NationStates Jolt Archive

Caracal hesitated slightly, he knew the mental repercussions of telling her what a perfect universe would be like for her. But she had a right to know. If she wanted to risk it, then he could not stop her knowing.

He sighed

"The Alversians are far from the Imperial warhounds they appear to be in this system. Quite the opposite, in fact, they have fought hundreds of wars to protect the freedom of smaller, less capable races. Over 1 million of them sacraficed themselves to protect Alversian from a Korr invasion that would have heppened three years ago in your timeline. They are a noble race who only want what's best for their own people and those around them.

The Xiscapians are equally and noble and a strong people, filled with strong headed people. As part of the Federation, they contribute ships, crew and expertise to the Federation and maintain it from day to day. The Xiscapian people are loyal, extremely courageous under fire and ready to die for their beliefs.

The Alumina were a...difficult member to recruit into the Federation. It took some persuading before the Supreme Lioness acknowledged that it would be best for her people. Since those days, our own security situation, which has always been precarious, has been solved by the help from the Federation. We like to think of ourselves as objective, detatched from emotion and fiercly loyal to our friends. We would hold the Xiscapian amongst our highest friends"

He broke off at this point, talking about home was starting to depress him and he needed to remain objective during these next few hours.
Krystal nodded. It hurt like being hit with a sledgehammer, and a deep twisting aching feeling gathered in her chest, constricting her throat. A perfect world...
Krystal shook her head. "A-a-lright. Okay. I...I think I need to rest for a while." Krystal bowed her head so the Alumina would not see the tears leaving a salty trail across her cheeks. She turned and swiftly walked out, head still bowed. She was stunned. The Alversians, not brutal imperalists but freedom-loving allies? The Xiscapians, not ground beneath the heels of oppreson and being killed a little more every day they spent under a tyrants rule, but honorable again and loyal? The Alumina, not arrogant or aloof but kind and helpful? It all seemed impossible, and made her current situation look bleak and hopeless. She didn't even ask for directions or permission, just took the first open room (a supply closet) she saw and slumped down inside, to sleep away the pain and anger and fatigue the past few hours had caused.
OOC:
I'm outa here. I'll see you later.

The Alumina sighed as Krystal left the bridge. He knew it would be devastating for he to hear how perfect their world could have been but for one event. She would take it hard but she also had to take hope from the fact that this perfect world was achievable if her people were willing to fight for it.

He shook his head and settled down for the long trip ahead.

The Alumina sighed as Krystal left the bridge. He knew it would be devastating for he to hear how perfect their world could have been but for one event. She would take it hard but she also had to take hope from the fact that this perfect world was achievable if her people were willing to fight for it.

He shook his head and settled down for the long trip ahead.
Several Hours later...
Kartosh and Skyler came up to te bridge, looking around at the technology. Kartosh still planned to see if he could get some valuable tech off this ship. "So, Lieutenant Commander," said Kartosh, as if the Alumina had nothing to do and they were old friend. "is there our conterparts in your strange, twisted universe as well?" Skyler was looking around, wondering if all ships of the future would look like this.

Several Hours later...
Kartosh and Skyler came up to te bridge, looking around at the technology. Kartosh still planned to see if he could get some valuable tech off this ship. "So, Lieutenant Commander," said Kartosh, as if the Alumina had nothing to do and they were old friend. "is there our conterparts in your strange, twisted universe as well?" Skyler was looking around, wondering if all ships of the future would look like this.

OCC: i replyed

The Lieutenant Commander was still focused straight ahead when the pair came in and did not even acknowledge their presence. However, he did answer thier question
"Yes, there is a Kartosh and a Skyler in our universe" He sighed.

The Lieutenant Commander was still focused straight ahead when the pair came in and did not even acknowledge their presence. However, he did answer thier question
"Yes, there is a Kartosh and a Skyler in our universe" He sighed.
Kartosh grinned widely. "And what are they like?" He thought he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it for himself. If he could, perhaps, sneak aboard this ship and go back to their universe with them, why, there could be a huge profit in there. Of course he'd have to figure out how to get back to this universe, but if it can be done twice, it could be done a third time.

"They happen to be two of the most unreliable characters I have met. However, Admiral Kartosh is a brave and loyal servant of the Federation and Senator Skyler's work in the outer Provinces has earned her many fans. Admiral Kartosh was to take command of a new Nano-Dreadnought just before we left, the UFS Star Snake. I believe"

The Alumina was telling them what had happened to the Kartosh and Skyler in his future, way in his future. A long way off from them and a long way from home.

"They happen to be two of the most unreliable characters I have met. However, Admiral Kartosh is a brave and loyal servant of the Federation and Senator Skyler's work in the outer Provinces has earned her many fans. Admiral Kartosh was to take command of a new Nano-Dreadnought just before we left, the UFS Star Snake. I believe"

The Alumina was telling them what had happened to the Kartosh and Skyler in his future, way in his future. A long way off from them and a long way from home.
Kartosh coughed violently. "Uh, Admiral Kartosh? Brave and loyal sevant? Nano-Dreadnought?" He and Skyler looked at each other. Skyler raised her eyebrows. "Don't look at me. Apparently I'm a Senator and I have," she spat the word like a curse, "fans." "So, in your universe," said Kartosh slowly, "we're not mercenaries? What a pity. They don't know what they're missing out on."

"They were mercenaries" Caracal explained, "But they fought heroically during the 18th and final Danaversian War. After that, you were offered a position in the fleet and, despite being completely deaf, you agreed to it. Skyler was elected as the Representitive for Xiscapia's northen continent just two days later. You have done much to make the Federation a better place and you are both in the Hall of Honour, our highest award. Only a dozen people are in it."

"They were mercenaries" Caracal explained, "But they fought heroically during the 18th and final Danaversian War. After that, you were offered a position in the fleet and, despite being completely deaf, you agreed to it. Skyler was elected as the Representitive for Xiscapia's northen continent just two days later. You have done much to make the Federation a better place and you are both in the Hall of Honour, our highest award. Only a dozen people are in it."
Kartosh stared. "I'm deaf?! How the hell am I an Admiral if I'm deaf?" He demanded loudly. Skyler just shook her head. "What a load of rubbish. Make the galaxy a better place. Right."

"You have been given a new piece of technology that is embedded in both your ear and your brain. It takes the sound waves of speech and converts into the electrical signals your brain communicates with. We helped to develop the technology"
Caracal then turned to Skyler, the first time he had looked away from the bridge
"Yes, you are one of the popular Senators in the Federation and are the forerunner to be the next President in the upcoming elections."

"President? Of what?" Skyler couldn't imagine. The Alumina had their Supreme Lioness, the Xiscapians their Emperor or Emperess, and the Alversians, according to Federation members, a Prime Minister. So who was this President President of? Kartosh took on a look of interest. "Might be interesting...me, in a position of power, hah," He looked at the Alumina. "How did I lose my hearing? Exactly I mean. An explosion, or a sonic broadcaster or something?"

"President of the Federation of course!" Caracal shook his head in disbelief, "The leader of the entire Federation! It is a big responsibility" He stated, "And one your alternate seems to be ready for"

"President of the Federation of course!" Caracal shook his head in disbelief, "The leader of the entire Federation! It is a big responsibility" He stated, "And one your alternate seems to be ready for"
Skyler almost choked. "Me, what? But that's...that's tens of thousands of ships, millions of soldiers, trillions of people and dozens of planets and moons! And I'm running to be in charge of all this?" She shook her head wildly. "Alternate universe...more like, "direct opposites." Kartosh raised his eyebrows and waited for his previous question to be answered.

"Indeed," The Alumina First Officer stated mildly, "You are one of the most popular Senators that has ever taken Office in the Federation. At the moment, the polls would suggest you are going to win by a considerable margin"

He then turned to Kartosh and shook his head sadly

"It was an assassination attempt by the Cala-Danaversian Alliance. They attempted to kill you with a sonic charge, designed to detonate as you passed with your vessel. However, Federal Intelligence learned of the plot and, although they were able to save your life, the ship was too close to avoid all the effects of the weapon. 4 Federation Sailors died, the rest were deafened like you."

Skyler sat down on the deck, thinking hard. It was impossible. She knew virtually nothing of politics, but her alternative counterpart was likely going to win the Presidental race for leadership of of a vast Federation?
The other Skyler must have considerably more work ethic than I do...
Kartosh nodded. "Alright then. I have to know," he paused, "what is this "Cala-Danaversian Alliance?" I mean, if they tried to assassinate me, they can't be very nice people." He finished dryly.

Caracel nodded in reply
"They are the enemies of the Federation. While we attempt to promote peace and freedom amongst our members, the Alliance seeks only to dominate, to rule over everything in her wake. We were due to rendezvous with Admiral Hayes' CCVII Fleet near the border to reinforce their position. They will not receive those reinforcements now" He finished bitterly.
He then turned his attention to the other Mercenary
"Senator Skyler is renowned her mercy and kindness to others as well as her charity. She has made some very power and emotive speeches in the senate deploring the conditions of less developed races and her own research into Hereditary diseases has saved billions"

Kartosh nodded grimly. Across the multiverse, even war was inescapeable.
Skyler sighed to herself. "I cannot see why I would want the job. The research and speeches are all very good and what, but when things go wrong, guess who gets blamed. I would like to meet her, although this would probably never be possible and it might make the universe explode or rip a hole in spach-time or something." She sighed again.

"The chances of us returning to our own space and time are slim," Caracel agreed, "But if we could make it through, the meeting of you and our Skyler would create a paradox that would cause unknown damage across time itself. It is better for all involved if you forget the entire incident and get own with your life as you want to live it".

An alarm went off and Caracel calmly tapped the comm link in his ear
"We are approaching the Planet now Captain. Shall I go to battlestations?"

A pause

"Battlestations" Caracel called calmly. Almost immediately, the light on the bridge dimmed and red emergeny lights stared to flash from the wall and roof. A shrieking alarm rang out at the same time.

Kartosh nodded in satisfaction. "Let's go, Skyler." The two mercenaries took off for the hanger.
In one of the halls of the Dreadnought Krystal looked around. She had been woken by the alarms and jogged for the bridge. She needed to be there for this. Upon entering she nodded to Caracal. "Lieutenant Commander, what is our situation?"

"Indeed, Lieutenant Commander, status report please" Reynolds entered a few seconds after Krystal.

"We are coming up on the Planet now, Captain" Caracel stood to attention and then moved aside to allow his Captain command of the bridge.

"Defences?" Reynolds asked

"Eight Dreadnoughts in space and eight batteries of four phase cannon each on the surface. Garrison appears to consist of four Legions or 80,000 troops" The Alumina reported dutifully.

"Very good. Prepare for attack" Reynolds ordered from his position as the Federal Ship turned and prepared to fire on the eight dreadnoughts that were assembling in front of them.

Krystal looked out upon the planet and the defenses. Strange. The Empire must have grown lax in its defenses. Surely such an important facility would be most heavily guarded? Then again, the Empire has no enemies, save the Resistance. And the Resistance could never hope to take this moon.
She spotted a fast-moving streak of light moving out from the Calypso. The Star Snake was on it's way. Krystal smiled wanly. "Admiral, I think when this is all over, you will want to search the Star Snake for any, ah, unauthorized parts."

"I thought I might have to" Reynolds gave a grim smile, then he turned to Caracel who had taken position at the Tactical Station,
"How far away are the Dreadnoughts?" He requested

"200,000km, Sir and closing. They are firing weapons"

The ship shuddered slightly as the ion rounds of the Imperial warships impacted against the shields. Reynolds sighed
"Fire at will, Lieutenant Commander"

"Yes, Sir"

One Dreadnought was almost immediately destroyed by a burst of phaser from the Calypso, tearing in half like a knife through butter. The other ships spread out in an attempt to split the warship's fire.

There wasn't much anyone on board could do but sit and watch. Krystal had no tactics to offer: None were needed. It was like using a Hellstone tank to bull though a bunch of infantry armed with slugthrowers.
Star Snake...
"We haven't been noticed?"
"Well...no."
"You see that ship?"
"Yeah."
"You see it's engines?"
"Un-huh..."
There was a massive explosion was the proton torpedo impacted the engines on the Dreadnought, blowing them apart and rupturing the stern of the ship, sending armor, parts, bodies and equipment spiriling into space.
"Right up his a-"
"Fighters incoming."
"Shit. Where'd they come from?"

Within a few seconds, two more ruins had joined the first and already the Imperial warships were withdrawing. Reynolds sighed
"Why was that too easy?" He asked around him, "They didn't even fire a dozen rounds" He exclaimed.

The Calypso's crew has done their job as efficiently and as quickly as they had been trained. The ships itself hadn't even suffered a scratch from the battle. If he were back in his own universe, he would be calling for reinforcements right now to shore up the damage done. But there were no reinforcements. They were on their own. He sighed,
"Prepare for Orbital strike" He ordered.

Krystal frowned, silently agreeing with Reynolds. Better to live and fight another day I suppose. But could word have spread that quickly? "Keep your eyes and ears open, Admiral. I don't like this." said Krystal quietly. No way the Imperials were just giving up one of their most valuable supply bases. The Star Snake could be seen hovering uncertainly among the flaming hulks of the three destroyed Dreadnoughts.

"Captain! Contacts emerging off the port stern" Caracel reported from his station.

"That's more like it! How many contacts?" Reynolds clapped his hands together

"38 Warships, all Dreadnoughts" He frowned.

"Well, well, well, time to put this baby to the test! Have they all emerged?" He asked

"Yes, Sir?"

"Set a course for the heart of the formation! We're going in all guns blazing!" He gave a laugh that suggested he wasn't quite sane, but he was the CO and if he ordered the crew to man their stations hopping on one leg, they would have to do it.

The Calypso dutifully turned to face the Imperial horde and flew straight towards their cloud in a mass game of chicken.

Krystal's eyes widened and she bit her tounge so hard to keep from screaming it bled. Even with the ship's hugly advanced armor and shields and whatnot, it didn't make it any less terrifying to plunge straight into the middle of an Imperial Fleet.
Star Snake...
"Are they seriously doing what I think I just saw them do?"
"Yup."
"Are they insane?"
"Probably."
"Let's sit this one out, shall we?"
"I'm all with you on that one."

Ion cannon and laser fire rocked past the bridge as the warship darted towards the formation. She was firing her own phasers and a flash of flame every so often would confirm another victim. However, she was now at point blank range and most of the Imperial fleet remained

"Sir? Should I begin evasive maneuvers?" the Ensign manning the helm asked nervously

"Keep her steady until I give the order Ensign" Reynolds replied calmly as Caracel reported the distance

"150,000 kilometres and closing"

"Steady"

"100,000 kilometres and closing"

"Steady"

"25,000 kilometres and closing"

"Steady!"

They were so close to the Imperial ships they could see the Captains on each individual deck giving orders, pointing at their ship or pointing at something else out in space.

The ploy worked, the Imperial nerve broke first and their ships scattered to avoid the approaching Dreadnought

"Full stop! Maximum missile spread on my command!" Reynolds shouted. The bridge jerked forward as the Dreadnought came to a dead-stop just on front of where the Imperial fleet had been. But that was now either scattered to their sides or above them.

"Fire!" Reynolds bellowed.

The string of missiles fired like tracer into the formation of Dreadnoughts. At least six exploded immediately and the view from the bridge was obscured by flame and debris.

It was like being in the middle of Armageddon. Flames and burning peices of metal went everywhere, surronding the Dreadnought. The two Xiscapian mercenaries could only watch with awe from afar at Reynold's insane tactics. A few of the Dreadnoughts had shot at the Star Snake, but they had bigger things to worry about. Krystal just stared straight ahead. This battle was hugly important to the Resistance.

