NationStates Jolt Archive

Part I - Prologue
VEGA ARTONES

[OOC: This is semi-open. Meaning you'll have to sign up first before you join in the fun. Sign up here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=548137). Also, I'd appreciate no 'slagging' of planets in this RP. The only two planets that may be destroyed are Olympia (if Vuhifellian forces reach it) and New Vuhifell (if Olympian forces reach it).

O' Behold! Still your trembling heart! Look! Razgriz, God of War, has come to our aid! Now is not the time for petty squabbling! Attack! Kill and murder and devour your enemy! Hold their corpse to the altar and pray! Pray to the Gods for salvation of your Sins! And when you are done, Razgriz shall appear and say, "You have earned your place in Heaven!
-The Conclave Reshim; Jaguu 11, verses 21-26

Three Days Earlier
ONI Command Bunker, Hivezopolis, New Vuhifell
Ogden System

In a dark bunker, two-hundred kilometers underground, the silhouettes of many people could be made out. The lights were on, yes, but they only illuminated the desk in front of each Councillor. A large, holo-screen was suspended above them by a strand the width of a human hair, and they all stared up in rapt attention.

...And it is with great love for my nation, that I, Director Auza Doulong, proclaim the independence of the Olympian Republic from the Vuhifellian Federation. Our two societies have been in seclusion for over thirty years, and have been developing independently since then. Surely, the government of Vuhifell must see that we cannot simply surrender our sovereignty because they say so! And...to defend the Vega Artones system from their imperial aggression, I hereby declare a state of war between the Olympian Republic and the Vuhifellian Federation! We will once again-

All of a sudden, the holo-screen shut off; before several men and women dressed in traditional robes began muttering amongst themselves, and a spot-light from the infinite darkness above illuminated one woman in particular in a red glow. She wore a black robe with a red trim, and a red rose emblazoned on the back. The Director of the Federation: Melfina Agaze.

"This message was piggy-backed on one of the retreating vessels. The VFS Bridge Over Troubled Waters. From their debriefing, it does not seem that they knew of the message in their database."

The light above the woman disappeared, before a red light was cast on a man in a pure black Navy uniform.

"Nevertheless. We cannot allow these...fascists to control the Vega Artones System! I will mobilize the fleet at on-"

"Priority should be on intelligence gathering first, Admiral!" cried out another, unlit voice.

"Our priority should be to retake Vega Artones and to quell this insurrection!" he quipped back.

"Enough! I'm recieving an alert from a fourteenth-generation newscaster AI, I'm patching her voice through," the Director, who was herself a bio-android, began working through ONI security to get a real newscast into the chamber.

Reports from Outer Colonies are scattered, however, it would seem from Navy vessels retreating back to the Inner Colonies that hostile fleets are blockading several colonies in major strategic systems. These systems include: Tribute, Helios, Circum-Romana, and Vega Artones. We are getting reports in now that these fleets have been described as "low-tech but in overwhelming numbers". I have Captain Hylglir of the VFS June Memorial on the line. Captain, how would you describe the situation?

"Our newfound enemies did not respond to First Contact protocols peacefully. They immediately opened fire on our vessels, and, being that we were patrolling an Outer System, we were not equipped to handle an invasion. Their technology wasn't very advanced, but they outnumbered us twenty-to-one. We had no choice but to randomly jump out-of-system and return to base...

"It would seem...that it has begun..."

Seven Days Earlier
Vega Artones System
VFS Fair Weather

The Fair Weather was one of several destroyers escorting the VNS Unity-226 to its destination. She was a colony vessel, beginning colonization of a new world in the Vega Artones System. Operations like these saw no combat whatsoever, so Captain Likherd had his boots propped up on a desk in front of him in his quarters, smoking a cigar from one of the Core Worlds. Quality. That was what he liked. Even though a cigar from New Vuhifell cost him twenty times as much as a cigar from the Outer Colonies, it had thousands of times the flavor.

How the hell did he get here anyway? He had joined the Navy to fight off threats to the Federation; like the "Unmentionables" of old. Unmentionable his ass! No way in hell a single enemy with forty ships could decimate their Empire! It was probably some government hoax to lure patriotic citizens like him into military service.

"Captain Likherd, this is the Unity-226, we are beginning our approach to Pegasi Delta to begin terraforming and colonization. Thank you for your escort." the voice of the colony vessel's female captain was intoxicating, but, alas, like every other civilian pleasure, he could not have it.

"No problem. My taskforce will be back in sixteen months to check on the colony and initiate formal induction ceremonies into the Federation."

"Thank you Captain, may the Gods bless you on your journey home!"

"And may the Gods be with you, too, my fellow captain." Technically, she wasn't a naval captain, but as leader of the colonization effort for Pegasi Delta (and no doubt its future governor), she was entitled to some respect from this poor old war dog.

Just as he was about to issue an order to return to a home-ward slipspace vector, a bright flash of light, and the entire system disappeared in a brilliant white flash. Suddenly, several hundred vessels appeared through the tear in normal space.

"Captain! We have contacts!" a voice blared through his quarters' intercom.

"Are they on the IFF registry?"

"Negative sir! First contact!"

"Great. You know the drill lieutenant, you don't need me down on the bridge, initiate First Contact yourself."

"Roger."

New contacts; this is Liuetenant David Sanchez on the Vuhifellian destroyer, Fair Weather. We welcome you to-

A voice replied in perfect, unaccented English through all radio frequencies.

Did you say...Vuhifellian?

Y-Yes. Do...do you know us?

He could hear an argument brewing on the other end.

And...tell us...how many Gods do you believe in?

I-I...I don't know, who are you? Uhhh...maybe we should talk about a less sensitive-

Surely...the Vuhifellians of legend have converted from their savage beliefs so that we may all live together in this universe as the children of Vahz?

Vahz? You call us savage!? Vahz is nothing but a sadistic, warmongering, narcissistic-

And your Tyth be better?

Why you-! There has been nothing but hatred between the Vahz-Gree and the Kazachs since the beginning of time!

You dare invade our system, insult our God, and now proclaim hatred between us!?

Your system! This system belongs solely to the Vuhifellian Federation! Identify yourselves immediately, or you will be fired upon!

We are the messengers of Vahz! Coming to spread his word around the galaxy!

Whoever shot first. This, nobody knows. What is known throughout the galaxy, however, is a brutal, bloody, and unimaginable war ensued...

Part II - Help is on the Way

And know that Vahz is the Lord and your God! That he is the Creator of all that is Good and Father to us All! And you shall worship him and dedicate the last day of every week to him, for he is kind, and shall reward your faith. And while the waters of the Earth may ne'er be calm, let it be known that your mind and body shall know everlasting wisdom and enlightenment should you follow the tenets of our faith.
-Jovian Book of the Dead, Chapter 3, "Tenets". Olympian National Library

New Bright Hill, Hivezopolis, New Vuhifell
June 25, 2070; Kazach Common Calendar


"Are we ready?" she asked. The film crew had spent almost half and hour doing her hair and makeup, making her 'HV-acceptable'. A short nod from the cameraman in front of her told her it was a go.

Nations of the galaxy. Three days ago, planet Olympia declared independence from our Federation. This would not require foreign assistant under normal conditions, however, our situation is far from normal. We have recieved reports that the Olympians have begun a massive invasion of our space, they have pushed our fleets back to a suicidal perimeter and outnumber our ships twenty-to-one. I hereby request, at the behalf of the Federation and all it's free citizens, for foreign aid and assistance in fighting this threat and quelling this insurrection. I pray for a response.

"And...cut!" the film crew chief shouted. She was in her office in the Presidential Palace, two large Vuhifellian flags flew on flagpoles outside, while her office itself was decorated lavishly.

"How was it?"

"I think...we may just be saved..."

With that statement, it was the hope of all those in the room, that Vuhifell would not fall.

Duzong Square, Mount Olympus, Olympia

A massive crowd hung in the square, cheering and chanting for their leader. His black hair swayed lightly in the wind, and three red and white flag of Olympia flew proudly behind him.

Several brigades from the military were in marching formations in the adjacent square, focusing attentively on their leader.

My people...sons and daughters of Olympia. For many years, we have been a broken nation...shunt! Oppressed! And conquered by those we sought to escape! Ten years ago, I asked for time, and that time was granted by you-you! The strength in my arm! The holders of my dreams! Our forefathers embarked on the greatest exodus in the history of all mankind. An exodus-for freedom! Olympia became that freedom! In the time you have given me, I have rebuilt our nation, I have rebuilt our strength, and I have rebuilt our pride! Our enemies at home have been re-educated, and given new insight into our cause. On this day, we stand united once more! On this day, those looking to divide us will hear our voice! On this day, we shall act as one, and we shall be ignored, no more! Defenders of the Olympian dream...now - is - our- time!

The crowd broke into applause and the military soldiers began waving banners of Olympia around in the wind. Vuhifell would fall.

Part II - Help is on the Way

And know that Vahz is the Lord and your God! That he is the Creator of all that is Good and Father to us All! And you shall worship him and dedicate the last day of every week to him, for he is kind, and shall reward your faith. And while the waters of the Earth may ne'er be calm, let it be known that your mind and body shall know everlasting wisdom and enlightenment should you follow the tenets of our faith.
-Jovian Book of the Dead, Chapter 3, "Tenets". Olympian National Library

New Bright Hill, Hivezopolis, New Vuhifell
June 25, 2070; Kazach Common Calendar


"Are we ready?" she asked. The film crew had spent almost half and hour doing her hair and makeup, making her 'HV-acceptable'. A short nod from the cameraman in front of her told her it was a go.



"And...cut!" the film crew chief shouted. She was in her office in the Presidential Palace, two large Vuhifellian flags flew on flagpoles outside, while her office itself was decorated lavishly.

"How was it?"

"I think...we may just be saved..."

With that statement, it was the hope of all those in the room, that Vuhifell would not fall.

Duzong Square, Mount Olympus, Olympia

A massive crowd hung in the square, cheering and chanting for their leader. His black hair swayed lightly in the wind, and three red and white flag of Olympia flew proudly behind him.

Several brigades from the military were in marching formations in the adjacent square, focusing attentively on their leader.



The crowd broke into applause and the military soldiers began waving banners of Olympia around in the wind. Vuhifell would fall.


The shredder class frigate " Home Bound" exited hyperspace next to the Federation homeworld, it had made its own First Contact, its message hailed towards all vessels in orbit.

".....We are the Alliance of Imitated Worlds, will you not join us in unity, assimilation is the first step to peace throughout the galaxy, you will be imitated, your knowledge of the stars will be brought within us for greater understanding, how do you designate your race, and what is your answer."

"I should think that you should not pick like crows at a dying carcass, as you Alliance people seem to be doing. They asked for help, not to be assimilated into the disgusting conglomeration of infected creatures you call an 'Alliance.' I suggest you don't force the issue."

The message came just as an Ascendant cruiser (http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/images.gamezone.com/screens/27/7/89/s27789_pc_118.jpg), the Endless Night, phased back into the universe and appeared in the space next to the Federation homeworld and the Shredder Frigate. The ship appeared to be the size of a destroyer, but its power levels and powerful weapon emplacements made it a cruiser class. The only thing stronger than a cruiser was a Battleship, and they wouldn't send one of those unless they had to.

"Greetings to the Vuhifellian Federation from the Telrosian Ascendancy. We have heard your call and investigated these 'Olympians.' Their religion is quite disgusting, and their government is quite corrupt and lacking in what you call "human rights." In any case, they are far too close for comfort, and we don't like nations with their kind of attitude rampaging so close to our borders. As such, we offer the aid of this cruiser. Do not think we don't take this seriously; we just don't send the massive fleets that other nations seem to do. Now, tell me, where do you need us most?"

The message was frighteningly similar to that of the "unmentionables" forty years earlier, and the immediate response from the Admiral would have been "go fuck yourselves."

However, noting his current situation as Fleet Admiral of an almost destroyed nation, he would need every ally he could get his hands on if he was to defeat the Olympian threat. If he could somehow persuade these warmongers to fight the Olympians instead of Vuhifell...

He grinned from ear to ear at the thought.

'Mount Olympus will burn.'

New contacts. This is Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood of the Vuhifellian Federation. You will find we are quite peaceful...but our enemy is not. They will not stop their savage conquests until the entire galaxy is converted to their perverted religion. Will you not join us in the destruction of our enemy? Surely, the assimilation of their race, larger in technology and numbers, would benefit you more than the assimilation of our simple Federation?

The message was frighteningly similar to that of the "unmentionables" forty years earlier, and the immediate response from the Admiral would have been "go fuck yourselves."

However, noting his current situation as Fleet Admiral of an almost destroyed nation, he would need every ally he could get his hands on if he was to defeat the Olympian threat. If he could somehow persuade these warmongers to fight the Olympians instead of Vuhifell...

He grinned from ear to ear at the thought.

'Mount Olympus will burn.'

" We comply with this action, what would you have us do, are there terms to this aggreement, please send corridnates of their locations."

The chrome shredder was less tense now, it lowered its sheilds 50%.

Another message was sent to the very advanced vessel

" How do you know of us?"

"You have been in several engagements before now; we have been watching you, and hearing what you say. We have watched you as well, and know how your 'kind' work. I'll be blunt, I don't like you. And if you try anything fast on the Federation, I will make you regret it. I hope we understand one another."

The vessel then turned its attention to the planet. "I need no prisoners, although I imagine that was for the Alliance's benefit. Tell me, where you need me and when do we I get to start crushing these upstarts?"

"Sir, new contact! Single ship spectrometry!"

"Open a comm. Send out an encrypted message to our warmongering friends on the XM frequency."

"Aye, sir."

A single ship? So bold? I suppose I could devulge the location of our weakest defensive perimeter. It is here, in the Vega Artones System.

He transmitted a star chart, with coordinates from their current location to the Vega Artones System.

We would, if we could, send a massive fleet to their capital and glass their homeworld, but we know not their defenses, and we would be leaving our Inner Worlds to invasion and our Outer Worlds to occupation. That, we cannot allow. Vega Artones lies at the very periphery of Olympian and Vuhifellian space. Our "border" if you will. They will need to penetrate this system in order to advance further into our territories.

He then switched to an XM frequency to boradcast to the "shredder vessel", sending them the same star charts.

We require your assistance in the Vega Artones System. There are no terms but one: do whatever you wish to the Olympians. That is all.

" Understood, Alliance vessels are enroute to this position, they will add to our force. One vessle would be insignfigant against an unknown enemy enemy. The following AIW Armada vessles are enroute."

200 contact class fighters
100 Solar Class bombers
10 Shredder Frigates
5 Nova class warships
5 Scavenger class Battleship.

The fleet exited hyperspace, they had now joined the frigate in formation.

" Do the Olympians control any colony or planets?"

"If you had read our first transmission, before the last we sent, we said that the reason we sent a single ship is that we do not NEED to send anymore. Against these Olympians, this ship is worth entire fleets compared to them. Thank you for the coordinates, we'll go on and take care of this situation."

The ship turned and then vanished off all sensors, activating its phase drive and heading for Vegas Artones. It had war on its mind, and it wasn't going to stop until the Federation was whole again. Whether it took the blood of planets, or simply a drop, they cared not. They only wanted these facist fools to be crushed and pacified.


OOC: NC, I'm pretty sure posting a fleet coming in to aid you, and then double-posting their ARRIVAL is godmoding in the EXTREME.

OOC: You know what you need? Patience. You barely waited ten minutes. Come on. Have better patience than that. It's only convenient for you, which is not fair to Xiscapia and any on his side.

"If you had read our first transmission, before the last we sent, we said that the reason we sent a single ship is that we do not NEED to send anymore. Against these Olympians, this ship is worth entire fleets compared to them. Thank you for the coordinates, we'll go on and take care of this situation."

The ship turned and then vanished off all sensors, activating its phase drive and heading for Vegas Artones. It had war on its mind, and it wasn't going to stop until the Federation was whole again. Whether it took the blood of planets, or simply a drop, they cared not. They only wanted these facist fools to be crushed and pacified.


OOC: NC, I'm pretty sure posting a fleet coming in to aid you, and then double-posting their ARRIVAL is godmoding in the EXTREME.


OCC: Sorry, no one was posting for awhile, so i thought it would be convienent, please exuse me.

OOC: You know what you need? Patience. You barely waited ten minutes. Come on. Have better patience than that. It's only convenient for you, which is not fair to Xiscapia and any on his side.

Alright man, i said im sorry, i will learn your ways master XD

And the Lord did speak, and he said, "Thou shalt use the OOC thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=548137) for future disputes, questions, or comments not pertaining to immediate matters of battle." Amen.

Now, now, children, play nicely... what were we discussing? *squeaky rewind sound* Ah yes...

KSS Good Cause III (IX-3502C) - system designated New Lombardi
2000 hours, 28 January 3028 (Military Calendar)

The threads of passive sensors swept and probed across the system at the capable hands of the light cruiser's Kostepratesian science officer.

Of course, Kostepratesian was not really a demonym - just a nickname, if such were possible, for those of the outer Forty Stars granted to the Kostemetsian government by that of Prates.

The man in the central command chair of the smooth wood-metallic hybrid command centre grimaced. Things used to be so much easier, he groused silently.

All you had to do was cut a few wires, or perhaps 'remove' some weapons, to end a threat. Now we have an independent aggressor - there's no peaceful solution to this one, Vice Admiral James Jackson reflected sadly.

At the call from Vuhifell, he had come. He owed his career - indeed, his life - to the gracious people of the Federation. Now, it was indubitably time to repay that favour.

He would have preferred, though, that it had not been this way. He felt no sympathy for the violent and fanatical aggressors - only for those who had been caught up in their deadly wake.

Darker thoughts crossed his mind. Might people he knew have been affected by the enemy cause?

The names of two Vuhifellians he knew drifted across his consciousness.

Mira Maxwell... Velnir Schultz...

He smiled fondly at the memories. He hadn't seen Schultz for a long time, but the man's likeability, intelligence, and absolute loyalty to Vuhifell couldn't be denied.

And Mira? Well, she was another one he hadn't seen for an age, but she would be in her thirties by now. Despite that, he'd always think of her as the joyous little girl who was reunited with her mother.

Now, perhaps, they were all in jeopardy. Casualty reports drifting through the ether indicated that the aggressors' ships were blockading Helios, Circum-Romana and Vega Artones.

Suddenly, the young lieutenant at Communications called out another major blockade report. The name of the defending system sent an electric shock through Jackson: Tribute.

Tribute.

Snapping out of his reverie, he gave a brisk order to the helmsman.

"Highest speed to Tribute - now!"

The flat diamond-shaped cruiser opened up a hole in the Universe, slipped in, and disappeared from the Lombardians' cognition at seven and a half thousand times the speed of light.

Strike hard. Strike fast. The first and third moves are the most important. Do not merely fell your enemy. Hit him, and hit him good, so that he may never rise to trouble you again.
Admiral Seme Kilcovk stood on the bridge of his Light Cruiser (http://www.eve-online-fan.co.uk/images/screenshots/eve-screen-4.jpg) Divine Intervention in orbit over the colony Vega Artones. Around his ship a large fleet was assembled: One hundred frigates, Sixty destroyers, Thirty light cruisers, Twelve Battleships and five Dreadnoughts composed the blockade, and so far nothing had been able to get it...or out. One could still see the twisted, shattered scrap that was all that was left of the ship which had come to colonize this world and it's tiny, pitiful escort. The same fate lay for all those who did not bow to the might of the One True God, Vahz. Those who opposed him and his blessed people would be cast into the firey Demonic Realm of Gree, to have their souls devoured by demons. Seme smiled. Those Vuhifellian fools did not stand a chance. Sudden a great gong resonated about the ship, three times. Seme fell to the floor, prostrating himself. All over the ship the crew was doing likewise, as were those on the other ships. 'Sunrise', technically, had come for the blockade fleet, and the Twelve Sacraments demanded prayer each day at the rising of the sun and the setting of the sun.

Oh Vahz, Upmost Holy Creator of all that Is,
Receive your servant, on the floor before you
For he is unclean, and unworthy of your Greatness
Cleanse him of his tresspasses, so he may fight those who slander and disgrace your name
And we thank you for all that was, all that is, and all which will be
In your Holy name,
Amen.

ONIV Scinfaxi
Tribute System

She sighed. It had been seven days since the attack on the colonies in this system and no reinforcements had arrived. And thus, she was stuck. ONI Prowlers (http://www.unscleric.com/images/CovenantShip.jpg) were the most advanced ships in the Federation, and no doubt couldn't be detected by an Olympian fleet...

Unfortunately, such vessels could not take on and Olympian fleet either, or jump out-of-system without alerting the Olympians. So she was stuck in the system's asteroid belt, waiting the long war out...

>>ONI-COMMAND: ID-CFS001-112093-103971
>MAXWELL, MIRA
>ID ACCEPTED.

She logged into the ONI net and began to scan the system again: the Olympian ships were still there. Blockading the colonies of Pegasus and Zeta Doradus. Preparing for a land invasion. Oh? What's this? An incoming slipspace disruption? And coming in fast...much faster than any Vuhifellian or Olympian slipspace engine. Some thing was coming, while the vessel was still in slipspace, she sent an encrypted message to the vessel, hoping to warn it of its fate should it stray into Tribute.

ATTN. VESSEL IN SLIPSPACE VECTOR TO COORDINATES 1.24.10093.29. CAUTION. MASSIVE HOSTILE FLEET IN THIS SYSTEM. RECOMMEND YOU ABORT YOUR SLIP IMMEDIATELY. M. MIRA, ONI SECTION 01.

Epsilon Gamma System

The orbital shipyards around Vuhifell's second-most-heavily-defended world churned out massive levels of plasma steel, while dropships immediately picked up the shipments to be blast-welded on Sentinel III's moon, Beta Gabriel.

A fleet was amassing here yet, to retake the Vega Artones System. Several hundred frigates (http://unscdf.planethalo.gamespy.com/images/Frigate.jpg) and destroyers (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/heat3000/d20b9860.jpg?t=1201528735), eighty light cruisers (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/heat3000/6425d0af.jpg?t=1201528762), near twenty heavy cruisers, and even a carrier (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d4/Battlestarpegasus.jpg).

An old, raspy voice echoed on all radio frequencies. One of Vuhifell's four Fleet Admirals and a man who had given his entire life to the Federal Navy: Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz.

"All ships, prepare to jump as soon as the crew of the Leviathan leaves port. Erase all star chart logs from your vessels as soon as we enter Vega Artones. Admiral Schultz, out. Good luck men, and may the Gods' blessings be with you."

The Endless Night continued to head for the Vegas Artones system, moving at FTL speeds with their phase drive. A strong creation of the Ascendants, the drive had two simultaneous functions: It kept them cloaked out of this dimension entirely by putting it into another dimension, and it allowed them to travel at FTL speeds. The command, Aaesis, knew this and was glad for that fact. Since they were preparing for war in the Colonies, and dealing with the disturbance in Siesatian space, they couldn't spare the massive effort they normally had for the recon missions.

Because of that, they had not known of the invasion and the subsequent trouble until the message arrived. They sent the Endless Night to investigate, and when they found what was going on, they were ordered to assist. After a quick discussion with the Vuhifellian Federation, they were off to the current system under siege. Aaesis had a plan to destroy the fleet and take the colony. If the colony wasn't already under attack or conquered, the reinforcements Aaesis had called for would merely garrison the planet against further attacks. However, if it had been, the reinforcements would begin the campaign to win it back.

Of course, this was to take place after they had driven these Olympian wretches from Federation space. Aaesis grinned to himself. He couldn't wait to hear their anger and shock as the Ascendant ship trashed their little "fleet" apart. Resting his mind, Aaesis waited for the journey to end...and for the war to begin.

(OOC: Jackson doesn't know that he's talking to Mira Maxwell, because the message was signed "M. MIRA". Don't edit please :p)

Surprised, but not unduly so, Jackson sent back another message to the ONI agent.

ATTN. ONI AGENT: THIS IS VICE ADMIRAL JAMES JACKSON, CAPTAIN OF THE GOOD CAUSE III (DESIGNATION KILO INDIA X-RAY THREE FIVE ZERO TWO CHARLIE). WE WILL BE STAYING IN TOP WORMHOLE DRIVE READINESS MODE AT ALL TIMES, AND WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE WITHIN A TENTH OF A SECOND. HOWEVER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN.

POSTSCRIPT - I AM ALSO AFFILIATED WITH VUHIFELLIAN ONI. NICE TO SEE A FRIENDLY FACE.

Encrypting the transmission, he sent it via his personal PDA. It appeared Section 01 had grown more human since his last encounter with them.

Suddenly, Schultz's radio orders came in on another frequency, surprising Jackson much more. He hadn't entertained the hope of encountering the man again, much less fighting alongside him. Just like old times, he thought sardonically.

An ONI spook on the way? No, he was no spook, he said he was a...Vice Admiral? Why would someone who could be on the ONI High Council drive themselves to a war-zone?

Quickly, she began accessing her ship's database on all ONI personnel, and made a startling discovery...

NAME: JACKSON, JAMES
RANK: ADMIRAL
TITLE: HEAD OF ONI SECTION 04 - EXTRATERRESTRIAL AFFAIRS
CSV - NH-NC-ONI04-SD000000001
CSR - PRIORITY SPECIAL BLACK CLEARENCE REQUIRED.
>MAXWELL, MIRA. CLEARENCE: REGULAR BROWN
>ACCESS DENIED.

She immediately ripped the necklace that hung around her neck off and inserted it into the computer core. It was some of the last surviving mysterium known to Vuhifell, and was literally worth more than a thousand of her lives, but the physical properties of mysterium could give her access to any computer system within the Federation...

ACCESS APPROVED.

It almost overwhelmed the holo-monitor...the sheer number of operations he had been involved with. First Contact 004, Operation: Trebuchet, Operation: Hellvac, Operation: Desert Arrow the list went on endlessly. He had been awarded every naval decoration with the exception of the Prisoner of War medal, and had recieved civilian honors repeatedly...But...

He disappeared several years ago, without a trace. ONI had declared him KIA and erased him from the history books.

Admiral Jackson. It would seem that you would be perfect for distracting these Olympians in-system. Can you cover my escape while I slip back to Arcadia? Your service record tells me you're more than capable of such a mission. I could even introduce you to my mother, Head of ONI Section 03.

Vega Artones System

The fleet arrived en masse, just outside the asteroid belt, well away from the Olympian vessels...and that was how they liked it. If they could lure them into the asteroid belt, it would be hell.

If not...an Olympian dreadnought rivaled a Vuhifellian Heavy Cruiser, but while Olympia's massive navy could deploy its forces freely without the fear of losing ships, Vuhifell only had a small supply of combat vessels. It would be disasterous if the fleet was lost...and even more disasterous if the Olympians secured Vega Artones.

"Agent. You sound familiar for some reason. Anyway, sure, we'll cover your escape. I think the Olympians probably know me as well."

Switching frequencies, Jackson transmitted on the Olympian FLEETCOM.

"Olympians. You have killed many people, scarred many lives - and here you are desecrating Tribute System. You owe your very existence to the Vuhifellians who came through this sytem. If not for them, you would not have been born.

"I was here during that procession. I was flying alongside the Vuhifellian fleet. And I am not going to let you desecrate its memory. I am here to tell you that I am about to call down the wrath of God upon you."

The Alliance Armada jumped, it was probably the smallest fleet compared to the other races bringing in a war machine. The chrome ships hit hyperspace as they headed towards the Vega Atrones system, they would arrive on the opposite side where the Vuhifellians were.

"Agent, I believe you should leave now. One third-generation star yacht against a fleet this size - I don't think I'm going to have much success holding them off. Our estimated time of exit is time plus five minutes. Can you jump within that time?"

Tribute System Asteroid Belt

"Roger. Hold on. Maxrir, what's our ETD?"

I'm trying Mira. I'll get the liquid-einsteinium ready to temporally fuse with the plasma steel in twenty seconds. Shutting down all non-essential systems for jump.

"Okay. Jackson, distract the Olympians while I make my random-vector jump. Meet me back at FLEETCOM. You should know where it is."

As the Prowler twisted and turned through the asteroid field, it was seconds away from colliding with a massive asteroid, just before it was enveloped in white light and disappeared from the system.

ONI would have to stop monitoring Tribute for now. It was one small victory for the Olympians in this war so full of odds against Vuhifell. Nevertheless, Tribute was marked with a priority beacon...Hopefully a fleet would retake the system before the Olympians reinforced the system...

FLEETCOM 'Farbanti Station'
Geosynchronous orbit around Hivezopolis

After several random exit vectors from Tribute, she emerged in the Ogden System, unscathed. The Home Fleet proudly welcomed her. She was home.

The ONIV Scinfaxi docked with the massive space station, which occupied many square kilometers of space above the planet. Headquarters of the Vuhifellian military: Farbanti Station.

She was greeted with hugs and kisses from her fellow ONI spooks, while technicians ravaged her ship to begin analyzing the recon data on Tribute and begin invasion plans. A rather old woman, with greying hair, optic-computing eyeglasses, and sparkling green eyes came up to greet her.

"Hello mother. I think I've brought home someone ONI may find...interesting. His ship should be arriving in system any minute now, if he isn't dead that is."

The diamond-shaped light cruiser flipped over to narrowly avoid an energy blast, with the residual wavefront washing over the smooth shield bubble and shaking the ship.

Jackson waited for the tremors to stop, then forwarded a set of coordinates to the helm for immediate action. The ship swept through the asteroid field for about one minute, then disappeared in a flash of light.

Skgorria City, Skgorria Prime

A jubilant throng lined the streets of Victory Avenue, the long road leading up to the Germania Palace as the sun beat down on them, seemingly defiant of the tall buildings that lined either side of the Avenue. Whilst folks young and old packed tightly against the barriers, proudly waving their flags, police troopers monitored the crowd closely from ground level and from various hovercraft. This was to be a celebration, but like so much of life in the Pact of Iron, it was to be an ordered and controlled one.

Slowly but surely a rumbling noise grew more and more distinct, the ground itself shaking. The howls and cheers of the crowd intensified until they were almost delirious with anticipation. A single beep came over the police communicators and as one they activated their stun guns. If any trouble was to happen, it would be now.

"Look! There he comes!" A young child yelled as a huge figure rounded the corner, his armour glistening in the sun as he strode forward. At four metres tall, he literally towered over the rest of the citizens.

"Hail Victory!" The figure boomed deeply so that all heard him, raising his right arm in the salute that had carried his people through the ages. The crowd echoed his cry, cheering and waving as he marched down the Avenue. The ground thundered in time to the march of the hundreds of soldiers following him. Immediately behind the lead figure were a hundred similar armoured figure, although slightly smaller at three metres, and then behind them was a full battalion of the Kriegsmarine and then a battalion of Army and Air Force troopers respectively. All of them marched in perfect unison, their march as relentless as the march of time.

"Citizens of the Pact," boomed public service speakers. "Welcome back our glorious Storm-General Beckenbauer and our illustrious fighting forces, recently returned from destroying the foul Js'Kari infestation. Hail Victory!" The crowd cheered at Beckenbauer's name, he was a walking legend, a name that had pulled Skgorria and the Pact of Iron together through all manner of situations. Time after time the people had rallied to him rather than the government, and indeed the current Fuhrer only had his position because the Storm-General hated government.

"We must do something about this," whispered the Fuhrer as he stared out the large window and watched the parade proceed towards the Germania Palace, his official residence. "This cannot be allowed to continue," he spoke louder so that his aides would hear him. "I need him out of the way, he is a clear threat to me."

A uniformed figure coughed quietly. "S-sir, the Storm-General has repeatedly said he has no interest in politics. Surely you have nothing to fear?" He offered nervously, with good reason. The Fuhrer did not take criticism lightly, a figure common in most people who took the post it seems.

"Have you forgotten how I got here in the first place?" He spun round and hissed at the man. "The Storm-General did not like how the Pact was being run, so with little effort he comes to the Capital, shoots all the politicians he can, and the populace go along with it. Now tell me he has no interest in politics!" He screamed, slamming his large desk over and over again, causing a small swastika ornament to topple over.

"Perhaps there is the Olympia situation?" Ventured another aide. "It would take him out of the public sphere for a while." This brightened the Fuhrer's mood immeasurably, who waved his hands in a dismissal. They all clacked their heels together, offered a "Hail Victory" and then left.

This time Beckenbauer, I will give you a task that even you cannot accomplish, the Fuhrer thought as he pulled out a datapad and began to compose a message.

Official Communique from the Pact of Iron to the Olympic Republic

Greetings in the name of the Pact of Iron. I see that your government follows a similar line to ours in that you consider deomocracy to be weak and pathetic, and all those who can be crushed must be crushed. I thus offer the military services of the Skgorrian Air Force and Army for the defence of your dominion against those who would seek to destroy you. What say you?

Der Fuhrer

Hail Victory!

"Pestilence."

The neural whip fired again, the electromagnetic force projected by the weapon searing into the restrained prisoner's mind. The young woman on the metal table screamed again, struggling against her bonds as her tormentor, a massive Jiralhanae of bigger proportions than the standard individual of the ape race, laughed sadistically, forward canine teeth bared into a menacing smile. The neural whip was tiny in his hand, a violet weapon producing no visable shot as it disrupted the captive woman's brain signals, stimulating pain receptors all across the brainstem.

"What did you want with this, hmm..." the Jiralhanae muttered, more to himself than the woman. "An audio recording on this OSD. Now what were you listening too..."

