into the enemys lines into hand to hand combat even at great lose to themselfs in the advance.

The evacuation convoys came under attack by advanceing droid forces as best they could as they made their march into the city trying to cut the inner and outer defense rings off from each other.

Trade Federation Command Center

The Viceroy sat in his chair tabing his long slinder fingers agianst the table pondering his options. The Rebels were agianst him and soon the CIS and GFFA would be agianst him should he not disband the Trade Federation.

" We must make a move to attack the Congress while the Rebels and GFFA do battle. If we can destroy the congress the GFFA will have no choice but to see us as the ruleing goverment, all forces move out!" He said after thinking for hours on end.

Down the road from the Abh lines new battledroids could soon be seen approuching carrying the banner of the Trade Federation.

OOC: Sorry for the short post works not leaving me with much time as of late for really getting to wright these thinks out hopefully i will have a new job soon.

"Yes Sir." Captain Ross looks less than happy with the Admiral's 'advice,' but for the sake of domestic tranquility lets the matter drop. What an annoying man.

"Loose weapons." With those words, ten hoksai are released from their firing chambers and begin their fall to the planet below.

"Volley one away," the weapons officer reports. "Volley two firing in one minute."

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Des smiles under his helmet. "That's kind of you Sir, but I think I can take care of myself. Over and out."

Seeing the unloading of the artillery proceeding again, the Colonel begins issuing orders. "Okay, listen up! Infantry and artillery directly to the nearest front line, medical split up, half to assist civilians, half with us. Supply, get some convoys between HQ, arms depots, and the front, and keep your eyes open for good restaurants. When we're through crushing these rebels, we'll be hungry! Move out!" The Xanthalians begin clearing the landing area as they march off to join the Dornalians. Simultaneously, the regiments that had landed elsewhere in the city begin their deployment to other parts of the front.

Battle Lines

Incomeing fire took its toll on the advanceing droid forces as they returned fire.

Half of the advanceing forces stayed and engaged the GFFA forces outside the city as the other half entered the city Ultra's Lead the charge as they met the first inner and outer defenses of the city. Fireing their wrist mounted lasers and rockets. Megnaguards charged into the enemys lines into hand to hand combat even at great lose to themselfs in the advance.

The evacuation convoys came under attack by advanceing droid forces as best they could as they made their march into the city trying to cut the inner and outer defense rings off from each other.



General Maria-chibi took command of the situation, coordinating the defenses on her end and hoping to stymie the enemy. She ordered heavy weapons teams and mortar units to begin attacking the enemy, followed by a stiff defense by the Red Army. Meanwhile, she ordered four Powered Armor Teams to assist the evacuation convoys.

The Dornalians, assaulted by the enemy, hunkered down into their defensive positions and opened up with their Heavy Machine Gauss Guns, Mortars, RPG-Kraks and Railcannon and Plasma Gun fire from the Powered Armor teams and showers of missile fire from the Daltrey IIs into the ranks of MagnaGuards and Ultras. They weren't eager to let the enemy close with them easily, and thus they threw all they had into the defense.

Those rebel droids that did close in hand to hand faced men who were not eager to give up. Those who could pulled out railpistols and opened fire on their new enemies. Those who couldn't used rifle butts, knives, chainkatanas and their close combat training taught by the Red Army Close Combat System to try and use Mixed Martial Arts moves against their foes, throwing, grappling and striking them in the head and arms to try and do something. Those Powered Armor units that stayed behind used their enhanced strength to deliver devastating uppercuts and kicks to their robotic foes....

Meanwhile, Powered Armor units sent to guard the evac convoys lept into the thick of the action, firing down with gauss and plasma fire into the ranks of droids assaulting the evacs as they landed next them, spraying the enemy with gunfire and "bunnyhopping" at low levels to stay mobile.

Estas twirled his wrist and sent the chainblade in a quick circle. The elf kept his grip tight on the grenade beneath his cape but now was not the time to use it. Instead, he met the charge with his own and brought his sword crashing down aimed for Ulquiorra's collar bone.

Things were getting interesting out on the battle lines as Imperial Marines let the bolter and plasmas fly into the rebel lines. Now came a new scene with droids carrying what looked to be the Trade Federation banner. Missels and artillery continued to fly through the air and tear up the ground as they hit earth. Glorious battle for the Imperial Marines.

ooc: Reserved for post tommrow

Abh Front Line Ulquiorra's charge was being met head on by the elf captian as the two met Ulquiorra parryed his blow and made a effort to force the elf off balance and break his stance.