The Dreadnought cleared the carnage of it's torpedo attack to see that the Imperial warships had split into smaller groups. Without even stopping, the Calypso plunged straight into the fire. Again.

A few moments later, Cavourna and Nigripes arrived on the bridge
"What in the name of all that's bloody holy was that!?!" Cavourna stuttered as he struggled to the Captain's position. The torpedo attack hadn't made much sense from below decks.

Nigripes just stood there
"You had better know what you are doing" She stated, more of a threat than an observation.

"The Admiral needs no assistance from you," Krystal glared at Nigripes. She was harboring an intense dislike of the Alumina, although she had to remember to keep it in check, for everyone's sake. It would not do to fight. Still, Nigripes touched a raw nerve. She reminded Krystal of the arrogant Imperial officers who looked down their noses at everyone, calling Xiscapians animals and much of the like.
OOC: Gotta go.

Nigripes' eyes narrowed as Krystal stared at her but she said nothing. Then Caracel turned from his station and looked at Nigripes suspiciously before returning to his post.

Reynolds was too focused on trying to make his ship dance around the Imperial groups, destroying them one by one. Even though there were still around 18 of the Alversian warships left, they were not even attempting to close in on the stronger warship. They just hung back in their groups like lambs to the slaughter and waited their turn to be destroyed.

"You are one hell of a sailor, you know that?" Cavourna stated as he was thrown off his feet again.

"Why don't they run, at least? Why do they wait for death so passively?" Krystal wondered aloud. "I always knew the Imperials were slimy bottom-feeders, but I would except them to have some sense."

"They are waiting for reinforcements!" Nigripes snarled, "Can't you see more than five minutes in front of your face!?!"

"Enough!" Reynolds snarled back and Nigripes fell silent, although still looking at Krystal with a murderous look in her eyes as another group of Dreadnoughts exploded.

"More ships approaching. 22 Dreadnoughts, Sir" Caracel reported

Reynolds sighed and Cavourna gasped, "Prepare for attack" The Federal Admiral ordered.

"They are waiting for reinforcements!" Nigripes snarled, "Can't you see more than five minutes in front of your face!?!"

"Enough!" Reynolds snarled back and Nigripes fell silent, although still looking at Krystal with a murderous look in her eyes as another group of Dreadnoughts exploded.

"More ships approaching. 22 Dreadnoughts, Sir" Caracel reported

Reynolds sighed and Cavourna gasped, "Prepare for attack" The Federal Admiral ordered.
Krystal shook her head. "Incredible. Haven't they already realised that they are severly outclassed? We haven't even been scratched! The Imperial Navy must truly be commanded by fools."

The ship rocked as it was hit by something else, the other Dreadnooughts had yet to close the range and fire
"What was that?" Reynolds demanded

"Surface batteries have opened fire, Sir" Caracel reported, "Surface torpedoes are also being launched"

The ship trembled again,
"Prepare to bombard the surface. Fire torpedos at the Dreadnoughts and see if that scares them off." Reynolds ordered.

"Yes, Captain"

"Aim carefully. We need those supplies, whatever the Resistance can use for it's own ends." said Krystal, tearing her gaze from the impossible sight of an Alversian fleet being slaughtered by a single ship. She stared hungerily at the planet, the next step to Imperial downfall and freedom for Xiscapia.

At last, the morale of the Imperial fleet broke and the surviving ships withdrew into the safety of warp drive. The Calypso left the wreckage of no fewer than thirty Dreadnoughts in orbit and headed closer so she could bring more of her weapons to bear

"Mister Caracel, target the ground batteries and fire at will" Reynolds ordered from his seat

"Yes, Captain" Caracel typed the appropriate commands. There was a small shudder at the ship fired at the surface

"We have destroyed two surface guns and damaged two more. The rest are continuing to fire"

"Send a message to the surface." Reynolds waited while a hailing channel was opened, "Imperial Garrison, this is Admiral Reynolds of the Federal Starship Calypso. I am giving you this chance to surrender before we destroy your defenses"

He waited for a few moments. Then

"We will not surrender to the likes of you! Death to the Rebellion! Long live the Empire!"

The Dreadnought rocked as it was hit by more fire.

"Mister Caracel. Target at will, maximum power" He sighed sadly.

Krystal just shook her head. On her personal comm there was a beep and she held it up. Kartosh's voice came out. "Uh, now that the planatary defenses have been eliminated, permission to land and loot, Admiral?" Krystal grinned. "Permission granted, Captain. You may take as much as you can carry, but avoid blowing too much up. We need it." "Aye Admiral!" The link was cut as the Star Snake headed down to the surface.

Reynolds smiled
"We have their planetary defences under control if you wish to join them, Admiral" He stated mildly from the bridge, "We have shuttles and teleporters if you desire to land and take some of the fuel. I suspect they will blow the mines before we can remove all of their defences"

"Well then, Let's go" Cavourna stated eagerly, beginning to move

"I wish to join the landing party" This was from Nigripes, who now stood over the Alversian Rebel,

"As do I" Caracel stepped forward.

"As you wish" He waited until Caracel and Nigripes had joined them before turning to his console
"Happy hunting" He stated solumnly as he sent them off.

Upon landing on the surface, there appeared to be no one there. They had landed in a ruined building and they had yet to be detected, Caracel took out a small scanner and did a quick sweep of the rubble
"There are no Imperial Soldiers in the immediate vicinity, however, my scanners indicate a large number to the south"

"Well then" Cavourna had armed himself with an Imperial Rifle, "Let's have a look shall we?"

"We should not" Nigripes, with her own Alumina blaster, contradicted, "We should focus on our primary objective and nothing else"

"Come on...where's you sense of adventure?"

"With my butchered people on my home planet" She retorted hotly

Krystal looked around. "It seems we have no shortage of eager volunteers. I would like to take along a small XFC force as well, if it's no trouble," On cue some thirty kitsune soldiers came in. They had no uniforms as such, but a small patch on their sholder showing a silver katana on a black and blue field showed just who they belonged to. Each was armed with a rifle or a pistol, and a katana. Some of the luckier ones had a rifle and a pistol, and some had grenades as well. A couple carried the deadly PAS missile lauchers on their shoulders, and a precious few were equipped with physical aides, such as a cloaking device, a portable shield or body armor. "If you would beam us down, Captain?" Krystal asked, drawing her silver pistol.

"As you wish" He waited until Caracel and Nigripes had joined them before turning to his console
"Happy hunting" He stated solumnly as he sent them off.

Upon landing on the surface, there appeared to be no one there. They had landed in a ruined building and they had yet to be detected, Caracel took out a small scanner and did a quick sweep of the rubble
"There are no Imperial Soldiers in the immediate vicinity, however, my scanners indicate a large number to the south"

"Well then" Cavourna had armed himself with an Imperial Rifle, "Let's have a look shall we?"

"We should not" Nigripes, with her own Alumina blaster, contradicted, "We should focus on our primary objective and nothing else"

"Come on...where's you sense of adventure?"

"With my butchered people on my home planet" She retorted hotly
"In any event we will need to capture or kill all the Imperials here. However, it would be unwise to draw their attention, and stealth is our friend. We must move quickly to secure the mining facilities before they recover from the orbital strike." A moment later there was a roaring noise and the Star Snake shot over their heads, and distant explosions sounded mingled with the hiss of blaster fire and the screams of soldiers.

"Well then, you take the main group and head North towards the plants. I'll head South and see what the big commotion is all about. I may even be able to cause a distraction" He smiled.

"I will accompany you" Caracel stated, "The area seems to be an Airfield of some description"

"I'll go too" Davis, one of Cavourna's most trusted Lieutenants spoke up loyally, "If you go, I go"

"Alright, form up into two squads of fifteen. Squad A, with me moving North to secure the mines and plants. Commander Cavourna and the others will go South. The rest of you, spread out and pick off the Imperials. If the Commander needs help, help him. Tag 'em and bag 'em people." So fifteen Resistance members went with Krystal, the other fifteen were dispersed among the moon, and Cavourna, Nigripes, Davis and Caracel were left in the building. "Good luck, and happy hunting." Krystal grinned before disappearing with her squad, going North.

Nigripes frowned as the two groups split up
"We should not spread our forces so unevenly" She stated
"Look, of you feel that bad about it, go after them! It won't take long to unite the forces again" Davis, a notoriously short tempered man snapped. The force of his answer shocked Nigripes into silence. She simply turned and headed after Krystal's group.

Davis, Cavourna and Caracel were soon looking at the Airfield, the aircraft were all lean XX-15's or XH-03's suggesting a purely defensive base. The lack of bombers was intriguing. Only a few sentries patrolling between the rows of fighters suggested life.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Cavourna asked his two companions
Davis smiled and nodded, Caracel merely sighed,
"I am a telepath, General Cavourna, I know exactly what you are thinking"
"Well?"
"It is a good idea"
"Then let's get to it"

They split and headed in three different parts of the airfield. The only sign of their progress was the gradual disappearance of all the Sentries throughout the airfield. They soon met up again at the base of the Traffic Control Tower,
"Ready?" Cavourna whispered. The other two nodded. Cavourna pressed the button in front of him

Three huge explosions occurred simultaneously across the field. The blasts threw aircraft into one another and sent Maintainance crew flying through the air. The explosions also set off the fighters nearby and soon, entire rows were a blazing twist of metal and flames.

Cavourna grinned at the sounds of alarms and panicky calls for fire teams, "What do you say we take a few of their deployment charts while we're here?" He smiled mischievously, "They could be useful in plotting where future fleets may assemble"

"A wish strategy" Caracel agreed in his neutral tone of voice

They moved up the steps of the tower until they were at the top and could see in through the windows. The room was deserted.
"That was easier than expected" Cavourna stated mildly as he went to open the door.

A laser blast caught him on the shoulder, forcing him to drop his weapon. A second hit him in the stomach and he collapsed without another word. Caracel, who had been watching the carnage below, wheeled around to receive three blaster rounds to the chest. The force of the hits forced him backwards towards the railings. However, as he was considerably taller than the railings, he simply tipped over them and tumbled to the ground.

Davis waited until his blaster smoke had cleared, then moved forward to Cavourna. He kicked the Alversian General's rifle over the side and watched him for a few seconds, there was no sign of life from the General.

"Sorry, General" There was no emotion in Davis' voice, "But business is business, you betray the Empire, you're MY business" He turned and headed back down into the chaos of their earlier strike.

Nigripes looked puzzled but obediently stopped and closed her eyes, after a few seconds, she stopped and stared at Krystal
"I cannot detect the presence of either of them." She reported as if it were irrelevant.
Then Davis turned up, he was panting heavily and his uniform was torn and tattered,
"The gen...the general. They got General Cavourna! He's dead" He reported, tears streaming down his cheeks, "The Federal Officer was killed as well. The Imperials got them"

Nigripes could sense no hint of mis truth in his statement, he had received extensive training to hide his emotions and thoughts from telepaths. After all, he had fooled one of the most careful men in the Empire.

Krystal suddenly stopped, not making any signs. Concerned, her soldiers stopped with her. She began to pant quickly, eyes closed, sweat breaking out over her forehead. "Nigripes," she whispered. "You are a telepath. Can you...can you contact General Cavourna for me? Or Caracel? I think something very bad has happened."
Star Snake...
"Now that the airfield's gone where do we land?"
"Try the mines. I know the Resistance will want to secure them, and anything of value will be there. It's time to get down to business, now that we're done terrorizing helpless infantrymen."

Nigripes looked puzzled but obediently stopped and closed her eyes, after a few seconds, she stopped and stared at Krystal
"I cannot detect the presence of either of them." She reported as if it were irrelevant.
Then Davis turned up, he was panting heavily and his uniform was torn and tattered,
"The gen...the general. They got General Cavourna! He's dead" He reported, tears streaming down his cheeks, "The Federal Officer was killed as well. The Imperials got them"

Nigripes could sense no hint of mis truth in his statement, he had received extensive training to hide his emotions and thoughts from telepaths. After all, he had fooled one of the most careful men in the Empire.
Krystal groaned and bowed her head. "I heard explosions. He was at least able to take some of them with him," She looked at Davis. "And you were the only one to escape, correct?" She sensed nothing amiss, aside from the fact that the General and the Officer had been killed so suddenly.
Air field...
The explosions had attracted several marauding Xiscapian soldiers, and they hit in the forest, watching. Fighters and equipment lay burning on the tarmick as fire teams hosed them out, and charred bodies were being carried off by medical units. A sniper sighted to see the Control Tower was empty, no one had secured it yet. Three SRS troopers, cloaked, ran out of cover tothe Tower. They would try to complete what Cavourna had started: The stealing of any valuable information. The rest hung back, ready to open fire on the Imperials and come to their comrade's aide if needed.

Davis nodded sadly
"They ambushed us near the tower. I managed to retreat but the General and the Lieutenant Commander were both killed." He lowered his head, "It was my fault. I should have tried to protect them"

Nigripes frowned at him but said nothing. She guessed that the death of this General was a big thing.

Airfield

While the tower had been empty at the start, it was now occupied by four troops from the local garrison
"Lockdown this building and destroy any information which may be of use to the enemy!" A Sergeant ordered

"Aye sir" His man saluted and began to delete the various datapads from around the room.

"Alright, you're being folded into our unit here. There will be time for sorrow later. Right now we've got a job to do."
Krystal nodded and strode forward, her soldiers following.
Airfield...
The three SRS troopers made it to the top of the tower, no problem. They found the men trying to destroy all the information that could be of use to them. Silently each soldier got behind a man and slit his throat with their combat knifes. There was only the Sergeant left as Imperial bodies hit the floor and three kitsune matarialzied around him, grinning and leveling blasters.

Davis nodded somberly as they headed for the mines and storage facilities, the flashes of smoke on the horizon indicated that the Imperials were already getting to work to destroy the precious fuel on the planet.

Airfield

The man did not even flinch as his soldiers were killed all around him. He smiled and held up a small red detonator
"Long live the Empire!" The man cried as he hit the button. The tower exploded in a massive fireball as the

The mining facility consisted of three main buildings: The storage and docking, the refinery, and the actual mines themselves. The mines was where most of the Imperial activity was situated, trying to blow the mines to stop it from falling into Resistance hands. Time was short, and the XFC needed that metal. An all-out attack would only serve to panic them and probably blow the mines prematurely. A sneak attack, with teams directed at each of the areas where the charges were planted, would work better. Krystal thought as she stared out of the foilage. "What are your thoughts, Captain Nigripes?"
Airfield...
The XFC soldiers cursed silently as they watched the tower explode into flames. By this point almost no fighters were left in a workable condition, and a good portion of the personal were dead or incapacitated. A general message went around to sneak into the base and kill anyone you saw. The soldiers crept forward and entered the base, weary of scanners and tripwires.

"Your plan has been poorly laid out with minimal intelligence and with no concept of Alversian Defensive Doctrine" Nigripes stated coldly, "However it is the best we have at such short notice and will have to suffice. How many Soldiers did you bring to the surface with you?" She demanded looking around.

"Your plan has been poorly laid out with minimal intelligence and with no concept of Alversian Defensive Doctrine" Nigripes stated coldly, "However it is the best we have at such short notice and will have to suffice. How many Soldiers did you bring to the surface with you?" She demanded looking around.
Krystal ignored the jab. "We have a total of fifty soldiers on-planet, however at the present time I have, counting you and myself, nineteen soldiers." she stated plesantly. She needed to talk, to plan, to shoot. It helped her forget that Cavourna and almost every other being in the galaxy she cared about was dead or imprisoned.

"Nineteen soldiers is not enough to storm a facility as well guarded as this" Nigripes countered hotly, "Do you have a superweapon to distract their many defences? If not, then this entire expedition has been a waste of time" She was acting very much colder than normal, she did not like being exposed on the surface with such firepower against them.