The Jiralhanae walked over to a nearby terminal input, plugging the OSD into a port. He stepped back, listening to the small handheld device play.

Nations of the galaxy. Three days ago, planet Olympia declared independence from our Federation. This would not require foreign assistant under normal conditions, however, our situation is far from normal. We have recieved reports that the Olympians have begun a massive invasion of our space, they have pushed our fleets back to a suicidal perimeter and outnumber our ships twenty-to-one. I hereby request, at the behalf of the Federation and all it's free citizens, for foreign aid and assistance in fighting this threat and quelling this insurrection. I pray for a response.

"So..." the tormentor turned around once more. "A Federation."

The Jiralhanae spat the word out with a passion. A Federation had been the democratic precursor to the current Amazonian Dominion - and many resented the past. It just so happened that the woman he was torturing was a member of one of the rogue bands of Federation remnant societies scattered hidden from the eyes of the Dominion in the Rim worlds. She had been located, IDed, and taken in - her fate was sealed. The Federation was not a well liked commodity.

"What were you trying to do, scum? Rally support for them? Try and bring back your glory days?" the Jiralhanae spat in her eye, the woman grimacing in disgust as the dark blue slimy blob hit dead on. "Your hopes and dreams are futile, bitch!"

The ape activated the neural whip again, smiling in feral glee as the woman writhed in her restraints.

"No matter. Be silent if you wish, your efforts are doomed...as is your pathetic life. Federation...hah! Watch them cower beneath the shells of our weapons. Another race to add to our fold of subservients."

The Jiralhanae turned, a standard door opening behind him and sliding into the wall. Two fellow sentient members of the Dominion walked in - Helots, misunderstood creatures if there ever were. The two short beings, both under 6', moved forward, blathering in their own language as their electric receptors across their exoskeleton reflected blue light. They were not externally far from humans besides the blue shimmering of their electric stimulus cells across their external "shell-skin," but Helots internally were far different. The survivors of a dead race, they were barely intelligent and driven by animal instinct. Much like the bioengineering discovery of the century for the Dominion - creating their own hybrid organic life, the partially-synthetic Geth - the Helots worked for their own animalistic benefit, yet simultaneously put their efforts forth for the Dominion. They served as soldiers and basic laborers - understanding of language, and using their own speak to communicate between one another. The Jiralhanae tormentor particularly liked them for sessions like this - no other sentient member race could provoke fear of the unknown like the rarely-seen Helots could.

"Feast on her flesh," the Jiralhanae commanded, turning around towards the Geth guard at the door and walking away. The woman shrieked, helplessly struggling to free herself as the two beasts walked forward.

Outside of the inquisition room, the Jiralhanae laughed slightly as a wave of heat blasted over him, blue light emitting from the open door passage. The Helots wanted their helpless prey well-done today.

* * * * *

The decision had been made fairly easily by the Imperial Council - the five members had unanimously decided to assist these "Olympians" to putting down some Federation scum - no matter that they were of a Vuhifellian Federation, not an Amazonian one. The word told the whole story about who they were and what they operated - after all, they all seemed to be the same democratic sort.

As a fleet of sorts was being assembled to provide assistance, extranet searches had provided more information about the Olympians - based around the world of Olympus. That was all the Dominion needed - a communication probe was dispatched instantly via hyperspace to make connection, ensuring that these Olympians would be aware of Dominion support. The message within the hyperprobe, dispatched at a Class .5 hyperdrive to arrive at the presumed location of these people within a day, was simple:

Attention, Olympians - this is the Amazonian Dominion, hearing your plight against the democratic Vuhifellian scum. We are sending forces en route to meet with your forces for engagement against the enemy - we will arrive in your space within three days.

Negative responses were out of the question...

bump-

The Alliance fleet made another jump, they lowerd there speed slighty, towards the Orion system. There intent was simple.....Unity.

General Christopher Chang waved the soldier away irritably as he received the two messages. He opened the first:
Official Communique from the Pact of Iron to the Olympic Republic


Greetings in the name of the Pact of Iron. I see that your government follows a similar line to ours in that you consider deomocracy to be weak and pathetic, and all those who can be crushed must be crushed. I thus offer the military services of the Skgorrian Air Force and Army for the defence of your dominion against those who would seek to destroy you. What say you?

Der Fuhrer

Hail Victory!
The General took out his fountain pen, shook it, and began to write. No datapads or nural uplinks for the General. He believed using such technology was a sign of weakness, and it would have been hard for him to get anyway.
Greetings from the Olympian Republic to the Pact of Iron:
Democracy is for the weak and foolish. Only a Fascist state can acheive perfection. We welcome those members of the Skgorrian Air Force and Army to us with open arms. Our enemies are few, but strong. They can only be crushed by an overwhelming amount of troops and ships. We thank the Pact of Iron for their generious pledge to our cause. May Vahz smile upon you.

General Christopher Chang

Long live the Fascist State!
Long live Director Auza Daulong!
All Glory and Honour to Vahz!
Laying this aside to be transmitted to an actual message, the General looked over the second message:
Attention, Olympians - this is the Amazonian Dominion, hearing your plight against the democratic Vuhifellian scum. We are sending forces en route to meet with your forces for engagement against the enemy - we will arrive in your space within three days.
The General frowned. This required no reply, and the Olympians were in no position to refuse. After all, the last thing they needed in this war was another enemy...
Tribute System...
"It escaped, Captain."
"What the hell was it?"
'We do not know."
"Did you manage to track it?"
"No Captain. The last thing we knew was it took the hits and then vanished."
"Keep an constant watch on the area. If so much as a stick of gum floats in, I want to know."
"Yes Captain."

A shredder frigate ship decloaked in Olympias system, the ship at the moment was acting as a scout, such were others, probing nearby systems.

KSS Good Cause III (IX-3502-C) - hyperspace
En route from ☼New Lombardi → ☼Vuhifell Central
[[ DATE / TIME ERROR ]]

Jackson fingered the small metal honours pin on his collar. Five golden concentric circle around a central golden hemisphere. It symbolised service with the Federal Vuhifellian Navy.

And he'd, technically, fulfilled that service by far. 'First Contact', 'Gagazet', 'Hellvac', 'Desert Arrow' and others were but a few parts of the war-work he had done. But he felt that there would always be a debt for repayment to Vuhifell, which he would gladly try to fulfil. If he hadn't felt that way, he would have left Tribute immediately after 'Gagazet'.

Banishing such almost-disloyal thoughts from his mind, he concentrated on his mission. The ship had been in hyperspace for a short time, and was drawing close to its destination.

He had noted some odd synchronicities. He'd been thinking of Mira Maxwell, among others, and then a transmission came in from an Agent Mira. Strange, to say the least. She'd also mentioned her mother, head of ONI Section Three - Jackson found it hard to believe that a head of Section Three would be so... public. Even he couldn't find out her name.

Suddenly, the ship slipped back into real space. Braking gradually, it gracefully swept around Farbanti Station, drawing a fragile spiderweb of plasma behind it, before finally slipping in close and coming to a stop.

The ship's semi-sentient computers linked up with the station network and prepared to dock.

A shredder frigate ship decloaked in Olympias system, the ship at the moment was acting as a scout, such were others, probing nearby systems.
The ship was instantly targeted by a dozen defense systems as well as a massive war fleet, thousands of ships. The frigate had just stumbled upon the main base of operations, and before it could do anything more than exist for a moment, hundreds of lasers, missiles, beam cannons and railgun fire was sent spiriling at it, enough to obliterate the little ship hundreds of times over. Woe be to any ships which crossed into Oympian space, for what would meet them would be certain death.

I think I'm a sinner, yes. I'm guilty of pride. I take pride in the fact that I'm the President of a nation where Greykans and Whites can live in peace. Where Kazachs and Nordlivensens and Vahz-Gree can intermingle without any violence. Where your ethnicity, religion, creed, language, whatever, it doesn't matter; in the end, we're all Vuhifellian, and I think that's what matters most.
-President Markle O'Brian of the Vuhifellian Federation
1998 interview upon being elected president.

Vega Artones System

The massive war-fleet flew past the asteroid field, and each ship began independently targeting an Olympian vessel. It was true, Olympian MAC guns could destroy most Vuhifellian vessels in one shot...but that was only if they were in range.

"Attention, rebel fleet! This is Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz of the Vuhifellian Navy! You have one chance to disarm and surrender! Should you surrender, your treason shall be forgiven and you will be given commission in the Vuhifellian Navy! Should you fail to do so, you will be immediately destroyed! Your choice..."

The Admiral was onboard the carrier, Leviathan. A massive vessel that dwarved even an Olympian dreadnought, and could withstand several nuclear explosions along her hull, made of an experimental metal called "silksteel".

"All vessels. Syncrhonise your IFF tags. I don't want two ships firing on the same vessel unless need be. Understood?"

Human and electronic voices reverberates throughout his neural net, all saying 'aye'. He smiled...the Federation hadn't been this shattered in over 100 years. But its citizens had also never been this close in that amount of time.

Hivezopolis, New Vuhifell

Two men in business suits walked down a long corridor, arguing with each other as the Ogden sun slowly rose through the sky and lit the hallway through the magnificent windows of the capitol building.

"I don't believe we're actually voting on this...it's an election year for Heaven's sake!"

"Yes. An election year which also had these Olympians declare independence...bastards couldn't wait one more year until Delegate elections?"

"Fuck you. Senators. All of you are arrogant bastards."

"What was that? I don't see why at all the Constitution gives you Delegates more power...oh well...hush, they're already in session."

The two men entered a grand hall, filled with dozens of rows of wooden seats and a large, circular platform in the middle. Shouting could be heard, before a large bell began to sound, a gavel began to strike, and a large, portly man began to shout 'order. order.'

"Ladies and gentlemen of Congress. Councillors. And Madame Director, Ms. Agaze. I, Supreme Senator Romanus Ithacus, have called you here today to vote on a matter of utmost importance..."

"Get on with it!" shouted a voice from the crowd of politicians. Normally, there would be order within this grand meeting, but the Olympians had disrupted a...fair share of Vuhifellian government in their independence...

"Very well...I have called on you today to vote on the activation of Article XXI of the Constitution of 2100. To proclaim Extraordinary Wartime Measures applicable within all of Federation Space..."

Farbanti Station

Several marines patted down the man, before heading to his ship to search and scan it. It could be done remotely, of course, but manual searching usually resulted in far more accurate and thorough results.

Two women stood in the main nexus for docking bay 11, one was young, lively, and had purple hair and red eyes. The other was old, a bit wrinkled, and greyish-blond hair and green eyes. Several AI avatar's could be seen in the various nooks of the docking bay, observing the situation.

"Greetings, Admiral. This is my mother, Head of ONI's Research Division. Dr. Samantha Iccard."

"Pleasure to meet you, Admiral. I see you've saved my daughter from the clutches of those...barbarians. Fine work, I must say...Do...Do I know you from somewhere? You look eerily familiar to me..."

"Did you ever wonder, Bacara...at a common ancestor to us all? A single unifying fabric of space that binds together species and races into a living, breathing band of solidarity? A singular tether that draws every individual to some sort of unique goal? Have you ever considered the possibility that we are all really not that different? Perhaps there are better solutions. Perhaps galactic peace is not really so far-fetched an ideal. Perhaps we, as individuals - despite our inbred differences between species - can actually work together? Have you ever considered the possibilities of peaceful achievement, the wonders and megaliths possible from unity amongst the stars? What untold discoveries, what leaps of monumental proportion await us if we simply put aside our differences and work together, ignoring our differences? What can we achieve if we put aside violence?"

General Bacara, a human clone soldier, stood at the cyborg Sangheili commander's door, listening to the officer's speech. He had virtual certainty where this was going...Crypt, the once-stocky Sangheili who had been transformed into a nightmare of mechanical parts and organic shreds by a nasty shuttle accident, had a penchant for words.

"In my opinion sir," Bacara said, his voice a military flat, "Nothing can be achieved without violence."

"Exactly," Crypt said, his aggressive beige synthetic form turning on the white-armored Bacara at his door. Crypt also had a thing for turning uplifting speeches of nobility and honor into commands for his taste for ruthlessness and violence.

"Nothing can be solved, Bacara. Violence has solved more problems in galactic history than any other form of problem-solving ten times over. Tell that to the Federation Remnant. Others fail to see the persuasive power of visceral combat, of the power of man versus man in primordial conflict ingrained in every individual's head since times primeval. It's not good to defy nature, commander - and nature's way is violence. Does the thresher maw stop to reconsider devouring a banthaa colony? Does the krayt dragon take pause to reflect on the moral conflicts of disrupting herds of dewbacks? No? Than why does the politician take pause in deciding the implications of destroying the weak society of primitives? Why do we as sentients consider the possibilities of peace with the insignificant? Natural selection is a truth, commander - why do we try to play as a God? What tempts us to weaken our own gene pool through some scheme of compassion and positive self-esteem?"

"It is what kills us, commander - our emotions. Our passions. Our feelings. What have our fellow sentients done for us? I can tell you, commander - they bring suffering. They bring pain. They bring darkness, destruction, death. It is our right, our duty, our destiny, to return the favor in an ever-processing cycle of fatalistic future. It is a galactic cycle that has spanned eons - and will be ever-present. No species shall ever forget it - and have you seen the evidence? It is there. No species goes back to the beginning of time. We can see the past ruins of the progenitors of civilized space - they are crumbling relics to a past of sentients who expanded galactic empires. They, too, succumbed to the natural cycle of death and rebirth, commander, and eventually, so shall we. Maybe not between your and my life times, but eventually, even time takes its toll commander. Nothing is forever."

"Commander."

Crypt turned, his fiery eyes - still organic beneath armor head plates that formed a dangerous death's head of synthetic plastics and hardened metals - burning past Bacara toward the comms console. The clone commander, leader of the Shock Troopers, was glad that the high commander of the 1st combined Armada had taken his attention off the human clone.

"Report!" barked Crypt, his harsh voice - an amalgamation of droid sound and organic fluidity - sailing over the comms.

"Entering in target system."

"I am heading to the bridge!"

Crypt hardly ever did not talk in a voice that sounded like he was persistently shouting or pissed off. It was part of his modulated vocabulator that supplemented his roasted vocal cords, badly burned in the shuttle crash. He got up from his hoverchair, walking past Bacara.

"See to your men, commander...I will take care of this."

Bacara went the other direction out of the cyborg's quarters, glad for the chance to leave Crypt to others.

* * * * *

The bridge had been a two-deck turbolift ride for the cyborg commander, easily accessing the wide and lengthy command center of his personal Virulent-class Alpha dreadnought, the Providence Rising. It was doubtful the monstrous ship would even be used in combat - despite its immense power output and capability of shredding enemy fleets with ease, Crypt preferred to use his command ship, personally seen to its comissioning by the now-late former Emperor, Droma, as a symbol of intimidation. The 1st Armada, traveling with the massive flagship, was the instrument of death that would engage in combat.

Crypt's idea, however, was a bit trickier. From reports, it seemed these Olympians were a good deal less technologically advanced than their opponents in the war. The Dominion's involvement was currently one of secrecy - no one knew the fleet was here as of yet, besides the soon-to-knowing Olympians as the fleet emerged from hyperspace in the Vuhifell system, supposedly the nexus of the Olympian power. Even if it wasn't, 1st Armada could easily defend itself against a battlefleet considerably more powerful than itself through sheer strength and technological acuity. The Amazonians were an advanced race, that, despite not always winning the numbers game, prided quality over quantity. Size did matter, especially when it came equipped with lots of powerful guns.

Crypt wanted the enemy to believe that the Olympians themselves were moving forward with technological advancement - a morale killer. To plant Olympian signatures within Dominion ships would be fairly easy, and if anyone did find out...it wasn't neccessarily wise to risk a war with the aggressive and thoroughly unrelenting Amazonians. Crypt projected his role as Odysseus, not neccessarily as Achilles - though that could come if the opponents wanted it as well. The fleet's biological dreadnought - a worldship - could see to that. Though not being anywhere close to the size of a world - worldships were 23km in diameter - the monstrous biowarships were instruments of intimidation, fear, and direct assault combined in a behemeth of green-grey synthskin. It was the ultimate tool of subjugation.

Crypt was fairly confident in his abilities, and the abilities to project victory for the primitive race he was aiding. The Dominion was not supposed to be the primary combatant of the war, and hence, Crypt didn't want to waste vital resources - men and ammo - that way. Better to play smart than hard and dumb.

Striding onto the bridge, Crypt towered above most of the others on the bridge - primarily Sangheili and Humans. The engines of a Voxyn-class battlecruiser before the Alpha dreadnought burned hot red, paving a bloody trail into potentially hostile space. Crypt wasted no time, ignoring the sights and sounds and moving quickly over to the comms command station, his mechanical joints propelling him on a slightly ungainly lope across the cold metal of the bridge.

"Report!" Crypt said harshly, the Human comms officer almost jumping.

"Comms buoys ready to go, sir," the Human replied.

"Active sensors pinging! Gravitic detectors online and sweeping for potential cloaks!" the sensor officer reported from his station, halfway across the sweeping bridge.

Crypt narrowed his eyes, gazing out the frontal viewscreen momentarily: "Send a comms probe. Wide frequency, narrow target. Have you identified the source?"

"Yes sir, we have what we believe to be the planet Olympia on long-distance sensors."

"Bracket it on comms narrows. Project single-way transmission."

The comms officer punched several buttons on a command console, bringing up a one-way transmission option.

"Olympian civilization," Crypt said, his harsh voice cutting through the military air of the bridge, "This is Grand Admiral 'Mngalthee of the Dominion military aboard the command vessel Providence Rising. We are within local space, approximately 4 Astronomical Units out from your world. Respond."

Crypt cut the comm there - they could respond if they wanted on a different message. He was cold and calculating, and lacking respect for this primitive race - but, if they wanted help, he would be a major option. It was either that or Crypt could light fire to their world right here and now - it would appease his sadistic amusement. Right now, Crypt wasn't giving the Olympians much choice in the matter - the Council had ordered him out here to prove Dominion power in overthrowing some Federation of sorts, and he had the utmost respect for the Imperial Council - if no respect for anyone else that wasn't Sangheili. Including these savages.

Now it was a game of give and take.

Golan-IV Battlestation 'Watchdog' in orbit above Skgorria Prime

The Watchdog was one of 4 multipurpose space stations that hung in orbit above the green jewel that was Skgorria Prime. In addition to hosting a large amount of civilian traffic, it was also home to some of the Air Force's spacecraft that were responsible for the defense of the home system. Huge numbers of turbolaser turrets, ion cannons and various missile launchers differentiated this station from a simple docking facility, it was armed to the teeth and more than capable of taking on whole fleets by itself.

In one of the conference rooms in the military wing of the Watchdog, Storm-General Beckenbauer sat at an specially large table with a gathering of Army, Air Force and SS personnel. These were the personnel in charge of the home fleets, most of which who had gained their positions through the usual sychophantic behaviour that ensued in most militaries when it came to prestigious yet safe postings. Beckenbauer knew they were suspicious as to why he had gathered them here, but they could do nothing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," he began, "despite the fact I have only just returned from one war, it appears I am to set off for another. As you know, the Js'Kari campaign taxed us more than expected. My troops need refitting, rearming, repairs, rest and in some cases, retirement. In short, my Kampfgruppe cannot carry on." Much to Beckenbauer's amusment, the assembled officers' eyes widened and one or two of them mumbled a comment to a neighbour. The propaganda machine of the Pact had portrayed Beckenbauer's Kampfgruppe as one that needed no rest and could simply keep ploughing on regardless. Yet how can a battlecruiser go on with 60% of its crew dead? How can it fire its weapons when there is no more ammunition? How can a fighter squadron fly when all of its fighters are destroyed and its pilots wounded? He considered, before computing a quick curse. Damn the Fuhrer for his need for quick victories! With more time I could have starved them out, cut them off... He cut off this line of thought and returned to the present, there was no need for this right now.

"And what do you propose us to do about it? Give you ours?" Quipped a haughty Admiral as he sipped a cup of tea, and a quick chuckle went around the table. If Beckenbauer had been capable of smiling, he would have done so. The pompous fool had walked right into it now.

"Precisely that," Beckenbauer answered, taking sure to add a certain amount of smugness into his tone. "I need troops, I need ships and I need them now. They will be augmented by some from my Kampfgruppe but for the most part I will taking your commands. In return you will have the troops from the campaign placed under your charges to refit and return to combat-ready status."

Silence filled the room for a brief second before the same Admiral as before spoke up.

"And what are we supposed to defend ourselves with?" He fumed, "you'll be taking the cream of the military and replacing it with crippled ships and half-dead soldiers? This is intolerable!" He slammed his fist on the desk, almost knocking his cup of tea over.

"The soldiers of the Kampfgruppe may not have seen the same quality of training that most of our forces have seen, but they are tempered by experience. You will make do," Beckenbauer firmly stated before moving on.

"I intend to take a task force to not only supplement the defenses of the Olympians, but also strike at their foes. The Olympians apparently have a quantity over quality approach to their vessels, exactly the opposite of our Air Force doctrine. I intend it to be that the sight of a single Skgorrian vessel will fill our allies with cheer and our enemies with dread." He then took out a datapad from a compartment in his armour and laid it on the table.

"This is a list of of what I want. Go." With that, the assembled officers stood up, saluted and departed, the doors hissing closed as the last one left. Beckenbauer then activated his communicator on an audio-only channel and opened a link to the SS Black Standard, the only fully-functioning Star Destroyer left in his Kampfgruppe.

"This is Storm-Captain Petersen. Your orders sir?"
"Proceed ahead to the Olympian home system with our special cargo. I will follow shortly with the rest of the fleet. Let our new allies know of this"
"As ordered sir. Hail Victory!"
"Hail Victory Captain." With that, he closed the link. I suppose one advantage of being entombed in this...monolinth is that I don't have to go far for a communicator he mused, as a full communications array was built into his armour. Beckenbauer shifted his gaze outside and saw the white triangle of the SS Black Standard disappear into hyperspace.

FLASH MESSAGE TO OLYMPIAN COMMAND

SS BLACK STANDARD IS EN ROUTE TO YOUR HOME SYSTEM. WILL PROVIDE SECURITY AND BOLSTER DEFENCES. ADDITIONAL FORCES ARE FOLLOWING. EXPECT TO ARRIVE WITHIN TWO DAYS.

August 1, 2070 K.C.C.
Shelvon, New Vuhifell
10:29 PM Local Time

While Fleet Admiral Schultz was assaulting Vega Artones and driving a wedge in between Olympian force lines; the three other Fleet Admirals stood watch over New Vuhifell. From the night sky, one could see the blinking red and yellow lights of civilian vessels, and occasionally, a silhouette would move across the sky, blocking the stars: naval warships.

Melfina Agaze sat next to a pond, hugging her knees. This past month had been very exhausting. She drew her shawl even closer, and looked up at the sky.

It was because we were afraid...that they hate us now.

Thirty years before, in Olympia's greatest time of need, Vuhifell abandoned the planet, leaving it for dead. She couldn't help but rouse a small shred of sympathy for their cause.

But...I can't recognize their independence. Simply destroy all we've struggled to create. Unity. Freedom. Equality. Isn't that what the first interplanetary settlers had sought to accomplish?

She felt a heavy hand on her shoulder, and looked up: Gene Fassari, Councillor of War, stood over her.

"I was surprised, you know."
"Oh?"
"That you voted against the motion. Aren't war ministers notorious for their power-grabbing?"
"Well, I am not a war minister. Simply a servant of the people, just as you are."

When she had used her veto power to keep the Congress from declaring martial law, they held a council vote. If the Supreme Council voted unanimously against her, she would be removed from office, and Vuhifell would be placed under military government. Being the Councillor of War, Gene Fassari would have definately been considered for the position of Director.

But he had cast the solitary vote in favor of the Director, and, for a time, the Federation's constitution still stood.

"Why did you vote against it? When you could have easily taken power?"
"Because I want out...after the War is over, I'm gonna' head to Chi Sigma. Do something with my life."
"Will it be over? The last war took three-hundred years to end..."
"Well then, if that's the case, then so be it. But I cast that vote for freedom. Freedom so I can do whatever I want with my life. No way in hell I'm gonna' give up that freedom, even for a minute."

There was silence for a moment. Shortly after, short bursts of rumbling could be heard throughout the planet: another warship was complete, and was heading off-world. She could see bright bursts of light in the sky, as each vessel tore its way through slipspace. She could see the stars again.

Planet Arcadia
Arcadia System

The massive orbital shipyards around Arcadia were pumping out unimaginable levels of metal and sludge. Two fleets had just arrived in-system: the Reserve Fleet and the newly created, FLEETCOM Sector 1 Fleet.

"Admiral Starwind. Admiral Hawking. I'm glad you guys made it in time. I had a small slipspace bubble a few days ago and it hasn't gone away. I've sent ONI Prowlers through, but, no response. I'd appreciate if you guard the thing while ONI works to close the anomaly, thank you."

OCC: funny i have a colony on a planet called Arcadia

And just as the Frigate had shown up, it had disappeared, the overwhelming firepower of a united people had tore it to pieces.


ORION SYSTEM: FACTION: FEDERATION
The Alliance fleet had now arrived in the Orion System, they took positions, scanning for any vessels.

Vega Artones System

The massive war-fleet flew past the asteroid field, and each ship began independently targeting an Olympian vessel. It was true, Olympian MAC guns could destroy most Vuhifellian vessels in one shot...but that was only if they were in range.

"Attention, rebel fleet! This is Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz of the Vuhifellian Navy! You have one chance to disarm and surrender! Should you surrender, your treason shall be forgiven and you will be given commission in the Vuhifellian Navy! Should you fail to do so, you will be immediately destroyed! Your choice..."

The Admiral was onboard the carrier, Leviathan. A massive vessel that dwarved even an Olympian dreadnought, and could withstand several nuclear explosions along her hull, made of an experimental metal called "silksteel".

"All vessels. Syncrhonise your IFF tags. I don't want two ships firing on the same vessel unless need be. Understood?"

Human and electronic voices reverberates throughout his neural net, all saying 'aye'. He smiled...the Federation hadn't been this shattered in over 100 years. But its citizens had also never been this close in that amount of time.
The Admiral's answer was a long-range beam cannon shot, directly at the nearest ship. Olympian ships flew in, fast and hard, firing their guns, with five ships to concentrate on a single Vuhifellian vessal. The planet's MAC gun towers were poised, ready for action, but only if the defending fleet could somehow draw the Vuhifellian fleet near could the massive guns be put to use. Ship-mounted MAC guns simply didn't have the firepower. Fifty frigates, thirty destroyers, fifteen light cruisers, six battleships and two Dreadnoughts engaged the enemy fleet. It was about half the total fleet, not to mention the three hundred or so fighters that were rising from the surface of the colony planet to intercept and destroy any small craft they could find.
Olympian system, Mount Olympus...
Again, two messages, one after the other:
"Olympian civilization, this is Grand Admiral 'Mngalthee of the Dominion military aboard the command vessel Providence Rising. We are within local space, approximately 4 Astronomical Units out from your world. Respond."
Greetings, our great allies from the Dominion! You are welcomed here with much joy. However, we have a pressing matter at hand, and here you will prove your worth: There is a small matter of a Federation fleet at the Vega Artones System (coordinated enclosed). Our own fleet has engaged but they will need help. If you will assist us in the total destruction of the enemy fleet, you will have proved yourselves as valuable allies. We also want POWs and any enemy ships you can possibly capture. May Vahz smile upon you.
And the other:
FLASH MESSAGE TO OLYMPIAN COMMAND

SS BLACK STANDARD IS EN ROUTE TO YOUR HOME SYSTEM. WILL PROVIDE SECURITY AND BOLSTER DEFENCES. ADDITIONAL FORCES ARE FOLLOWING. EXPECT TO ARRIVE WITHIN TWO DAYS.
Greetings to our new powerful allies of the Pact of Iron! Your forces are most welcomed here, we thank you for your support. We would like to request an ORBAT of the ships and troops you are sending?
May Vahz smile upon you.
General Christopher Chang

In the bridge of the Leviathan, a holographic tactical map of the Vega Artones System was displayed in the middle of the inlet, with Admiral Schultz directing forces and setting waypoints like some kind of odd, life-or-death video game.

Olympain vessels were able to instantly destroy a few Vuhifellian frigates: the Midsummer Night, Acropolis, and Religious Tolerance. Some Olympian shots had manged to make it to heavy cruisers; whose heavy armor reflected energy shots and absorbed kinetic weapons easily.

The Leviathan, being the size of a small city (and costing as much as a Colonial Capital), instantly sent out SA-43 fighters to deal with the Olympians' own fighters. All the while, Vuhifellian ships responded in kind by exchanging their own fire of super-MAC guns and tachyon bolts.

"This is Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz. You have chosen death. You have a few minutes to pray to your damn heathan God before you're erased from history!"

Orion System
Planet Dresdene VII

Often called "the breadbasket of the Federation", Dresdene VII was a small world, with a small garrison, and an even smaller guardian of ships. However, she produced much of the food for Federation space. Her star's low luminescence and relative obscurity in relation to other star systems made it difficult to locate, and it was a miracle Vuhifell had even managed to arrive in system when they first colonized the planet.

ONI Prowler vessels, hiding in the system's asteroid field, detected an ship in-system and immediately sent out a warning signal.

ATTN. CONTACT. THIS SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY UNDER LOCKDOWN. PLEASE RETURN THROUGH YOUR SLIP-VECTOR AND LEAVE AN IFF REGISTER. WE WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN THIS SYSTEM IS OPEN AGAIN.

In the bridge of the Leviathan, a holographic tactical map of the Vega Artones System was displayed in the middle of the inlet, with Admiral Schultz directing forces and setting waypoints like some kind of odd, life-or-death video game.

Olympain vessels were able to instantly destroy a few Vuhifellian frigates: the Midsummer Night, Acropolis, and Religious Tolerance. Some Olympian shots had manged to make it to heavy cruisers; whose heavy armor reflected energy shots and absorbed kinetic weapons easily.

The Leviathan, being the size of a small city (and costing as much as a Colonial Capital), instantly sent out SA-43 fighters to deal with the Olympians' own fighters. All the while, Vuhifellian ships responded in kind by exchanging their own fire of super-MAC guns and tachyon bolts.

"This is Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz. You have chosen death. You have a few minutes to pray to your damn heathan God before you're erased from history!"

Orion System
Planet Dresdene VII

Often called "the breadbasket of the Federation", Dresdene VII was a small world, with a small garrison, and an even smaller guardian of ships. However, she produced much of the food for Federation space. Her star's low luminescence and relative obscurity in relation to other star systems made it difficult to locate, and it was a miracle Vuhifell had even managed to arrive in system when they first colonized the planet.

ONI Prowler vessels, hiding in the system's asteroid field, detected an ship in-system and immediately sent out a warning signal.

OCC: are you aware that the AIW will betray you?

In the bridge of the Leviathan, a holographic tactical map of the Vega Artones System was displayed in the middle of the inlet, with Admiral Schultz directing forces and setting waypoints like some kind of odd, life-or-death video game.

Olympain vessels were able to instantly destroy a few Vuhifellian frigates: the Midsummer Night, Acropolis, and Religious Tolerance. Some Olympian shots had manged to make it to heavy cruisers; whose heavy armor reflected energy shots and absorbed kinetic weapons easily.

The Leviathan, being the size of a small city (and costing as much as a Colonial Capital), instantly sent out SA-43 fighters to deal with the Olympians' own fighters. All the while, Vuhifellian ships responded in kind by exchanging their own fire of super-MAC guns and tachyon bolts.

"This is Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz. You have chosen death. You have a few minutes to pray to your damn heathan God before you're erased from history!"
Eight frigates and two cruisers were abruptly destroyed into spinning balls of flame at the Vuhifellian return fire. The fighters quickly spiriled into the dogfight, lasers flashing green as they targeted enemy fighters. The two Dreadnought deployed locked-on to the Leviathan, guessing correctly that the largest ship must also be the command ship. Their MAC guns, lasers, beam cannons and railguns spat at the monsterious ship with fury, lighting up the space inbetween with a brilliant display of color.

OOC: Vuhifel, what do your Prowlers use to hide? I'm not gonna have much success in detection in an asteroid field anyway with gravitic detectors...but good to know anyway, in case they're like Telros's phase cloak thing.


IC:

Crypt had no idea what a "Vahz" was, but he could guess that these people had some sort of primitive deity. Religion was a private business in the Dominion - the state had nothing at all to do with it and no one in a higher circle was religious, period. Not to say that the Dominion was against religion - they simply considered it a hinderance against efficiency. Funny for the Olympians to already be delegating responsibility - but Crypt had 36 capital ships, both synthetic and biotic, with nothing to do. If the Olympians wanted to send them all to the same location, that was their choice - even though they would be less effective as such. Merely pounding ane enemy fleet while condensed to one sector was a waste of the power of each individual ship...unless the system was so heavily contested it needed all 36 vessels.

Without further contact, navigation plugged in the coordinates. Dimensional drives kicked in, blasting the armada forward into hyperspace and the half hour jump it would require to reach the identified system.

In the bridge of the Leviathan, a holographic tactical map of the Vega Artones System was displayed in the middle of the inlet, with Admiral Schultz directing forces and setting waypoints like some kind of odd, life-or-death video game.