Meanwhile the Rebels came underfire from the Trade Federations forces who had air support and larger ground numbers attacking their flank. Loses were mountung but their effort to smash the abh line stayed their primary goal since the Abh were now under fire from Trade Federation forces aswell.

The Orbital attack however really dealt a blow breaking threw the mobile shield atlast and takeing out the primary genarator.

City Battleground

Droid forces battled hand to hand in some cases and at range in others. Ultras were starting to enter buildings for cover and a attempt to flank enemy lines. Megnaguards now focused on the Powered Armor Units as their primary target. Droid Armor now started takeing side streets and other ways to avoid takeing on the enemy front line head on.

At that point, the first volley of Xanthalian mines reached their targets; penetrating the ground just outside the shields protecting the enemy artillery at an angle before detonating just under the surface, inside the protective barriers. Aboard the Malthus, the weapons officer reports. "Volley one detonated on target. Assessing effect now. Volley two detonation in ninety seconds."

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On the ground, the first Xanthalians begin to reach the front lines in the form of Colonel Kirkpatrick and his infantry and artillery, who join a New Dornalian force already on site. As his troops deploy along the front, the Colonel pulls aside a low-ranking Red Army soldier, pointing at his insignia and raising his voice over the din of war. "I'm Colonel Desmond Kirkpatrick, Xanthalian Nabule! Who's in charge of this part of the perimeter?"

On the ground, the first Xanthalians begin to reach the front lines in the form of Colonel Kirkpatrick and his infantry and artillery, who join a New Dornalian force already on site. As his troops deploy along the front, the Colonel pulls aside a low-ranking Red Army soldier, pointing at his insignia and raising his voice over the din of war. "I'm Colonel Desmond Kirkpatrick, Xanthalian Nabule! Who's in charge of this part of the perimeter?"

The grunt opened his visor somewhat, and screamed out, "Well Colonel, you'll have to talk to Captain Malone!" Turning away for a moment and opening fire upon an incoming droid, the grunt then continued, pointing toward a man in a suit barking orders on a radio, "He's right there! Now I gotta go! Fuckers are flooding the side streets!" The grunt then ran, picking up an RPG-Krak Mk. II missile, before running with a team of men to hunt the armor.

ooc:bumped for the others

Estas's blade crashed down with Ulquiorra's as they met amdist the raging battle. The elven captain of the Imperial Marines hopped through his dance with the chainsword to keep his balance as Ulquiorra kept up the attack. All the while, Estas kept his hand on the grenade hidden beneath his cape.

Marines on the front lines were suddenly wondering what the hell was going on as troops from the Trade Federation steadily began to attack their own lines. If they were not mistake, the Trade Federation were one of the members that the Marines were supposed to be protecting.

Nearby sargeants took up the lead of their own squadrons and focused fire on now two attacking enemies. Phantom tanks rolled in with lascannons firing into both ranks while dreadnoughts walked into the thick of fighting sweeping missle launchers, lascannons, and assault cannons at anyone that dared get in their way.

Whirlwind artillery tanks took up a steady barrage of rockets as more and more rebels and Federation soldiers closed in. Defensive turrets ran hot as rockets and bolter rounds sped out in rapid succession. Even Raptor strikes were ordered from the air as the Imperial Marines brought down everything they could to deal with this growing threat at the center of the line.

Just in case people don't know, CIS has been having problems with his account. He is working to get it fixed so just be patient. He'll post when he can.

(Understood CIS is having problems, I'm just going to try to catch up a little)

Escape Pod

When the Red Army and Zone Troopers dropped into the valley, the few marines and officers abanadoned their attempt at escape they hurried down the slope and approached the Red Army commander who had arrived first and closest to the survivors.

Kailee limped up and saluted. "Admiral Torrec, Tidani Royal Navy. Damn glad to see some friendly faces around here. We expected to be overrun by droids by now."

As they greeted the arrivals the two black pelicans and their gunship escorts finally flew overhead. The pelicans lowered to the deck and 24 power armor suits exited the craft. A squad left the Tidani and rushed over to the allied forces and saluted.

"Admiral it is good to see you alive." The leader of the squad, Kazm-011, shook her hand and then turned to the Dornalian and Initiative troops. "Sergeant Major Kazm Oh-One-One. Thank you for assisting us in rescuing our personnel, however we have hostiles coming in fast and we need to get them to safety asap."

OOC: Okay, I think I've waited long enough; tried to get in contact with CIS, but couldn't. I'm going to just assume all this worked out and stop monitoring the thread for new replies.