"Nineteen soldiers is not enough to storm a facility as well guarded as this" Nigripes countered hotly, "Do you have a superweapon to distract their many defences? If not, then this entire expedition has been a waste of time" She was acting very much colder than normal, she did not like being exposed on the surface with such firepower against them.
"Some call us a Superweapon," came a voice into their comms. The Star Snake was hovering several hundred feet in the air and some distance west of their position, and even as they watched the missile laucher lowered and spat eight concussion missiles at the docking and storage building, making it go up in a spactacular explosion. The Star Snake then whizzed downward, the turrets firing ruthlessly into the ground troops.
"Is that," Krystal asked, "enough of a distaction for you?"

"It will suffice. I would estimate that teams of three would be the most efficient use of our resources with a high degree of success." Nigripes suggested as she heaved up a larger rifle than the one she had been carrying, "Do you wish to disable the detonators or simple steal the material?"

"We could never hope to steal enough materials to actually create anything with them. We're trying to secure the mines, so we can have access to the mineral. Fine, then, teams of three. Someone will have to go in alone, though, or we'll have a team of four. Do you have a suggestion as to dividing the teams?"
The XFC soldiers were already banding together in groups of three, anxious to get at the Imperials and disable the charges.

"One of four would be preferable to someone travelling alone" Nigripes tutted and looked at Krystal as though she had asked a stupid question. She lifted her weapon and pointed at two soldiers
"I will take these two and head into the facility"
Davis attached himself to two other Soldiers and prepared to move out.

Now grouped together, with Krystal lumped with three other soldiers, the fireteams advanced. The Star Snake provided the general distaction and utter chaos, blasting anything that moved but carefully avoiding the area where Kartosh and Skyler knew the XFC soldiers to be. So far there had been no return fire, and the mercenary ship happily targeted Imperial soldiers and blasted them into oblivion. The teams made it to the mines and got inside, weary of traps and more Imperials.

There was blast of fire as Nigripes calmly cut down two Imperial troops with her blaster. The two Soldiers with her worked hard to detach the explosives connected to the vast tanks in front of them.
"Hurry up!" She snapped at them, another group of Imperials approached.
"We're trying. We're trying" They muttered as they worked on the flashing devices.
A few minutes later and the lights stopped flashing
"The weapon's disarmed"
"Finally! Move on to the next set!" She snapped.

At that moment, an explosion ripped through two sets of tanks at the far end of the facility. Nigripes looked up in desperation as she saw the mushroom cloud spreading up into the air.
"One of the detonators have blown" She stated to the two nervous soldiers with her, "Someone has failed in their duties."

Apart from the constant strafing of the Star Snake, the garrison was also struggling to battle with the Calypso still in orbit.

The soldiers spread thoughout the mines, killing guards here and there and working with all speed to disarm the explosives. Three bombs, including Nigripe's one, had been disabled, and there had been no casualties as of yet. Perhaps the Imperials had not expected them to attack so soon...or rather they were severly at odds in trying to combat the Star Snake, which was continuing to wreck havoc above. Krystal stood with her soldiers as they formed a ring around the soldier working on the bomb. Three Imps appeared and were thrown to the ground as blaster bolts smashed into them, frying armor and burning, melting flesh. The screams of the dying and the humm of blasters firing was isolated in the long, dank tunnels of the mines.

Nigripes and her team moved through to rendezvous with the others when they noticed Davis struggling on his own. Immediately the two Soldiers went to help him and support him while Nigripes approached him "Your two members are dead?" she demanded

"Their bomb blew. I was about a hundred meters away in an old bunker, so I was saved" He confirmed, he then flicked on his communicator to Krystal, "Watch out! Imperial Soldiers!"

Nigripes and the other two spun away to try and locate the rebels, however there came only three blasts from an Imperial rifle, followed by several more.

"Admiral Krystal?" Davis was panting heavily into his comm, "We were ambushed by Imperial Soldiers. Two of your soldiers are dead, Captain Nigripes is badly wounded. We need assistance immediately!"

At that moment, an explosion ripped through two sets of tanks at the far end of the facility. Nigripes looked up in desperation as she saw the mushroom cloud spreading up into the air.
"One of the detonators have blown" She stated to the two nervous soldiers with her, "Someone has failed in their duties."

Apart from the constant strafing of the Star Snake, the garrison was also struggling to battle with the Calypso still in orbit.
"Lesse..was it "red, red, blue" or "red, blue red?"
"And your supposed to be our bomb guy?"
"Oh no, wait, it's red, red, blue..."
*snip*
*sharp intake of breath*
*waits*
*sigh of relief*
"Thank gods that's over-"
BOOOM!
Krystal looked to the end of the tunnel. "Hurry. We don't have much time. One bomb to go." The sweaty HAT tugged the wires out and threw the disarmed bomb to the floor. "That's all, Admiral. The bombs have been disabled. Now there's one left on the Captain's side."
"I'm sure the Captain is up to the job."
Surface...
Kartosh looked around. "There dosen't seem to be anyone else who wants to come out to face death." A pile of rubble was all that was left of the storage building, and bodies and body parts were strewn about everywhere from explosions and fire. So far, from reports he'd heard, two XFC soldiers had been killed when their bomb detonated, and another three killed when they were ambushed by Imperial soldiers. All in all, though, it seemed the Resistance was doing well.

"We were ambushed by Imperial Soldiers. Two of your soldiers are dead, Captain Nigripes is badly wounded. We need assistance immediately!"
"You and you!" Krystal snapped. "Disarm the bomb on the other side of the tunnel. The rest of you, with me! Captain Nigripes needs assistance on the other side."
Krystal and seven XFC members trotted down the tunnels towards the last known position of Davis, Nigripes and the two XFC soldiers. So that made seven XFC soldiers killed so far, plus General Cavourna and Lt. Commander Caracel, and Krystal had received a report stating that three soldiers had been killed at the airfield, a total of twelve dead so far, out of fifty. Krystal and the other two had no problems seeing in the gloom of the tunnel, and they quickly saw three bodies on the floor. Two XFC troopers, shot from behind, and Nigripes.

Davis was there, he was holding an Alversian Imperial Rifle as he frantically beckoned to the others to hurry. He had an Imperial weapon, but then so did most rebels for there was no shortage of them.
"We were ambushed from behind" He said as he lifted the badly burned Alumina on her back, the smell of smoldering fur was unmistakable, "I didn't even see where they ran off to"

"We were ambushed from behind" He said as he lifted the badly burned Alumina on her back, the smell of smoldering fur was unmistakable, "I didn't even see where they ran off to"
Two soldiers carefully lifted Nigripes off Davis and ran off with her, as fast as they could, escorted by another two soldiers in case they were ambushed. At the end of a tunnel a few medics waited, tending to the wounded. They would do what they could for Captain Nigripes. Krystal remained with three XFC soldiers. "You just don't have very good luck, do you Davis?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I don't ma'am" He lifted his sleeve to show a large scorch mark on his arm, there was still smoke rising from the burning flesh, "One of the Buggers got me as he retreated" He sighed sadly, "But we got the facility, that's what matters isn't it?" He asked curiously.

Krystal winced at the sight of his burned arm. "You'd better get to a medic for that. But no, you are mistaken. Cavourna's life mattered to me. So did the Lt. Commanders, so does every one of my soldier's lives. And Captain Nigripes life, bitch though she is, matters to me." Krystal's communicater flashed. "Admiral, we have disarmed the last bomb. The Imperials have been robbed and are fleeing into the woods. It's over. The facility is ours."

"General Cavourna was one of the greatest men in the Universe. He was a beacon to what the Empire could become" Davis stated truthfully, "If he had been able to fulfill his life's ambition, we would have seen the end of the Empire. The wound is not serious Ma'am I'll live until more troops arrive to secure our positions" He looked up into the night sky as the sounds of laser fire continued
"They'll never surrender to you, Y'know that? Every soldier in this garrison will fight to the death before they surrender to an 'inferior' species"

Admiral Reynolds relief could be heard in his voice
"We have knocked out all defensive batteries and now our scanners show that they are retreating to the north of the moon. What were the casualties?" He asked with trepidation.

"Davis, even if they did surrender, we would still kill them. None of our soldiers have forgotten the battles of Tenfour or Rio Casa, and the harsh treatment of our people." She paused at Reynold's voice. "Admiral, I regret to inform you that General Alexander Cavourna and Lt. Commander Caracel were Killed In Action, and Captain Nigripes has been badly Wounded In Action. There is also about a dozen XFC casualties." Sorrow pervaded her voice, and she struggled not to cry.

"I don't think the Alversians have forgotten those things either. That's why they won't surrender." Davis replied dryly, then looked up from his wound again, "Permission to lead the front line Ma'am? With the General's death you are now technically my superior officer, although it is up to you whether or not I remain a Lieutenant" He said with apprehension in his voice.

Reynolds was silent for a long time at the end of the comm. A very long time. Then, slowly, as though he was having difficulty forming each word, he asked her,
"Caracel...is... ...dead? The last word sounded as though it took a formidable amount of effort to say. Then, with a sigh so heavy it bordered on a sob, he spoke again,
"Very well, can we return his body to the ship? I don't want his remains on the ground of some Alversian scumbag"

Krystal nodded to Davis. "Permission granted, Lieutenant. Forgive me, I was unaware of your rank. Go and lead our front lines against the Imperials. Remember, no surrender tolerated. I want them dead." Her eyes flashed. "However, we will not be doing any attacking until we are able to situate ourselves and gain reinforcements, as well as additional data on the enemy." To Reynolds she felt her throat constrict. "Yes...my soldiers reported he was killed in the Control Tower at an airfield. His body has been stored, and the airfield taken. If you wish to beam up his body, the coordinates are 7863256."

Davis nodded at the instructions
"Dig in, no advance, no surrenders. Gotcha! The Line'll hold until you can get some decent firepower up to me! Good luck, Admiral!" He shouted these last few sentences as he was already running to join his new troops on the ridges and valleys of the northern lunar surface.

Reynolds said nothing again for a while, then he spoke slowly, quietly
"Thank you, Admiral. I am grateful for your help," He didn't sound grateful at all, "Would you like us to beam up General Cavourna's body as we..." There was a pause, then Reynolds spoke again, but he sounded confused,
"This is strange...Admiral, there is no sign of General Cavourna's body. There are no life signs from him but no body either. He's vanished"

Krystal nodded as Davis ran away for the front lines, such as they were. "Admiral, General Cavourna's body was incinerated in an explosion that took out the Control Tower when my men attempted to take it for the Resistance. The only reason Lt. Commander Caracel's body was not also incinerated was because he apparently fell off the Tower after being shot." She bowed her head, her own words sounding harsh even to her. But the Admiral had a right to know.

"That's not what I mean Admiral" Reynolds snapped over the intercom, "Even if he was only a burning crisp on the back of a broken window, he would still appear on our scanners and there is nothing. His body has not incinerated but it is not in any obvious place either. It certainly isn't at the airfield." He paused for a few moments. To catch his breath and calm down,
"Do any of your casualties require medical assistance? We could beam them to the ship or, if they are too badly injured, beam a few of our Medical crews and equipment to the surface..."

A loud explosion crashed through the facility at that point, followed by three more shots. Each sent up a large mushroom of dust and debris and a small lick of flame appeared in each crater. A young Alversian, his armour dirty and dented and his weapon well worn, climbed through the rubble to Krystal, he saluted,
"Ma'am! The Imperials are shelling the storage tanks!" He shouted the report over the sound of more screaming shells and explosions.

Krystal winced as the shells came in. Any soldiers on the surface either ran for it to the mines or were already in the mines. Each shot threatened to bring the place down on their heads. "Admiral, this will all have to wait. We are being shelled, and I wish for an orbital strike on the main concentration of Imperials to get rid of the artillery. The Star Snake will mop up the rest, no sense in risking any more soldiers. Also, we need reinforcments down here of all kinds, send the a few more loads of Resistance members down, and any medical teams you can spare would be apprechiated."

The ground shuddered as one of the shells found it's mark and one of the massive storage tanks erupted into flames generating the heat of furnace as far as thirty three miles away and incinerating everyone with half a mile of it or below it. There were only two tanks left,

Reynolds voice came back again
"Negative on the strike, Admiral, the Imperials have launched an attack on your perimeter and I can't fire without killing most of your troops. You'll have to fight it out alone. All of your XFC troops and a few Medics have been brought down to the surface"

A column of XFC members rushed past as a few Medics leant down beside the injured Nigripes
"Flippin' heck" One said shaking his head, "What did they hit her with? A flamethrower?"

OOC: Wait, what? That dosen't make sense. How can Reynolds not strike the artillery? The whole point of artillery is that it's a long-range weapon, any blasts which hit an artillery peice wouldn't harm any of my troops, due to the distance. Unless your saying that the artillery would be targeted with immensly powerful, destructive beams that would destroy everything from the artillery positions to the installation.
"Multiple blaster burns," said the medic bending over her grimly. "She must have been hit half a dozen times, and she still breathes. A tough one, that."
Krystal grimaced. "Star Snake, do you copy?"
"Loud and clear, over."
"Good. There are an unknown amount of artillery peices to the North firing on us. If the fire continues, most of the refined metal and many lives will be lost. I need you to take the peices out."
"Got it. You do realize this is being added to our tab?"
"Oh shut up and go do it."
"Aye Admiral."
The Star Snake twisted about and zoomed off towards the artillery positions, marked with flashs each time one fired. Proton torpedos went down, each torpedo able to destroy everything within a eighty yard radius around it, as well as turret fire targeting the crews of the peices and concussion missiles strikeing the peices directly.

OOC: You said hit the biggest concentration of Imperials to destroy the artillery, the two are a considerable distance apart, which target was he meant to hit?

"Hold on" One of them held a tool to her check and gradually, the burns became a few shades lighter, "She'll live but I want her out of this ACZ as soon as possible" The Chief Medic replied almost to himself. A few shells were still falling but not as many as earlier in the bombardment.

"Admiral Krystal!" It was Davis on the comm system, sounding strained, His voice was barely audible over the sounds of laser fire, "The perimeter is under heavy pressure! Unless you have some reinforcements to send up, I'm going to have to order a withdrawal before we're destroyed!"

OOC: I assumed that the artillery would be situated with all the Imperials to protect it from being targeted by ground patrols and destroyed. But I guess not. It's irrevalant now, anyway.
IC:
Field Hospital...
"You should transport her up now to the ship, and we've got a few other critically wounded." The medic nodded along the rows of make-shift cots.
Tunnels...
Krystal listened for a moment. The shelling was lighter now, the Star Snake had done it's job. "I want half our newly received reinforcements to the front now," she snapped. "The other half is to take up positions inside the facility and guard it at all costs. We cannot allow it to fall into Imperial hands."
Some one hundred and twenty Resistance members, mostly Xiscapians, came out of the tunnels to reinforce the perimiter defenses, which were under fire from the Imperials. A wall of blaster fire met the Alversian soldiers, sprinkled with rockets, grenades and sharpnel bombs.

OOC: Doing well tonight aren't we? :rolleyes:

IC:
Facility

"Fine, I want the most badly injured up first, but only if they're going to survive, understand?" The Medic ordered, "If there's no chance, leave them and move on to the next patient"

Front Line

In the height of the night, only the deafening sound of laser fire could be heard over the shouts and cries of the combatants. The deep blackness was only pierced by lines of red laser fire as it crisscrossed across the plains and valleys of the north of the moon.

Propped up against a makeshift embankment, Davis and a long, thin line of XFC troops fought bitterly, firing burst after burst into the night. Although the Xiscapians could see in the dark, so could the Alversians, thanks to their equipment and each shot illuminated another body in the long grass or another man crawling back, wounded.