Olympain vessels were able to instantly destroy a few Vuhifellian frigates: the Midsummer Night, Acropolis, and Religious Tolerance. Some Olympian shots had manged to make it to heavy cruisers; whose heavy armor reflected energy shots and absorbed kinetic weapons easily.

The Leviathan, being the size of a small city (and costing as much as a Colonial Capital), instantly sent out SA-43 fighters to deal with the Olympians' own fighters. All the while, Vuhifellian ships responded in kind by exchanging their own fire of super-MAC guns and tachyon bolts.

"This is Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz. You have chosen death. You have a few minutes to pray to your damn heathan God before you're erased from history!"

Orion System
Planet Dresdene VII

Often called "the breadbasket of the Federation", Dresdene VII was a small world, with a small garrison, and an even smaller guardian of ships. However, she produced much of the food for Federation space. Her star's low luminescence and relative obscurity in relation to other star systems made it difficult to locate, and it was a miracle Vuhifell had even managed to arrive in system when they first colonized the planet.

ONI Prowler vessels, hiding in the system's asteroid field, detected an ship in-system and immediately sent out a warning signal.

The fleet had now exited hyperspace on the far side of the system, Dresdene VII, they had received the Federation message and replyed.

" Withdrawel is not acceptable, Unity will bring you into our arms." The fleet began its crusade of the system as it advanced.

[OOC: Prowlers use everything from optical stealth, radar jamming, and thermal disguising, to temporal displacement (altering space-time so you see where the vessel was 3-something seconds ago). I'm going to assume your fleet hasn't arrived in VA yet.

"Sir, Deck 94, Sector G is on fire!"

"Vent atmosphere and ignore the problem." the Admiral replied to his damage-assessment lieutenant. The silksteel had repelled Olympia's primitive MAC guns and laser fire. The railgun weaponry had managed to drill through a weak spot near a hanger bay, though.

But these were technologies Vuhifell had already mastered. Within months, effective counter-measures could be developed and this rebellion crushed. It's leaders arrested, and Olympia, and all her self-righteous colonies, being placed under military government.

If this was the best Olympia had to offer, they were in trouble...

"All cruisers. Focus firepower on their dreadnoughts. Destroyers and smaller vessels, destroy their escort vessels. I want to see their fleet burn"

By this time, the light cruisers were beginning to fall back and direct their super-MAC guns at enemy cruisers; whilst the heavy cruisers fired quantum shards and plasma weaponry. Mass amounts of missiles were fired in an effort to disorientate and distract Olympian captains and pilots, and deal heavy damage to their fleet as well.

In the ensuing chaos, a few Vuhifellian frigates ignited. They didn't explode, but flames were clearly visible, and the subsequent venting of atmosphere. They were filling their purpose, however, as distractions and as silent killers.

As the battle began, Aaesis spent some time studying his incoming victims as they sought to drive back the Federation onslaught, as rightful as it was, from their conquest. The two transmissions sent in reply were intercepted, and it revealed that allies were en-route. He sent another call for reinforcements and was informed of their timetable. Well, it was going to cut it close, but it was better than nothing he supposed.

"Ah well; I better help out the Vuhifellians now. Rather avoid too many casualties." He sent out a command and the fighters, all still cloaked like their mothership, began to deploy. These Archlord-class fighters were smooth, sleek, and packed a hella lot of firepower. They could deploy the same missiles, albeit at a smaller rate, and smaller scale versions of their main Annihilator Cannons. They swiftly exited the ship, and took up offensive formation, preparing to be unleashed on the enemy. After several seconds, Aaesis finally gave the command and prepared himself for battle.

The Endless Night, and its escort of twenty-four Archlord fighters, would suddenly pop into view on the right flank of the Vuhifellians, and began to rocket towards the Olympian lines. As the Olympian fighters came for the Vuhifellian fleet, the Archlord fighters swept forward and began to engage the enemy. Their Annihilator mini-cannons swept towards the enemy squadrons, seeking to slice through their armor like butter with the advanced dimensional weaponry. They worked, much like the main guns preparing to unload on the enemy fleet, by drawing energy from the fourth dimension, which destroyed anything that came into contact with it, be it energy, matter, anything, and fired it in burst, or in the cruiser's case, beams and bursts.

As they weaved and fought, the Endless Night carefully aimed at the Olympian right flank, left in the Olympian view, and began to unload a missile barrage. These were unlike any missiles that the Olympians had encountered before. These missiles were solid mass, except for the thrust engine and the dimensional generator inside. It would shoot with insane speeds towards the enemy ships, ducking and weaving to best avoid enemy fire, and then at the last moment it would gain several times its mass due to its dimensional generator, and each missile would continue on its speed alone. The force of the impact would be equal to that of the asteroid which killed the dinosaurs. And this was only the beginning; in order to drop the numbers down to the point where they could risk the cruiser, as even now it was still too much for one cruiser to handle safely, they needed to start picking ships off.

A secure message was sent to the Vuhifellian Admiral. "Took you long enough to get here, Admiral. I thought I was going to have start the show without you for some time there."

Providence Rising burst from hyperspace first after the thirty-minute jump, its black form warping out of dimensional transit into normal space. The worldship, more massive and almost as huge in diameter as the Providence was in length, burst forth as well, followed up by the 34 smaller capital ships - smaller being relative, of course. No fighters or gunships had been deployed yet - but Crypt had a ploy he wanted to test first, for fun. To see who he was up against, and their general intelligence.

Crypt strolled along the bridge, thoroughly enjoying himself now. Active sensors were going crazy, picking up all sorts of ships. The cyborg Sangheili was having a pretty easy time determining sides - the numerous like signs on Actives were the Olympians, likely. Still, Crypt wanted to see if the enemy would respond. After all, the Dominion was a bit of an enigmat at the moment - not exactly known to either side, likely not known here until they stated their intention. True, through this they were risking friendly fire from their own "allies"...but it was worth it for Crypt's sadistic amusement. Shields were strong enough.

The flagship advanced forward slightly from the rest of the fleet, comms projecting on all frequencies - so even the Olympians could hear it. The recipients, fortunately, wouldn't know that.

"This is the Dominion flagship, Providence Rising," Crypt dictated into the comms, both audio and visual...his intimidating image was better that way as a 9' cyborg of menacing proportions. "Vuhifellian ships, identify yourselves. We have brought assistance."

Crypt was being intentionally vague...he didn't say for whom the assistance was. Not the Vuhifellians, but for the Olympians...but he hadn't mentioned that yet. The way he had worded it, it sounded like it was for the Vuhifellians...but Crypt wanted a little game.

(OOC: Apologies for the delay in response. By the way, I think blondes go ash-blonde, not grey. ;))

Jackson's guess at the Agent's identity suddenly clicked into place. Of course secret agents would go by aliases - otherwise they wouldn't be secret.

And of course, the young woman's mother was Samantha Iccard.

"Doctor Iccard, ma'am, it has been rather a long time, hasn't it? Thirty years, at least. My name is James Jackson."

Jackson smiled warmly. Despite the darkness encroaching upon the Federation, these two were still beacons of light to him. And there were only three people in the Federation who had earned that status. Three people out of billions.

The Terran Federation has not seen The Vuhifellian Federation for quite a bit, Odessa sat back on his desk, it has been ,months since the presidential elections had put him in to office, the defeat of the neo republicanism, and retention of the federalist party in the senate, and head of state post gave him political swaying power in the senate, the holonet rang with report after reports of civil war in that country , the democratic faction against a fascist faction.

Max well was concerned, the handsome young leader didn’t waste any time getting to work with other affairs, but hasn’t really spent time on foreign policy, as he placed his hand on the oak like desk in his ornately decorated rather quiet far from noise office in the white house, he thought, looking around at the white and blue marble like metal walls.
He placed his hand over to an intercom activating the holographic phone.
As soon as he did so an AI secretary popped up, her smile warm and glowing as Maxwell looked in to the screen, he sat back speaking crossing his arms.

“Bring, up General Richardson…”

Suddenly the screen switched, an older man popped up his salt and pepper hair cut short, he replied with a salute.

“Mr President! How may I help you sir!”

Maxwell just smiled he said leaning forward.

“General we have a situation in the Vuhifellian Federation… it seems to be a civil war, while the Terran Federation policy is not to get Involved, there seems to be many foreign powers involved, we cannot allow them to gain a piece of that pie as some would say, I want you to gather two battle groups and several battalions to aid them”

The General nodded, replying swiftly and with a salute “yes sir...”

Mean while the senate was in session, a message had already been dispatched to them to vote on a resolution, to send federation forces in to stabilize the situation.

It read.
In this 100th Federation year, I president Maxwell Odessa, request the people to approve a resolution, that authorizes the use of federation military personnel, to help defend and stabilize the Vuhifellian Federation, a long since forgotten friend of the Union. With the assurance of swift victory, and the repulsing of foreign interest to topple the democratically elected government of that nation, I implore the Senate and the people of the federation to approve this legislation

The senate had looked it over the massive body meeting in the central domed structure of the ornately decorated glass and metal capital, It passed with overwhelming majority, the bill was signed by the speaker and chancellery of the senate.

Bye the same token, a message was sent to the Vuhifellian Federation, reading:
Greetings From the United Terran Federation, we see the Vuhifellian Federation is under threat from foreign and domestic problems, as a nation of justice democracy, we offer our military might to repulse and crush any tyrannical resistance.. we shall be sending them shortly

Operation Freedom shield briefing , 0900 hours in orbit of Soh-Jin:
“All right people” said admiral Alexi, his uniform was blue, patches of the union on his shoulders, stars on his collar proved him to be of high rank, he sat down at the head of the table, officers and fleet captains around him, the room was quiet, everyone was calm, the windows peering out in to space.


Alexi continued-
Operation Freedom shield has been approved, as the task forces commanding officer I am forced to brief you, I shall begin, the majority of the combat seems centered at this system (Referring to Vegas Artones), the Federation fleet will do a pincer maneuver, we will come in behind and in front of enemy ships , cruisers, battle ships and battle carriers, will start off with FTL projectile, and long range fire, closing in as they shoot switching to more conventional weapons, destroyers, attack ships and frigates will lead incursions in the enemy ranks , fighters will be equipped with excotet, anti capital ship missiles, as well as space to space missiles, and they will skirmish with enemy fighters as usual. The Hood will lead the assult , the Church hill , The Titan, will be accompanying us , and the Mandela, in to the fray…. Any questions? “

The room was quiet, with that the plan was put in to motion Alexi had appeared on the bridge of UTS Hood, he looked around the utilitarian bridge, the blue hue of the light glimmering on the holographic immersive surfaces, he sighed as the klaxons began to ring signifying the fleet was about to combat jump.
As both task forces converged moving towards the ominous blackness of space, their bodies glimmering and rumbling over head, as the mass of grey started to power up, their bodies glowing a hue of gold as the suddenly rushed out one by one like fiery phoenixes lunging towards the lifeless darkness.

Their Inter universal fold drives allowed the ships to appear instantly outside the system, however the further the jumped the more time it would require them to spool… as one by one their glimmering ominously massive bodies appeared just inside of the system, they floated in, rumbling as their engines pushed out blue and white streams of particles..
Alexi had sent a message to both hostile and friendly forces:
[i] This is admiral Alexi of the United Terran Ship, Hood. We have come to assist the Vuhifellians cause against foreign powers, and its own internal strife, all hostile forces are to surrender, immediately, or prepared to be attacked[i]
The Terrans plan was also sent to all friendly forces in encoded quantum entanglement signals..

(OOC: I rushed this a bit because I arrived late in the thread, I want to start blasting things, I have point to point FTL so thats why I go there so quickly)

PS:
OOC: the battle group
1 Roosevelt class carrier each
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/USFU/UTSFederation.jpg
2 Hood class battle ships each
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/USFU/UTSHood.jpg
6 Warrington class Cruisers each
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/USFU/Closeup.jpg
8 Poseidon class destroyers each
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/USFU/UTSExcelsior.jpg
12 Heavy attack ships each (counts as frigates)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/USFU/HeavyAttackship.jpg

"All cruisers. Focus firepower on their dreadnoughts. Destroyers and smaller vessels, destroy their escort vessels. I want to see their fleet burn"

By this time, the light cruisers were beginning to fall back and direct their super-MAC guns at enemy cruisers; whilst the heavy cruisers fired quantum shards and plasma weaponry. Mass amounts of missiles were fired in an effort to disorientate and distract Olympian captains and pilots, and deal heavy damage to their fleet as well.

In the ensuing chaos, a few Vuhifellian frigates ignited. They didn't explode, but flames were clearly visible, and the subsequent venting of atmosphere. They were filling their purpose, however, as distractions and as silent killers.
Any super-MAC gun which connected tore though the ship, often ripping it to pieces, exposing the helpless crew to the harsh, freezing vaccumm of cold space. It was pure chaos, and the Olympian fleet was firing wildly, confused by the hundreds of missiles among them and the explosions of dying ships. The muddle was only added to with the introduction of the Archlord-class fighters. The Olympians fighters had been faring decently against the Vuhifellian ones, but the attack was unexpected and the firepower vasty superior to anything Olympian small craft possessed. Fighters went down by the dozens, transforming into flaming balls of superheated gas. As the missiles impacted their flank the Olympians were on the verge on panic. They had lost half of all their engaged forces, and had few kills in return. One of the Dreadnoughts rolled in space, flames shooting out of every port, crippled and gutted. The other was damaged but continued fighting, firing weakly into the heart of the enemy fleet. Then something happened which gave the Olympians hope: The Dominion ships arrived. A few ships on comparison to the massive war fleets engaging each other, but one...
It was enormous.
Unstoppable, the pinicle of firepower. Quite literally, the size of a world.
Moral raised, the Olympians fought with renewed vigor, fiercly defending their ships against enemy attack. In the heat of battle the arrival of the Federal Union ships went unnoticed, their tranmission lost in the jammers and general white noise of damaged ships and screaming crew.

Alversia had a debt to pay to the Vuhifellian Federation.

She had stood by her when the SASM War had engulfed her own space. It was through her liason that the SASM found the Federation at all. It was because of Alversia that most of the Vuhifellian Federation had suffered so. She would repay her debt in any way she could.

Near to the Vuhifellian homeworld, three Alversia dreadnoughts decloaked. A message was sent to the planet's surface

TO: The Vuhifellian Federation

This is Vice-Admiral Borne of the Alversian People's Starship
Compliance. We have recently picked up reports of
your civil war and were hoping we could lend a hand in some
way.

Await your response

Vice-Admiral Pamela Borne
APS Compliance

The Admiral smiled while smoking a 'Nuevo-Questros' cigar, made from the finest tobacco in the Federation. His holo-map of the system showed a lop-sided battle: Vuhifell and an allied vessel were decimating the Olympian fleet in front of them, and, having only sustained the destruction of fourteen frigates, he was well on his way to begin victory celebrations.

Suddenly, however, the holo-map flickered and died, and in its place, a large "ERROR" message began scrolling in the air.

"Lieutenant! What hap-"

"This is the Dominion flagship, Providence Rising," "Vuhifellian ships, identify yourselves. We have brought assistance."


"Lieutenant Hesse! Search their signature!"

"Unknown, sir. And according to the data-log, none of the factins aiding us refer to themselves as a Dominion!"

"Really, now? Don't you think this is suspicious, lieutenant? Open up the main view screen, so I can see our new vic-"

He stopped talking when he saw the size of their fleet. Well, not the actual size of their fleet, but the size of their individual ships. Their smallest vessel was easily larger than the Leviathan, and was probably around the same size as a Vuhifellian Base-Ship; massive war vessels that weren't allowed outside of the home-system.

This is admiral Alexi of the United Terran Ship, Hood. We have come to assist the Vuhifellians cause against foreign powers, and its own internal strife, all hostile forces are to surrender, immediately, or prepared to be attacked

The message blasted through the bridge's speaker system, but most of the bridge crew stood, staring stupidly at the new fleet.

"Admiral Alexi, I'm glad you're here. Please cover us while we fall back to Vega Artones' asteroid field to regroup and assess the current situation."

The Admiral wasn't stupid. He wasn't about to throw his fleet away by attacking vessels that could shred a Vuhifellian fleet apart simply by ramming it. He sent out a universal message throughout his fleet's neural net.

Activate fore thrusters immediately and keep weapons directed on hostile forces. Fall back to the asteroid field to regroup and strategize. Do not, I repeat, do not engage the fleet at vector 3-3-0. Y-differential is 0.48. Do not fire upon that fleet. Foxhound, out.

Orion System
Dresdene VII

Almost immediately after the interception of their last message, the Dresdene Colonial Militia, and it's small contingent of regular Marines and ODST, began preparing anti-invasion measures. ONI Prowlers in-system had sent an urgent message to the Arcadian and Epsilon Gamma Systems.

Arcadian and Epsilon Gamma Fleet Commands:

URGENT ALERT FROM:
ORION SYSTEM.

HOSTILE FLEET DETECTED. REQUEST IMMEDIATELY COUNTER-INVASION FORCE. SYSTEM GARRISON IS NOW PREPARING RESISTANCE. ONI SECTOR 990, OUT.

Immediately, the Orion battlegroup, consisting of four frigates and one destroyer, began firing on their new enemies. They didn't have nearly enough firepower or armor as their larger, capital-ship counterparts, but hopefully they could take down some hostile vessels until the larger fleet arrived.

VFS Royal Sovereign
Ogden System

Fleet Admiral Preston Cole was usually a cheerful man. Calculating and careful, he was the watchful guardian of this system, and with his massive fleet of ships that constituted well over half the Federal Navy, he could back up this claim any day of the week.

With the arrival of these new ships however, he was not happy. It was generally not advised to speak of the "unmentionables", and no citizen born after 2140 knew anything of the SASM.

But he had seen it first-hand. He served under Fleet Admiral Stephen Harper during the Battle of Vuhifell, and it was only after the Alversians' stay on Vuhifell did the SASM discover their home...and kill everyone he had known.

Oh, he harbored deep hatred for not only the SASM for destroying his home, but the Alversians as well. Were it not for them, Olympia would still be a loyal Vuhifellian world and this war would not be taking place. However, in all his hatred, he needed to put it aside. Their ships would no doubt aid the Federation in this war, and Vuhifell needed all the help she could get.

Alversian vessels. This is Fleet Admiral Preston Cole, aboard the VFS Royal Sovereign. We will accept your aid. There is a Vuhifellian fleet invading Olympian-controlled space at the Vega Artones System [coordinates enclosed]. It is led by Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz. The Federation would appreciate it if you reinforced out positions there.

Farbanti Station

[OOC: Whatever :p]

"Ah, so I see..." she raised her hands in prayer and knelt before him, uttering a small prayer.

"This is the second time you've retrieved my daughter for me, Admiral. I am grateful. The Gods must have great things in store for us, for the three of us to meet like this once again."

Mira simply stared, dumbstruck. When had she ever needed saving in the past? Nevertheless, it didn't stop her from opening her ONI-issued PDA to check a list of major operations.

"Admiral. Fleet Admiral Schultz is busy invading the Vega Artones System; however, I would appreciate if you checked this out, sir."

She handed the PDA to the Admiral. On the screen was a beautifully green planet, underneath it was a caption 'DRESDENE VII'.

"Admiral Schultz has more than enough ships to survive against the Olympians. Even if he loses the battle, I'm confident he'll make it back to the Federation alive and with most of his ships. However...Dresdene VII, the world on which most of the Federation's food is grown on, has recently sent out a distress signal. They are being invaded, Admiral. If Dresdene VII falls, this war will be over in a matter of months, and Olympian troops will march through Hivezopolis. Neither of us want that. The choice is yours; after all, you are an Admiral."

ALL OLYPIAN VESSALS: DO NOT PURSUE FLEEING VUHIFELLIAN SHIPS. STAY OUT OF WEAPONS RANGE AND REGROUP. PREPARE FOR GROUND INVASION OF VUHIFELLIAN BASE.
The Olympian fleet was gutted. Over half it's ships destroyed, tens of thousands of crew and troops, dead. One hundred fighters had been destroyed as well. Now they prepared drop ships and assault gunboats to invade the hidden base inside the asteroid field which they knew had to be there. They would, however, wait for their Dominion allies to back them up. If whole enemy fleets ran at the sight of the huge worldship, the war would be over in a matter of weeks.

ONI 3R(Refuel/Regroup/Rearm) Base Alpha-003
Vega Artones System

ONI had deployed a forward-operations-base to the Vega Artones asteroid field several days before the invasion took place. ONI's ships were able to slip into the system quickly, quietly, and efficiently; deploy their cargo, and get the hell outta' dodge. Now, several hundred warhips ranging from small frigates to massive capital ships were docked around the various port grooves built into the asteroids.

One asteroid, in particular, ULYSSES 1994XF04, was the headquarters for the Vuhifellian Emancipation Force. At over fifth kilometers across, it was large enough to hide several capital ships behind it, while maintaining an air of innocence.

A conference of human and AI captains was beginning on an encrypted ONI frequency, and several pissed-off voices rung in the Admiral's eardrums.

"We could have finished them off!"
"We were about to destroy them!"
"Watch their fleet burn my ass! They still have a garrison in orbit around Pegasi Delta!"
"The whole point of this operation was to secure Vega Artones for a push into the Beowulf Systems! Why the hell have we pulled back!?"

"Calm down! Did you not see that fleet that just arrived? I'm no engineer or scientist, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that silksteel probably won't hold out long enough against these guys."

"They said they were assisting us!"

"You stupid git! They aren't registered in the IFF logs and Hivezopolis has no knowledge of them! If they were assisting us, they would have immediately engaged the enemy!"

"How do you kn-"

"Consult your AI's! Bloody fools! If we hadn't pulled back, we would have been killed! I'm going to have to consult the local ONI AI before we do anything else: including pull out of the system. Foxhound, out."

The Admiral switched off the recievers in his neural net. He was just as annoyed as any of his subordinates, but he valued the life of his men and himself over some damn Outer System.

He immediately stormed down the hallway just outside of the bridge and towards a secluded part of the ship, so he could consult with this base's AI. Human-AI communication wasn't banned. In fact, AI's, bio-androids, and even some robots were considered equals to humans...

But this AI's avatar was a bit...

He waved his hand over a holo panel when he was sure that there was no one nearby, and instantly, a large, naked woman appeared from the holo panel.

Hey Admiral, looking sharp as always.
"Yeah, yeah, Cinderella..."
An AI was given the choice of choosing their avatar and their name upon creation. They often chose avatars and names they thought interesting and suited them best...unfortunately, some AI's don't base their decisions on proper social order. Like Cinderella.

What's the word?
"Advice. Analyze the bridge data from the Leviathan and give me a stage-four consultation."
Hmm...you're fucked.
"Thanks."

The AI gasped. Not out of embarrassment or confusion, but out of alert.

Admiral, get back to the bridge. I sense several hostile IFF signatures heading towards this base. They're small craft. I wouldn't advise using heavy weaponry in such close proximity to other ships, this base, and the probability that such weapons will not hit.

"Understood. Scrambling fighters." the Admiral was already issuing orders from his neural net and alerting SA-43 fighter squadrons and Marines and M78 commandos of their impending invasion.

The worldship, dubbed Spear of the Prophets, advanced forwards as Providence held back, combat shielding flipping on across the fleet as weapon systems charged and loaded up. The transmission by the "Hood," or whatever the Terran ship was, had got Crypt in a rather bad mood. He wanted the first contact to be something more of intimidation, which it had been until the meddlers showed up. Of course, blasting through a fleet was also a good form of intimidation - it just quite often failed to leave any survivors.

"Alexi, or whatever your feeble name is," Crypt snarled back into the comms system, "I am looking forward to your attack...and imminent destruction."

Crypt slammed the button finishing the comm as the Vuhifellian fleet tactically pulled out of fight directly, leaving the Dominion fleets ready to face the Terrans if they wanted a straight-up, 1v1 slugfest in the middle of space here. After all, it wasn't as if this was a new practice to the Amazonians...for a culture grown on war for a generation since the fall of the Amazonian Federation, fighting was second nature.

"Perimeter seems secure, Olympian warships," Crypt said, opening a new tight-pulse comm to the Olympian fleet, "what's the situation?"

Crypt had a bunch of fighters standing by with nothing really to do yet unless someone wanted to force a fight - in which he'd gladly oblige. If there was something to kill, might as well let the pilots and droid brains go have some fun.


OOC:
Y'know...I'll put this up to move the storyline and put ORBAT in the OOC thread.

Everybody wants to rule the world…
Alexi had sat back he wondered a bit, he looked over to his tactical officer as he waved his hand, his blue eyes peering at the young ensign standing over the immersive console. He said with a commanding yet subtle voice.

“Launch SWAC Drones, and SWAC equipped super ferrets, I want them to jump around the system and give us a triangulating view of the system, all Thunder bolt and Excalibur squadrons prepare to launch..”

The tactical officer looked over with a nod, Ferrets were older fighters, that had been converted to SWAC’s roles, they lunged out of the fleets fighter bays followed by SWAC’s drones, each of them engaged mini interphased jump drives, setting course for several hidden positions around the system.

The XO, Commander daystrom, had been sitting back on his own chair next to the admirals, he stood up and wandered towards the tactical holographic view, basically a 3d map of the entire battle field, he pressed a few buttons as the admiral came up and leaned on it… Alexi had spoken…

“Well it looks like we are out number no matter though, I think we can get the jump on them, we just need task force two to form up in to a wedge formation, we will split up in to a loose tight formation of ships , a group will out flank from the left, another from the right we will hit from the bottom and our final group will hit from the top.. Task force two will be in hiding behind the star, I figure they might fall back to more secure potions, when the start doing so task force two will hit them from behind full force”

The Xo looked at the admiral with a nod responding, “yeah let’s hope they fall for the bait but… if they don’t we might need to spice it up a bit, I suggest we use our multiplier mines to make ourselves look bigger than we are..”

Alexi smiled he chuckled with a rough commanding tone, “good thinking we’ll put that in to action, he looked over to the tactical officer and nodded. Saying “engage maneuver alpha one “

Suddenly, the entire ship rocked as it began to move forward, engines pushing it from behind as the masses of grey split up in groups of ships jumping tactically to several positions. As soon as they jumped torrents of fire was unleashed, Graviton drivers recoiled again and again as hundreds of rounds rained from the ships blink displacing in to FTL towards dominion ships , followed by a torrent of Polaris missiles, thousands of five gigaton yield anti matter missiles screeched out from VLS, blink displacing as well, making erratic jumps and maneuvers as they headed towards enemy capital ships.

The hood reverberated with sounds of Graviton driver fire, the ship reverberated with energetic noises, the hood itself was pumping out hundreds of FTL blinking graviton rounds, and missiles. Fighters launched from each ship they rushed out from the bays screeching with flames of blue behind them. As they maneuvered in to defensive positions.
Trent Hawkins was in charge of the squadron, his fighter as the Excalibur class those most advanced heavy fighter in the federation, he sat in his cockpit, placing his hands on the consoles his sensors and PIDA system scanning.

(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/USFU/HSF-101.jpg the HF-101)

Massive chaff fields dumped from countermeasure pores in the hulls of each vessel, magnetic fields of razor slivers emitting out. The Terrans were jumping, but their fire was moving at sub-FTL speed - giving shipboard AI systems capable of reacting in picoseconds more than enough time to direct fire and countermeasure systems against the mass driver fire of the enemy forces. Green lances flew from each synthetic ship, electrified plasma blasting out from the five biotic vessels. Numerous explosions met the combined fire, few of the enemy volley making it past dense chaff fields. Space debris flew every which way, making fields of dense clutter and metal shrapnel. Interceptor rockets flew out to engage enemy warheads.

Some of the enemy fire made it through, but not enough to pierce the dense shields and numerous redundant energy fields that comprised the outer defense of each Dominion synthetic vessel. Redundant generators were standing by to activate if primary fields went down, pulling up while primary fields would recharge. The biotic ships had genetically-engineered nucleotide sequences in their DNA coded to produce a natural energy field, much like an electric eel - except one that produced energy in the petajoules. Shields flashed greens as first impact struck, ships manuevering for position. Dominion ships really did not have a "weak spot" as some ill-concieved ships did - they had equal weapons ports all across the fore, aft, starboard, port, dorsal, and ventral sides. Shields matched.

By jumping all around the Dominion fleet, the Terrans had spread their forces dangerously thin. The Dominion fleet had taken no real formation - battleships and dreadnoughts currently had a protectove bubble around the smaller ships to the interior of the 3-D armada shape. It would stand well right now - equal firepower could be projected against all the fleets. There was easy pickings now, and the worldship "flexed" - stretching out its eight "galaxy-arm" appendages to full length, revealing all its various weapon emplacements. Numerous shots flew past the worldship's countermeasure defenses, impacting the bioship's outer membrane - and barely leaving a scratch. The ship was tough, big, and now very ready to throw back what had been started.

Fighters were quickly picked up by active sensors - and Crypt dared the Federals to bring them closer. It would give the capital ships easy pickings to shred apart numerous fighter charges with advanced PD. Dominion fighters weren't utilized in similar ways - they were either interceptors of sorts for engaging other fighters, atmospheric assault formations, or they were torpedo carriers. No point risking lives needlessly in charges against heavy point defense.

The enemy missiles were attempting to be a problem, but they weren't too much of a match for spread-beam weaponry. Energy weapons on their own were no use in engaging enemy vessels - after all, "turbolasers" were really energized plasma, projecting terawatts of power in each blast - more than enough to power an atomic-age city for a year. Because of the antimatter-matter reactions that powered each vessel at 100% efficiency (after all, antimatter-matter reactions are the most efficient power source known to galactic civilizations, unparralleled), there was plenty of power avalibale for countermeasure plasma ducts. Recylcing used plasma into defensive weapons, countermeasure systems "sprayed" the plasma at weapon speeds into high-volume waves. These were pointless for actual offensive weapons - they lacked the power to puncture a capital ship hull - but they were more than effective enough against missiles. Even their erratic motion still led more than enough warheads into the plasma waves.

In response to the fighter threat, the capital ships - still not even having to break formation yet - responded with their own. The worldship, specifically, did all the responding. One outward "arm" glowed slightly, tendrils freeing as eighty starskippers - barely a fraction - broke free to engage, the small biotic starfighters blasting out. The fighters "ate," or fueled, on element zero, amongst other things - the mass reducing element that allowed for the fighters to project movement. While biotic capital ships were infused with some synthetic elements, such as an antimatter-matter reaction core - neurally linked to the brains or ganglia of the capital ships - starskippers were completely biotic, excepting nanobots that patrolled their bloodstreams. A highly active immune system warded off disease and artificial contagions.

The starskippers stuck close while the "mother" in the worldship projected hostiles - the enemy fighters. There likely weren't enough starskippers out to eradicate the enemy fighters, but they didn't have to do that. By sticking close, they either left the fighters to be toasted by the defensive weaponry of the capital ships or to engage the fighters inside the range of PD weaponry. Lose, either way, for the Terran ships, unless retreat was an option for them.

Anti-capital ship offenses were mounted subsequently as pinpoint plasma lances blasted out at the Terran fighters. The dispersed capital ships of the Terran fleet were easy pickings now for the clustered Dominion fleet, which now had the advantage of massing a huge pack of weapons to defend against threats. Being so spread out, the Dominion simply had to let the AIs do the majority of the work. The worldship struck first, lobbing out chunks from its meteor cannons - scaleable weapons that hurled densely compacted, high-heat chunks of organic (or inorganic, depending on what had been picked up from space as "food") matter at near relativistic speeds. Technically, the Terrans could jump around forever - but if they did, the Dominion could shoot down their scattered missiles and...pellets...forever. Sure, the Dominion could try a general FTL interdiction fleet and hoped it stopped the Terran FTL systems - but where was the fun in that? It was more satisfying to watch the light attacks continually thwarted - attacks that were nowhere near dense enough to punch through the defensive systems of thirty-six capital ships, two of them big and strong enough to engage entire fleets on their own. In order to dent the heavily defended formation, the Terrans would have to attempt a push - something they seemed disinclined to do against the compact, conservative Dominion fleet. They were staying true, not gambling, but playing the battle smart. They had the numbers, the weapons, the defense - it was a perfect storm that would be highly difficult to breach.

Organic chunks of all sizes were flying from the worldship - some like razors, thin yet speedy, others moving quickly yet the size of starfighters - still miniscule compared to the huge carapace of the worldship. Flechette pods supplemented the meteor weaponry - small pods that acted as "mobile shotgun shells", hardened pieces of carbon fiber that flew quickly at an enemy, exploding just before shield impact. By spreading out thousands of small strands of organic material, flechette pods wore down on a shield bank heavily by dispersing huge areas of energy. When they flew by the hundreds, they certainly did so.

The synthetic fleet also ripped off a volley, starting with fire from the Providence Rising. Combine cannons from the Alpha dreadnought - bastions of plasma energy combining the turbolaser pulses of six seperate cannons into a single unified sapphire beam - blasted out at almost light-speed, targeting computers from the AIs careful to navigate fire past chaff fields set up currently interdicting missiles and enemy mass drivers - a sort of "home court advantage" being utilized by the Dominion. By staying in one place and not moving, the Dominion could keep building up this field until it reached the size of an asteroid field, if need be. Microprobes flying out provided quick data, meaning the Dominion fleet was growing an exterior shield that the enemy fire continually supplemented by running into building debris - and in doing so, building the field larger themselves.