Davis took careful aim and fired burst after burst into the Alversian ranks, but there were just more and more. The Xiscapian beside him was thrown back, blood foaming from his mouth as a shot pierced his neck, Davis flinched for a second before returning to his firing postion. As the area was so well lit up by the blaster fire, he could now see the Alversians getting into bayonet range.

OOC: It's been a long week...
(And it dosen't help any that today's Valentine's day)
IC:
Facility...
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. If it looks like they might not make it, they'll need your medicine and doctors the most. If it looks like they'll survive, we can fix them down here." said the medic grimly.
Front lines...
Krystal stood at the back of the lines, surveyed and pouring in reinforcements where the line was weak. Anywhere they went, the Imperials always seemed to have massive amounts of troops. Where they got them all from was a mystery. Resistance soldiers crouched in their fox holes (the irony was not lost on the kitsune) and fired over, the trenchs were filled with mud and rock and body fluids and spent casings. As the Imperials drew closer it became harder to miss, and even the huge line of Imperials would be chewed though by the katana's of the Resistance soldiers. At the back of the Imperial lines the Star Snake hovered, having appeared suddenly. It rained missiles and laser fire down into the back of the line, throwing soldiers and equipment to the front of the line whether they wanted it or not. The Imperials were now pinned as the Star Snake dropped out it's two drone units and they swooped over the lines, straffing the Alversians. Resistance fire and blade on one side and lasers and missiles on the other.

Facility

"What?" The Medic looked at him in disbelief, "It's standard practise, if a man is so badly wounded, that I cannot save him, trying to save him will mean these other, less wounded soldiers will be in severe danger. You have your orders. If a Soldier is going to die, leave him and move on to another who might survive."

Front Line

The Imperial troops, driven fanaticism and fear, powered on and eventually, despite the Xiscapian's fierce resistance, punched a hole in frontline. Dozens of troopers, coming up from behind the Alversian line, started to launch their missiles at the Star Snake from point-blank range.

The Alversians now poured into the gap and started to widen it in fierce hand to hand combat. It didn't matter if the Katana was lethal, it could only be used on one side, leaving the bearer open on three other sides. As soon as a Xiscapian twisted to cut down an advancing soldier, he would be dragged down by bayonet blades and hacked to death.

"Admiral!" Davis called over the comm link. His section of the line was holding, but only just. There was a carpet of dead Alversians in front of the line and dead Xiscapians behind it,
"We can't hold this position! We're gonna have to withdraw and seal the gaps in our lines!"

Facility...
"My job is to save any and all that I can. We'll do it your way, but I will not abandon any soldier who has so much as a gnat's chance at life."
Front line...
Despite it all Krystal was actually getting exhasperated. How the hell does thi keep happening? Why are we always at a disadvantage whenever we fight these people?
In response to the bayonets the XFC soldiers formed clusters to protected each other's backs, and for lone or paired soldiers troopers further back would blast incoming Imperials and try to avoid or block return fire of the same. The Alversian tactic would only work if an Xiscapian allowed himself or herself to be surrounded, and many fought viciosly to prevent that from happening. The Xiscapians were withdrawing of their own accord, closing gaps and making the line tighter even as they lost ground. The Star Snake took the missile hits and was forced to climb higher to avoid the missiles, still unloading it's rapidly dwindling ammunition supply on the Imperial soldiers.

Facility

"I didn't expect you to" the Medic replied stiffly, he picked up the man he was working to prove his point. The Alversian's face had been burned off and his breath came is short gasps,
"This man will be dead within ten minutes" he said as he lowered him gently to the ground, "This one" he picked up a Xiscapian who had lost a limb, "Stands a chance, sedate him then prepare him to be beamed to the ship"

Front line

While grouping together solved the bayonet problem, it did create another one. As the Xiscapians were forced into tighter groups to protect their flanks, more gaps in the line opened (As only a quarter of the troops can fire on one side) Alversians started to stream through the gaps, cutting off the majority of the front line from the rest of their support. Not only that, but as the groups huddled together, passing Alversian troops started to lob grenades into the centre of each formation. The Defenders had a choice, have their backs blown off by a grenade or be torn to shreds by bayonets as soon as they broke formation. There was little to choose either way.

Davis staggered up to Krystal, blood was gushing from a cut on his forehead and he had been reduced to using his pistol, as his wounded arm had gone numb from combat
"Shall I give the order to start blowing the tanks and mines, Ma'am?" He asked, "There's no way we can hold them any longer."

"Godsdamnit!" Krystal cursed and spat on the ground. "Do it. Have the survivors fall back for evacuation, but mantain a line." The XFC continued to retreat, more hurridly now. The grenade tactic had been expected, and grenades were kicked or hit away right back to the one who threw them. However, due to the confusion of battle, this did not always work. The Star Snake had very little ammunition left but just concentrated on the front lines, trying to slow the Imperial advance. Soldiers were breaking and running, back towards the mines, while the brave, loyal ones who stayed were cut down by Alversian grenade and blaster bolt and bayonet. There was just no end to them, more poured out of the woods every minute. It was Rio Casa, Tenfour, every battlefield all over again. There was simply no many of them, and though skill and speed counted for a carpet of Imperial bodies on the ground, they could never kill them all.
Krystal shouted into her communicator. "Reynolds! After our troops are gone, I need you to glass the moon. We cannot allow Imperial production to continue."
There was no line any longer, just scattered, isolated groups of soldiers struggling to break out of the mass of Alversian soldiers. Those who had been towards the back continued to fire to help their comrades, while those who had been at the front were making a bit for freedom back to the mines. There they were being carried off in Resistance transports.

Reynolds watched and waited for the moment to strike, He turned to one of the Ensigns on the bridge
"Prepare a Class 15 High Yield Torpedo and fire on the biggest concentration of fuel you can find"

"Aye, Captain"

"Sir? The last troops have evacuated the surface of the moon"

"Fire!"

The single torpedo streaked to the surface and, where there once been a planet, there was now debris
Reynolds headed to the hangar to greet Krystal on her return
"What happened this time?" He asked wearily.

Krystal was in a rage.
"What happened? What happened? I'll tell you what happened! From out of nowhere a massive amount of Imperial soldiers appeared. We had the mines, we disarmed the bombs, and they conterattacked. It's the same every time we fight them. We don't have the manpower or the resources to fight one-on-one with the Alversians. They're like droids I tell you! Marching forward, you can't make them retreat, you can't intimidate them, nothing! Just an endless tide."
The Star Snake pulled into the hanger, and the ragged survivors sat, hopeless and defeated, in the hanger. Of the some five hundred soldiers sent, three hundred came back, and a third of them were wounded. The Imperials no longer had the fuel, but neither did the XFC.

Reynolds did not answer her but simply turned and stormed off. One of the Federal Crewmen, an Alversian approached,
"Ma'am? The crew were wondering if you would like to have a double funeral for Lieutenant Commander Caracel and General Cavourna. The crew would like it a lot. The Lieutenant-Commander meant a lot to us" His face crumpled and he turned without saying another word.

The various wounded were now grouped in the Sickbay of the Ship and, despite everything, Davis still refused treatment
"I'm fine! Honestly, I'll get through this!"
"What can you see out of your left eye, Sir?"
"A red curtain"
"Precisely, this will only take a moment Sir"
"Take that thing away from my eye! I'm no gettin' a punctured eyeball!"
"This will just send a small tingling through your forehead sir, relax"
"Don't you tell me to relax!"

A little further from this arguement, Nigripes was surrounded by a team of personnel. They were working rapidly on her wounds and the burns were starting to recede.

Krystal nodded. "Aye. I'd like that, and I'm sure they would have. Damned Imperial bastards!" She turned and stalked off to the hangers, where her uninjured troops were located. Their guant faces stared back at her, dull eyes heavy lidded with exhasten. Time after time they saw their friends, family, people, killed. Their world taken, their fleets destroyed, people forced into slavery. And all their fighting had only gotten more Resistance members killed. They had gained nothing. Krystal could offer them no words of sorrow or thanks. She just nodded sadly and saluted. The soldiers saluted back, and Krystal left the hanger, feeling absolutly defeated. This was the turning point. The XFCs would either take Xiscapia and win freedom, or they would be crushed and oppressed. Only the Fate and Time could tell.

Reynolds was in the Medical Bay which is where Krystal would be directed. He was watching a team of surgeons working on Nigripes. Dozens of machines were connected to her via long metal tubes and two men were carving into her with a laser scalpel
"You know that to practice Alumina Medicine you need to take an entirely different degree at University?" Reynolds asked without looking around, "I was lucky to have such a practicer amongst my crew"
He still would not look around at Krystal
"If there is one thing I know about the Alumina, it is that they have a remarkable ability to analyze information and give you it's strengths and weaknesses. If you want to hone your strategy, you will need her help"

"The Resistance is young. We have seen little combat, and what we have seen we have lost. Though no fault of my soldiers, but the overwhelming tide of Imperial soldiers. With no main research centers, we cannot come up with a weapon powerful enough to wipe out an entire army. The Imperials do not use tactics. They just throw themselves against you until you break. They do not retreat, they do not surrender, nor do they let the enemy escape or take prisoners. There can only be total victory or total defeat," Krystal watched them operate on Nigripes. "How can you be so confident in her? She has shown much flare and arrogance and has backed it up with nothing."

"I have a hope, Admiral" Reynolds turned and looked into her eyes, "That she can be saved, the Nigripes I knew would always have put her friends and you especially, first above her own life. I hope and pray that there is enough of that Nigripes in this girl to help us" he sighed, he knew it was a fool's hope but if anyone could find the fault of a problem, it was the Alumina.

"She could be key to the Resistance. If she is able to help us regain our freedom and throw off the chains of oppression, she will be immortalized forever. Tell me, Admiral," she looked seriously at him, "if it came between the death of millions of innocents and the saving of a quadrillion souls, what would you choose?" Krystal was going somewhere with this, a twisted, sinister thought had been growing in her mind ever since the Resistance's defeat at Rio Casa.

"The death of an Innocent is never sanctified in war. Never" He stared coldly into her eyes, "And if you dare to suggest that I attack an Innocent planet then I shall throw you and your thugs on the nearest planet and strike out alone. I will NEVER betray the ideals of Trezan Baxtor. Not for you, not for Alversia, not for my own Mother. Do I make myself clear!?" He said in a heartless voice.

"Admiral, sacrifices must be made in war. There is not a species anywhere in all the universe who has not made the sacrifice of innocents, one way or another. Admiral, for the sake of the oppressed people under the control of the Empire, I would destroy Alversia. That is what I am suggesting." It was cold. It was harsh. It was something a Korr or a Danaversian would do. But this was Krystal, a different Krystal. If she had to destroy an entire planet and be remembered as a villian forever, so be it. The people must be freed.

Reynolds tapped his comm twice and instantly there were two Federal Security Xiscapians behind him. Both bore highly advanced rifles and their own katanas. They looked at Krystal with disgust as through she was a traitor to them,
"Get out of my sight" Reynolds said through gritted teeth, "You are barred from the bridge until I say otherwise. Do I make myself clear?"

Krystal stared at him penetratingly. "Do the ends justify the means, Admiral? Think on that." she said as she walked away, down the hall back to her quarter. At that time the door opened and Kartosh and Skyler walked in. "You wouldn't happen to have any spare power cells and a large storage of proton torpedos and concussion missiles, would you?" Kartosh asked, totally ignorant of what was going on. Skyler spotted Nigripes. "Gods! What happened to her?"

"Battle wounds, excuse me," He tapped his comm link again. Now when he spoke his voice echoed throughout the ship,
"Now hear this! All non-Federation Personnel are forbidden access to essential systems from this moment on. I repeat, all XFC Personnel are forbidden access to essential systems. Thank you" His voice became normal again,

"What can I do for you two then?" He asked, his eyes were gaunt and his face betrayed that of a man who was exhausted.

"Ah, ammunition for the Star Snake?" said Kartosh hopefully. Skyler frowned to herself and wondered why all XFC soldiers had been banned from accessing vital systems on the ship. Something must have happened...
All about the ship the XFC soldiers were scratching their heads, figuratively and occasionally literally. What could have caused this change? What had they ever done to the ship?

The Federal Troops looked confused as well but they did as ordered and barred each XFC member from his console. This was done gently with much apologies but, as they said, the law was the law and on a ship, the Admiral made the law.

"Ammunition?" The Admiral smiled tiredly, "What do you need?" He asked.

"Power cells for type A6 duel forward mounted blaster cannons, any amount of proton torpedos and concussion missiles, and two power cells for Z-23 swiviling antipersonal turrets."
After the battle the XFC soldiers had no interest in researching or acessing any systems. All they wanted to do was sleep, and forget. Such were the horrors of war, and not a few cried themselves to sleep or stared at the ceiling in depression. Morale was lower than it ever was, despite the fact that the battle had been, technically, a victory. It didn't feel that way at all.

"I will call the Master Armourer and see if he can knock you up a few rounds of something" he looked absolutely miserable, for more than one reason.

Not only had their new allies been handed another costly battle but, with the death of Caracel, the Federal troops had no chance of returning to their own time. And the pressure was starting to have a telling effect on them.

He turned back to Nigripes and saw that the Alumina was looking much better than he had last seen her. The Doctor was performing miracles but it looked like this young, and arrogant Alumina would provide the key for what was needed.

Krystal's Room

There was a buzzing on the door as someone attempted to gain access, there was another buzzing then a voice was heard
"Admiral? It's me, Davis, can I come in?"

"That would be good," said Kartosh, ignoring or not noticing the strain on the Alversian Admiral. Privately he wondered if he would ever get paid, or if he and Skyler were wasting precious time and ammunition and risking their hides for nothing.
Krystal's Quarters...
Krystal had collapsed onto her bunk upon reaching her quarters, shaking with anger, sorrow and frusteration. The energy expanded over the past few days finally caught up with her and she fell into a deep sleep.
My Lord.
My servant.
What will you have me do?
I will speak with you.
For what purpose?
Your recent actions.
In what way are they wrong?
Think of Xiscapia.
It is what drives me.
Think of the people.
They have been crushed.
They have.
And?
Think of the legacy.
Legacy?
Yes.
What of it?
Would the people really want such?
To free them from their bonds my Lord?
To tarnish the name of Xiscapia forever.
My Lord, I do what I must!
They do not want it.
They shall have it.
They will not.
Why?
I do not want it.
My Lord?
Do the ends justify the means?
Yes.
No.
My Lord?
The ends do not.
Why is this?
Who is the judge of the living and the dead?
Qonn, and he only.
You know this to be true.
He has forsaken us.
He may have.
Then I am correct.
You may not be.
What is the purpose of you?
To curtail your evil.
My evil, my Lord?
All have a dark core.
Yes My Lord.
You are not the Decider.
My Lord, it must be done for the people and Xiscapia!
It shall not be.
Then I will need another way.
You shall.
What of it?
Look around you.
My Lord?
Meditate on this.
Krystal awoke in a cold sweat, shaking in fear and feeling shameful and dirty. Even as the dream slipped away she grasped the trailing edges, as substancel as the shadows of ghosts.
"Admiral? It's me, Davis, can I come in?"
"Enter," Krystal rasped, drawing the sheets about her. She had taken off her Admiral's uniform and now wore a bodyglove.

Davis entered and immediately saw the expression on Krystal's face. His own changed to one of concern
"Ma'am? Are you alright?" He asked, he had become acting second in command of the entire XFC following the supposed death of Cavourna and the other officers being killed or missing, "The men want to know what's happened between you and Admiral Reynolds. They want to know why they have been taken off the system. Has something happened?"

"Nothing has happened," snapped Krystal coldly. "Leave me. I need time to think." Her eyes flashed and her left hand drew the sheets more protectively over her. While the Alversian's concern seemed genuine, there was something amiss about him. Something Krystal did not like. It was probably the recent deaths and losses and her argument with Reynolds, but she felt alone and paranoid. Krystal was loosing control.

Davis just gave a quick salute and fumbled nervously out of the room. He had been gone for only ten minutes or so before the door buzzed again and Admiral Reynolds peered in,
"Davis said to give you a wide berth but I thought I would give you this information personally," He entered the room but did not sit, "Captain Nigripes has pulled through her surgery. She's still in a bad way but they expect her to make a full recovery. Hopefully she will be able to talk very soon." He noticed the strain and anguish on her face and knew the feeling because it matched the expression of his own face. This travelling had taken it's toll on him and now he looked as though he was about to drop. Yet he kept going.

"What," asked Krystal, sighing and pulling on her uniform, "is our next move. The other fuel mines?" In truth, no one on the ship, least of all Krystal, was ready to make the next move. They were exhasted, shocked, afraid, nearly out of luck, with morale failing and supplies dwindling. It seemed like it had been forever since any of those on the ship had laughed. It had been so long since any of them bathed, or ate, or felt like a normal sentiant. Most of the Xiscapians were powered by will and intertia alone, and if another battle came soon, they would not survive it.

"We wait until the troops have rested and we can regroup after these battles. They have been hard on your troops. You must give them time to prepare for the battles ahead,"
He came a little closer and sat on the arm of one of the seats in the room,
"I hope you can understand my actions earlier," He said, not looking at her but instead focusing on the floor, "I did what I thought was best for my crew"

"I understand yours, and I must explain mine," Krystal's eyes were closed as she flopped down onto the bed. "I have always tried to do what is right for Xiscapia. The people and the state came first. Always. My alligence was to my nation, my Emperor and my people. Now my Emperor is dead, my nation ripped apart, my people crushed and oppressed. However, I have come to realize than just because Alversia has spawned this threat does not make it the evil doer. We all have our good and our bad. Just different ones are prominent at different times. Destroying Alversia would solve nothing and only create more fear and hatred. Before long the suddenly freed nations would tear each other apart in their attempt to come out on top. As someone, who I cannot remember, once said, "A lasting order cannot be established by bayonets." And the Imperium will fall, even if it is this year or in a thousand."

Reynolds nodded in agreement at her worlds
"Genocide is never the answer, not even at the uttermost end of need, I can see why you would want to do it and I respect your dedication and loyalty but remember I would be destroying my home. Alternate universe or not, it is the same planet. And I think something radical needs to be done to stop this cycle of slaughter."

He looked and hesitated,
"The reason we were thrown from the moon was because the garrison withdrew to the north and counter attacked your smaller force. The reason so many managed to run to the north was because they would not surrender. They feared death. From what I hear, Armies are loyal only to their commanders, so, if we were to persuade one of the Generals to turn and march back to Alversia with his own troops, the Empire would implode."

"It would take more than a single General with a single Army. Besides, who would do such a thing? The only Imperial defector I've ever heard of was General Cavourna, and that was under extreme circumstances. Most of the Generals are corrupt, yes, but they would never work in the Resistance's favor. And I don't know if and of my own soldiers can stand more help from Alversians. Right now, if they weren't so tired, they'd want to go out and kill every single Alversian they could find."

"We shall see what Captain Nigripes has to say on the subject," He said as he got up, "The Alumina are good at this sort of thing. A lot of their brainpower into designing and building this very ship. They know what they are doing." He turned and left Krystal to her thoughts.

Krystal nodded. Her opinion on the Alumina hadn't improved any, but there was a tiny more respect in her for this one in particular. She had been shot multiple times and survived, no small feat. Krystal doubted the recent experiences would have changed Nigripe's in the slightest aside from physically. She would see if the Alumina was all that her arrogance proclamined and the Admiral testified.

Some time later...

Reynolds entered Krystal's room again, looking to see if he could find her. He looked no better than he had earlier but he did seem slightly more relaxed
"Nigripes is ready to talk to us" He said into the room, not even knowing where she was, "Do you want to come to the Medical Bay and see her?"

Krystal poked her head out of the tiny bathroom she had been using to freshen up in and try to wipe away some of the grime and dirt which coated her features like a second skin. "Yes, I'm ready now." She stepped out, clothed once again in her Admiral's uniform. It was funny, she only now realized how poor she was, owning the uniform on her back and her weapons. She knew any of her soldiers would give all that they had to her, but she did not want or need any of it.

They approached the Medical Bay of the Ship, Reynolds walking alongside the Admiral, he seemed much more upbeat than he had earlier. Caracel's death had hit him and the crew hard but, for now, he would find solace in the information and analysis that this Alumina could provide them.
Standing outside the ship's Medical Officer. He gave a salute then stopped them from walking straight through,
"Harry? Is there a problem?" Reynolds asked concerned
"No, Sir, not at all, but I want to prepare you for a shock" The Officer hesitated, "While we were able to save her, We couldn't repair the physical damage to her skin. So be prepared for a different person behind these doors"
Reynolds gulped and nodded, The Doctor opened the door and let them in,

Inside, Nigripes looked almost identical, apart from the top left hand side of her face, which looked as though it had been attacked by a flamethrower. Instead of her normal orange fur, there was a black and grey, bald skin and her left eye was sealed with a vicious looking scar which stretched from her right ear to her nose,

"Admirals" She stated, Reynolds just stared in shock.

There was a sharp intake of breath at Nigripe's changed appearance. Krystal was painfully reminded of other soldiers she had known who had been hidiously scarred from blaster bolts or explosions. Nigripes had been very lucky indeed to escape only with the injuiries she had sustained. Krystal knew immediatly that Nigripes would probably never be able to see out of her left eye again. There was several seconds of stunned silence. Then Krystal spoke. "Captain...how do you feel?" It sounded lame, even to her.

"I feel very well, Admiral Krystal, thank you for asking" Nigripes replied in a standard voice. Her right eye, still a beautiful green that would never be matched up again, turned from Reynolds to Krystal
"I understand you have a query that you wish to ask of me?" She stated calmly. She did not seem to be as angry as she had been prior to the attack.

"I wish for your assistance in the tactical area of fighting the Imperials. No tactics I used during the war or now seem to work, not on the ground. I am an Admiral, not a General. I realize you are a Captain, but I suspect you are better versed in the ways of plantary combat than I. So I would like to replace Commander Davis as second-in-command and put you in his place." Krystal stared, she could not help it. Idely she wondered how Davis would take the news, and hoped it would not seem like a demmotion to the Alversian.

If Nigripes noticed the staring, she did not say anything of make any sign of it. Instead she seemed to think, but the expression of thinking made her face look even more deformed than it already did,
"You wish to make me your Second-in-Command?" She asked, a little surprised, "I cannot pretend that I have had very negative feelings about you as I know you have about me. Am I the Logical choice for such an appointment?" She asked, her voice betraying a little nervousness.

"Captain, though I may dislike you personally, I do have some faith installed in me due to Admiral Reynold's confidence. He seems to think you can do it, he was the one who suggested it. If he thinks you can do it, so do I, then. And I must admit, if nothing else, I am impressed by your recovery from your wounds. It is not a basis for choosing a second-in-command, but toughness is always an asset."

Nigripes looked at Reynolds gratefully then turned back to Krystal,
"I would be happy to assist you in freeing your world. I have a newfound belief that we will need to work as one entity to free our worlds from the Alversian Empire." She stated firmly, "I will provide you the information that you need. May I be excused with the Admiral to go over tactics?" This was to Doctor Harry and Admiral Reynolds
"Of course," They both left quickly and without another word, although they could both be seen talking as soon as the doors started to close.
"Now then, Admiral" She crossed over to one the consoles, her usual elegant walk strangely stunted, "What do you think of our currant tactics?"

Krystal sighed. "Our current tactics consist of nothing more than having the Calypso bull though resident Imperial ships and beam forces down to the planet. I feel we have lost the ground battles because of superior Imperial numbers. In a one-on-one fight any XFC member could easily take on an Alversian soldier, but en masse our soldiers are overwhelmed and forced to retreat or die. We have more soldiers, elsewhere, waiting at hidden bases across the Empire, but not enough to counter the Imperials in numbers. We need a weapon that will destroy a great number of Imperial soldiers in a single strike, but can be used quickly and repeatedly with as little harm to the surronding area. Normally the weapon of choice would be a Bio bomb, but we don't have any, and even if we did they are not scaled up to useage against a large army. Even if you remove these two obstecles, doubtless the Imperials have developed resistance of some sort to Bio bombs after their extensive usage in the battle for Xiscapia."

Nigripes stared at the screens of data that ran before her, although she had only one eye now, she could still absorb the information at a formidable rate. Once she had finished she turned to Krystal,
"The Empire has had superior numbers, Admiral, because you continue to attack it in the most obvious places. When Intelligence heard that you were building a fleet, they knew you would try and liberate Xiscapia and so retained a large garrison on the planet. One on one, at close range, your soldiers may be better but they have you severely outnumbered in terms of armour and air power. Their Infantry tactics are surprisingly modern and highly developed. I predict that they could still have taken Xiscapia even if they had used only half the troops they did." She took in breath and also reached for a drink. A dry throat was one of the symptoms she would have to live with form now on"

"We have virtually no armour or airpower at all. We are serverly outmatched on all fronts. When they took Xiscapia, they had massive amounts of soldiers. Say what you like about them, but the vast majority of Imperial soldiers die because they are apparently suicidal. They are well-trained and well-equipped, and at that time were equal to any Xiscapian regular. While I agree that the number of soldiers that took Xiscapia could have been halved and come out victorious, the Xiscapian Empire was serverly weakened, by the extensive battles fought across space from the Alversian boarders up to Xiscapia. If we had the Xiscapian soldiers that we had then, we may have won the battles that we just fought. But a lot of these are raw recruits, or greenhorns, given basic training and thrown into action. Not enough veterans of the war survived to boost the Resistance."

"Nevertheless, there are ways to defeat them. And the first one, you will not like and your people will not like. But it will be essential. I'm afraid you must start to show compassion," She sighed, "When you destroyed the moons garrison fleet and it's surface batteries, you landed and inflicted considerable damage on an airbase and several key facilities. The Garrison fled in panic. However, they did not surrender to you because they knew their fate if they did. So they remained in the north until one of the Commanders got his head back and organised a counter-attack. A counter-attack that threw you right off the planet's surface. The Imperial Army is a conscript service ma'am. Most of it's troops don't want to be here. If you would show them compassion, they might not think about so recklessly throwing away their lives.

"And how, pray tell, do you suggest we do that? We have built a reputation about taking no prisoners already, and it is firmly ingrained both in the minds of Imperial soldiers and in the minds of my own soldiers. We cannot show compassion because no one would surrender to use in the first place. And if we said we would, why would they beleive us?" Krystal looked to Nigripes. Alversians, at least those on the Imperial side, were hated with the same vigor and close-mindedness that the Calaverans were hated in another, alternate univserse. Ever since the final battle of the war no Xiscapian had ever, anywhere, surrendered to an Alversian. And the same went for the Alversians to the Xiscapians.

"Failing that" Nigripes did not lash back but instead turned to her next idea, "The Imperial Army seems to rely a lot on HQ's and commanders for it's troops to function efficiently. A small unit will not work well if it is cut off from Legionary HQ. If you could take out the HQ of a Legion before battle commenced, even with one lone bomb, it would disrupt the entire chain of command. No one would want to take over in case of defeat because that will mean execution. The troops will blunder about like headless chickens while an enemy can swallow each pocket up one at a time. Without the Propaganda of HQ constantly in their ears, you may get a few Prisoners, Admiral"

Krystal considered for several seconds. "The idea is sound," she finally said. "And where do you think we should impliment this? Our soldiers need time for rest and to build strength, but once we are ready again where do you think we should strike next?"
Space...
On the starboard side of the Calypso ten ships appeared. All troop carriers, they had a considerable amount of soldiers and equipment from the Resistance to suppliment the next attack, as well as a few tanks and mechs. The ranks now swelled to a force of about five thousand, give or take a few hundred.

"It needs to be somewhere far enough away that the Empire will not send reinforcements immediately but close enough to be noticed throughout the Empire. I propose that we take this planet here," She picked one on the map, "Randal Minor. It is not an important planet in the same sense as Xiscapia or Alumi but it is needed to keep the Empire's control in this entire sector. The garrison is small enough to ensure that you will enjoy a local superiority" She stated. She suddenly looked exhausted. Contrary to her appearance, she was still weak from her wounds and would need constant rest from now on.

The Calypso ignored the carriers and allowed them to follow in her wake. There were rumours circulating the ship that Krystal and Nigripes had called a ceasefire. Certainly, the rebel Alumina were acting more civil than they had before.

"Then that is what we shall do. Tell me more about the planet. Was it inhabited before it came under Imperial rule?" Krystal inquired.
Calypso...
The Xiscapian Federation soldiers generally stayed away from the Resistance Xiscapians, and those in the Resistance in general. Those in the XFC were curious about their Federation counterparts, but did not inquire or force themselves on them. Slowly the two factions were beginning to warm to one another. Nothing like a battle to make friendships between two people.

Nigripes was about to say something, then instead she gave a low sigh and slumped to the floor. Her breathing had become ragged and uneven. And a small wound was starting to appear in the bald part of her head, the part not covered with fur.

Krystal's eyes widened. "Doctor!" she screamed. "Doctor!" She dropped to her knees beside the Alumina.
OOC: Gotta go now, I'll probably be on later tonight.

The door screeched open and four Medical Personnel pushed Krystal rather rudely out of the way. They began scanning her as well as running to fetch equipment,
"A Capillary in her frontal lobe is breaching!" One of them shouted,
"Get Doctor Phillips in here, NOW!" another replied then turned to Krystal, "Sorry ma'am you'll have to leave."

Krystal didn't say anything, she just left. Moving though the doors, she clenched her fists. The Alumina was correct, but how could she be of much help if this event repeated? Krystal felt she had probably caused this, with her talking and questioning.

Doctor Harry Phillips, Medical Officer for the ship, barged Krystal out of the way as he tore down the hall towards the Medical Bay. Reynolds was not far behind,
"What happened?" He puffed. He and Phillips had ran all the way from the bridge to the bay and his bright red face indicated he wasn't quite as fit as he used to be.

"She just fell unconcious, right there. Her breathing's uneven, she may have overexerted herself." said Krystal, brow furrowed and lips pursed with worry.

"Why? What did she say or do?" Reynolds was starting to get his breath back but even so, he still looked exhausted, "What did you say?" He asked, curiously, "Rumours are that you offered her the Second-in-Command position"

"Admiral, you were there when I offered her the position of second-in-command. I do not know why this happened, but we were discussing how to get the Imperials to turn on one another. She named our next planet to strike, I asked her about it, and then she fell. I cannot explain it. She may not be as well as your medical staff anticipated."
Krystal was white with worry, whiter than usual, her light pink hair standing out. She knew they could not afford to have Nigripe's die, or be incapacitated. And right when they'd been getting along, too...

"Well, the Doctor did say to 'Take is easy' but I have never met an Alumina who followed Doctor's Orders." He suddenly jerked around, "What? A planet? What Planet?" He asked, surprised, "What planet did she say? We could head for there immediately and keep on the move" Reynolds asked. He was worried too, not as worried as Krystal but still not calm,
"I guess for the moment, Davis is back as Second-in-Command is he?" He asked.

"Yes, Davis is still second-in-command. Nigripes mentioned a planet called "Randal Minor", if that means anything to you."
OOC: Gotta go.

"Yeah, it does. It's called the 'Stepping Stone' of the 3rd Quadrant. We call it strategically vital now but back in these times it was only the jumping point for colonization attempts into that Quarter. I have no idea what you've done to it in this Universe but if she said it's important then it is most definitely important." He smiled and tapped on his commlink
"Ensign? Set a course for Randal Minor, Warp Seven, Inform the rest of the fleet please" He gave a small sigh, "Just to save your new best Friend" He stated.