Dominion missiles flew out from the thirty one synthetic capital ships - the Rising was holding her four corvettes in hanger back. The missiles, not only shielded and each holding an onboard VI (Virtual Intelligences, while greatly enhancing function yet not the capability of an AI, were cheap, cost-effective ways of making "smart missiles") were directed around clustering fields of debris. Peppering debris glanced off of shields of the missiles - generally used to take a single hit that kept the missile alive, but in this case making a great use for the Dominion. The super-thin lances of plasma energy flying out from the Dominion fleet lanced at relativistic speeds at the Terran ships, ensuring little damage to the growing field of debris.

Crypt was playing cowardly warfare, but he didn't care - it was a great way to not take casulties. So what if he was hiding behind a field of space crap? It was smart - letting his enemy defend their enemy. Crypt was never one like the Sith to blindly charge - he worked out the algorithms, ensured his course was the best chance for victory and survival. And so far, though the Dominion was projecting out a less than stellar offensive reply, the defensive strategy was working. Countermeasure technology had grown enormously in the Dominion - it was a byproduct of their lack of cloak technology. While the Amazonians couldn't hide from eyes, they could hide from guns - and that made a good deal of difference. Only concentrated effort and resolve could break through the defensive schemes of the Dominion - and that meant the enemy had to be a brave force to charge the angry ship commanders.

Keeping up the pick-off fire against enemy capital ships and keeping his defenses strong, Crypt calmly awaited the enemy's counterstrategy.

The Terrans were confused, plasma was not a good weapon to use at such ranges, they weren’t even in the millions Of Km they were still several AU out. As the missiles struck lighting fields of the federation ships, they disintegrated several getting through to the DEF, which ate them up.

Alexi leaned forward on his console, he peered at the enemy ships forming in to a pact, his ship[s were spread in groups of a few at several points, multiple AU away from each other, they would converged on the target out flank and form up again firing what they had, a plan was put in to motion, to spread out the enemy formation.

The fleet inched closer, each group converging at high speeds as they started firing volley after volley of graviton drivers, and Polaris missiles that blink displaced again and again as they got closer , fire would get more intense from the enemy fleet they knew this, the Orion, repulse and republic formed a cruiser wing, they began engaging the left flank along with their pack of ships, crackling dark energy beams flew from the cruisers dual beam emitters , graviton drivers followed behind , pulses of screeching energy rushed across the mass void of space, thousands of beams from all sides moving towards the formation of enemy ships, volleys of missiles followed again.

Alexi looked up, the crew and he were tense about the situation, they were outnumbered, but probably not out gunned, so they had that to their advantage as he looked at his ships closing and firing volleys of weapons, he was worried about that world ship that was attempting to crush his fleet.
He looked over his fleet was half way to their medium range fighting rally point, he said with a loud command.
“All PIDA systems scan that fleet, I want someone to phase transit cannon that big ship, have the Churchill do it, all other ships PIDA them to hell, and lock the AI’s on to their weapons emplacements , silos and any other spots we can find.”

The order went through, the entire fleet began using what was known as phased ion detection arrays, they would bounce off the hulls of ships, using the charge of the material they were bouncing off on, and let them form a picture, of turrets, emplacements, holes whatever they could use, it was a simple system.

Fighters hanged back as the ships moved in, they inched along careful not to get in rage of point defense systems, Trent had his hand on his controls, he thought for a moment went through the comn, and said.
“All fighters fire M missiles to confuse the hell out of their sensors, suddenly the hundreds of fighters fired out missiles, trials of smoke rushed past as each missile moved and blink displace, not hitting any ships but blowing up around several heavy vessels, they crated massive microwave pulses.
The Federation fleet moved forward, Alexi was somewhat confident as he then looked over to his tactical officer to give the signal for the Second battle group to jump in.

The space behind the enemy ships was suddenly ripped apart as golden hued portals opened and massive war ships popped in, cruisers, battle ships, battle carriers, attack ships broke off from both fleets, rain of dark energy beams and pulses rushed forth from the small craft filling space with crackling energy as they moved forward maneuvering around and around, screeching forth.
The Orion was firing everything it had, Captain Xavier, sat back on the bridge, his ship reverberating with weapons fire noises, beam after beam lanced out from his ships dual emitter banks, pulses followed, missiles and graviton driver noises ravaged the crew’s ears.


Alexi was barking out orders again, he ordered the tactical AI and officer to lunch Gravity missiles at the enemy. As several large missiles lunged forth from tubes rushing and blink displacing in to the center of the fleets ranks forming gravimetric singularities.


As now both task forces were unleashing torrents of fire on the enemy from all sides, top bottom, side’s back and front , the Churchill, was glowing, crackling energy moved to a central point , cracking golden, white and blue bolts of energy formed in to a beam, the large beam rushed forth crackling chaotic with energy the phase transit cannon was unleashed, it massive energy potential, filling space, it would blind sensors as the beam moved forth towards the world ship, it was the fleets most powerful weapon Capable of destroying entire planets in a single shot.


Alexi looked back to his Xo who was fiddling with the min launchers; he sighed and said “are you done yet?”
The xo said “no not yet, however I will be soon just give me time to adjust the frequency “he fiddled a bit..
The fleet was no in moderate range, so its full weapons arsenal could be utilized, dark energy beams, dark energy pulses, missiles, graviton drivers, and dark energy torpedoes, which would augment the missile volleys soon. Jamming was being emitted from federation ships; they flooded subspace, hyper space with radiation and static.
Alexi was a sentinel through this, as he looked out, the night sky completely immersed in green, blue white and other colors of the rainbow signifying a deadly but heavenly glow of fire, his mind was rushing
with images of past wars, past battles, his second task force was rushing in, formed in a 3d wedge firing lighting up the ominous black and grey hulls of his vessels, his mind wandering as he stood looking his soul stirring, he grinned a bit.

(OOC: now it’s time for a glorious battle! I only have 600 cap ships in my fleet so I have pretty good quality, it will be fuck hard to kill a cap ship, I also only have 1000 escorts in my entire fleet that is)

(OOC: Damn you VS, I'd kill the heck out of you for that if I weren't your ally :p Anyway, onto the awesomely huge conflicts and zOMG IM CHARGIN MAH LAZER)

"My choice? It's not my choice. It stopped being my choice when I participated in the Tribute conflict. The answer is obvious."

Tapping the five-worlds Vuhifellian insignia on his collar, he issued a clipped order. "Taskforce Alpha, this is Front Runner. Clear to move in."

Watching through his PDA, his heart rose as hundreds of the Navy's best vessels wormholed into the system. In the middle, the flagship was obvious - a fifteen-kilometre mammoth known as the KSFS National Pride and Glory. One of his many responsibilities was to command it. But not just yet.

"Agent, Doctor, this is the force we'll be deploying against the Olympians. We have five hundred ships and almost ten thousand strike craft in that fleet. I'm confident we can claim victory."

The Admiral smiled while smoking a 'Nuevo-Questros' cigar, made from the finest tobacco in the Federation. His holo-map of the system showed a lop-sided battle: Vuhifell and an allied vessel were decimating the Olympian fleet in front of them, and, having only sustained the destruction of fourteen frigates, he was well on his way to begin victory celebrations.

Suddenly, however, the holo-map flickered and died, and in its place, a large "ERROR" message began scrolling in the air.

"Lieutenant! What hap-"



"Lieutenant Hesse! Search their signature!"

"Unknown, sir. And according to the data-log, none of the factins aiding us refer to themselves as a Dominion!"

"Really, now? Don't you think this is suspicious, lieutenant? Open up the main view screen, so I can see our new vic-"

He stopped talking when he saw the size of their fleet. Well, not the actual size of their fleet, but the size of their individual ships. Their smallest vessel was easily larger than the Leviathan, and was probably around the same size as a Vuhifellian Base-Ship; massive war vessels that weren't allowed outside of the home-system.



The message blasted through the bridge's speaker system, but most of the bridge crew stood, staring stupidly at the new fleet.

"Admiral Alexi, I'm glad you're here. Please cover us while we fall back to Vega Artones' asteroid field to regroup and assess the current situation."

The Admiral wasn't stupid. He wasn't about to throw his fleet away by attacking vessels that could shred a Vuhifellian fleet apart simply by ramming it. He sent out a universal message throughout his fleet's neural net.

Activate fore thrusters immediately and keep weapons directed on hostile forces. Fall back to the asteroid field to regroup and strategize. Do not, I repeat, do not engage the fleet at vector 3-3-0. Y-differential is 0.48. Do not fire upon that fleet. Foxhound, out.

Orion System
Dresdene VII

Almost immediately after the interception of their last message, the Dresdene Colonial Militia, and it's small contingent of regular Marines and ODST, began preparing anti-invasion measures. ONI Prowlers in-system had sent an urgent message to the Arcadian and Epsilon Gamma Systems.



Immediately, the Orion battlegroup, consisting of four frigates and one destroyer, began firing on their new enemies. They didn't have nearly enough firepower or armor as their larger, capital-ship counterparts, but hopefully they could take down some hostile vessels until the larger fleet arrived.


The incoming fire had buckled a Shredders shields(Frigate) and the ship split in two. The others replied in kind. The three Scavenger class Battlships opend up on the destroyer with Plasma-Rays, they were followed by a barrage of seven plasma torpedoes and five plasma charged nukes. The remaining three shredder frigates and four Nova class warships brought light to space as they beared there firepower of plasma-Rays and torpedos

As the ships soared past, Jackson used his PDA to project the fleet distribution, as well as some full-motion real-time video from the bridge of National Pride and Glory on a conveniently placed tactical screen.

Speaking into the small pane of vibrosensitive pseudoglass, he started making some fleet designations. "Computer, this is Front Runner. Redesignate supercarrier KSFS National Pride and Glory as fleet leader. Make KSS Christine van Ooijsten fallback command center, and make KSS James Bovill the sensor coordinator."

Looking at his small audience, he explained the command layout of the ships. "National Pride and Glory is one of our most potent weapons: an armed, fast supercarrier. We have four others like it, but we're keeping them around the Inner Worlds. Christine van Ooijsten is a heavy missile cruiser with experimental quantum shield technology and some of the fleet's best command staff. And the James Bovill is carrying a whole lot of the Strategic Intelligence Office's most observant agents and sensor technicians; it's a prowler cruiser, so it can go very fast, has great sensors, great shields, but not a whole lot of armament. What do you think?"

Alversian vessels. This is Fleet Admiral Preston Cole, aboard the VFS Royal Sovereign. We will accept your aid. There is a Vuhifellian fleet invading Olympian-controlled space at the Vega Artones System [coordinates enclosed]. It is led by Fleet Admiral Velnir Schultz. The Federation would appreciate it if you reinforced out positions there.

Vice-Admiral Borne simply nodded at the message and turned her ships for the Vega Artones System. It was because of their assosiation that the SASM had been able to track the location of the Vuhifellian people. Alversia was painfully aware of that fact.

They had done everything in their power to try and help, 34 Alversian warships had been destroyed trying to reinforce their position. 85,000 Alversians sacraficed in a vain attempt to help their former Allies.

Borne shook her head in grief at their loss. It could only be imagined what had happened on the planet prior to it's destruction. But they were here now to try and earn the forgiveness of the Vuhifellian people. They would die to earn it.

As they approached the system, the three Dreadnoughts cloaked and prepared for battle at the same time.

Dresdene VII Far Side, out of Olympian purview
Some time later

Jackson settled back in the command chair of the National Pride and Glory.

On one side lay his command communications console, allowing him to call red alerts, all-hands-abandon-ship, and other things of that nature.

On the other side lay his fleet coordination computer, a small pane of pseudoglass mounted at a forty-five degree angle on the chair. Its touch-and-vibro-sensitive screen was currently split into four videocomm channels: Maxwell, Iccard, and two 'WAITING TO CONNECT' icons representing Kostemetsia Prime Command and Fleet Admiral Schultz.

Sending an audio spoof signal unidirectionally through the comm network to get the lazy mongrels at Prime Command to wake up, Jackson settled back restlessly in his chair. A small wireless headset was hooked onto one ear, interfacing with the coordination computer's processor and providing a constant link to FLEET COM ALPHA, the forcewide comms network set up for this very instance.

His sunglasses cut out the bridge from his vision, making a transparent hemisphere showing collected short-range sensor data in place of the domed roof. They also showed the most recent tactical data from ONI. A gigantic Olympian force was clustered safely out of active sensor range, and seemed to be eluding ONI's attempts to get further information.

Strategic Intelligence recon singleships, painted in a light-absorbing black and set up to deflect sensor pulses, were coordinating their efforts from the James Bovill, which was over to the Pride's starboard.

Transmitting to FLEET COM ALPHA, he ordered a weapons-ready throughout the fleet. All the ships flashed red in his tactical vision, signalling the confirmation of that order. Waiting a moment, he tapped the Iccard and Maxwell icons on his fleet coordination computer.

"You still haven't told me what you think of our distribution," he teased gently. It was actually quite serious. The head of ONI Section Three and her daughter were the most qualified immediately available people to give an opinion on the fleet's structure.

OOC: Jesus H. Christ, I leave you people alone for five minutes...:p
IC:
"Perimeter seems secure, Olympian warships," Crypt said, opening a new tight-pulse comm to the Olympian fleet, "what's the situation?"
The Dominion fleet had since engaged in long-range combat with TFU fleet, but they flet obligated to respond:
We've lost about a quarter of our fleet, but we're invading the asteroid base in the field. We expect to have it secured soon.
Asteroid Field...
Because of the massive asteroids and smaller, deadlier asteroids flying around, it was dangerious to bring ships inside a field. However, slow moving, heavily armoured troop carriers took the hits, and the faster, smaller drop ships and escort fighters could dodge and weave around the rocks. The ships approached the base, which was identified by the fighters now streaming out of it. The fighters peeled off and engaged and the troop ships bulled forward, intent on making it to the base.

OOC: I can't keep up with this thread, it is going way too fast for me.

VS, I give you permission to rp my cruiser for me.

Crypt surveyed the situation quickly as the newest fleet had come in - he had barely taken losses from the recent torrent, but new, staggering enemy numbers were popping up on visuals from depth probes all over. There was no point to stay and fight with his fleet, even of such a high quality - being outnumbered 20:1 was virtually suicidal. No, it was suicidal. Rather than sacrifice everything and earn the glory and honor of a last-chance death charge, Crypt ordered a tactical retreat. No point to stay and meet certain death against completely overwhelming odds when you could stay and fight another day. Apparently, his sitrep had been off - whatever numbers inflation supposedly on his side was grossly unrepresented. He'd have to petition for reinforcements from the Shroud.

"Tactical retreat, support and smaller vessels first!" ordered the cyborg, stalking about the bridge as PD fire blazed out at huge quantities. Normally, the Dominion wouldn't spare such ammunition and power in such a way - but when Crypt knew he couldn't match the sheer quantity of enemy ships as it was, he was going to move off.

The carriers and ships frigate-sized and smaller microjumped a hyperleap to the outer edge of the system as the larger ships covered, charging hyperengines. Opposing fire slammed into the PD fields and countermeasure systems, some moving past and splashing harmlessly against shield wells. Crypt was not liking this much at all - if the Terrans had this much for a simple encounter like this, how many ships would they launch at a planned major battle? The cyborg thought they had the numerical advantage in this war...but if not, what did they have going for them?

The larger ships now powered up, elongating before slashing out towards the outer edge of the system, shooting out 10 AU from the inner slice of the system to the cold outer edges in fractions of a second. Crypt held the fleet back in a staggered 3-deep line. If the Terrans wanted to fight out here, so be it - the small planet on the outer most orbital was on the opposite side of the system's star - the Dominion out here, though thoroughly outnumbered, could simply run around using fast engines for a while. Of course, the carriers wouldn't be able to do that - they'd have to be evaced out of the system. 600 enemy ships would easily be able to pick off a slow-moving carrier. Crypt ordered hyperengines to continue recharge cycles, in case the Terrans showed pursuit. There was virtually nothing he could do in such a situation to keep his fleet intact against extraordinarily bad odds.

Meanwhile, Crypt had other duties. He was fairly sure he could engage the Terrans if he levelled the playing field to giving them a 5:1 numerical superiority - but that would mean he would need to amp up his ship number fourfold, probaly getting to at least a hundred vessels. That was a huge chunk of the Dominion Navy - the Navy itself had a combined 1850 capital ships of all grades. It was more than enough to defend the huge space cloud of the Shroud that made up the Dominion home - after all, it was impenetratable (unless when was suicidal) except for the narrow corridor of free space known as the Conduit. The Dominion didn't need a million ships for that. However, fighting this kind of scale required the Dominion to putting forth good numbers to combat a vastly larger foe - and no doubt the Council would balk at sending over nearly 6% of the naval fleet ships. Sure, it could be replaced fairly quickly, likely - manufacturing power was huge - but still, the Sith hated losses.

Crypt had a strategy, however, as he kept a sharp reptilian eye on scanners for potential reports of the Terrans showing pursuit to the edge of the system - he had ordered the fleet to load up spatial nanobot swarms to engage the Terrans if they did attack, which would swarm local space with huge numbers of the tiny droids. That would hold them off, unless they wanted to sacrifice some of their massive fleet. He was going to ask the Imperial Council for two hundred vessels - something they would probaly scream about and maybe rip up a few aides for. No doubt they would see that as too much and cut that number in half - which would give Crypt the numbers he needed to cut this down to a 5:1 disadvantage ratio in numbers for later fights. That was, however, assuming the Terrans only had deployed 600 ships to the theater...if they had more, which barely seemed plausible, Crypt pretty much thought he was screwed.

"Record this message," Crypt ordered to his Comms Bridge Commander, who was also in charge of communication probes for FTL travel back to the Shroud. "Authorization CR-001-GA. Olympia fleet facing enormous odds and requiring an additional 200 capital-grade vessels for further engagement against the enemy. Urgent."

Crypt left it there as the officer prepped the comm probe - he was confident the Council would absolutely not spare 200 vessels. Not one ninth of the entire fleet, though it really wasn't doing much at the moment. They generally balked at any more than one tenth of the entire fleet in a single theater at one time, and always requiring at least 20% - 375 vessels - in the Shroud for possible enemy incursions, rebellions, or other requirements. It was a good system, and always worked. Crypt had doubts that they'd even send out 100 vessels. The largest fleet he had ever seen assembled offensively was in the Spit Break Wars, where the late Emperor, Droma, had launched 800 vessels of the then-1300 ship Navy to engage hostile forces. That had been somewhat overwhelming - and the Imperial Council was generally somewhat more conservative. Each of the Imperial Lords had their own personal fleet - variable in number - and Crypt didn't want to have to ask for so many ships that they'd send one of the five Lords over here too. Crypt wanted to maintain overall command, not become a lackey.

But, it was in their hands now. Crypt once again re-focused on the danger at hand, at one hand egging on the Terrans to attack, the other hand hoping they didn't. Too many enemies, not enough friendlies - Crypt could play the odds game, but he never bet on a 95% underdog. At the same time, he tight-banded a long-range intrasystem transmission to the Olympians - who for what he knew, were still in system.

"Attention, Olympian fleet - this is the Providence Rising. The Terrans have entered with an armada of titanic proportions. We have pulled back to the system's edge and recommend similar action - there is no way we can match those kind of numbers. We are outnumbered nearly 20:1. Good luck."

They would need luck to get out of there alive. Personally, Crypt gave them little chance.

Good luck? Good luck? The Olympians were relying on their massive numbers to win the day, and if the opposing forces were both better and larger, then what did they have going for them? Nothing. The fleet was quick to fall back in a rather orderly fashion, largest ships first, followed by the smaller ones. The deployed fleet rejoined the other half of the fleet at the planet, where they were at least somewhat protected by the huge MAC platforms. The asteroid assault team, however, was still inside. It looked hopeless: If they didn't die during the assault, they would be destroyed by the fleet inside the station. If they tried to run, they'd be destroyed upon breaking from the cover of the asteroid field. If they stayed where they were and tried to hide, small craft would deploy in and hunt them down. Or they could just nuke the field until nothing was left. But the teams were still going in, Greedamnit. At least they could hurt the Vuhfillian bastards a little before they were all killed.

Vega Artones System

Unknown to the combatants, several ONI Prowlers had watched their battle unfold with eager eyes. Recording. Analyzing. Sending and recieving. This single battle was a treasure trove of technical data for the Vuhifellian Office of Naval Intelligence, which was currently planning every detail of the war meticulously.

However...this battle did prove something: Vuhifell could be defeated. No matter how advanced Vuhifell's technology was, they were, by the latest ONI estimates, outnumbered by at least 50:1 by Olympian forces.

As fighters from both sides erupted into balls of fire, several Olympian assault craft had managed to make it to an LZ, despite the heavy fire around them. As they could see the Olympians slowly cutting through the plasma steel of the asteroid base, officials in the control tower began scrambling.

"All peronnel, report to airlocks A through T and begin anti-invasion preparations! Olympia is assaulting this base!"

"Commander! I'm scrambling to fleet! Pegasi Delta is secure for naval assault!"

"Roger that! All personnel, keep the Olympians from the docking bays so our ships can leave! Cinderella!"

Yes, commander?

"Upload yourself into the defense system. I want these Olympians dead!"

One after another, the massive vessels began evacuating from the resupply base. Slowly, vessels of the Vuhifellian fleet began emerging from the asteroid field, but with over 200 vessels, most of them small frigates and destroyers, it would take more time than the Admiral was comfortable with in order to be secure and in the black space once again.

Arcadia System

Word of the swift 'victory' over the Olympians spread fast over FTL-Comms channels, and many in this strategic system were debating on further course of action.

"We should re-direct forces to the Orion System!"
"We should be protecting the Arcadian Defense Sector and the orbital shipyards!"
"We should be assisting Admiral Schultz in Vega Artones!"
"Enough!"

The various captains of the two fleets currently in-system immediately shut their mouths when Fleet Admiral Jim Hawking spoke.

"Fleet Admiral Schultz's Assault Fleet, if it has successfully secured Vega Artones, should be assisted for a direct push into Olympian space."

"What of our systems currently under siege by the Olympians?" asked Fleet Admiral Gene Starwind, commander of the Sector 01 Fleet.

"If we can launch a successful invasion and occupation of the Beowulf Twin Systems, Olympia would surely be forced to redirect forces there. We would be driving a wedge right into their economic and communication lanes. Not to mention the obvious benefit of controlling Olympian systems and rendering them unusable to the Olympians in regards to their military."

"Very well. Admiral Hawking, where is your Reserve Fleet heading?"

"To Vega Artones!"

Krrrrrhhhh....
bang...
bang...
bang...
BOOM!
Clang.
"We have successfully entered the airlock."
"Very good. Begin deploying our troops. Leave no Federation solider alive. We take no prisoners."
"Yes Captain."
Olympian Marines (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/heat3000/17thMarineDivision.png?t=1201224114) stormed though the blown-out airlock, armed with SMGs, magnums, repeating tripod turrets and grenades. The troops were followed by specialists, techs who were trained to combat and destroy computer and A.I. enemies and systems. The moment the Marines got though they found cover wherever they could, though their primary goal was advancment, no one wished to be shot in the chest before they could even fire their weapon.

(OOC: Xiscapia, Amazonia, where are you deployed?)

bump-

Jackson decided, with a faint touch of apprehension, that they couldn't hold off attacking the Olympians forever. Transmitting on ALPHA, he ordered the fleet to move to the area of greatest enemy concentration and start an attack. Hundreds of plasma engines ignited, propelling the titanic attack fleet to its destination.

A news-crawl-esque line of text scrolled across the armrest coordinator.

> VAdm Jackson. This is the Pride's polysentience. I figured you might want to know that our ETA is about three minutes.

"Acknowledged, Pride."

Three minutes later...
The Pride drew out of the planetary shadow to face the Olympian fleet. What they found, however, was a cloud of the rather sinister-looking AIW ships.

Knowing the situation instantly, Jackson set the computer to working out firing solutions. He'd never trusted the assimilating bastards, and now was his little bit of vindication.

He spoke a message into the open band.

"Ships of the Alliance of Imitated Worlds, this is Vice Admiral James Jackson, commander of the Kostemetsian Alpha Battle Fleet. You have one last chance to leave this system in peace before we rain Gubraithian fire down upon you."

He threaded the captains of the other two command ships into the loop. Across the battlefleet, changes were instantaneous. Parts of the Christine van Ooijsten rose from their camouflaged positions and extended fifty-foot gunbarrels, while the James Bovill's SI prowlers drew back to form a protective hundred-craft cloud around the fast cruiser.

Switching off his mike, Jackson started speaking to his crew.

"Prepare our heavy kinetic rounds. Lieutenant Solomon, I understand we have ten nuclear missiles on board. Arm them immediately. I'm slaving control of the light point defence kinetics to the Pride polysentience."

Jackson decided, with a faint touch of apprehension, that they couldn't hold off attacking the Olympians forever. Transmitting on ALPHA, he ordered the fleet to move to the area of greatest enemy concentration and start an attack. Hundreds of plasma engines ignited, propelling the titanic attack fleet to its destination.

A news-crawl-esque line of text scrolled across the armrest coordinator.

> VAdm Jackson. This is the Pride's polysentience. I figured you might want to know that our ETA is about three minutes.

"Acknowledged, Pride."

Three minutes later...
The Pride drew out of the planetary shadow to face the Olympian fleet. What they found, however, was a cloud of the rather sinister-looking AIW ships.

Knowing the situation instantly, Jackson set the computer to working out firing solutions. He'd never trusted the assimilating bastards, and now was his little bit of vindication.

He spoke a message into the open band.

"Ships of the Alliance of Imitated Worlds, this is Vice Admiral James Jackson, commander of the Kostemetsian Alpha Battle Fleet. You have one last chance to leave this system in peace before we rain Gubraithian fire down upon you."

He threaded the captains of the other two command ships into the loop. Across the battlefleet, changes were instantaneous. Parts of the Christine van Ooijsten rose from their camouflaged positions and extended fifty-foot gunbarrels, while the James Bovill's SI prowlers drew back to form a protective hundred-craft cloud around the fast cruiser.

Switching off his mike, Jackson started speaking to his crew.

"Prepare our heavy kinetic rounds. Lieutenant Solomon, I understand we have ten nuclear missiles on board. Arm them immediately. I'm slaving control of the light point defence kinetics to the Pride polysentience."

The fleet understood there chances, yes, they would leave for weaker prey.

" We will return, prepare yourselfs....we are will not stop once we have begun." The fleet began to change course, there new destination was Cryoarctica, or as it was refered by many...Birthplace.

"Farbanti, this is Battlefleet Alpha Command. The Alliance fleet has broken off, but has made an explicit threat to return. If you want, I can pursue them along their new trajectory, check where they're going; or I could stay here and guard Dresdene. Which would you rather?"

Vega Artones System

Unknown to the combatants, several ONI Prowlers had watched their battle unfold with eager eyes. Recording. Analyzing. Sending and recieving. This single battle was a treasure trove of technical data for the Vuhifellian Office of Naval Intelligence, which was currently planning every detail of the war meticulously.

However...this battle did prove something: Vuhifell could be defeated. No matter how advanced Vuhifell's technology was, they were, by the latest ONI estimates, outnumbered by at least 50:1 by Olympian forces.

As fighters from both sides erupted into balls of fire, several Olympian assault craft had managed to make it to an LZ, despite the heavy fire around them. As they could see the Olympians slowly cutting through the plasma steel of the asteroid base, officials in the control tower began scrambling.

"All peronnel, report to airlocks A through T and begin anti-invasion preparations! Olympia is assaulting this base!"

"Commander! I'm scrambling to fleet! Pegasi Delta is secure for naval assault!"

"Roger that! All personnel, keep the Olympians from the docking bays so our ships can leave! Cinderella!"

Yes, commander?

"Upload yourself into the defense system. I want these Olympians dead!"

One after another, the massive vessels began evacuating from the resupply base. Slowly, vessels of the Vuhifellian fleet began emerging from the asteroid field, but with over 200 vessels, most of them small frigates and destroyers, it would take more time than the Admiral was comfortable with in order to be secure and in the black space once again.

Arcadia System

Word of the swift 'victory' over the Olympians spread fast over FTL-Comms channels, and many in this strategic system were debating on further course of action.

"We should re-direct forces to the Orion System!"
"We should be protecting the Arcadian Defense Sector and the orbital shipyards!"
"We should be assisting Admiral Schultz in Vega Artones!"
"Enough!"

The various captains of the two fleets currently in-system immediately shut their mouths when Fleet Admiral Jim Hawking spoke.

"Fleet Admiral Schultz's Assault Fleet, if it has successfully secured Vega Artones, should be assisted for a direct push into Olympian space."

"What of our systems currently under siege by the Olympians?" asked Fleet Admiral Gene Starwind, commander of the Sector 01 Fleet.

"If we can launch a successful invasion and occupation of the Beowulf Twin Systems, Olympia would surely be forced to redirect forces there. We would be driving a wedge right into their economic and communication lanes. Not to mention the obvious benefit of controlling Olympian systems and rendering them unusable to the Olympians in regards to their military."

"Very well. Admiral Hawking, where is your Reserve Fleet heading?"

"To Vega Artones!"



Alexi grinned, the ECM mines had done their jobs but it wouldn’t be long before the enemy figured out it was a ruse , he quickly turned to his tactical officer and said with a commanding voice.
“All right, I want you to send a message to friendly forces in the area, tell them to form up with our ships.. I see activity in the asteroid belt it’s friendly so direct it to them to…”
The tactical officer nodded suddenly pushing buttons, the AI appeared on the bridge, it was a holographic simulation of a human, she looked around and smirked.


“Nice one guys… well I’m going to assume I’ll have to turn this ship around and tell the other AI’s to form up in to a wedge?”

Alexi smiled a bit he liked the sassiness of the AI, he crossed his arms over his chest his hair short and cut, his black gloved hands holding on to his fore arms as he sighed with a nod, the Ai turned around her form shimmering a bit as she stood silent. The cruiser began to turn quickly followed by the rest of the fleet , their power signatures massive , the 45 out of the 58 of the Terran ships had formed once again in to an assault wedge.

A message was sent to The Vuhifellian forces in the area.


To friendly ships, please form up with our vessels in to an assault wedge formation, we will drive enemy forces from this system once and for all. It is imperative that we make haste and go in blazing.. but be careful and leave a force behind to assist if we are out flanked


The message echoed towards friendly forces in the system, Alexi sat down on to his leather like chair folding his hands on his lap as his ships moved in to a tight wedge formation , their ominously
Shimmering bodies moved a bit, their black demonic looking forms would strike fear in any one.


Alexi Knew that no one here was stupid, he had ordered 13 of his ships to be left behind, in order to prevent his wedge from being out flanked from behind, he also thought of putting the ship in spherical defense form if they were out flanked that way they would be pushing out ward on both sides, he had sent these tactical recommendations to friendly forces in the area.


Mean while SWAC’s drones and monitoring super ferrets had picked up signals emanating from enemy positions and fleets, it would take a few moments for them to decipher the coding and send it back to Alexi, but it would prove to be valuable...


Alexis plan was not to directly assault the enemies, front, as they were expecting that he was sure, but to arc his fleet in a tactical jump, to assault his flank it might prove adventitious, he knew a direct attack on a fortified enemy was foolish, but to attack them on un defended sides or lightly defended sides would prove more yielding of victory. Alexi did not want to split up his forces as it would leave them weak, but he would recommend in another transmission, that allied forces may form up in a wedge and pincer the enemy fleet as well from the other side he also figured he could use the ort cloud in combat as a defense, both him and hopefully another ally would station ships to fire missiles and other indirect fire weapons from behind debris fields , a packet was sent to all friendly ships on a secure quantum entanglement frequency that modulated constantly.


(OOC the Bolded stuff YOU MUST READ allies! Trust me I spent a while thinking this up Ill be might pissed if I'm going at this alone)

ULYSSES 1994XF04 Asteroid

This was probably the only point of conflict in which Vuhifellians and Olympians were evenly matched: infantry combat.

Of course, Vuhifell had manufactured more advanced assault vehicles and airships...but what use were those in a cramped ONI asteroid base?

Vuhifellian marines had set up machine gun enplacements, forming dual-coverage of each airlock, and fired away as the Olympians dived for cover. Several M78 commandos sat on the second floor of the building, taking pot-shots at any foes foolish enough to pop away from their cover.

The garrison ODST, the only infantry unity of the Federation that had equipment to fight in the vacuum of space, began to outflank their enemies; jumping out of secure airlocks and using their thruster-packs to manuever to enemy held airlocks.

Vega Artones System
Combined Assault Fleet

As Fleet Admiral Hawking arrived in-system with the Reserve Fleet; he recieved the message at the same time as Admiral Schultz, and slowly began to smile.

Admiral Hawking's fleet had near the fourth planet in-system, and faced the far-side of Pegasi Delta, where the Olympian fleet was currently retreating.

Admiral Schultz's fleet was in the asteroid field, and several degrees away from the planet as the Terran fleet. He deduced that the Terrans would be using Pegasi Delta's gravity well to slingshot themselves towards the Olympians...

Perfect.

They would be assaulting from three flanks, then: the Terrans would be coming fast and hard from the periphery of the planet's horizon, Admiral Schultz would assault them from the asteroid field, and Admiral Hawking would come in from behind. Effectively trapping the Olympian fleet and securing Pegasi Delta for ground assault.

"All ships, move out! New tactical information will be broadcasted to your command centers via my neural net."