"Then we shall strike there with the limited knowledge and expertise that I have. Nigripes must pull though. The Resistance needs someone who understands the Imperials, now that Cavourna is gone. Admiral, if there's anything anyone can do, she must live. The future of my people, of all the people under the Empire, may depend on it." Her eyes were shining and she felt terrified, hopeful and apprehensive all at once.

Outside the rest of the Resistance fleet, such as it were, jumped with the Calypso.

A few moments later, an exhausted Phillips left the Medical Bay. Reynolds was on him in an instant,
"Well? How is she? Is she going to pull through? What happened?" He asked, forgetting himself. Phillips swatted the questions away like too many flies in the heat, He sighed
"She'll pull through but she has suffered severe trauma to the frontal lobes of her brain. If you want her to pull through, you will have to persuade her to take it easy. Failing that, I will have to keep her constantly sedated until she has recovered her strength.

"So what you're saying is she can't get too excited or she'll drop? I don't know how successful any of us could be at persuading her to take it easy, but to keep her constantly sedated would compromise her usefullness. Perhaps after this episode we'll all be a little more careful." suggested Krystal. She turned to Reynolds. "How far are we from Randal Minor?"

"You're her Commanding Officer now, you ORDER her to do it?" Phillips suggested, then shrugged, "I'm a Doctor, not a Soldier. All I'm saying is that if you want her advice for the rest of this war then I suggest that you keep her from any command consoles. Tell her to take a break" He smiled.

At Krystal's second question, Reynolds thought for a few moments,
"At our current speed? About three days. We'll hit the planet itself in four though so prepare for a rather bumpy ride. I doubt the Empire will like us being there anymore than they liked us being here"

"Doctor, I can't and won't keep her from the consoles, but she is not to be permitted to beam down to a planet or moon's surface. I trust the Captain's judgment of when she thinks she has had enough." Krystal nodded at Reynold's answer. "So that gives me a little time to brief the troops and prepare ourselves. Admiral, would you like to hear what Nigripe's suggested to me? I think she is correct, but I would like to hear your thoughts."

"Combat is not the issue here," Phillips stressed in an exhausted voice, "I cannot say that any strenuous mental activity may not collapse another capillary and I cannot keep repairing them without risk to her entire circulatory system. You have to make a choice, Admiral, either force her to relax or she will be sedated for at least a week"

Reynolds listened to all this but once he was done, turned to Krystal
"It seems that Captain Nigripes has given all the help she can for now. What did she say to you?" He asked curiously, "Did she impress you or did she reinforce your opinion?"

"Doctor, she is an Alumina. They always have strenuous mental activity. Keep her sedated, then." Krystal spoke once more to Reynolds. "She impressed upon me several things about the Imperials. Firstly, many of the soldiers are conscripted. They would rather surrender than fight. However, the XFC has built itself a nasty reputation for the slaughter of Imperial prisoners. Captain Nigripes told me that if we could get a few Imperial Armies to turn against the Empire, it would collapse. The soldiers are loyal to their Commanders, rather than the Imperium. This would start with the capture of Imperial soldiers. However, none would surrender to us because they know at the end of that road lies execution. The Captain told me to secure prisoners at this planet it would be vital to destroy the local Command Post and kill the Generals. Without them the Imperial Army would be thrown into confusion. Apparently they work well as a unit, but in squads or individually they are nearly helpless. Once we capture those soldiers and do not execute them, word will spread thoughout Imperial ranks. In one of our future battles we may, instead of having to fight, have the resident army join our side."

Phillips nodded, turned and headed back into the Medical Bay.

Reynolds justed smiled at the analysis,
"Told you she knew what she was talking about. I'll see if I can take out Garrison HQ from up here, if not, you'll have to go down and do it yourself," He stated mildly, "Although one thing does surprise me, you seem to have gotten extremely attached to her. It was only 24 hours ago, you hated her guts completely."

"Quite frankly, Admiral, after being shot repeatedly she seems much easier to get along with. I guess it just does something to people," Krystal shrugged and smiled. "Puts things in perspective, I guess."

"Yeah," Reynolds looked thoughtful, "She and Lieutenant Commander Caracel had a few words before they were beamed down to the surface for that last attack. Alumina to Alumina, I guess. Whatever his legacy to her was, it certainly seems to have had an effect on her." Reynolds stopped, as the memory of his second in command was too painful to bear just yet.

"If Caracel managed to change her for the better, his death had not been in vain," said Krystal sadly. "Admiral, if you'll excuse me, I must speak to my troops and ready them for our upcoming battle."

"Of course, I'll inform you when we arrive at our destination" Reynolds walked sadly off. His place was taken a few moments later by Davis,
"Is it true?" He asked, the hurt obvious in his eyes, "I've been demoted?"

"Commander," said Krystal gently, "when General Cavourna died you replaced him. He was my second-in-command for his battle expertise and knowledge of Imperial tactics. Captain Nigripes is now my Second for the same reason. Commander, you have fought well and honorably, but I simply feel Captain Nigripes can be of more assistance in those areas. You are a good Commander, Davis, so don't take this the wrong way. Besides," she said gravely, "Captain Nigripes might not make it though, and for the time being until she has recovered you are my Second-in-command."

"Very well" Davis stated rather resentfully, "I'll fill in until Captain Nigripes can tell a spoon from a fork. I would have thought my own time in the Imperial Army would have been experience but obviously not. I'll get the troops ready ma'am" He saluted and turned away, the bitterness in his voice could not be mistaken.

Krystal didn't say anything. She could see why the Commander would be hurt, would lose confidence, but she had to do what was best for the people. And right now, Captain Nigripes was best for the people. Krystal turned and strode away to the hangers where her soldiers waited. Davis would be there, she was taking an alternate route. It was essential to instruct them to actually take prisoners and to give them a heads-up about the upcoming battle.

Three Days Later

"There it is" Reynolds sighed from the bridge, "Randal Minor"
He was looking at a tiny planet, barely two thirds the size of Earth's moon. Yet is was garrisoned well beyond what it should have taken,
"I'm detecting 4 Imperial Legions on the Surface, 80,000 Troops" One of the Ensigns reported, "and seventeen Dreadnoughts in orbit above it"
"How much!?!" Reynolds looked stunned, "It only has a garrison of 5,000 in my Universe. I guess it is important after all"
"It is," Davis cut in, "There are only four legions on this planet but there are at least another 18 in this Quadrant bringing the Emperor's authority on the people, "That's another 360,000 Imperial troops in this Quadrant. A lot of men, you'll agree" He stated, rather sadly, he was still sulking after his demotion.

"Nearly half a million soldiers?!" Krystal was shocked. She dropped her chin to her chest and breathed deeply. Then she raised it again, fire in her eyes. "Okay," said Krystal determinedly. "Admiral, do your stuff. Let's see if we can knock out the HQ from orbit while we're at it." On the Calypso and across the troop carriers the XFC soldiers shifted uneasily. They had already lost two battles. Would this be a repeat, or would things change this time?

"Nigripes, before she went into comatose, said to land all your troops in one area, keep it safe and secure as a landing zone for supplies and reinforcements. Let them waste their manpower against your defenses. Or so the doctor says" Reynolds replayed uneasily before turning to one of the Ensigns,
"How many HQ's can we knock out from here?" He asked,
"Two Legionary HQ's Sir, the other two are a mountain pass not far from the main base"
"Hit 'em"
"Yes, Sir"

A few seconds later, the Ensign jumped excitedly,
"Direct hits on both HQ's. They've been taken out, Sir"

"Good. Krystal, land in the area controlled by the...10394th Legion, their HQ's down, hopefully they won't be able to react in time"

A counter attack came almost immediately. The skyline will filled with Troops as Alversian Infantry marched in formation towards the incomplete Xiscapian defenses. These troops were the 10394/2nd Battalion, one of four connected to that Legion. It was 5,000 strong and had arrived from basic training only a month before. These weren't the battle hardened troops of the frontline assault Legions, these were men who, until two months ago, were farmers and shopkeepers. Their Corps advanced alone and without support. With their HQ destroyed, orders had dried up and the Battalion Commander, keen to prove himself, had thrown his inexperienced and poorly trained Battalion in while the other three held their positions. Confusion reigned as to who should take command. No one wanted the job.

Once the Alversians were close enough, the marching drums stopped and, in a deafening roar, the organized ranks dissolved into a mass of black armour as the troops rushed to close the gap with the Xiscapian perimeter.

"It is already being done. Looks like we'll have to destroy the other two by hand."
Drop ships and troop carriers screamed out of space though the atmosphere and onto the surface. Landing on a large, barren patch of soil, the ships unloaded. Soldiers first, then equipment and vehicles. Automated repeating turrets, stolen from Imperial armories, were set up, digging droids began to scrape out trenchs, Hellstones and FAR jumpers took up positions in the hilly landscape, turrets motionless and waiting. Several field hospitals and a base of operations was being set up, and for now the soldiers only established the perimiter. Machine gun blaster tripods and recoilless rifles mouted along the freshly dug trenchline and grunts and HAT filled them. Medics stayed by the field hospitals, ready to transport injured soldiers. Snipers took up places in the hills and to the back of the base, distance and height was their friend. SRS soldiers were the furthest out, cloaked and watching. If the Imperials approached within twenty miles, the base would know it and prepare. A dozen LAM were waiting on the ground, poised for action against soldiers or fighters. Any Alversian seeking to break into the base would be met with tank shells, rapid-fire laser beams, small arms fire, grenades, sniper fire, beam blasts and rockets.

"OPEN FIRE!"
The disorganized, charging soldiers were met with all manners of weaponry. It was terrifying to see this mob of Alversians running at you brandishing guns, but these were not raw recruits. All the soldiers there had seen action, most of them present at the battle for the fuel. Some had experience from fighting in the war, and all had training provided by Krystal, Davis and Federation soldiers. Instead of volleys they kept up a steady stream of fire into Imperial ranks, shells ripping apart men and bolts blowing off limbs. The sniper fire was vicious, hardened bullets tearing though multiple soldiers. If a Imperial went down, he would be trampled by his comrades. Finally the LAM lept into the air and came down in the middle, crushing soldiers and the railguns spitting all around them. From the front the Alversians were met with wave after wave of fire and shells, and in the middle the LAM cut the mob in half, one half between the LAM and the closing gap to the kitsune lines, the other between the LAM and the hills from where the Imperials just came.

The Imperial troops, already suffering from poor morale and uncertainty in their commander's abilities, began to withdraw. Soon, the withdrawal had become a rout. As they fled, they left a carpet of dead and dying Imperial troops on the ground. Most were dead but a few crawled in vain of finding aid from their comrades. There was to be none. A third of the Battalion managed to make it back to their position in the line about two miles back from the Xiscapian position. However, that still left a considerable number trapped between the Defenses and the Mechs. Surrounded and desperate, the soldiers looked as though they were about to make a final stand. Then one man threw his rifle to the ground. One after the other, his men followed. Eventually, every man in the pocket was defenseless. They even threw their battalion's flag to the ground and crushed it underfoot. These Shopkeepers and Farmers were not going to die for the Emperor today.

With the Imperial withdrawl and surrender the XFC soldiers cheered. It was exactly the kind of moral boost they needed, no lives lost and almost total victory. The Alversians were surronded by XFC soldiers, pointing rifles at them. Krystal patched a message from orbit though the speakers unfolding themselves out of the mechs:
Imperial soldiers, put your hands on your heads and clasp your fingers together. You will not be harmed as Prisoners Of War. Any attempt to resist WILL be met with deadly force. None of you want to be here. I understand that. What has the Empire ever done for you? Thrust you into combat, undertrained and poorly armed, ripped from your families and friends? I urge you, join the Resistance! Help us fight the Empire, and gain your lives back! If you do not wish to, you will remain POWs. But if you take up arms again against tyranny, you will be welcomed as heros. Your wounded comrades will be treated by our medics. The choice is yours.
The XFC soldiers waited expectently. An area far at the back of the base had already been cleared for the Imperial POWs.

The Alversian POW's looked at each other with confusion and a little apprehension. They had been expecting a quick death at the end of a katana, yet here they were, being offered a chance to join a force that would be guaranteed to looked after them. Two soldiers left the group and walked over to the nearest Officer,
"We volunteer" The leader stated. He was instantly surrounded by a large crowd of POWs. The People were finally sick of the Empire and they wanted change.

The Officer claped him on the shoulder, making an effort to appear friendly. "Good man. Your name is?" At the moment this was neither the time nor place for actual recruitment, so more arms were being beamed down to the surface. Each former Imperial soldier would get at least a rifle starting out. When he proved his effectiveness and that he was trustworthy he would be granted more weapons. The now-Resistance soldiers were formed into a sloppy line past several crates. Upon passing each soldier was issued a blaster carbine and a Resistance patch. Those who had elected not to join were swiftly moved to the back of the camp, where they were surronded by razor wire and make-shift fencing, under guard by a couple of Grunts. The Xiscapian soldiers, having been briefted, expected the Imperials to join, but it didn't make them any less tense. Even if these weren't battle-hardened, blood-thirty kitsune killers, they were still Alversians, and former-Imperials at that.

The Rebel Alversians instantly requested permission to join the new Alversian units. They argued that their morale was already at rock bottom and what they needed was guidance. All the Xiscapians were offering, they argued, was the same thing as the Imperials. Give them a rifle and if they die, it's no big loss. That attitude had to change if the Empire was going to collapse.

Meanwhile, someone at HQ had finally stepped up and taken command of the Legion. However, he was still not in total control and his order to counter-attack was ordered by one of the surviving Battalions. Even so, 10,000 men advanced on the Xiscapian camp.

Permission to the Rebel Alversians was granted, certainly very few kitsune would be able to overcome their prejudice to effectively command or work with the former Imperials. The Alversians were more or less left to themselves as the Xiscapians prepared themselves for the inevitable counter-attack. Last time they had taken ground easily and thought they'd won, only to be proven disasteriously wrong. Krystal, ordering from space, wished that the captured soldiers had been carrying a few artillery peices with them. Nevertheless, the soldiers hunkered down for another attack, their ranks now swelled by about a thousand because of Imperial recruitment. The Alversians would be met with the same attack as before, except now the XFC had former-Imperial-and-now-Resistance soldiers assisting them.

The Alversian troops advancing with the Imperial Army looked even more unsteady than their predecessors had. This was the second line of Infantry. Designed to be nothing more than cannon-fodder. The nervous and terrified looks of the men, some as young as 16, advancing moved the Alversians deeply and they began to call out for surrender. Some of the shocked Imperial troops obediently laid down their weapons while others simply turned and ran. An Officer walked out to the centre of the field between the two Armies and called out
"I wish to discuss the surrender of the 10394th and 102123rd Legions to the Xiscapian Freedom Corps. Is there one with whom I can talk?"

Krystal stared at the video feeds. She couldn't beleive her ears.
Field...
The Xiscapians were shocked. This was not what they had expected at all. By Qonn, some of them thought, some of them are still boys! Not even out of their teen years! A rustle of uncertain movement went up and down the line. No one had ever asked for surrender since the first days of the war, before they had begun to execute their prisoners. There was a brief flash of light and the ground Commander of the XFC, a kitsune named Gaff, appeared in front of the Alversian Officer. Under any other circumstances, this would be a move of upmost folly. However, judging by how most of them had already surrenderd and the rest were running for it, this seemed a safe bet. "Commander," he nodded his head, silver hair waving.