FLEETCOM
Farbanti Station

"Admiral Jackson? This is Supreme Admiral Clair Ng, your orders are to patrol the space around Dresdene VII until Vuhifellian reinforcements arrive...I cannot, however, devulge when that time will be. May the Gods be with you."

ULYSSES 1994XF04 Asteroid

This was probably the only point of conflict in which Vuhifellians and Olympians were evenly matched: infantry combat.

Of course, Vuhifell had manufactured more advanced assault vehicles and airships...but what use were those in a cramped ONI asteroid base?

Vuhifellian marines had set up machine gun enplacements, forming dual-coverage of each airlock, and fired away as the Olympians dived for cover. Several M78 commandos sat on the second floor of the building, taking pot-shots at any foes foolish enough to pop away from their cover.

The garrison ODST, the only infantry unity of the Federation that had equipment to fight in the vacuum of space, began to outflank their enemies; jumping out of secure airlocks and using their thruster-packs to manuever to enemy held airlocks.
The Olympian attackers began to deploy heavy weapons. Grenades were chucked and tripod turrets were set up behind cover. Snipers popped out from cover to blast away at the M78 commandos, but the majority of the troops were pinned down. As the ODST began their assault, rapid fire weapons were pointed their way, covering the air with lethal bullets. Rocket lauchers would have been a help, but to any but a very small one inside the station would be suicide.

Each Olympian unit formed into squads of five soliders. These either took turns jumping unpredictibly out of cover, or all came up at once for greater effect. They lost soldiers to the fire, of course, but not enough to make them retreat. Not that they could, anyway.

Vega Artones was a dead prospect for the cyborg Sangheili Grand Admiral - time to regroup and fight another day, to wait for planned reinforcements and supply chains from the Shroud to arrive - assuming that command had recieved his request. The Vuhifel system itself was vulnerable, potentially - something that needed building up. Perhaps it was time for Crypt to play a bit more of a back-room dealer role - to support in various ways. After all, his fleet was more than just one of warships for direct combat - it was escort, fighter, counter-spy, shield, worker, birthing ground, and constructing device all in one.

"Tactical retreat, Vuhifel sytem," Crypt ordered to his Nav officer, loping off to his personal quarters. It would be a long few days ahead...some time was likely going to be face-to-face via FTL comms with at least one of the Imperial Council members. Crypt dreaded that more than however many the Terrans could throw at them.

The ships blasted off in hyperspace towards the Vuhifel system, to reincorporate with Olympian command and determine just how out of the loop the Amazonians were. Something was awry...and the Council would want an answer.


* * * * *

"They gassed what?"

Lord Ludo Kressh's dark, aging voice cut through the atmosphere of the Imperial Spire, the massive obelisk that stood over two kilometers out from the surface of Necropolis Station, deep in the heart of the Shroud. The Eagle Nebula glowed soft white through the massive sweeping transparisteel windows of the Council Chambers, the uppermost tier of the Spire. The nebula, comprising the entire region of space known as the Void, was the deepest and centermost portion of the massive gas cloud known as the Shroud - where the Dominion made home. The Imperial Spire as itself was the single most important location in Dominion space - an insanely guarded installation on its own on the sole piece of public terrain in the Void - Necropolis Station.

The station itself was massive, over five hundred kilometers in radius from the center of the station - the exact center being the dead center of the Spire - outwards to the tips of the eight "Wards" that stuck out like arms from the central Habitat Ring of the collosal construct. Situated deep in the heart of the Eagle Nebula and the only celestial body orbiting the blue giant star known as the "Primarch," Necropolis Station was a completely alien construct in comparison to the utilitarian, efficient designs of the Dominion. Necropolis Station was, in a sense, beauty embodied in a spatial synthetic design. The Habitat Ring was an environmental ring, over seventy kilometers in radius, complete with an artificial "sun" and artificial sky. It was something on the scale the Dominion...nor the Federation, or Polusians...would ever have built.

Necropolis Station, as the ancient Polusians had named it for its abandoned, "dead" atmosphere inside when first discovered, was a relic from eons ago, lending credence to the theory of the Shroud's artificial creation as a defensive hub - an artificial nebula that spanned thousands of systems. The Dominion was simply the latest resident within the spatial body - a shot of luck that worked well. The Shroud had yet to be conquered - even invaded a few times, but never taken over by a race not of Shroud origin. A stroke of luck.

But the Sith weren't a lucky civilization, and the society's ruthless descendents had a particularly nasty branch that called the Shroud home - and ruled over the civilization that did likewise. Five ruled over the entire process, four of whom sat within the nebula-lit, expansive chambers of the Imperial Spire, complete with a sweeping view over all eight Wards that shone outwards in a promising glow to the future. The one bright spot of hope and promise in all the Dominion, a civilization seemingly mired in death and cycles of destruction.

"You are too conservative, Ludo," one of the others mentioned from the well-lit Chambers. Sion, one of the younger and aggressive members of the Council - he and Naga Sadow were the youth movement, both under 32, to the experience of Kressh, over 45, and the enigmatic Nihilis...whose age (hell, whose species) was completely unknown to anyone. No one exactly liked fucking around with Nihilis...though not exactly the most moving of the Council, nor the most popular, Nihilis could do things that the others would surely regret. Not only that, but he'd done that multiple times in the past, wielding power on a scale that was mystifying to behold. In practice, Nihilis preferred to save that for his own rebellions - against other foes, he preferred to use conventional tactics. For that reason...and others...Nihilis was generally kept on the home front. He was the least known Council member, so much that some of the population had no idea who he was entirely, or that there even was a fifth member of the Council.

"Where is Marka..." Sadow spoke up from his seat beside Sion. Marka Ragnos was the fifth member of the Council, the "unaligned" member who did not meet either category, exactly. Ragnos was the unofficial leader of the Council, a level-headed, clear-thinking Human who if anything was the most progressive of the five Sith. He held a concept of mercy and tolerance that was near outrageous in the mind of the classical Kressh or the reckless, power-hungry Sion and Sadow. Simultaneously, Ragnos generally was also the most-liked Council member by other civilizations for his civilized persona.

Besides that, Ragnos was the most well-rounded of the group, the essential "Golden Boy" of the Imperial Council. At age 37, Ragnos was vigorous and barely hitting his prime for a Human species that could live quite a long time with the genetic enhancements of the Amazonians - average Human life span was 188 years. The Sith, naturally, had slightly shorter life spans due to the dark energies carried around within their bodies - but they all here had plenty of life ahead of them. The previous Emperor, Droma, had died young - not even one hundred - due to his immense power. If anyone was able to replace the late Emperor, however, it was Ragnos - one man who had potential to become an even stronger and greater leader.

"He'll show up eventually," mused Kressh, sitting up fairly respectively and formally. Kressh was exceptionally old-fashioned, used to the old methods of Sith brutality and ordered thinking, not the reckless abandon and extreme aggression of Sadow and Sion - methods that actually proved successful, as well. Their youth was easily evidenced by their demeanor - Sadow had kicked up his feet over Ragnos's chair and laid back, while Sion was slumped down nearly completely in his chair. Both had been personally selected for talent and skill by Droma for potential successorship, while Kressh had simply been the most experienced and powerful Sith around at the time of Droma's death - their presence here was a sore point for the experienced member of the Council.

"Indeed I will," a dark voice, yet weighted, carried across the room. Ragnos had arrived.

He was easily recognizeable - his dark hair and medium complexion gave him an air of authority, a confident face giving him persuasive abilities that, combined with subtle Sith manipulations, could easily win over his people. Even amongst the other Council members, Ragnos commanded attention - he had a certain personality like that, a wave of calm that spread to all others around him. A successful leader, Ragnos was cool under any pressure and played commander, tactician, strategist, motivator, and fighter with the best of them.

Inside, however, Ragnos was somewhat malevolent, still. Despite the attention he commanded and the positive influence held through other space nations, Ragnos was still a Sith. He still sought power, still sought the will of those around him. Inside, the Sith ruler was still an evil personality - one who sought destruction of others on his quest for higher and higher heights. The Council was a tool, an instrument, that brought Ragnos greater and greater paths of power. His personality and progessiveness only assisted his cause - a mix of elements that gave him the inside track.

"Get your feet off my chair," Ragnos said, half-serious. Despite the outside view, when the Council did meet, they were still somewhat comrades, somewhat rivals. It was a bit of an informal affair, not some high-faluten meeting of aristocrats. The Council Sith were a cross between enemies and friends, not anything close to associates. They had known each other too long through their waiting to replace the former Emperor, and that time had come. They had only been leaders for less than eight months; the job was still new.

Sadow rolled his eyes sarcastically, removing both feet from Ragnos's seat. Sadow was the troublemaker of the group, the stereotype kid with ADD if he had been in a modern setting. It was almost as if he couldn't sit still...and yet somehow still was able to lead battlefleets and people. Somehow. It was a direct draw to the older caste - the people who were, at the least, semi-formal in Kressh's case, or completely enigmatic in Nihilis's. Nihilis was a bit of an invidual less associated by with the rest of the council, not one exactly loved. He didn't share the informal air, the outsider of the class.

"What broke down that caused you to be late?" Sadow asked, fiddling with his left index finger. "Usually you're the first one here."

"I had a message from Crypt I was recieving," Ragnos said. Crypt had an official Sangheili name he used for formal settings - particularly inter-civilization settings - but amongst the Council, he was just "Crypt." It fit so much better.

"What's that stupid cyborg want now? We should've never let him command."

"Don't give us that again," Kressh laughed down at Sadow derisively, "You're better for leading garbage scows than battlefleets. Crypt is the best we have."

"I beg to differ," Nihilis spoke up, his icy voice shutting down the humor and insults slinging across the Chambers, "Grand Admiral Karath is by far the best space commander demonstrated in the Navy. We should remove Crypt of command of the operation and send Karath instead if the cyborg is experiencing difficulty."

Sion, himself not the "normal Human" of Ragnos, Sadow, and Kressh - Sion had been caught in a radiological accident that had left his body cracked externally and internally in thousands of spots, giving him the appearance of a blended grey carrot reformed into a human shape - eyed the alien Sith with a bit of anymosity. Sion had been the leader of the Council movement that Sadow had joined on to since inception, petitioning to expand the Council to seven members - by adding three, one Sith - Athon Onasi, a promising young Human - and two Non-Sith military members, neither of them Humans - the Turian commando leader, Vakarian, and Sangheili commander, 'Vadumee. Obviously, one would have to be removed...and obviously, that one was Nihilis. No one liked him. No one associated with him. And now, suddenly, Sion saw an opportunity like no other. Maybe, if Crypt was struggling, someone less desirable could fix one of two problems that needed fixing.

"If you feel Crypt should be replaced as overall leader," Sion piped up, his chiseled voice scratching like gravel across the Chamber walls, "Karath is not the man to send. He is busy putting down a Sagitan uprising...again. Why not ensure...victory, Nihilis? Why do you not go?"

Sadow nearly lept out of his seat, something Sion hoped the impetuous Human would not do. Sadow was a bit bad at concealing himself - stealth was not an option there. Ragnos, however, covered him up - though not a collaborator on the two-man plan of the two young Sith, Ragnos actually liked the idea of Nihilis quelling the Olympian problem.

"An excellent propostion," Ragnos chimed in from his seat, parked as a pinnacle between the two elder and younger sides. "Lord Nihilis, you would make a better motivator than Crypt to our men, present direct authority without having to confirm with the Council, order reinforcements at will, and engage on your own prerogative without question. As it is your idea, why not build on it?"

Sadow sniggered to himself. As if they would clear reinforcements for Nihilis if he got in a stick. Yeah, right. Reinforcement commands, no matter from who, had to clear the Council...and one from Nihilis would not clear Sion and Sadow, and depending on the situation, potentially not Ragnos.

"Very well," Nihilis said, his death's-head mask covering whatever face lay behind the tribal-looking facial covering - a face no mortal had ever seen. "I will personally relieve Crypt of his command, and assign him to taking the ground forces of the operation. I will utilize my entire personal fleet."

From the center of the Chambers, a small pit lay in the smooth floor, a silvery substance of an element even scientists couldn't determine. Alien, obviously - whoever had built Necropolis Station clearly was more advanced in every way than the Dominion. Dominion technicians had, however, implanted a hologrid system in the middle of the floor in the pit. On Nihilis's words, a large holomap came up of the entire campaign, of what systems were known. Crypt's location was mapped out, in the Vega Artones system - even though Crypt had by now already retreated back to the Vuhifel system. The word hadn't gotten back yet...Crypt hadn't reported in that part.

"I will take my personal fleet to Olympia and convene with the Olympian leadership on a course of action. From there, we will begin supranational movements against the enemy forces however they lay. This should be enough firepower, with both Crypt's personal flagship and my own supplementing the worldship we already have there."

"A subtle, simple plan," Ragnos complemented. He knew what Sion was thinking - and rather than protesting, handed the Sith Lord the initiative. "Take whatever means you deem best - kill any who stand in your way. If that means the Olympians, do as you see fit. They are a pawn, a piece to wield against the Vuhifellians with prejudice."

Standing, Ragnos addressed the Council: "Adjourned. We will meet tomorrow at 1300 after Nihilis has left."

Ragnos, Nihilis, Sion, and Kressh all left back to deal with their own delegated problems...but Sadow had work to do. Important work.

Five minutes after the rest had left, Sadow was alone, staring out at the Eagle Nebula's occassional flashes of electric energy against a white backdrop, lighting up Necropolis Station like no artificial lighting could. The durasteel door behind him hissed open, retracting into the doorway. Metallic feet clicked at the door, strange tapping sounds in accordance with it.

"You wanted to see me, master?"

Sadow smiled, turning around. Before him stood HK-106, a Hunter Killer droid - top synthetic assassins in the Dominion. On either side of the AI assassin stood two Geth Warriors. Several years ago, Jiralhanae would have been the preferred race of choice, but with the advent of the "grown" Geth - a purely controlled species genetically reared, part-synthetic and part-organic - Jiralhanae were slowly falling out of favor. It was clearly only a matter of time before the Council ordered the race's extermination, and the Jiralhanae's two chief rivals - the burly Skrawl and the crafty Sangheili - would be more than eager to inflict punishment. It was destiny.

The Geth, on the other hand, were the hottest new trend in loyal soldiers in the Dominion who could think creatively. Clone soldiers obviously could do the same, but cloning was a process that could take some time. Geth, meanwhile, could be mass-grown and implanted with ease, were impervious to the paralyzing effects of pain, and acted somewhat as a unified force - Geth shared a "partial collective conscience," sharing on experience by other Geth yet not a hive mind. Part individual, part collective - a system that worked.

"I have work for you, HK," Sadow began. The assassin droid was a top of the line AI, creative, crafty, smart, calculating, and utterly unfeeling. Work was done.

"Nihilis is dispatching to the Olympian situation. You know Sion and I have a problem with him - we are trying to get Onasi to replace him on the Council, which can only happen with Nihilis's death. There is a good chance he could be killed out on this campaign, but if not - you are to make it so."

Sadow handed his assassin droid an OSD: "This has everything you will need to download and share with your two companions here. It is critical to the future of the Dominion that Nihilis dies on this campaign. He is a nuiscance in the side of our civilization; a hinderance to progress. He can not be allowed to continue living."

With that, the Sith Lord turned away back to the nebula. The droid said nothing, simply turned and left, the two Geth in tow. That was the same as an affirmation. The game was on.


* * * * *


Nihilis's quarters were spartan, at best. Metal surrounded the expansive room, with a sweeping view of the Primarch star visable and filtering the white nebula light into his room. Spokes stood up from the floor, reaching almost to the high cieling of the room, forming a circle - twelve spokes arranged each a certain distance from another. A perfect circle. The rest of the room had few amenities - a bed, a restroom suite, recycler unit, replicator unit. That was all, besides the circle of spokes.

This day, not long before the fleet was to move, Nihilis sat cross-legged between the spokes. It was only two hours since the Council meeting - and today, there was something new in the room - two new things, nearly crazy for Nihilis. At one side of the room, the first new amenity hung from the wall on a rack - a copy of the death's-head mask Nihilis wore, the black-and-white tribal emblazonment of paint replicated perfectly. It was a shroud of fear and terror, a mask whose original sat upon the face of Nihilis - the unknown face.

The other item on the wall was a bit stranger than that. Hanging from several cables on the wall was a body - a live Human body. Various tubes ran into the unconscious being, held in a comatose state by chemicals transferred from a medicinal unit standing by the wall. The body was the attention of Nihilis today as he sat in a meditative stance in the center of the ring of spokes. Nihilis did not even look up from what seemed a trance, focusing clearly on something beyond the limits of the physical world.

Without warning, the twelve spokes that ringed Nihilis immediately spiked red, energy seemingly coursing down from each towards the centerpoint of the circle - right beneath Nihilis. The energy seemed to envelop him, the enigmatic alien completely absorbed in his thoughts. A red bubble seemed to be enveloping the Sith Lord, expanding outwards from him ever so slowly. With a concentrated effort, Nihilis seemed to almost shrug, a pulse of red light zipping from his head to the unconscious Human. The comatose being shivered, writhing about in a tangle of cables and tubes before stopping as the spokes started cooling down. Nihilis stood up - his ritual was over.

Now it was time to work...the fleet would leave soon.

"Lieutenant Nayere, set standard orbit around Dresdene. We're waiting here for Vuhifellian reinforcements, but there's no set ETA yet. Lieutenant Ikobada, if you can track the Calaverian fleet for any distance through FTL space, please do so."

But they would not be able to follow, through hyperspace, the only real way to tell where they were going was to enter the hyperspace window opening as they left, which they didint...they would return to there birthplace and bring back an invasion force to bring the Federation and Olympians into unity.

bump

"Well, Madame Supreme Admiral? Are you reinforcing their position?"

"Sadly...we do not have the resources at this time to launch a counter-invasion of the Orion System. Admiral Jackson is on his own."

"I can spare some of my ships if need be-"

"No, Admiral. We cannot risk any ships being diverted away from the Home Fleet, and all ONI vessels are too tied up in Olympian space...Good luck, Admiral, and may Tyth himself be with you."

ULYSSES 1994XF04

"Medic!" cried a marine, before being shot in the head by a sniper. The commandos on the upper level were faring light injuries due to their heavy armor, but a soldier out of the fight is just as useless as a dead soldier.

Grenades exploded everywhere as their Olympian counterparts chucked them randomly over their cover, sending several squads of marines to dive for cover of their own.

"Marines-" a sergeant cried out, trying to issue an order, instead being killed by enemy fire.

The machine gun fire intensified, and the marines threw grenades of their own.

Outside, in space, some ODSTs were hit, their helmet visors instantly filled with red as their heads exploded from explosive decompression, but several ODST had nevertheless made it to the opposite ends of the airlocks and began cutting through the metal of the Olympian dropships to they could get access to the hostile airlocks.

OOC: Sorry about the delay, now let the nazi-related hijinks begin

Vuhifell System

The white dagger of the SS Black Standard stabbed into realspace as it exited hyperspace, doubtlessly setting off multiple alarms amongst the Olympians.

I do hope that they don't slag us on sight mused Storm-Captain Petersen as he looked out of the bridge window and looked at the homeworld of the Pact's latest allies. They'd have every right to he added mentally. The SS Black Standard was the most prolific Imperial Star Destroyer that the Pact fielded, and one of the most powerful and deadly due to not only its multiple refits but its extremely experienced crew. ISDs were a realtively uncommon sight ever since the Second Exodus, there being six left of them in a fleet over 600 ships strong. Every single crewman and crewwoman was proud to serve aboard the SS Black Standard, the only ISD still serving with the SS. They would fight hard, and do their duty well.

"Orders sir?" His 2iC stood there patiently, hands behind his back, awaiting orders.
"Open a channel to the Olympians," Petersen ordered firmly. "I have things to tell them that will make them very happy indeed." He strode over to his personal communications console, and when he recieved the nod from the Comms Officer, he spoke.

"Attention Olympians, this is the SS Black Standard of the Pact of Iron. My ship is here to provide area security until the rest of our flotilla arrives, but now I need to meet with the most senior military or party official you can spare. Consider this to be very urgent. ORBAT transmission follows on secure frequency."

ENCRYPTED MESSAGE TO OLYMPIAN COMMAND

ORBAT OF PACT OF IRON FLOTILLA FOLLOWS. WILL ARRIVE WITHIN THE NEXT DAY READY FOR DEPLOYMENT

1 x ISD (ALREADY ARRIVED)
8 x WOLFPACK-CLASS HEAVY CRUISER
14 x STRIKE CRUISERS
30 x NEBULON B-2 FRIGATES
20 x LANCER-CLASS FRIGATES
4 x MEDICAL FRIGATES
5 x HEAVY TRANSPORTS CONTAINING TROOPS
5 x HEAVY TRANSPORTS CONTAINING MATERIALS

ULYSSES 1994XF04

"Medic!" cried a marine, before being shot in the head by a sniper. The commandos on the upper level were faring light injuries due to their heavy armor, but a soldier out of the fight is just as useless as a dead soldier.

Grenades exploded everywhere as their Olympian counterparts chucked them randomly over their cover, sending several squads of marines to dive for cover of their own.

"Marines-" a sergeant cried out, trying to issue an order, instead being killed by enemy fire.

The machine gun fire intensified, and the marines threw grenades of their own.

Outside, in space, some ODSTs were hit, their helmet visors instantly filled with red as their heads exploded from explosive decompression, but several ODST had nevertheless made it to the opposite ends of the airlocks and began cutting through the metal of the Olympian dropships to they could get access to the hostile airlocks.
The Olympians were faring well, much better than their space counterparts who had fought mere minutes before. Only eighteen casualties, although it was noted that fifteen of the casualties were deaths. Inside the drop ships the pilots could hear the ODST's outside. The specalists began to seal off their airlocks so the drop ships could move away and shake themselves of their unwanted passengers.

"Air lock sealing..." The specalist bent over the control panel. "Sealed! Drop shop 394, you are free for take off." "Acknowledged." said the pilot, and the drop ship at the first airlock jerked away from the station, flying close so as not be targeted by defenses and doing combat manuvers to shake the ODST troopers off them.

"Open fire!" The Marines stuck their weapons over the cover and fired blindly, hoping to it someone. One was rewarded by a scream of pain, the other, a bullet to the hand. He fell back, hand torn apart, pistol dropped. The tripods opened in full force on the upper levels, although several of them were destroyed by grenade blasts.

"Attention Olympians, this is the SS Black Standard of the Pact of Iron. My ship is here to provide area security until the rest of our flotilla arrives, but now I need to meet with the most senior military or party official you can spare. Consider this to be very urgent. ORBAT transmission follows on secure frequency."
"Who?"
"The Pact of Iron, General."
"Indeed? An entire Star Destroyer?"
"Yes General. Their message indicates that more ships will be arriving soon."
"What is our status outside the system?"
"Our fleet in the Vega Artones System has taken 1/4 casualties and has fallen back to the colony world. A small assault force is currently in combat in the same system for a Federation resupply docking asteroid. Elsewhere, all is quiet."
"Good...good. I cannot meet them myself, but send...send Party Member Leo."
"Mr. Leo, sir?"
"He is very well-informed about the war, and most of my Commanders and Admirals are on deployment at the moment."
"Yes General. It will be done."
"See to it."
Message back:
Welcome, our new allies from the Pact of Iron! We are delighted to hear of the coming of your fleet. We are sending up a Party Official to meet with you. He will be arriving via shuttle in a short time.
A shuttle, a squat and boxy looking ship, lifted off from the planet a short time later and made course for the SS Black Standard :
SS Black Standard, this is Olympian shuttle carrying Party diplomat Leo Nerkforsi. Request permission to dock.

OOC: I'm gonna have to drop out of this, it's going WAY to fast for me to keep up with at this point. VS, you can RP the Alversian Dreadnoughts if you like

ULYESSES 1994XF04

"Marines, tactical fall-back!" the commandos on the top level looked at the marines in scorn for pulling back...until they saw what they were doing: several marines were planting M12 directional mines in hidden positions, while several ODST were covering them from the rear.

The commandos themselves remained hidden in the stairways to the lower level, ready to come out and flank the charging Olympians if they tried to chase the marines.

Outside, several ODST began cursing through their helmets as they had to let go before the dropships took off, setting them behind and allowing more harm to come to their comrades inside; however, one team of ODST stayed behind on one dropship and planted a small tracking device, barely the size of a grain of rice, before letting go. They rocketed back to the base, and all teams immediately began cutting through the airlock doors. It seemed that the Olympians had sealed the airlocks or jammed their IFF frequencies.

Pegasi Delta

As Admiral Hawkings fleet drew near, he ordered his fleet to spread out. If any Vuhifellian ship was destroyed, their formation would minimize damage from scrapnel.

"All ships, fire at will. Destroy the insurrection in this system and liberate Pegasi Delta!"

Vuhifell System, Bridge of the 'SS Black Standard'

"Sir!" Saluted the Comms Officer, quickly getting Petersen's attention. "The Olympians are sending a Party official to dock with us. They're requesting docking permission."

"Make it so," ordered Petersen. Whilst some from other nations might balk at the prospect of talking military matters with a non-military official, Petersen was from the Pact of Iron, to all intents and purposes the last remaining National Socialist regime in the nation. The Pact stood atop three great pillars - State, Party, Military. Whilst in theory each pillar was supposed to be seperate, in practice each meddled with the other in equal ammounts. The State often overrode Party funding, the Military denied all State law and instead tried its members under Military law, and the Party even had its own military, of which Petersen was a part. Thus the idea of dealing with a Party official seemed very palatable to the Storm-Captain indeed.

"Bring him into the main hangar bay," he snapped as he stood and strode towards the turbolift. As the doors to the lift slid shut, he checked the map and then sent the lift hurtling towards the interchange nearest the main hangar bay. He then thumbed on his communicator,
"Petersen to Security."
"Security here sir," crackled back a voice, presumably the duty officer.
"I want a full platoon of Kriegsmarine to the main hangar at once. We have guests."
"Roger that, they'll be there in less than two minutes. Anything else sir? Are we being boarded or are these actual guests?"
At this Petersen had to chuckle,
"There are actual guests, so no Ubersoldaten at this time." He paused for a second, then added, "but it might be good to have them ready, just in case. Petersen out." He put the communicator back into his pocket and waited out the rest of the journey, humming the soundtrack to a particularly catchy propaganda tune he'd heard the other day.

Eventually Petersen arrived at the hangar, and met the security detail on the way. Their white armour was polished until it shone like a mirror, and each of the armoured figures gripped a blaster carbine. Petersen shuddered as the Kriegsmarine stared at him from behind their blackened eye slots, their helmets enclosing their heads in a perpetual grimace. They might be deadly shock troops, but they still gave him the creeps. He directed them to follow him into the main hangar bay, which was still bustling with activity as maintenance crews were performing checks and servicing various craft, from the smallest scout drone to AT-AT barges.

When the shuttle landed, the first thing the Olympian would see would be Petersen, who would immediately call "Attention!" and would clack his heels together, the Kriegsmarine shortly following. He would then throw up his right arm in the Roman salute, the recognised greetin of fascists everywhere.

"Hail Victory!" He called, the Kriegsmarine and anyone else in earshot echoing the call. With luck, this display would convince the Olympians they were indeed ideological brothers.

"Emerging from hyperspace, commander."

Crypt looked up from his command station as the Providence Rising exited hyperspace, the massive worldship's galaxy shape blasting into realspace mere milliseconds ahead of it.

"Sensors to active!" Crypt ordered, angered. He was still fairly angry about the entire deception regarding the Terrans. "I want to-"

"Commander, a fleet is entering via hyperspace!"

Crypt looked up, eyes flaming: "Who?"

"It's the Ascension."

A pang hit Crypt. He had expected some sort of reinforcements, but not this type. By sending the fleet of the flagship Ascension to Darkness - Lord Nihilis's personal command vessel - the Council obviously had one thought in mind: Crypt wasn't up to the task.

"Hail th-"

"Incoming communication!"

Crypt barely had time to react when a familiar death's head mask appeared on visual.

"Lord Nihilis, what a-"

"Hold your tongue, cyborg," Nihilis responded, his throaty voice echoing across the Providence's comm. "You are relinquished of overall command. I will be taking over directly."

Crypt knew better than to argue. Despite his resentment of Nihilis's proclamation, he wasn't in position to mess about it - Nihilis's fleet was twice his size, and the Sith Lord's command vessel was considerably more powerful than anything under Crypt's command, including the worldship and his own flagship. Despite Providence and Ascension technically being the same ship class, each member of the Council had certain upgrades, refits, and other designs which made a single one of their vessels more than a match for a standard Virulent-class vessel.

"I obey, Lord Nihilis," Crypt said, bowing out of a verbal fight."

"I will be calling for an explanation of your report from the Olympians," Nihilis responded, down to business. "I have two mobile stations and my entire fleet to begin fortification of their defenses. If what your report says is true, than we have a stronger opponent than originally thought."

"Indeed, my Lord."

Nihilis switched off the comm, leaving Crypt to deal with his emotions on his own. The masked Sith Lord began looking at the fleet report, issuing computer orders to both his own fleet and Crypt's. Their combined flotilla was 108 war vessels strong, along with transport, supply, and medical support vessels that had come with Nihilis's fleet in addition to two Mobile Conglomerate Stations - mobile outposts that Nihilis had been thoughtful to carry along. They wfleet and the stations and their defensive ability would help that cause.ere to be for defense of the Vuhifell System - not for offensive ability. Each was a mobile droid-crewed base equipped with droid fighters and an impressive weapons array, along with a minelayer function. If nothing else, Nihilis wanted the Vuhifell System to cost too much for the Vuhifellians to strike directly. His combined forces and the stations would help that cause.

"Attention Olympian command," Nihilis activated a visual comm to the Olympians. "This is Lord Nihilis of the Dominion's Imperial Council aboard the command ship Ascension to Darkness. I believe that it is in the...best interest...of all allied races to sit down and discuss some matters. Your venture into the Vega Artones system was a waiting trap that if not for the instincts of my commander, could have led to the destruction of much more than your incursion force. The Dominion is not here to sacrifice our forces for your cause - merely to help you overcome your inherent enemies. We need to discuss the course of this war and establish preventive action to further penetration by the Vuhifellian alliance."

Nihilis ended his side of the transmission. He was, to a tee, angry - he didn't exactly want to be here, but he believed that he was the best for the job - and Nihilis preferred efficiency and effectiveness to defeat.

The Alliance fleet had now arrive home, Cryoartica's massive fleet hung in space like ornaments. They had arrived for really only one purpose, to gather more forces for a proper invasion of both the Federation and Olympians. Even at that moment, ships were on there way to gather at that position, the fleet would consist of 200 ships.


60 Shredder Frigates

60 Nova class warships

50 Scavenger class

30 Alliance Insurgents


This would include fighters(500 Contact class) and 200(solar bomber class)

ULYESSES 1994XF04

"Marines, tactical fall-back!" the commandos on the top level looked at the marines in scorn for pulling back...until they saw what they were doing: several marines were planting M12 directional mines in hidden positions, while several ODST were covering them from the rear.

The commandos themselves remained hidden in the stairways to the lower level, ready to come out and flank the charging Olympians if they tried to chase the marines.

Outside, several ODST began cursing through their helmets as they had to let go before the dropships took off, setting them behind and allowing more harm to come to their comrades inside; however, one team of ODST stayed behind on one dropship and planted a small tracking device, barely the size of a grain of rice, before letting go. They rocketed back to the base, and all teams immediately began cutting through the airlock doors. It seemed that the Olympians had sealed the airlocks or jammed their IFF frequencies.
The Olympians watched the Marines retreat without moving from cover or firing on the fleeing soldiers. They suspected a trap, and were hesitant to proceed from their safe positions. Just to be careful they fired up more grenades and automatic fire into the building where the snipers had been.
"Attention Olympian command," Nihilis activated a visual comm to the Olympians. "This is Lord Nihilis of the Dominion's Imperial Council aboard the command ship Ascension to Darkness. I believe that it is in the...best interest...of all allied races to sit down and discuss some matters. Your venture into the Vega Artones system was a waiting trap that if not for the instincts of my commander, could have led to the destruction of much more than your incursion force. The Dominion is not here to sacrifice our forces for your cause - merely to help you overcome your inherent enemies. We need to discuss the course of this war and establish preventive action to further penetration by the Vuhifellian alliance."
We have arranged a meeting on our other comrade's vessal, the Pact of Iron's Star Destroyer, the SS Black Standard. If you wish to speak as soon as possible, there would be the best place to be.
SS Black Standard...
The shuttle's doors opened and a dozen Olympian Marines marched out, six to either side of the door. They marched in perfect lock-step, eyes staring forward, before doing an about face and shooting their right hands high into the air. "Hail Victory!" They echoed back to the Kriegsmarine. Finally the diplomat himself proceeded down the stairs. He was a short, pale, sallow man. He didn't so much appear to walk as to scuttle, like a beetle. His round frame and slightly hunched posture complimented this image. He still walked with dignity, however, little blue eyes darting here and there, taking in everything, never focusing on one thing for too long. His hair was short and black and dead looking, like his skin. He wore an equally black suit which fit snugly, ending with polished shoes. He spotted Petersen and threw his right arm into the air. "Hail Victory, Comrade!"

Alexi had received word that the enemy fleet had withdrawn to the enemies capital system, he already formulated a plan in his head, he sat back on the leather like chair his hands resting on his lap folding together, he said as he looked over to the AI that was standing in the middle of the bridge, he was confident in the fleet .