"Battalion Commander Sanderson" The man replied, then offered his broadsword to Gaff, "And I wish to surrender my troops. They are too young to be killed for an Emperor they will never meet. I desire no more bloodshed here today, same as I want no more bloodshed across the Empire. I have had enough of this oppression"

"Spoken like a true Resistance member, Battalion Commander," Gaff grinned and accepted the broadsword, sticking it in his belt next to his katana. "How rude of me. Commander Gaff," he bowed "How much influence do you hold over all your men? Can all the Battalions on the surface be pursuaded to surrender? Anyway, your men are welcome to join up with us, or remain POWs. Either way, you won't be harmed. We promise."

Sanderson shook his head,
"My influence is limited to these two Legions. The other two still have their commanders are not as likely to surrender as we were. However, I would like to join your movement, as would most of my senior officers" He indicated to the men behind him, "The majority of my men just want to go home to their families"

"Commander, the fastest way of doing that is helping us. You know as well as I do that Imperial Command does not apprechiate surrender. If you were to try to make it back on your own and somehow reach Alversia or one of the worlds again, you would be court martialed and executed. Here you have a much better chance. Join us in wiping the last of the Imperials off this planet, or capturing them, preferably. I beleive that if we can repeat this we can eventually turn enough of the Empire's own forces against it to make it fall." Gaff seemed catious yet optimistic.

"No need," Sanderson stated lightly, "Grand General Maximus, the commander of this entire area hates the General, just persuade him that he's be Emperor and 18 Legions would be yours, plus whatever other of his mates he could recruit into the army.

"Hmmm..." Gaff seemed in thought. He could not, of course, take of such a communication. Such would be left up to the Admiral. "Is there a way I can establish contact with the General?"
At the base XFC soldiers were slowly standing and herding the Imperials into a ring, surronded. Imperial weapons were being picked up and added to the armory. The bodies of the slain Alversians were to be buried in a mass grave. Those Alversians who wanted to join the Resistance would be issued the patch and their weapons again, just like those before, and be put under the command of an Alversian Rebel, a APA member. Those who did not chose this course were put in the back of the base with the other POWs.

"Just contact his HQ. He's not far from here and if you could persuade him to rebel against the Empire, I garuntee that his Legions would follow him all the way to Illesia, so would most of the other Generals. They don't really get on. The Emperor hates his Generals and vice versa. A rebellion's been on the books for months."

"Hmph. An Emperor who hates his Generals. Imagine that." Gaff switched on the communicater up to the Calypso. A muffled conversation and a few calls later Krystal was facing Grand General Maximus on the Calypso's viewscreen. She bowed, her face and form known iconically thoughout the Empire on wanted posters, labeling her a bloodthirsty Rebel who seeks to topple the grand order of the Empire and bring about anarchy. "Grand General."

Maximus, an old man with a strangely kindly face and warm brown eyes, turned from his table of operations to face her.
"Admiral" he stated mildly, he wasn't like the populace of the Empire, he knew she was nothing more than a rebel and her troops actions were no worse that those performed by men under the Imperial banner,
"I see you are in my system. Care to explain why?" He asked politely.

"We are here to take this world, General. Two and a half Leigons have either surrendered or been killed already. I'm here to offer you the olive branch, as it were. My proposition is simple: Take all the soldiers and ships under your command, and come with us in defeating the Empire. I know you have no love for the Emperor, and he none for you. You would lose nothing and gain much though his death and the fall of the Empire. Should you refuse, we will come and personally evict you from this planet, but I don't think that will be needed. What are your thoughts?" Krystal was grim on the surface, but inside she was bubbling over. If this man accepted, it would be near time to liberate Xiscapia from Imperial rule.

Maximus sighed, his long beard parted gently as he did so,
"You ask for a lot Admiral. I have 400,000 men, none of whom have been in service for longer than nine months. The Emperor could rally an army of a million men on a whim, all of whom will have at least 50 years of hard campaigning under their belts"
He sighed again, he desired nothing more than to destroy the Emperor, laying smug behind his fortress on Alversia. He sent his own subjects away to the far corners of the Galaxy to fight Races he had never met, and never would unless it was on the end of a bayonet. He hated it. Julius Maximus was a diplomat, not a soldier, yet here he was.

"General, if you fight so will others. If you defect other Generals will follow your example. And, as the Empire as shown time and time again, massive overwhelming odds can overcome even the best fighters, "she said, thinking of the conquest of Xiscapia. "If we can start this here it will grow into a wave of defections and traitors, until the Empire has lost the majorty of it's forces. Then we can take the planets under Imperial rule and they will fall to our combined might, one by one. Surely there are experienced Generals among you with seasoned troops who hate the Emperor as much as you do?"

"A few," Maximus admitted, "But they are very spread out. This would turn into a three front war, and we'd be outnumbered on all fronts, Admiral, you are talking about a Civil War that could destroy the Alversian people, never mind the Empire" He stared at her suspiciously
"And how do I know that you won't just annex our planet into your own Empire? There is no shortage of people who would do it"

"The Alversian people have already been crushed beneath the heel of the Emperor and forced to fight for him for too long. Nothing can be done to them which had not already been done. They chose this path for themselves, not us or anyone else. As to what would happen afterwards, we've vowed not to let that happen. For one, any of the oppressed who tried to rise up to make their own Empire from the rubble of the Empire would be met with feirce opposition from the other races under Imperial rule. Once we have liberated Xiscapia we will turn our full force to freeing Alversia. After that is done the chain of command will crumble. Hopefully that will spark rebellions amongst all the people under the Empire. Once everyone is free there is no guarentee of peace, but I feel most of the races will turn to rebuilding their worlds, rather than warfare to conquer other races." Krystal bowed her head. She was having a tough time convincing the General, but she put her full trust in Nigripes. She had to, there was nothing else to do.

"In that case," Maximus sighed sadly, "Inform the Legions that they are to cast off the Imperial Eagle. Keep only their Legionary Standards. Tell them it is from Field Marshall Maximus Decius and his authorization code is Beta411. I will join you once I have withdrawn my frontline Legions." He cut the link.

Randal Minor

Davis stared at the monitor is disbelief, he had entered the room moments before and had seen the last few sentences,
"Civil War?" He asked meekly, blanching.

A message from the Calypso was broadcasted wideband thoughout the planet, echoing to anyone with a receiver:
"Imperial Soldiers of Alversia, I am Admiral Krystal, head of the Xiscapian Freedom Corps. You are to cast off the Imperial Eagle. Keep only your Legionary Standards. That is from Field Marshall Maximus Decius, authorization code Beta411. I hope this may be resolved in a peaceful manner."
Bridge...
Krystal cut off the communications and turned to see Davis. "I'm afraid so," Krystal nodded sadly. "I see no other way to defeat the Empire except with it's own forces. Many will die, but it is a price we must pay."

The two Legions that had been hiding in the mountains could scarce believe it. True they were no better trained than their comrades who had suffered so heavily in the open. But they had excellent defensive positions and could have remained safe in the area until relief could come. Now they were to cast off the key Imperial slogan of the Legion? The Eagle was presented by the Emperor himself as a gift, to remind his soldiers that his spirit would follow them no matter where they went in the Universe. Now, his soldiers were tired of his orders and his countless atrocities which sickened the soldiers themselves as much as it had sickened the people. They remembered enough of Trezan Baxtor's teachings to know this was not what he had wanted.
One by one, the Companies and Battalions of the two Legions marched from their positions and headed for the Xiscapian camp. There was not an Eagle amongst them. Only the flags of the individual Legions were proudly borne aloft. These were what marked the Legion as unique in all of the Imperial Army.
They were now symbols of Revolution.

Calypso

"Many? Many?" Davis looked as though he was about to explode, "Half the Alversian people could be killed in this. Do you understand that? Billions, think about that number, Admiral, billions. I cannot allow you, as Alexander Cavourna's successor, to led the people he loved to dear to destruction!" He stated this firmly, towering to his full height.

The Leigons were welcomed in with open arms to the XFC. They were given a replacment patch, marking them as members of the Resistance. The former Imperials were allowed to keep their weapons, and like their comrades before them, put under command of Alversian Rebels.
Calypso
"Commander," said Krystal sharply, "your people brought this on themselves when they submitted to your Emperor's reign. I am not here to discuss morals with you. We are beyond that now. Do you know how many people have died or been forced into slavery under the Empire? Do you know how many families have been ripped apart? Do you?" Krystal was livid, her face white with rage. While she was shorter than the Alversian she was no less threatening. "Commander, if you have a better alternative then please share. If not, keep your opinions to yourself!" she snapped.

The Legions took their patches and accepted the Alversian Officers as their own. The first thing that started was training and the area for miles around echoed to the sounds of laser fire as the People's Officers brought their gunnery up to scratch.

Calypso

"I KNOW FULL WELL HOW MANY HAVE BEEN SPLIT!!" Davis roared at the top of his voice, it was so loud it echoed throughout the deck, "YOU WANT A BETTER IDEA!?! FINE!! COME TO THE CARGO HOLD LATER AND I WILL SHOW YOU MY SOLUTION!!" He turned and stormed from the room. His place was taken moments later by Reynolds and two Marines, all were armed with weapons,
"What happened?" He asked bewildered.

And so the training began. While the Xiscapians continued to keep to themselves, a few branched out to show the Imperials the finer points of Close Quarters Combat. The Xiscapians were morbidly impressed by Alversian skill with the bayonet, having witnessed their own soldiers being cut down with the blade when the kitsune on the receiving end was armed with a katana. Target practice and marksmenship went on as well, former enemies going though the trials alongside each other. It was an uneasy peace, to be mild. No one had forgotten the slaughter of helpless Xiscapian civilians or the execution of POWs.
Calypso
Krystal was breathing heavily, staring at the door from which Davis had exited, not looking at Reynolds. "Command Davis disagrees with Nigripes and I solution to the war. He feels..." she closed her eyes, tilting her head upward slightly. "He feels that the certain deaths of billions of Alversians is not worth the liberation of the galaxy from under Imperial rule. I asked him to present a different course of action. He said he had one, and if I was so inclined to come to the cargo hold later to discuss it. Admiral," she looked at Reynolds now, "We're all stressed and worried and scared. But Davis, this is all getting to him. In any case, it may been good that he is being releived of command and Captain Nigripes is being put in his place."

The Alversians were 'uncomfortable' amongst the Xiscapians to say the least, it was true that many Xiscapian POW's had been slaughtered under the name of the Emperor but that was his decision, the Army had stood back and watched in disgust as he carried out reprisal after reprisal. After a while, the Legions committed to Xiscapia had become part of the 'Imperial Guard' the Emperor's elite Private Army. They were no longer answerable to the Army and that made them dangerous.

Calypso

Reynolds nodded in agreement,
"Davis seems to be irrational, passionate but also blunt and stubborn. It does seem to be more of an advantage to promate an Alumina in his place, even if she is still unconcioius" He admitted in a light hearted manner, "Look on the bright side! The Army supports you and the People's Army has 18 Legions under it's banner"

The Resistance numbers and quality in general was boltstered by the Legions. Admittedly, most of them had no previous combat experience, and many were very young, but it helped nonetheless. As the Xiscapians worked and trained they dreamed of the day they would be able to go home and liberate Xiscapia. Eventually the rest of the Empire as well, but Xiscapia first.
Calypso
"Bright side, Admiral," said Krystal grimly. "There is no bright side until we are in the Xiscapian Imperial Palace and victory has been declared. Until that time there is only fighting, bloodshed and death." Davis's words had sombered her considerably. "I must go meet with the Commander now. Wish me luck."

The Alversian Troops now paraded in their vast columns, performing the various drills they would use on the battlefield. When a Legion was committed to a battlefield , there were usually too many troops to make duck and cover fighting worthwhile. Thus, when the Imperial Legions met their APA counterparts, it would be a bloody battle with both sides facing each other and in action

Calypso

The Hangar was dark, quiet, empty.
There seemed to be no one within it's confines, yet a small rustling betrayed movrment,
"Come on ahead, Admiral!" Davis shouted from within, "Sorry for the bad lighting, it's essential to my plan"

Stealth and accuracy were the main goals in the XFC. Cloaking devices were used extensively, and new weapons, stolen or made, were in use all around. Vehicles were being practiced with too, tanks and FAR and mechs. Thoughout the forest one could hear the rumbling of the mechanized units and the booming of heavy weapons and the characteristic chatter of mounted machine guns.
Calypso
Your plan? Krystal thought as her hand drifted her the hilt of her katana, rather than her holstered sidearm. "Come out, Commander." she called even as she walked forward.

The Legions were now fully prepared for action. They paraded as well as any other Infantry in the Empire. But, as Maximus watched them sadly, it would be an entirely different ballgame once the laser fire started. Then they would see who was better. Even now, the Calypso had been joined with two dozen Alversian Dreadnoughts, each of which had swapped the black colours of the Imperial Fleet for the blood red of the People's Navy.

Calypso

"Don't worry, Admiral" Davis still did not appear, "It's just this won't work in the dark and, you'll appreciate that I want to show you everything you deserve to see"

Thus armed, the Resistance was being preped to move out to their next destination. Where ever they went, there would be Imperials there, and they would either have to fight to the death, or try to convert them to the Resistance side.
Calypso
Krystal felt uneasy and considered calling for a Marine detatchment to escort her, but if the Commander was merely acting strangly calling for security would only serve to alienate him further and raise his paranoia. Krystal had no trouble seeing in the dark as she walked towards Davis's voice, but that didn't relax her any. Her right hand now rest firmly on the hilt of her sword.

Maximus now stood with his General Staff, spread out over a large map of the surrounding systems,
"What about Marshall Marx?" He asked tiredly,
One of his Staff Officers shook their heads, "Forget it. He'd shoot half the population of Alversia before he even considered betraying the Emperor"
"What about General Vorn?"
"Same."
"Marshall Law?"
"Same"
"Right then" Maximus knew what he was looking at. It was like they were surrounded on three sides by fiercely loyal Generals and there was no way to convince them to desert their Emperor"
"What I say we should do," Maximus brought all his years of experience into the equation, "Is split our forces into three, I shall led the Konodo Detachment and storm the east pincer, Admiral Krystal can command the Kyaki Detachment and her own troops and hit the west pincer. With luck, we can drive back Law and Vorn before Marx has a chance to react"
"Risky strategy, Sir," One of them cautioned, "Leaving a small garrison to defend this planet would leave it vulnerable to a counter-attack"
"I know, but much must be risked in war and I can't genuinely see another way out. If you can, please share it"
There was silence.
20 Legions vs a combined 42. 400,000 men against 840,000. Big odds.

Calypso

"Come on ahead, Admiral" Davis called from in the hangar, "Sorry for all the secrecy but I couldn't let anyone find my little plan. Don't worry, it'll be over soon and I can see all the effort I put into this rewarded. Just a little further."

At that moment Commander Gaff entered the tent, his two guards peeling off. "What have we here?" he wanted to know as he looked over the map. The only Xiscapian in the middle of a bunch of Alversians.
Calypso
Krystal did not answer and finally found the place where Davis's voice seemed to be coming from. "Commander," she asked, "where are you?"

The Staff all turned to face Gaff and made a small indication that he should have perhaps knocked or announced his presence before barging into the meeting. If Maximus was irritated, he did not show it,
"Simple," he pointed at the map, "The line front of us is defended by three sectors, combining over 800,000 troops or twice our number. However, they are in a pincer and we would have the element of surprise. I am suggesting a pincer movement our own to smash these two sectors and trap the bulk of the troops in the centre. It is risky, but with our numbers, it's our only hope"

Calypso

"Thinking about my plan," Davis' voice replied from somewhere else, "I can't let you kill billions of my people, Krystal. I just can't, I have to think of another way to persuade you to think of something else and I think I have the solution. I can tell you if you can find me. I'm not far away"

Gaff ignored the looks from the other Officers. "The element of suprise will be essential. If they get wind of our coming, the entire operation would be compromised. If we can catch them when they're not combat ready we stand a chance. What are their forces made up of? Do you know vehicle numbers, where the HQs are located?"
Calypso
Krystal was getting exhasperated. "Commander, I'm not here to play games with you!" She looked around. Parked vehicles, stacks of crates, piles of equipment and ready rooms, there was a thousand places to hide. "Come out, this is ridiculious!"
OOC: Gotta go.