“Send a message to friendly forces, you received my telepathic message via interlink already, tell them the plan, request for the 8th RRF to accompany ten of our ships for this mission.”

The Ai woman smirked, she looked out at every one and stood their silently as the message was sent reading.

Alexi: The plan is simple, we leave 48 Terran federation ships in this system, plus troop transports to mop up and assault the planet we temporarily declare it a protectorate and a federation territory, so it is protected at least politically, so if any attempts are made to invade it it will result in my country declaring war against them, the second thing we need to do is to cut off the Olympian supply lines to the capital, for this I have requested the rapid reaction fleet, to accompany me and my escorts, and your fleet to help assault them. The RRF is a fleet of about 200 warships, heavily armed and equipped with the most advanced tech the federation has. Please send a reply


Alexi sat back, the message to a reinforcements was sent to New Sol, the white house had already received it , president Odessa sat back on his chair reviewing the request, he was shocked but not totally reserved from sending them, he knew this wasn’t going to be easy, the war needed to be won quick and with minimal casualties, he tapped his hand on the holographic console on his ornately decorated oak desk.

He started to speak as the general came back on with his crew cut hair.

“Grant the request for the fleet. Send them there as soon as possible.”

“Yes sir!” replied the general saluting as the screen went off.

Maxwell thought for a moment, there could be a political way to pressure the countries involved against the democratic factions, he started to jot down a speech idly writing it on a holo screen with in his mind, war was much more than shooting and fighting, political maneuvering was also important, the Terran federation had a justified reason for going to war, but its citizens didn’t want it to be dragged out, and an effort for diplomacy must be made at least minimally, he planted his hands on his desk folding them gently tapping a bit..

Max was some what confident that his speech would stir up support at least for a bit in the publics though the war has not been a burden, no losses left the people in good morale, nonetheless he would need to show an effort in diplomacy

Several hours later, he walked out of the oval office, wandering through the blue carpeted ornately decorated hall passing by a picture of former president Miller who had just left office a few months ago. He walked up to a podium, news droids, and reporters ling up in the main hall as he steped forth near the sound amplification device.



“Good evening, to the universe and my fellow Terrans, as you know the The Vuhifellian civil war has been raging for weeks now, with no considerable diplomatic effort made by any party, the UTF is going to change this, foreign parties involved in supporting the oppressive Olympian regime will be faced with stiff penalties, I am invoking economic sanctions and embargos, upon nations supporting the Olympian aggressors in this conflict , for they have been in furtherance of death and destruction, for unknown political reasons… on the other side of things, I am also extending an olive branch to all sides, to come to New Sol and negotiate a truce, or cease fire, and to ultimately find a peaceful solution, these economic embargos will take effect immediately, the 8th rapid reaction force has been authorized to assist our task force currently there, with operations against these threats. I am disturbed however, that no party has even made an effort to talk, the federation government must be the light in this cloud of war and darkness, for the citizens of both nations in this war, we must help negotiate a treaty, but we will not become complacent, you have supported this war citizens of The Terran Federation, in hopes that it will make a better future for the people of that nation, and loss of life may be avoided, I will attempt to falcate that, but the unfortunate truth is, that federation diplomacy may not do much if negations are started soon. We have also sent a request to the The Vuhifellian federation to temporally declare one of their systems federation territory and a protectorate, If any attempt is made to attack that system it will force the Terran Federation to appeal to more aggressive measures and possible declaration of hostilities between parties attacking it and the Terran Federation”…

Maxwell stepped down and out of view, back in his office he was hoping that was enough of an effort for support not to weigh significantly for the war, as well as the senate not to engage a review of the conflict, of course the political climate at home was not the only thing he would have to worry about, foreign relations would be another thing to consider…

Alexi watched the holo tv on the bridge of his ship, his mind and soul stirred with anticipation and reaction to the news , while an awesomely seasoned commander he also knew a thing or two about politics, his blue eyes panned the screen watching president Odessa speak to the universe. It Wouldn't be long until nations responded , how ever he was confident in the might of the Terran Federation to quell any over zealous reactions from fascist evil empires. He thought to him self about this entire plan he had, he was confident about it, thinking it would lead to victory quickly, but he also know to expect the unexpected, he had sent a request over for a map of Olympian systems, from the VF if they had any it would provide valuable strategic data to this plan.

New Bright Hill, Hivezopolis, New Vuhifell
August 7, 2070 K.C.C.
Joint Exolegislative Session

Senate elections were coming up in three months, and the Terran Federation could not have picked a worse time to broadcast their message. The Federal Party had enjoyed a comfortable plurality in the government for years because of its ability to get things done without changing the status quo or causing much controversy...however, the war was causing considerable political damage:

Most conservatives saw the Federalists as too "soft" on the Olympians, despite amassing several fleets to combat them and an immediate rationing program in the Outer Colonies.

Liberals wanted a speedy end to the war, and saw diplomacy as the key. They believed Olympia should have her freedom, if she wanted it so badly...

Unfortunately, the Federal Party was unable to fulfill any of these desires, and unless Director Agaze pulled off an incredible political manuever, her party would definately lose most of its seats in the Senate.


"Outrageous! We cannot negotiate with these Olympians! And for these Terrans to demand Vega Artones!? Such a sacred system!" the man who was shouting was a member of the Foxtechan Party, an ultra-right-wing party that wanted to turn the Federation into a corporatist state.

"You right-wingers have no honor! Can you not spare your warmongering for one moment and think of the repurcussions this will have on our Federation!" cried a member of the chief liberal party, the Republicans.

"It's flat out imperialism! I won't have it!"

Melfina Agaze stepped up to the large podium in the center of the spherical room and pressed a few buttons, instantly popping up a large holo-screen and indicating that debate was over.

"Please, members of Congress. The time for debate is over. First on this sessions' agenda is the willingness of the Federation to turn over Vega Artones to the Terran Federation..."

Almost instantly, numbers began appearing on the holo-screen, as well as small numbers of textual comments.

SENATE: 23-44-2
DELEGATION: 381-410-9
DIRECTAL CONCURRANCE: YEA

The Director personally welcomed the Terrans into the conflict, so that this war may end quickly and with less bloodshed, but even she was skeptical over the Terrans intentions when they demanded the Vega Artones System as well as ONI Archies on Olympian Space...The request to hand over Vega Artones was formally denied.

"Next on our voting agenda, is the allowance of diplomatic negotiations within neutral territory between the Olympian Republic and the Vuhifellian Federation."

She could hear shuffling. Many officials were obviously passionate about this issue.

SENATE: 35-34-0
DELEGATION: 401-399-0
DIRECTAL CONCURRANCE: YEA
CONTEST --> SENATOR A.C. JILAL
SUPREME COUNCIL: 1-11-0
REQUEST DENIED

Congress had passed that measure, however, Senator Jilal al-Cygni had challenged the measure, sending it to the Supreme Council for a vote, where it was soundly defeated. There would be no negotiating with the Olympians...

OOC: Transferring civs here...pullin' my forces out. Confusing post potentially to come!)

"Now...why did you fall back?"

Crypt was on his metallic knees, the Dominion Grand Admiral with no other choice as the Sith Lord stood over him. Whether it was Nihilis's power with words or a more physical power, Crypt didn't know - but he refused to look up.

"We had no other choice, my Lord, to sacrifice all!"

"Each soldier of the Dominion is a sacrifice," the alien Sith hissed back. "Each an item. A unit of war meant to be spent on the battlefield for ultimate victory. The needs of the many outweight the wants of the few!"

Nihilis was turning the atmosphere of the conversation considerably angry, and Crypt had no idea exactly how to win this one back to his side. Maybe if it had been Ragnos, he could have - but not Nihilis. Not in one of his "moods."

"It involved both the individuals and the collective!" Crypt pleaded his case, "sacrificing the fleet would have cost victory!"

"Yet you got your probe away. I would have come to finish what you started, and your name would be recited throughout historical corridors. Now, you are relegated to the archives of the military, stuck in a pursuit that none on the outside will ever know you outside of death."

Yet I am already dead, Crypt thought. His entire Sangheili family had been murdered by the Jiralhanae during their wars. Crypt himself was but an organic husk inside a metallic shell.

"Death serves me well," Crypt replied.

"Than I see to it that it shall be your forge. You are dismissed, Crypt."

The Sangheili cyborg stood before Nihilis. "What is our course of action, my Lord?"

"We are returning, Crypt. To the Shroud, where you will personally tell the Council what happened here. They - we - will see to it in the future that you are assigned tasks more fitting to your ability, I think."

Crypt bowed, saying no more, before leaving. The less time around Nihilis, the better. He could deal with the human Sith, but the enigmatic alien was something bizarre.


* * * * *

The two stations had already departed via hyperspace - Nihilis had sent them back as he had made his mind to force Crypt to answer for his cowardice. Now, the fleet powered hyperengines, the Vuhifell System falling behind as blue and white stars surrounded the Amazonian fleet, encompassing them in a trip through hyperspace back to the Conduit, the Shroud, and finally, the Void.

The two fleets were now ready to start the "Invasion" of the Federation and Olympian systems. The fleet was put into two groups Alpha and Beta Armada


Alpha Alliance Fleet

30 Shredder Frigates

30 Nova Class Warships

25 Scavenger Battleships

15 Alliance Insurgents

250 Contact class fighters

100 Solar Bombers

Beta Alliance Fleet

30 Shredder Frigates

30 Nova Class Warships

25 Scavenger Battleships

15 Alliance Insurgents

250 Contact class fighters

100 Solar Bombers

All what was needed now was the two systems they would choose, a Olympian one and a Federation, and that had been done.

Epsilon Gamma System

Sigma Verona

Olympian command was recognizing the threat produced. Vega Artones had been a collosal defeat; now, things were tighter than ever. As defenses were being amped up in the Vuhifell system itself, fleets were being tightened around other systems while certain ones were being loosened. It was a system of choice and defense, trying to determine which systems could be lightened and which should be reinforced. Out of the six under Olympian control, Olympian command settled on a pattern of reinforcement and lighter defense - reinforcing the more populous systems while serving with lighter defense to the lighter populated systems. With less defense, they could use agility and speed to hold off until reinforcements arrived. It was feast or famine, but it just could serve the later Olympian pursuits.

To the Olympians, the less-populated Sigma Verona and Beowulf Nu systems were prime targets for redeployment. Each had a roughly equal amount of ships in their planetary fleets to the other non-capital systems, but could easily have over half of each system redistributed to other systems for strengthening. In particular, the Chi Sigma system was the prime candidate for strengthening...the Olympians had something special in mind.

Within a day, both the Sigma Verona and Beowulf Nu systems had been cut back by more than half in their fleet numbers, both extras redistributed to the Chi Sigma system. It was a calculated risk, but something that would be worth it - in the end. Victory would come, and it would come hard.

Olympian command was recognizing the threat produced. Vega Artones had been a collosal defeat; now, things were tighter than ever. As defenses were being amped up in the Vuhifell system itself, fleets were being tightened around other systems while certain ones were being loosened. It was a system of choice and defense, trying to determine which systems could be lightened and which should be reinforced. Out of the six under Olympian control, Olympian command settled on a pattern of reinforcement and lighter defense - reinforcing the more populous systems while serving with lighter defense to the lighter populated systems. With less defense, they could use agility and speed to hold off until reinforcements arrived. It was feast or famine, but it just could serve the later Olympian pursuits.

To the Olympians, the less-populated Sigma Verona and Beowulf Nu systems were prime targets for redeployment. Each had a roughly equal amount of ships in their planetary fleets to the other non-capital systems, but could easily have over half of each system redistributed to other systems for strengthening. In particular, the Chi Sigma system was the prime candidate for strengthening...the Olympians had something special in mind.

Within a day, both the Sigma Verona and Beowulf Nu systems had been cut back by more than half in their fleet numbers, both extras redistributed to the Chi Sigma system. It was a calculated risk, but something that would be worth it - in the end. Victory would come, and it would come hard.

Alpha Alliance Fleet had now entered hyperspace towards the Olypmian system registered as " Sigma Verona". They moved as fast as they could, they would engage orbital forces and clear the systems, after this they would deal with the planet itself. Captain Maximus sat aboard the flagship of the Alpha fleet, the Insurgent ship " Apollo". His brain receiveing messages from his brothers stars wide. The fleet buzzed with activity, Blue alert was being practiced as they sped towards the system.

RCS La Estrella Más Eterna (SSC-19422)

Stray notes of Ania Wyszkoni singing Jolene in a charming Polish accent drifted through the darkened ship. Just as the song came to an end, the light strips started flicking on sequentially.

The freighter's self-proclaimed Captain, Andrew Golvert, just out of his teens, strode onto the bridge absent-mindedly watching data scrolling across his sunglasses. The data concerned the orbital trajectories of the Naval fleet above Dresdene VII.

Despite the high sensitivity of that information, Andrew was not a naval officer of any kind. He had no affiliation with the armed or police forces, and had no desire for one. However, what he did have was a great talent for being in places he wasn't supposed to be.

Right now, the place he wasn't supposed to be was the darkside of Clarissa's World. It was formally a Republic colony planet, with a stated population of ten million. That number didn't include the two million naval personnel hidden in underground complexes. Andrew had 'liberated' the data from them.

Sending a crude but clandestine wakeup signal out, Andrew watched through the bridge windows as the bridge and fuselage lighting of three other ships gradually clicked on. This was his little battle group.

Each of the other captains was around his age, and each was carrying ten Individualist (the name the small group had given itself, arising from their opposition to the Calaverians' talent of assimilation) "marines", as well as some amateur and stolen kinetics and explosives.

Andrew himself hadn't been involved in any of this - it had just sort of floated together covertly, so if he was caught inside the Republic he could claim non-knowledge and therefore escape many penalties with the aid of that and his endless charm.

The wireless server embedded in the bridge wall spiderwebbed out the coordinates and order outlines to corresponding servers in the other ships. Immediately, the Individualist ships activated their engines, which belched plasma flame for a second before bashing them into a tight, fast turn around the planet. A wormhole interstice opened for a second, then closed - by that time, the small armed ships were far inside it.

(OOC: This is the start of a coalition of civilians using all methods possible to kill the heck out of the Olympians.)

(post reserved for later)

The Alpha fleet exited hyperspace into the system, the fleet dwarfed the defenders in every aspect, technology, manpower, willpower. They warned all peoples within the star system.

" We are the Imitators lower your shields and prepare for unity within the Alliance, life as you and your comrades know it will be adapted to serve us."

bump=

Part III - Emancipation

Humanity. That is your name. Let it be known that I have given you the gift of life, that you may use it wisely. That you may survive my trials and tribulations to join me in Heaven...

Then why, my Lord, simply not unite us in the same realm? asked Esphes-Lyrr

Because, my dear child. I have given you great power. I love you like all my children. But with that power will come great responsibility, and your race will do horrible things to each other before you ascend to Heaven...but upon your ascension, you will know what I mean when I say 'Faith will bring you Salvation'

Conversation of Angels, Kahz-Rum, Book I, Chapter I, Verse XLI

FLEETCOM - Farbanti Station

Whooping and hollering could be heard throughout the operations center aboard the station. Usually disciplined military officers were hugging each other and jumping up and down, celebrating Vuhifell's first victory in the war.

"Alright, people, that is enough!" shouted a tall woman. She wore a pure red and black uniform with the emblem of Vuhifell on her shoulder: the Old Vuhifellian Continent, emblazoned in solid gold. She was Supreme Admiral Clair Ng.

"This is no doubt a great day! A day for celebration! However, keep your emotions inside, for when we win this war, we will have much celebrating to do!"

Immediately, she recieved Fleet Admirals Hawking and Schultz on an FTL-video comm.

"Admirals," she smiled and nodded
"Admiral," their expressions remained stoic, silently commanding their forces through their neural nets.

"I want to congradulate you both on a job well done...How are the citizens of Pegasi Delta taking it?"

"Well..."

Pegasi Delta
Vega Artones System

At first, the Olympian citizens of this world looked at their liberators fearfully and angrily; that died down, however, as more and more marines went to the Colonial Chapel and began to pray to Vahz.

Pretty soon, their expressions of fear and anger were replaced by cheers and roses as Vuhifellian commanders came down and lowered the Olympian flag from the Colonial Capitol, raising the Vuhifellian one and beginning a speech.

"Citizens of Pegasi Delta!"
"It's Sparta!"
"E-Excuse me?"
"The colony's name is Sparta!" yelled a citizen through the crowd.

"Citizens of Sparta! You have seen our soldiers. How many of them accept Vahz as their Lord and Savior just as you do! You have seen our ships, providing watchful guard over this world! We are benevolent, and you are now free."

Cheering could be heard throughout the crowd, before several citizens in the front row began shouting.

"And what of our world! Are you just going to strip us of this freedom as soon as you move on to your next conquest!"

"I can guarantee, this world will be given full autonomy within the Vuhifellian Federation. We shall not force Kazum upon you. You will be free. Wealthy. A part of the greater whole that was once your homeland!"

Again the crowd cheered, before the commander turned around and whispered into his neural net.

I want world: 44.2.312.99238.880 cleansed; kill everyone not loyal to the Federation.

Understood, sir. ONI vessels will arrive in-system in a few hours to eliminate hostile civilian presence.

Tribute System

This system was obscenely important to Vuhifell. Not only was it their strategic heart: you would see every star in Federation space easily from here, but it was also of great religious importance. That was why a new fleet was formed immediately for the liberation of the system from its Olympian invaders.

Two-hundred-something ships immediately jumped out of slipspace just outside the orbit of Tribute's seventh planet, and immediately saw two large Olympian fleets blockading the Vuhifellian colony worlds in-system.

"Olympian vessels. This is Fleet Admiral Twilight Suzuka of the Vuhifellian Auxilliary Fleet. Surrender at once! You will be forgiven of your treason should you disarm and enter a non-combat orbit around this system's star. Should you fail to comply, you will be immediately destroyed. Your choice."

[OOC: Just a little side story to explain the religions and explain some plot points.]

Arcadia System
VFS All Seeing Eye

The spectrometer readings from their probe were going off the charts, before haze and noise replaced all readings on the holo-screen.

"That's the threshold, sir. Fifteen seconds. I can't keep a signal going longer than that."

"Whatever is on the other side of that tear in space...is...amazing."

"Yeah, sir. It would be a shame to leave it there and have ONI close it before humanly exploring it..."

"Yeah...that's an excellent idea, lieutenant!" Captain Slynn was previously the commander of an ONI exploration vessel, and, as such, didn't know the restrictions of movement of naval warships. Especially not the restrictions placed on a Vuhifellian Heavy Cruiser. He began over-riding his bridge crew's commands and issuing orders to the system himself. He set a course straight for the tear in normal space.

"Sir! I have to object to this! We don't know what dimension that tear will take us to! We could be-"

"Or, it could end up at the greatest scientific discovery of our time, lieutenant! Our probes are nothing compared to this cruiser! The data collected will be unfathomable!"

"Not when we're dead sir! Turn back! Helfa! Turn this ship around!"

I am afraid I cannot do that, Lieutenant Jaggers. Captain Slynn has disabled my over-ride commands to the engine room.

"You're a bloody AI! Do something to not get us killed! Oh- Oh, dear Tyth! Oh, bloody-" her voice was cut off immediately as the cruiser exploded in a burst of white light, signalling it had left normal space, just before the spacial anomaly collapsed.

???
VFS All Seeing Eye

"Ugh, where are we?" lieutenant Jaggers held her head in her hands, grasping her helmet nearby. She was about to shout 'report!', when she looked outside the main view screen, and saw that the cruiser was floating above a large, white city. All her surrounding crew members were, from what it looked like, unconscious.

Welcome to Heaven, please direct your craft to Port zero-seven-zero and wait for decontamination.

"Bwuh?" was all she managed to blurt out, before a large, winged figure appeared above her head with a smile.

"Hello. Can I get you anything for your stay? Are you permanent guests or just visiting? If visiting, please - oh, my." the lieutenant passed out before the angel could finish her sentence.

"This happened with all the other people she was with, too. I hope something isn't wrong with them."

OOC: NC, could I get #s on your fleet?

IC:

Sigma Verona

The fleet around Sigma Verona was the smallest of the Olympian formations in a system - a mere fifty two vessels protecting the system, fifty two ships incapable of matching up to a galactic standard at their own position. They weren't neccessarily the strongest, but they had a plan of action and ways of carrying it out. With lacking firepower and the numbers game that usually played their advantage now suddenly a bit of a drawback, the Olympians had to scramble fast.

The planet was not without its own defenses - orbital Super MAC coilguns hung in orbit of the verdant cerulean world, capable of projecting large shells or lances of metal and matter at extreme velocities through the ultra-powered magnetic coils of each barrel. With seventy Super MAC stations defending the planet, Sigma Verona would stand by for some time before its defensive grid would fall. The fleet would stall what they could in any fashion they could. Additionally, the newer "orbital defense platforms" were dispensed in light fashion around the planet - not in the sort of insane quantities that, with the nuclear minefield, would defend the capital system for some time - but enough that their heavy warheads and large complement of missiles and MAC rounds could do some damage.

The Imitator's message was played aboard every vessel and every station, projected to give the defenders of the world knowledge of what they were up against. A race of assimilation bent on the hellish conquest of the most peaceful planet of Olympian space. Maybe the odds sucked, but only fools trusted their lives with the odds. With hope and faith, the Olympians always had a shot - a shot that the Vuhifellians, the Imitators, or even the false Gods of the Vuhifellians could never destroy.

The Olympian fleet spread out, leaving plenty of space between each ship or group of ships as the formation advanced, full impulse, on the Imitators. A plan was already in mind. Maximum range was already closing in on contact for their pulse beam weaponry - the lances of ions and particles that could blast away a ship's hull, the sole long-range gun of the Olympian Navy. While MACs were far more effective at short range, they needed just that - short range, or at least medium range. Nuclear fusion missiles were medium-range weapons, at all, to give them any hope of effectiveness.

The Olympian fleet was nothing special, primarily a picket flotilla: 3 Olympian dreadnoughts, 6 battleships, 2 carriers, 18 cruisers, and 23 frigates. It would have to hold - the carriers, biggest ships of the Olympian fleet, would certainly help with their complements of 216 fighters. While fighters were weak vessels, in swarms they could penetrate PD fields and strike with nuclear warheads. Frigates were the light wolves of the fleet - while extremely vulnerable to enemy fire and not even equipped with kinetic barriers, they at least had enough firepower in groups that, combined with their speed and manueverability, could capitalize to make damage. Cruisers were the grunts of the fleet, often little more than cannon fodder - though they too in numbers could inflict damage. Battleships and dreadnoughts would be the winners today if they could pull of the upset.

Immediately as range was closed quickly - engines burning hot red at full - the three dreadnoughts fired off their distance weaponry. Three violet lances ripped forth from the vessels, laying down cover fire as the rest of the fleet closed. Fighters poured out of the carriers, staying back as the swarms of support craft blasted out from the cavernous hanger bays of the carriers. Meanwhile, the frigates and cruisers at the front were closing, immediately breaking formation and splitting hard to evade immediate danger of enemy fire. The smaller conventional 2000lb blast warhead missiles - products of a bygone era but when in swarms easily capable of overwhelming shields - blasted out from rapid-fire missile boxes aboard the frigates, hundreds of the small peppering missiles buzzing angrily out from launchers. The fight was on.


Tribute System

Damn Heathens. Subadmiral Vena Tesaks was the commanding officer of the Tribute Offensive, directing from aboard the dreadnought Faith and Futility. Vega Artones had already been reported to his command vessel - Tribute was the next logical choice. Unlike the officers of Vega Artones, however, Tesaks was considerably more...loyal to his homeworld and faith. He wouldn't go retreating off back to the Helios blockade fleet if things went badly. No, Tesaks was convinced and driven to use all avaliable methods possible - and he had some very zealous officers and noncoms in his 420-vessel fleet. Not the largest fleet fielded by the Olympians by far - Orion and Helios were the "big prizes," command had claimed, dispatching nearly 1800 of the fleet's ships to secure those two systems. Besides, they had sent Grand Admirals to lock down those, as well - not subadmirals.

But Tesaks was innovative, creative, and bloodthirsty. His life was simply a pawn - and he knew it, better yet, embraced it. His life for the faith. His life for a way of life that drove his people towards a glorious triumph over these heathen dogs that dared step foot on what was rightfully Olympian! Bastards! Better they drown for years in the fires of hell than be given one single step onto the grass of the divine followers, those who stood shoulder to shoulder under the summit of Olympus!

"Burn in the torment of hell's lowest depths, demon," Tesaks responded over communications to the message by the leading Vuhifellian vessel. "Your soul for my salvation."

With that, Tesaks began dishing out commands. His fleet was parked around the planet in a 300 degree arc. Rather than immediately break and charge the Vuhifellians, which would probaly get them slaughtered, Tesaks was going to use the planet as a slingshot to increase velocity. After that, he had some other innovative ways to keep them safe and secure from the first few volleys, at least.

"Head around the planet to mark 325, full impulse," ordered Tesaks on all bands to the fleet. "Vahz is with us today, followers of the faith!"

The fleet's vessels quickly accelerated, veering around the planet's orbit to increase speed. The gravity well of the planetary body shot the ships forward, increasing what velocity the fleet could get. It wasn't an incredible amount - the Vuhifellian fleet was at the outer limits of the system, away from the star, after all - but anything could help. The entire fleet clearing the planet took a little bit of time, but the entire formation quickly accelerated towards the enemy fleet, carriers staying back some distance while frigates led the charge. The carriers would launch fighters when they reached a neccessary distance.

At maximum velocity, the fleet would reduce the amount of time neccessary to close with the enemy formation. Additionally, however, the Olympians went one step further - a tactic that Tesaks had recently thought up. Rather than simply go in head-first, potentially throwing away dozens of vessels, Tesaks was prepared for a defensive measure as well. Each Olympian vessel had 50mm defensive guns - with both contact shells and explosive shells. Loading in contact weaponry was the key here - and so was Newton's laws. At the order, it would be dispatched.

"Fire flak field," Tesaks ordered, as soon as confirmation had come that the fleet was moving at maximum impulse.

The formation Tesaks had picked was one that left gaps for every vessel in the formation in a massive 3D spread - for good reason. The "flak field" was in reality, the 50mm defensive guns. At maximum impulse and headed directly on a straight-line course for the enemy formation, there was no way the enemy would be able to pick up the little shells from the PD guns. As the word went out, the PD guns were slowed in their magnetic velocities to a crawl - a fire rate that would be insufficient against normal fighters and support craft, but physics was the key here, not strategy. Coming out of the cannon barrels at velocities barely faster than the impulse velocities of the ships themselves, the metal slugs formed an effective chaff field in front of each vessel. The straight-line course was designed just for this - if somehow the enemy was able to pick up the slugs (very doubtful, unless they were actively pinging like crazy for something small, rather than standard-size ships), they would at least have to change position to get a shot that would be able to strike the vessels at first chance, rather than first having to sift through the slugs of the PD guns. Tesaks's tactic was one of simple defense - if one of the enemy MAC rounds hit the PD shells, the following inelastic collision would blow the contact-exploding shells of the Olympians, diverting the enemy shell off course. Likewise, a contact enemy missile would blow up in the chaff field. It was a simple, one-use strategy, but it had a chance.

Tribute System

"Very well. May Tyth have mercy on your souls." she broadcasted on all open channels, before turning to her bridge crew. She was aboard the VFS Federation, fully decked out in silksteel armor. No known Olympian weapon could penetrate her vessel, she hoped it would stay that way.

If it weren't so hard to produce, every ship in the Navy would be equipped with silksteel, but as it so happened, silksteel cost two-hundred times as much to produce as plasma steel. Only command carriers and base-ships were fitted with the ultra-dense material.

"All ships, this is Fleet Admiral Suzuka. I want you all to form a wedge formation on the y-differential 2.18. Bearing three-two-zero on X axis and bearing one-one-zero on Z axis. Begin long range artillery bombardment as soon as your ships are in range."

Vuhifellian cruisers were the main bulk of this force, and that was both a blessing and a curse. While a Vuhifellian Heavy Cruiser could easily take on an Olympian dreadnought, it was the frigates and destroyers that usually held the key to battle. Now the enemy would be forced to take out her heaviest ships instead of focusing on the smaller frigates, which, left on their own, could deal a considerable amount of damage as well.

"I don't want any ships breaking formation...actually...Frigate Group Charlie!"

"Aye, ma'am!" she heard over the radio.

"Take your ships and proceed on the same Y and X axes. Change Z heading to two-three-zero."

"Aye, ma'am." She watched from her viewscreen as fifteen frigates broke formation and began heading towards this system's largest gas giant. With any luck, her frigates would be able to slingshot their way around the massive planet and outflank the Olympian fleet. While she knew there was a high chance of all those ships being destroyed, even a tiny pincer manuever could potentially send the Olympians crying back to Vuhifell.

The main Vuhifellian force would accelerate towards their enemy, fire all they had, and then fall back to the asteroid field to regroup and repeat, ad infinitum, until the enemy fleet lay as a giant scrapyard.

"All ships, fire on my mark..." They passed the fifth planet of the system, and the Federation began emptying herself of her several thousand fighters. As they passed the asteroid belt, they entered the effective range of most energy-based weaponry.

"All ships, fire at will!" of course, the frigates and destroyers were still out-of-range; but the light cruisers began firing their quantum shards and tachyon bolts; while the heavy cruisers began firing their fusion lasers and null-space weaponry. The heavy cruiser Halcyon Dragon, held back from the fight, charging up an experimental weapon within her decks: a massive gravition gun that would nullify the gravitonic links in an Olympian vessel, essentially ripping its hull apart.

???

"So...let me get this straight...you...are God?"

"Technically speaking, yes." the large man looked down at her, rather puzzled by their appearance in this realm.

"What do you mean, 'technically speaking'?"

"Well...I am Nesser. God of the Vuhifellian Tribe of Nwelstraven. I have no authority over anyone else. I've tried to branch out my influence...but other races seem to have difficulty accepting my particular philosophy..."

"I don't believe this...how did I end up here?"

"That's what I like to know...Fate has her ways of altering the universe, and right now, even here in Heaven, there is a terrible fight between the Great Gods of Kazum and Vahz! Oh, how I wish to know how this rift between them started?"

"Vahz, eh? I don't freaking believe this..."

Good, they were proceeding as planned. Tesaks wanted to close with the enemy fleet - and though the Olympian ships were obviously the weaker combatant, they were fast. Even the carriers could outstrip the heaviest of the Vuhifellian vessels, besides being flanked by numerous fighter squadrons. Though they couldn't match the Vuhifellian ships in distance combat, clearly - only the dreadnoughts could snipe with their pulse beam cannons - once they could close, the Olympians would empty out with missiles by the tens of thousands. Covnentional missiles were nuiscances on their own, deadly on swarms - but the nuclear fusion rockets of the Olympians - the assault fighters could each carry two, and capital ships could carry anywhere from several to loads - were deadly forces, each equipped with an 80 megaton warhead capable of blasting nuclear energy into any ship unable to stop the missile in time.

And of course, by accelerating in close to the Vuhifellians...Tesaks had something special in mind for the flagships of the fleet. Though the numbers game didn't favor him - he had around 2.1:1 odds in his favor, not the 5:1 preferred by Olympian commanders (at least the Orion fleet would have had that here - why couldn't he have gotten that quantity?) Tesaks was a quick thinker. This time, he could afford losses before closing.

The improvised chaff field worked remarkably well - he would have to note that if the Olympian fleet managed to come away victorious. In any case, they were going to take a bunch of the heathens down with them today. The carriers held position just behind the dreadnoughts of the fleet, empyting out the nimble, lightning-quick interceptors and heavier, stronger assault fighters. Numbers, once again, was key to the fighter battle. Of course, Tesaks would be more than happy to let the enemy fighters get in close to the PD weaponry of his capital ships - streams of tritanium shells would shred them to pieces in the sheer quantity they'd be coming, especially this early in the battle. Literal swarms of the Olympian smaller craft formed up, buzzing as thick as molasses as they flowed towards the front of the fleet and around capital ships.

The chaff field didn't hold forever, unfortunately. The first shots were completely stymied - energy weapons, point-to-point weaponry, smacked right into the fields of shells, blasting apart the IMs Tesaks had cleverly deployed. Taking advantage of the brief few seconds before the next volley, Tesaks ordered his dreadnoughts - the only ships currently capable of responding - to open fire. Violet lances shot out from the dreadnoughts, the long range pulse weaponry firing beams of condensed ions in low-frequency, high-energy bands. Many times the military had squabbled over whether to color energy weapons - certainly, excited ions could simply be left invisable. Not a hard process. However, every time it was concluded that color was better for visual targeting - something Tesaks never understand. After all, it wasn't as if he could see MAC rounds.

The second volley from the Vuhifellians came in as the Olympian fleet pushed on at maximum impulse, quickly closing the gap between the two fleets and giving the Olympians the distance they wanted. As long as the Vuhufellians were facing forward, they were able to use their strongest guns - but that also meant they were not moving away, as well. A double-edged sword, but Tesaks preferred it like this. An immortal clash of the titans to resolve this struggle and prove that Olympus truly was king.

The second volley, clear of obstructions, took its toll throughout the fleet. The frigates and cruisers were leading the charge, and it definately showed. Barriers, while they could hold up against a MAC round, were definately not able to withstand an energy beam's power output. Granted, the energy weapons wouldn't be able to shred through a dreadnought or battleship at this range - the range somewhat dissipated the energy weapon's potentcy at such a range due to space shit floating around, spatial energy levels, solar emissions, and whatever else the cosmos decided to send out. Up close, they defiantely could tear a battleship in two. However, cruisers and frigates were grunt ships, not high-caliber - and that was definately a fact known by the Vuhifellians that Tesaks intended to capitalize on.

The first line of frigates was slammed hard, fourteen vessels with holes blasted through them by one or more energy weapons. By keeping his vessels spread, Tesaks had done well against the first attack - but not so well against the second one. This way, there was more targets and easier to spot - in the end, with more getting hit. Another round of dreadnought fire slipped past the Olympian frigates as Vuhifellian fire shredded seven more frigates and hit the second line of cruisers and battleships - taking down six cruisers and knocking down the barriers of three battleships. The battle was already not looking hot.

But, with every passing millisecond, more distance was closed. That was what mattered.

The Admiral almost laughed at the sight in front of her: the Auxilliary Fleet had taken no losses yet and were beginning to inflict heavy damage upon their enemy. Yet her euphoria was cut short when several Olympian dreadnoghts fired upon her fleet. Granted, their weapons were out-dated by Vuhifellian standards, but...

"Ma'am! Seven heavy cruisers were fired upon! Six are intact!"

"And what of the seventh! Which vessel is it and wh-"

She didn't need confirmation, she saw from her viewscreen that the Olympians had taken their first casualty: the light cruiser, VFS Tharsis. She knew it was the Tharsis, because, as the ship exploded, the nameplate of the vessel flew violently passed the view-screen.

"All ships! Fire all weaponry! Send them straight to hell and avenge your fellow sailors!"

Almost immediately a solid wall of energy and projectiles emerged from the Vuhifellian fleet. Destroyers and frigates were reduced to using their mini-MACs and anti-ship torpedos and missiles; while the larger vessels fired their super-MACs, energy weapons, ion and plasma weapons, and nuclear missiles.

"Frigate group Charlie! What is your position!?"

"Round out gravity well of system's fourth planet soon, ma'am. We should be able to assault in five minutes!"

"I want it done in four!"

"Ma'am! Another dreadnought volley! The cruisers Cole and Berlitz have been destroyed!"

[QUOTE=Amazonian Beasts;13433972]OOC: NC, could I get #s on your fleet?

IC:

Sigma Verona

The fleet around Sigma Verona was the smallest of the Olympian formations in a system - a mere fifty two vessels protecting the system, fifty two ships incapable of matching up to a galactic standard at their own position. They weren't neccessarily the strongest, but they had a plan of action and ways of carrying it out. With lacking firepower and the numbers game that usually played their advantage now suddenly a bit of a drawback, the Olympians had to scramble fast.

The planet was not without its own defenses - orbital Super MAC coilguns hung in orbit of the verdant cerulean world, capable of projecting large shells or lances of metal and matter at extreme velocities through the ultra-powered magnetic coils of each barrel. With seventy Super MAC stations defending the planet, Sigma Verona would stand by for some time before its defensive grid would fall. The fleet would stall what they could in any fashion they could. Additionally, the newer "orbital defense platforms" were dispensed in light fashion around the planet - not in the sort of insane quantities that, with the nuclear minefield, would defend the capital system for some time - but enough that their heavy warheads and large complement of missiles and MAC rounds could do some damage.

The Imitator's message was played aboard every vessel and every station, projected to give the defenders of the world knowledge of what they were up against. A race of assimilation bent on the hellish conquest of the most peaceful planet of Olympian space. Maybe the odds sucked, but only fools trusted their lives with the odds. With hope and faith, the Olympians always had a shot - a shot that the Vuhifellians, the Imitators, or even the false Gods of the Vuhifellians could never destroy.

The Olympian fleet spread out, leaving plenty of space between each ship or group of ships as the formation advanced, full impulse, on the Imitators. A plan was already in mind. Maximum range was already closing in on contact for their pulse beam weaponry - the lances of ions and particles that could blast away a ship's hull, the sole long-range gun of the Olympian Navy. While MACs were far more effective at short range, they needed just that - short range, or at least medium range. Nuclear fusion missiles were medium-range weapons, at all, to give them any hope of effectiveness.

The Olympian fleet was nothing special, primarily a picket flotilla: 3 Olympian dreadnoughts, 6 battleships, 2 carriers, 18 cruisers, and 23 frigates. It would have to hold - the carriers, biggest ships of the Olympian fleet, would certainly help with their complements of 216 fighters. While fighters were weak vessels, in swarms they could penetrate PD fields and strike with nuclear warheads. Frigates were the light wolves of the fleet - while extremely vulnerable to enemy fire and not even equipped with kinetic barriers, they at least had enough firepower in groups that, combined with their speed and manueverability, could capitalize to make damage. Cruisers were the grunts of the fleet, often little more than cannon fodder - though they too in numbers could inflict damage. Battleships and dreadnoughts would be the winners today if they could pull of the upset.

Immediately as range was closed quickly - engines burning hot red at full - the three dreadnoughts fired off their distance weaponry. Three violet lances ripped forth from the vessels, laying down cover fire as the rest of the fleet closed. Fighters poured out of the carriers, staying back as the swarms of support craft blasted out from the cavernous hanger bays of the carriers. Meanwhile, the frigates and cruisers at the front were closing, immediately breaking formation and splitting hard to evade immediate danger of enemy fire. The smaller conventional 2000lb blast warhead missiles - products of a bygone era but when in swarms easily capable of overwhelming shields - blasted out from rapid-fire missile boxes aboard the frigates, hundreds of the small peppering missiles buzzing angrily out from launchers. The fight was on.


QUOTE]


OCC:

30 Shredder Frigates

30 Nova Class Warships

25 Scavenger Battleships

15 Alliance Insurgents

250 Contact class fighters

100 Solar Bombers

IC: The incoming fire from the dreadnaughts destroyed a shredder frigate, the ship splitting in two then into flame. Another shredder lost engines and focused its AA ray guns on incoming missles. The Shredders focused all there AA Plasma-rays with deadly accuracy on the incoming missles, space was filled with blue beams. The Nova and Scavengers were the main fighters of the fleet, as they focused there large plasma-rays on the dreadnuaghts, firing a spread of thirty plasma torpedoes, and twenty plasma-charged nukes. The battle had went from a proposal of surrender to a firefight. The Insurgents, being purely made to fight, engaged the carriers and cruisers, they spit out hot plasma from there cannons, and fired plasma-charged nukes and plasma torpedoes, there front large plasma-ray disks hissed out towards the enemy. Solar bombers hummed as they sped towards the frigates, while the Contact fighters smashed there way to the enemy fighters,toe to toe, firing plasma-sidewinders as they locked onto the approaching enemy bandits streeking from there disks was red hot plasma-rays. Captain Zerkon, a Swarmite, buzzed in his Insurgent ship " Cold Blood", his mind attached to the Alliance fleet, his bug eyes watched as the battle unfolded into what looked like a fireworks show non other had seen. Zerkon was a relativily new captain, he had only been involved in assimilating the planets Celestis and Balder, but he remained steadfast, as the Alliance showed no emotion, unless it needed to.

Sigma Verona

The fighter formation broke entirely, splitting and flowing around the enemy and depositing several thousand rapid-fire conventional rockets from the swarm. Enemy plasma missiles zipped in, some being lured off by sensor-projecting flares while others smacked into CM chaff fields dropped by jinking interceptors. The assault fighters, grinding on, got nailed by a wave of missiles, the enemy projections smacking and taking apart the frontal force of assault fighters. The interceptors were less damaged, but took decent casulties themselves. With the rockets, the interceptors homed in on enemy bombers and the hostile fighters, microcoil guns shooting forward magnetically-accelerated explosive shells at rates greater than 1200 rpm.

The assault fighters, meanwhile, were closing with the enemy capital ships. Each carried two 80MT nuclear warheads, supplemented in their shaped charge by an initial stage of excited ions. The entire assault fighter force - now down to sixty craft from the initial attack by the enemy fighters - dispensed their nukes, the 120 warheads hitting their first-stage engines and blasting away hot, juking and jinking right off the bat. It would avoid some of the enemy fire. The assault fighters now redirected energy from engines to their barriers - they would need to be able to take some fire from the enemy interceptors while they made a second run. With each equipped with over thirty of the conventional rockets, they zipped in on the capital ships, dodging every which way and filling space with the smaller warheads to pepper and disintegrate enemy shields.

CM flares, chaff, and PD microrockets zipped around from the Olympian fleet, snaking around to try intercept the plasma torpedoes. It was somewhat successful, but some did manage to punch through towards the dreadnoughts and cruisers. The dreadnought barriers took the torpedoes while dropping in kind, leaving armor systems below to take later attacks. Frigates were too fast for the slower torps, winding around and grouping in packs to make runs at the Imitators. Cruisers, however, were definately open to such an attack, and it showed. Three vessels were split apart by penetrating torps - lucky the enemy hadn't launched too many - while two others were bounced by glancing blows due to last-second evasive manuevers.

MAC fire from the cruisers and battleships responded, while the dreadnoughts focused on the Novas and Scavengers. The three carriers were also well-armed, firing their Super MACs directly at the Insurgents - but there was another thing coming for them. The frigate packs formed up, spinning around the opposite edge of the enemy formation while popping off their MAC rounds. They were lighter and their weapons wouldn't do as much punch - and in the desperate defense of Sigma Verona, they would do what they could.

Fifteen frigates of the twenty three picked an Insurgent each while they busied themselves with the dreadnoughts and carriers, the other eight frigates pairing up with one of the frigates. The paired frigates would be a distraction - simply gunning in and breaking at the last moment, fusion warheads blasting out by the dozens. The fifteen designated frigats, full of zealous might, however, would be going straight in - no stopping, guns blazing.

The manuever was executed instantly as cruisers and larger vessels, along with the missile barrage by the assault fighters, occupied local attention. The smaller, fast frigates shot around, then powered to full impulse, hot engines blasting the light-mass ships quickly towards their targets. Evasive manuevers began, the frigates propelling in eratic moves to draw away fire as the other eight began their own assault, directing all weapons they could in a cataclysmic storm of metal. The fifteen designated sped in towards the Insurgents - there was no going back now. They weren't going to do anything rash, but panic was a great strategy - and hopefully these Imitators would feel panic. The frigates had their greatest arcs forward, preparing weapon after weapon and hopefully able to knock out enough systems of the enemy to give planetary orbital defenses enough of an edge to protect those planetside.


Tribute

Tesaks had reformed his lines in the little amount of time he had, veering in the ships now to give a smaller profile in a bunched line format. Dreadnoughts stuck to the exterior, their pulse beam weaponry still firing at each recharge of the power cells, violet lances the only current fire coming from the charging Olympian fleet, now down 20 ships to a total of four hundred. The for hundred ships still had a thick line, but nonetheless it was exposed for considerably less fire. The first line of ships was of cruisers, the vessels designed to clear paths for heavier weapons. They were sacrifice this time as the entire fleet pushed on, the carriers now dumping out further loads of fighters.

The next wave of enemy fire punished the frontal wave of cruisers, twelve strong. It was only sixty percent of the fatalities of the first wave in ship number - and for his strategy, Tesaks would need frigates more than cruisers, anyway - but twelve ships was still twelve ships. Fire slammed forth into the blasting hulks as the fleet moved around the dead cruisers at full impulse.

"Firing range achieved, commander!"

"Fire at will, all batteries, all ships," ordered Tesaks.

As CM fire blasted out, projecting microrockets towards a nuclear missile wave that took down a further three frigates, two cruisers, and dropping a battleship's barriers, wave rockets - Tesaks's ordered 5000lb conventional warheads - streamed out of box launchers from the fleet, a tsunami of rockets homing in on the enemy fleet. Several exploded from enemy fire right off the bat, the others quickly moving in while executing pre-programmed basic evasive manuevers patterned into their computer cores.

The Olympian fleet closed the distance further, another half dozen cruisers taking the fire as the dreadnoughts kept up pulse energy shots - five of six cruisers down for the count. The 377 ships of the fleet, however, had reached nominal range for their Super MACs, MACs, and fusion torpedoes. A full forty-three vessels had given their lives for the fleet to get in to where return fire could be given - but now was where the Olympians could shine, in close-combat, where Tesaks's innovative mind would launch its strikes.

"Target the smaller vessels only," Tesaks ordered, "Larger vessels defensively align before the frigates. Full spread."

100MT fusion warheads zipped out from missile boxes, covered against sensor probing from the enemy by a fresh spread of thousands of conventional rockets. Super MAC fire from the dreadnoughts homed in on the smaller vessels in the destroyers, cruisers, and frigates, the energy projectors continuing their fire as well. The fleet aimed MAC fire at the lighter capital ships, executing Tesaks's plan without a flaw on their behalf. Barriers around the capital ships were ordered to defend in all directions, giving 360 3D protection from initial shots.

Only the fighters executed a different plan, just as Tesaks had figured out. They, rather, went straight at the dreadnoughts, spinning and evading, unpredicatable as a swarm of hornets. They weren't in range yet, but were quickly closing.

So far, their only casualties had been three light cruisers. So far at least. As she watched the destruction in front of her, and as the distance between the two fleets closed, she began issuing more commands than her neural net would allow, prompting an AI to take command of the vessel while she coordinated movements.

"Ma'am! Enemy has begun firing their main weaponry!"

"All heavy cruisers, focus firepower on their capital ships!"
"Aye, ma'am!"
"Light cruisers and smaller vessels, destroy their escort ships! Pave a path for Frigate Group Charlie!"
"Aye!"
"Frigate Group Charlie, what is your position?"
"Ma'am, we're fifteen seconds away from minimum combat range."
"Roger. I'll contact you in twenty. Chief of the Boat!"
"Aye, ma'am!"
"Shield out heavy cruisers once they fire, we're gonna' broadside the bastards!"

The heavy cruisers lurched as each one spit out four MAC rounds; the shared magnets reduced their damage, of course, but a heavy cruiser's length, more than five kilometers, made up for that.

The heavy cruisers, having fired their primary weaponry, began to recharge their weapons, at this point, they formed a cluster, while the Federation manuevered in between them and the Olympian vessels and turned on a sixty degree axis. If the Olympians wanted to take down a Vuhifellian Heavy Cruiser, they would have to go through several meters of silksteel to do it.

"Frigate Group Charlier, fire at will upon any escort vessels you can see!"

The group of fifteen frigates had circled around the main Olympian force, and were now deploying every weapon they had against their Olympian counterparts.

Vuhifellian missiles met Olympian ones in the air and exploded magnificently. Vuhifellian point-defense systems came online, and began spraying the space around them with fusion lasers and machine guns.

Then...

A bright flash of light, and what used to be the destroyers Minnow and Blazer, were now huge clouds of molten steel and radioactive dust.

"Shield your MACs from the bombs! Open fire once you're ready!"

Vuhifellian destroyers and frigates began accelerating towards the enemy, hoping to disorientate them enough to be destroyed by the larger capital ships, firing their MACs at the same time. The Federation accelerated out of the way as the Heavy Cruisers fired another salvo towards the Olympian dreadnoughts. Out of the corner of her eye, Admiral Suzuka could see a Vuhifellian light cruiser being fired upon by several Olympian capital ships...and was destroyed soon afterwards. Four light cruisers and two destroyers. It wouldn't be so bad if the Federation had more ships; but every ship lost was another ship lost for the entire Navy. Her ships could not be replaced easily, and FLEETCOM was reluctant to pull ships from the Home Fleet to reinforce assault fleets such as hers.

As soon as the Federation turned to broadside the fleet, Tesaks knew the enemy was biting. It was just as he had wanted it to progress.

"Frigates!" Tesaks shouted over comms, battle noise nearly drowning him out. "Engage their command ships! Attack Pattern Omega 9!"

As a cruiser split open like an egg near the fleet from the Federation's MAC broadside, six frigates from behind Faith and Futility quickly accelerated ahead of the Olympian command dreadnought. Gassing up to full impulse, the frigates were not only faster than their Vuhifellian counterparts, but easily could outstrip the lumbering heavy cruisers of the Vuhifellians. That was the key Tesaks was banking on, along with the manueverability of the frigates.

The cruisers of the Olympian fleet split into several groups, a chunk heading back to engage the Vuhifellians from the rear with a response of a wave of nuclear fusion missiles, 100MT warheads packed inside a heavy, yet quick torpedo casing. MAC rounds fired out to engage and attempt penetration before the nukes and another wave of conventional warheads would slam in. Meanwhile, while the rest of the dreadnought and battleship flotilla opened up on the destroyers and frigates with extreme prejudice, the other Olympian cruisers began targeting the light cruisers of the Vuhifellian fleet, corresponding with the fighter attack. In the rear, the carriers which had stayed back were now in prime position to engage the fifteen-strong frigate formation attempting to flank their position.

More ships fell victim to the fire, thirteen cruisers, five frigates, and a battleship now being taken out. The dreadnoughts were holding, thanks to the sacrifice of the smaller ships, while engaging the lighter vessels of the enemy - it was a planned tactic. A design Tesaks was fairly confident in, given the slow nature of the enemy heavy cruisers. Eliminate the smaller ships and leave behind the slow, large ones - then he would have his advantage.

While the Vuhifellians wwere quick to launch broadsides with multiple weapons, the Olympians preferred going straight-on - giving them the chance to use MAC barrels extending the entire length of the ship, giving a long acceleration time so that each shell exploded out of the barrel with an insane velocity, giving the weapon strong kinetic energy. A primitive system, sure, but side-mounted missile weaponry protected enemy commanders from thinking that the sides of each ship were vulnerable. Rather, Olympian vessels were somewhat well-rounded - if not somewhat primitive.

The assault fighter swarm, thousands strong, homed in on the enemy heavy cruisers, once again taking advantage of the disproportionate speed ratio. The assault fighters and their interceptor escorts were capable of producing some nasty power, equipped with thousands of nuclear warheads across the formation and tens of thousands of conventional rockets. Not the same sort of hit ratio as MACs, but in swarms they were tough to stop them all.

Tesaks reflected as he watched the battle from his bridge, giving orders. Sure, numbers was the best advantage the Olympians ahd going for them against powerful enemy ships. But part of it, he thought, was that some other Olympian commanders were so stupidly short-sighted - they failed to see how some aspects could be used when each frigate and cruiser were expendable. Innovation was an injection the Olympians could definately use to revitalize their approach.

As such, Faith and Futility zeroed in on Federation, heading straight-on with barriers at full strength, two cruisers acting as escorts. Part of it was buying the frigates ahead of it time - the cruisers launched full spreads of fusion torpedoes at the enemy flagship as F&F continued with pulse weapons and Super MAC shells, each shell firing forward a distance of more than 3 kilometers along the entire dreadnought length. A cruiser broke along Tesaks's bow, fast enough to avoid his flagship's velocity but breaking up from fire from other vectors. Another waste.

Tesaks was well aware of the Federation's formidable armor and defense, but he knew that his innovative weapon would be more than capable of splitting several meters of armor - hell, it would be capable of splitting a hundred meters of armor. Rather than sticking straight to the book with just nukes, MACs, and the like, Tesaks was using the zeal of his forces, the mantra that the needs of the many outweighed the wants of the few that every member under Olympus abided by. Screw the individual - Vahz demanded sacrifice.

At Tribute, the system so aptly named for what Tesaks had told his men what Vahz wanted, the Olympian subadmiral's weapon of zeal was the frigate. The fastest and most numerous ship of the Olympian fleet, they were weak on their own, strong in packs - and most dangerous as kamikazes. That was what high command had never thought of doing. That underlined Tesaks's innovation. Prime his men, steel their resolve - and send them to their demise to sink the heathen dogs who thought they could break the Olympians.

As it looked from F&F's bridge, his plan seemed to be working well. Federation had engaged from fairly close, and while one Tesaks's escorts lit up into a fireball - another cruiser replacing it - Tesaks and his combined three stronger ships diverted attention into a withering salvo of fire, on the outside the most dangerous attack against the Federation as the fighters dove in on the other heavy cruisers. Tesaks's Super MAC gun - primed to deliver a triple-shot with every round for more damage (albeit, with a longer recharge time) - could deliver some serious pounding against even the heavy armor of the Vuhifellian heavy cruisers. His was custom like that, another innovation of the subadmiral's sharp mind.

The frigates ahead of the F&F and her two crusiers, six strong, were lighting up with their lighter MAC rounds and peppering hundreds of rockets ahead of them, along with firing near-continuous streams of fire from their light coilguns. They were jinking, dodging, juking, using their manueverability and speed for every advantage they could, zeroing in on the midsection of the massive, slow, side-turned Vuhifellian command vessel. Pointed forward, they presented a smaller profile, and one that was getting shrouded and obscured by their own thick fire. It wasn't as if these frigates needed to hold any ammo back for later on - they wouldn't be needing it. Nope, this was a do-and-die mission, a one-way trip to Vahz's sacred orchards of the afterlife. Maybe a Super MAC couldn't puncture Federation's armor in one hit, but a fully-armored, fast-moving, 180m-long frigate at full impulse with a zealous commander certainly could, esepcially with the lumbering speed of the enemy heavy cruiser.

The frigates zipped in closer to Federation as the three larger vessels also closed. Depending on what happened here, Tesaks could either order his two cruisers to impact as well, or order them off - he intended also to use the suicide tactic against some of the other heavy cruisers, though not to the same number of frigates per heavy vessel. To his count, Tesaks estimated he could use two frigates per heavy cruiser and still have enough ships and fighters to emerge with a victory, even if half the frigates never made it to impact point. The objective of using his heavy ships on the Vuhifellian lighter ships was part of that plan - to use heavier firepower and bigger guns to blast apart vessels not targeted for ramming while fighters softned up ships on a nondiscriminate scale.

The fighters, meanwhile, were doing their job by closing in on ships across the fleet. Each assault fighter was loaded with two 100MT fusion torpedoes each, as well as with forty conventional rockets. Each interceptor escort had twelve of the rockets, but they wouldn't be using those - the interceptors were for intercepting. If no enemy fighters emerged, then they would use their rockets, or go rearm at the heavy carriers to re-emerge with nuclear warheads.

The assault fighters closed, dodging and jinking from the capital-ship grade fire. At predetermined locations, the fighters closed enough to launch their heavy fusion torpedoes, cluttering the field of battle with absolute torrents of missiles across the entire scale of fight. There were tons of the assault fighters, all coming out of the heavy carriers several minutes earlier - and this is what they were designed from. The carriers didn't need escort - they could hold their own against the attacking frigates. The fighters, now, were free to use whatever they could to do whatever damage they could.

Tesaks smiled aboard Faith and Futility as Federation's hull neared the tipped bows of each of the six charging frigates. Soon, the commander of their flagship would know fear - and death.

The space erupted in Tribute system, the time and space tearing open as a host of ships emerged from hyperspace close to the battle between the Vuhifellians and Olympians. Roughly about a hundred ships emerged into real-space, their thrusters roaring as they quickly took up attack formation, heading towards the battle they saw being fought not too far away.

Many of the ships were of Kostemetsian origin, the bulk of the fleet actually consisting of Unity-class battle cruisers, and the rest resembled Kostemetsian vessels greatly. None of them, however, carried the symbols of this nation, but a blue cross on a white shield.

The fleet had emerged out of hyper-space within a nominal safety range of the planet, and the powerful engines would let out a deafening roar anywhere except in the silence of space as the fleet approached Olympian positions from the flank. Missile bays opened as the ships approached firing range...

"Federation, this is Expedition Force Farstride", came a single message on an encrypted frequency to the Vuhifellian command ship. "Allies of Kostemetsia... and thus, of Vuhifell."

Admiral Suzuka had to stifle a laugh as she saw flashing red icons hit the holographic representation of her ship. MAC rounds bounced off the Federation harmlessly, and energy weapons barely managed to singe the silksteel.

"Cruiser Group Alpha, follow my waypoint and destroy their escort vessels!"

"Ma'am, current losses stand at thirteen vessels-" suddenly, throughout the ship, there was a loud 'thud' that resonated throughout the entire ship. It almost knocked the Admiral off of her command chair, and the holo-map of the system filled with red, before returning to a representation of her vessel.

"What was that! A new weapon!"
"No, ma'am! ONI briefed us on all known Olympian weaponry, energy readings like that didn't come from a regular weapon!"

Several more thuds could be heard throughout the ship, before a navigation lieutenant realized what was going on...

"Ma'am! Our NAV-Tracking software is down! The enemy is ramming us with their frigates!"

"W-what? Damage rep-"

Already have it ma'am. They've rammed two frigates into Port Hanger 11, one frigate into Port Hanger 13, and one frigate into Port Supply Shed 22. My readings tell me that the silksteel can survive up to two hits per bulkhead, after that...I don't know. the ship's AI, Gaethus, had been trying to defend the ship against the attack via its point-defense guns; but machine guns didn't do much against an enemy starship.

"Cruiser Group Zulu, assist the flagship! The enemy has begun ramming us!"
"Roger that, ma'am. Disengaging."
"Negative. Use your side emergency thrusters, do not, I repeat, do not take your weapons off of the enemy. Once you arrive, form a defensive perimeter around the flagship and prepare for prolonged fire."
"Roger. Beginning to divert energy from reactors."

As several light cruisers began to move towards the flagship, never ceasing their fire on the Olympian fleet, the heavy cruisers had begun to disperse, loading their MAC guns not with the standard depleted uranium-tungsten cobalt slugs, but with graviton bombs. Another salvo of heavy fire burst from the heavy cruiser elements at the enemy dreadnoughts and capital ships: priority targets of the fleet.

Near the carrier force, the fifteen Vuhifellian frigates began deploying defensive chaff and minefields around themselves to ward off any fighter or drone attacks, while simultaneously firing their MAC weapons at the enemy carriers.

"Expedition Force Farside, this is Admiral Suzuka of the Vuhifellian Auxilliary Fleet; please assist Frigate Group Charlie in destroying the Olympian carriers towards the rear of their formation."

She studied the holo-map ferociously, delegating more tasks to her AI as she split her cyber-personality to simultaneously run thousands of battle-plans in her head at once.

???

White marble halls adorned the hallways of this majestic place, wherever it was, whatever dimension it was in, obviously had grand quantities of luxury goods.

She heard two Gods arguing with each other, and looked to her right, to her astonishment, she saw Tyth and Razgriz. Both were high-ranking Gods in the Kazach religion. Tyth being the God of Gods and Razgriz being the God of War.

Tyth held a weather-beaten face, with fair skin and a neatly trimmed beard and close-cut hair. Grey wasn't the right word for it, but his hair seemed silver from here...

Razgriz on the other hand, had long, flowing red-orange hair. Dressed in full, black battle armor, and a crimson cape trailing behind him. She could barely see him from behind his helmet.

"My Lord, we are losing influence within Realm 47-A. I have taken the liberty of dispatching an Angel there to regain our position as the dominant religion..."

"And...what of this...insurrection? In Realm 99-C? Surely Vahz doesn't think he can violate our sovereignty like this; by all accounts this is in violation of the Second Treaty of Heaven!"

Lieutenant Jaggers merely watched perplexed...treaties of Heaven? God sovereignty? She was hallucinating. Most definately. She had read about slipspace dimensions where the alternate physics created havok with a person's neurochemistry. This must be one of those dimensions.

"Oh, hello child, may I see your perminant residance card, I don't believe I've seen you before..."

"She is a visitor, Tyth."

The God simply smiled, while Razgriz shook his head in disgust. "If you're not dead, then what're you doing in Heaven?" he spat. Apparently, no residents of this realm had noticed a five kilometer Vuhifellian Heavy Cruiser appear out of nowhere in the sky...

And, she found the ground again, unconscious. This was getting to be quite the slipspace acid trip.

"Copy that, Admiral."

No greeting, no names. Just a simple acknowledgement of the task assigned to them. The Farstride turned with surprising agility, turning their front towards the Olympian vessels.

On the deck of the command vessel, a Remembrance-class cruiser with the insignia KATK Wolverine written on its hull, a single gloved hand tapped on the captain's chair.

"Fire first wave. Prepare the Bees", the owner of that hand said calmly. Commander Aleksei Karkane was, like most of his peers in the Space Corps, a young man by the standards of more established fleets, but he had been a quick study around these Kostemetsian vessels. Even now he watched intensely what would the outcome be.

His command echoed through the Farstride's frequency, and the hundred-or-so vessels belched out a rain of death: missiles, MAC gun shots, orange laser beams that cut the darkness of space. The vessels continued their fast approach, the first wave of destruction approaching the Olympian carrier vessels like a tsunami of destruction...

RCS La Estrella Más Eterna and surrounding battlegroup, Dresdene VII

Space ripped, and four blocks of metal shot out of it.

The four ships curved tightly round the planet, arrowing towards where their pirated intelligence told them the Calaverian fleet would be. Instead, they found a Republic Navy squadron, glinting in the dim light from the sun.

Sensor pings immediately started straining the Individualist squad's network. Overstrengthed firewalls blocked the ship ident reply, but that would alert the Navy just as well. Warning tracer rounds whistled (figuratively) past the civilians' bridges, lighting up space with a fireworks display.

KSFS National Pride and Glory
The first Jackson knew of the rigidly bound squadron was when his coordinator beeped loudly, drawing his attention to the midrange sensor display. Four arrowheads in a diamond formation were sweeping in at STL towards his fleet.

The ship's combat intelligence, LX-810, affectionately known as Alex, unsafed the rapidfire weapons and switched to tracer rounds, firing a storm of the magnesium-charge rounds towards the distant dots.

Hitting a button on his own PDA, he spiked the network, slashed the hastily constructed and overstrengthed firewall software into shreds, and calmly spoke into his mic.

"Unknown target, forward your identification to this vessel. You have fifteen seconds to comply, or we will reduce you to inert dust."

Switching channels, he pulled up Farbanti FLEETCOM.

"Farbanti, this is Battlefleet Alpha Command at Dresdene. We have four new contacts with no identification, but the designs look distinctly familiar."

The frigate impacts had bored holes that could easily be exploited now. The enemy was bunching together in groups to attempt to defend the flagship - and now ledreadnoughts weren't as accurate to shoot around the chaff and mine fields. The fighters were fast and nimble enough to avoid such primitive point defenses - even the Olympians had better systems than that to defend against fighters, with close-inaving the other heavy cruisers out on islands, all alone. They were spewing chaff in vain attempts to defend against fighter attacks, but it seemed to be throwing their own targeting far off - their attacks against the carriers and coilgun-streaming continuous fire.

The assault fighters new from reloading replaced a depleted load of fighters as the carriers initiated evasive manuevers, deploying PD to throw off targeting and decoy fields. Two carriers were hit - one roiling in flame, a critical hit. The other took a blast, but it didn't impact anything major in blasting down a barrier and smashing into the hull -operationality wasn't damaged. Assault fighters swarmed towards the heavy cruisers, easily dodging the static mines and spreading chaff fields. Another torrent of conventional rockets zipped off, followed by a load of heavy nuclear warheads, each with a 100MT shaped warhead. With more than enough power in each warhead to blast apart any major city and its surrounding countryside for kilometers, each warhead contained a high amount of transferable energy. Somewhat primitive, but highly effective.

Meanwhile, nuclear warheads streamed in by the hundreds within thousands of conventional rockets directly at the flagship, swarming, buzzing, zipping around erratically, yet focused on the target - directly at the breaches created by the suicide frigates. Now that the other heavy cruisers were being isolated on their own, the frigates going from them continued on their own, but now with far more increased fire support per vessel. While the dreadnoughts and heaviest capital ships still focused fire in on enemy destroyers and frigates, the cruisers of the Vuhifellians were drawing more and more fire from the Olympian fleet.

Unfortunately, casulties were starting to mount, as well. Somehow, the massive payload of hundreds of exojoules of energy shunted into the flagship by each crashing frigate had somehow not even penetrated thoroughly through each breach - something that the standard flagship of an interstellar fleet double the size of Federation with a full shield complement would have been shattered in half by. Make that five, and the Olympian fleet had been able to shunt several zettajoules of energy - more than 2 x 10^21 joules - into the armor plate of the command ship. Oh well, always more chances.

The first dreadnought fatality soon came about - the ship breaking up as it spewed all remaining missiles and MAC rounds as fast as possible even in its death throes, creating a throng of fire from the dying warship directed at an enemy heavy cruiser on its own. So far, the Olympian fleet was handling itself alright, despite still taking heavy casulties - innovation had opened up new holes, and was keeping the convetional Vuhifellian fleet off guard and preventing them from using their full firepower - preventing a slaughter.

The ships of Expedition Force Farstride were now in proper combat range, and a second wave of missiles was fired. Strangely, the Olympians seemed to care little of a hundred new vessels in the area, and seemed to be hell-bent on turning the Federation into debris. So far the Northern Rangerian vessels had taken negligible damage, as if they were a mere annoyance to the much larger Olympian fleet.

Still, they also had a trick up their sleeve.

"Sir", came the word from the tactical officer of KATK Wolverine. "We are in Bee firing range. All battle cruisers have a firing solution on enemy carriers. Missile frigates reporting in."

"Good, good", commander Karkane nodded on his seat. "All Unity- and Bovillia-class ships, concentrate penetrating fire on the aft of the closest available carrier. Republic, Remembrance, Magellan, fire Bees at first sign of rupture, and offer cover fire for the rest of the fleet. Fire at will."