OOC: All the best

"Vehicles are not a problem, most of the fuel has already been issued to frontline Units, trust me, they won't move very far" Maximus stated confidently, "As for HQ's we have their locations, although a quick landing should be able to neutralize them quickly. Maybe as quickly as my own Legions, I don't know" He smiled at the memory. With the help of the Alversian People's Officers, the Legions were learning new independence and gaining the confidence to step up on the battlefield and lead their men when it was needed.

Calypso

"I know, Krystal. I had to think long and hard about this but in the end it was worth it. Because, I now have a plan that will ensure my people will not suffer anymore."
Standing 30 feet away, with a blaster in his hand, was Davis, he was safely out of katana range and his reflexes were quick enough to ensure he would get the first shot off if Krystal went for her own blaster,
"Drop your weapons" He demanded smugly, "Now. And don't bother with the Comms system, I disabled it before you entered. It's just you and me, Doggie"

Gaff nodded optimistically. "So we know their center of operations, and those damn tanks have been immobilized. All that remains is the actual execution. If the Calypso or one of the other Dreadnoughts can nail the HQs from orbit the same tactic we used here may work again. However, these are soldiers loyal to the Empire. We may need to destroy them to the last man, as I doubt they'll surrender."
Calypso
Doggie?!
"You're an Imperial!" Krystal spat as her katana and holstered pistol hit the floor by her feet. "I knew there was something going on! You bastard!" She looked straight at him. "Cavourna and Carcel weren't really killed by Imperial soldiers, were they? And Captain Nigripes wasn't wounded by them, either, was she?"

"Indeed, the troops are ready to embark, as soon as Admiral Krystal lands on the planet and takes command of her Detachment, we will be ready to go" Maximus may have been old, but he was experienced and he knew the art of soldiering better than anyone.

Calypso

"What a conclusion!" Davis sneered as he held his position, "I have been with you for years and finally it takes a pistol to your head to realize who I'm working for. Of course, Cavourna and Caracel weren't killed by Imperial Infantry, do you really think I would let them get all that information? And that damn Federal Alumina. He knew. he was just waiting to get the evidence before he could pounce on me. Wanted to court-martial me no doubt," he laughed, "Not in this universe baby, it's kill or be killed, so I did. The problem is that he told that other feckin' Alumina before he left for the surface, so I had to get her next. She was going to tell you before the assualt and it took a blast to the back to put her down. I wished I'd killed her, but you arrived too soon for me to finish the job. I even tried bursting the capilliaries in her brain when she was aboard but that bloody Doctor was better than I thought. I've defended the Emperor for months and now I defend myself"

Gaff nodded. "She'll be down soon. She just has a few matters to clear up onboard."
Calypso
"So what will you do now, Davis? Are you going to kill me? Try and turn the Leigons back to the Empire? Blow up the Calypso? What is your grand plan, hmm?" She asked mockingly.

Calypso

"Well, I was just planning on killing you" He stated matter-of-factly, "Then I was gonna cripple this thing. When that was done all those traitors down there would die like rabbits. That was the plan" He admitted.

Calypso...
"I'm sorry to hear that. However, you plan is doomed. You are only one man, and there is thousands of Federation, XFC and APA soldiers on board. It would not take long for them to figure out something is wrong. We are on a timetable. If I'm gone too long, they will come looking for me, and find I was with you. After Cavourna and Carcel and Nigripes, they will put two and two together and come up with you. You will surely die before you could accomplish your mission." Krystal was defenseless. Her chances of avoiding a blaster shot weren't great, it all depended on Davis's reflexes and how much of a warning he gave her.

Calypso

Davis sneered, "Big deal, by the time they figure out what's happened to you, I'll be on the surface. I'll watch in horror as the Calypso's core breaches and destroys the ship and all on it. Then I shall panic when a massive Imperial fleet comes to figure out what's happening here. Give it up Admiral, you have lost, I have won" he looked delighted, "The Empire has won"

"I am not dead yet," Krystal hissed, "and while there is still breath in my body the Empire will not have won. Didn't you know one of the last words of Foxfire Rose to his people? No lasting order can be established by bayonets. The oppressed won't stand for it. Even if I do die, even if the Resistance fails, there will be a terrible uprising, and Alversia and the Empire crushed. It is inevitable. I am only trying to resolve the situation in such a way that would prevent total destruction of Alversia. You don't truly beleive the Empire can last forever, do you Davis?" She smiled smugly, a infuriating look worthy of an Alumina.

"I don't believe it, no" Davis admitted, "I know it will go on forever. Our Legions are undefeatable. Not even the mighty Alumina could withstand our assault. If there is a rebellion, it will be bloody and I don't mean in terms of Imperial Troops. We have our orders, Admiral. We are to wipe out every last Rebel. If an Imperial is shot in a town somewhere, that town will be hit with acidic compounds, it will be gassed and it will be firebombed. Only then will the Legions move in and finish the job with the bayonet. Don't you realize that without this ship, your rebellion is nothing?" He shook his head,
"And to think General Cavourna genuinely supported this rubbish. I am disappointed, a family pedigree like his and he chose to pick the wrong side. Just like you. Good bye, Admiral. I would say it's been a pleasure. But it really hasn't" He raised the blaster ready to fire the final killing shot,
"Any last words?" He asked.

"You overestimate the Empire's strength. Your Empire's overconfidence will be it's downfall. You underestimate the spirit of the people. Good-bye, Commander." Krystal smiled at him. That annoying smile, as if she knew something he didn't...

Just as Davis was about to pull the trigger, three Federal Marines burst from cover just behind Krystal. He tried to readjust his aim but the Marines were quicker. A burst from each weapon riddled and tore at his body, picked it up and flung it across the hangar. Afterwards. only the smell of burning flesh was apparent.
Reynolds came out of cover as his Marines went to check on the body of Davis,
"Good call" Was all he said.

"I knew you guys wouldn't fail me." Krystal grinned as she picked up her sword and pistol from the floor. Before going down she had confided in Reynolds about her uneasiness with Davis but expressed her concern over coming with an open guard. Reynolds had promised to take care of it and he had. "We really should have sensed it. After Nigripes..." Krystal trailed off.

"We almost did" Reynolds admitted, "He led you pretty deep into the dark there and we couldn't find you for love nor money. If it wasn't for his big speeches we would never have found you" At the statement about Nigripes, Reynolds brightened up anyway,
"Doctor Phillips reckons she's as well recovered as she'll ever be. Want to see her?"

Krystal nodded as she finished strapping on her katana and put her holster back on her belt. "Please I do." With a last glance of disdain at Davis's prone corpse she exited the cargo hold.

Nigripes looked considerably better than Krystal's last visit. Her one good eye fixed on Krystal as she entered and her cat-like mouth twisted upwards slightly in what might have been a smile,
"My recommendations were successful?" She asked lightly.

"Extremely," Krystal nodded in satisfaction. "We managed to bring over some five Leigons to our side, and we are planning an attack on the systems around us. These hold loyal soldiers, and the attack will need to be brutal and unrelenting as they will not surrender as the ones here did. I am happy to report that because of our strike on their fuel Imperial vehicles have been effectively immobilized."

"I am glad to hear it" She stopped, looking rather awkward, "You have had some trouble with Davis?" She asked sadly.

"Former Commander Davis violently opposed your stratigies. When I explained them to him he flew into a rage and told me to meet him in the cargo hold to dicuss tactics. Naturally I knew something was up and asked the good Admiral to post Marines inside before hand. Low and behold, Davis revealed himself to be an Imperial spy and attempted to kill me, before he was struck down by fire from Federation Marines. He mentioned Carcel told you he was a traitor and that is why he tried to kill you, but was unsuccessful. Apparently he knew little about Alumina anatomy and we arrived too quick for him to finish you off." Krystal said grimly.

"I suspected as much" Nigripes nodded, her one eye gave her a rather frightening look, "Lieutenant Commander Caracel warned me about his activities before we beamed down to attack the moon. When he was killed, I knew it had to be Lieutenant Davis. However, the base was attacked before I could speak to you and decided the news would wait until after the attack had been repelled. Unfortunately, he proved himself the superior strategist and won" She indicated to her wounds, "This is the price I pay for relaxing"

Krystal had no words of comfort for Nigripes. She wished desperetly that Nigripes had not waited, but rather told her the instant she knew. Just so she could have had some warning before hand, some way of averting tragedy. But it was over now, nothing could be done. Cavourna, Carcel and Davis were all dead, and Nigripes wounded. Krystal spoke. "Do you think you will be able to assist us on the tactics front once again, Commander?"

Nigripes nodded,
"I would be delighted to assist you again, being in an artificial coma gave me rather a lot of time to think" She smiled, "I am ready to help liberate Xiscapia but first, let me contact the Supreme Lioness. Our fleet could be of much benefit to you in the battles to come"

Krystal nodded. "The Calypso is more than enough, but it is only one ship. We have the Dreadnoughts as well now, but any more firepower would be helpful. I'm sure we can contact the Supreme Lioness from this ship. Is there a standing army or as well, or just the warships?"

"We have a small Army," Nigripes replied, "And yes, there should be a way to contact the Fleet from this ship."
She turned to one of the consoles in the Medical Bay. For a few minutes she did nothing but type. When it was completed, she turned back to Krystal,
"Send a message" She stated simply, "It will go directly to the Supreme Lioness and you will be in contact"

Krystal leaned forward and typed briefly. When she stood back and hit "Send" this is what was shown on the screen:
TO: Supreme Lioness
We are the Resistance. I am Admiral Krystal, head of the Xiscapian Freedom Corps, or XFC. We wish for your fleets and armies assistance in our upcoming battles in [location encoded]. This is the first step along the path to freeing the oppressed people under Imperial Rule. You have twenty-four hours to respond.

Nigripes waited for a few moments, then noted a new message was coming through,
"It's from the Supreme Lioness" she confirmed and patched the message through

We will join you.

Nigripes gave a sigh of relief and turned to Krystal,
"They come" Was all she said with relish, "They will come"

Krystal nodded. "Good. Now we must plan our offensive on the surronding systems. The Imperial Commanders are discussing tactics now, and I am going to join them. Shall I get a bot to patch though the conversation to you so you may input on their tactics?"

"Overconfidence is the path to failure," Krystal warned. "Victory is likely, I feel, but it is not guarenteed. We must continue our caution. If the Imperials knew where we are and what we have done, they would decend on us with all their forces, and despite our recent victories we would be crushed. Patience, caution and stealth are virtues of an Xiscapian. You are not one, but they would serve you well."

Nigripes shook her head,
"The Supreme Lioness has cut the link. She is on her way. That's enough for me to know" She seemed to brighten up instantly, "With the combined firepower of our fleet and theirs, we cannot fail!" She was getting caught up in the emotion.

"Overconfidence is the path to failure," Krystal warned. "Victory is likely, I feel, but it is not guarenteed. We must continue our caution. If the Imperials knew where we are and what we have done, they would decend on us with all their forces, and despite our recent victories we would be crushed. Patience, caution and stealth are virtues of an Xiscapian. You are not one, but they would serve you well."

"We can be as quiet as death when we desire to" Nigripes stated sadly, she doubted with her injuries that she would enjoy the qualities of the Alumina anymore. She was still coming to terms with the fact that she could only see out of one eye. That hurt her a lot. She had seen other veterans and wounded with the damage but she had hoped it would never happen to her. A fool to hope.
"As for confidence, if we can time our attack and rout these three Fronts. We could be in a Free Xiscapia within a month. You realise that?" She asked cautiously.

"If that is the kind of time we could make, the Empire would fall in under two years!" exclaimed Krystal. "When we win we only gain momentem. It boosts troop morale and confidence, we gain more soldiers and ships from turncoat Imperials and freed people from under the Empire, Imperial morale falls, and our reputation spreads. And Davis thought the Empire would last forever!" Krystal laughed out loud. "Obviously he didn't predict contending with the Xiscapians or Alumina."

"Having said that," Nigripes was suddenly worried, "If Davis was able to fool us for so long that he was in the rebellion, how many others have infiltrated our ranks? We cannot be certain that he was alone. The Empire may yet have her eyes and ears amongst us"

"Perhaps," Krystal agreed. "We will need to keep sharp eyes and peeled ears. The only ones not under suspicion would be those who are a part of the Federation. And it is actually quite likely that some of the soldiers who surrendered to us are not loyal."

"20 Legions is a lot of troops to monitor, Admiral Krystal" Nigripes stated matter-of-factly, "Trying to keep a close eye on an Army is no easy task"

"I realize that, Commander," Krystal responded, "and I know we cannot check them all out. For now we should settle with the top Commanders and Officers. We must also make sure that all incoming and outgoing transmissions, as well as purely planetary or ship-to-ship communications are monitored."

"Of course," Krystal nodded. "I shall leave you be. If you need me again, just call. I'll be with you as soon as possible." She bowed respectfully and exited.
OOC: Gotta go.

"Wise precautions," Nigripes stated, then suppressed a yawn, "My apologies, Admiral, I am still recovering my strength. The plan is sound and it will be down to the troops on the ground to pull it off. Beyond that, there is nothing more I can suggest. May I have permission to rest?"

"Of course," Krystal nodded. "I shall leave you be. If you need me again, just call. I'll be with you as soon as possible." She bowed respectfully and exited.
OOC: Gotta go.

She gave a small smile, "Thank you, Admiral...good luck" She lay down on one of the beds and settled to sleep.

Just outside the Medical Bay, Reynolds stood against one of the walls, smiling,
"Like a Mother figure" He whispered to Krystal.

Krystal smiled back. "I do what I can, Admiral." she whispered back, and they moved away from the ward. Once out of Nigripe's earshot Krystal spoke. "Is everything ready? Are we sufficently prepared for our assault on the Imperials in the surronding systems?"

Reynolds nodded,
"Everything's ready. We're just waiting for the commander of one of the attacking units. You" He smiled again,
"It's time for Admiral Krystal to lead the Alversian People's Army to liberation, I reckon"

Krystal grinned. "I reckon so, John." It had been the first time she used his first name in what seemed like ages. "I'll go beam myself down and we'll see what I can do." She strode off for the transporter.

As Krystal appeared on the surface, each of the 20 Legions was parading on the vast grounds of the planet. They gave a firm salute and turned to face the Commanders on the commands of each individual Legion Leader.

The aged Maximus turned to face Krystal,
"We have just to give the word" He stated calmly, "And the Civil war will begin"

Krystal nodded solemnly. "And so it finally begins. The series of battles that will either assert the Empire's dominance or herold its downfall. Tell your troops to prepare themselves. We leave tommorow."

"Very well" Maximus stated calmly, sadly, then turned and looked at his troops. They were young, inexperienced. They were about to be plunged into real war for the first time. The People's Army Officers had worked wonders but there was all the difference in the world between parading in a field and being in the front line of a battle. Especially one that's better than you.
"Tomorrow, we see if our risk pays off"

Krystal, her Admiral's uniform startched and pressed, stood on the bridge. Under the ship troop carriers holding XFC and APA soldiers and equipment rose to hover beside it, and seventeen Imperial Dreadnoughts formed behind the Federation ship. Soon now everything would be prepared for launch, and the battle-hardened XFC and the inexperienced former Imperials turned APA would be thrown into combat against well trained, well equipped Imperial soldiers. Wether the tactics offered by the Imperial Commanders would work or not remained to be seen. Krystal was optimistic, but cautious. If the battle was won, it would hopefully set the tone for the rest of the campagin. If not, they would be forced to retreat, likely with heavy casualties, or be crushed.