It was at this moment that the Farstride showed its claws. The battle cruisers opened fire with their heavy missiles and lasers, all pinpointing a singular location on the carrier vessels. Strangely, they did not fire upon engines, but instead seemed hell-bent on causing a hull breach. As soon as one appeared, the missile frigates and light cruisers each sent smaller projectiles on the way. These missiles were faster, leaner than the heavy warheads launched thus far. Each one was aimed at where a hull breach was forming.

These missiles, nicknamed "Bee", were quite insidious in nature. Fast and hard to pinpoint by defensive guns, they would not - in an ideal case - explode on impact. Instead, they would merely penetrate the hull, which would then activate the second phase. The warhead would release with a set of smaller but still powerful engines, digging into the bowel of their target, breaking through bulkheads and corridors - and only then exploding. A missile explosion deep inside a vessel, especially if the warhead ended up close to the engines, would ideally spell great, crippling damage to the poor recipient of this "bee sting".

So far this new weapon had only been experimental, but apparently commander Karkane had decided it was high time to field-test it.

"Pascal!"

've got it, ma'am! the ship's point-defense AI shouted back at her. Using fusion lasers from the top and bottom of the ship, she was able to repel most of the missile attacks; however, his sensors still picked up several nuclear missiles moving towards Port Hanger 11...the bulkhead whose armor was already buckling...

Prepare for impact!

"We've got it, ma'am!"

Suddenly, the light cruiser, VFS Commonwealth, used her remaining emergency thrusters to throw herself in between the incoming nukes and the Federation. Her plasma steel armor was rated against three or four such nuclear attacks...but the nuclear storm that the Olympians had unleashed was too much for the vessel, and she quickly exploded, sending scraphnel into the surrounding space and destroying several regular missiles upon her death...

"No time for honors or salutes, crew! Begin EW warfare and pull back to a pentagon defense perimeter!"

"Aye, ma'am!" the Federation's many AIs instantly began uploading small parts of themselves into the Olympian vessels' mainframes, hoping to freeze up their weapons command system long enough for the heavy cruisers to effortlessly destroy each affected vessel.

It was a close call. Had the Commonwealth not sacrificed herself, the missiles would have had no problem penetrating the damaged armor, and if a nuke detonated inside the Federation...even a hunred meters of silksteel could not defend against such a catastophe.

"All ships, the enemy has tried to bring nuclear death upon us...see fit to reply in kind."

The Federation, a command carrier the size of a city, instantly began pouring out thousands upon thousands of SA-43 fighters. No longer were the Vuhifellians going to ignore the Olympian threat by sending out unmanned drones...the Olympians would have to face the highly trained Naval Fighter Corps.

Plasma torpedos and nuclear missiles tore through space from all sides: from the SA-43 fighters to the heavy cruisers, who were too disorientated to use their strongest tachyon and graviton weaponry; instead having to rely on weaker (but still fairly powerful) quantum shard weaponry and MACs.

Near the Olympian carriers, the frigates began deploying their Longsword Escort Fighters, each frigate firing in unison on one carrier at a time; the one that rolled in flames was their first victim. It was not to be their last.

The heavy cruisers Republic and Polaris both took hits by MAC rounds, flames spewed out from their wounds and were quickly extinguished; before they send a volley of MAC rounds in return to a surviving Olympian dreadnought.

FLEETCOM - Farbanti Station

"Roger that. Fire upon the unknown vessels with extreme prejudice. We are dispatching Destroyer Group Alpha Alpha to the Orion System. They should be there within a few days."

Vega Artones

"Fleet Admiral Hawking, there is a Vuhifellian Fleet led by Fleet Admiral Suzuka engaged in combat in the Tribute System, I would like you to..."

"Negative, Admiral. I'm going to force a push into Circum-Romana. Our allies can help Admiral Suzuka in Tribute."

"Very well. Admiral Alexi; Admiral Suzuka of the Vuhifellian Navy is currently engaging hostile forces in the Tribute System. Please assist them and destroy every Olympian vessel. Leave no survivors, Admira Suzuka should brief you once you reach the other side, just tell her that Fleet Admiral Schultz sent you."

The latest push by the Vuhifellians put the Olympians off-guard, exposing the fleet to heavier doses of greater firepower. Dreadnoughts made a frantic push forward, able to take one or two hits from their barriers - more than the light but speedy frigates could. The frigates were capable of dodging shots, true, but they also didn't last too long when contact did come - contact generally meant crippling damage, or if a lucky shot, death by core breach.

Truly suffering were the cruisers. The ships weren't fast enough to avoid combat fire, yet couldn't survive more than one shot with their barriers. In an effort to make cruisers a "balanced" class, the Olympians had made their standard fighting ship really only capable of fighting destroyers and frigates of opposing races. Insufficient weaponry proved incapable of combatting battlecruisers and standard cruisers of enemies - a job which most galactic cruisers were designed to do.

The fleet was now getting hammered and losing the numbers game, a deadly combination that would only lead to the fleet's destruction. There was plenty of ammunition left, however, so one thing was left to do with it - spend it all in whatever way possible. If that required sacrifice, than so be it. The men were prepared to give their lives for the glory of Vahz and the continued defense of fleets further in to the home systems - Olympia would stand and fight another day with the Tribute System's defeat. This would go down in history, be studied by historians and students of Olympia for eons to come. After all, when Vuhifellian vessels tried to take the Olympian homeworlds...they would find more than military resistance. Every man, every woman, was prepared to sacrifice their lives. Fight for it, or die for it - no compromise for the strong.

The Olympian fleet prepared for a final stand with just over one hundred vessels remaining - 3/4ths of the fleet was gone, including three dreadnoughts and two carriers. With a rush of emotion from the fleet, the entire Olympian line surged forward, a hail of nuclear warheads cluttered amidst a shower of conventional rockets spewing forth in all directions. Pulse beams blasted out of quickly overheating pulse conduits, MAC rounds flying out by the hundreds from the desperate fleet. Desperate to get off what they could from two different offenders, desperate to make damages to save what they could of fleets still to come.

Maybe they wouldn't win, but they'd do their best.

The Northern Rangerian line buckled as the ships began taking evasive maneuvers to avoid the deadly rain. Weapon turrets began a defensive barrage, and active jamming systems were turned on, trying to shake off or avoid possible weapons lock that the Olympians might have on the vessels.

Still, the rage of the cornered Olympians took their toll on the new fleet. Battle cruiser KATK Vasha took a direct hit and exploded in a brilliant display of twisting metal and exploding plasma. Two heavily-damaged vessels, the frigates Wild Oat and Feeniks, ejected most of their crew in evacuation pods before their captains fired their engines into one final plunge, every still-working weapon firing at the Olympians as the two ships plunged headlong into enemy fire. KATK Wild Oat did not make it half-way before exploding, but KATK Feeniks lived up to her name, diving as a burning Phoenix head-long towards Olympian vessels, showing the enemy that even these men knew how to die with honour.

Commander Karkane could only utter a small prayer in the back of his head as he watched the doomed Feeniks approached the Olympians, her guns flaring, Bees and conventional missiles flying at close-range. KATK Wolverine had also taken her share of the pounding, but still she pressed on, along with the rest of the fleet.

"Target weapon systems and engines, we need to take these fanatics out!" Karkane yelled into his comms.

The frantic charge of the Olympian vessels frightened many captains of Suzuka's fleet; which had been hastily prepared and pulled from the Home Fleet. The weapons fire destroyed many smaller vessels guarding the Federation, but, amazing, not a single heavy cruiser, the backbone of the Vuhifellian Navy, was lost to this last ditch effort.

"All cruisers, prepare a salvo of your strongest weaponry, fire on my command only."

The flaming hulks of several light cruisers could be seen from her main view screen, probably sacrificing themselves to keep the Federation safe.

"All ships, fire." silver light enveloped both fleets as the heavy cruisers unleashed their tachyon and graviton weaponry. The Federation fired its many MACs unto the largest surviving enemy vessels.

But, even as victory was assured, the damage done to her fleet was immense. Thirty-five vessels destroyed; twenty of which were light cruisers. It would take weeks before the Auxilliary Fleet was put back on 'Assault' status. Ships could be taken out of reserve, yes, but Vuhifell's mothball fleet was only so large, and the shipyards could not be taxed any further than they already were...

KSFS National Pride and Glory
Dresdene VII

Jackson spoke urgently and slightly over-loudly into his mike. "They have silksteel armour; repeat, silksteel armour. I thought only Vuhifell's biggest ships had that?"

Stop-fire orders shot through the gunnery computers, neutralising the supercarrier's futilely firing weaponry. Jackson switched channels, calling out to the unidentified squad:

"Unknown ships, this is Battlefleet Alpha Command. Kindly decelerate and open a comm channel; neither you nor we can risk a loss... we are in the middle of a war."

Alexi received the message in a timely fashion , he smiled a bit as he heard and saw the message, he walked over to his leather like chair and sat on it leaning back as he folded his gloved hands on his lap, he looked up at the holographic screen and tactical map, he hummed a bit, the crew was still excited as they had forced the withdraw of the enemy from this system and had already, secured the system they were already in, morale was high, they were expecting to turn the tide of this war to the better, and secure democracy in this country.

Hearing the request for aid only intensified the good morale, the crew was ready for a fight, expecting on in fact, they did not want to sit around in this temporally requisitioned system. Alexi sighed and started to speak as he rested his hands on the armrests of his leather like chair. His voice was loud and commanding.


“All right let’s do this thing All forces prep jump engines, let them know we’re read. Also let them know they should send us a tactical map and tell us the situation of the area so we can plan a tactical maneuver beforehand if they need a scouting unit the repulse can go..”
Messages of that caliber were sent, now it was time for them to await a reply as the fleet formed up in to an assault wedge formation, the 257 ship fleet would jump in and rain hell upon the enemy. The crew felt ready as ever, each ship in the fleet began glowing gold, the hue shimmering over the dark grey bodies of the large vessels disappearing in a sudden burst of gold.

Several moments later the entire fleet jumped in to the tribute system, Alexi had stood up at this point and looked outside. He smiled and looked at his ai that was standing next to him, he raised his hand and commanded with a loud voice.


“The Orion, Republic and Repulse will lead a wave to out flank the enemy from the sides, we will go in towards the middle, leave about 50 ships behind and have them tactically jump behind the enemy line, All weapons target the Olympian ships and fire!”


The fleet moved ahead rumbling ominously with a demonic blue and green hue behind them as they moved forward , crackling beams of energy flowing out of the cruisers, battle ships destroyers and numerous other ships dual dark energy beam emitters, thousands of beams flew from the fleet reaching and crackling across the darkness of space. Graviton drivers followed, cannons roared and crackled with energy recoiling as rounds flew at near light speed a trail of yellowish orange flame behind them.


The repulse, Orion, and Republic closed in on the enemy forces they pushed their engines at high speed, as hundreds of fighters poured out of the super carriers behind them SF-101 Excalibur fighters moved out in wedge formations establishing defensive lines waiting for enemy fighters to intercept them. Alexi looked out with a grin over hi rough aged face, he put his hand to his chin as his fleet poured fire towards enemy vessels. Thousands of missiles flowed from vertical launch tubes Polaris I missiles flew with blue flames shrieking from behind their bodies, thousands of blue lines appeared shrieking through the darkness of space.

Trent hawking was the leader of the Excalibur squadron, he smiled, his hands resting on the control panels , his direct man machine interface pouring data and tactical strategies through his mind and flashing before his eyes, he smiled as he sent this information across to the other fighters.

With that a sudden movement of the planes happened, part of the squadron banked left, the other banked right, the space craft rushed forth the glowing blue and green flames of the dark energy engines pushing them at high speeds, over .50 c, they maneuvered activating missiles, Trent pushed down the button on the joystick and called out.

“Fox one away!” a missile burst forth towards enemy small craft, followed by a torrent from the other fighters, he yelled again as he pressed it “Fox two away!” sweat forming on his head as his fighter rushed in to the darkness of space and through the lancing fire between craft banking maneuvering with shrieks of blue and green flames shooting from behind the sleek craft. Another missile moved forth a trail of blue fire pushing towards space as it lunged towards another enemy craft. Trent maneuvered his craft to avoid a bolt of fire form his own battle carrier , as it loomed across pouring out masses of beams solid rounds, and pulses of energy, lighting up the darkness of space with its almost demonic looking fire power.

Trent as was the rest of his squad was tense, they were in the middle of a large fight, anything could happen, even their own ships would accidentally hit them, feelings were shared with Alexi as he looked over the tactical situation, his entire fleet now moving on the attack, beams slugs missiles and pulses all reaching out to swat the enemy from the universe. Even a hardened admiral knew that anything could go wrong.. his soul was shaken, but as a commanding officer he could not let it show, every one was like him, but they were also confident in their abilities, as their over powered high tech fleet moved forth. a grin came over Alexis face, hew knew this fight would be over soon...

For the Terrans, the reason the fight would be over soon was that they had come in at the waning moments of the Olympian fleet. The Vuhifellian attack now was pulverizing in nature, splitting open the charging Faith and Futility like an egg. Fire spewed out from a hull breach in the fore before a MAC round blasted in, adding insult to injury as organic and synthetic material blew out from venting electronics and interior elements. Fire shot through the ship as it instantly decompressed through huge breaches, the ship drifting a hulk in space, though still speeding towards the enemy lines.

Frigates dodged and avoided enemy fire, bunching up in groups of threes and diving in on light and heavy cruisers as they fired every round of ammunition left, exploding carcasses outlining what had become a fairly bad day. The carrier fleet was entirely gone; the dreadnoughts reduced to two still standing while one battleship remained unscathed, another two limping while shooting. Only eight cruisers remained, still firing and attempting to jink off fire as just-hit corpses of ships exploded in a backdrop.

The fighters knew they had nothing left, now blasting off every nuke, conventional rocket, and even coilgun round at lighter ships to simply attempt to inflict damage, if at all possible. It was a foregone conclusion that the fleet was doomed, and the Terran reinforcements at this rate were hitting starship corpses recently deposed by Vuhifellian gunners. The ships still alive had by this point closed with the Vuhifellian opponents, out of the plain of battle and now at nearly point-blank range as they attempted to do whatever damage was possible at this rate.

The apparent rage of the Olympians towards the Vuhifellians worked to the advantage of Farstride: it seemed that these last-standers carried their grudge against admiral Suzuka's fleet to the extreme, doing everything imaginable to damage the Vuhifellians, while the Northern Rangerian vessels received only a portion of that rage.

The Northern Rangerians did not carry any small fighter planes - in fact, there were no carrier vessels in sight - but their defensive guns showed their teeth to the Olympians, barrages of super-heated plasma and precision lasers hunting down these vessels and their projectiles. The ships also kept transmitting a jamming signal, making their radar echo fleeting, ghost-like, harder for computers to pinpoint.

"Commander, the Olympian flagship is down!" came the yell from the radar console of KATK Wolverine, anc commander Karkane dared to flash a grin. He looked at the situation and saw the flaming hulk still pressing on towards Vuhifellian lines, driven by the dead engines.

Karkane flipped open his comms again. "Captain Sund, take your battle group and tear that ship apart. It must not reach Vuhifellian lines", he said to the comms, contacting captain Elias Sund of the battle cruiser Oravaine.

"Acknowledged", came the answer, and the large battle cruiser followed by two of its kind veered off from the line. Engines thundered as the three ships laid in an intercept course with the flaming carcass of Faith and Futility. Thirty seconds to firing range...

Meanwhile, the rest of the Expedition Force kept pressing on, the right flank offering cover fire for Oravaine and her two companions, KATK Skysmith and KATK Hefaistos. The center and left flank kept their pressure on the remnants of the Olympian fleet, a number of ships concentrating on one frigate at a time, tearing her asunder. The tortured ship Feeniks finally buckled, her engine core exploding as her torn, mutilated hulk made contact with the Olympian cruisers...

As the remnants of the Olympian fleet were dispatched and only a few remaining ships left, celebrations were already well underway onboard every Vuhifellian vessel, with independent AI's devoting a mere 1/100 of their processing power to the destruction of the enemy.

"To victory!" shouted Admiral Suzuka.
"To victory!" everyone else in the bridge repeated in an equally high voice...

A small flash in the main view screen, before the loudspeaker of the ship eventually drowned out all euphoria in the bridge.

"This is the VFS Kestral, we're hit! A MAC round just tore our engine room apart and-oh...oh God! Oh God! Vahz, help m-" they could see a bright explosion through the view screen, as several Olympian frigates had decided to ram the Kestral. She exploded instantly.

Quiet.

"I want the registry for the-"

VFS Kestral, laid down Ninth of July, 2160 in New Vuhifell Federal Shipyards. She was a heavy cruiser ma'am...nine-thousand sailors and marines were onboard at the time of the explosion. Five-thousand organics and three-thousand bio-androids and cyborgs ma'am. There were no AI's...or survivors....I'm sorry.

"Damn them...damn them to hell...all Vuhifellian forces, this is Admiral Suzuka, as soon as this battle is over, we're docking at this system's naval port. I am suspending operations of the Auxilliary Fleet indefinitely until replacement ships can be transported over here."

The Vuhifellians had won this battle, and there would be no more casualties. But at a heavy cost, thirty-two vessels, including one heavy cruiser, were lost.

May Tyth have mercy on them all. She knew ONI would wrap this battle up quietly. The loss of a capital ship would have devastating effects on nation-wide morale if it were ever leaked. They couldn't afford that.

"KATK Wolverine and Commander Karkane of the Farstride Expedition Force calling Admiral Suzuka. Admiral, do you read?"

Karkane sighed, letting the comm officer continue the calls. He turned his gaze to the main screen and watched the sea of destruction that stretched on for miles in front of him. Floating debris, corpses, some vessels still on fire as the flames licked out the last pockets of atmosphere.

"Inform the Maiden and the Sixth of our situation. Enemy presence in the Tribute system neutralised. Establishing contact with the Vuhifellians", he then nodded to his XO. Already casualty reports were coming in... Battle cruiser Vasha, destroyed; missile frigate Wild Oat, destroyed; missile frigate Feeniks, destroyed; light cruiser Alue, destroyed; light cruiser Steadfast, destroyed; multi-purpose cruiser Wanderer, destroyed... Several ships had also taken damage, but none so badly that they would have to be abandoned.

Six ships... Six vessels had been the cost the Northern Rangerians had had to pay in this baptism by fire.

"All Farstride vessels, this is commander Karkane. Begin search of survivors and sweeps of enemy ships. Every piece of information we can get of these Olympians is vital."

"KATK Wolverine and Commander Karkane of the Farstride Expedition Force calling Admiral Suzuka. Admiral, do you read?"

"Commander Karkane, this is Admiral Twilight Suzuka of the Vuhifellian Auxilliary Fleet. Thanks for your help. We'll be docking at Tribute Naval Station, soon, if you wish to debrief with our fleet, you're more than welcome."

Vuhifell System

The former home-system of the Vuhifellian people shined brightly in the glow of two suns; well, technically only one. A second star, barely an AU away from Olympia, was the size of a planet. Vuhifell 7AAZ, formerly known as Planet Vuhifell. Her bright-blue glow of toxic mysterium gas had yet to die down, and bathed the entire system in radioactive glory.

Near the edge of the system, a bright light flashed, and out of it came and ONI Prowler, on a routine patrol of the system...but not this time.

It was swiftly and ruthlessly destroyed by Olympian forces as soon as it exited slipspace, barely managing to collect half-a-second of intelligence.

Circum-Romana System

He had made sure not to get noticed as he detatched himself from ONI, barely managing to steal a few gigabytes of ONI data as he left Central Dogma back in Hivezopolis. His vessel, the VNS Grenadier, was a small civilian transport; and he emerged from slipspace in the former Vuhifellian system to find a massive Olympian fleet there. Perfect.

Over an encrypted channel, he sent a message as carefully and deliberately as he could to the Olympian fleet.

"Attention, Olympian vessels. This is Captain Ji Vheryokha of the Vuhifellian Office of Naval Intelligence. I am Vahz-Gree, just as you, and have been persecuted by the Kazachs of Vuhifell. You may not trust me, but please accept me into your ranks. I think you'll find my...data on the Vuhifellian military most interesting..."

Captain Ji Vheryokha, former military analyst for ONI Section 01; was now acting as a traitor. If the Olympians didn't kill him, ONI certainly would.

"Commander Aleksei Karkane, Expedition Force Farstride, Northern Rangerian Defence Corps. We gladly accept your invitation, admiral. We would also wish to make contact with our Kostemetsian allies in Vuhifell space", came the answer as the Wolverine and her escorts slipped closer. The ships were clearly of Kostemetsian design, though some of the lighter cruisers and a handful of the battle cruisers were slightly different from the standard Kostemetsian stock.

"If there is any assistance we can offer, our medical bays are at your disposal"

A message alert came through on Jackson's PDA. He'd been slipping extraneous bits of code into the Vuhifellian information infrastructure over the years, ironically using the tricks he'd borrowed from ONI.

One of those tricks was a small bug. It wouldn't listen for anything, really... except mentions of Kostemetsia. It would listen for a few seconds, and it would only keep listening if it deemed the conversation of interest to the Republic executive.

This particular bug picked up on the Northern Rangerians mentioning Kostemetsia. Context-sensitive triggers accumulated onto the message as it sped down the comms line, allowing the computer to give it a subject.

A set of coordinates was immediately prepared for transmission.

Vuhifellian System

The minelaying corvette deposited another nuclear mine, the medium-sized device equipped with a homing, motion and thermal-sensitive computer that directed a 500MT fusion warhead within a casing of three-meter thick neutronium shell. Minutes before, an unknown vessel - not recorded as a friendly-designated unit - had dropped out right in the midst of the growing Olympian minefield in their capital system. With the planets of the system all covered in the small explosive defenses, along with small orbital turrets and larger stations - the vessel hadn't lasted long.


Circum-Romana System

The unknow visitor was a bit of an enigma - supposedly playing by a different set of the rules and defecting from the enemy. This was new - it was thought that the Vuhifellians and Olympians were so far apart they couldn't coexists. Maybe this new interloper was going to break the mold. Nonetheless, he claimed to have information, and with things going the way they were, this was something potentially important. He had to be let through - for now.

"Captain Vheryokha, we are transferring your shuttle's coordinates to our capital ship Fire of Hail. Please set a course to rendevous."

Fire of Hail was one of the new-line dreadnoughts, equipped with advanced barriers and ablative armor to dissipate energy weapons and kinetic energy of mass weaponry. It was a tough ship, for sure - and it had enough, more than enough, to deal with the small Vuhifellian shuttle if anything was tried.

Circum-Romana System

The Captain manuevered his vessel to dock with the much larger Olympian dreadnought. He had never seen this in any ONI database before...it must be a new model. If so, the Navy was going to have one hell of a time trying to bring it down.

"Operation Stardust. If you don't trust me now, you will soon enough. That's what the Vuhifellians are doing in the New Queson System. Amassing a fleet of base-ships and heavy cruisers to destroy your homeworld. They know where you dwell, but not the other way around. Trust me, without someone on the inside, you cannot win this war..."

What he said was true. Without someone on the inside, Vuhifell had no chance of winning this war.

ONI Command Bunker
Three Days Earlier

Two men sat around a small table in the center of a tiny room, with a single light bulb hanging loosely from a cieling fan. There were no windows, just the cinder block walls and a meter thick plasma steel door. Smoke clouded the room, as both men were chain smoking mass amounts of cigarettes.

"Sir?"

"You heard me, I'm giving you a temporary commission as a Captain of the Office of Naval Intelligence. You know...the consequences of revealing this mission's details are summary execution?"

He slowly gulped at the thought of being executed by an ONI firing squad, before replying, "why me, sir?"

"Out of all these millions and millions of people in the Federation; there are seven-thousand-thirty-two who understand Pan-Ceres, the language of the Olympians. Out of that number, four-hundred-nineteen are employees of ONI, and out of that number, there are fourteen under my jurisdiction as Head of Section 01."

"What about the other thirteen, sir? Can't they take on this mission?"

"That's a negative. Their profiles indicate they can't be trusted. Besides, you're ethnically Olympian, aren't you? And you're Vahz-Gree, too? You might as well be fighting on their side. You're the only one who can carry this mission out, Captain Vheryokha."

"So...what is it that I will have to do?"

The older man, in an admiral's uniform, dumped a pile of papers and holographs in front of him.

"Become one of them. Reveal select pieces of information from this list. Gain their trust, and report everything back here. No worries, with any luck, they'll have you sent in as a 'double-agent'. I should note, that other than the ONI High Council, no one will know of this operation."

"Very well...what do I need to do, first?"

Circum-Romana System

And so, he was revealing the actual plans of the Vuhifellian Navy. A single base-ship was being towed from the Ogden System to the New Queson System by a fleet of heavy cruisers. The hope being that a single base-ship and her escorts could annihilate the entire Olympian Navy. A prospect that was being explored simply for the lack of options.

Individualist battlegroup

Eterna received the message, but Golvert decided to loop in and around the Navy squadron at high gees, drawing thin helices and double-helices of plasma. Finally, India Three, the heavy freighter Postapocalyptic Cathedral, made a graceful turn and settled onto the National Pride and Glory's outstretched number one docking arm.

India Two (Test Card Girl) quickly followed, settling onto arm two, then India Three, Isoroku Yamamoto, likewise for arm three; and finally the Eterna on arm four.

Loud thuds were heard as mechanical claws shot into their assigned sockets, keeping the battlegroup firmly in their assigned places as the docking arms retracted into their sockets.

Finally, the docking hatches thudded closed, sealing in the Individualist squadron. In a display of choreography unmatched by any dancer, four personnel tubes gracefully swung around to link up to each cockpit.

Each pilot's chair was sealed up within a white ovoid, then shot down a pair of rails into a new, darker room. A conference room.

OOC: Was havin' a brain fart here the last few days on responding...

IC:

Captain Uras Veletei captained the Hail of Fire, the first vessel of her class deployed to the Circum-Romana system. More of them were being put out to the home systems, but Circum-Romana and Helios were two systems that the Olympians had a thing for controlling. The system would be getting some reinforcements to its moderately-sized fleet - certainly already considerably bigger than Tribute's contingent - but right now Hail of Fire was suitable as the system flagship. It would have to do, anyway.

The news brought by the informant was shaky at best, potentially, but it true - Veletei liked it. Base-ships and heavy cruisers be damned - they could go ahead and enter the Vuhifell system. The ships would run smack dab into the nuclear minefield - and once that went off, it would likely blow up anything in the area. There were petatons of TNT's worth of nuclear explosives in that minefield - and the individual packages were small enough to be hard to pick up. Swarming, they could do a hell of a lot of damage with micro-thrusters allowing each mine to close in on ships in their proximity.

Even if they breached that, it was doubtful they'd even be able to break the planetary defenses on the first try. There was just too much - the Olympians had been busy, cranking out ships, weapons, and defenses on full throttle since informed of the presence of the Vuhifellians. Through the strategy of the law of large numbers, the Olympians had strong manufacturing capability - producing a mine could take very little time, and even frigates didn't take all that long.

Non-intervention had its benefits, as well - if the Vuhifellians amassed their fleet at New Queson and decided to attack Olympus, the Olympians themselves could gang-rape one of the Vuhifellian systems with the building armada they also had going while the Vuhifellian fleet blew itself to pieces on the defenses of the Vuhifell system. This information, if true, was awfully lucky on the part of the Olympians. With a flat strategy of laying down roughly equal amounts at every system, the Vuhifellians could potentially have the Olympians's number. They had to have the Vuhifellians imbalanced to use their defensive abilities and mass-attack on the offensive against a weakened Vuhifellian defensive area.

For a third factor, if the Vuhifellians were amassing a gigantic fleet at New Queson, there was no way the Olympians were going to sacrifice their attack armada for a likely lost cause. Better to have them attack what designed for - a weaker system to roll over - or at the defensive against massive fleets with static defenses to rely on and fall back to. Olympians were far better at defense than offense when they'd had time to build up - though numbers had their advantage on the offensive. It was just a matter of devising up a sound strategy to take advantage of them.

Two armed Olympian naval guards had encountered the new Vuhifellian turncoat at the hanger bay, accosting the man and bearing orders: "Captain Veletei wants to meet with you personally, Vuhifellian, in his ready room. Follow us."

OOC: No problem

IC:

Vuhifell was promoting a fair share of its junior admirals nowadays. Currently, there were seven, now eight, Fleet Admirals of the Vuhifellian Navy; each commanding a fleet powerful enough to destroy anything but an Olympian armada of 1000+ vessels. The newest admiral, Fleet Admiral Howard Davis, Jr., was commanding the Primary Defense Fleet. Otherwise popularly known as the 'Invincible Fleet'.

Vuhifell had five base-ships within her arsenel of weaponry against the Olympians. Of these, four were permanently assigned to New Vuhifell, and fifth was given special orders to directly assault Olympian space.

With over seventy meters of neutronium-synthmetal armor, hangers which could house cruisers, and massive singularity lasers, they were yet untested in combat.

And thanks to some disinformation on ONI's end, they could get away with a daring assault. Yes, they were going to assault the Vuhifell system...with temporal copies of course. Mere shells. The 22nd century equivalent of inflating tank-shaped balloons to artificially inflate your force disposition against enemy intelligence. The force that would attack Olympia would be an illusion, nothing more, nothing less; Vuhifell would gain nothing but disorientation from the assault.

Circum-Romana System

He had trained his heart to remain steady, and was able to pass through various security checkpoints without any physical signs of his distress. He had followed the guards to the Olympian captain's room, and looked around.

Obvious from the start, was the large Olympian flag hanging from the wall. Less obvious was a small statue of Vahz.

"Captain." he quickly saluted, before kneeling deeply, "May Vahz be with you, brother. I hope I do not offend. I am an Orthodox Vahz-Gree, so, I must follow the rites of honor."

New Queson System

"Operation Stardust is a go. All ships, engage temporal invisibility drives and wait for my command to enter slipspace. We'll deposit our temporal clones in Vuhifell before assaulting our primary objective, are we all understood?"

"Aye, sir!"

Circum-Romana System

"Indeed," Veletei turned in his mechanized chair, now facing the Vuhifellian turncoat. The Hail of Fire's captain was a massive, thick-built man, solid and full of strength. He looked like he could rip apart the Vuhifellian with muscle alone if he so desired...or if the man said things Veletei didn't want to hear.

"My subcommander tells me you have information regarding the Vuhifellians," Veletei said. "I need to know it."

"As you no doubt know already, the Vuhifellian Navy has been undergoing a massive reorganization. Before the war, there were three fleets: the Home, Reserve, and Assault fleets. The latter being led by Rear Admirals and the Home Fleet being led by the Supreme Admiral herself. Now, the Navy has reorganized itself into eight seperate fleets, each led by a Fleet Admiral. The strongest of which: the Subjugation Fleet, is heading towards the Vuhifell System as we speak." he took out a small holo-map of Vuhifellian space (altered of course; but as far as the Olympians were concerned, this was the farthest glance they would get at ONI's star charts).

"As you can see, they've mobilized two fleets in the Vega Artones System, one fleet in Tribute, and another is preparing for the assault on Olympia. They have four fleets on standby, one of which is the Home Fleet, which isn't going anywhere anytime soon..." he stood back into the corner of the room, taking a pack of cigarettes from his jacket and lighting one up.

"I'd be wary of FTL-comms, too. ONI has deployed prowlers permanently into the slipstream..."

Vuhifell System

A bright flash of light engulfed the entire system, and suddenly, near the planet Vasto, emerged a giant Vuhifellian fleet. The centerpiece of which was a massive "X" shaped ship. Almost as massive as the rest of the fleet that sailed with her; these goliaths were originally built strictly for defense, and had no FTL drive. They had to be towed from system to system by a fleet of heavy cruisers...

Beowulf Pi System

While the temporal fleet was engaging itself in Vuhifell, Admiral Davis hoped that it would buy him enough time to distract the Olympian fleet long enough for him to secure Beowulf Pi. The first real assault on an Olympian system. The fleet hung on the outside of the system's perimeter, not that range mattered, anyway. The base-ship quickly and relentlessly pooled dark energy into its center section. A swirling miniature black hole could be seen inside a temporal distortion field. If the Olympians wanted to surrender, they chose the wrong admiral to fight. He had no orders but to simple "kill everything".

There would be no pre-battle warning this time. The base-ship fired a large bolt of dark energy at its target almost a light year away, but when you're weapon dug itself into slipspace and literally appeared inside an enemy vessel...range, it seemed, no longer mattered.

Tribute Naval Station

The Farstride Expedition Force's ships maintained orbit around the planet after the battle. Some ships were still scouring the wreckage, collecting remnants of computers, weapon systems, anything that could be used to glean tactical or technological information about the Olympians - or their plans. On one of the wrecks, they had even managed to find a handful of survivors - luckily incapacitated by the dropping oxygen levels. These Olympian POWs had been stripped of their weapons and equipment, and while still unconscious they had been scanned with X-ray to make sure they carried no hidden weaponry inside their bodies.

Other Northern Rangerian vessels had appeared as well: mainly cargo ships restocking the fleet with ammunition and medical equipment.

The lead vessel, a Kostemetsian Remembrance-class cruiser dubbed Wolverine, was slowly making its approach to the naval station.

"Vuhifellian Naval station, this is KATK Wolverine, requesting landing permission."